from the 19th instant to this time, that we may be able to give some account of matters as we proceed, and especially at Philadelphia. And I beg you would order your Secretary to make out a copy of your proceedings since—what has taken place, and what your plan is; what prisoners we have, and what they have of ours; who of note was killed on both sides; who commands our forces. Are our men in good spirits? For God’s sake do not suffer the spirit to subside, until they have perfected the reduction of our enemies, Boston must be entered. The Troops must be sent away, or . . . . . Our friends are valuable, but our Country must be saved. I have an interest in that Town. What can be the enjoyment of that to me, if I am obliged to hold it at the will of General Gage, or any one else. I doubt not your vigilance, your fortitude, and resolutions. Do let us know how you proceed. We must have the Castle—the Ships must be…. Stop up the Harbour against large Vessels coming. You know better what to do than I can point out. Where is Cushing? Are Mr. Payne and Mr. John Adams to be with us. What are we to depend upon? We travel rather as deserters, which I will not submit to. I will return and join you, if I cannot travel in reputation. I wish to hear from you. Pray spend a thought upon our situation. I will not detain this man, as I want much to hear from you. How goes on the Congress? Who is your President? Are the Members hearty? Pray remember Mr. Adams and myself to all friends, God be with you.

I am, gentlemen, your faithful and hearty countryman,

JOHN HANCOCK.

Pray give me a particular answer to my queries.

To the Gentlemen Committee, &c., &c., &c.

OLIVER PRESCOTT TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Groton, April 24, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I think if an order should pass for the establishment of a Town Guard, to be kept in a prudent manner, in every Town in this Province, it would have a great tendency to deter and detect villains and their accomplices. The passes that people bring this way are generally without date, or assignment to any person or place, so that a man may pass to Africa with the same order. Pardon my freedom, and allow me to subscribe, gentlemen, your most obedient, very humble servant,

OLIVER PRESCOTT.

To the Committee of Safety.

MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE CONGRESS OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

April 24, 1775.

Our friends from New-Hampshire having shewn their readiness to assist us in this day of distress, we therefore thought it best to give orders for enlisting such as were pre sent in the service of the Colony, as many desired some thing may be done to hold them together until the resolve of your Congress is known, when we are ready and desirous they should be discharged from us, and put under such command as you shall direct. Colonel Sargeant has been so kind as to afford his utmost assistance in concluding this matter     We are, &c, &c.

H. JACKSON TO COLONEL JEREMIAH LEE.

Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, April 24, 1775.

D.EAR. S.IR.: Although this is no time for ceremony or compliments, yet so great is the pleasure I feel on your escape from the hands of wicked and violent men, that I cannot help congratulating you. May God Almighty continue to be your safety and defence.

Could it be thought advisable for us to leave the seaports, I should long before this have been with you, at the head of a Company as good as ever twang’d a bow, inferiour in military discipline to none; they are anxious and eager to be with you.

You well know that the art military has been my hobbyhorse for a long time past. I have vanity enough to think that the recommendation of an immediate perusal of the enclosed volume, to the Officers in the United Army, will not be thought impertinent at this time, considering the nature of our Country; considering the natural genius of our men, no piece could be better adapted to our circumstances.

Our men are natural partisans. Witness the Rogers, Starkey, and Shepherd, &c., &c. Did they not, in the last War, take the very sentries from off the walls of our enemies’ Fortresses, in the heart of their Country? I can’t help thinking that some Horse might be employed to great advantage, if our adversaries should ever venture abroad again. I have published some pieces on this subject in our papers, but the New-Hampshire Gazette can hardly be called a proper channel to convey one’s ideas to the publick. Might not some of the principal parts of the Partisan be given in manuscript to some of our officers? Dear sir, I hope you will not construe this, my humble opinion, into impertinent dictation. We are all embarked in one cause, and from the ideas of all (though some may be simple) some things of consequence may be collected. With humble submission to the better judgment of every one, I conclude,

Your most obedient, most obliged humble servant,

H. JACKSON.

P. S. I have been in my sulky more than once to pay you a visit, but my friends have prevented me. When opportunity offers, remember me to Mrs. Lee and family.

As I apprehend there is not many of the books in the Country, you will make what use of this you think proper, so that I may have it again hereafter.

Yours,

H. J.

To Colonel Jeremiah Lee.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN IN MASSACHUSETTS, DATED APRIL 25, 1775.

A steady friend to America called upon me this afternoon, to acquaint me with the following intelligence, communicated to him by. . . . .  this day, which you may rely upon as a fact. The. . . . .  said that the Administration, on Friday, received advices from General Gage to the eighteenth of March, wherein he acknowledges the receipt of the King’s order to apprehend Messrs. Cushing, Adams, Hancock, &c., and send them over to England to be tried; but that the second orders, which were to hang them in Boston, he said the General had not then received. The General expressed his fears on the occasion; and in hopes of their being reversed, he should delay the execution a while longer, because he must, if the orders were fulfilled, come to an engagement, the event of which he had every reason to apprehend would be fatal to himself and the King’s Troops, as the Massachusetts Government had at least fifteen thousand men ready trained for the onset, and, besides, had every publick and private road occupied by the Militia, so as to prevent his marching into the country, and which were, at the same time, ready to facilitate any attempt against the Army; on which unwelcome situation he earnestly wished for a reinforcement, if that disagreeable order must be effected. The General also wrote that the Standard was hoisted by the people at Salem, and multitudes flocked to it, which would not be the case should the Royal Standard be erected; added, that he now believed America would carry their point; that many of the Administration were of the same mind, and sincerely wished they had pursued more gentle measures with the Colonies. He said Lord North was evidently uneasy, and that Government dreaded the news by the April Packet; that they suppressed this intelligence from General Gage, because of the instant effect it would have on the Stocks. He acknowledged the Nation was ready for a revolution, if any enterprising genius would step forth, and which would certainly be the case if blood was ever drawn in America. He blames Hutchinson much, and says Administration charges him with duplicity, in telling them they ought to have been more active, and that they would have made the Massachusetts submit; to others, that Administration had gone much further than he advised. Be this as it may, he added that the King consults him, places a confidence in what he says, and has actually fixed his salary at two thousand Pounds per annum for life, which had much chagrined some of the Administration, who ardently wished him given