any Flax-Seed out of this Colony until further advice from the Continental Congress, he shall be deemed an enemy to his Country.

The above is a true copy of the vote:

THADDEUS BURR, Clerk.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COUNCIL OF MASSCACHUSETTS.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, August 16, 1775.

SIR: I am informed that Captain Oldien, or some other person, has stopped the baggage of the officers taken at Machias, as a compensation for some expense incurred, which the General Court did not think proper to allow him. A procedure of this kind would, in my opinion, much dishonour the American arms, and be attended with very disagreeable consequences. I trust therefore, Sir, that the General Court need only to be informed of the transaction to do what is proper; and, as the prisoners are entirely under their direction, will, before they remove them to the place of their destination, give such orders in the matter as to prevent any reasonable cause of complaint. I am, very respectfully, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

Go. WASHINGTON.

The Honourable the President of the Council of the Massachusetts-Bay.

ORDERS TO THE DETACHMENT SENT TO CAPE ANNE.

Head-Quarters, August 16, 1775.

SIR: You are to proceed with the detachment of Riflemen under your command to Cape-Anne, where you are to endeavour, not only to protect the inhabitants from all attempts of the enemy, but to do your utmost to distress and annoy any detachment from the Ministerial Army that may be sent from Boston to plunder or destroy that settlement. Upon your march, and during your residence at Cape-Anne, as well as upon your march back to camp, you will observe strict discipline, and on no account suffer any under your command to pillage or maraud; upon your arrival at Cape-Anne you will despatch a messenger to acquaint the General with the state you find things in there, and you will frequently report to the General all extraordinary occurrences that may happen.

I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

HORATIO GATES, Adj. General.

Cork, Ireland, August 17, 1775.

Yesterday Major Boyle Roche, Representative in Parliament for Tralee, who is raising a body of men for His Majesty’s service, began recruiting here, and met with great success, which is not surprising, if we consider his connexions, and the uncommon support he has received from the noblemen and gentlemen of this Province. His method of enlisting was uncommon, as it was pleasing to those who viewed the Procession, which was as follows:

Major Roche, bearing a large purse of Gold.
Captain Cowley.

A great number of likely Recruits.
An elegant Band of Musick, consisting of French Haut-boys, Clarionets, and Bassoons, playing
“God save the King.”

A large Brewer’s Dray, with five barrels of Beer, the Horse richly caparisoned and ornamented with Ribands.

Two Draymen, with cockades, to serve the Beer.
The Recruiting Sergeants.
Drums and Fifes.
Another Division of Recruits.
The recruiting Soldiers.
Prodigious concourse of Spectators.

The following speech was made by Major Roche to the populace, viz:

“Gentlemen and Fellow-Countrymen:

“Being appointed, through the favour of our most excellent Governour, to raise a body of men for the service of His Majesty, I think it the most happy circumstance of my life to be the instrument of leading you to honour and renown. The laurels fought for and obtained in all parts of the globe last war, have procured us a fame so glorious as not to be equalled by any people in any age—a fame not to be sullied by the assaults of prejudice, nor the effects of time. Not an action in which we are not victorious; not a siege in which we are not honoured. Will you, my dear countrymen, permit those laurels to fade, or those actions to be forgotten? No, forbid it Heaven! Let us, now that we have it in our power, convey to latest posterity a renewal of our fidelity, and a confirmation of our loyalty. A more critical period never presented itself, nor had we ever a fairer opportunity of showing our attachment to the illustrious house of Hanover, than the present; as His Majesty’s deluded subjects in America are in open rebellion, and, like unnatural children, would destroy their ever indulgent parent, forgetting the torrents of blood spilt, and heaps of treasure expended for their preservation.

“His sacred Majesty now calls us, and our fidelity obliges us, and I hope your inclinations prompt you to obey the dictates of so good and lenient a master. Let us, then, my brave and loyal countrymen, join hearts and hands, and cheerfully step forth in the glorious cause of our Creator, our King, and our Country. We have it in our power, by unanimity and inexhaustible resources, to reduce those Rebels to a due obedience to their Sovereign, and submission to the laws of their Country, which will give a fresh conviction to all Europe that Hibernian laurels have not faded by time, but, on the contrary, are increasing in bloom and verdure.”

EXTRACTS OF A LETTER RECEIVED BY THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, DATED LONDON, AUGUST 17, 1775.

The design last spring was to have divided the troops sent out, as it is said, according to a plan of Governour Tryon’s, which he gave to the Ministers, for carrying on the American war; but Gage’s necessity has altered that plan for the present, and has obliged him to collect all the troops together at Boston; and Tryon, with all his malignity of heart, is compelled to sit still this season. As Tryon, for his conduct in North-Carolina, is in high estimation with the Ministry, his plan of attacking the different Colonies at the same time is still to be followed, and the talk is that troops will be sent to New-York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It is long since Carleton has received orders to enter the frontiers of the Northern Colonies, with the Canadians; and by his proclamation of martial law, he is endeavouring to put his orders in practice. It was part of Tryon’s scheme to meet Carleton with the four Regiments that were ordered to New-York. This idea is not yet given up; for I understand it is intended, if the shipwrights can be forced or cajoled to work again, to construct a number of flat-bottomed boats here, so contrived as when they touch the shore to throw down a platform, that will land at once six armed men, or may be used to fire field-pieces or swivel-guns from; they are, when completed here, to be taken to pieces, and sent to Canada to be used on the lakes. Besides the armies on foot, every Colony should diligently attend to training their militia, for their own internal defence. All valuable goods should be removed, from Rhode-Island into the country, that the island may not be surprised as Boston was. The same thing should be done in the City of New-York; and at the same time fortify some strong passes, to prevent any troops getting into the country. It would be a capital stroke to get possession of Tryon’s person. Philadelphia must also look to itself in time.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, August 17, 1775.

SIR: The Committee of Safety for this City and Province being informed on Saturday last, that a ship from Cork had come up to Gloucester, with some passengers, officers of the Ministerial Army, and a quantity of clothing for that Army at Boston, immediately sent down Captain Bradford with thirty men, to take those officers prisoners, and at the same time an armed boat to bring up the clothing; both of which orders were accordingly executed. The officers we have enlarged upon their written parole, to render themselves at your camp, and two soldiers taken with them, being their servants, on the parole of Major