our most gracious Sovereign; and you may be assured that it will afford me the greatest pleasure to acquaint His Majesty of your unalterable attachment to his person and Government.

THOMAS GAGE.

Boston, October 6, 1775.

Address of the Gentlemen who were driven from their Habitations in the Country to the Town of Boston.

To his Excellency THOMAS GAGE, Esq., Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty’s Province of MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, in NEW-ENGLAND, &c.

May it please your Excellency:

When we reflect on the surprising effects of that enthusiasm and infatuation which are so generally prevalent in this Country, and the variety of dangers to which the loyal and obedient have been exposed, we feel the most grateful sensations towards your Excellency, and are anxious to acknowledge our obligations. To your wisdom and prudence we consider ourselves indebted for protection from the lawless fury and unbridled violence of our countrymen; and had not events taken place beyond what human wisdom could foresee, and contrary to any calculations, upon rational principles, we might in all probability have been further indebted to your Excellency for a reconciliation of the unhappy differences that subsist, and a restoration to harmony, happiness, and peace.

It is with regret we think of your Excellency’s departure from this Province, but are relieved in some degree by a consideration of the very important services which you will render this Country, by a just representation of its present state at the Court of Great Britain, by the confidence we repose in the abilities of your successors to the civil and military commands, the hopes of your speedy return, and the anticipation of an establishment of the rightful supremacy of Parliament over this part of His Majesty’s Dominions.

Justly meriting and possessed of the esteem and applause of the virtuous and good, happy in the pleasing reflections of an approving conscience, and blessed with the gracious plaudit of the best of Kings, your opportunities will be equal to the inclination you have ever discovered to restore and settle, on the most lasting basis, that union of the interests of Great Britain and the Colonies, so indispensably necessary to the happiness of both.

We sincerely lament that the number of those who have dared to stem the torrent of rebellion and sedition in this Province is so small; but we trust that the cordial thanks even of a few (who have fled from oppression, who have sacrificed their properties, and every domestick enjoyment, and are now ready to risk their lives, to manifest their loyalty to the best of Sovereigns) will not be unacceptable to your Excellency.

Be pleased, Sir, to accept the ardent wishes of these few faithful and grateful subjects, that your voyage may be prosperous and agreeable, and that your unwearied endeavours for the publick service may be crowned with success,

Boston, October 7, 1775.

His Excellency’s Answer.

To the Gentlemen that were drove from their Habitations in the Country, to the Town of BOSTON.

GENTLEMEN: Your kind address at this time gives me much pleasure, as it affords me an opportunity, before my departure from the Province, to acknowledge the steady attachment you have shown to the true interests of your King and Country in the worst of times; and the sacrifices you have made in support of both are great.

It will be my duty to represent to our gracious Sovereign the distinguishing proofs you have given of your loyalty and patriotism; and you may be assured that, during my absence, my successors in the civil and military command will afford you every favour and protection.

THOMAS GAGE.

MAJOR ISRAEL MORET TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Orford, October 6, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: A few days since I received a letter from Lieutenant Palmer, dated 23d of September, in Colonel Bedel’s Company, informing me that they were in camp, about one and a half miles below St. John’s; Colonel Bedel is there, with about one thousand men, I would inform you something of the engagement that they had in landing. Major Brown attempted to land, and was drove off some time since, as most likely you have heard, with the loss of eight men; but since, they landed higher up, without much loss. Major Brown, with a party of forty men, went partly round St. John’s, and took possession of the wagon road, and took eight wagon loads of stores, and conveyed them so that they were well secured from the enemy, and hove up a small intrenchment, with his little number of men. But the enemy at St. John’s, hearing of the affair, sent out a party of two hundred and fifty men, with two field-pieces, and obliged Brown, &.c, to retreat, with one of his Captains mortally wounded, and some other wounded men. The General, hearing the fire, sent off Colonel Bedel, with four hundred men, to re-enforce Major Brown; but Colonel Bedel met Brown, as Brown had retreated out. Colonel Bedel came right upon the enemy, where Brown had intrenched, and obliged them to make the best of their way back to St. John’s, so that Colonel Bedel got possession of the intrenchment, and still keeps it; and had Colonel Bedel fully took the advice of the Indian that led him, it is thought he would have cut off the whole party, with their cannon, &c.; but he was, as I am informed, afraid they would not be true to their trust, as no doubt we should, if we had been in his place. But I can assure you, by all that I can learn by the post, &c., that Colonel Bedel behaved exceeding well in that affair, &c, and that he does honour to the Colony of New-Hampshire, &c. They have surrounded St. John’s on every side, and cut off all communication from Chaudiere, &.c, that in the whole they have taken twenty-two wagon loads of stores, provisions, ammunition, and the sails for their shipping that they were building, and that our men had intrenched within about half a mile of St. John’s, and began to draw the cannon up before the post came away; and it is most likely the affair is settled before this time.

Lieutenant Palmer writes me that the French were exceedingly kind and true, and that five hundred were then under arms with them, and that five thousand more every hour expected to join them, from Chaudiere, with Colonel Allen, &c, who was gone into Chaudiere, with three hundred men, and that the French are as much engaged as our people in the camp, and that the Indian Captain, Louis, &c, are there with Colonel Bedel, and that they day by day join them, and that they send in their belts to Colonel Bedel, and receive presents from him, &c., &c. Blessed news this for our Country, &c, and they (our Army) live well by the help of the French, &,c. Captain Moses Harren is in St. John’s, but whether confined as a prisoner or joined the enemy, we cannot yet learn.

From your humble servant,

ISRAEL MOREY.

To the Honourable Committee of Safety of New-Hampshire.