on Bunker’s Hill was not less than two thousand. The number of Provincials was only fifteen hundred, who, it is supposed, would soon have gained a complete victory, had it not been for the unhappy mistake already mentioned, The Regulars were afterwards re-enforced with a thousand men. It is uncertain how great a number of the enemy were killed or wounded; but it was supposed by spectators who saw the whole action, that there could not be less than four or five hundred killed. Mr. Gardner, who got out of Boston on Sunday evening, says that there were five hundred wounded men brought into that place the morning before he came out.

This account was taken, from Captain Elijah Hide, of Lebanon, who was a spectator on Winter Hill during the whole action.

GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH TO THEODORE ATKINSON.

Castle William and Mary, June 17, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Captain Barkley has this morning seized the Sloop Kingfisher, Jonathan Eaton, master, laden with thirteen, hogsheads and three tierces of molasses, bound from Newbury to Piscataqua, for breach of Acts of Trade. This sloop run into Little Harbour and unloaded eight casks into a gondola, without entering or reporting at the Custom-House. Captain Barkley sends information to the Custom-House, and directions to have the vessel forthwith libelled in the Court of Vice-Admiralty. This is not, therefore, any stoppage upon his general orders relative to provision, vessels, &c, but would have taken place any time heretofore. I therefore hope it will be so considered, and occasion no disturbance in Town.

We shall rejoice exceedingly to see you in this our pleasant retirement, where we enjoy a good air, and have some safety from unseasonable attacks.

J. WENTWORTH.

Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Esq., Portsmouth.

JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

Philadelphia, Sunday Morning; June 18, 1775.

DEAR SIR; I have but a moment’s time left to tell you that your order for the duck, &c., cannot be complied with, there being not enough here to make it worth while to think of sending, and indeed they are in want of the same article here. I cannot inform you of the doings of Congress in general, being under an injunction; but I am thus far indulged to mention, but by no means to be put in the newspapers at present, that Colonel Washington is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. I shall sign his commission tomorrow, and he will depart in a few days. He is a fine man. You will judge of the propriety of the mode of his reception. Ten Companies of fine Riflemen from this Province, Maryland, and Virginia, are ordered to proceed immediately to your Army; these are, clever fellows. The Committee of the whole Congress have agreed upon a report for the immediate emission of two millions of dollars upon the faith of the Continent. Remember me to Mr. Gill, Pitts, Cooper, and all friends. Adieu; I am almost worn out.

I am your real friend,

JOHN HANCOCK,

Mr. Gerry, Watertown.

JOHN ADAMS TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

Philadelphia, June 18, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I have at last obtained liberty, by a vote of Congress, to acquaint my friends with a few of the things that have been done.

The Congress have voted, or rather a Committee of the whole House have unanimously agreed, that the sum of two million dollars be issued in bills of credit, for the redemption of which, in a certain number of years, twelve Colonies have unanimous pledged themselves.

The Congress has likewise resolved that fifteen thousand men shall be supported at the expense of the Continent, (ten thousand at Massachusetts, and five thousand at New-York,) and that ten Companies of Riflemen he sent immediately—six from Pennsylvania, two from Maryland, and two from Virginia —consisting of sixty-eight privates in each company, to join our Army at Boston. These are said to be, all exquisite marksmen, and by means of the excellence of their firelocks, as well as their skill in the use of them, to send sure destruction to great distances.

Gen. Washington is chosen Commander-in-Chief; Gen. Ward the first Major-General; and General Lee the second, (the last has not yet accepted,) and Major Gates Adjutant-GeneraL Lee and Gates are experienced officers. We have proceeded no further as yet.

I have never, in all my lifetime, suffered more anxiety than in the conduct of this business. The choice of officers, and their pay, have given me great distress. Lee and Gates are officers of such great experience and confessed abilities, that I thought their advice, in a council of officers, might be of great advantage to us; but the natural prejudices, and virtuous attachment of our countrymen to their own officers, made me apprehensive of difficulties. But, considering the earnest desire of General Washington to have the assistance of these officers, the extreme attachment of many of our best friends in the Southern Colonies to them, the reputation they would give to our arms in Europe, and especially with the Ministerial Generals and Army in Boston, as well as the real American merit of them both, I could not withhold my vote from either.

The pay which has been voted to all the officers which the Continental Congress intends to choose, is so large, that I fear our people will think it extravagant and be uneasy. Mr. Adams, Mr. Paine, and myself, used our utmost endeavours to reduce it, but in vain.

Those ideas of equality, which are so agreeable to us natives of New-England, are very disagreeable to many gentlemen in the other Colonies. They had a great opinion of the high importance of a Continental General, and were determined to place him in an elevated point of light. They think the Massachusetts establishment too high for the privates, and too low for the officers, and they would have their own way.

I hope the utmost politeness and respect will be shown to these officers on their arrival. The whole Army, I think, should be drawn up upon the occasion, and all the pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war displayed; no powder burned, however.

There is something charming to me in the conduct of Washington. A gentleman of one of the first fortunes upon the Continent; leaving his delicious retirement, his family and friends, sacrificing his ease, and hazarding all in the cause of his Country! His views are noble and disinterested. He declared when he accepted the mighty trust, that he would lay before us an exact account of his expenses, and not accept a shilling for pay. The express waits.

Adieu.

JOHN ADAMS.

Mr. Gerry, Watertown.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO G0VERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Greenwich, June 18, 1775.

SIR: I have just received a letter from the Provincial Congress at New-York, a copy of which I enclose and send you by express, who will also proceed to the Provincial Camp with another to General Ward. Perhaps your Honour will now think best to order the troops under my command eastward instead of westward.

I am, in haste, your Honour’s most obedient humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER, Major-General.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire.

NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO GENERAL WOOSTER.

Provincial Congress, New-York, Jane 17, 1775.

SIR: Being well informed that four Regiments, containing near three thousand effective men, were sailed in transports for this City, we take the liberty to. request the assistance of those brave sons of freedom who are under your command. We are this instant further informed, that the Mercury, ship-of-war, was cruising upon our coast, and is now at Sandy-Hook, to order those transports to Boston immediately, and did, on Tuesday last, thirty leagues to the southeast of the Hook, deliver her orders to the Old Spy, man-of-war, now a transport, with part of the Forty-Fourth Regiment on board, which immediately altered her course. From hence we conclude that a very capital stroke is meditated against our brethren of the