I had shown some coldness in accepting it, he proposed to write me in his journey and let me know where I might write him, and he should be ready to perform any friendly office in the affair. He said he was in haste to pursue his journey that evening. He went to the aforesaid tavern and tarried all night; the next morning told the landlord he was out of money and could not pay his reckoning—which was three shillings—but would pay him on his return, which would be within about three months, and went on his way to Lyme; since which I have heard nothing from him. But yesterday two soldiers, viz: Palmer, of Orford, (whom they say was Lieutenant under Colonel Bedel,) and Kennedy, of Haverhill, on their return from Montreal, informed me that our officers were assured by a Frenchman, a Captain of the artillery, whom they had taken captive, that Major Rogers was second in command under General Carleton; and that he had lately been in Indian habit through our encampments at St. John's, and had given a plan of them to the General; and suppose that he made his escape with the Indians, which were at St. John's.

This account is according to the best of my remembrance. If it shall prove of any service to detect such an enemy I shall be glad; if not, my intention will, I trust, apologise for what I have wrote.

I am, much honoured Sir, with much esteem and respect, your Excellency's most obedient and very humble servant,

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK.

His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Winter Hill, December 2, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I take this opportunity to inform you that the Connecticut forces not only determine to quit our lines at the expiration of their term, but, to their eternal infamy, endeavoured to leave us yesterday, which was five days before their time expired. We can therefore have no hope of their tarrying after the 6th. Half of General Putnam's regiment is now under guard. The people who have escaped from Boston inform us that the enemy are fully acquainted with our situation, and will probably take advantage of it. For heaven's sake despatch your forces as soon as possible

Gentlemen, I am, with much respect, your most obedient servant.

JOHN SULLIVAN.

Honourable Committee of Safety.

P. S. Captain Odiorne, the bearer hereof, says he thinks he can raise a number of men to march immediately. If so, should recommend him; but this is more properly your province.

J. S.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER AT BOSTON, TO A FRIEND IN EDINBURGH, DATED DEC. 2, 1775.

Our condition is better than it has lately been, but it is still far from being comfortable. We are obliged to have a number of our men employed, night and day, amidst the frost and snow, in guarding our out-posts, and watching the motions of the Rebels. Many of our men are sick, and fresh provisions very dear.* But the Rebels must be in a much worse condition from their want of clothing and proper shelter. I hope one severe winter campaign (and, indeed, it promises to be a very severe one) will cool their enthusiasm. We are much afraid that the Nancy transport, loaded with a great quantity of artillery, ammunition, Sec, of which the Rebels were in great want, has fallen into their hands.

MAJOR-GENERAL HOWE TO THE EARI OF DARTMOUTH.

Boston, December 2, 1775.

MY LORD: For your Lordship's most perfect information of the state of this Army, I have done myself the honour to enclose copies of returns and estimates, with my own occasional remarks, which I have transmitted to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury by this opportunity; also a copy of my letter accompanying them, for their Lordships' consideration; to which I have nothing further to add, than that I am, &c.,

W. HOWE.

Earl of Dartmouth.

Return of Provisions in store, at BOSTON, the 16th NOVEMBER, 1775, and how long the same, with those since deposited, will serve twelve thousand men, at the allowance now issued for want of pease and rice, viz:

In store, belonging to the Crown, 31/2 casks suet; 12,880 pounds pork; 23,4891hs. dried cod-fish; 9,857 bushels of wheat; 521,590lbs. flour; 94,0441bs. bread; 20,384 pints oil.

In store, belonging to the Contractors, 764,690lbs. pork; 552,4991bs. flour; 9,6331bs. bread; 48,196lbs. butter; 9,857lbs. rice

November 28, deposited by do., 982 barrels flour, of the ship Queen of Naples, cargo from London; the rest, being 813 barrels flour, have proved bad and unfit for use—223,8961bs. flour.

Total: 3½ casks suet; 777,5701bs. pork; 23,4691bs. dried cod-fish; 9,857 bushels wheat; l,297,985bls. flour; 103,6771bs. bread; 48,1961bs. butter; 20,384 pints oil; 9,857lbs. rice.

The pork and fish will serve twelve thousand men ninety-nine days, ending the 26th February next.

The wheat, flour, and bread, will serve one hundred and sixteen days, ending 24th March next.

And the butter and oil, will serve one hundred and six days, ending the 4th March next.

The suet and rice are reserved for the use of the hospitals.

The cargo of the snow Industry, from Bristol, is not included in the above return; she began to discharge two days ago.

The live stock is likewise not included.

D. CHAMIER, Commissary of Provisions.

To his Excellency the Hon. Sir William Howe, Major-General and Commander-in-Chief, &c. &c.

Boston, November 29, 1775.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE PROVISION RETURN.

By the return herewith enclosed, it appears that there are not provisions for the army, in store, to serve longer than the beginning of March, 1776.

Six months biscuit, for twenty thousand men, of a quality to keep twelve months, may prove of essential service in the course of the ensuing campaign, as the conveniences; for baking bread cannot be always had in this country; and if the biscuits be made of about six to the pound, they will pack the better.

It is requested that one-fifth part of the meat designed for the army may be beef.

An additional quantity of the small species, especially oat-meal, rice, suet, and vinegar, will be requisite for the use of the hospitals.

One-third of the whole to be packed up in small casks, which should not exceed one hundred pound gross, for the convenience of carrying two of them upon a horse.

W. HOWE.

Return of effective Horses, Cattle, and Sheep, with the quantity of Forage in store, and the number of days it will last.

Departments.

Light Dragoons, 234 horses.

Generals and Officers, 160 horses.

Royal Artillery, 200 horses,

Deputy Quartermaster-General, 80 horses, 100 cattle, 400 sheep.

Total: 674 horses; 100 cattle; 400 sheep.

* PRICE CURRENT AT BOSTON, DECEMBER 1, 1775.—The head of a sheep, a quarter of a dollar; salt, one dollar a hogshead, by the quantity; Jamaica rum, four shillings; West-India do. 3s. 3d. sterling per gallon; fresh fish, one shilling sterling per pound; geese, two dollars each; turkies, three do.; ducks, one do.; fowls, three quarters do.; hams, two shillings sterling per pound; a keg of water-bread, fourteen shillings sterling; do. butter-bread, twenty-one do.; fresh beef, fresh pork, mutton, lamb, cheese, and butter, fifteen pence sterling per pound; veal, rice, peas, none in Boston; apples, five dollars a barrel; sheep, eight dollars each; eggs, four shillings sterling a dozen; flour and ship bread, forty shillings sterling cwt.; potatoes, six shillings sterling a bushel; onions, a pistareen a rope; four calves' feet, three shillings sterling; firewood, ten dollars a cord; and every other kind of necessaries in proportion.