Mortars: 10 inch mortars, 3; shells, 374. 8 inch mortars, 2; 8 inch howitzers, 3; shells, 452. 7 inch brass mortars, 2; shells, 641. Total number of mortars, 10. Total number of shells, 1, 467. With beds, carriages, and implements, complete.

Cambridge, October 20, 1775.

The foregoing inventory of ordnance and stores are what I judge to be absolutely necessary for this Army. Many small things are omitted being mentioned, as the Company of Artificers can make them; and many things can be supplied by the neighbourhood, if wanted. It is impossible to give an exact list of what may be wanted on all occasions. I have endeavoured, as much as the time would permit, to collect the essential matters for the Army; which are humbly submitted, by your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

RICHARD G RIDLEY,

Chief Engineer.

To his Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE COMMITTEE OF FALMOUTH.

Camp at Cambridge, October 24, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The desolation and misery which Ministerial vengeance had planned, in contempt of every principle of humanity, and which has been so lately brought on the Town of Falmouth, I know not how sufficiently to detest. Nor can my compassion for the general suffering be conceived beyond the true measure of my feelings. But my readiness to relieve you by complying with your request, signified in your favour of the 21st instant, is circumscribed by my inability. The immediate necessities of the Army under my command require all the powder and ball that can be collected, with the utmost industry and trouble: the authority of my station does not extend so far as to empower me to send a detachment of men down to your assistance. Thus circumstanced, I can only add my wishes and exhortations that you may repel every future attempt to perpetrate the like savage cruelties.

I have given liberty to several officers in Colonel Phinney’s Regiment to visit their connexions, which may now stand in need of their presence and assistance, by reason of this new exertion of despotick barbarity.

I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Committee of Falmouth, Casco Bay.

ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN GENERAL WASHINGTON AND MR. JOHN FISK, FOR POWDER.

Articles of agreement between George Washington, Esq., Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, for himself and his successors in the said command, and John Fisk, witness:

That the said George Washington doth hereby bind him self to receive of the said John Fisk any quantity of Powder, not exceeding twenty tons, for each pound of which he engages to pay the said Fisk four Shillings, lawful money; provided, that the said Powder shall be delivered by the said Fish at Newburyport, or some other port convenient to the camp at Cambridge, in good order and of good quality, on or before the first day of April, 1776. That John Fisk doth, on his part, bind himself to use his utmost endeavours to procure the said twenty tons, or, if not the whole complement, such part thereof as he may be able to obtain; that he will deliver the same, when procured, at Newburyport, or some other port convenient to the camp at Cambridge, in good order and of a good quality, at or before the time abovementioned.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, this 24th day of October, 1775.

GEORGE WASHINGTON,
JOHN FISK.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO JOSEPH REED.

Beverly, October 24, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I am much obliged to you that you take notice of my letter per Wilson, and doubt not he will answer your and my expectation. I wish with all my soul that these two vessels were despatched, chiefly for the publick service, and also that I may have the pleasure of seeing my friends, Mr. Lynch and Col. Harrison. I want much to be introduced to Doctor Franklin, for whom I have had, many years, a vast veneration. I think they will be off on Thursday evening; if they are, I will be with you on Friday.

Colonel Glover showed me a letter of yours which has mortified him much. I really and sincerely believe he has the cause much at heart, and that he has done his best, in the fitting out these four last vessels, for the publick service. You cannot conceive the difficulty, the trouble, and the delay there is in procuring the thousand things necessary for one of these vessels. I dare say one of them might be fitted in Philadelphia or New-York in three days, because you would know where to apply for the different articles; but here you must search all over Salem, Marblehead, Danvers, and Beverly, for every little thing that is wanting. I must add to these, the jobbing of the carpenters, who are, to be sure, the idlest scoundrels in nature. If I could have procured others, I should have dismissed the whole gang of them last Friday—and such religious rascals are they, that we could not prevail on them to work on the Sabbath. I have stuck very close to them since, and what by scolding and crying shame for their tory-like disposition in retarding the work, I think they mend something.

There is one reason, and I think a substantial one, why a person born in the same Town or neighbourhood, should not be employed on publick affairs of this nature, in that Town or neighbourhood; it is, that the spirit of equality which reigns through this Country will make him afraid of exerting that authority necessary for the expediting his business. He must shake every man by the hand, and desire, beg, and pray, do brother, do my friend, do such a thing; whereas a few hearty damns, from a person who did not care a damn for them, would have a much better effect, (this I know by experience, ) for your future government. Indeed, I could give other reasons, but I think this sufficient.

I hope the Field-Deputies will not depart before I have the pleasure to see them; my compliments to those of them that I am acquainted with; and believe me, with great esteem, dear Sir, your assured humble servant,

STEPHEN MOYLAN.

P.S. My best respects attend his Excellency. Pray order the articles wrote for yesterday, to be forwarded without delay. I sha’nt send my sensible boy any more express; but as he goes to town on some business of my own, I desire he may call on you, and if you have any commands, I dare say he will wait for them.

GENERAL GREENE TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Prospect-Hill, October 24, 1775.

SIR: By an express that arrived from Falmouth last night, we learn the greatest part of the Town is in ashes. The enemy fired above three thousand shot into it, and a large number of carcasses and bombs, which sat the Town on fire. The enemy landed once or twice, to set fire to the stores; they lost eight or ten men in the attempt, and had one taken prisoner. The inhabitants got out a very considerable part of their furniture; no person killed or wounded during the whole time of their firing. The enemy produced orders from Admiral Graves, to burn all the Towns from Boston to Halifax. Captain Mowat informed the Committee at Falmouth, that there had arrived orders from England, about ten days since, to burn all the sea–port Towns upon the Continent, that would not lay down and deliver up their arms, and give hostages for their future good behaviour. He also acquainted them, that he expected the City of New–York was in ashes. By these accounts we may learn what we have to expect. I think Newport should be fortified in the best manner it can be. Doubtless the enemy will make an attempt to get the stock off the island. Provision should be made to defeat them. Death and desolation seem to mark their footsteps. Fight or be slaves ! is the American motto. The first is by far the most eligible.

In haste, I am, with great respect and esteem, your most obedient humble servant,

NATHANIEL GREENE.

To the Hon. Nicholas Cooke, Esq., in Providence.