appearance of men in arms in opposition to his illegal demands, he should certainly fire upon them. After he had by threats extorted from and robbed the inhabitants of as much of their property as they were, on such a sudden demand, able to produce, Colonel Hopkins and his forces arrived, and on being told Wallace’s menace of firing upon the Town in case of the appearance in it of men in arms, he let the people know his orders from the General, which were, at all events to prevent the pirates from landing or receiving supplies from the shore; and that instead of being intimidated from defending their property by fear of the Town being fired upon, they might be assured he would destroy the Town, rather than the pirates should land in or draw supplies or advantage from it.

It is probable this measure will be adopted with respect to all the sea-port Towns in America; so that no more of them will experience the fate of Boston, where many thousands, relying on the faith of an inhuman villain, have long been starving to death by inches under every circumstance of distress, and many more thousands have been cozened or plundered of their property—but vengeance will soon overtake the wretches who have been actors in this horrid tragedy.

COL. JOSEPH REED TO CAPT. NICHOLSON BROUGHTON.

Head-Quarters, October 19, 1775.

SIR: Besides the other two brigs mentioned in your former instructions, we have advice that another brig, laden with arms and ammunition, sails the latter end of August for Quebeck, under convoy of the Lizard man-of-war of twenty-eight guns, so that you will be careful how you expose yourself to the risk of falling into their hands. You may reasonably conclude, if you see a brig under convoy of a ship, that it is the abovementioned, and take care accordingly. Capt. Reed, of Philadelphia, sails in company with the two former, and it may be depended upon that they are under no convoy, and are of no force.

1 am, Sir, yours, &.c,

J. REED.

To Captain Nicholson Broughton.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO STEPHEN MOYLAN.

Head-Quarters, October 19, 1775.

SIR: Your favours per express and for Mr. Wilson are received. The two hundred and sixty dollars were sent per express, as per receipt; but, to prevent any disappointment, the sum you mentioned is now again sent. You must make inquiry and endeavour to get the former sum, which has missed its way. Let two hundred barrels of flour be detained for the use of the vessels at Salem, to be put in the hands of the agent. There is nothing to be gained by sending teams from hence, so that you had better employ those of the country at the price you mention. A letter from you to the Committee of Ipswich, 1 fancy, will answer all your purpose. We really have no time this morning.

We have no news from St. John’s to be depended on. For God’s sake, hurry off the vessels that are to cruise—transports without convoy arrive every day at Boston. The Philadelphia delegates are in camp. Your friend Mr. Lynch will be glad to sec you. We must take another opportunity to write Mr. Wentworth. I will do what I can for Wilson, who, I think, has merit.

Yours, &c.,

J. REED.

To Stephen Moylan, Esq.

P. S. Please to deliver the enclosed letters for Selman and Broughton to themselves.

STEPHEN MOYLAN AND JOHN GLOVER TO COL. JOS. REED.

Salem, October 19, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Mr. Moylan received your letter of this day, with the money he had received at Portsmouth, two hundred and sixty dollars, the evening of the day he last wrote you. This serves to acquaint his Excellency that Captain Broughton and Captain Selman will both be ready to sail to-morrow. The latter is in want of a Surgeon, which you will please to have despatched, as we believe it will be difficult to prevail on the Captain and crew to go without one. Enclosed is a letter from Capt. Bond to a gentleman of that profession, who is willing to go on board. We shall deliver the letters you enclosed to Mr. Moylan to each Captain, on their departure. The whole of the orders Col. Glover left with Colonel Burbank have not been complied with, particularly the musket cartridges, flints, the musket balls and buck-shot, for which Captain Glover sent off an express last evening. Do, Sir, forward the Surgeon, and those articles which may give work to surgeons, immediately. Mr. Moylan has the pleasure to inform his Excellency that the flour is all safe arrived, and we have the pleasure to assure you of our best regards.

STEPHEN MOYLAN,
JOHN GLOVER.

To Colonel Joseph Reed.

EPHRAIM BOWEN TO COLONEL JOSEPH REED.

Plymouth, October 19, 1775.

ESTEEMED SIR: Yours per Captain Martindale I received last evening, and have consulted with him about the guns, and conclude that they are large enough for the schooner. Shall get them on board to-morrow morning. You mentioned nothing about the swivels to make up the complement of ten, as I wrote you there were seven here. Should be glad to know your pleasure concerning the remainder, nor whether it would be agreeable to have one or both of the cohorns. Mr. William Watson, one of the Committee, tells me that the powder may be had here for this schooner of Adams’s, as they have one thousand weight in this Town, but advises that the General would give a line to the Committee thereon, to ease the minds of the people. As that quantity is a large proportion for this Town, I doubt not the General will order it here. I have therefore sent no formers; only desire that you would send paper for the cartridges, as there is no paper to be had here. The schooner will be complete for sea by Saturday night, so that if the men are here, every thing can be made ready save the cartridges, which can be made in a few hours. Captain Adams accepts the birth of master, and expects the same terms as other masters at Salem, &c.

I have, with Captain Martindale, this day examined the schooner of Wormwell’s, and find her to answer. Captain Watson says three-fourths of her are in the hands of the Commissary, and expects the same terms as others for her. Shall proceed to-morrow in fitting her with all possible speed. Captain Martindale says he is to have twelve carriage guns and sixteen or twenty swivels. Should be glad to know in what manner it is concluded to fit this vessel, that I may be governed about the cannon at Bristol. I have no friends in Providence or Bristol who can reap any advantage in this business through my means, and be assured that 1 would not lose one moment’s time to the detriment of the cause in which I am engaged. Captain Martindale says he should not desire so large a number of cannon, but finds the vessel to be able to carry them, and doubts not of giving a good account of them. I have sent Mr. Harlow, the bearer, on purpose with this letter, as I found the vessel would be ready as soon as the people could possibly be here. You'll please to satisfy him for his time. The horse he rides is the one I rode, in lieu of which I beg you will order a better, as it will be impossible to make that despatch to Bristol which will be requisite with him.

Since writing the above, Capt. Wormwell has been here, and says he will not let his part of the vessel under six shillings, sterling money; and as Adams says he is to have but five shillings four pence, am afraid it will cause some uneasiness if Wormwell has more. Should therefore beg your opinion in this case; therefore, shall do nothing towards fitting her till I know it.

I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

E. BOWEN.

To Colonel Joseph Reed.

COLONEL HUNTINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Roxbury Camp, October 19, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: His Excellency General Washington has discharged, at their desire, three of the officers of my Regiment—Lieutenant Tirrell, of Ripley’s Company; Ensign Markham, of Ellsworth’s, and Ensign Stoughton, of Humphrey’s—and I have promoted Lieutenant Hillyer, of Humphrey’s, to the Adjutancy, which makes four vacancies in the whole. The principal officers of the Regiment have desired me to recommend them to be filled up in the

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