MEMBERS OF THE NEW-YORK ASSEMBLY TO GENERAL GAGE.

New-York, May 5, l775.

SIR: In the recess of the General Assembly we, who are members of it, cannot avoid addressing your Excellency on a subject of the utmost importance.

We have long seen, with the greatest anxiety, the progress of the unhappy contest between Great Britain and the Colonies; and as we have ardently wished for a cordial reconciliation, so we have, to the utmost of our power, endeavoured to pursue the means of attaining so desirable, an end. While we were looking up to this object, encouraged to hope for the attainment of it by the assurances we had that a spirit of reconciliation was prevailing in the Mother Country, we were extremely alarmed at the late melancholy transactions in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ending in actual bloodshed. The immediate effect occasioned by the intelligence of such important events, was a general agitation in the minds of the people here, which has since subsided into a fixed, confirmed resolution, to withhold all supplies and succours from the Troops under your Excellency’s command, while they are at the same time associating and arming to put themselves in a state of defence.

Alarmed as we are by the ruinous consequences which must inevitably follow the prosecution of hostile measures, and anxiously affected with the calamities of an unnatural civil war, we are induced most earnestly to entreat your Excellency, in behalf of the Colonies, (which, however tenacious of their rights and liberties, and jealous of every infringement of them, can be exceeded in loyalty and affection for our most gracious Sovereign by none of his subjects,) that your Excellency will, as far as may be consistent with your duty, immediately order a cessation of further hostilities, until His Majesty can be apprised of the situation of the American Colonies. From such a request we entertain the most favourable expectations, when we reflect on the humanity and clemency which distinguish your Excellency’s character, and which must render a conflict between Britons and Americans a subject of the most disagreeable nature to you. While we consider the state of mind which prevails among the people here, we cannot but mention their apprehensions at the report of the destination of some Troops for this place; should this really be the case, we must express our wish that it might also be consistent with your Excellency’s duty, that no military force might land or be stationed in this Province.

It behooves us to acquaint your Excellency that two of the members of His Majesty’s Council of this Province have this day sailed in the Packet for England; and we flatter ourselves that the indulgent Father of his People will be moved by the distressed situation of his American subjects, and that he will permit a negotiation to take place, which may prevent the further effusion of blood, and open a door for a lasting accommodation of present disputes. We are your Excellency’s most obedient humble servants,

To his Excellency General Gage.

SELECTMEN OF WORCESTER TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

[Worcester, May 5, 1775.]

The Selectmen of Worcester humbly pray that you would let them know what establishment you have made for a Post, or Post-riders from Worcester to the Army, &c., that they may conduct themselves agreeable to your orders and the publick weal.

We also beg your direction what regard we shall pay to Governour Gage’s precept for calling a General Assembly, to be held in Boston, on the 31st day of May next. We think a similarity of conduct of every Town in the Province best, and know not how to obtain it but by your direction. We are, gentlemen, your humble servants, the Selectmen of Worcester. Per order:

JOSHUA BIGELOW.

To the Honourable President of the Provincial Congress, and the Honourable Members thereof, now assembled at Watertown.

PETITION TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

An address to the Provincial Congress, or any gentleman that is a Storekeeper for the Congress, from us, the out-skirts of the settlements on Sheepscot River and Deer’s River, (without the limits of any Town,) under the command of Charles Glidden, Senior.

GENTLEMEN: It is our humble petition to you to supply us, your petitioners, with powder and ball, or lead, in order to be ready furnished to attend any alarm or call to assist in vindication of our American cause; and entreating your compliance with and fulfilment of this our address, will encourage our hearts, and raise up our spirits to a higher pitch of courage, and shall ever subscribe ourselves your obliged friends, and ready to serve.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HON. ENOCH FREEMAN, ESQ., TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Falmouth, May 5, 1775.

We have lately heard that the Penobscot Indians are highly exasperated at Captain Goldthwaite, for suffering the Tender to dismantle the Fort there, and carry off the powder; that the truck trade is stopped, as we are informed; and that there was a number of men round about there going to take Goldthwaite, for delivering up the Fort, into their custody, but what they intend to do with him I don't hear. Perhaps it would be prudent for the Congress to send down there and secure the Indians in our interest, by keeping the truck trade open, supplying them powder, or any other method in their wisdom, upon mature consideration, they may think best. A hint on this head is enough.

The Selectmen of this Town have this moment agreed with one Mr. Jabez Matthews and one David Dinsmore, of New-Gloucester, to go over to Quebeck, to make discovery whether any Canadians are in motion to come on our back settlements, or to excite the Indians to do it; and I have wrote to Mr. Remington Holby, of Vassalborbugh, to procure one or two to go with them as hunters. And they are charged to be cautious not to let the Canadians have reason so much as to suspect their business; and they will depend on your endeavouring to get the Congress to order them adequate satisfaction out of the publick fund. If they discover any evil designs, we shall be glad to know it, that we may prepare accordingly for our defence. If they find there is no design upon us, it will be a great satisfaction to this eastern country.

I could write a good deal in favour of sending such an embassy, but as my time is almost wholly taken up on publick matters, I have little time to spare.

PETITION OF TIMOTHY LANGDON TO THE MASSACHUSSETS CONGRESS.

Georgetown, May 5, 1775.

To the Honourable the President of the Provincial Congress, the Petition of TIMOTHY LANGDON humbly showeth:

That upon the second day of May instant, a Committee of Safety for ten Towns in the County of Lincoln, met at Pownalsborough, and, amongst other matters, took under consideration the expediency of removing the King’s masts,