inquire about twelve Blunderbusses brought in by the master of the vessel who lately brought in the three tons of Powder, on account of said Nathaniel Shaw, for the Colony, and, if to be had at a reasonable rate, purchase the same for the use of the Colony’s Armed Vessel the Spy, under command of Captain Niles.

A number, about one hundred and eighty, old Gun Barrels being lately sent to his Honour, from Crown Point, by General Schuyler, this Board appoint Mr. David Trumbull to procure them to be supplied with Locks, Stocks, &c., and fitted for use.

Allowed, on motion by Robert Patrick, who brought said Gun Barrels, the sum of nine Pounds for said service, and ordered the Clerk to draw for the same on the Pay Table.

Voted, on motion, That an Order be drawn on the Pay Table, for the sum of One Hundred Pounds, in favour of Captain Robert Niles, of the Armed Vessel or Schooner Spy, fixing out at Norwich, to be improved for the expenses of fixing the same, and paying the wages of the men, &c., if any surplus there be; he giving his receipt for the same, and proper bond for proper disposition of said sum, and whatever money he may receive in capacity of Captain of said Vessel or Schooner, and well accounting for the same.

And the Council was dismissed.

TO THE PUBLICK.

Weston, September 8, 1775.

Having been acquainted by the Gentlemen the Committee of Correspondence in Weston with some uneasiness arising in the minds of people, from the conduct of myself and family upon fast day, the 20th of last July, and having a desire to live in good fellowship with every friend to American liberty, I beg leave publickly to declare, that the part I bore in those transactions that gave offence was dictated solely by the principles of religion and humanity, with no design of displeasing any one, and that I am sorry it was, in the eyes of one of my fellow-countrymen, attended with any disgusting circumstances. As it has been suspected that I despised the day, and the authority that appointed it, I must, in justice to myself, and from the love of truth, affirm, that I very highly respect and revere that authority, and, were it not for the appearance of boasting, could add, that I believe no person observed it with greater sincerity than

ASA DUNBAR.

The Gentlemen the Committee of Correspondence of Weston and Sudbury, (Massachusetts,) having taken into consideration the above declaration of the Rev. Asa Dunbar, and questioned him respecting the transaction he refers to, receive it as satisfactory, and think it ought to release him from any unfavourable suspicions that have arisen to his disadvantage.

BENJAMIN PIERCE, Moderator.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Camp at Cambridge, September 8, 1775.

SIR: Upon the receipt of this you will please to give directions that all the new levies march immediately to this camp. By a resolution of Congress, the Troops on the Continental establishment are not to be employed for the defence of the coasts, or of any particular Province; the Militia being deemed competent to that service. When I directed these Troops to remain in their own Province, I had some reason to expect a remove from Boston to New-York; in which case they would have been able to give them more speedy opposition. But as that suspicion now appears groundless, there will be an impropriety in continuing them where they now are, consistent with the above resolve.

The detachment which I mentioned in my last will march in two days, and I shall have occasion for the Troops from you to fill their places. The ministerial expedition must, I apprehend, by this time have come to some issue; they are either returned with disappointment, or have succeeded in their errands. In either case, the men can be spared without danger to the Country; but should this not be the case, and they are still hovering on the coast, it is to make no difference in their march; so that I shall, at all events, expect them here next week, for which you will please to give the necessary orders.

I am, &c.,     GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Governour Trumbull.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Camp at Cambridge, September 8, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I have received your favour of the 31st of August, and am much engaged in sending off the detachment, under Colonel Arnold, upon the plan contained in mine of the 20th ultimo. A variety of obstacles has retarded us since the express returned with yours of the 27th of August, from Albany; but we are now in such forwardness that I expect they will set out by Sunday next, at furthest. I shall take care, in my instructions to Colonel Arnold, that, in case there should be a junction of the detachment with your Army, you shall have no difficulty in adjusting the scale of command.

You seem so sensible of the absolute necessity of preserving the friendship of the Canadians, that I need say nothing on that subject, but that a strict discipline, and punctual payment for all necessaries brought to your camp, will be the most certain means of obtaining so valuable and important an end. I shall inculcate the same principle most strongly upon our Troops who go from hence, as that on which their safety, success, and honour, entirely depend.

I am truly concerned that your supplies and appointments are so far short of your expectations; but I trust you will have a feeble enemy to contend with, and a whole Province on your side—two circumstances of great weight in the scale. Your situation for some time must be so critical and interesting, that I hope you will not fail giving me constant information of your motions and success. My best wishes attend you.

Believe me, with much truth and regard, dear Sir, your very obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Schuyler.

TO THE PEOPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Salem, Massachusetts, September 8, 1775.

If we recollect in what manner the servants of the best of Princes, and particularly his late faithful Governour of this Province, have been constantly employed, we shall have little reason to be surprised at any condition of disgrace by which the once respected name of Englishmen may be degraded. That unfortunate gentleman, whose signal fidelity and good services will forever endear him to the most gracious Prince who governs this part of his Dominions with such satisfaction to his subjects, has, I trust, by this time established a durable reputation. This Country, I think, will remember his affection for its peace, his piety and zeal in office, with peculiar justice. His Majesty’s righteous Ministers are bound to regard him with particular attention. He has laboured more abundantly than they all. Without regarding the opinion of his friends or the censure of the world, he has sacrificed his virtue to merit their esteem. His religious principles have been uniform. I am convinced they were always the very same they are at present. They have been wonderfully serviceable. By these his distinguished zeal in support of the claims of the British Legislature, which he constantly condemned to his friends, and once publickly opposed, though seemingly inconsistent with principles of honesty, may be fairly reconciled. The end, if we acknowledge his divinity, will forever sanctify the means, and murder, on certain occasions, may be lawful. Upon these principles I account for the murders in King-street, the benevolent idea of abridging English liberties, and the present situation of this Country. But this language is too mild for the occasion. Every unwarrantable exertion of Parliamentary power, every scheme hitherto adopted for subjugating the Colonies, has been carefully pointed out by him. In consequence of his earnest repeated solicitations, the Constitution of this Province has been torn up from the foundation; our coasts infested with ships of war; our commerce obstructed; the Metropolis forced from our hands, garrisoned, and fortified; the inhabitants oppressed and reduced to beggary; the Continent forced to arms; the liberties of America endangered, and the lives of three