the Province, as well as for the defence of themselves in particular.

We of this Committee, looking upon the said Town as very unhappy in such a defenceless situation, apply to your Honours, as the guardians of our rights, and beg leave to ask for supplies of powder and balls, for the use of the battery proposed, as a defence against the ravages of merciless men. If it should in your wisdom seem meet to grant us this favour, humbly desire your advice how far, and the manner in which we ought to proceed, as we should be utterly against taking any steps that might interrupt your deliberations. We ask not for This assistance because we are intimidated of dismayed, but that we may have an opportunity to distinguish ourselves in favour of a cause that appears to us so just and reasonable on our part, on the other to be fraught with cruelty and oppression beyond our abilities to set forth. Being reduced to this alternative, either to fight or perish by famine, we choose the first, if we can procure the rational means for defence we submit the matter to your goodness and wisdom, and doubt not of your inclination to relieve us, if our request appears reasonable to you, and consistent with the general plan of operation.

By order of the Committee:

CHAS. CHAUNCY, JUN., Chairman.

Kittery, June 12, 1775.

ELISHA PHELPS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Lebanon, June 12, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: When I left you I came to this Town, and informed his Honour the Governour the distressing situation I was in concerning the team, and his Honour told me there was no difficulty; that I must apply to Albany, and they would pay me, and he would not have me fetch any cannon without orders from the Continental Congress, which advice I shall take. He also informed me that I was appointed Commissary-General for the Northern forces, so that you cannot expect any cannon by any of my assistance at present. I thought it my duty to let you know it; should be glad that this might be read in Congress, as I thought my fidelity suspected. Gentlemen, I am, with the greatest esteem, your very humble servant at command,

ELISHA PHELPS.

EXTRACT OF A, LETTER FROM NEWFOUNDLAND, DATED JUNE 12, 1775.

The necessities of the people here for bread are increasing daily; the labourers and fishermen have some time been at short allowance, and I am informed that many families here have not any to eat. The merchants have despatched vessels to England, Ireland, and Quebeck, in search for bread, and I doubt not many are gone and going to America on the same errand; but this is conjecture, founded on the knowledge and solicitations to undertake the voyage, of which I, being suspected and watched, can get no certain intelligence. The minds of the merchants are much agitated. As I transiently fall in company here, where my particular sentiments are not so well known, I hear merchants concerting schemes for their supplies, and complaining that they must discharge their men; then cursing New-York, “the only place,” say they, “we depend on to assist us in subjugating the Americans;” then cursing the Continental Congress, and proposing the most inhuman procedure, whenever they shall fall into their hands; anon cursing the Poole Petition, and swearing they had no hand in it; that the Poole men had destroyed them. “However,” say they, “when General Burgoyne arrives, he will draw in New-York, and we shall yet bring America to terms; but if he should fail, those Light-horse will soon secure the Continental Congress; our Troops will march through the Country, and make them feel the effects of their obstinacy; they have no Regular Troops, and what can they do with a few undisciplined men? but, damn them, what shall we do, if they are united; we shall never be able to do any thing with them.” This, gentlemen, and much of the same nature, is the reward you have from a sample of England; blessings God has given to men, are secured to them.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, DATED JUNE 13, 1775.

The troubles and misunderstandings between us and the Colonies are very much felt here. Remittances are unavoidably very long; and this, added to a total deprivation of trade, puts us in a dreadful situation, and has a still worse appearance to look onwards. The very people who first oppressed the Colonies here, in full assurance that all they asked must be complied with, now say, “What can we do? We have gone too far, but cannot recede.” But I hope there are still left some able men, whose humanity will lead them to step forward, and by well-timed arguments will still adjust matters, and that we shall again see that good opinion between both which has hitherto made us great and powerful. This happy hour I most ardently wish for.

GOVERNOUR MARTIN TO HENRY WHITE.

Cape Fear, North-Carolina, June 13, 1775.

My DEAR SIR: I take the liberty to enclose herewith a letter to Mrs. Martin, whose safe arrival I am most anxious to learn, the winds having been easterly almost ever since her departure.

I shall be extremely obliged to you if you can contrive to send me, with the royal standard I mentioned to you some time ago, or without it if that is not to be had, a good tent and market, of the size of the Colonel’s tent in the Army, with a tent-bed to fit the boot of it, and furniture, viz: mattress, bolster, and pillows; to be sent by any vessel bound to Cape Fear River, or in default thereof to Newbern, directed to the care of Mr. Cornell.

I should rejoice to see a prospect of a happy termination of the present deplorable times, that more or less threatens the happiness of every man throughout the British Dominions.

My compliments and warmest good wishes attend you and Mrs. White and all your family; and I am, dear Sir, ever yours,

JO. MARTIN.

The Honourable Henry White, Esq., New-York.

P. S. I forbear to give you your due additions; on the outside of my letter, to obviate prying curiosity.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ONE OF THE VIRGINIA DELEGATES TO HIS FRIEND IN WILLIAMSURGH, DATED PHILADELPHIA, JUNE 13, 1775.

Notwithstanding the many accounts of the sailing of the Troops from Ireland, a vessel has just arrived here from Newry, in five weeks, the Captain of which says that none had sailed; and that just as he was coming away, orders were said to have come to them to hold themselves in readiness to embark for Gibraltar.

Colonel Skene (owner of the schooner taken on Lake Champlain, whose son was also taken there, and is now prisoner in Connecticut) is just arrived from London with a commission to be Governour of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, but, private letters say, is charged with a power from Administration to influence the members of the Congress by arguments drawn on the Treasury, over which he has unlimited power; but as we have no occasion for his services at the forts, and do not intend to deal in his reasonings, he remains a prisoner upon his parole to keep within eight miles of the city, between the two rivers, and not to correspond with any person on political subjects.

As to the two engagements at the islands near Boston, we are told, but not with a degree of confirmation, that the last on Noddle’s Island was a very serious business, near fifteen hundred being engaged on each side, and that the Regulars had two hundred killed and wounded, the loss on the side of the Provincials being merely trifling.

I think we may finish in a fortnight, but can only guess, without forming any precise judgment about it,

CAROLINE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

MR. PURDIE: Influenced by the best motives, and divested of national prejudice, the Committee of Caroline request you to publish the enclosed extracts. They mean