against the Regulars. High threatening words passed between the General and the Indian Sachems, who were raised far and near on the occasion, and a wonderful spirit of benevolence appeared towards the young men that were taken by the Indians there. They told them in the strongest terms, that they would take their place, and would die for them. The whole story is very affecting. The Indian Sachems told the General: You have offered us money to fight for you, but we would not take it, as we would have nothing to do with your quarrel; but now we shall, know who are our enemies. If you think it best for you to hang these our brothers, that came a great way to see us, do it; but remember, we shall not forget it. Upon these threatening they thought it best to let the prisoners go, who got away with some difficulty. The Canadian Indians farther told our Indians, that if they did fight at all, they would fight against the Regulars, for they did not like them.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE AT PLYMOUTH, TO THE COMMITTEE OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE-ISLAND, DATED JUNE 22, 1775.

We have a. letter come to Town from Saco, giving an account of two vessels with provisions from Gage, under the protection of a tender, having arrived at that place in order to exchange said provision for lumber. The Committee of that Town considered of the propriety of suffering them to, trade, and from necessity were obliged to admit them; after this they discovered great partiality in regard to the persons with whom they contracted, which at once created such uneasiness as to determine, the people to seize the two vessels, and fire the cutter, which, however, they failed in. She hove up her anchors, proceeded down the river some distance from the Town, where she again anchored; but was soon so warmly attacked from the shore as to be obliged to slip her cables and push down; in her way she boarded a small coasting sloop, Captain Tobey, from Sandwich, and obliged him to undertake the pilotage of the vessel out of the river; but before getting out they boarded a schooner, Captain Avery, from Norwich, and took him also on board. In the mean time the people of Saco fitted out two armed vessels, which pursued the enemy, and soon after getting clear of the land they discovered and made for each other. The tender did not suppose them to be armed till they approached each other, when the master threatened to discharge a brace of balls through Captain Tobey unless he would swear to take up his gun in defence of the vessel; who replied, that as he engaged only as a pilot, he should refuse. The master then excused him, and threatened Avery in like manner, and he was obliged to comply. The first volley from our armed vessel killed poor Avery and the infernal Captain, which put the people into such consternation that they descended into the hold, cabin &c., and were boarded and carried into Saco. The number of men taken on board the tender is not mentioned; she had four three pounders, twelve swivels, forty or fifty muskets, as many cutlasses, and a number of pistols.

GENERAL WARD TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Head-Quarters, June 22, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I received your favour of the twentieth instant, suggesting to my serious consideration whether it is not proper and expedient to order a regiment or more from the camp at Roxbury. I have this day, in company with General Putnam, been over to Roxbury, and consulted with General Thomas, Spencer, and Heath, who are fully in opinion that they have no forces to spare, notwithstanding we are re-enforced to-day by the arrival of Colonel Glover’s Regiment from Marblehead. But if the honourable Congress still judge that it is best one regiment or more should be ordered to this camp, it will be cheerfully complied with. It is thought best, if any regiment be removed, it should be Colonel Parsons’s, of the Connecticut forces.

I am, gentlemen, with respect, your most humble servant,

ARTEMAS WARD.

To the Honourable James Warren, President of the Provincial Congress, sitting at Watertown.

B. GREENLEAF TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Newburyport, June 22, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We understand that you have desired our Selectmen to send the Town stock of powder to Cambridge, saving only one pound for each man. You, perhaps, are not aware that we have lately delivered four half barrels to the order of Congress, and six more to that of the Committee of Supplies, part of which we were encouraged to hope should soon have been replaced. We have likewise furnished our men, who have joined the Army and three large parties who were volunterrs on the several alarms that have been made, with cartridges sufficient for their purpose, a considerable part whereof were: never returned. By these means our stock is so much reduced as to occasion us great uneasiness, inasmuch as it must prevent our executing some plans we had meditated for the publick good; besides, many of our inhabitants are apprehensive of danger from cutters and other armed vessels, the Admiral having, as it is said, given out some threats. We have been at considerable expense in preparing some light cannon for action, and we are now about erecting a small battery or breastwork, with three or four heavier cannon, which can be procured, to defend ourselves against any attacks by water. But all that we have yet done, and are about to do, will be to no purpose, unless we can have a few barrels of powder ready at hand. We are therefore very loath to part with the little we have, unless the publick cause renders it absolutely necessary, in which case we shall readily give up the last ounce, the destruction of this Town being a trivial matter in our estimation, compared with a final defeat of the Army. However, as it can at any time be conveyed to Cambridge in eight or nine hours from the time of our having notice, we hope it may be agreeable to let it remain here for the present, that so we may have the privilege of using it in our own defence if there should be occasion before it is wanted in the Army. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant.

By order of the Committee of this Town:

B. GREENLEAF.

STEPHEN HOOPER TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Newburyport, June 22, 1775.

SIR: In a letter I received yesterday from a Committee in the Town of Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire, I am acquainted with their having received fifty barrels of flour from Baltimore for the use of your suffering brethren in Boston, with directions to deliver the same to my order, and that the flour now waits my pleasure. They also acquaint me of their inclination to purchase it for the use of their own Troops. I should therefore be glad to receive the opinion of the Congress, relative to its disposal, as soon as may be, as the aforementioned Committee wait my answer. I am, &c.

STEPHEN HOOPER.

To the President of the Congress.

Cambridge, June 22, 1775.

Last Friday night a detachment from our Army began an intrenchment on an eminence below Bunker Hill, about a mile to the northward of the centre of the Town of Charlestovm. The enemy appeared to be much alarmed on Saturday morning, when they discovered our operations, and immediately began a heavy cannonading from a battery on Copp’s Hill, Boston, and from the ships in. the harbour. Our people, with little loss, continued to carry on the works till one o’clock, P. M., on Saturday, when they discovered a large body of the enemy crossing Charles River from Boston. They landed on a point of land about a mile eastward of our intrenchment, and immediately disposed their Army for an attack; previous to which they set fire to the Town of Charlestown. It is supposed the enemy intended to attack us under cover of the smoke from the burning houses, the wind favouring them in such a design; while, on the other side, their Army was extended northward towards Mistick River, with an apparent design of surrounding our men within the works, and of cutting off any assistance intended for their relief. They were, however, in some measure, counteracted in this design, and drew their Army into close order. As the enemy approached, our men were not only exposed to the attack of a very

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