Your remarks on the resolution of the Continental Congress relative to taking post at King’s Bridge appear to us to be conclusive; we shall, however, lay them before our body as soon as the other important matters under consideration shall be determined,

We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants,

To the Provincial Congress at New-York.

JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, June 10, 1775.

GENTLEMAN: In consequence of your application to this Congress for advice respecting a form of Government to be adopted in the Massachusetts-Bay, under your present circumstances, I am directed by the Congress to transmit you their Resolution thereon, which is here enclosed.

I am also to inform you that the Congress have been so pressed with business that they have been prevented determining upon the other matters mentioned in your letters to them, but they will very soon come under their consideration, and their resolutions thereon shall be forwarded you.

I also enclose you a Resolve of Congress for furnishing our Army with flour. This yon will keep secret, at least as far as the nature of it will admit, as the publication may give an alarm, which may prevent the good effects of it.

Last evening Mr. Fessenden, your express, arrived with your despatches of June 4th, which I shall this morning lay before the Congress, and when considered by Congress, their determinations shall be immediately transmitted to you.

I am, with much esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress, Massachusetts-Bay.

In Congress, Friday, June 9, 1775.

Resolved, That no obedience being due to the Act of Parliament for altering the Charter of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, nor to a Governour or Lieutenant-Governour who will not observe the directions of, but endeavour to subvert, that Charter, the Governour and Lieutenant-Governour are to be considered as absent, and these offices vacant; and as there is no Council there, and the inconveniences arising from the suspension of the powers of Government are intolerable, especially at a time when General Gage bath actually levied war, and is carrying on hostilities against His Majesty’s peaceable and loyal subjects of that Colony; that in order to conform as near as may be to the spirit and substance of the Charter, it be recommended to the Provincial Congress to write letters to the inhabitants of the several places which are entitled to representation in Assembly, requesting them to choose such Representatives; and that the Assembly, when chosen, should elect Counsellors; which Assembly and Council should exercise the powers of Government, until a Governour of His Majesty’s appointment will consent to govern the Colony according to its Charter.

A true copy from the Minutes:

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

By order of the Congress:

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

THOMAS CUSHING TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

Philadelphia, June 10, 1775.

SIR: Doctor Church will bring with him a vote of the Congress advising our people to consider the Governour and Lieutenant-Governour as absent, and their offices vacant; and further recommending it to the Provincial Congress to issue letters to all such places as are entitled to a representation, to choose Representatives, who, when convened, are advised to choose Counsellors, agreeable to the Charter; which Assembly, together with the Counsellors that may be chosen, are advised to carry on the affairs of Government until a Governour of His Majesty’s appointment will consent to govern according to the directions of the Charter. As to giving a credit to our Provincial note, and regulating the Army, you will hear further from the Congress soon. The bearer carries a recommendation to the other Colonies to supply you with all the powder they can safely spare.

In great haste, I am, with respect, your most humble servant,

THOMAS CUSHING.

Mr. Elbridge Gerry, Watertown.

P. S. Pray let me hear from you soon concerning my dear Country. Must refer you for particulars to Dr. Church.

ROBERT TREAT PAINE TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

Philadelphia, Juno 10, 1775.

MY DEAR SIR: I cannot express to you the surprise and uneasiness I received on hearing the Congress express respecting the want of gunpowder; it always was a matter that lay heavy on my mind; but the observation I made of your attention to it, and your alertness and perseverance in every thing you undertake, and your repeatedly expressing it as your opinion that we had probably enough for this summer’s campaign, made me quite easy. I rely upon it, that measures are taken in your parts of the Continent to supply this defect. The design of your express will be zealously attended to, I think. I have seen one of the powder-mills here, where they make excellent powder, but have worked up all the nitre. One of our members is concerned in a powder-mill at New-York, and has a man at work making nitre. I have taken pains to inquire into the method. Doctor Franklin has seen saltpetre works at Hanover and Paris; and it strikes me to be as unnecessary, after a certain time, to send abroad for gunpowder as for bread, provided people will make use of common understanding and industry; but for the present we must import from abroad. Major Foster told me at Hartford he suspected he had some land that would yield nitre; pray converse with him about it. Doctor Franklin’s account is much the same as is mentioned in one of the first of the American magazines; the sweepings of the streets and rubbish of old buildings are made into mortar, and built into walls, exposed to the air, and once in about two months scraped, and lixiviated, and evaporated. When I can describe the method more minutely I will write you; mean while give me leave to condole with you the loss of Colonel Lee. Pray remember me to Colonel Orne, and all other our worthy friends. Pray take care of your important health, that you may be able to stand stiff as a pillar in our new Government.

I must now subscribe, with great respect and affection, your humble servant,

R. T. PAINE.

JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, June 10, 1775.

SIR: By order of the Congress I transmit to you the enclosed Resolutions passed by the Congress this morning. The necessity of the present emergency requires a speedy compliance with the first, respecting the supply of powder to the Army; and I need not inform you, that the nature of the service requires that it should be done with as much secrecy as possible. If there are any supplies of powder to be purchased in your Colony, you will readily see the propriety of engaging It for the use of the Continental Army, and informing the General, of the Army thereof, as well as, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the President of the Provincial Congress, or Committee of the Colony of New-Hampshire.

P. S. I am directed by the Congress to request you will please to transmit to them, as soon as may be, an estimate of the powder, arms, and ammunition in your Colony, including private as well as publick stocks. Your humble servant, &c.

NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO THEIR DELEGATES.

[Read in Congress June 14, 1775.]

In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 10, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: A certain Captain Coffin being suspected of taking on board his vessel provisions for the Army and