A gentleman from Plymouth informs us this morning that they cannot spare the powder from the stock, unless it is immediately replaced. You will, therefore, be particular in your account, that we may know how to repay it. They speak of a brass field-piece which they cannot well spare. You will also leave it, unless it is indispensably necessary for the vessels; which we cannot suppose.

You may let Captain Martindale know that it is under consideration of Congress to allow a great share of prizes to the officers and men. We hope all will exert themselves for the common good of our Country. Two of our vessels sail out of Marblehead to-day, if the weather permits; two are already gone to the eastward.

I am, in haste, your very humble servant,

JOSEPH REED.

To Captain Ephraim Bowen, Jun., Plymouth.

A LIST OF THE ARMED VESSELS AND A STATE OF THEM.

At Salem and Marblehead.

1st. The Lynch, schooner, commanded by Captain Broughton.

2d. The Franklin, schooner, commanded by Captain Selman. Both the above vessels have sailed from Marblehead, with seventy men each, to the River St. Lawrence, per the special order of Congress. See their additional instructions.

3d. The Lee, schooner, commanded by Captain Manley, fitted out at Marblehead. Sailed October 29, on a cruise.

N. B. Captain Glover having waived his rank, and gone as Lieutenant, I have given him expectations that if he behaves well the General will give him the command of the next vessel fitted out from that place, if there should be any more.

4th. The Warren, schooner, commanded by Captain Adams, of the New-Hampshire troops; she sails the 30th. Each of the above vessels carries four four-pounders, with twenty rounds for each cannon, ten swivels, and twenty rounds. The two last vessels carry fifty men each.

Agents: Tristram Dallon, Esq., Newburyport; Joshua Wentworth, Esq., Portsmouth.

At Plymouth.

1st. The Washington. This is a fine vessel, mounts ten carriage-guns, and is commanded by Captain Martindale, of Rhode-Island. She expects to sail the 30th. The crew have not gone down, but I have wrote to General Greene to order them away as soon as the weather will admit. This vessel will carry eighty or one hundred men.

2d. The Harrison, schooner, commanded by Captain Coit, of Connecticut. She is now out. She carries fifty men, four carriage-guns, and ten swivels. Agent, William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

Captain Bowen is at that place, superintending the outfit of the vessel. Each of the above vessels have a Surgeon—their boxes of medicine prepared at the Hospital.

Ammunition for the vessels from Marblehead has been sent from camp; that for those at Plymouth has been provided by the Town, but is to be replaced as soon as an account is given by Captain Brown. Two hundred barrels of flour at Salem, for the use of these vessels, in the hands of the Agent.

Mr. Moylan and Colonel Glover are at Salem and Marblehead, superintending the vessels which have been and are fitting out there.

Major Tupper having expressed some desire to go out in one of the vessels he has taken at Martha’s Vineyard, has had leave, provided he can man and fit her out at Plymouth immediately; otherwise not, as the season is far advanced.

Captain Coit is out in the vessel first fitted, but thinks she is rather old and weak; he has leave to take one of the late captures, if he can do it without loss of time; but is advised rather to keep in the vessel fitted out till he can take a better.

Mr. Watson, Agent at Plymouth, has directions to advance moneys to Major Tupper and those who assisted him, for which he has the prizes, &c., in hand.

The Agents are directed by their instructions to send their bills, with the vouchers and an affidavit of the truth of their accounts, to Head-Quarters, before their bills are to be answered.

No bills are yet drawn or warrants given upon this account. I would humbly recommend that the Paymaster-General should open an account for the armed vessels, and charge them outfits; that the money, or value of prizes taken, be sent to him and credited—from which it will, at one view, be seen what is the profit or loss, and be kept distinct from the Army accounts.

Mr. Moylan having been employed in this service, and from his education understanding shipping, I should apprehend a very proper person to control the accounts that will be sent in for the fitting out those vessels.

JOSEPH REED.

October 29, 1775.

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Portsmouth, October 29, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: I arrived here in about twenty-four hours after I left you. Have collected powder so as to make up near thirty barrels, and have since been preparing to set an example to the other seaports, by setting the fleet at defiance. Upon my arrival, I was surprised to find that the boom so much talked of was not prepared; that the bridge intended for crossing from the main to the island, whereon stands the principal fort, (called Fort Washington, ) had nothing more done than one pier sunk; that there was not a foot of the parapet over which a man might fire, or even see his enemy; that the embrasures at the fort were horizontal, as well as the top of the parapets; and, in short, not a moment’s defence could be made, or annoyance given to the enemy, either with cannon or small-arms. I immediately collected a number of gondolas, moored them head and stern, laid pieces from one to the other, and plank across, and soon completed the bridge. I then turned my attention to the boom, and in two days got it across, but found it could not stand the rapidity of the tide; it soon broke, and we have again fixed it, so that I hope it may hold; but lest it should deceive us, I have taken a number of ships, and moored them above, with a great quantity of combustible matter in them, and shall to-morrow have them chained together, and, in case the boom should give way, set those vessels in flames. I have also a great number of fire rafts ready to let loose upon them. I have altered the works, and, I trust, made them fit for defence, and I doubt not will, in two or three days more, be completely prepared.

I am extremely thankful to your Excellency for the riflemen sent to our assistance; it has indeed filled our people with gratitude; and that my coming down was equally agreeable, your Excellency will see by the enclosed letter from their Committee of Safety.

I have seen some men that were on board the fleet after the destruction of Falmouth. Captain Mowat showed his orders, which were to burn all the sea-ports east of Boston. When he departed from Falmouth, he told them that he must go to Boston, and take a recruit of shells, carcasses, &c., and then would visit Portsmouth. I expect him daily, but in case he does not arrive in a few days, shall despair of his coming.

I must beg your Excellency to give me intelligence of any movement of their ships, with any orders you may think proper, with respect to my conduct while here. I shall give the earliest intelligence of any thing material; and remain, with great esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. I enclose a letter sent from the eastward, which was enclosed in one to me, signed by one Major Goodwin, of Pownalborough. That infernal crew of Tories, who have laughed at the Congress, despised the friends to liberty, endeavoured to prevent fortifying this harbour, and strove to hurt the credit of the Continental money, and are yet endeavouring it, walk the streets here with impunity, and will, with a sneer, tell the people in the streets that all our liberty-poles will soon be converted into gallows. I must entreat your Excellency to give some directions what to do with those persons, as I am fully convinced that if an engagement was to happen, they would, with their own