cannot yet get with precision. The ardour of our people is such, that they can’t be kept back. The Colonels are to forward part of the best men and most ready, as fast as possible, the remainder to be ready at a moment’s warning. These are the present movements with us. All that we learn from you is, that a Brigade marched from Boston towards Concord last Tuesday evening; that they fired on a party of Provincials at that place, and that they were attacked by the Provincials, and obliged to retreat; and that General Gage was marching out to cover their retreat; that numbers were killed on both sides. Indeed, our accounts are so various, we know not what to rely on. We therefore have despatched Mr. David Trumbull, the son of Governour Trumbull, with orders to proceed to such place as he shall find you at, and get such intelligence as may be depended on, that we may know how to concert the measures necessary and best for us to take.

We shall anxiously expect to hear from you, and hope to have such intelligence as you may judge necessary to give us, by the return of Mr. Trumbull.

We are, with anxious prayers for your safety, and a happy event of this most disagreeable contest, gentlemen, your most humble servants,

WM. WILLIAMS,
NATH. WALES, Jr.,
JOSEPH TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, President of the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay. Per Mr. Trumbull.

P. S. We hope despatches will be immediately sent off from you, with most authentick accounts of the late transactions, to forestall such exaggerated accounts as may go from the Army and Navy; it may prevent harsh measures, and strengthen the hands of our friends in Britain. We hint this step, and dare say no hints, however free, at such a time as this, will be taken amiss.

COMMITTEE OF THE NEWBURYPORT TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Newburyport, April 21, 1775.

SIR: We have sent forward the bearer, to have your orders with all possible despatch by his return, whether the forces that are coming from the Province of New-Hampshire, and from the eastern parts of our Province, who, by expresses, are hastening along, should be sent back, especially those who live near the sea-shore. We are well informed numbers passed our River yesterday, at the upper Ferries, besides four Companies through this Town, on their way to you. We shall follow your directions, and, if ordered take care to find expresses as far Eastward as necessary. We have a party of men from this Town (upwards of one hundred) upon their march to you. If they are not wanted, and you think proper, you can order our express to turn them back. We sent off last evening two field-pieces to you; if not wanted, they may be of some use here. We would be glad of your directions by our next Express, or by any safe opportunity, as soon as you can attend, how we shall act in case any Cutters should come in here, more especially if they bring land forces with them. If provisions of any sort are wanted, give us an account what sort, and we will forward what we are able, with all despatch. If, in giving answers to these inquiries, it be necessary for you to give any private information;, please to direct to Benjamin Greenleaf, Esquire, sealed, and enclose it in another letter, with your information that may be communicated, sealed, to the Chairman of the Committee for this Town, by whose order, and in whose behalf, I am, Sir, your most humble servant,

B. GREENLEAF.

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS TO NEWHAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

Cambridge, April 22, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: On Wednesday, the 19th instant, early in the morning, a Brigade of General Gage’s Army marched into the country to Lexington, about thirteen miles from Boston, where they met with a small party of our Militia exercising, who had no intention of doing injury to the Regulars; but they fired upon our men, without any provocation, killed eight of them, and wounded two others. Then they marched to Concord, where they destroyed part of our Magazines and Stores. However, our people collected as soon as possible, and reprised the Troops, pursuing them quite down to Charlestown, where they encamped on a place called Bunker’s Hill. The First Division, which consisted of about one thousand men, went to Concord, and the Second Division, about the same number, who took the same route, supported the First Division as well as they could, but all were obliged to retire. Our loss is supposed between twenty and thirty killed, and a few wounded. Their loss is much larger. As the Troops have now begun hostilities, we think it our duty to exert our utmost strength to save our Country from absolute slavery, and we pray you to afford us all the assistance in your power; and we shall be glad that our brethren, who may come to our aid, may be supplied with all necessary provisions and military stores, as we have no more of either than what is absolutely necessary for ourselves. We pray God to direct you to such measures as shall tend to the salvation of our common liberties.

We are, gentlemen, with great respect, your distressed friends and brethren. By order of the Committee of Safety.

J. PALMER.

To the Honourable John Wentworth, Esquire, Chairman of the Provincial Congress of New-Hampshire. Per favour of Mr. John Griffin.

BENJAMIN GREENLEAF TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE IN HAMPTON.

Newburyport, April 22, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We have now received information from the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, who are appointed by the Province, that they have a sufficient number of men arrived, and therefore would not have any more come from the Northward for the present, but think it needful they should be ready to guard the sea-coasts in their own neighbourhood. Pray forward this intelligence as far as may be needful, and with as much despatch as possible.

We were unhappily thrown into distress yesterday, by false accounts received by two or three persons, and spread abroad, of a number of Soldiers being landed at Ipswich and murdering the inhabitants. We have since heard that it arose in the first place from a discovery of some small Vessels near the entrance of their River—one, at least, known to be a Cutter—and it was apprehended that they were come to relieve the captives there in Jail.

I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

B. GREENLEAF.

To the Committee of Correspondence in Hampton.

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE INHABITANTS OF BOSTON.

April 22, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The Committee of Safety being informed that General Gage has proposed a Treaty with the inhabitants of the Town of Boston, wherein he stipulates that the women and children, with all their effects, shall have safe conduct without the Garrison, and their men also, upon condition that the male inhabitants within the Town shall, on their part, solemnly engage that they will not take up arms against the King’s Troops within the Town, should an attack be made from without. We cannot but esteem these conditions to be just and reasonable; and as the inhabitants are in danger of suffering from the want of provisions, which, in this time of general confusion cannot be conveyed into the Town, are willing you should enter into, and faithfully keep the engagement aforementioned, said to be required of you, and to remove yourselves, women, children, and effects, as soon as may be.

Per order,

BOSTON COMMITTEE TO DR. JOSEPH WARREN.

Boston, April 23, 1775.

SIR: The following proceedings contain the Agreement made between his Excellency General Gage and the Town of Boston. You are informed it is the earnest desire of the inhabitants, that such persons as incline to remove into the Town with their effects, may be permitted so to do without molestation, and they having appointed us as a

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