endeavours in promoting and encouraging the same, and are still ready to do all in our power to forward all necessaries recommended to us.

Sir, we are your humble and obedient servants,

GENTLEMEN: The Congress having resolved that the Army should be supplied with such goods, wares, and merchandise as shall appear necessary by the Colony, and not as has been by Sutlers, we have procured some articles that are wanted, and sent them, with a copy of the Resolves, to one of the Deputies of the Commissary at Cambridge, Mr. Browne; but we think that it will be found necessary to have Deputies for this business only, as it must take up the whole time of one person to deliver goods to two Regiments only, and keep good accounts against the soldiers, more especially as the accounts must be exhibited to the Captains, that they may deduct them on making up the muster-roll. As the Commissary is now confined with sickness to his chamber, we desire you to appoint a Deputy for the particular business, that the goods procured by us may be received by him, and immediately disposed of to the soldiers, who are much in want thereof.

DAVID CHEEVER,
One of the Committee of Supplies.

SIR: We shall be glad to know how the matter is circumstanced with respect to the Colony Arms which were lent to the Scholars, that proper measures may be pursued to get them in. Pray send a line by the bearer.

We are truly your friends, &c., &c.

DAVID CHEEVER, per order.

To the Committee of Safety.

GENERAL THOMAS TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Roxbury, May 12, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I find no establishment made by the Congress for such officers as Adjutant and Quartermasters General, which officers are as necessary, in a large encampment, as almost any whatever; and where any number of Regiments are posted in camp, there cannot be a proper regulation of duty without such. I should be glad to be advised whether I may be allowed to give any encouragement to any suitable persons for such office, that they will receive any reward in future if they will undertake it. And as I understand there are a number of the Rules for the Massachusetts Army printed, and are now at Cambridge, should be glad a number may be forwarded by the bearer for the use of the Camp in Roxbury.

I am, gentlemen, with due respect, your most obedient humble servant,

JNO. THOMAS.

To the Honourable the Committee of Safety.

JAMES CAVET TO ARTHUR ST. CLAIR AND OTHERS.

Pittsburgh, May 13, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I am sorry that it is so much in my power to doubt the Governour’s attention to this unhappy Country. We have not had, since our confinement, the least account from him, and I think it is beyond a doubt he got our packet. Our express is returned, and says he gave the letters to Doctor Plunket at Susquehannah, who would certainly send them. Our situation, and that of the well affected inhabitants of this place, is become almost intolerable; it is impossible for any person to conceive the cruel mode of proceedings at this place, unless those who are unhappy enough to be eye-witnesses thereof. Mr. Smith, in particular, will, (if not by some means prevented,) in a short time be absolutely ruined. Mr. Hanna and myself will, at this court, be confined in the guardroom of Fort Dunmore, if we don’t give bail, and God knows whether it will be in our power so to do, for we are informed, by some of our friends, that none other will be acceptable but those who will come into open court and swear they are worth whatever sum is in the recognizance, and no doubt it will be an enormous sum. Mr. Smith was this day taken with a writ of one hundred thousand Pounds damages. But I need not descend into particulars; every part of their conduct appears that they not only want the jurisdiction of this quarter, but also to rob every man of his property.

And, gentlemen, it is by your friends here thought advisable that the Sheriff, with a party of fifty men, or thereabouts, should come up and take us who are in confinement, and also as many of these rascals as possible, as there will be no strength to oppose you, there being but eighteen men in the Fort. It is surprising what a pusillanimous temper must prevail amongst the people in general to suffer the peace and welfare of a whole County to be destroyed by such a handful of villains. But let the people be called upon by the Sheriff, and certainly they will not refuse to come. If such a step be thought best, it ought to be managed with secrecy and despatch. Pray send off an express by Tuesday night to us with advice, for if we are not taken off we must give bail, if it can be had, and the thoughts of so doing is no small mortification after hanging out so long. I have no time to say any more, but acknowledge myself your humble servant,

JAMES CAVET.

To Arthur St. Clair, John Carnaghan, William Lochey, Esquires, and all our brethren inclusive.

P. S. I must beg your pardon and patience also for writing so long an epistle, but I had almost forgot to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 9th, and also to inform you that Mr. Scott is bound by the Sheriff to appear here next court, and I suppose will share the same fate of Hanna and myself.

DOCTOR ELEAZER WHEELOCK TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Dartmouth College, May 13, 1775.

MUCH HONOURED AND RESPECTED SIR: Your favour of 17th ultimo duly arrived. Mr. Dean is not yet returned; I am now daily expecting him, with one of my English pupils, who has resided with the Tribe at St. Francis ever since last August, to learn their language. I have no suspicion of any publick design of hostilities in any of the Northern Tribes; but we are lately alarmed with accounts that several of our own people have been authorized by General Gage to go to Canada and collect a party there to join them in distressing us at a time which they shall think favourable for their purpose. The bearer, Mr. Smith, who is a tutor of this college, and a young gentleman to be depended upon, can give you the account, which I suppose you have likely already had, for substance, from Esquire Curtis, of this place.

But we are many of us more alarmed by the rash, precipitant, and headlong conduct of a number among us who have been honoured with His Majesty’s commissions, civil and military, but have of late openly and publickly given them up, and that only upon this principle, viz: that His Majesty has forfeited his Crown, and that all commissions from him are therefore vacated of course; and have accordingly appointed a set of officers of their own choosing, and appear to be plunging themselves and their dependants as far and as fast as they can into a state of anarchy. They assume to themselves the right of treating their fellow men in a rough and sovereign manner, seizing, stopping, controlling, and examining strangers and others in such a hostile manner as tends to inspire a general fear in all sorts; e. g., two of my scholars, a few days ago, were peaceably and inoffensively travelling from college home, when they were, by a ruffian, stopped in the road, who presented a gun cocked at their breasts, and swore by God they were dead men if they did not immediately tell him who they were, where they were going, and what their business was; and this without milder or other introduction to his inquiry. And it is feared, if a speedy stop cannot be put to this evil, murders, and frequent ones, too, will ensue; and that they will prove themselves really to be what these Colonies have been so injuriously charged with being, and bring the fiercest rage of a Northern Army upon these infant frontiers, and justify them in savage cruelties, prevent any testimonial of our Governour in our favour, and draw away the strength of the Provinces below us from our defence

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