board, and two young men (one named Josiah Jones and the otherJonathan Hicks) were put on board, one or both of whom as supercargo in the above employment, with a packet of letters, orders, and other papers. The master then being prepared to go out, sailed directly for this port, and arrived in this harbour the 2d instant, with the persons, letters, &c., as above mentioned, who were immediately carried before the Committee of this Town, and after examination of both, it was agreed by the Committee, and they have accordingly sent the persons and papers under guard to this honourable Provincial Congress now sitting, for examination, and to be dealt with as they in their united wisdom shall think just. The master and mate of said sloop we have hereby sent, by whom an account of the whole affair will be given.

Committee of the Town of Arundel.

Arundel, June 3, 1775.

Watertown, June 9, 1775.

I, the subscriber, being of lawful age, do testify that, being in a coasting sloop belonging to Arundel, and on my return from Plymouth, was taken by a cutter belonging to Admiral Graves’s squadron, in Boston, and carried into that port, and there detained several days; and being solicited by Admiral Graves’s Secretary to enter into His Majesty’s service, and knowing no other way wherein. I could possibly make my escape but by entering into said service, to go to Windsor, in Nova-Scotia, for hay and other things; and having one Josiah Jones put on board as factor, and being ready to sail, I desired of the Captain of our convoy leave to sail, but he told roe I must not sail till to-morrow, at ten o’clock, as there were a number of other vessels in the same employ, and should all sail together. I then desired leave of Mr. Jones to haul off into the road, and obtained leave. It being dark, I got consent of our factor, Mr. Jones, to sail; I therefore, embraced the opportunity, and immediately sailed for Arundel, where I arrived in about twenty-four hours, and delivered up Mr. Jones, and one Jonathan Hicks, who was introduced on board my sloop by Mr. Jones, but for what purpose I cannot tell. And further saith, that Mr. Jones desired me to oil and clean. the fire-arms that were put on board to defend ourselves, as he said the rebels might attack us on our passage.

SAMUEL, SMITH.

Boston, May 30, 1775.

Mr. Ephraim Perkins:

SIR: You will immediately proceed with the Sloop Molly, under your command, to Windsor, in the Bay of Funda, and receive such orders as Mr. Jones will give you respecting your cargo, making every despatch that is possible, taking care to touch at no other harbour unless it be absolutely necessary.

Jos. GOLDTHWAIT, for
WM. SHERRIFF,
Deputy Quartermaster General.

Boston, May 30, 1775.

MR. JONES: You will proceed to Windsor, in Nova Scotia, with the Sloop Polly, Ephraim Perkins master, and, immediately upon your arrival there, you will apply to Messrs. Day and Scott for a cargo, as specified in the letter herewith transmitted to them; and in case they should not be there when you arrive, you will immediately hire an express and forward the letter to them at Halifax. And I trust in your diligence in receiving the cargo, and making every despatch in your power on your return to this port. And you are further to observe, that you are not, upon your return, to put into any harbour upon the eastern coast, without being forced to by absolute necessity.

Sir, I am your most obedient servant,

WM. SHERRIFF, Dep. Q. M. General.

Boston, May 30, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The bearer, Mr. Josiah Jones, with the Sloop Polly, Ephraim Perkins, master, is chartered for Windsor, in Nova-Scotia, in order to receive from you hay and oats. I am therefore to desire you will use every endeavour to despatch him as soon as possible, agreeable to my letter, wrote you via Halifax the 29th instant. Please to forward the enclosed by express to Annapolis.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

WM. SHERRIFF.

To Messrs. Day and Scott, at Windsor, Nova-Scotia.

Boston, May 29, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I have received your obliging favour, and return you many thanks for the trouble you have taken, and readiness you have shown, in giving your assistance, so necessary at present, for the good of the service. The hay will be most acceptable, and I am in hopes Captain Perkins’s vessel has taken a part on board, as he promised me she should return immediately, and I will send you an other one as soon as possible. I shall want three or four thousand tons of hay, and I wish, with all my heart, poor Annapolis could furnish it; but all it can furnish I will take; and if they are industrious they may get a great deal of money for their vegetables, poultry, butter, eggs, &c., &c., and may come directly into this port without any expense whatever, and will be sure to find every encouragement and assistance that can be given them. On the other hand, if they give themselves airs, and follow the cursed example of these madmen, they will easily consider how readily Government can chastise them, and they may rely upon it they will, and that immediately too. But I hope they will consider their interest better, and make all the money they can; they never will have a fairer opportunity.

I have wrote to Messrs. Day and Scott, at Halifax, respecting tonnage, and have desired them to consult with you about the quantity that may be procured at Annapolis, as they are to furnish the remainder from Windsor and that neighbourhood.

Procure hay-screws, and at any rate, and the whole should be carried to a particular place most convenient for that purpose, as also for shipping of it. You have not advised me in what manner I am to make you remittances for expenses to be incurred in the above service, therefore shall expect it per next. We are in the same situation as when I wrote you last, except the addition of twelve hundred Troops, lately arrived from England, three Regiments of Horse, and eight other Regiments are hourly expected, when 1 hope you will hear better accounts from us. I am hurried to death, therefore have only time to add my compliments to all friends, and to wish you every happiness, being truly, dear Sir, your faithful and obedient servant,

WM. SHERRIFF.

Thomas Williams, Esquire, Storekeeper of Ordnance at Annapolis Royal.

P. S. If you can add to the quantity of old hay, pray do, and don’t mind the expense.

W. S.

LOAMMI BALDWIN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS

Cambridge, June 3, 1775.

His Excellency General Ward, having been pleased to approve of a proposal made for taking some surveys of the ground between us and our enemies, and as some mathematical instruments are wanting to enable us to complete the same, this is, therefore, humbly to desire that the honourable Provincial Congress would grant leave for such instruments as are wanting for said purpose to be taken out of the apparatus belonging to Harvard College, to be returned as soon as said surveys shall be finished.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

LOAMMI BALDWIN.

To the Honourable the Provincial. Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS

In Provincial Congress, Exeter, June 3, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Having undoubted intelligence of the attempts of the British Ministry to engage the Canadians and savages in their interest in the present controversy with America, and of actual movements in Canada.in consequence thereof, we have thought it necessary that measures should be immediately taken to defend and quiet the minds of the people more especially exposed in the frontiers, and accordingly have resolved to send a number of Troops as soon as may

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