request the favour of your Excellency to spare us as much powder as you may think proper.

I am, very respectfully, by order of the Committee of Safety, Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

H. WENTWORTH, Chairman.

His Excellency General Washington.

H. MOWAT, COMMANDER OF HIS MAJESTY’S SHIP CANCEAU, TO THE PEOPLE OF FALMOUTH.

Canceau, Falmouth, October 16, 1775.

After so many premeditated attacks on the legal prerogatives of the best of Sovereigns, after the repeated instances you have experienced in Britain’s long forbearance of the rod of correction, and the merciful and paternal extension of her hands to embrace you, again and again, have been regarded as vain and nugatory; and in place of a dutiful and grateful return to your King and Parent State, you have been guilty of the most unpardonable rebellion, supported by the ambition of a set of designing men, whose insidious views have cruelly imposed on the credulity of their fellow-creatures, and at last have brought the whole into the same dilemma, which leads me to feel not a little the woes of the innocent of them, in particular on the present occasion, from my having it in orders to execute a just punishment on the Town of Falmouth. In the name of which authority, I previously warn you to remove, without delay, the human species out of the said Town, for which purpose I give you the time of two hours; at the period of which, a red pendant will be hoisted at the main topgallant mast head, with a gun. But should your imprudence lead you to show the least resistance, you will in that case free me of that humanity so strongly pointed out in my orders, as well as in my inclination. I also observe that all those who did, on a former occasion, fly to the King’s ship under my command for protection, that the same door is now open and ready to receive them.

The officer who will deliver this letter, I expect to return immediately, unmolested.

H. MOWAT.

I am, &c.,

To the People of Falmouth.

COUNCIL OF WAR.

At a Council of War, held at Head-Quarters, October 18,1775:

Present, his Excellency General Washington; Major-Generals Ward, Lec, Putnam; Brigadier-Generals Thomas, Heath, Sullivan, Greene, Gates.

The General acquainted the Members of the Council, that he had called them together in consequence of an intimation from the Congress, that an attack upon Boston, if practicable, was much desired. That he therefore desired their opinions on the subject.

General GATES.—That under the present circumstances it is improper to attempt it.

General GREENE.—That it is not practicable, under all circumstances; but if ten thousand men could be landed at Boston, thinks it is.

General SULLIVAN.—That at this time it is improper. The winter gives a more favourable opportunity.

General HEATH.—Impracticable at present.

General THOMAS.—Of the same opinion.

General PUTNAM.—Disapproves of it at present.

General LEE.—Is not sufficiently acquainted with the men to judge; therefore thinks it too great a risk.

General WARD.—Against it.

General WASHINGTON.

ORDERS BY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 13, 1775.

(Countersign, Lebanon.)

(Parole, Kennebeck.)

Lieutenant Richard Woodward, of Captain Gridley’s Company, in Colonel Gridley’s Regiment of Artillery, tried at a late General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Woodbridge was President, for “cowardice in the action upon the 17th of June last, and for mutiny.” The Court were unanimously of opinion, that the charge of cowardice, on the 17th June last, is fully supported against the prisoner, and are also unanimously of opinion that the prisoner is guilty of mutiny, and of a malicious, vexatious, and groundless accusation of Captain Gridley, at a late General Court-Martial. The Court therefore unanimously adjudge the prisoner, Lieutenant Woodward, to be cashiered, and rendered incapable of serving in the Continental Army.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 14, 1775.

(Countersign, Norfolk.)

(Parole, Malden.)

The General has seen and approves the sentence of the General Court-Martial, held upon Lieutenant Woodward, of the Artillery. He orders it to take place immediately, and commands Lieutenant Woodward to be dismissed the camp.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 15, 1775.

(Countersign, Plymouth.)

(Parole, Ostend.)

One subaltern, one sergeant, and twenty-five rank and file, from each of the four Brigades in the lines and in Cambridge, to parade to-morrow morning, at sunrise, upon Cambridge Common, to cut fire-wood for the Army. The Quartermaster-General, or his Deputy, will attend upon the Common in Cambridge, to give directions to the officer commanding the party.

A General Court-Martial to sit on Wednesday morning next, at Roxbury, to try Colonel David Brewer, of the Ninth Regiment of Foot, upon an accusation exhibited by a number of officers of that Regiment, a copy thereof having yesterday been sent by the Adjutant-General to Colonel Brewer. The Judge Advocate to be at Roxbury by nine o’clock, Wednesday morning, to sit in Court; all evidences and persons concerned to attend the Court at that time. For Court-Martial—Brigadier-General Thomas, President; four Colonels, four Lieutenant-Colonels, four Majors, Members. The Members to be taken equally from the two Brigades now in Roxbury.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 17, 1775.

(Countersign, Towmsend.)

(Parole, Sawbridge.)

The Quartermaster-General will deliver to the Major of each Brigade, or his order, twenty great coats, for the use of the sentinels of each Brigade. As the Brigade-Major is to give his receipt for the same, he is to be answerable that they are regularly delivered from guard to guard.

Lieutenant Thomas Randall, of the Regiment of Artillery, tried at a late General Court-Martial, for “stabbing a Matross in the said Regiment. ” The Court are of opinion, that the prisoner is guilty of a breach of the forty-ninth Article of the Rules and Regulations of the Massachusetts Army; but, in consideration of the very insulting behaviour of the complainant, adjudge Lieutenant Randall only to receive a severe reprimand from the Colonel of the Regiment, at the head of the Company to which the prisoner belongs.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 18, 1775.

(Countersign, Camden.)

(Parole, Wilkes.)

The General Court-Martial ordered to sit this day, at Roxbury, is postponed until Friday morning next, at nine o’clock, Brigadier-General Thomas being obliged to attend this forenoon at Head-Quarters.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 21, 1775.

(Countersign, Lynch.)

(Parole, Franklin.)

The officers of Colonel Gridley’s Regiment and Major Crane’s Corps of Artillery, who are inclined to engage in the service of the United Colonies, for one year from the day of the expiration of their present term of service, are to deliver in their names and the rank they now possess to the Adjutant-General tomorrow morning, at ten o’clock; such as disincline to remain any longer in the service to give in their names also, and the reasons for their declining the service.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 22, 1775.

(Countersign, Cooke.)

(Parole, Harrison.)

The Deputies from the honourable Continental Congress having arrived in this camp, in order to confer with the General, the several Governours of Rhode-Island and Connecticut, the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, and the President and Convention of New-Hampshire, on the continuing