direction to learn the military exercise, and to allow them such portions of time as may be necessary to make them perfect therein.

ROBERT JOHNSTON, Clerk

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE TO GOVERNOUR THUMBULL.

New-York, April 24, 1775.

DEAR SIR: As the most unjustifiable hostilities on the part of Great Britain have actually commenced against. America, it is thought not only prudent, but absolutely necessary and justifiable in the sight of God and man, to avail ourselves of every opportunity that may offer, in order to preserve our liberties and religion, as well as to prevent the effusion of blood as much as possible. Actuated by no other motives, we take the liberty of informing you of the arrival of the Packet this afternoon, in which there are despatches for General Gage, containing, no doubt, matters of the utmost importance to all these Colonies. It is therefore recommended to your most serious consideration, to fall on the most probable plan for intercepting them immediately on the receipt of this, as it is expected they will be forwarded very speedily, perhaps in the morning, or at farthest by noon. If they go by land from here, we think both roads ought to be strictly guarded, on the first notice of this. But as there is no arriving at an absolute certainty whether they go by land or water, we think an express ought to be directly sent as far as Newport and Providence at farthest, and every other caution taken that your prudence can dictate, and your zeal prompt you to think of. If the intelligence gained should be much better than can be reasonably expected, it may save an infinite expense and trouble to the Continent; but if otherwise, it may save the lives of thousands, by enabling the friends of this bleeding land to defeat the designs of its implacable and remorseless enemies. So that let it be viewed in either light, it appears to us to be an affair of the greatest magnitude. Perhaps it may be asked why it was not attempted here? To which, let it be observed, there is a weighty objection, which is this: the late melancholy accounts from Boston have had a most excellent effect in uniting the inhabitants of this City; insomuch that we have been able to stop all supplies from the Army, and get possession of the City Arms, and are now guarding the Powder and them; but should the foregoing attempt succeed or not, it is thought it would tend to throw more power into the hands of our enemies. We most ardently wish that your and our honest endeavours to serve the cause of liberty may be attended with all the success that the righteousness of the cause can entitle it to.

It is expected that the general despatches, to prevent suspicion, may be directed to some popular person in the Massachusetts-Bay, &c., perhaps to Hancock or Adams, &c.

Oliver Delancy, Junior, who is now here from Boston in behalf of the Army, may be the person who will carry them, in which case you are to know that he is a lusty, fat, ruddy looking young fellow, between twenty and thirty years of age. We are yours, &c.

Agreement subscribed by Captain ARNOLD and his Company of fifty persons, when they set out from CNNECTICUT as Volunteers to assist the Provincials at CAMBRIDGE.

To all Christian people believing in and relying on that GOD, to whom our enemies have at last forced us to appeal:

Be it known that we, the subscribers, having taken up arms for the relief of our brethren, and defence of their as well as our just rights and privileges, declare to the world that we, from the heart, disavow every thought of rebellion to His Majesty as supreme head of the British Empire, or opposition to legal authority, and shall, on every occasion, manifest to the world, by our conduct, this to be our fixed principle. Driven to the last necessity, and obliged to have recourse to arms in defence of our lives and liberties, and, from the suddenness of the occasion, deprived of that legal authority, the dictates of which we ever with pleasure obey, find it necessary, for preventing disorders, irregularities, and misunderstandings in the course of our march and service, solemnly to agree to and with each other on the following regulations and orders, binding ourselves by all that is dear and sacred carefully and constantly to observe and keep them.

In the first place we will conduct ourselves decently and inoffensively as we march, both to our countrymen and one another, paying that regard to the advice, admonition, and reproof of our Officers, which their station justly entitles them to expect, ever considering the dignity of our own character, and that we are not mercenaries, whose views extend no farther than pay and plunder, whose principles are such, that every path that leads to the obtaining these is agreeable, though wading through the blood of their countrymen; but men acquainted with, and feeling the most generous fondness for the liberties and unalienable rights of mankind, and who are, in the course of Divine Providence, called to the honourable service of hazarding our lives in their defence.

Secondly. Drunkenness, gaming, profaneness, and every vice of that nature shall be avoided by ourselves, and discountenanced by us in others.

Thirdly. So long as we continue in our present situation of a voluntary independent Company, we engage to submit on all occasions to such decisions as shall be made and given by the majority of the Officers we have chosen; and when any difference arises between man and man, it shall be laid before the Officers aforesaid, and their decision shall be final. We mean by Officers, the Captain, Lieutenants, Ensign, Sergeants, Clerk, and Corporals; the Captain, or in his absence the Commanding Officer, to be the Moderator, and have a turning or casting voice in all debates, from whom all orders shall from time to time issue. Scorning all ignoble motives, and superiour to the low and slavish practice of enforcing on men their duty by blows, it is agreed that when private admonition for any offence by any of our body committed will not reform, publick shall be made; and if that should not have the desired effect, after proper pains taken, and the same repeated, such incorrigible person shall be turned out of the Company, as totally unworthy of serving in so great and glorious a cause, and be delivered over to suffer the contempt of his countrymen.

As to particular orders, it shall from time to time be in the power of the Officers to make and vary them as occasion may require, as to delivering our provisions, ammunition, rules, and order for marching, &c. The annexed order for the present we think pertinent, and agreeable to our mind. To which, with the additions or variations that may be made by our said Officers, we bind ourselves by the ties above mentioned to submit.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 24th of April, 1775.

GENERAL WARD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Head Quarters, April 24, 1775,

GESTTSEMES: My situation is such, that if have not enlisting orders immediately I shall be left all alone. It is impossible to keep the men here, excepting something be done. I therefore pray that the plan may be completed and handed to me this morning, that you, gentlemen of the Congress, issue orders for enlisting men. I am, gentlemen, yours, &c.

A. WARD.

To the Hon. the Delegates of the Provincial Congress.

JOHN HANCOCK TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Worcester, April 24, 1775. Monday Evening.

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GENTLEMEN: Mr. S. Adams and myself, just arrived here, find no intelligence from you, and no guard. We just hear an express has just passed through this place to you, from New-York, informing that Administration is bent upon pushing matters, and that four Regiments are expected their.

How are we to proceed? Where are our bethren? Surely we ought to be supported. I had rather be with you, and, at present, am fully determined to be with you before I proceed. I beg, by the return of this express, to hear from you, and pray furnish us with depositions of the conduct of the Troops, the certainty of their firing first, and every circumstance relative to the conduct of the. Troops,