Most Gracious Sovereign:

We, your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of your royal Borough of Perth, in Common Council assembled, under no influence but the dictates of our own loyalty and affection, beg leave to approach your royal presence, and to declare our abhorrence of the rebellion in your American Colonies, excited by designing men, and, we are sorry to add, encouraged by too many at home, against their most indulgent Sovereign and the supreme Legislature of the British Empire, under whose protection our liberties, both religious and civil, have long been uninterruptedly enjoyed, and can only in future subsist.

With hearts full of gratitude for these blessings, we are ready, on every occasion, to assist your Majesty, to the utmost of our power, in subjecting your rebellious subjects to the obedience they owe their lawful Sovereign and both Houses of Parliament; and we pray that Almighty God may long preserve your Majesty, and direct your Councils to maintain our happy Constitution, and defeat the traitorous machinations of all your enemies, foreign and domestick, designed against your sacred person and Government.

Signed in our name and presence, and by our appointment, at Perth, the 1st of November, 1775, by

ALEXANDER SIMSON, Provost.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO COLONEL JOSHUA WENTWORTH.

Head-Quarters, November 1, 1775.

SIR: I arrived here last evening, and informed his Excellency of your attention and assistance in negotiating the transportation of the flour from your port to Ipswich and Salem. I have it in command from the General to return you his thanks, and at the same time to enclose you his instructions to the agents appointed for the armed vessels now fitted out, or which hereafter may be fitted out, for the publick service. I doubt not you will pay proper attention to them, and to any further instructions you may hereafter receive from Head-Quarters. You have also enclosed the lists of provisions necessary to be laid in for one month, for fifty men, which is the complement for the schooner fitted out to cruise on the coast. Those that are gone out to sea have seventy-five men. Your situation is such that, except a cruiser takes a prize, I don’t apprehend you will have many visits from them; therefore, I am of opinion that a few barrels of beef, and a few of pork, with some bread, will be sufficient for you to lay in at present. Perhaps his Excellency may hereafter think proper to appoint a particular vessel for your port. Then it will be necessary for you to provide the other articles mentioned in the list.

I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

STEPHEN MOYLAN.

To Colonel Joshua Wentworth, Agent, Portsmouth.

EPHRAIM BOWEN TO COLONEL REED.

Plymouth, November 1, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: I wrote you on Sunday last from Bristol, wherein I gave you an account of my proceedings, which I hope was agreeable, as I made all possible despatch. I waited at Taunton until Tuesday noon, when the guns arrived. I immediately procured carts, saw them loaded, and proceeded to this place, where I arrived this morning, and the cannon, &c., afternoon. I have sent, per the bearer, the formers for the cartridges; also, the commission, which Captain Wormwell declines taking, as Captain Martindale has engaged his First Lieutenant, and Wormwell does not choose to go Second; so you will please to appoint a Second Lieutenant in his stead. Captain Martindale says he wants two bolts of ticklenburgh or osnaburghs, for topsails, &c., which he desires you will send immediately; also, the men, as he can find employment for the most of them, and thinks he ought not to have less than eighty. There is much more to be done to this vessel than I expected, and Captain Martindale seems to be determined to have nothing wanting; so that I fear the expense of fitting the vessel will not be very agreeable to the General.

Captain Coit set sail again yesterday, but unluckily run aground again; but hope to get him off this evening, to sail with Captain Manly, who put in here to-day. There are ten carriage and ten swivel guns for this vessel, so you will send cartridges accordingly; also, some loose powder, for priming, &c.

Since writing the foregoing, Captain Coit’s schooner has got off, and will sail in the morning. Mr. Howland, the master of Martindale’s vessel, would be glad to have a commission or warrant, and desires to know the terms he goes on.

I am your humble servant,

EPHRAIM BOWEN.

To Colonel Reed.

COLONEL ARNOLD TO JOHN MANIR.

Sartigan, November 1, 1775.

DEAR SIR: As I make no doubt of your being hearty in the cause of liberty and your Country, I have taken the liberty to inform you that I have just arrived here, with a large detachment from the American Army. I have several times, on my march, wrote you by the Indians, some of whom have returned and brought no answer. I am apprehensive they have betrayed me. This will be delivered you by.........., on whose secrecy you may depend. I beg the favour of you, on receipt of this, to write me, by the bearer, the number of troops in Quebeck and Montreal; how the French inhabitants stand affected; if any ships of war are at Quebeck, and any other intelligence you may judge necessary for me to know. I find the inhabitants very friendly this way, and make no doubt they are the same with you. I hope to see you in Quebeck in a few days. In the mean time, I should take it as a particular favour if some one or two of my friends would meet me on the road, and that you would let me know if the enemy are apprized of our coming; also, the situation that General Schuyler is in.

Your compliance will much oblige, dear Sir, your friend and humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

ADDRESS OF THE HIGH SHERIFF, ETC., OF THE COUNTY OF SOUTHAMPTON.

Address of the Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Knights of the Shire, Justices of the Peace, Gentlemen, Clergy, and others, Freeholders of the County of Southampton, presented to His Majesty by Goodyer St. John, Esquire, High Sheriff of the said County.

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty.