who hath made several voyages from this port during the last four or five years, and is esteemed a person every way well qualified, and to be depended upon, for the execution of the plan he proposes. He was with Captain Hopkins the last voyage, when he imported the Ammunition, &c., lately purchased of Messrs. Clark & Nightingale for the Army, and hath brought with him a set of papers to qualify a brig as French bottom. His scheme is to proceed to Bayonne, in France, where he is well acquainted, and there take in a load of powder, which he says can be effected in three days. This despatch will be so great, that intelligence of the vessel cannot be sent to England timely enough for any measures to be taken to intercept her upon her return. I think the plan practicable, and likely to be attended with success. We have here a brig, a fast sailer, and otherwise a suitable vessel for the voyage, which will bring about eighty tons, and we will undertake to fit one quarter of her, and to supply the money to purchase one quarter part of that quantity of powder, which is the most we can do here.

I have written to Governour Trumbull upon this subject, and desired him, if the plan meets with his approbation, to despatch a trusty person to confer with you upon it, who can return through Providence, and let me know the result, so that we may immediately equip the vessel for the voyage.

I have communicated to Messrs. Clark & Nightingale that part of your letter which related to them; they desire me to present to you their respectful thanks for the polite notice you have taken of them.

I have the honour to be, with much esteem and regard, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

NICHOLAS COOKE.

General Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Cambridge, September 9, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 6th instant is now before me. Our state of ammunition disables us from availing ourselves of our present stations, as I would wish to do, and requires every assistance that can be given to it. You will, therefore, on the receipt of this, be pleased to forward whatever can be spared from the necessities of the Colony; and the more expedition you can use, the more acceptable it will be. I am, Sir, with due regard, yours,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull.

NICHOLSON BROUGHTON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Gloucester, September 9, 1775.

SIR: As there are several matters of complaint turned up since my capture of the Ship Unity, against the Captain of the said ship, I think proper to acquaint you of the particulars, viz: On my sending of an officer on board said ship, his treatment was such as I would rather have expected from a polite enemy than a friend to our cause as Americans. I would acquaint your Excellency, in the next place, that there is on board said ship a much greater quantity of naval stores than is customary to export from our ports. There is, likewise, as I understand, some considerable quantity of provisions; much more, in my opinion, than is necessary for a ship’s crew. I would likewise inform your Excellency that the Captain, contrary to the resolves of our General Assembly, has taken on board a considerable quantity of new fish. And from these, and many other circumstances, I conclude that Captain Flagg was designed for the Port of Boston, instead of any one of the West-India Isles. From this consideration, Sir, I, with the greatest deference to your own judgment, should think it proper that the ship should be removed to Beverly, as a place of much greater security than her present port. The lumber which she has on board is considerable, and might be much easier removed to head-quarters, for service, from thence, than the present port. I shall leave the ship with the Committee of Safety till further orders.

With the greatest respect, I am, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

NICHOLSON BROUGHTON.

To his Excellency General Washington.

P. S. I would not neglect acquainting your Excellency, in excuse for may making a short stay here, that my first Lieutenant was accidentally wounded, for the particulars of which, or circumstances relative to my taking the ship, your Excellency will be pleased to inquire of the bearer.

NICHOLSON BROUGHTON.

JOSIAH BARTLETT AND JOHN LANGDON TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Windsor, September 9, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: A gentleman just from New-York informs us that a vessel had arrived there, the Captain of which informs, that there were great disturbances in the City of London, and many other places in England, concerning American affairs, which is much in our favour. Enclosed are the proceedings of the City of London, by which you will see the spirit of the people. We are also told that a quantity of powder has arrived, within a few days, in this Colony. We shall make all possible despatch to join the Congress. The Massachusetts Members are but few days before us.

We are, with respect, Gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

JOSIAH BARTLETT,
JOHN LANGDON.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, DATED SEPTEMBER 10, 1775.

Be not deceived by false representations of the state of this Country. You have already, in your non-importation scheme, found how little your seducers in this City are to be credited. The bulk of the people are against you, and your advocates few and inconsiderable. If some mode of pacification is not fallen on before spring, you will be fatally convinced of the truth of this information.

KINGSTON (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

Kingston, Ulster County, September 10, 1775.

SIR: At a meeting of the Committee of this Town on Tuesday, the 5th instant, were informed by Mr. Egbert Dumond, one of the Delegates in Provincial Congress, that a sloop belonging to one Dop was taken and destroyed by fire, for carrying on a clandestine trade with the enemies of British America. We were at the same time credibly informed that a sloop belonging to one Christian Bergh, at Staatsburgh, in Dutchess County, had been employed in the same service. We immediately entered into a resolve, a copy whereof, and the proceedings thereon, is enclosed, and herewith sent to you. By order of the Committee:

JOHANNES SLEGHT, Chairman.

To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOHN AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON.

Camp at Cambridge, September 10, 1775.

DEAR BROTHER: So little has happened since the date of my last, that I should scarcely have given you the trouble of reading this letter, did I not imagine that it might be some satisfaction to you to know that we are well, and in no fear or dread of the enemy; being, in our opinion at least, very securely intrenched, and wishing for nothing more than to see the enemy out of the strong-holds, that the dispute may come to an issue. The inactive stale we lie in is extremely disagreeable, especially as we can see no end to it, having had no advices lately from Great Britain to form a judgment upon.

In taking possession, about a fortnight ago, of a hill within point blank cannon shot of the enemy’s lines on Charlestown Neck, we expected to bring on a general action,

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