pressing necessities, as to your Honours may appear fit and reasonable. It is proposed that we should pay up the troops raised by this Colony to the 1st of August, (as will appear by a copy of General Washington’s letter, herewith transmitted;) which business we shall attend to, as soon as the pay-rolls are laid before us. We have paid the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of this Colony only forty shillings each, which is included in the within account; and, as most of them have been in camp since the 19th of April last, we imagine that the balance of the said pay-rolls will amount to the sum of sixty-five thousand six hundred and eighty Pounds. Agreeable to the terms of enlistment, each non-commissioned officer and private soldier raised in this Colony was to have one coat given him; many of these coats have already been delivered, and the expense of the whole will, we presume, amount to the sum of sixteen thousand two hundred and twenty Pounds, at the least. We have also already before us accounts from several Towns, of powder supplied to the Army, to the amount of one hundred and seventy-four and a quarter barrels. We would further inform your Honours that we have raised in this Colony two thousand and eighty men, officers included, and stationed them on those parts of our sea-coasts which were most exposed to the depredations of the enemy. We judged this step absolutely necessary, in order to prevent our enemies from supplying themselves with provisions and other necessaries. Their vessels of war made several at tempts on the most naked and defenceless places, on the sea-coasts of this Colony, whose situation exposed them beyond that of our neighbours: but although their attempts were bravely opposed, we know the inhabitants of those places had not sufficient force within themselves to repel all such invaders. It was, therefore, of the utmost importance to send them such additional forces as might enable them effectually to cut off all supplies of provisions, wood, &c., from the Ministerial Army in Boston, as well as to secure themselves against the vengeance that might be expected from the rage of a disappointed enemy, and under which those unfortunate people are now suffering in a shocking degree. To these forces we have paid the sum of four thousand eighty-three Pounds eight Shillings. A measure so necessary and so essential to the service of the common cause, we are persuaded, will meet with the approbation and support of the Congress; and we trust your Honours will consider the above expenses, in connection with the within account, and make such grants as you may judge fit and reasonable. We have exhibited no account of moneys advanced in removing and supporting the in habitants of the Town of Boston. The distresses of those persons who have virtuously sacrificed not only their conveniences, but necessaries of life, to save their Country, so much deserves the compassion of this Continent, that we shall, as soon as may be, beg leave, in pursuance of a resolution of the late honourable Continental Congress respecting them, to lay an account of our disbursements thereon before you, for consideration.

In the name and by order of the Great and General Court of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay:

PEREZ MORTON, Deputy Sec’y.

Copy of a Letter from his Excellency General WASHING TON, to a Committee of the Board.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, August 12, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I have considered the papers you left with me yesterday. Those of them which relate to Jones show him to be a most malignant and inveterate enemy to his Country, and as such I trust he will meet with his deserts; but I have such various and important matters requiring my constant attention, that I must beg leave to refer him, and all others under similar circumstances, to the authority of the Province, both for safe custody and punishment.

The payment of the troops is of such indispensable necessity, that I must endeavour to use the powers committed to me by the honourable Congress, so as to remove this cause of complaint. I purpose to direct the new Pay master to commence his payments from the 1st of August, and hereafter continue them monthly. I have considered that there are few, if any men, who have not served two months, and though some have received their advance

twice, it cannot be supposed there are many who have had more. The two months’ service will then be set against the double advance: and if a strict scrutiny is immediately made, which I would recommend, the accounts may be settled to that time, the delinquents probably be detected, and, in the end, justice done both to the Province and the men.

If any embezzlements have been made by the officers, they will stand accountable to the publick; but, at all events, the soldiers are entitled to and must have their pay, if any service is expected from them. The shirts, shoes, stockings, and breeches, provided by the Province, can be taken on the Continenial account; but, I apprehend, there will not be the same necessity to provide coats, the Continental Congress having ordered bunting-shirts as an outside dress, under which a warm waistcoat will be cheaper and more convenient.

As to the expedition proposed against Nova-Scotia, by the people of Machias, I cannot but applaud their spirit and zeal; but, after considering the reasons offered for it, several objections occur, which seem to be unanswerable. I apprehend such an enterprise inconsistent with the general principle upon which the United Colonies have proceeded. It is true, that Province has not acceded to the measures of the Congress, and they have therefore been excluded from all commercial intercourse with the other Colonies; but they have not commenced hostilities against them, nor are any to be apprehended. To attack them, therefore, is a step of conquest rather than defence, and may be attended with very dangerous consequences.

It might, perhaps, be easy with the force proposed to make an incursion into the Province, to overawe those of the inhabitants who are inimical to our cause, and for a short time prevent their supplying the enemy with provisions; but the same force must continue, to produce any lasting effects.

As to the furnishing vessels of any force, you, gentlemen, will anticipate me, in pointing out our weakness and the enemy’s strength. There would be great danger that, with the best preparation we could make, they would fall an easy prey, either to the men of war on that station, or some who would be detached from Boston. I have been thus particular, to satisfy any gentlemen of the Court who incline lo adopt the measure. I could offer many other reasons against it, some of which, I doubt not, will suggest themselves lo the honourable Board; but it is unnecessary to enumerate them, when our situation, as to the ammunition, absolutely forbids our sending a single ounce out of the camp at present.

I am, with great respect and regard, Gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable the Continental Congress, now sitting at PHILADELPHIA:

The Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay beg leave to lay before your Honours the following disbursements made by said Colony, in defence of American liberty, for consideration and allowance:

Watertown, October 5, 1775.

This certifies that the foregoing drafts, amounting to the sum of £133, 055 8s. 3d., lawful money, have been paid by me, out of the Colony Treasury, exclusive of the drafts made for the payment of troops on the sea-coasts, the support