an Army, for the defence and support of America and its liberties, all officers who decline the further service of their Country, and intend to retire from the Army at the expiration of their present term of service, are to signify their intentions, in writing, to their Colonel, which he is to deliver, with his own, to the Brigadier-General or commanding officer of his Brigade. Those brave men and true patriots who are resolved to continue to serve and defend their brethren, privileges, and property, are to consider themselves engaged to the last day of December, 1776, unless sooner discharged by the honourable the Continental Congress, and will in like manner signify their intentions. This return to be made at orderly time, Wednesday next.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 23, 1775.

(Counteresign, Cushing.)

(Parole, Hancock.)

Colonel David Brewer, of the Ninth Regiment of Foot, tried at a General Court-Martial, whereof Brigadier-General Thomas was President, for “procuring a Lieutenant’s commission for his son, an inexperienced boy of sixteen or seventeen years of age, and returning him as in the publick service from the 24th of April, and drawing his pay for the month of August, during all which time the said boy was at home, in his father’s service, contrary to the repeated remonstrances of the officers of the Regiment; and, also, for making a return to the Committee of Supplies for a larger number of blankets than were requisite for said Regiment; and, also, for taking the men from the publick service, in the Army, and employing them in his own private business, in labour on his farm. ” The Court-Martial, on mature consideration, are of opinion, that the two last articles of the, accusation are supported fully against the prisoner, and therefore unanimously adjudge, that Colonel David Brewer be dismissed the service.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 24, 1775.

(Parole, Trumbull.)

(Countersign, Langdon.)

The General approves the sentence of the General Court-Martial, in yesterday’s orders.

COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE WITH THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read November 1, 1775.]

Cambridge, October 24, 1775.

SIR: We arrived at this place on the 15th, and should have proceeded immediately to perform the duty imposed by the Congress, but the President of the Congress of New-Hampshire was detained, by the illness of his family, from attending. After waiting two days for him, it was determined to call in General Sullivan to represent that Colony. The President joined us next day, and we have been constantly employed in the consideration of the many important matters with which we are charged, all of which we hope will be finished to-day.

We enclose you a copy of the several determinations of this meeting, on those heads on which the Governours of Rhode-Island and Connecticut, the Council of this Province, the President of the Congress of New-Hampshire, together with the General, were directed to be consulted; by which you will see that they were unanimously of opinion, not only that any reduction of pay was absolutely impracticable, but that a bare proposal of this nature would cause such discontents, if not mutinies, as would, perhaps, prove the ruin of the Army. We are sorry to find this opinion too much confirmed by the difficulty that occurs in prevailing on the troops of Connecticut to enlist for the month of December only, according to the directions of Congress.

Under these circumstances, we thought it our duty to consent that the General should immediately proceed to a new enlistment of the present Army for the next year, without waiting for the directions of Congress, being convinced, by the opinion not only of the gentlemen we were directed to consult, but of every officer we conversed with on the subject, that every moment’s delay was big with danger. We have, however, reserved, in the terms of the new enlistment, a right in Congress to disband at pleasure, without mentioning the month’s additional pay, voted the soldiers in case they had enlisted at five Dollars per month.

Last night we received the melancholy account of the burning the Town of Falmouth by some ships, sent for that purpose by Admiral Graves, the commanding officer of which declared he had orders to destroy every sea-port between that and Boston. It is easy to conceive what effects this must produce in this camp; every soldier who came from Falmouth insisting on leave to go and take care of his family, and to find a place for them, where they may be covered from the inclemency of the approaching winter. Indeed, it is too reasonable a request to be refused. Should the same fate fall to the share of many such Towns, It is easy to foretell what must happen to the Army, especially should it happen before the new Army is enlisted. This, we hope, will not only excuse our conduct, but induce Congress to hasten their determinations upon this matter.

One more reason for despatch is, that men may much more probably enlist before, than after, they feel the hardships of a winter campaign.

Upon examining the journals of Assembly, it appears that the men raised in the years 1758 and 1759, by this Colony, received fourteen Pounds bounty, and had thirty-six Shillings per month, pay, which, as their engagements were for six months only, was much higher terms than the present, when no other bounty is allowed than a coat to each man.

We are, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient,

B. FRANKLIN,
BENJ. HARRISON,
THOS. LYNCH.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President of the Continental Congress at Philadelphia.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE AT THE CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE.

Minutes of a Conference of the Delegates of the honourable Continental Congress, the Deputy-Governours of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, and the Committee of the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, with General Washington, began at Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 18, 1775, and continued to the 22d of the same month. Present:

His Excellency General Washington.

The Hon. Deputy-Governour Griswold and Nathaniel Wales, Esq., Connecticut.

The Hon. Deputy-Governour Cooke, Rhode-Island.

The Hon. Thomas Lynch, Doctor Benjamin Franklin, and Colonel Benjamin Harrison, Delegates from the Congress.

The Hon. James Bowdoin. Colonel Otis, William Sever, and Walter Spooner, Committee of Council of Massachusetts-Bay.

The Credentials of the several Members of this Conference for Connecticut and Massachusetts-Bay, were then read.

The President of the Provincial Convention of New-Hampshire not yet attending, General Sullivan was desired to attend this Conference, and took his seat accordingly.

The Members of the Conference then proceeded upon the instructions from the Congress, which were read through, and then again separately; and it was considered—

1st. To cause proper methods to be taken for continuing the Connecticut Troops (now near Boston ) in the Continental service, upon the same terms as they are at present, until the last day of next December; hereupon,

Resolved, That it is the opinion of the Members of this Conference, that the General immediately direct the Field-Officers of the Connecticut Troops, that they consult with their inferior officers and men, and endeavour to learn what number of them will continue in the service to the last day of December, upon the present terms, and that as soon as possible.

The third Instruction was then read by paragraphs, containing the following articles, viz:

First. What number of men the new Army before Boston should consist of?

1st. The Committee having been informed that this question had been lately agitated in the Council of General Officers, desired the result might be communicated; by