TO THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, November 4, 1775.

GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE: I sincerely sympathize with you in your distress, and, from the inhuman proceedings of those tyrants that infest America, I am afraid your valuable Town of New-York is in danger of being burnt. I would therefore recommend to you to prepare fire-vessels, which, properly made use of, will defend you against your infernal enemies, and save your Town, which is valuable. I am of opinion I am possessed of a knowledge that would be efficacious in burning such vessels as may come to do you damage; but as my situation requires me to conceal my name, at present, it would not be prudent it should yet be known, as it may be attended with ill consequences to me; neither would it be prudent to risk my advice without an advantage in proportion to the service I may do. Should you, therefore, gentlemen, conceive the above proposal to be of any importance, and deserving of an answer, be pleased to direct to A, at the London Coffee-House, to the care of Mr. Hugh James, the bar-keeper.

I am, Gentlemen, your most humble servant,

A.

To the Chairman of the Committee of Safety, in New-York.

BY THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY,

A Proclamation for a Publick Thanksgiving.

Although, in consequence of the unnatural, cruel, and barbarous measures adopted and pursued by the British Administration, great and distressing calamities are brought upon our oppressed Country, and on this Colony in particular, we feel the dreadful effects of civil war, by which America is stained with the blood of her valiant sons, who have bravely fallen in the laudable defence of our rights and privileges: Our capital, once the seat of justice, opulence, and virtue, is unjustly wrested from its proper owners, who are obliged to flee from the iron hand of tyranny, or are held in the unrelenting arms of oppression; our seaports greatly distressed, and towns burnt by the foes, who have acted the parts of barbarous incendiaries: And although the wise and holy Governour of the world has, in his righteous providence, sent droughts into this Colony, and wasting sickness into many of our Towns, yet we have the greatest reason to adore and praise the supreme Disposer of Events, who deals infinitely better with us than we deserve, and, amidst all his judgments, hath remembered mercy, by causing the voice of health again to be heard amongst us. Instead of famine, affording to an ungrateful people a competency of the necessaries and comforts of life; in remarkably preserving and protecting our troops, when in apparent danger, while our enemies, with all their boasted skill and strength, have met with loss, disappointment, and defeat; and, in the course of his good providence, the Father of Mercies hath bestowed upon us many other favours, which call for our grateful acknowledgments:

Therefore, we have thought fit, with the advice of the Council and House of Representatives, to appoint Thursday, the 23d day of November instant, to be observed as a day of publick Thanksgiving throughout this Colony; hereby calling upon ministers and people to meet for religious worship on said day, and devoutly to offer up their unfeigned praises to Almighty God, the source and benevolent bestower of all good, for his affording the necessary means of subsistence, though our commerce has been prevented, and the supplies from the fishery denied us: That such a measure of health is enjoyed among us; that the lives of our officers and soldiers have been so remarkably preserved, while our enemies have fell before them: That the vigorous efforts which have been used to excite the savage vengeance of the wilderness, and rouse the Indians to arms, that an unavoidable destruction might come upon our frontiers, have been almost miraculously defeated: That our unnatural enemies, instead of ravaging the Country with uncontrolled sway, are confined within such narrow limits, to their own mortification and distress, environed by an American Army, brave and determined: That such a band of union, founded upon the best principles, unites the American Colonies: That our rights and privileges, both civil and religious, are so far preserved to us, notwithstanding all the attempts of our barbarous enemies to deprive us of them. And to offer up humble and fervent prayers to Almighty God, for the whole British Empire, especially for the United American Colonies: That he would bless our civil rulers, and lead them into wise and prudent measures in this dark and difficult day: That he would endow our General Court with all that wisdom which is profitable to direct: That he would graciously smile upon our endeavours to restore peace, preserve our rights and privileges, and hand them down to posterity: That he would give wisdom to the American Congress, equal to their important station: That he would direct the Generals and the American Armies, wherever employed, and give them success and victory: That he would preserve and strengthen the harmony of the United Colonies: That he would pour out his spirit upon all orders of men through the land; bring us to a hearty repentance and reformation; purify and sanctify all his churches: That he would make ours Emanuel’s land: That he would spread the knowledge of the Redeemer through the whole earth, and fill the world with his glory.

And all servile labour is forbidden on said day.

Given under our hands, at the Council Chamber in Watertown, the fourth day of November, in the year of the Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five.

By their Honours’ command:

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOSIAH QUINCY.

Cambridge, November 4, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 31st ult. was presented to me yesterday. I thank you, as I shall do every gentleman, for suggesting any measure which you conceive to be conducive to the publick service; but in the adoption of a plan, many things are to be considered to decide upon the utility of it. In the one proposed by you, I shall not undertake to determine whether it be good, or whether it be bad; but thus much I can say, that if there is any spot upon the main, which has an equal command of the ship-channel to Boston harbour, (and give me leave to add that Point Alderton is not without its advocates, ) in all other respects it must have infinitely the preference; because the expense of so many batteries as you propose, with the necessary defences to secure the channel, the communication, and a retreat, in the dernier resort, from the east end of Long-Island, are capital objections. Not, I confess, of such importance as to weigh against the object in view, if the scheme is practicable. But what signifies Long-Island, Point Alderton, Dorchester, &c., while we are in a manner destitute of cannon, and compelled to keep the little powder we have for the use of the musketry. The knowledge of this fact is an unanswerable argument against every place, and may serve to account for my not having viewed the several spots which have been so advantageously spoken of I am not without intentions of making them a visit, and shall assuredly do myself the honour of calling upon you. In the mean while, permit me to thank you most cordially for your polite invitation, and to assure you that I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Josiah Quincy, Braintree.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF DEDHAM.

Cambridge, November 4, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: His Excellency received a letter, dated the 26th ultimo, from David Parker, in which he most pathetically deplores his situation. After the most solemn assurances of contrition for the part he acted, and strong declarations of his regard for the liberties of his Country,