is much obliged to the people who have afforded their assistance in securing this valuable prize, and for the alertness they have discovered, and zeal for the service of their country. You will be pleased to spare the Committee a few of the cannon shot, taking a receipt for the same, and mentioning the sort, that they may be repaid when they get theirs. As to the cannon, his Excellency is exceedingly sorry that the want of them here is so great that he cannot spare them, or he willingly would. His Excellency thinks that the ship Concord and cargo should be a prize, as the enemy every day are seizing our vessels; but, conceiving himself not authorized to judge a vessel coming from Britain here, with goods for a company or house in Boston, he thinks it expedient to send to Congress for their determination, for which purpose an express will go tomorrow morning, with such letters and papers as may be necessary for them to determine upon.

If this vessel can be run up into some secure place, where the enemy cannot get her again, the goods may and should be kept on board, under a proper guard, to prevent embezzlement. But if this cannot be done, and there will be danger of the enemy's recovering the ship and cargo, the goods must be landed. The bill of lading is sent for that purpose, which will do as well' as the invoice. There are Several small parcels on board, for which there are no invoices. I am, &c.,

R. H. HARRISON.

P. S. The Committee may keep the two four-pounders you spared them till called for. Take their receipt.

To Colonel John Glover, Marblehead, the same.

COLONEL MOYLAN TO JONATHAN GLOVER.

Cambridge, December 4, 1775.

SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 3d instant, giving an account of Captain Manly's taking the sloop Concord, from Glasgow, with goods from Boston. His Excellency has no doubts but (as the enemy are seizing and making prizes of our vessels every day) that reprisals should be made; but not thinking himself authorized to declare vessels taken, transporting goods from English or British owners for their agents here, lawful captures, he has thought it expedient to refer the matter to the determination of the Congress, for which an express is to set out with every necessary letter and papers that were found on board Captain Laurie. If the ship can be kept entirely secure from the enemy, and run into any place where there would be no risk of the enemy getting her again, his Excellency would advise the cargo to be kept on board, and an officer and guard to prevent embezzlement or loss. If this cannot be done, she must be unladened, and the goods secured until further orders.

I am yours, &c.,

S. MOYLAN.

To William Bartlett, Esq., the same.

WILLIAM WATSON TO STEPHEN MOTLAN.

Plymouth, December 4, 1775.

SIR: Your much esteemed favour of the 1st instant, per Lieutenant Champion, came to hand at eight o'clock, Saturday evening. I did, without a moment's loss of time, set out, determined, if it were possible, to get the brigantine to sea next day, which, with the assistance of my good friend, Mr. Spooner, I happily effected. After repairing on board the brig Saturday night, inquiring into the cause of the uneasiness among the people, and finding it principally owing to their want of clothing, and after supplying them with what they wanted, the whole crew, to a man, gave three cheers, and declared their readiness to go to sea the next morning. The warm weather at that time, and the news of Captain Manly's good success, had a very happy influence on the minds of the people. The brig sailed Sunday afternoon, and has had fine weather ever since.

Captain Coit is got from Barnstable, has hauled his schooner on the ways, is now graving and refitting her, will be ready in two days, and is determined to take another cruise in her. His people are contented and behave well.

I have the six negroes now in my care, and shall waft his Excellency's directions respecting them.

I have, agreeably to the General's orders of the 16th ultimo, delivered to Jabez Hatch's order his bedding and wearing apparel. I found nothing secreted among them.

I would take this opportunity to inform his Excellency, that instead of seven half-joes delivered Captain Coit by Captain Coffin, it was eight half-joes. I have not had opportunity yet to mention this matter to Captain Coit. If Coit has delivered me one more than he received of Coffin, I shall return it to him.

I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

WILLIAM WATSON.

Stephen Moylan, Esq.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read December 13, 1775.]

Cambridge, December 4, 1775.

SIR: I had the honour of writing to you the 30th ultimo, enclosing an inventory of the military stores taken on board the brig Nancy, by Captain Manly, of the armed schooner Lee. I have now to inform you, that he has since sent into Beverly a ship named the Concord, James Laurie master, from Greenock, in Scotland, bound to Boston. She has on board dry goods and coals, to the value of 3,606/. 9s. Id. sterling, shipped by Crawford, Anderson & Co., and consigned to James Anderson, merchant, in Boston. It is mentioned in the letters found on board, that this cargo was for the use of the army; but on strict examination I find it is really the property of the shippers, and the person to whom consigned. Pray what is to be done with this ship and cargo? and what with the brigantine which brought the military stores?

It was agreed in the conference last October, "that all vessels employed merely as transports and unarmed, with their crews, to be set at liberty upon their giving security to return to Europe; but that this indulgence be not extended longer than till the first of April next." In the shippers' letter they mention, "you must procure a certificate from the General and Admiral, of the Concord's being in the Government service, such as the Glasgow packet brought with her, which was of great service, procured a liberty to arm her, which was refused us, also gave her a preference for some recruits that went out in her." In another part of their letter they say, "Captain Laurie will deliver you the contract for the coals: we gave it to him, as it perhaps might be of use as a certificate of his ship being employed in the Government service." Every letter on board breathes nothing but enmity to this country, and a vast number of them there are.

It is some time since I recommended to the Congress that they would institute a court for the trial of prizes made by the Continental armed vessels, which I hope they have ere now taken into their consideration, otherwise I should again take the liberty of urging it in the most pressing manner.

The scandalous conduct of a great number of the Connecticut troops, has laid me under the necessity of calling in a body of the militia much sooner than I apprehended there would be an occasion for such a step. I was afraid some time ago that they Would incline to go home when the time of their inlistment expired. I called upon the officers of the several regiments, to know whether they could prevail on the men to remain until the first of January, or till a sufficient number of other forces could be raised to supply their place: I suppose they were deceived themselves; I know they deceived me, by assurances that I need be under no apprehension on that score, for the men would not leave the lines. Last Friday showed how much they were mistaken, as the major part of the troops of that Colony were going away with their arms and ammunition. We have, however, by threats, persuasion, and the activity of the people of the country, who sent back many of them that had set out, prevailed upon the most part to stay; there are about eighty of them missing. I have called in three thousand men from this Province; arid General Sullivan, who lately returned from the Province of New-Hampshire, having informed me that a number of men were there ready at the shortest notice, I have demanded two thousand from that Province. These two bodies I expect will be in by the 10th instant, to make up the deficiency of the Connecticut men, whom I have pro-