GENERAL GAGE TO LORD DARTMOUTH.

Boston, July 24, 1775.

A pamphlet, published by the Continental Congress, called a “Declaration of the United Colonies,” has been sent in from the rebel camp, copies of which will no doubt be sent to England from Philadelphia. They pay little regard to facts, for the contents of it are as replete with deceit and falsehood as most of their publications. The rebellion being general, I know of no better plan to quell it than that I mentioned to your Lordship in a former letter. This Province began it, I might say this Town, for here the archrebels formed their scheme long ago. This circumstance brought the troops first here, which is the most disadvantageous place for all operations, particularly where there is no diversion of the rebel forces, but all are collected into one point. Was this Army in New-York, that Province might, to all appearance, be more easily reduced, and the friends of Government be able to raise forces to join the troops.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA, ON THE WEST SIDE OF LAUREL HILL.

Philadelphia, July 25, 1775.

Friends and Countrymen:

It gives us much concern to find that disturbances have arisen, and still continue among you, concerning the boundaries of our Colonies. In the character in which we now address you, it is unnecessary to inquire into the origin of those unhappy disputes, and it would be improper for us to express our approbation or censure on either side, but as representatives of two of the Colonies, united among many others for the defence of the liberties of America, we think it our duty to remove, as far as lies in our power, every obstacle that may prevent her sons from co-operating, as vigorously as they would wish to do, towards the attainment of this great and important end. Influenced solely by this motive, our joint and earnest request to you is, that all animosities which have heretofore subsisted among you as inhabitants of distinct Colonies, may now give place to generous and concurring efforts for the preservation of every thing that can make our common Country dear to us.

We are fully persuaded that you, as well as we, wish to see your differences terminate in this happy issue. For this desirable purpose we recommend it to you that all bodies of armed men, kept under either Province, be dismissed; that all those on either side, who are in confinement, or under bail, for taking a part in the contest, be discharged, and that until the dispute be decided, every person be permitted to retain his possessions unmolested.

By observing these directions, the publick tranquillity will be secured without injury to the titles on either side. The period, we flatter ourselves, will soon arrive, when this unfortunate dispute, which has produced much mischief, and, as far as we can learn, no good, will be peaceably and constitutionally determined.

We are your friends and countrymen,

SOUTH-CAROLINA COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Thursday, July 25, 1775.

The Council met. Present:

Colonel Henry Laurens, President; Colonel Pinckney, Honourable Mr. Drayton, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Brewton, Mr. Benjamin Elliot, Colonel Parsons, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Bee, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Heyward, Honourable Mr. Lowndes.

Resolved, That the following Orders and Commission be given to Captain Lempriere:

The Council of Safety, elected and chosen by the Provincial Congress, begun to be holden on the 1st day of June last, by these presents testify, that Clement Lempriere, Esquire, has been, and is hereby appointed and commissioned to command in the sloop Commerce, belonging to New-York, and over all and every person and persons engaged to embark on board the said sloop on the intended voyage, under the authority of the said Council of Safety. And the said Clement Lempriere is hereby ordered to proceed forthwith, with all convenient despatch, to the Island of New-Providence; on that island to seize, and from that island to embark on board the said sloop, all such quantity of gunpowder as he shall find, and be able to take on board from the said island; and then forthwith to return to this Colony and put into Tucker’s Creek, Tucker’s Island, North-Edisto; and from thence to give notice to the said Council of Safety of his arrival, with all possible despatch. And if the said Clement Lempriere shall not be able to seize any considerable quantity of gunpowder in the Island of New-Providence aforesaid, he shall then proceed to such places, and take such measures to procure gunpowder, as he shall think most proper, and then to proceed to Tucker’s Creek aforesaid, and thence to give due notice as aforesaid. And for so doing this is your Warrant. By order of the Council of Safety:

HENRY LAURENS, President.

To Clement Lempriere, Esq.

The Council of Safety, elected and chosen by the Provincial Congress, begun to be holden on the 1st day of June last, by these presents testify, that Clement Lempriere, Esquire, has been, and is hereby appointed and commissioned to command the Sloop Commerce, belonging to New-York, and over all and every person and persons engaged to embark on board the said sloop, under the authority of the said Council of Safety. And the said Clement Lempriere is hereby ordered to proceed to such places, and to take such measures as he shall think most proper, to procure gunpowder for the publick of this Colony, which, when he shall have procured, he is ordered to convey to this Colony, with all possible despatch.

It is also hereby declared, that if any commander or officer under the King’s authority, in any degree ill treat the said Clement Lempriere, or any of his company, the King’s officers now in our power shall be treated with equal severity; of which all persons are required to take due notice. Given under the authority, and by order of the Council of Safety:

HENRY LAURENS, President.

To Clement Lempriere, Esq.

Ordered, That the foregoing Commission be engrossed, sealed, dated, and signed by the President, and by him delivered, sealed up, to Captain Lempriere, with orders not to be opened until he shall be arrived in sight of the Island of New-Providence.

Captain HATTER’S Report to the Council of Safety, of the occurrences which took place on board of the Sloop COMMERCE, CLEMENT LEMPRIERE, Esq. Commander, in taking the Powdar from Captain LOFTHOUSE, off AUGUSTINE Bar; and of the return voyage to CHARLESTOWN with the Powder.

1775. July 24.—Our voyage towards New-Orleans commenced.

July 25.—Took on board our stores of provisions, &c.

July 26.—Sailed over the bar, with the wind at N. E. and rain. At 6 P. M. anchored at South-Edisto.

July 27.—Fresh gales, with thunder squalls, and a great deal of lightning; weighed, and sailed up Port-Royal Creek, where we anchored.

July 28.—It continued to blow hard, with rain. We got through Port-Royal Creek, and came to at the Town, and landed our stores, in order to clean.

July 29.—We hauled on shore, and cleaned, and in the evening hauled her off again.

July 30.—Took on board our stores, and got ready to sail; fell down the river a little.

July 31.—Sailed from Port-Royal, with the wind at south, and turned down to Jenkins’s Landing.

August 1.—Got under way, and turned through Skull Creek, and came to at Callaboge.

August 2.—Sailed out of Tybee, with the wind at south;