COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO CAPTAIN EPHRAIM BOWEN, JUN.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 17, 1775.

SIR: Your letter, without date, is just come to hand. Captain Martindale will deliver you this, with whom you can consult on the proper guns to Adams’s schooner out. He is going down to fit out, with your assistance, a schooner belonging three-quarters to George Ewing, and one-quarter to Captain Wormwell, provided you can agree with Wormwell. Martindale is to command, but Wormwell may sail as master, if he chooses. This vessel is highly recommended here: but you must make proper inquiries about her, and act accordingly. If it is absolutely necessary to procure proper guns at Providence and Bristol, you must go; but we have always found that when gentlemen, sent upon this business, go among their friends, they are apt to stay too long, and are induced to favour their friends in such articles as may be wanted, so as to delay the business. I therefore think it necessary to give you this caution. Enclosed are Mr. Watson’s instructions, which you will please to deliver him. Pray consider that after the guns are procured, the ammunition is to be provided; and no cartridges can be made till you send formers, unless ammunition is to be procured there. You will also please to bear in mind that our situation, as to powder, does not admit these vessels being fitted out at all points, nor will the time admit. Captain Martindale having been used to have a vessel where nothing was wanted, I fear will not make suitable allowances. If Wormwell’s vessel should not be found to answer, or cannot be had but upon such terms as you do not choose to comply with, and there is another there, you may take her. Let the good of the publick direct you, and that only.

I am, Sir, your humble servant,

J. REED.

To Captain Ephraim Bowen, Jun., Plymouth.

P. S. Captain Adams does not go Captain, but has my promise to go master, if he chooses. We send a Captain from hence.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO WILLIAM WATSON.
[Instructions as Agent for Prizes.]

Head-Quarters, October 17, 1775.

SIR: You, being recommended to his Excellency as a proper person to transact the business of the several armed vessels fitted out of Plymouth, at the Continental expense, will be pleased to consider the following as your instructions:

1st. That you immediately lay in provision, on the best terms, for the vessels now fitting or to be hereafter fitted, of such articles only as are allowed in the Continental Army, and in the same proportion as per enclosed paper, or as near as possible.

2d. When no special order to the contrary, yon are never to put more than one month’s provision in each vessel, for fifty men, officers included.

3d. In making up your accounts, you are to remember that the original bills or invoices are to be sent as vouchers. That your own account is to be general, and at the bottom an affidavit of the justice of your account. This is not done from any jealousy or suspicion, but that the utmost satisfaction may be given the Country, and that all agents may be on the same fooling.

4th. That in case any prizes are taken and sent into Plymouth, you are immediately to inform yourself of the quality and value of the cargo, vessel, &c., as well as you can, from papers, and send it up to the General. You are then to wait for further directions. If the officers and men appoint an agent for their one-third, you are to permit him also to have a copy of all papers necessary to ascertain the cargo, and, when the vessel is discharged, give him a true copy of the cargo.

5th. All military stores belonging to the Continent, and the hulls of all vessels so deemed, that they may be applied to the Continental service if necessary.

6th. Whatever advice you at any time have of the vessels, that is material, you will send up here by suitable opportunities.

7th. As there are other vessels cruising besides those fitted out at Plymouth, you are to consider yourself as agent for all vessels fitted out at the Continental expense, who shall have occasion for necessaries at Plymouth, or may send any prizes into that port.

8th. You will endeavour to lay in every thing on the best terms, and send your opinion as to the disposal of cargoes at your place or elsewhere, in which it is hoped you will not be influenced by interest, as it is intended so to regulate the sale of cargoes as to make them most advantageous to the publick, and suitable compensation, in all cases, made to the agents.

9th. Your commissions will be regulated by the agreements made at Marblehead and Salem for the same services.

10th. In case of any irregularity, misconduct, or negligence, in the officers of any vessel, you are desired to give immediate information to the General.

11th. You are now, and at all times, to use all possible despatch, and not permit the vessels, when equipped, to remain in port.

By order of his Excellency General Washington.

J. REEDSecretary.

To William Watson, Esquire.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO COLONEL JOHN GLOVER.

Head-Quarters, October 17, 1775.

SIR: We learn, with a good deal of concern, that there is no probability of the vessels being got away for several days, and that, in all appearance, the remainder of the vessels, besides Captain Broughton and Captain Selman, will not be ready these two weeks, to which the long delay already, and frequent disappointment, makes us give some credit. The General is much dissatisfied, and cannot but think a desire to secure particular friends or particular interests does mingle in the management of these vessels. The number of workmen, we are told, is considerable, and, in short, it is said, in plain terms, that it will be made a job of. I thought it proper to mention to you what has been said; and at all events, unless you engage that the vessels, which are to remain at and about Cape Ann and that coast, shall be ready in five days, one must be got at Newburyport, as I cannot but think, from all we hear, that it would expedite this business to have one vessel out from thence. Six transports came into Boston yesterday. If our cruisers find themselves watched at Marblehead and Cope Ann, they must run out in the night and cruise farther off. Should they take any prizes, they must send them to Plymouth, or some other Town on that coast. We are told that our vessels make a practice of running in every night when they have been out, and the men come on shore. This must be rectified. Captain Manley is to have one of the vessels left for the coast about Cape Ann. General Sullivan’s Captain will have another. Monley’s vessel will be manned from your Regiment. 1 have said so much upon despatch that I need say no more than that if they are not soon at sea, we shall heartily repent it was ever undertaken.

I this morning paid Major Lee sixty Dollars for Captain Broughton, forty for your son, and thirty for the Third Lieutenant, as a compliment from Captain Langdon for retaking his vessel. The men behaved so ill that nothing could be allowed them.

I am, Sir, your very humble servant,

J. REED.

To Colonel John Glover, Marblehead.

SAMUEL GOODWIN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Pownalborough, October 17, 1775.

SIR: According to your Excellency’s verbal orders, by Colonel Benedict Arnold, I supplied him with a plan of the sea-coast, from Cape Elizabeth to Pcnobscot, and the River Kennebeck to the several heads thereof, and the several carrying places to Ammeguntick Pond and Chaudiere River, (which Ammeguntick empties into said Chaudiere River, which Chaudiere empties into the River St. Lawrence, about four miles above Quebeck,) and the passes and carrying places to Quebeck; and also made several small plans for each department, for their guide; and also gave him a copy of a journal which represented all the quick water and carrying places to and from Quebeck, both ways, viz: east and west; the west is the way to go, and the east to come. Sir, if there was a road cut, it would be much