taken two corn sloops bound in there to supply the necessities of the place, and were about sending them to Boston. Governour Wentworth went on board to solicit their discharge, and represented the necessity of the Town, but without effect. This proceeding has so exasperated the people, that not a single Tory is left in the Province, and some of the most bigoted have quitted the cause, declared for the people, and join them in their most spirited measures, &c.

An important expedition was on foot, but as we have received no news of its success, we fear it has miscarried.

DECLARATION OF ALEXANDER WALKER.

Salem, June 1, 1775.

Whereas I, the subscriber, did some time since sign an Address to Governour Hutchinson, which has given just cause of resentment to this Town and Country; I do now declare, that at the same time of signing said Address, I did suppose it might serve the Colonies, but am convinced of my error, and am sorry for the offence I have given; and stand ready as any other, as far as in me lies, to support the rights and liberties of this Country.

ALEXANDER WALKER.

In Committee of Safety, June 3, 1775.

The foregoing Declaration being presented and read, voted unanimously that the same is satisfactory.

Attest:

R. DERBY, JUN., Chairman.

TO THE AMERICANS.

Salem, Massachusetts, June 1, 1775.

We are now called by the providence of God to fight for those precious liberties which were handed down to us by our heroick and venerable ancestors. Our present circumstances are unhappy, but our prospect is great and glorious. God hath in a signal manner favoured our righteous cause, covered our heads in the day of battle, miraculously given us the victory over our enemies, and shewn us his salvation. So very remarkably hath Heaven appeared on our side, that I hope our murderous enemies will no longer dare to oppose what God approves.

We greatly lament that we are driven by tyranny to shed human blood. It would give us infinitely greater pleasure to make our enemies free and happy, than to triumph in victory. As a testimony of this disposition, we have given freedom to the soldiers who were well inclined, that we have taken in the late engagement. And it is our ardent wish and prayer to Almighty God, that these Colonies may be enabled to give freedom and happiness to our oppressed land and Nation, without injury to any person, and the once happy union between Britons and Americans be restored, and both forever live together as brethren.

AN AMERICAN.

REV. SAMUEL LANGDON TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

June 1, 1775.

SIR: We, the Pastors of the Congregational Churches of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, in our present annual Convention, gratefully beg leave to express the sense we have of the regard shown by the honourable Provincial Congress to us, and the encouragement they have been pleased to afford to our assembling as a body this day. Deeply impressed with sympathy for the distresses of our much injured and oppressed Country, we are not a little relieved in beholding the Representatives of this people, chosen by their free and unbiased suffrages, now met to concert measures for their relief and defence, in whose wisdom and integrity, under the smiles of Divine Providence, we Cannot but express our entire confidence. As it has been found necessary to raise an Army for our safety, and our brave countrymen have so willingly offered themselves to this hazardous service, we are not insensible of the vast burden that their necessary maintenance must devolve upon the people. We therefore cannot forbear, upon this occasion, to offer our service to the publick, and to signify our readiness, with the consent of our several congregations, to officiate, by rotation, as Chaplains to the Army.

We devoutly commend the Congress, and our brethren in arms, to the guidance and protection of that Providence, which, from the first settlement of this Country, has so remarkably appeared for the preservation of its civil and religious rights.

SAM’L LANGDON, Moderator.

To the Honourable Joseph Warren, Esq., President of the Provincial Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, &c.

At the Convention of the Ministers of the Massachusetts-Bay, June 1, 1775:

The Convention, taking into consideration the method of furnishing the Army with Chaplains, agreeably to the offer they have made to the honourable Congress, think it most expedient that a sufficient number of persons should be chosen out of their members by the Officers of the Army, to officiate statedly, rather than by quick rotation in that character; and the Convention depend that the parochial duties of those Ministers who shall serve in the Army, will be performed by their brethren in the vicinity.

A true copy. Test:

AMOS ADAMS, Scribe.

SELECTMEN OF LUNENBURGH TO DOCTOR JOHN TAYLOR.

Lunenburgh, June 1, 1775.

SIR: We have received the resolve of the Provincial Congress, that there be draughted out of the town stock of powder from Lunenburgh, two half barrels for the use of the Army. Now, Sir, we here represent the circumstances, the greater part of which you have a knowledge of. You may remember that the Town granted twenty-five Pounds to supply the town stock of ammunition, but by reason of the scarcity of powder we have never obtained it; and at the time of the alarm at Concord, we were obliged to open the town stock to furnish those that marched on that occasion, (which was upwards of one hundred men,) and if we should take out the two half barrels, we should not have above thirty pounds of powder left in the town stock. Now, Sir, we desire to know if the Congress, under these circumstances, will excuse us from taking out the two half barrels, and if not, we are ready to comply with the resolve. Please to write to us as soon as may be; in the mean time we remain yours, &c.

By order of the Selectmen,

GEORGE KIMBALL,

Town Clerk.

To Dr. John Taylor, Member of Congress.

N. B. If you know of any powder to be sold, please to inform us.

PETITION OF WILLIAM TALMAN AND OTHERS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Dartmouth, June 1, 1775.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress now sitting at WATERTOWN:

The Petition of us the subscribers humbly sheweth:

That your petitioners have, at great expense, fitted out some vessels for whaling voyages, and one or two with lumber for the West Indies, some of which are now ready for the sea, and being advised thereto by the Committee of Correspondence of this Town, and not being restricted therefrom by the Continental or Provincial Congress, the advice or directions of which we determine to abide by in this affair; notwithstanding which some people manifest an uneasiness that we should send our vessels to sea, and will not be satisfied unless we have the advice of the honourable the Provincial Congress, now sitting, thereon, which will quiet the minds of the people, and give them and us satisfaction relative to said matter. Therefore, your petitioners pray your advice and direction thereon; and as in duty bound shall ever pray.

MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

Watertown, June 1, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We send you enclosed a copy of a letter from Colonel Arnold, commander of the Troops at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, together with a copy of a letter