GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

Head-Quarters, August 7, 1775.

SIR: By the General Return made to me for last week, I find there are great numbers of soldiers and non-commissioned officers who absent themselves from duty, the greater part of whom, I have reason to believe, are at their respective homes in different parts of the Country, some employed by their officers on their farms, and others drawing pay from the publick while they are working on their own plantations, or for hire. My utmost exertions have not been able to prevent this base and pernicious conduct. I must, therefore, beg the assistance of the General Court to co-operate with me in such measures as may remedy this mischief. I am of opinion it might be done, either wholly or in part, by the Committees of your several Towns making strict and impartial inquiry of such as are found absent from the Army, upon whose account they have left it, by whose leave, and for what time; requiring such as have no impediment of sickness, or other good reason, to return to their duty immediately, or, in case of failure, sending an account of their names, and the Company and Regiment to which they belong, that I may be able to make examples of such delinquents.

I need not enlarge upon the ruinous consequences of suffering such infamous deserters and defrauders of the publick to go unnoticed or unpunished, nor use any arguments to induce the General Court to give it immediate attention. The necessity of the case does not permit me to doubt the continued exertions of that zeal which has distinguished the General Court upon less important occasions. I have the honour to be, &c.

GO. WASHINGTON.

Watertown, August 7, 1775.

Since I came out of Boston, where I left all my effects to the mercy of a lawless banditti, to amuse myself have made several excursions into different parts of the country, and with pleasure have observed the firm, steady, and resolute spirit which animates every individual. My last tour was to Portsmouth, where, to my astonishment, and I dare say to the astonishment of all America, I was informed, that the Committee for that Town had voted to supply the Scarborough man-of-war, lying in their river, with from four to six hundred weight of fresh beef weekly. This account, I must confess, appeared to be scarce credible; but on making farther inquiry, found it too true; and the reason assigned for this conduct was owing to the threats of a paltry sloop-of-war to deprive the inhabitants of fresh fish, unless, they afforded them such a quantity of beef. Too great a soul I hoped animated the breast of every American to submit to so insolent a demand; and instead of treating it with the contempt such insolence deserved, to the surprise of many of the worthy inhabitants, the Committee passed a vote to supply with provisions those butchers of our countrymen, who are daily pilfering and destroying our property, and exercising every act of cruelty to distress and destroy us, by this unexampled instance submitting to their imperious demands, and, like suppliants, entreating their favour. Such conduct, at so important a crisis, cannot but wring tears from every well-wisher to America. This fact is of so important a nature, that it ought in justice to be made publick; and I hope it will so affect the minds of the worthy inhabitants of that Town, as to exclude from all further service the timid members of a Committee who act in direct opposition to both Continental and Provincial Congresses.

A TRAVELLER.

HARDWICK (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE.

Whereas, Deacon James Fay, Jonathan Danforth, Abner Conant, Joseph Ruggles, Jun., Israel Corkey, and Jonathan Nye, all of Hardwick, in the County of Worcester, have, by their conduct in various instances manifested a disposition inimical to the rights and privileges of their countrymen. Therefore,

Resolved, That their names be published to the world agreeable to the Association of the Continental Congress; and that it be earnestly recommended to the inhabitants of this Town, County, and Colony, not to have any commercial connection with the said Fay, Danforth, &c., but to shun their causes and persons, and treat them with that contempt and neglect they deserve. And whereas, the said Committee have thought it necessary that the said Danforth, Fay, &c., be confined to this Town, and that they assemble not together more than two of them at a time, (except at publick worship and at funerals,) therefore further recommend it to the good people of this Colony, that if the same persons, or any of them, should depart out of this Town without a permit from said Committee, they take up and confine or send them back again.

Per order of the said Committee:

SETH PADELFORD, Clerk of Committee.

N. B. All printers in this Colony are desired to publish this.

ROCHESTER (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE.

Rochester, August 7, 1775.

Gideon Bestow, of Rochester, hath been guilty of contravening the Resolve of the Provincial Congress, by exporting the necessaries of life to the Island of Nantucket; and with whom all persons are desired to withdraw all sorts of connections, and have no dealings with him for the future.

By order of the Committee of Inspection for said Town:

JOHN DOTT, Chairman.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

In Committee of Safety, August 7, 1775.

SIR: The Congress of this Colony some time past raised three companies, consisting of sixty-six men each, including officers, to be a guard to the Western frontiers on Connecticut River; and upon receiving some late advices from Canada, we conceive they will not be needed there; have since applied to General Washington to see if he had occasion for them in his Army if not full, especially considering those companies consist of rangers, hunters, and men accustomed to the woods. He said he would write to you on the subject, which we expect you have received. The bearer, Colonel Bedel, commander of a Regiment of Militia on Connecticut River, to promote the great cause in which we are engaged, accepted the command of a company to guard as aforesaid; he is a person of great experience in war, and well acquainted with Canada; we would recommend him to you as an able officer to command a regiment, and if the circumstances of your Army will admit his reception and the aforesaid companies, we shall esteem it a favour done them, as they are companies of the deprivees of the service, being engaged in the general.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COL. BEDEL.

In Committee of Safety, Exeter, August 7, 1775.

SIR: The Committee of Safety have waited on Gen.Washington, to endeavour to get the Company raised to guard the Western frontiers received into the pay of the Continent; but he informed us that he cannot, consistent with his instructions, receive more than two thousand men; but has, at our request, wrote to General Schuyler, recommending his receiving them; and the bearer, Captain Thornton, has a letter to the same purpose from General Sullivan.

As the expense of those companies will be so great in this Colony, and no danger as we apprehend on the frontiers, unless those companies can be received as aforesaid, they must be disbanded without going into actual service. Therefore, we would desire you without loss of time, take Captain Thornton and such other assistance as you judge necessary, and repair to General Schuyler at Crown Point, before he gets his Army filled up, and endeavour to get those three companies into that service; and if there is room for a regiment, you can have opportunity to negotiate that matter with him, as it must be a Continental, and not a Colony matter.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO MAJOR CILLEY.

In Committee of Safety, Exeter, August 7, 1775.

SIR: You are desired as soon as possible to apply to the Selectmen of the several Towns in this Colony, with