follow, if we should be reduced to so weak a state as that the Army under General Gage may be able to issue out of the Town, and spread destruction through this Country, and we think none can be unwilling to come for a few days to relieve their brethren, who have been absent from their families. We are, &c.

COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE SEVERAL TOWNS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

Cambridge, April 29, 1775.

One half of the Militia and Minute-Men in your Town are hereby ordered forthwith to march to the Town of . . . ., as we have information that General Gage designs speedily to sally out of the Town of Boston with a detachment of his Army. You are therefore not to lose one moment’s time, but come instantly to the support of your brethren, and the half to hold themselves in complete readiness to march upon the slightest notice.
We are, &c

SAMUEL THOMPSON TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Brunswick, Maine, April 29, 1775.

I this minute have an opportunity to inform you of the slate of our affairs at the eastward, that we are all staunch for country, except three men, and one of them is deserted. The other two are in irons. As for the vessels which attempted to convey stuff to our enemies, are stopped, and I am about to move about two hundred of white pine masts and other stuff got for our enemies’ use. Sir, having heard of the cruel murders they have done in our Province makes us more resolute than ever; and finding that the sword is drawn first on their side, that we shall be animated with that noble spirit that wise men ought to be, until our just rights and liberties are secured to us. Sir, my heart is with every true son of America, though my person can be in but one place at once, though very soon I hope to be with you on the spot. If any of my friends inquire after me, inform them that I make it my whole business to pursue those measures recommended by the Congresses. We being upon the sea-coast, and in danger of being invaded by pirates, as on the 27th instant, there was a boat or barge came into our harbour and river, and sounding as they went up the river.

Sir, as powder and guns are wanted in this eastern part, and also provisions, pray Sir, have you thought something on this matter against I arrive, which will be as soon as business will admit. Sir, I am, with the greatest regard to the country, at heart your ready friend and humble servant,

SAMUEL THOMPSON.

MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF LONDONDERRY, NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Londonderry, on the 29th of April, Colonel Stephen Holland personally appeared and made the following Declaration, upon which the inhabitants of said Town voted unanimously, that it was satisfactory to them for his past conduct.

Attest:

JOHN BELL, Town Clerk.

“Whereas through mistake, misunderstanding, misrepresentation, or for reasons unknown to me, I am represented an enemy to my Country: to satisfy the publick, I solemnly declare I never aided or assisted any enemy to my Country in any thing whatsoever; and that I make this Declaration not out of fear of any thing I may suffer, but because it gives me the greatest uneasiness to think that the true sons of liberty, and real friends to their Country, (from any of the first mentioned reasons,) should believe me capable so much as in thought of injuring or betraying my Country, when the truth is, I am ready to assist my countrymen in the glorious cause of liberty, at the risk of my life and fortune.

“STEPHEN HOLLAND.

“Londonderry, April 29, 1775.”

ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD TO COL. GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Fredericksburgh, April 30, 1775.

SIR: It is imagined, that the first thing which will come on the carpet at the meeting of Congress, will be that of establishing regular armies throughout the Continent on pay. If such a thing should take place, there is not the least doubt that you will have the command of the whole forces in this Colony. In that case, I shall ever esteem you as my best friend, if you will use your interest in procuring me a commission; or, should the power of appointing officers be vested in you, and you should think proper to confer so great an honour on me, as qualifying me to be one of your officers, you will find me, as I have always been, ready to serve my Country gratis in the glorious cause of liberty, at the risk of my life and fortune.

I am extremely glad to inform you, that, after a long debate, it was at last agreed we should not march to Williamsburgh. I am, with respect, &c.

ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD.

TO THE RESPECTABLE PUBLICK.

New-York, April 30, 1775.

Johannes Sleght, Chairman of the Committee of Ulster County, has published me as an enemy to my Country for selling Tea, in which is set forth, that all the Merchants and Skippers had signed articles, in which they agreed not to sell Tea. This is absolutely false, for there are more which have not signed for the very reasons I had, and the Committee knew that they had not all signed at the time of publishing this piece of malice. It is known in Kingston, that I was for maintaining the Association, and that I offered to sign the third article, which I would abide by, but that the Committee would not agree to it; moreover, that the Committee in New-York had determined that no Tea should be sold, and that I would quit selling it. It was reported by one of the members of the Committee, on the day of meeting, that he had purchased Tea at my house. Johannes Sleght continued drinking Tea after the 1st of March, in direct violation of the Association; and John Beckman did confess at the meeting, that he had a quantity of Tea, and intended that it should be made use of in his family, contrary to the Association. This I could not but consider as a great piece of chicanery, that the sale of Tea should be prohibited, and others declare that they would continue to use it in their families, when the Association expressly mentions, that they shall not purchase nor use it. I told those gentlemen that I would refer the matter to the consideration of the Committee at New-York, and would firmly adhere to their explanation of the third article of the Association, which I must confess I did not think prohibited the selling of Tea, and that the Non-Consumption Agreement was only intended to preserve the Non-Importation Agreement. The report that I am unfriendly to the cause of liberty, and had given an affront to the Committee of New-York, is a most villanous falsehood. And as it is agreed upon by the well wishers of American liberty, not to purchase nor use any Tea in their families, I am determined to abide by such their agreement.

JACOBUS LOW.

LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN NOW AT NEW-YORK TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE IN PORTSMOUTH, NEW-HAMPSHIRE, DATED APRIL 30, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: At this time of general confusion through the Colonies, nothing can give greater pleasure to every well-wisher to his Country, than the unanimity that takes place through the Continent, more especially at this City; as it is evident (from a number of private letters from London) that Administration have put the greatest dependance on the Yorkers breaking with the other Colonies. But notwithstanding all the endeavours of designing men, I have the pleasure to inform you, that by the notable struggles of the sons of freedom, all difficulties are surmounted, and nothing can equal the determined spirit of the people here. Yesterday about six or seven thousand men were out on the plain, among whom were some families who have been in the opposition; one and all unanimously voted to defend their liberties, &c., at all hazards. They have stopped clearing to the Custom-House, have taken all the city arms and ammunition from the Hall and Magazine; every preparation is making to completely arm the inhabitants; great numbers of people are employed hauling the cannon from the City to King’s bridge, about fourteen