Article 4. One quart of good spruce or malt Beer.

Article 5. One gill of Peas, or Beans, or other sauce equivalent.

Article 6. Sis ounces of good Butter per week.

Article 7. One pound of good common Soap for six men per week.

Article 8. Half a pint of Vinegar per week per man, if it can be had.

JOSEPH WARREN, President.

[No. 3.]

The Order and Direction from the General Assembly of the Colony of CONNECTICUT to their Commissary, for issuing Provisions to the Troops by them raised for the defence of their rights and privileges—MAY,1775.

Three-quarters of a pound of Pork, or one pound of Beef, per diem; Fish three times per week.

Three pints of Beer per diem, or Spruce sufficient, and nine gallons of Molasses to a Company per week.

Half a pint of Rice, or one pint of Meal; six ounces of Butter; three pints of Peas, or Beans, per week.

One pint of Milk per diem.

Three pounds of Candles to a Company per week.

Twenty-four pounds of Soap, or four Shillings’ worth, to a Company per week.

Vinegar, two gallons per Company per week.

Chocolate, six pounds per Company per week.

Sugar, three pounds per Company per week.

One gill of Rum per man, on fatigue days only.

Provision made for the Hospital at discretion of the Physicians and Surgeons.

The Rations will cost—when Pork is issued, eleven pence per diem; when fresh Beef, ten pence.

[No. 6.]

In House of Representatives, July 29, 1775.

Resolved, That Doctor Church, Mr. Woodbridge, and Mr. Sewall, with such as the honourable Board shall join, be a Committee to wait on his Excellency General Washington, and inform him of the distressed situation of the inhabitants of the eastern parts of this Colony, and know of him if he can, consistent with his instructions and the general service, order a detachment there to prevent the enemy from ravaging the country, and plundering the inhabitants of their cattle, sheep, wood, &c., to supply them selves.

Sent up for concurrence.

JAS. WARREN, Speaker.

In Council, July 29, 1775.

Read and concurred, and Colonel Otis and Mr. Sever is joined. Attest:

PEREZ MORTON, Secretary pro tem.

[No. 7.]

Camp at Cambridge, July 31, 1775.

SIR: I have considered the application made me yesterday from the General Court, with all the attention due to the situation of the people in whose behalf it is made, and the respect due to such a recommendation.

Upon referring to my instructions, and consulting with those members of Congress who are present, as well as the General Officers, they all agree that it would not be consistent with my duty to detach any part of the Army now here on any particular Provincial service. It has been debated in Congress, and settled, that the Militia, or other internal strength of each Province, is to be applied for defence against those small and particular depredations which were to be expected, and to which they were supposed to be competent. This will appear the more proper, when it is considered that every Town, and indeed every part of our sea-coast which is exposed to these depredations, would have an equal claim upon this Army. It is the misfortune of our situation which exposes us to these ravages, against which, in my judgment, no such temporary relief would possibly secure us. The great advantage the enemy has of transporting troops, by being masters of the sea, will enable them to harass us by diversions of this kind; and should we be tempted to pursue them upon every alarm, the Army must either be so weakened as to expose it to destruction, or a great part of the coast be still left unprotected. Nor, indeed, does it appear to me that such a pursuit would be attended with the least effect. The first notice of such an incursion, would be its actual execution, and long before any troops could reach the scene of action, the enemy would have an opportunity to accomplish their purpose and retire.

It would give me great pleasure to have it in my power to extend protection and safety to every individual; but the wisdom of the General Court will anticipate me in the necessity of conducting our operations on a general and impartial scale, so as to exclude any just cause of complaint and jealousy.

I beg, Sir, you will do me the honour to communicate these sentiments to the General Court, and to apologize for my involuntary delay, as we were alarmed this morning by the enemy, and my time taken up with giving the necessary directions.

I shall be happy in every opportunity of showing my very great respect and regard for the General Court of Massachusetts-Bay, and am, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant.

[No. 8.]

Boston, August 1, 1775.

My DEAR SON: Have received no letter from you since May 27, which I duly answered 3d June, by Mr. Wail. I wrote you May 25, both of which I hope came safe to your hands. Since the battle at Charlestown some conjecture the destruction of this Town is intended, for what purpose can’t determine. We are now got to the beginning of August, and nothing turns up in favour of America. The general talk now is, that the English Troops are going to leave this Town. This seems evident, from several things that are, taking place, viz: General Gage’s family are going to England; Messrs. Auchmuty, Sewall, &c., and others of that stamp, are going, some to England and elsewhere. I am pretty confident the Army can’t be supported in this Town the ensuing winter. Provisions scarce and bad; no fuel nor money. People are jealous they will plunder and demolish the Town when they go off. Last week there was a notification posted up, that all those who were desirous to leave the Town, to give in their names to James Urquhart, Town-Major; and in two days time upwards of two thousand entered their names, and passes are now granted, with this addition to the former restriction, viz: no plate of any kind, nor more money than five Pounds sterling. The route is by way of Winnisimit. Several have gone off, by which means I have an opportunity of writing you. I have it in my mind to go to Mr. Little’s, at Newtnry, in case I can accomplish it. I shall place somebody in the house, in order to secure your effects, which I wish you had taken with you, or disposed of them before you went away. I have been jealous they will be seized, for they have served several persons that have left the Town after this sort. This has given me great anxiety. On the receipt of this, endeavour to write me your mind. Mr. Welles, the mason, lives at Chelsea, by which means a letter may be conveyed; be cautious what you write. This will facilitate my intentions, and if you want any thing to be sent among our things, it can be done. I shall depend on your assistance and advice. If I can go to Newbury through Andover, will call and see you in our way. Not knowing where Captain Little may be, I write him, and enclose you to forward, which I desire you to do with all speed.

The dysentary has prevailed in this Town, and been very mortal, especially among children, also among the soldiers, of whom near thirty are buried in a week, as the sextons say. Doctor Byles, Senior, buried his wife last Wednesday. No bells are permitted to toll for any funerals, on account of the sickness and mortality among the soldiers, Out of ninety officers wounded, above half have died; several persons of figure and character, viz: one Colonel and three Majors. There is no harmony.

Lately arrived a vessel from New-Providence, by which I heard of your brother’s welfare, but no letter. Others inform me he is in a poor state of health, and inclined to a consumption; have wrote him several letters by vessels lately gone for provisions for the Army and Navy. I am fearful what I shall hear from him. My determination