forms of decorum, we desire nothing more than to be speedily restored to the good old way in which we trod for almost two centuries, to the mutual satisfaction and advantage of England and America. I know not how you can be unacquainted with this truth, that it is in the power of Administration, Tri a moment, to re-establish the tranquillity and security of the empire, which they alone have interrupted, by relinquishing those attempts which are subversive of our rights as a free people, and by reinstating us in the same happy situation in which the conclusion of the late war found us. Then shall Britain reap a rich harvest of opulence and power, the fruits of our loyalty and attachment, and we shall again flourish under the fostering wings of a reformed parent.

I wish, however, that your Excellency had thought proper to explain what you meant by allegiance to the King, and obedience to the parent country. If by the former you intend an unconditional obsequiousness to the will of the Prince, or of his Ministers, even though repugnant to the constitution, and by the latter an absolute submission to the laws of Parliament in all cases, we must confess it is our glory to withhold both the one and the other. We acknowledge no obligations which are inconsistent with our rights and privileges as men and freemen.

I am, with all due respect, your Excellency's most humble servant,

A CITIZEN.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED MONTREAL, DECEMBER 4, 1775.

I have just arrived here from Quebeck, from whence I have been driven on account of my refusing to take arms against the American troops. General Montgomery's behaviour in this country will gain him great honour, as he has all along acted with the greatest humanity and integrity. He is now on his way to Quebeck, with about three thousand men, and I suppose will be in possession of that garrison in a few weeks. General Carleton. has about twelve hundred fighting men with him; but the extensiveness of the walls, and the different places that his troops must repair to on an alarm, will so divide his force, that to me it appears certain they cannot hold out long. His rigorous treatment of the Americans in Quebeck, from the first entrance of the troops into the country, would take up more time than I can spare; but to crown the whole, he has turned us all out, giving us two days to prepare, but not suffering us to take any thing.

There will certainly be a strong army to retake Canada in the spring. The General has sent home a number of pilots to bring the fleet here early. I suppose the Congress will send men here to defend it: and, indeed, should they garrison it with ten or twelve thousand, it will not be in the power of Britain to retake it.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Lebanon, December 4, 1775.

SIR: Enclosed, I send you the certificate, permits, &c., from the Committee of Falmouth to Captain Phineas Fanning, to purchase and transport provisions to the Island of Nantucket, and the subsequent doings of the inhabitants of Suffolk County, on Long-Island, thereon. This I should not have noticed, but as I am informed by Captain Niles, who commands one of the armed vessels belonging to this Colony, called the Spy, of nine other vessels, as large, and some larger permits, some of which have been into this Colony, but have not succeeded here, and are now gone to Long-Island. Surely such large supplies of provisions to the favourites of Administration looks suspicious, and ought to be duly watched. Indeed, it was always my opinion that those inhabitants of that Island who are friendly to this country's cause, ought to remove themselves to the main, and leave the rest to be supported by their good friends the Administration. I give you this intelligence that such measures may be taken, that while we are at war with, we may not at the same time be feeding our enemies.

I am, with the greatest respect and esteem, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the President of the Council of the Massachusetts-Bay

Falmouth, October 19, 1775.

These may certify any Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, &c, or any other whom it may concern, that we, the Committee of Correspondence of Falmouth, in the County of Barnstable, in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, are appointed a Committee of Supplies for the Island of Nantucket, with orders to give permits to any that shall make application to us for provisions for the internal use of said Island, to be supplied through us, from any Colony or Province in North-America; those we give permits to being persons we can confide in.

BARAKIAH BASSETT, Chairman.

NATHANIEL SHIVERICK, Clerk.

A true copy of the original, taken at Shelter-Island, November 27, by me,

RET. MOORE, Clerk of the Spy.

These may certify to whom it may concern, that Phineas Fanning acquaints us he intends to import to this Island a quantity of provisions, which we think will be wanted for the internal consumption of the inhabitants.

A true copy of the original, taken at Shelter-island, the 27th of November, 1775, by me,

RET. MOORE, Clerk of the Spy.

Falmouth, October 19, 1775.

This is to certify whom it may concern, that the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Falmouth, in the County of Barnstable, have permitted Phineas Fanning, of Nantucket, to purchase five hundred barrels of flour, three hundred barrels of beef, one hundred firkins of butter, one thousand weight of leather, six hundred weight of tallow, sixteen cords of wood, three hundred pair of shoes, and any other necessary for the internal consumption of the inhabitants of the Island of Nantucket, agreeable to an act of the General Court of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, passed August, 1775.

By order of the Committee:

NATHANIEL SHIVERICK, Clerk.

A true copy of the original, taken at Shelter-Island, November 27, 1775.

RET. MOORE, Clerk of the Spy

At a meeting of the Committee of the County of Suffolk, November 7, 1775:

Ordered, That Mr. Phineas Fanning be permitted to purchase and take on board his vessel, the Ranger, in this county, five hundred barrels of flour, or wheat equivalent, three hundred barrels of beef, one hundred firkins of butter, one thousand weight of leather, six hundred weight of tallow, sixteen cords of wood, three hundred pair of shoes, two hundred weight of flax, two hundred weight of hog's lard, one hundred weight of candles, and twenty barrels of pork; to be transported to Falmouth, in the Massachusetts-Bay: and that he produce a certificate at or before the first of April next, from the Committee of Correspondence of said Falmouth, of the delivery of said goods according to their order, the danger of the seas and seizures excepted, on penalty of being advertised as an enemy to his country; said certificate to be delivered to the Chairman of the Committee of the town of Southold; and that said goods be shipped under the inspection of Colonel Thomas Cushing, James Howell, Sylvester Lester, and James Havens, or either of them.

Per order:

WM. SMITH, Chairman.

The above is a true copy of the original, taken at Shelter-Island, November 27, 1775.

RET. MOORE, Clerk of the Spy.

COLONEL MOYLAN TO MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.

Cambridge, December 4, 1775.

SIR: S. Smith and Joseph Young were taken prisoners on board a sloop in the Ministerial service, as you will see by a copy of a charter party, found amongst other papers,