Williamsburgh, Virginia, September 30, 1775.

A company of gentlemen, of North-Carolina, having, for a large and valuable consideration, purchased from the Chiefs of the Cherokee Indians, by and with the consent of the whole Nation, a considerable tract of their lands, now called Transylvaria, lying on the Rivers Ohio, Cumberland, and Louisa; and understanding that many people are desirous of becoming adventurers in that part of the world, and wish to know the terms on which lands in that country may be had, they therefore hereby inform the publick, that any person who will settle on and inhabit the same, before the first day of June, 1776, shall have the privilege of taking up and surveying for himself five hundred acres, and for each tithable person he may carry with him and settle there two hundred and fifty acres, on the payment of fifty shillings sterling per hundred, subject to an yearly quit-rent of two shillings, like money, to commence in the year 1780.

Such persons as are willing to become purchasers may correspond and treat with Mr. William Johnston, in Hillsborough, and Colonel John Williams, of Granville, North-Carolina, or Colonel Richard Henderson, at Boonsborough, in Transylvania.

This country lies on the south side of the Rivers Ohio and Louisa, in a temperate and healthy climate. It is in general well watered with springs and rivulets, and has several rivers, up which vessels of considerable burden may come with ease. In different places of it are a number of salt springs, where the making of salt has been tried with great success, and where, with certainty, any quantity needed may be easily and conveniently made. Large tracts of the land lie on limestone, and in several places there is abundance of iron ore. The fertility of the soil and goodness of the range almost surpass belief; and it is at present well stored with buffalo, elk, deer, bear, beaver, &c, and the rivers abound with fish of various kinds. Vast crowds of people are daily flocking to it, and many gentlemen of the first rank and character have bargained for lands in it; so that there is a great appearance of a rapid settlement, and that it will soon become a considerable Colony, and one of the most agreeable countries in America.

Norfolk, Virginia, September 30, 1775.

This day, between two and three o’clock, afternoon, an officer, with twelve or thirteen soldiers, and a few sailors, landed at the County wharf, in Norfolk, under cover of the men of war, who made every appearance of firing on the Town, should the party be molested, and marched up the street to Mr. Holt’s printing office, from whence, without the smallest opposition or resistance, although there were some hundred spectators, they deliberately carried off the types, and sundry other printing implements, with two of the workmen, and, after getting to the water side with their booty, gave three huzzas, in which they were joined by a Crowd of negroes. A few spirited gentlemen in Norfolk, justly incensed at so flagrant a breach of good order and the Constitution, and highly resenting the conduct of Lord Dunmore and the navy gentry, who have now commenced downright pirates and banditti, ordered the drum to be beat to arms, but were joined by few or none; so that it appears Norfolk is at present a very insecure place for the life or property of any individual, and is consequently deserted daily by numbers of the inhabitants, with their effects.

JOHN HANCOCK TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, September 30, 1775.

SIR: Your letters Nos. 4 and 5, and two other letters, not numbered, with the enclosures, have been duly received and laid before the Congress.

As there are sundry matters contained in your letters which are of great importance, and on which the Congress, before they come to a final determination, are desirous to have the advantage of your experience and knowledge, they have appointed three of their Members, viz: Mr. Lynch, Doctor Franklin, and Mr. Harrison, to wait on you, and confer with you, and the Governours of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, and the President of the Convention of New-Hampshire, to whom I have wrote on the subject, by order of Congress, and such other persons as to the said Committee shall seem proper, touching the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, and regulating a Continental Army. They will set out as soon as possible, and expect to be with you by the 12th of next month.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest esteem, Sir, &c.,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To General Washington.

JOHN HANCOCK TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Philadelphia, September 30, 1775.

SIR: The Congress have received sundry letters from General Washington, containing matters of great importance, touching the supporting and regulating the Continental Army.

As the Congress are desirous of the fullest light on these subjects, before they come to a final determination, they have appointed three of their Members, viz: Mr. Harrison, Mr. Lynch, and Doctor Franklin, to wait on the General, and confer with him, and with the Governours of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, and with the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, and the President of the Convention of New-Hampshire.

The Committee will set out as soon as possible, and expect to be at the camp by the 12th of next month.

Of this I am desired to inform you, and to request you will meet the Committee on that day. In case the business of your Colony will not admit of your personal attendance, it is the desire of the Congress that you appoint a proper person or persons to represent your Colony at the conference with their Committee.

I have the honour to be, honoured Sir, yours, &c.,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

[A letter, similar to the foregoing, was sent to the Hon. Lieutenant-Governour Cooke, of Rhode-Island; another to the Council of Massachusetts-Bay: and another to the President of the Convention of New-Hampshire.]

Instructions to the Committee appointed by the Congress to repair immediately to the camp at CAMBRIDGE, to confer with General WASHINGTON, and with the Governours of CONNECTICUTand RHODE-ISLAND, the Council of MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, and the President of the Convention of NEW-HAMPSHIRE, and such other persons as to the said Committee shall seem proper, touching the most effectual method of continuing, supporting, and regulating a Continental Army.

That, upon the Committee’s arrival at the camp, they cause proper measures to be taken for continuing the Connecticut Troops, now near Boston, in the Continental service, upon the same terms they are at present, until the last day of next December.

That, in the conference with the General, the Committee declare to him the sense of the Congress respecting an attack on the Ministerial Troops in Boston and on Bunker’s Hill, viz: that if, before the last of December, his Excellency, upon consideration of all circumstances, shall think it practicable, and likely to defeat the enemy, and gain possession of the Town, it will be advisable to make the attack upon the first favourable occasion, and before the arrival of re-enforcements, which the Congress apprehend may be soon expected; the Congress having the most perfect confidence in the courage and good conduct of the General and his officers, and the spirit and bravery of the men under his command. That if the number of men which compose the present Army should be thought insufficient for the purpose, the General employ so many Minute-Men as he may apprehend to be necessary on the occasion, upon such terms as he shall think proper.

That if the attack should not be made by the time above-mentioned, it is the wish of the Congress that the number of the Army, for the remainder of the winter, should be reduced, and the pay of the men lessened to five dollars per calendar month, if this may be done with safety; but that the attack should nevertheless be made, under the foregoing circumstances, as soon as a favourable opportunity shall offer, with the Troops then in the service, and the assistance of the Minute-Men, as abovementioned.

That the Committee confer with the General, and whom else they think proper, on the subject of raising a Continental