Head-Quarters, August 11, 1775.

SIR: By order of the Commander-in-Chief I sent to await your orders an officer’s party to escort seventeen seamen, taken prisoners at Machias, and one tory, Icha-bod Jones. Thirty prisoners more, taken at Cape-Ann, will be at Charlestown to-day. I believe you will think it best to detain this party at Watertown, until that from Cape-Ann arrives, when they may have your orders to what Town they are to march, to be confined. I have already sent a number of prisoners to Springfield, and Tories to Worcester. Perhaps you may approve of placing those at Northampton, as there are so many at present at Springfield. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

HORATIO GATES, Adj. Gen.

To the Hon. James Otis.

List of Prisoners taken at CAPE- ANN, belonging to the FALCON, Sloop-of-War.

Robert Arnold, Master; William Robert Broton, Midshipman; Philabeth Demett, do.; Justin Budd, Gunner; John Backster, Doctor’s Servant; Hugh Hughes, Marine; Thomas Nash, do.; Jonathan Ellis, do.; Abraham Elliot, do.; Gyles Jones, do.; John Mechum, do.; William Allen, Steward; William Rickets, Captain of Forecastle; Hugh Jones, Sailmaker; Michael Love, Sailor; Thomas Taylor, Gunner, Yeoman; Win. Mackey, Quartermaster; John McRady, Michael Flynn, impressed, released since.

Sick and remaining in Ipswich Jail: Samuel Burd, impressed; John Doyle, Sailor; Matthew Cornish, Marine; John Clark, Cook’s Mate.

Wounded: John Warrick, Quartermaster; Joseph Murray, Quarter-Gunner.

Killed: John Molloy, formerly of Salem.

Taken, belonging formerly to Cape-Ann, and are now there: Duncan Piper, William Putam, George Rigg, John Cleaveland.

THEODORE ATKINSON TO GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH.

Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, August 11, 1775.

SIR: Immediately after I received your Excellency’s letter of yesterday’s date, (which was about ten o’clock this morning.) relative to the inhabitants of this Town firing on Captain Barclay’s boat, I summoned the Council to meet at twelve, but did not make a quorum till this afternoon, when the Council was truly informed that a town-meeting was immediately notified, and a very full meeting of the inhabitants appeared, and regularly and deliberately passed a vote with a large and uncommon majority, in which they disapproved the transaction, &c. Your Excellency herewith hath the vote of the meeting attested, and also the minute of the Council.

Your Excellency will please to bear in mind the phrase of currat lex has been some time past interrupted. The King’s Attorney gave it as his opinion, that the present situation was too uncertain and unsteady to enter any actions in the common course of law, and which advice was then approved; and I see no reason why the same cause should not produce the same effect now as then.

PORTSMOUTH (NEW-HAMPSHIRE) COMMITTEE.

Committee-Hall, Portsmouth, August 13, 1775.

The Committee of Safety, finding it inconsistent with the peace and good order of this Town that any further communication should be kept up between the Ship Scarborough and the Town, therefore,

Voted, That henceforward no Boats pass or repass from the said Ship or the Town of Newcastle, without a permit from this Committee, or the Selectmen or Committee of Newcastle.

By order of the Committee:

H. WENTWORTH, Chairman.

We are credibly informed, that in consequence of the above vote, Captain Barclay, of the Scarborough, has stopped all our shipping outward and inward bound.

GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH TO THEODORE ATKINSON.

Fort William Henry, August 17, 1775.

SIR: I desire that you would summon the Council to meet here this afternoon at four o’clock, if possible, if not, at nine o’clock tomorrow, without fail, having occasion to lay some matters concerning His Majesty’s service before them for their consideration and advice. Please to send me an answer as soon as may be.

I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

J. WENTWORTH.

The Hon. Theodore Atkinson, Esq.

THEODORE ATKINSON TO GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH.

Portsmouth, August 17, 1775, half after four o’clock, P. M.

SIR: I this instant received your Excellency’s command of this day, but too late to summon the Council to attend your Excellency at Fort William and Mary, but shall endeavour to do it so as to attend on your Excellency on the morrow, as you order.

I am your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

THEODORE ATKINSON.

GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH TO THEODORE ATKINSON.

Fort William and Mary, August 23, 1775.

J. WENTWORTH.

Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Esq.

THEODORE ATKINSON TO GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH.

Portsmouth, August 29, 1775.

SIR: I received your Excellency’s favour of the 23d, and shall use every method to preserve the peace of town and land. I hope it will not be long ere your return.

I have been importuned to write a few lines to the Commander of His Majesty’s guardship at Nantasket, in favour of Mr. Hale appearing for the freighter of the Ship Elizabeth. A copy you have enclosed.

Your Excellency’s most obliged and most obedient humble servant,

THEODORE ATKINSON.

Portsmouth, August 29, 1775.

SIR: Some time since the Ship Elizabeth arrived in the harbour from Granada, and was stopped by Captain Barclay, commander of His Majesty’s Ship the Scarborough, for having, as he said, ordnance stores on board, and was from hence by him carried to Boston. The freight, to a considerable amount, she had on board, belonged to different merchants in this Town. The want of having certain necessary papers completed, prevented the owners of the freight, or their agent, from taking passage in one of those ships to Boston. They have thought it absolutely necessary to take this only method of sending Mr. Hale, the bearer of this, to Boston, to personate the owners’ interest. I therefore think it reasonable that he be permitted to pass to Boston, and desire the boat and hands be suffered to return.

With much respect, I am your obedient humble servant,

THEODORE ATKINSON, President.

To the Commander of His Majesty’s Ship the Boyn, in Nantasket Road, Boston.

CAPTAIN MACARTNEY TO THE MAYOR OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

His Majesty’s Ship Mercury, Norfolk, August 12, 1775.

SIR: I am just informed by his Excellency Lord Dunmore, that Mr. Andrew Sprowle has received a summons to attend a Committee in Norfolk, on Thursday next. The accusations alleged against him are of a most extraordinary nature. In the summons he is charged with having harboured His Majesty’s Troops in the stores at Gosport. I am not surprised that a summons grounded on such accusations should be alarming to Mr. Sprowle, particularly after the cruel and oppressive treatment Mr. Schaw lately received from a mob in Norfolk.

As I do most earnestly wish, and shall, upon all occasions, endeavour to promote the publick peace of this Province, I think it necessary to explain to you, as Chief Magistrate of the Town of Norfolk, the conduct I mean to pursue, in hope of preserving that peace and obedience