depends on hearing from you, which I desire may be as soon as possible. I intend to propose to Mr. Keif, or some other suitable person, to take the house, in case I leave Boston. Shall take the best care I can of your furniture, but if the Town is to be demolished, it will be needless. The custom of the shop has been but trifling; some days scarce a penny. The Light-House was burnt, as it is said, by order of the Continental Congress, and in return for that compliment, they are dismounting Castle William—I believe for want of men to defend it. Since April 19, there have died of the Army, including what were slain in battle, June 17, near two thousand five hundred, so that what Troops have arrived will not make good their loss. But I dare not enlarge. Our anxiety at times has been great for you as well as ourselves. We constantly bear you on our minds, and remember you in our prayers to Almighty God, and hope the best of covenant blessings will be the portion for you and your consort.

Died in the Town, June 5, John Borland, Esq.; June 22, Eliakim Hutchinson, Esq., of the small-pox; July 12, Philip Cooke; July 14, John Cotton, Esq., Deputy Secretary; July 23, wife of Doctor Byles, Sen., Ruth Bulfinch, 79, Andrew Faneuil Phillips.

P. S. Since I finished this letter, passes are denied to men, without special leave.

Seal the enclosed, and forward.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 28, 1775.

The Surgeons of Learned’s, Heath’s Little’s, Phinney’s, and Parsons’s Regiments, having neglected to deliver in the returns of the sick of their respective Regiments to the Adjutant-General, these returns to be delivered forth-with, and the Surgeons of those Corps are to be more exact in their obedience to orders.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 29, 1775.

A Sergeant and six men to parade at the Head-Quarters at eleven o’clock, to escort certain prisoners and deserters to Worcester. This party to be victualed for this day and to-morrow. The Sergeant will receive his orders from the Adjutant-General.

Mr. Benjamin Whiting, tried by a Court of Inquiry, ordered in the General Orders of the 27th instant, whereof Lieutenant-Colonel James Brichatt was President. The Court having maturely considered the evidence for and against the prisoner, as well as what the prisoner had to offer in his defence, are of opinion that the prisoner is not guilty of the crime laid to his charge, and do therefore acquit the prisoner. The General therefore orders the prisoner to be released.

James McDaniel, tried by a General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Glover was President, for “forging an order of Gen. Putnam’s to obtain a quart of rum, and for abusive language to Col. Gridley,” and ordered to receive twenty lashes. The General confirms the sentence, and orders it to be executed after prayer-time to-morrow.

James Foster, of Captain Butler’s Company, in Colonel Nixon’s Regiment, tried by the same General Court-Martial, for “robbing Doctor Foster, Surgeon of the General Hospital.” Found guilty of the charge; is sentenced to receive thirty-nine lashes, and suffer one month’s fatigue. The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be put in execution at the head of the Regiment, after prayer-time to-morrow morning.

William Winslow, of Captain Perkins’s Company of Artillery, tried by the same Court-Martial for “stealing a cannon cartridge of powder,” is acquitted.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 30, 1775.

William Tudor, Esq., being appointed Judge-Advocate of the Continental Army, he is, in all things relative to his office, to be acknowledged and obeyed as such.

The Drummers and Fifers of the Regiment in and about Cambridge, are to be ordered constantly to attend the Drum and Fife-Major, at the usual hours, for instruction.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 31, 1775.

The Continental Congress having been pleased to appoint Joseph Trumbull, Esq., to be Commissary-General to the Army of the United Colonies, all Commissaries heretofore appointed by any of the distinct Colony Congresses, or by particular authority of any particular District or Colony, are forthwith to make an exact return of the Provisions, and all the different species of Provisions they have in or near the Camps at Cambridge and Roxbury. Thereupon, Commissary-General Trumbull, being assured by the report of his Clerk, Assistant, or from his own examination, that such return is just and true, is to give his receipt for the quantity delivered into his hands, which receipt will be a good voucher in the passing the account of the different Colony Commissaries heretofore appointed, and will be allowed as such.

The Commissaries at present appointed by the several Colonies are forthwith to make up their accounts unto the 3d of August, inclusive, ready to be laid before the Commander-in-Chief, and by him transmitted to the Continental Congress, or to be adjusted and finally settled by him, as the Continental Congress shall think proper to direct.

A Return, signed by the Commanding Officers of Regiments and Corps, to be delivered to the Adjutant-General to-morrow morning, at general orderly time, of the names, ranks, and dates of the Officers’ Commissions in their respective Regiments and Corps, mentioning also the vacancies, and how occasioned.

A General Court-Martial to sit immediately to try Capt. Christopher Gardner, of Colonel Varnum’s Regiment, for “cowardice, abandoning his post, and deserting his men.” All evidences and persons concerned to attend the Court.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, August 1, 1775.

The General thanks Major Tupper, and the Officers and Soldiers under his command, for their gallant and soldier like behaviour in possessing themselves of the enemy’s post at the Light-House, and for the number of prisoners they took there; and doubts not but the Continental Army will be as famous for their mercy as for their valour.

Two Subalterns, two Sergeants, one Drum, and thirty rank and file, to parade at Head-Quarters at noon, to escort the prisoners to Worcester. The Commanding Officer will receive his orders from the Adjutant-General.

For the satisfaction of all concerned, the General directs the following Resolution of the Legislature of this Colony to be inserted in General Orders, viz:

“In House of Representatives, Watertown, July 29, 1775.

“Whereas, sundry complaints have been made by some of the Soldiers raised by this Colony, that they have not received the allowance pay of forty Shillings, agreeable to the Resolution of the Provincial Congress: Therefore,

“Resolved, That a Committee be appointed forthwith to apply to the Colonels of the several Regiments raised by the Colony, and to the Mustermasters and Paymasters in the Camp at Cambridge and Roxbury, and obtain of them a complete list of the Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers in their respective Regiments, distinguishing those that have been mustered and paid from those that have not, that such methods may be pursued as shall remove all just ground of complaint. Read, and

“Ordered, That Colonel Cushing and Mr. Webster, with such as the honourable Board shall join, be a Committee for the purpose above-mentioned.

“Sent up for concurrence.

“JAMES WARREN, Speaker.”

“In Council, read and concurred, and Colonel Lincoln is joined.

“ALBT. P. MORTON, Secretary.”

The Officers commanding Massachusetts Regiments will pay all due attention to the foregoing Resolution.

One man a Company, to be appointed a Camp-Colourman from every Company in every Regiment in the Army, whose particular duty it must be to attend the Quartermaster and Quartermaster-Sergeant, to sweep the streets of their respective encampments; to fill up the old necessary houses, and dig new ones; to bury all offal, filth, and nastiness, that may poison or infect the health of the Troops;