In the Lower House the within Report is accepted and approved.

Concurred in in the Upper House:

Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Governour be and he is hereby desired to make a kind and friendly Answer to the Speech sent by the Oneida Indians; and that a Belt of Wampum be procured and sent to them; and that the sum of twelve Pounds, for the expense and cost of transmitting the same, be paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony; and that his Honour the Governour be also desired to direct Colonel Hinman to assure the Indians of the peaceable disposition of the people of this Colony towards them.

Passed in the Upper House:

Concurred in in the Lower House:

JOSEPH HAWLEY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Watertown, July 5, 1775.

SIR: You were pleased the other day to mention to Colonel Warren and me, as your opinion, that it was highly probable Gage’s Troops would very shortly attack our Army in some part or other. I believe your opinion is not ill-founded; and I am sure your Excellency will be pleased with every intimation that may, in any degree, aid you in the choice of measures tending to success and victory. Therefore, that I may not be tedious, I ask your pardon when I suggest, that although in the Massachusetts part of the Army there are divers brave and Intrepid officers, yet there are too many, and even several Colonels, whose characters, to say the least, are very equivocal with respect to courage. There is much more cause to fear that the officers will fail in a day of trial, than the privates. I may venture to say, that if the officers will do their duty, there is no fear of the soldiery. I therefore most humbly propose to your consideration the propriety and advantage of your making immediately a most solemn and peremptory declaration to all the officers of the Army, in general orders, or otherwise, as your wisdom shall direct, assuring them that every officer who, in the day of battle, shall fully do his duty, shall not fail of your kindest notices and highest marks of your favour; but, on the other hand, that every officer who, on such a day, shall act the poltron, dishonour his General, and by failing of his duty, betray his Country, shall infallibly meet his deserts, whatever his rank, connexions, or interest may be; and that no intercessions on his behalf will he likely to be of any avail for his pardon.

I know that your Excellency is able to form a declaration of the kind, conceived in such a style, and replete with such determined sentiments and spirit, as cannot fail of begetting a full belief and persuasion in the hearts of such to whom it shall be addressed, that the same will be infallibly executed. I am almost certain the measure will have the happiest tendency. Sed sapienti verbum sat est. Pray pardon my prolixity; I never was happy enough to be concise.

I am, with the greatest respect and deference, your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

JOSEPH HAWKEY.

To General Washington.

DUKES COUNTY (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE.

July 5, 1775.

The Committee for the County of Dukes County, appointed by the late Provincial Congress, on the 12th of April last, beg leave to report, that said Committee, according to the first order of the Congress, met the first Wednesday of May last; but not having then had an opportunity to receive a state of the conduct of the several Towns, made no report; and as the order of the Congress for postponing the first meeting of the Committees of the several Counties in this Colony to the fourth Wednesday of May, was not received by him to whom it was directed, till the evening immediately preceding said fourth Wednesday, the Committee for said County did not meet. But being now on this first Wednesday of July, 1775, met, according to the order of the Congress, we have received no State of the conduct, either of the Towns of Edgarton or Chilmark, the former of which Towns having, as we perceive, no Committee of Correspondence. But as to the only other Town in this County, viz: Tisbury, the Committed of Correspondence of that Town have reported, that said Town was endeavouring that their outstanding Provincial rates be speedily paid, according to the direction of the Congress; but they were under great difficulty with respect to raising money for that purpose, as they have great occasion for money to procure a necessary supply of bread corn; and money was very scarce amongst them, through the failing of their whale voyages last year, and through their having no market for the oil they have since obtained; but since the date of the above Report, we have had certain information, that the said Town of Tisbury have sent a considerable part of their Province dues to the Receiver appointed by the Congress. And the said Committee of Correspondence for Tisbury do also report, that their Town is nearly, though not fully, according to law, furnished with arms and ammunition, and are endeavouring in this and all other respects to conform to the recommendations of the Continental and Provincial Congresses.

And with respect to the two Towns first mentioned, of whose conduct we have had no information, in the way pointed out by the Congress, we beg leave to report in brief, from information which we have otherwise had, that with regard to paying their outstanding Provincial taxes, and their furnishing themselves with arms and ammunition, they are endeavouring to conform, as soon as possible, to the recommendation of the Congress, and in other respects do conduct themselves agreeably thereto.

In the name and by order of the Committee:

JOSEPH MAYHEW, Chairman.

ADDRESS OF THE QUAKERS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW-JERSEY.

To our Friends and Brethren of the several Meetings in PENNSYLVANIA and NEW-JERSEY:

DEAR FRIENDS: The afflictions and distresses attending the inhabitants of the Massachusetts and other parts of New-England, have often engaged our pity and commiseration, with a desire to be instrumental for their relief as favourable opportunities should offer. And having received more particular information, since the yearly meeting held last month at Rhode-Island, than we had before, of the situation of our brethren and others in those parts, Since which the desolations of war have greatly increased, we are incited by a spirit of sympathy and Christian tenderness to recommend to your serious and benevolent consideration the sorrowful calamities now prevailing among these people, earnestly desiring that we may encourage each other freely to contribute to the relief of the necessitous of every religious denomination; to promote which we have agreed upon, and herewith send you printed subscription papers, requesting that some suitable active Friends may be appointed in each of your monthly and preparative meetings, to apply for the donations of Friends fox this charitable purpose, and that the money subscribed may be collected, and with all convenient speed paid into the hands of John Reynell, of Philadelphia, or Samuel Smith, of Burlington of, Treasurers of our Yearly Meeting.