wished for by their countrymen, and so easily to be effected, that Thousands are resolved to burn the devoted vessel, even if the consequence of it should be the total ruin of Norfolk.

THOUSANDS.*

VIRGINIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

In Committee at Hanover-Town, the 21st of September, 1775:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that the Commissary, or Contractor, appointed in each District, should provide for the Battalion thereof, under the said appointment, the several articles necessary for their encampment and discipline, described by an Ordinance of Convention as follows, to wit: Tents of the same kind as directed for the Regulars, Kettles, Canteens, Drums, and Fifes; a stand of Colours, with the following motto on one side: “Virginia for Constitutional Liberty;” and on the other side the name of the District.

JOHN PENDLETON, JUN.,

Clerk to the Committee of Safety.

The Committee of Safety earnestly recommend it to the Committees of the several Counties, to lose no time in collecting and forwarding the publick Arms, according to the order of Convention; and, also, to elect their Militia Officers, where it is not done, and forward their certificates to this Committee, that commissions may be made out, and the Militia embodied as soon as possible.

By order of the Committee:

JOHN PENDLETON, JUN., Clerk.

ALBANY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Albany Committee Chamber, September 21, 1775.

SIR: We are favoured with yours of the 18th instant, enclosing a copy of one to the Convention, and a Resolve of the Committee of Safety. It gives us much pain to hear that any Albany skippers should behave so basely, (as the vessels are not arrived at this place.) It is the resolution of this Board, that a batteau, well manned, shall immediately go in quest of them; that the vessels and cargo, if found in the river, be sent to head-quarters; and that Roff and Brooks be forthwith brought before this Committee, and a state of facts transmitted to the Convention, for their further determination.

We are, Sir, your humble servants. By order:

JOHN BARCLAY, Chairman.

Mr. McKesson.

NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, September 21, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Be pleased by the first opportunity to favour us with a particular account of the number of men raised in our Colony, in pursuance of the orders of the Congress; when the several detachments marched, where they are at present, whether they are armed, and what steps were taken for that purpose. We also wish to know the progress made in erecting the work in the Highlands, whether the materials are purchased, or what proportion, and when probably they may be completed. Inform us, also, of the exact quantity of powder our Colony has, at their own expense, forwarded to either Army, that it may be replaced out of the Continental stock, as soon as it can be afforded.

We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants,

Committee of Safety of New-York.

P. S. Acquaint us likewise of the prices you gave for the different sorts of cloth for tents, and the making.

To the Committee of Safety for the Province of NEW-YORK.

The Petition of the Officers belonging to the Battalions commanded by the Colonels LASHER and HYER, the Officers belonging to the Companies of Artillery, Light-Horse, and Hussars, and of sundry Officers belonging to the different Beats in the City of NEW-YORK, sheweth:

That, in the present critical situation of the publick affairs of the Colonies and Mother Country, they conceive it to be a matter of the utmost consequence to the liberties of America, that every member of the community capable of bearing arms should acquaint himself with military discipline, in order, if possible, to avert the distresses which are now hanging over them; and being convinced that the safety of a nation may be longer preserved by every citizen being a soldier, than by particular persons solicited for that purpose, they cannot but view with great concern the late regulation of the Provincial Congress, respecting the times of meeting for the several Beats in this City, which they humbly conceive are too far distant from each other to answer the design the Congress had in view. They therefore would beg leave to propose, and to solicit your attention thereto, that the times of meeting for the several Beats in this City and County should be at least once a week, for three months ensuing; that a field day for each Battalion composed of the different Beats should be at least once a month, which they are humbly of opinion would effectually answer the intention of their being embodied; otherwise, they fear it will in a great measure be defeated; all of which your Petitioners, with deference, submit to your judgment.

New-York, September 21, 1775.

COMMITTEE OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY (NEW-YORK) TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

Charlotte County, Dorset, September 21, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Having received the resolves relating to the rules and orders for regulating the Militia in this Colony, we thought proper to carry them into execution with all convenient speed, and ordered a meeting of the County Committee immediately.

There being a contention of part of this County in regard to title of land, (the New-Hampshire Grants,) and it was thought proper by the Committees on the Grants to divide the County in two parts, as they do not choose to join the other part of the County; which was agreed to by the other Committee. And each part of the County to form one Regiment, and recommend their Field-Officers to you, desiring you will remit their commissions with all convenient speed, so that the Regiment may be formed as soon as

* The printer is very sorry that the character of the Mayor of Norfolk has become questionable. From intelligence, of the most indubitable authority, he can assure Thousands that the gentleman whom he thinks has not acted in a manner becoming the friend of America, has ever shown himself a stanch advocate for our liberties. With respect to Captain Macartney, we confess there was a time when his conduct did not appear in the most favourable light. We admit that his letters to Mr. Loyall contain something of the usual despotism of the King’s officers. But yet there remains an apology for him, even in this case: Lord Dunmore, as we are informed, had severely reprimanded him for his pusillanimity, told him his conduct was highly blameable, in not being more rigorous against us, and that he was punishable for the same, agreeable to the laws of a Court-Martial. This brave commander, however, replied, that measures repugnant to justice and humanity he was not requested by his master to support, and that his own disposition held them in the utmost abhorrence. To this it was chiefly owing that he is superseded in his commission, and sent to Boston, in order to take his trial.

As to the Mercury, notwithstanding she was aground for a considerable time, it was impossible, we hear, for the people of Norfolk to have destroyed her; because the other vessels of war were continually guarding her, and therefore it would of course have been a very imprudent step for them to have gone to extremities, as the destruction of Norfolk, in all probability, would have been the issue.

We do not blame Thousands for the spirit which is manifested throughout his piece; we applaud his zeal. But it should ever be remembered, that resolution, without a proper degree of prudence, might tend to the overthrow of the greatest empire upon earth.—Va. Gax.

*