that at first view the project may appear hazardous, and its success must depend on the concurrence of many circumstances; but we are in a situation which requires us to run all risks; no danger is to be considered when put in competition with the magnitude of the cause, and the absolute necessity we are under of increasing our stock. Enterprises which appear chimerical, often prove successful from that very circumstance. Common sense and prudence will suggest vigilance and care, when the danger is plain and obvious; but when little danger is apprehended, the more the enemy is unprepared, and consequently there is the fairest prospect of success.

Mr. Brown has been mentioned to me as a very proper person to consult upon this occasion; you will judge of the propriety of communicating it to him in part or the whole, and as soon as possible favour me with your sentiments and the steps you may have taken to forward it. If no immediate and safe opportunity offers, you will please to do it by express. Should it be inconvenient to part with one of the armed vessels, perhaps some other might be fitted out, or yon could devise some other mode of executing this plan, so that in case of a disappointment, the vessel might proceed to some other island to purchase.

My last letter from the honourable Continental Congress, recommends my procuring from the Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island a quantity of tow cloth, for the purpose of making Indian or hunting shirts for the men, many of whom are very destitute of clothing; a pattern will be sent you, and I must request you to give the necessary directions throughout your Government, that all the cloth of the above kind may be bought up for this use, and suitable persons set to work to make it up. As soon as any number is made worth the conveyance, you will please to direct them to be forwarded; it is designed as a species of uniform, both cheap and convenient.

We have had no transactions in either camp since my last but what are in the publick papers, and related with tolerable accuracy. The enemy still continue to strengthen their lines, and we have reason to believe intend to bombard ours, with the hopes of forcing us out of them. Our poverty in ammunition prevents our making a suitable return.

Since writing the above, Colonel Porter has undertaken to assist in the matter, or to provide some suitable person to accompany Harris to you, who will communicate all circumstances to you.

I am, &c.,

GO. WASHINGTON.

Governour Cooke.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Cambridge, August 4, 1775.

SIR: I am favoured with yours of the 31st of July, informing me that the new levies are coming forward with all expedition. As the enemy has been much longer inactive than I expected, I hope they will arrive in time to give us their assistance.

My last letter from the honourable Continental Congress, recommends my procuring from the Colonies of Rhode-Island and Connecticut a quantity of tow cloth, for the purpose of making Indian or hunting shirts for the men, many of whom are destitute of clothing. A pattern is herewith sent you; and I must request you to give the necessary directions throughout your Government, that all the cloth of the above kind may be bought up for this use, and suitable persons set to work to make it up. As soon as any number is made worth the conveyance, you will please to direct them to be forwarded; it is designed as a species of uniform, both cheap and convenient.

We have had no transactions of any consequence in either camp since my last but what are in the publick papers, and related with tolerable accuracy. I am now, Sir, in strict confidence, to acquaint you, that our necessities in the articles of powder and lead are so great, as to require an immediate supply. I must earnestly entreat you to fall upon some measures to forward to us every ounce in the Province which can possibly be spared. It is not within the propriety of such a correspondence to say what I might upon this subject; it is sufficient that the case calls loudly for the warmest and most strenuous exertions of every friend to his country, and does not admit of the least delay. No quantity, however small, is beneath notice, and should any arrive, I beg it may be forwarded to us as fast as possible.

The express having left his horse at Hartford, is under the necessity of going that way. I am, &c.,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Camp at Cambridge, August 4, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Your publick capacity, and the hope that you will be both able and willing to give us some assistance, have led me to make this application. The situation of the Army as to ammunition, is by no means what it ought to be. We have great reason to expect the enemy may soon intend to bombard our lines, and our stock of powder is so small as in a great degree to make our heavy artillery useless; I must therefore request you will exert yourselves to forward whatever can be spared from your Province as soon as possible. The necessity is great, the cause is of the last importance; I am therefore persuaded I need use no arguments to quicken your zeal. The smallest quantities are not beneath notice, as a considerable stock may be formed from various collections. Lead and flints are also very scarce, you will, therefore, furnish all you can spare. Next to making the provision, its being seasonable is of great importance; every hour in our present situation is critical.

Should there be any arrivals in any part of your Province with this necessary article, I must request you to forward all that can possibly be spared out of it.

I am, Gentlemen, very respectfully, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To the Committee of Safety of New-Hampshire at Exeter or Portsmouth.

Whitehall, August 5, 1775.

The following Address to the King from the Council and General Assembly of Antigua, having been delivered to the Earl of Dartmouth, one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State, by Mr. Salmond, agent for that Island, hath been presented to His Majesty, and was very graciously received.

To the King’s most Excellent Majesty.

MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN: We, your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Council and General Assembly of this your Island of Antigua, impressed with the most unalterable sentiments of loyalty, humbly beg leave, at this time, to convey our assurances of them to your Majesty, joined with our most unfeigned and grateful thanks for the many instances of your paternal care extended to us, although remotely placed from your throne and royal presence.

Your Majesty’s wisdom and attention to the interest and welfare of all your people, we must in common with our fellow-subjects participate in the due acknowledgments of; but it is with hearts full of peculiar duty and gratitude we acknowledge that regard and attention to us, which is so strongly expressed by your Majesty in the choice of that Governour whom you have been pleased to appoint over us; whose unwearied zeal to your Majesty’s service, and regard to the just rights and liberties of your people, are so sensibly felt by us, as to mark in him the happy consequences of that choice.

When we reflect on the able and mild exercise of power in our excellent Chief Governour, your Majesty’s servant Sir Ralph Payne, Knight of the Bath, and at the same time see how other Governments have been rent by faction, while we have lived in a continued state of union and tranquillity, we cannot restrain our expressions of attachment to him as the true Representative of the Royal Master.

Thus endeared to us by his conduct, from a faithful discharge of that high trust with which you have honoured him, permit us, Sire, on the departure of our Governour for Europe, to supplicate your most gracious favour for the reception of him into your presence, with such marks of your royal countenance and approbation as must be a reward of his faithful services, and an acceptance of our testimonial of gratitude. And permit us further in our

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