of the combined Army. I will only add, that on this most important occasion, this Colony will exert itself in unremitting efforts for the common defence and safety.

I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

NICHOLAS COOKE.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esquire.

JAMES WARREN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Watertown, July 4, 1775.

SIR: As Pomroy is now absent, and at the distance of a hundred miles from the Army, if it can be consistent with your Excellency’s instructions and the service to retain his commission until you shall receive advice from the Continental Congress, and we shall be able to prevail with Heath to make a concession honourable to himself and advantageous to the publick, we humbly conceive the way would be open to do justice to Thomas.

We have the honour to be your Excellency’s most obedient humble servants,

JAS. WARRIN,
JOSEPH HAWLEY.

To his Excellency General Washington.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ONE OF THE VIRGINIA DELEGATES TO A GENTLEMAN IN WlLLIAMSBURGH, DATED PHILADELPHIA, JULY 5, 1775.

The battle of Charlestown I expect you have heard, but perhaps not so as you may depend on. The Provincials sustained two attacks in their trenches, and twice repulsed the ministerial forces with immense slaughter. The third attack, however, being made with fixed bayonets, the Provincials gave ground, retired a little way, and rallied ready for their enemy; but they having been pretty roughly handled, did not choose to pursue. We lost between sixty and seventy killed, and about one hundred and fifty wounded. The enemy had fourteen hundred killed and wounded, of whom were about five hundred killed. Major Pitcairn was among the slain, an event at which every one rejoices, as he was the commanding officer at Lexington, first fired his own piece, and gave command to fire. On our side Dr. Warren fell, a man immensely valued to the north. The New-Englanders are fitting out privateers, with which they expect to be able to scour the seas and bays of every thing below ships-of-war, and may probably go to the European coasts, to distress the British trade there. The enterprising genius and intrepidity of these people are amazing. They are now intent on burning Boston, in order to oust the regulars; and none are more eager for it than those who have escaped out, and who have left their whole property in it; so that their rage has got the better of every interested principle.

Nobody now entertains a doubt but that we are able to cope with the whole force of Great Britain, if we are but willing to exert ourselves. It will indeed be expensive, extremely expensive; but people must lay aside views of building up fortunes during these troubles, and set apart a good proportion of their income to secure the rest. As our enemies have found we can reason like men, so now let us show them we can fight like men also. The Government of Pennsylvania have raised thirty-five thousand Pounds to put their Country in a posture of defence. There appear to be as many soldiers here as men. Powder is the great want, and towards having plenty of that nothing is wanting but saltpetre.

The Congress have directed twenty thousand men to be raised immediately, the greater part of which is already raised. Two millions of dollars also are voted. This is all I am at liberty to tell of their proceedings. As to the time of their rising, it is totally beyond conjecture; expresses; after expresses daily coming from the northward, and the machinations of the people in office on other parts of the Continent, keep us from making any progress in the main business. At the same time such an impatience for home seems to possess us all, that nothing keeps the Congress together but the visible certainty that till our military proceedings are got into a good train, their separation would endanger the common cause greatly. If things cannot be got into such a state soon as they may be left, we must petition to be exchanged for fresh hands, that we may return to our families.

P. S. After folding up my letter we received an account, from an undoubted hand, that the mortality among the wounded regulars has been so great, that the killed on the spot, and those who have died of their wounds, make up one thousand. The reason of this is, that they have been long confined to salt provisions, having not so much as a vegetable, a drop of milk, or even any fresh meat.

NEW-YORK SECRET COMMITTEE.

The Committee of Secrecy and Inspection do report, that being called upon by Messrs. Buchannans to attend the landing of a number of passengers from on board the snow Christy, Hugh Riley, master, from Greenock, in Scotland, bound to Georgia, they carefully inspected the chests and baggage of the said passengers; that they found in the chest of Alexander McDonald, of St. George’s Parish, in Maryland, a parcel of cloths in patterns, and several other packages of goods, amounting to (by the information of the said McDonald) three hundred Pounds sterling, and upwards; which goods, with the owner, were sent down on board the said vessel to proceed to the place of her destination. They further report, that the brig Three Sisters, Captain Neck, departed from this port on Monday afternoon, with the goods which she brought into port.

JOHN IMLAY,
DANJEL PHENIX,
WILLIAM BEDLOW.

Ordered, That the said McDonald be held up in the publick Papers as a violator of the Association of the Continental Congress.

ISAAC LOW, Chairman.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee, Wednesday, July 5, 1775. Present:

Ordered, That Mr. Cornelius P. Low and Mr. Abraham Duryee be a Sub-Committee to wait on Dr. Treat, and desire him to accompany them to the houre of Mr. Hopper, who has a negro infected with the Small-Pox; and to devise such ways and means to prevent the infection from spreading, as they may judge expedient.

Resolved, That all Masters of Vessels arriving in this Port from Great Britain or Ireland, are hereby requested, as soon as they conveniently can, or within twenty-four hours after their arrival, to make application to the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of this Committee, or to Mr. John Imlay, Chairman of the Committee of Inspection, and give proper satisfaction that there are not now, nor have been in his Vessel this present voyage any Goods or Merchandise contrary to the General Association of the Continental Congress. And it is hereby recommended to all owners of Vessels, or those to whom they may be addressed, to inform their Masters of the above Resolve; and that no Master do presume to discharge or suffer any thing to be taken out of his Vessel until such satisfaction has been given, and leave obtained from the Chairman or Deputy Chairman aforesaid.

And as attempts may be made to land Goods before the Vessels come into this Harbour, as well as out of those who may be ordered to depart this Port:

Resolved, That if any Pilot, Boatman, or others, shall be found assisting in the conveyance or introduction of Goods or Merchandise, contrary to the Association of the late Congress, or in receiving on shore, or unloading from any Vessel any Goods which may have been ordered out of the Port, such persons will be deemed enemies to the

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