they only take these things as pawns, to make the owners behave better, or to that purpose.

Friday, 6 o’clock.—The Gorham Company being the only one that remained here since Wedneday evening, excepting Thompson, are now gone out of Town, being urged and coaxed to it by Colonel Phinney. The Town thinks itself greatly relieved by it.

These companies paid no regard to the fast yesterday. I cannot find that any of them attended publick worship, except one; nor any of their officers, except Colonel Phinney. He was sent for to Back Cove by Colonel Mitchell and Colonel Merrill, who were vexed at the proceedings of the armament, and came to give advice. But Thompson would not wait on his senior.

The soldiery thought nothing too bad to say of the Falmouth gentry. Some of them were heard to say as they walked the streets yesterday, “this Town ought to be laid in ashes.” I find the plan was concerted beforehand on purpose to humble Falmouth, for its arrogance in sending a message to Thompson last week, to dissuade him from coming to take the ships. He then wrote to Colonel Freeman that he had wholly laid aside his design; and being reminded of it, his answer was, “there is policy in war.”

Saturday, A. M. —Thompson is not gone, as we supposed last night. The ship has sent out a little vessel with a swivel, to interrupt him. If he had gone last night he would have been destroyed. Your friend and servant.

P. S. Being disappointed last Saturday of sending the above, I am now able to add something more. Captain Mowat sent a letter to the Town on Saturday, informing them that he had heard that fort guns were going to be brought in and replaced, in order to destroy his ship; and demanding of the Town to return his boats, and drive out of Town the cowardly mob that was here. The Selectmen warned a Town-Meeting, to meet at eight o’clock, Monday morning. They met accordingly, and gave Mowat such an answer as pleased him: “That the Town disapproved of the proceedings of the armed body, but that we were unable to resist them.”

The Reverend Mr. Wiswal went on board ship on Saturday; and Sabbath morning sent to his Wardens that he should not preach in the church, but that they might come on board if they pleased, and hear him. None went. Some say he has taken a final leave of his people; how it is I cannot yet find out. His family remains here, and he is gone to Portsmouth; some say and think to get himself a settlement there. His people seem to be universally set against him, except a few high Tories, and wish never to see his face any more.

Yesterday Mowat and Coulson and their ships departed for Portsmouth.

COMMITTEE OF DEER ISLAND TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Deer Island, Lincoln County, May 11, 1775.

SIRS: We, who are the Committee of this Town, do desire to make our complaint unto you, and will inform you in what poor circumstances we are at this time; and would beg your assistance, as we are without powder and ball, and no way to get any, as our wood and lumber will not sell at any price; and, gentlemen, we are in great want for corn and pork, and shall suffer, unless we have help from you, and unless the ports are opened and trade goes on. And, gentlemen, if you will be so kind unto us as to help us, we will make you full satisfaction for the same when we can sell our lumber. We would inform you that there is on this Island about three hundred souls, and we beg that you would consider what a poor condition we must be in. Gentlemen, we can’t purchase either corn or pork at any rate whatsoever, and hope that your love and regard for your brethren, and true sons of liberty, will send us speedy relief. And, gentlemen, in complying with the above, you will greatly oblige your humble servants,

To the Hon. Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress.

COMMITTEE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO THE COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION, NEW-YORK.

Watertown, May 11, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We are directed by the Congress of this Colony, who are just informed that two men-of-war, the Asia, and one other, with three or four companies of Troops on board, sailed yesterday from Boston for your place, to give you the earliest notice thereof.

It is supposed that they have orders to secure the ammunition and military stores in the Fort of your City, &c., and your noble exertions in the common cause have given the Congress reason to think that a timely information relative to the matter, would be important to you. The post is now in waiting, which prevents us from indulging an inclination of enlarging. We are, respectfully, gentlemen, &c.,

To the Committee of Inspection of New-York.

COMMITTEE AT TICONDEROGA TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Ticonderoga, May 10, 1775.

To the Provincial Congress now sitting at Watertown:

This is to certify, that previous to Colonel Benedict Arnold’s arrival to the Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point, a Committee sent from the Colony of Connecticut, furnished with money for the purpose of reducing and garrisoning said Forts, had, with the assistance of seventy men from the Massachusetts, and one hundred and forty from the New-Hampshire Grants, marched within a few miles of Ticonderoga, and this morning, at daybreak, took possession of said Fort, and have given the command thereof into the hands of Colonel Ethan Allen. And said Arnold refuses to give up his command, which causes much difficulty; said Arnold not having enlisted one man, neither do we know that he has or could do it. And as said Committee have raised the men, and are still raising supplies for the purpose of repairing said Forts, taking the armed sloop, and defending this Country and said Forts, we think that said Arnold’s farther procedure in this matter highly inexpedient, both in regard to expense and defence.

Committee of War for the Expedition against TICONDEROGA and CROWN POINT.

ETHAN ALLEN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Ticonderoga, May 11, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I have to inform you with pleasure unfelt before, that on break of day of the tenth of May, 1775, by the order of the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, took the Fortress of Ticonderoga by storm. The soldiery was composed of about one hundred Green Mountain Boys, and near fifty veteran soldiers from the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay. The latter was under the command of Colonel James Easton, who behaved with great zeal and fortitude, not only in council, but in the assault. The soldiery behaved with such resistless fury, that they so terrified the King’s Troops that they durst not fire on their assailants, and our soldiery was agreeably disappointed. The soldiery behaved with uncommon rancour when they leaped into the Fort; and it must be confessed that the Colonel has greatly contributed to the taking of that Fortress, as well as John Brown, Esq., Attorney at Law, who was also an able counsellor, and was personally in the attack. I expect the Colonies will maintain this Fort. As to the cannon and warlike stores, I hope they may serve the cause of liberty instead of tyranny, and I humbly implore your assistance in immediately assisting the Government of Connecticut in establishing a garrison in the reduced premises. Colonel Easton will inform you at large. From, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

ETHAN ALLEN.

To the Honourable Congress of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, or Council of War.