That this act shall be in force in ten days after the rising of this Assembly; and that the same be published in the Providence Gazette and Newport Mercury.

HENRY WARD, Secretary.

November 6, 1775.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE COMMITTEE OF FALMOUTH.

Cambridge, November 6, 1775.

SIR: I received your favour of the 2d instant, and am very sorry it is not in my power to supply the necessities of the Town of Falmouth. I have referred the gentlemen who brought me your letter to the General Court of this Province, who, I hope, will fall upon some method for your assistance. The arrival of the Cerberus, man-of-war, is very alarming. I do not apprehend they will attempt to penetrate into the country, as you seem to be afraid of; if they should attempt to land any of their men, I would have the good people of the country by all means to make every possible opposition in their power, for it will be much easier to prevent their making a lodgement, than to force them from it when, they have got possession.

I write by this conveyance to Colonel Phinney, who will give you every advice and assistance in his power. I sincerely sympathize with the people in the distress they are drove to, but it is in such times that they should exert themselves in the noble cause of liberty.

I am, Sir, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Enoch Moody, Esq., Chairman, &c.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COLONEL PHINNEY.

Cambridge, November 6, 1775.

SIR: Having received a letter from Mr. Enoch Moody, Chairman of the Committee of Falmouth, that the inhabitants of that Town are greatly alarmed by the arrival of the Cerberus, man-of-war, and are under great apprehension that some of the King’s troops will be landed there, it is my desire that you raise all the force you can, and give the Town any assistance in your power. The difficulty of removing troops, after they have made a lodgement or got possession of a place, is too obvious to be mentioned. You will, therefore, use every possible method to prevent their effecting that, or penetrating into the country, until you have further orders.

I am, Sir, your very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Colonel Edmund Phinney, at Falmouth.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Head-Quarters, November 6, 1775.

SIR: I am ordered by his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of the 30th ultimo and 3d instant. Such articles on board the vessels taken by Major Tupper as are subject to perish, you had better have sold off immediately; the vessels and appurtenances to be securely laid up, and the cargoes carefully stored, until further orders from hence. A manifest of the cargo you will please to send us as soon as made out. The advanced season of the year, and the difficulty in procuring cannon, will prevent the General’s ordering more armed vessels to be fitted out for the present.

By your last, his Excellency observes that there are one hundred and eighteen pipes of wine saved out of a vessel bound to Boston, and wrecked at Eastham. It is his desire that you take immediate charge of them, and forward them to Cambridge with all speed, where they will be sold for the publick use, and where they will fetch a good price, if their quality is tolerable. Captain Coit has, I find, been so unlucky as to get aground again. I hope his misfortunes are now over, and that success will attend his cruise; which it will give pleasure to hear he has commenced. I hope the Lee is out again. The chance of taking prizes must soon be over, from the advance of the season. Therefore, the cruisers should now be in port as little as possible; which you will please to urge to the gentlemen who command them.

The General is apprehensive that Captain Martindale is going upon too large a scale, and that he will make the outfit of his vessel too expensive. The intention of fitting out these vessels is not to attack the armed, but to take the unarmed vessels; which Captain Martindale seems to have lost sight of, by putting so many carriage-guns on board the Washington; but I sincerely hope his success will amply repay the expense. The ammunition is preparing—forty rounds for each gun, one barrel of loose powder, for priming, &c., and a proper quantity of match rope. I doubt much whether we shall be able to get the osnaburghs which the Captain writes for; if to be had, it will go by the same conveyance with the ammunition. There is no swivel-shot to be had here. If we cannot procure some time enough, shall send four-ounce balls; which, I think, will answer every purpose. You will please to communicate the part of this letter which regards Captain Martindale unto him, and to Captain Bowen, as I do not believe I shall have time to write them by this conveyance. The eighty men will be sent, and General Greene has been applied to for a Second Lieutenant. The master will be on just the same footing with the masters of the other armed vessels. I don’t know the use of a drum and fife on board, nor do I imagine that any of the other vessels have got them; but if it will give Captain Martindale any pleasure, he shall be indulged with them.

I am, with respect, Sir, your most humble servant,

STEPHEN MOYLAN, Sec’y pro tem.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

JEREMIAH HALL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Hanover, November 6, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: The Committees of Correspondence and Inspection in the County of Plymouth, viz: of Hanover, Scituate, Pembroke, and Marshfield, were notified, by one Captain Toby, who guards on the shore at Marshfield, that he had two infamous tories under his care, who fled to Boston soon after the Lexington battle—one of them a native and inhabitant of Marshfield, named Nathaniel Philips; the other of Pembroke, named Thomas Joselyn—who have been in Boston from that time to the 27th day of October, as may appear by their permit; who have, both of them, signed the obnoxious address to General Gage, when bound to England. One of them, viz: Philips, appears to be sorry for his past conduct; the other stubborn, refractory, and evasive. And said Committees apprehending that said tories are capable of giving intelligence which might give light and be beneficial in the common cause, beg leave to trouble your Excellency with their examination; and that your Excellency would judge and secure them according to their demerits.

JERE. HALL, Chm’n of said Committee.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq., Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces of the United American Colonies.

WILLIAM WATSON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Plymouth, November 6, 1775.

SIR: This morning Capt. Coit, after a cruise of thirty-six hours, brought into this port the Schooner Industry, Chas. Coffin, master, and the Sloop Polly, Sibeline White, master, both from Nova-Scotia, bound to Boston, with provisions for the garrison there; manifests of both cargoes are enclosed. I have landed the cattle, and put them to pasture; the other articles I shall store immediately, and wait your Excellency’s orders.

Captain Coit finds his main-mast too weak; is now getting in a new one, and will sail again to-morrow. Captain Manly sailed six hours before Captain Coit; since which, we have heard nothing about him.

The prisoners will be sent forward to-morrow, under guard, agreeable to your Excellency’s instructions to Captain Coit. I shall do all in my power to expedite Captain Martindale, and hope that, if the weather favours, he will be ready in a few days.

I am your Excellency’s most obedient and much obliged humble servant,

WILLIAM WATSON.

His Excellency George Washington, Esq.