to that society, and whether the honourable Congress would countenance such a procedure.”

At the same time the gentlemen present beg leave to return their most grateful acknowledgments to the honourable Congress for the regard they have already shown for the interest of the College, in directing the removal of the library and apparatus to a place of greater safety.

In the name of the gentlemen present,

SAMUEL LANGDON, President.

To the Honourable Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay.

To the Hon. JOSEPH WARREN, President of the MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. Congress, in WATERTOWN: (To be communicated to said Congress:)

HONOURED SIR: It appears to me and others that there are wanted in this Government some armed vessels to ward off the distressing piratical blows that, without doubt, will be struck by Admiral Samuel Graves’s small men-of-war and tenders, by taking from us our inward-bound provisions, (molasses, salt, vessels, &c.,) as they have done, will almost bring on a famine in our Army and on the inhabitants; for this Government always was ill able to support itself with provisions, &c., and now has in it an army to feed, which will soon be felt and be distressing to its inhabitants, and, I fear, will bring on discontent and murmurings, which may be attended with bad consequences, to the disadvantage of our embarkment in the ever to be commended common cause. So hope that you will be enabled to guard against every evil that might otherwise befall us if we were not under the guardianship of Providence and your wise councils.

I hear that there is a ship almost or quite ready to launch at Danvers, of about three hundred tons; that it is probable she will be a good sailer, and, by strengthening her with some hanging knees, building a round-house and a top-gallant, forecastle, &c., would carry upward of thirty guns, and fight the major part of her men between decks, &c. By inquiry there may be found good sailing vessels now hauled up, that would in part answer our end for defence, and to bring provisions from the Southern Governments for our support. Some of them might be employed in bringing powder and guns from some parts of the Spanish and French Kingdoms, and might smuggle some from other Powers, and saltpetre from others, where we could not get it made into powder, and make it here, which would be to our advantage to have it manufactured.

So wishing you the smiles of Heaven in all your undertakings in the defence of our invaluable liberties, &c., &c., I remain, honoured Sir, your most humble and devoted servant,

S. L.

FALMOUTH COMMITTEE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Falmouth, June 15, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: Mr. Lane is returned here with four of the Penobscot Tribe. We have furnished them with carriages to convey them to you, and Mr. Lane with money to pay their expenses. Orono, the chief man, seems to be sensible, and hearty in our cause; he reserves what he has chiefly to say till he comes to the Congress. We gave them assurances that they might depend upon being provided for while there, as well as on their return back again; wished them a pleasant journey, and that the event might be happy for them and us. We suppose Mr. Lane will give an account of the expense, therefore we have sent none.

Wishing success to our righteous cause, we are your Honours most obedient humble servants,

JEDEDIAH PREBLE,

Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence.

Hon. Joseph Warren, President.

COL. READ TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Charlestown, Massachusetts, June 15, 1775.

SIRS: I beg leave to inform your body of my proceedings in the business I have the honour to be entrusted with in this difficult day. Gentlemen, on the second day of this instant, June, I received verbal orders from General Folsom, at Exeter, to repair to the westward part of the Province of New-Hampshire, and to collect a number of men I had there enlisted as volunteers for the defence of the liberties of America, and in the service of said Province and cause, all able-bodied, effective men, well equipped, to march to Cambridge, and there to put myself and men under the command of General Ward until further order. In obedience of which I immediately pursued my orders, and notified the men, and likewise I notified the Selectmen of the Town of the vote of Congress, in regard to furnishing the men with blankets. Notwithstanding what they and I could do in that affair, my officers were obliged to leave a number of enlisted men behind, as you will see by their returns herewith enclosed. On the twelfth of June, I arrived at Cambridge and waited on General Ward; he informed me that Cambridge was so thronged with soldiers, that he had given orders to Captains Spalding, Walker, and Crosby, to march to Medford. Then I repaired to Medford, and there I met with Captains Hinds, Whitcomb, Town, Hutchins, Man, Marcey, and Thomas. Whitcomb and Thomas I took out of Colonel Stokes’s Regiment for the two Companies that were assigned me. Then I was informed by Colonel Stark that Medford was so full of soldiers that it was necessary for some to take other quarters; then I applied to General Ward and received orders in these words:

(GENERAL ORDERS.)

“Head-Quarters, June 12, 1775.

“That Colonel Read quarter his Regiment in the houses near Charlestown Neck, and keep all necessary guards between his barracks and the ferry, and on Bunker Hill.

“J. WARD, Secretary.”

A copy per James Read.

Then, Sirs, I marched my Regiment from Medford to Charlestown Neck, and, with the assistance of Mr. Tufts, one of the Selectmen of Charlestown, I got my men into good barracks, and then raised my guard, consisting of one Captain, two subalterns, four sergeants, four corporals, and forty privates; this ended the thirteenth day of June.

I beg leave to inform you that we are in great want of an apothecary and chaplain. There is Doctor Abner Barker with us taking care of our sick, but hath no medicines only by applying to Head-Quarters; he is a man that hath been acquainted with the business of an apothecary, and he hath had the small-pox, and seems to be very kind and helpful, and is willing to tarry if desired.

JAMES READ.

To the Honourable Gentlemen of the Committee of Safety at Exeter.

COLONEL READ’S LETTER IN FAVOUR OF CAPTAIN COLBURN.

Fitzwilliam, June 8, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: I beg leave to trouble you with one word in favour of the bearer, Captain Colburn, that is to inform you that he is one of the signers of the paper of agreement to raise a Regiment under my command. And, Sir, as my Regiment is filled up without him, and as I had encouragement that any officer that had got men should be taken notice of in the next Regiment; and, Sir, as Captain Colburn hath been an old officer in the last war, which he is able to give and account for himself, I should take it as a favour if your Honours, the Committee, would favour him in the next Regiment as a Major, if agreeable to your Honours; at the same time would beg leave to subscribe myself your Honours obliged and ever humble servant at command,

JAMES READ.

Service done by ANDREW COLBURN in the last war.

In the year 1755, I was at Oswego with General Shirly’s Regiment; in the year ’56, at Fort Edward; in the year ’57, at Fort William Henry when taken; in the year ’58, at Ticonderoga in the defeat; in the year ’59, I sustained a commission in the Province service, and was at the taking of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, with Colonel Ingersoll’s Regiment; in the year ’60, in Colonel Ruggell’s Regiment, at the taking the several forts on the lakes and Montreal. For the year ’61, 1 commanded Captain Cowdan’s Company at Crown Point, and in the year ’62, at Crown Point; and in the year 1774, I received a Captain’s commission in this Government, in Colonel Reuben Ridders’s Regiment.