fishery, and can scarcely subsist upon what they get out of the clam banks and by fishing in boats; and should they be driven from their huts into the barren country that surrounds us, they must (for aught we see) perish with hunger and for want of habitations, there not being houses within twenty miles sufficient to receive them. These poor people consist principally of women and children, their husbands and parents having enlisted themselves into the service of the Colony. Your petitioners are very far from desiring to create any unnecessary expense to the Colony, but, at the same time, think it necessary that said Troops remain with us; and are of opinion that, should they be withdrawn, the Town will be immediately evacuated; and, for the above reasons, your petitioners, as in duty bound, &c.

For and by order of the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Plymouth :

P. S. The Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Duxbury and Kingston, which lie on Plymouth Bay, join in the general prayer of the above petition.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO GEN. FOLSOM.

Exeter, June 26, 1775, Eleven o’clock, P. M.

The Committee of Safety of the Colony of NEW-HAMPSHIRE, to General FOLSOM, greeting:

SIR: Previous to the receipt of yours of the twenty-second instant, we sent you flints, bullets, &c., per Mr. Gordon, which the Company has received. We now send what intrenching tools we have prepared, also a quantity of blanketing. As to what you write in yours of the twenty-eighth instant, concerning Colonel Stark, the Congress will meet to-morrow and shall lay it before them; shall immediately provide and send a Surgeon for Read’s Regiment; are preparing carriages for the cannon you request in yours of the twenty-fourth instant, and, as soon as completed, shall forward them without delay. The Muster-master will shortly be at Medford to pay off the forces; by him will send your commission; have sent ninety-two tents, and shall, within a week, forward sixty more.

We earnestly wish you the favour and protection of Heaven, and are yours, &c.

By order of the Committee:

M. THORNTON, Chairman.

COMMITTEE OF MASON TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

To the Honourable Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of NEW-HAMPSHIRE:

That whereas, Jason Russell and John Tarbell, both of Mason, in said Province, did, in a felonious manner, on or about the 20th of May last, retire to a pasture in said Town belonging to Samuel Dana, of Groton, and took from thence a three year heifer, and killed and converted it to their own use; whereupon, early notice being given to the Committee for said Town, they met, and required of the offenders full satisfaction therefor, but each of them peremptorily refusing to comply therewith: The advice of Committees from the neighbouring Towns being called in, viz: New-Ipswich and Temple, and the criminals being cited to appear before said Committees, not only neglected to make their appearance before us, but, as we learn, have fled to the Army; and finding ourselves unable to settle the unhappy difficulty by reason of their escape, came into the following Resolution, viz:

Resolved, To refer the matter to your judicious consideration, begging that you will, in your wisdom, take cognizance of the offence, and deal with them in this and in such like case For the future.

EPHRAIM ADAMS, Chairman.
DAVID BLODGETT, Scribe.

Mason, June 26, 1775.

SIR JAMES WRIGHT TO GOVERNOUR GAGE.

Savannah, in Georgia, June 27, 1775.

SIR: I had the honour to write to your Excellency, of the 7th instant, enclosed to Lieutenant-Governour Colden, which I hope you have received; and last night I received a letter from Lord William Campbell, acquainting me that he is going to send the Scorpion with letters to your Excellency, and which opportunity I now embrace; and hope some method may be fallen upon, that we may receive frequent information of the state of things your way, as it has the greatest effect and influence on the conduct of the people in these Provinces, and may contribute much to his Majesty’s service.

The unhappy affair of the 19th of April, and some late occurrences in the neighbouring Province, have at length drawn and forced the people of this Province into the same predicament with others; and I now expect that, as far as they possibly can, they will follow the example of them; and I see no probability of any tolerable quietude, unless the prudence and moderation of the Continental Congress should lay a foundation for it.

Your Excellency’s order to Major Furlong, I have not yet forwarded; indeed, I have neither vessels nor money to pay the expense of sending for them; and as things are circumstanced at present, it is the opinion of the gentlemen of the Council, that such a number might only inflame the whole Province, and be liable to insults, if not worse; for we have no fort of defence for them to be in, or retire to; and they could neither awe or prevent any attempts against them. This number, a year ago, might have been of great use; or, if things take a favourable turn, may, but not just now; and it is our opinion, that not less than five times that number could answer any effectual purpose; and therefore, I do not mean to forward it yet. But if your Excellency could, for this length, and authorize me to draw for the expense of putting up a temporary fort, I think matters would soon wear a different aspect here; but without, neither law or government can be supported. And I have neither men or money. And the Governours had much better be in England than remain in America, and have the mortification to see their powers executed by Committees and mobs. And I am really amazed that these Southern Provinces should be left in the situation they are, and the Governours and King’s Officers, and friends to Government, naked and exposed to the resentment of an enraged people.

Stuart has been obliged to take sanctuary in St. Augustine.

I shall hope for a full and clear answer from your Excellency, that I may know better how to conduct myself; and have the honour to be, with respect and esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

JAMES WRIGHT.*

To his Excellency General Gage.

*The above letter was withdrawn from the envolope, and the following was substituted in its place, and forwarded by the Secret Committee at Charlestown, South-Carolina :

SAVANNAH, IN GEORGIA, June 27, 1775.—SIR: The unhappy affair of the 19th of April, and some late occurrences in Carolina, have occasioned this Province to put on an appearance, which I have the pleasure to assure your Excellency is by no means real; and I am happy that I can, with equal confidence, assure you that there is nothing really formidable in the proceedings or designs of our neighbours of South-Carolina, notwithstanding the late address of their Congress to Lord William Campbell, who being but just arrived, and, as your Excellency knows, but inexperienced in affairs of Government, may think them very serious, and express his apprehensions to you on the subject. However unwilling I write this, yet the good of His Majesty’s service compels me to make this intimation to your Excellency, lest you should otherwise be disposed to believe that affairs are in extromity in these Colonies, and act accordingly.

My private intercourse is so extensive in those Colonies, and I am so well informed of the private sentiments of their leading men, that I assure you no danger is to be apprehended from their designs; and their measures, I am convinced, will quickly change, provided they are left to do it in their own way. And upon the best information, joined to certain knowledge of men and matters in Carolina and Georgia, I am fully assured, that if any ships or troops were to be sent into these parts, they would not only totally destroy the present favourable appearances, hut in all probability would prove destructive to the good of the service. Upon these ideas I have regulated my conduct; and I have not, as yet, even dreamed of applying to Major Furlong; and I firmly believe that I shall have no occasion to do it.

I sincerely wish your Excellency success in your undertaking; and I have the honour to be, with perfect esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

JAMES WRIGHT.

To his Excellency General Gage.

A fac-simile signature of James Wright was affixed to this letter by the Secret Committee; and an impression of his seal having been taken in clay, the now envelope carried the resemblance of Sir James Wright’s seal.—Drayton.

*