an early specimen of their brutality as will make the inhabitants dread submission to the power of the British Ministry, and determine them to fight desperately rather than have such cruel masters to lord it over them. The Troops at length reached Charlestown, where there was no attacking them with safety to the Town, and that night and the next day crossed over in boats to Boston, where they continue to be shut up; for the people poured down in so amazing a manner from all parts, for scores of miles round, (even the grey-headed came to assist their countrymen,) the General was obliged to set about further fortifying the Town immediately at all points and places.

The proceedings of April 19th have united the Colony and Continent, and brought in New-York to act as vigorously as any other place whatsoever; and has raised an army in an instant, which are lodged in the several houses of the Towns round Boston till their tents are finished, which will be soon. All that is attended to, besides ploughing and planting, &c., is making ready for fighting. The non-importations and non-exportations will now take place from necessity, and traffick give place to war.

We have a fine spring, prospects of great plenty; there was scarce ever known such a good fall of lambs; we are in no danger of starving through the cruel acts against the New-England Governments; and the men who had been used to the fishery, (a hardy generation of people,) Lord North has undesignedly kept in the Country to give strength to our military operations, and to assist as occasion may require: thanks to a superiour wisdom for his blunders. The General is expecting reinforcements, but few have arrived as yet; the winds, contrary to the common run at this season, instead of being easterly, have been mostly the reverse. When the reinforcement arrives, and is recovered of the voyage, the General will be obliged in honour to attempt dislodging the people, and penetrating into the country; both soldiers and inhabitants are in want of fresh provisions, and will be like to suffer much, should the Provincial Army be able to keep the Town shut up on all sides, excepting by water, as at present.

The General engaged with the Selectmen of Boston, that if the Town’s people would deliver up their arms into their custody, those that chose it should be allowed to go out with their effects. The townsmen complied, and the General forfeited his word, for which there will be an after reckoning, should they ever have it in their power to call him to an account. A few have been allowed to come out with many of their effects; numbers are not permitted to come out, and the chief of those who have been, have been obliged to leave their merchandise and goods (linen and household stuff, cash and plate excepted) behind them. You must look back to the origin of the United Provinces, that you may have an idea of the resolution of this people. May the present struggle end as happily in favour of American liberty, without proving the destruction of Great Britain. We are upon a second edition of King Charles the First’s reign, enlarged. May the dispute be adjusted before the times, are too tragical to admit of it. Both officers and privates have altered their opinion of the Yankees very much since the 18th of April.

The detachment, while at Concord disabled two twenty-four-pounders, destroyed their two carriages and seven wheels for the same, with their limbers; sixteen wheels for brass three-pounders, and two carriages, with limber and wheels for two four-pounders; five hundred pounds of ball thrown into the river, wells, and other places; and broke in pieces about sixty barrels of flour, half of which was saved. Cannot be certain of the number that were killed. Apprehend, upon the whole, the Regulars had more than one hundred killed, and one hundred and fifty wounded, besides about fifty taken prisoners. The country people had about forty killed, seven or eight taken prisoners, and a few wounded.

N. B. I never saw the printed account till Monday, so that I was not directed by it in any of my inquiries when at Lexington and Concord. The General, I am persuaded, gave positive orders to the detachment not to fire first, or I am wholly mistaken in my opinion of him. The prisoners at Worcester, Concord, and Lexington, all agreed in their being exceedingly well used. The policy of the people would determine them thereto, if their humanity did not.

Worcester, May 17, 1775.

A great number of that arch traitor Hutchinson’s letters have lately fell into the hands of our people. By them is discovered the diabolical plans that have been laid to enslave this Country, and show to the world what an indefatigable slave be has been to his masters the Ministry, and their grand master the Devil. These letters will, undoubtedly, be soon made publick. A correspondent at Roxbury has favoured us with the following extract from one of them; to General Gage, then at New-York:

“Boston, July 23, 1771.

“SIR: I have the honour of your letter of the 15th. Yesterday a vessel arrived, which left London on the 24th of May. I have letters to the 22d. Parliament rose the 9th, and nothing done as to America. I send you a passage of a letter from Sir Francis Bernard. I have the honour to be, very respectfully, &c.

“SIR: It appears to me to be a matter of great importance to His Majesty’s general service, and to the real interest of the Colony, that the discord beginning between New-York and us should be encouraged. I wrote some time ago to Mr. Colden upon this subject, but he rather declined concerning himself in it. There is certainly a strong aversion, which nothing but the confederacy against Great Britain could have conquered. This has too much the appearance of Machiavelian policy; but it is justifiable, as it has the most obvious tendency to save the Colonies from ruining themselves, as well as distressing the Mother Country. If Pennsylvania could be brought to take part with New-York, I think the business would be done. I must beg the favour of you not to suffer this letter to come under any other than, your own observation. I have the honour to be,” &c. &c.

NORTHBOROUGH COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE TO GENERAL WARD.

Northborough, May 17, 1775.

SIR: We, the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Northborough, have taken into our custody Mr. Ebenezer Cutler, late of Groton, but now of this Town, who, from his conduct, appears to us to be an avowed enemy to his Country. He has set at naught and despised all the Resolutions, &c. of the Continental and Provincial Congresses, and also utterly refuses to act in any defence of his now perishing Country whatever; and as he has, from his past conduct, ever since we have been struggling for the liberties of our Country, appeared in the eyes of the publick to be aiding and abetting in defeating the plans of the good people of this Province, and has been riding from one part of this Province to the other, and, in our opinion, for no good design, we think it highly necessary to send him to the Council of War, to know whether he may (as he deserves) have a pass to go into Boston. We also enclose the substance of two evidences concerning said Cutler. By order of the Committee of Correspondence:

GILLAM BASS, Clerk.

To the Hon. General Artemas Ward, Esq., or Council of War now sitting at. Cambridge.

N. B. General Ward, we apprehend, is well acquainted with the character and conduct of said Cutler.

PORTSMOUTH COMMITTEE TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

Portsmouth, May 17, 1775.

SIR: A brig from Biddeford, in England, arrived this day, the master of which has just been with the Committee, and acquaints them that his orders are to take on board six masts, of about sixteen inches diameter.

We are informed that the ship lately built at Casco Bay, which arrived in the harbour this morning, is come with the intention to load masts, which are now ready for her. The opinion of the Congress touching the propriety of shipping the masts, is desired as soon as may be.

We have heard that part of the Troops from England arrived yesterday at Boston. I am, by order of the Committee, Sir, your most humble servant,

H. WENTWORTH, Chairman.

To the President of the Provincial Congress, at Exeter.