and resentment of the true sons of liberty against me, earnestly desirous at the same time to give them all the satisfaction in my power, do hereby sincerely ask forgiveness of all such for whatever I have said or done that had the least tendency to the injury of my Country, assuring them that it is my full purpose, in my proper sphere, to unite with them in all those laudable and fit measures that have been recommended by the Continental and Provincial Congresses, for the salvation of this Country, hoping my future conversation and conduct will fully prove the uprightness of my present professions.

“SAMUEL DANA.

“Groton, May 22, 1775.”

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GOVERNOUR GAGE TO LORD DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, MAY 15, 1775.

They have been enlisting among the country people as many men as could be collected at forty shillings a man, and we are told they are enlisting them in the other Provinces. If they proceed in their movements it seems impossible to be long before we again come to blows; and from the beginning I have perceived it was the wish and design of the leaders here to bring affairs to that crisis; but so to manage it as to bring the rest of the Colonies to support them. It is astonishing how they have duped the whole Continent.

TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Province of the MASSACHUSETTS-BAY:

The Petition of WILLIAM BENT and others, humbly sheweth:

That from various hands we, the subscribers, have obtained beating orders, and have respectively enlisted a company of men, consisting of fifty-six privates; and being all from the same neighbourhood, and doing duty along our seacoast, we are desirous of being immediately formed into a regiment.

And we beg leave most earnestly to move to your Honours, that Colonel Lemuel Robinson, of Dorchester, may be appointed to take the command of us as our Colonel. From the acquaintance we have with this gentleman, and from his known military character, we are induced to think that he is highly worthy the honour and the trust, and therefore are very desirous of being under his command.

Besides, we are concerned for the honour of the County of Suffolk. Present appearances render it suspicious that there are not gentlemen enough in said County sufficiently capacitated to command the Companies raised in it—a thought too degrading. And we are apprehensive that we, or a part of us, shall be put under the command of officers from other Counties; which will be very disagreeable, not only to us, but to our Companies also.

We therefore pray, that for the honour of the County, and for the peace and good order of our Companies, Colonel Lemuel Robinson may have the command of us. And as in duty bound, will ever pray.

May 15, 1775.

PETITION OF JOHN BOICE AND HUGH M‘LEAN.

To the Honourable the Congress of the Province of the MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, assembled at WATERTOWN:

The Petition of JOHN BOICE and HUGH MCLEAN, of MILTON, humbly sheweth:

That your petitioners carry on the business of manufacturers of Paper at Milton, which has been deemed of great utility to the publick; that John Salter, James Calder, William Durant, and William Pierse, now enlisted soldiers in the Provincial service, were all of them apprentices to your petitioners, and have attained so great a knowledge in the art of paper making, that their attendance on that business is absolutely necessary to its being carried on; that they have done the principal part of the work at your petitioners’ mills for two years past; and unless they are released from the service they are now in, it is impossible for your petitioners to continue this so useful and necessary branch of American manufactures. Wherefore, the petitioners pray that the said John Salter, James Calder, William Durant, and William Pierse, may be, by order of this honourable Congress, dismissed as soon as may be from the service of the Provincial Army. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

May 15, 1775.

JOSEPH PRIME AND OTHERS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Berwick, May 15, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: This day, on our waiting on Major Wood, on his march to Head-Quarters, we are informed that one Alexander Scammell is appointed Major of the Regiment now raising in the County of York. Mr. Scammell lives in New-Hampshire, and has no properly in Berwick or the County of York. We being military officers in said County of York, not attending the County meeting in advising to the field officers, do approve of the choice at said meeting, that is, Johnson Moulton, First Colonel; J. S. Scammon, Lieutenant-Colonel; Daniel Wood, Major.

We are, gentlemen, with esteem, yours, &c.

To the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, &c., &c.

JEDEDIAH PREBLE TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Falmouth, May 15, 1775.

HONOURED GENTLEMEN: These wait on you by Colonel Phinney, who brought me all the papers necessary for enlisting a Regiment in the County of Cumberland. I advised with the Committee of Correspondence, who was of opinion it would be difficult for our County to spare a Regiment to be moved out of the Province of Maine, as we lay much exposed to the Navy by sea, and the Indians and French on our back settlements, if they should be employed against us; but should be glad to do every thing in our power for the defence of our just rights and dearer liberties. Our men are zealous in the cause of their Country, and ready to venture every thing for the defence of it. Colonel March informs me your Honours have appointed him a Colonel, and gave him orders to raise a Regiment in this County, and to appoint all his officers; this he acquainted me with after I had delivered Colonel Phinney the papers back again, which he brought to me. It is impossible we can spare two Regiments out of this County, and they have both made considerable progress; am much afraid there will be some difficulty in settling the affair. I am persuaded the men in general would prefer Colonel Phinney, and so should I for that reason, as I look on Colonel Phinney to be equal to Colonel March in every respect.

Should have done myself the honour to have waited on you in person, but am still in a poor state of health, and so exercised with the gout that I cannot bear my shoes. I purpose to visit the Camp whenever I am able to undergo the fatigue of so long a journey. I wish courage and conduct in our officers, resolution and a spirit of obedience in our soldiery, and a speedy end of all our troubles. I am your Honours’ most obedient humble servant,

JEDEDIAH PREBLE.

LETTER TO THE EASTERN INDIANS.

In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 15, 1775.

FRIENDS AND GOOD BROTHERS: We, the Delegates of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, being come together in Congress to consider what may be best for you and ourselves to do to get rid of the slavery designed to be brought