The early arrival of the destined re-enforcement in the spring, is of such material consequence to His Majesty’s service, that I am persuaded it is needless for me to trouble your Lordship with any solicitations upon so essential a point. But I should hope the Troops for the Boston division may be embarked by the beginning of February, in which case they may be expected here about the time I should wish the campaign to open, in the middle or latter end of April.

I beg leave, at the same time, to request an additional number of Surgeons for the general hospitals.

May I, in this place, entreat your Lordship’s countenance and protection in the promotion of the additional Companies for some old and experienced officers upon this duty, who, by their good services, have rendered them selves worthy of His Majesty’s most gracious favour? The passing of them by at this juncture would deprive the Army of that spirit which has been so conspicuous among its officers this campaign; but as General Gage will have the honour of laying their names before His Majesty, I shall not presume to trouble your Lordship further on this subject.

I am, &c,

W. HOWE.

ELBRIDGE GERRY TO SAMUEL ADAMS.

Watertown, October 9, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I received your letter of September 26th. It gives me great satisfaction to hear that your ride on horseback has contributed to your health. I hope the friends of America who are transacting the most important concerns of their Country, will not find the want of so valuable a blessing.

I unite in your opinion, that the eyes of friends and foes are fixed on this Colony; and if jealousy or envy can sully its reputation, they will not. miss the opportunity. Great attempts have been made to do this by representing the expenses of the camp as unreasonable. These expenses have been great, but they only, who do not know our situation would call them extravagant. Let it be remembered that the first attack was made on this Colony; that we had to keep a regular force, without the advantage of a regular Government; that we had to support in the field from twelve to fourteen thousand men, when the whole forces voted by the other New-England Governments amounted to eight thousand five hundred only. That New-Hampshire found it impracticable to support its own Troops at so short notice, and was for a considerable time actually supplied with provisions from this Province. That after we had ransacked the sea-ports, and obtained all that was not wanted for their immediate support, and had stopped two cargoes of flour owned it. Boston, it was found that all the pork and grain in the Government would not more than supply the inhabitants and the Army until the new crops came in, and that there was no way left, unassisted as we were by the Continent or any other Colony, for we never had a barrel of Continental flour to supply the Army, but to write a circular letter to every Town in the Counties of Worcester, Hampshire, and Berkshire, desiring them in the most pressing terms to send in provisions, and engaging that the inhabitants should be allowed the customary price in their respective Towns, and the teamsters the usual rate for carting. But for this measure, the forces of this Colony and New-Hampshire must have dispersed.

My attention is directed to the fitting out of privateers, which I hope will make them swarm here. Is it not time to encourage individuals to exert themselves this way? General Gage, before the commencement of hostilities, destroyed or confiscated the provisions then collecting for the Army; and can we hesitate at this time about the propriety of confiscating vessels employed by him to infest the coasts or supply his Troops, or can we doubt the propriety of encouraging individuals, by giving them the advantage resulting from their reprisals, when it is certain that other plans will not meet with such success as will probably attend this?

If the Continent should fit out a heavy ship or two, and increase them as circumstances shall admit, the Colonies large privateers, and individuals small ones, surely we may soon expect to see the coast clear of cutters. The saltpetre discoveries are lately very great. Attention is paid here to the manufacture, and it is hoped that ere long the manufactory of powder will be equally promoted. When I say attention, I mean the attention of individuals; it is not yet generally practised through the Government. Doctor Whiting is ordered to set up a leech here, that the members of the Court, seeing the process as by him re ported, may be able to direct the works in the recess of the Court in their respective Towns.

The manufacture of fire-arms is not less an object of regard. A Committee of both Houses is upon the Militia bills, and great attention ought to be paid to this matter. I wish to see the Militia formed not only into Battalions, but also Brigades, with Brigadiers for each County; to be under the direction of the Generals of the Continent when ever they are called to re-enforce the Army; this adopted throughout America must be evidently advantageous when ever the enemy shall make incursions that must be repulsed by the militia, and such we may probably expect.

With respect to the Army nothing new occurs, unless it be the affair of Doctor Church, which continues as when I wrote Mr. Paine. He is confined under a guard of fifty men, without being permitted to communicate with any one. Numbers of flat-bottom boats are building in Cam bridge River, to carry about fifty men each, but whether with design to go to Boston or otherwise, I know not. The camp is generally easy and healthy. Pray make my respects to your brethren from this Colony, and believe me sincerely your most obedient and very humble servant,

E. GERRY.

P. S. Since closing the above, I observe by extracts from the prints that the Parliament is adjourned, and the Ministry vigorous in their measures. If they are sending to Hanover for Troops, as well as to Ireland, is it not time for us to think of alliances? We may depend on their pushing matters with the utmost violence, if the American Tories can effect or they themselves dare to attempt it. The Colonies are daily improving in the art of war, and will soon be invincible; but if foreign force is employed against us, we may be greatly puzzled, unless we endeavour at the same thing, especially by our want of military stores before our manufactures are further advanced. If any ill consequences from such a measure be dreaded, may it not be asked, what consequence can be more miserable to America than its subjugation? What is more to be dreaded? What more fatal? We have hitherto been foremost in our plans. I hope the same spirit will continue.

S. MOYLAN AND J. GLOVER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Salem, Monday, October 9, 1775.

SIR: We were too sanguine in our expectations on Saturday, which occasioned Mr. Moylan to tell Mr. Reed that one of the schooners would be ready for the sea on Thursday next. It is difficult to procure carpenters to put them in the necessary order. We therefore think it will be Saturday before the first will be ready to sail; on that day we would recommend to your Excellency to order the Captain and his company to set off; on the Wednesday ensuing, we have no doubt but that the other vessel will be properly fitted.

There has some difficulties occurred in the hire of these vessels, relative to be manner in which they should be found. It is customary for them to have but three sails— mainsail, foresail, and gib; these are sufficient for the voyages they usually make. The owners justly remark, that were they to purchase the other sails necessary for the present purpose, the hire of the vessels would be inadequate to the expense. There are many objections made, of a similar nature, which we had no other method of com promising than agreeing that, on their part, they shall put their vessels in the same good order and condition which they would be obliged to do, were they hired to take in a cargo for the West-Indies or elsewhere; and on ours, that what extra expense may accrue from the nature of their present employment must be a publick charge.

Colonel Glover has given the strongest proofs of his good opinion of the schooner commanded by Captain Broughton: he has ventured his brother and his favourite son on board of her. However, lest any blame may lie with