that place, and many from the parts adjacent, went off to join General Wooster’s forces, but that on the way being informed by false intelligence that they were too late, for that the enemy had done their business and were gone, they returned back, and on their way disarmed a number of Tories at Southold, and lodged one of the most obnoxious (the Rev. Mr. Lyon) under guard in General Wooster’s camp.

The number of men who appeared to oppose these depredations of the Regulars, is supposed to exceed a thousand, with whale-boats ready to have carried them to the scene of action; but being deceived by false intelligence, they turned back, and only one company of about forty went to Gardiner’s Island, where they arrived in time to see the enemy under sail, and in a few hours after their departure.

The following is an estimate of the value of the Stock feloniously plundered by the Men-of-War and Transports from Gardiner’s Island, viz: 8 Oxen, £130; 25 Steers, three years old, £250; 25 Heifers, two years old, £137 10s.; 5 Cows, £48; 4 Calves, £8; 13 large Hogs, £39; 7 whey Hogs, £17 10s.; 16 Shoats, £12 16s.; 28 Geese, £2 16s.; 4 Ducks, 6s.; 1166 Sheep, £583; 90 Cheeses, £72; Damage, &c., £34 14s. 6d.—Total, £1335 12s. 6d. By half a Guinea, 18s. 6d.; Pistareen, 1s. 7d.—£1 0s. 1d. Balance due, £1334 12s. 5d.

MEETING OF COMMITTEES AT SAG-HARBOUR, NEW-YORK.

At a meeting of the Committee of the Towns of South-hampton and Easthampton, and Shelter-Island, and convened at Sag-Harbour, in Suffolk County, the 14th day of August, 1775:

Whereas, several imputations have been industriously propagated and spread abroad concerning Colonel Abraham Gardiner, Thomas Wickham, and David Mulford, Esquire, Executors to the Estate of David Gardiner, Esquire, deceased, of being concerned in assisting the Troops under General Gage in getting the Cattle, Sheep, &c., from Gardiner’s Island, either by previous contract or by designedly persuading the people there was no danger, when they supposed they really knew their design; we, the said Committee, having examined evidences under oath, and considered every circumstance relative to said affair, do unanimously conclude, that the said Colonel Abraham Gardiner, and the other Executors, are entirely clear from all such imputations, and that all such reflections were altogether groundless. Signed by order of the Committee:

BURNET MILLER, Chairman.

ANGUS McDONALD TO ANY OF THE PUBLICK PRINTERS IN NEW-YORK.

Fairfield Jail, August 11, 1775.

SIR: You will please to insert the under-mentioned advertisement in your next Thursday’s paper, and the bearer will pay the charges; and in so doing you will much oblige your most humble servant,

ANGUS McDONALD.

This is to acquaint the publick in general, and particularly the Congress and Committee of New-York, of the usage the subscriber, who is a close prisoner in the above-mentioned jail, met with, contrary to the promise to him when sent there, with all other bad usage. On Tuesday, the 8th August, 1775, when a company of the riflemen marched into Town, five or six of them thought proper to try to take my life; first beginning with throwing sticks, stones, and bricks at me, then drawing bayonets. When they could not get at me with those instruments, one of them went with his gun, and putting it through the window at me, I not thinking that the villain intended to take my life, laid hold on the muzzle of the gun to take it in, he immediately fired at me, when the ball took part of my hair off one side of my head, and lodged in the chimney, right behind me, nor any satisfaction did I get. So I’ll leave that usage to the world to judge whether right or wrong. This I can prove upon oath, and others beside. But if I be to suffer for what is laid to my charge, I desire to be brought from this place, and get a fair chance for my life, as law directs. I always, according to my station, behaved myself as well as any man this day in New-York; and even the meanest and poorest soldier belonging to His Majesty’s service, who is prisoner of war, is better used and has more liberty than I have.

P. S. And even should it be my intention still to leave the King, I scorn to run away from my liberty till such time as I am properly relieved and exchanged, if I must make my application that way.

To any of the publick Printers in New-York.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO A COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL COURT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

Camp at Cambridge, August 11, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I have considered the papers you left with me yesterday. As to the expedition proposed against Nova-Scotia by the inhabitants of Machias, I cannot but applaud their spirit and zeal, but after considering the reasons offered for it, several objections occur, which seem to me unanswerable. I apprehend such an enterprise to be inconsistent with the general principle upon which the Colonies have proceeded. That Province has not acceded, it is true, to the measures of Congress, and therefore it has been excluded from all commercial intercourse with the other Colonies; but it has not commenced hostilities against them, nor are any to be apprehended. To attack it, therefore, is a measure of conquest, rather than defence, and may be attended with very dangerous consequences. It might, perhaps, be easy, with the force proposed, to make an incursion into the Province, and overawe those of the inhabitants who are inimical to our cause, and, for a short time, prevent their supplying the enemy with provisions; but to produce any lasting effects, the same force must continue.

As to the furnishing vessels of force, you, gentlemen, will anticipate me in pointing out our weakness, and the enemy’s strength at sea. There would be great danger that, with the best preparations we could make, they would fall an easy prey, either to the men-of-war on that station, or to some which would be detached from Boston. I have been thus particular, to satisfy any gentlemen of the Court who should incline to adopt the measure. I could offer many other reasons against it, some of which, I doubt not, will suggest themselves to the honourable Board. But it is unnecessary to enumerate them, when our situation, as to ammunition, absolutely forbids our sending a single ounce of it out of the camp at present.

I am, Gentlemen, &c.

GO. WASHINGTON

COL. THOMPSON’S PROPOSAL FOR DESTROYING NOVA-SCOTIA.

For the Expedition purposed: One thousand men, including officers; four armed vessels and eight Transports; the men to be raised at the Eastward. The Fleet to be made up at Machias, and then proceed to Windsor; captivate the Tories; make all the proselytes we can; and then proceed to Halifax. If possible, destroy the King’s Dock-Yard, and Town, if thought proper.

It may be undertaken for five thousand Pounds, lawful money, and all that can be procured from the Tories, or ten thousand, and the one-half of what is taken from them. At Windsor, we understand, there is abundance of goods, which is the next capital town to Halifax. We are lately informed, that there is not to exceed two hundred British Troops in Halifax.

GENERAL GATES TO JAMES OTIS.

Head-Quarters at Cambridge, August 11, 1775.

SIR: This will be presented to you by Lieutenant John Knight, of the Royal Navy of England, taken prisoner lately at Machias. In his company are six other gentlemen, midshipmen and warrant officers. The Commander-in-Chief has this moment sent a flag of truce to General Gage, to know in what manner he intends to treat the officers of the Army of the United Colonies, who are so unfortunate as to fall into his hands. Upon his answer depends the treatment Mr. Knight and his companions are to receive. You shall be advised of General Gage’s answer the instant it arrives. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

HORATIO GATES, Adj. Gen.

The Hon. James Otis, Esq.