the Committee of that Town and County met, and agreed to raise one thousand men immediately, to assist in the defence of New-York, against any attack that may be made upon them. I have the honour to assure you that this intelligence may be depended upon, and that I am, Sir, your most humble servant,

JOHN COLLINS,
Chairman of the Committee of Inspection.

TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS.

In Provincial Convention at Exeter, April 26, 1775.

“Resolved unanimously, That Colonel Nathaniel Folsom, Col. Josiah Bartlett, and Major Samuel Hobart, Esquires, be immediately sent as a Committee from this Convention, to the Provincial Congress of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, to deliver to them the following Letter; and further inform them of the particular situation of this Province, and report the effect of their mission as soon as may be.”

GENTLEMEN: Before the receipt of your letter of April 23, intelligence of the tragical scene which hath lately been acted in your Colony by the regular Troops, had pierced the ears of the inhabitants of this; upon which, many of our men, fired with zeal in the common cause, and resentment at the inhuman cruelty and savage barbarity of the action, instantly flew to your assistance, and vast numbers more on their march were stopped, on hearing they were not needed.

The Provincial Committee, upon this alarm, immediately called a special Convention of Delegates from the nearest Towns, to consult with the Committee what was then absolutely necessary to be done upon that pressing occasion; in consequence of which this Convention met.

Previous to this, our Provincial Committee, upon application to them from a Committee of your body, had notified the respective Towns in this Province to choose and empower Delegates to meet at Exeter on the 17th day of May next, to deliberate upon the important and momentous objects proposed by your Congress for the consideration and concurrence of ours; at which time the important matters recommended, will naturally come under the mature deliberation of our Congress, and, no doubt, they will readily concur and co-operate with their brethren in New-England in all such measures as shall be thought most conducive for the common safety. But this body, though heartily willing to contribute in every advisable method to your aid, in the general defence of these Colonies, judge it not expedient now to determine upon the establishment of an Army of Observation, as the Towns in this Government are not generally represented. But it is recommended in the mean time to the Towns in this Colony, to supply the men gone from it with provisions and other necessaries, if their continuance shall be thought necessary; and from the spirit of the inhabitants you may expect their aid, if any emergency should require it.

We most fervently wish you the blessing and direction of Heaven in all your deliberations; and may God Almighty, who protected and saved our pious ancestors amidst ten thousand dangers, preserve New-England from the horrours and desolations of a civil war.

By order of the Convention:

MESHECK WEARE, President pro tem.

JOHN HANCOCK TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Worcester, April 26, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Having had the honour to command the Cadet Company at Boston, and knowing the abilities of those who composed that Corps, I cannot withhold mentioning and recommending to the notice of you and the General Officers, Mr. John Smith and Mr. John Avery, two excellent good soldiers and gentlemen, who will advance the reputation of the Province in that department of command where they may be placed. I therefore most strongly recommend them, and earnestly pray they may be noticed. I will be answerable for their conduct. There are several other gentlemen of that Corps who may be useful, particularly Mr. Brant and Mr. Cunningham. Do notice Mr. Smith and Avery; they will be useful.

I set out to-morrow morning. God bless you. Why don’t you send to Mr. Crafts? Pray improve him; he is a good man, and one on whom you may depend; don’t miss him. I am your real friend,

JOHN HANCOCK.

LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO RHODE-ISLAND AND CONNECTICUT.

April 26, 1775.

The distressed situation in which we are, and the danger to which the liberties of all America, and especially the New-England Colonies, are exposed, will be the best apology for the importunate application to you for immediate assistance. We pray, as you regard the safety of your Country, that as large a number of Troops as you can spare may immediately march forward, well stocked with provisions and ammunition; that they come under proper Officers, enlisted for such a time as may be necessary; that as large a train of Artillery as can be procured, may be sent down to our aid. We rely greatly upon you, as we know the bravery of your men.

Our men have behaved with the utmost resolution; but as many of them came from home without any preparation, it is impossible to keep them in the field, without allowing many of them time to return to their families for one or two days, during which time we may all possibly be cut off, as we have a powerful and watchful enemy to deal with. We are far from despairing. We firmly trust, that, by the blessing of Heaven on us, we shall deliver our Country. We are determined, at all events, to act our parts with firmness and intrepidity, knowing that slavery is far worse than death. We pray that our sister Rhode-Island would immediately put in for a share of honour, in saving the liberties of America, as a moment lost may never be recalled. May God direct you and us at this important moment, on which the fate of us and posterity depends. We are, &c.

FALMOUTH COMMITTEE TO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Falmouth April 26, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: At this alarming and dangerous time, we find our stock of Powder greatly deficient; therefore have sent some money by the bearers to purchase where they can find it; and if they cannot get any this side of Cambridge, have desired them to wait upon you for advice, presuming that you can direct them where it may be had.

We rely on your conduct, under God, in our righteous cause, for deliverance from our present calamities, and are, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants,

Selectmen of Falmouth.

P. S. The bearers are Captain Joseph McLellan and Captain Joseph Noyes.

TO COLONEL PHILIP SKEENE, (INTERCEPTED.)

Extract of a Letter intercepted at Ticonderoga, directed to Lieutenant Colonel Philip Skeene, of the Sixty-Ninth Regiment, to the care of Messrs. Cox and Mair, Agents, London, signed A. Mabane.

Woodfield, in Canada, April 26, 1775.

DEAR COLONEL: The Fifty-Second Regiment has been detained in America, on account of the affairs at Boston; and God knows how long they may remain there, or what will be the event of these disputes; but it is generally thought by those who have resided any time in America, and who have observed the progress which the Colonists have made in their demands and attempts towards independence, that the sooner the laws are put in force, so much the better. Procrastination only encourages the seditious, and weakens Government.

Colonel Jones acts as Brigadier at Boston. General Gage has sent for our friend Dunbar; and I would fain flatter myself that something will at last be done for deserving Officers.

The January Packet brought Mr. Carleton’s new commission; it does not differ much from his former one, except in the limits of the Province, and a power given to him without consent of Council to array the Militia, march them by land, or transport them by sea into any of the other Colonies, where enemies, pirates, or rebels, may be.

The Canadians, by the late Act of Parliament, are exempted from the Test, &c., and may be admitted into offices; seven of them are named to the Council, and two of them, Rouville and Panet, are added to the number of