and not Continental, after you have fully represented the matter to Congress, we can safely confide in their determination, being assured that it will be founded in that wisdom and justice which hath ever marked their resolutions.

In the name and by order of the whole Court,

Walter Spooner.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and R. T. Paine, Esqs.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.

In Committee of Safety, Portsmouth, December 5, 1775.

Sir: Upon Mr. Sherburne's arrival on Friday evening, expresses went, which brought the Committee together on Saturday in the forenoon. They immediately proceeded, with the utmost diligence, to raise the companies requested, sent off expresses to the County of Hillsborough, to Concord, &c., as well as to the neighbouring towns, with a considerable number of inlisting orders and letters to gentlemen of the greatest influence, requesting their vigorous exertions in the affair, but have no returns from (he distant parts. We have had many obstacles to encounter which we did not expect, and have spent most of the time, day and night, since we met, in endeavouring to surmount them. None of the troops here would in-list before they were paid for their time here, until the last inlistment. No payrolls were made out before. We have had near twenty to examine and pay, and a great part to draw over and calculate, which took up a great deal of time. Many demanded pay for their time since the last inlistment, which we were obliged to comply with. Another great difficulty was, that but three out of four commissioned officers could be admitted into the companies proposed, and many clamored highly because no field-officers were to go, alledging they should be commanded by field-officers from other Colonies, which they would not submit to. Several accounts were current of naval preparations making at Boston, supposed for this port, which caused many to think we should be left naked if our troops were sent hence, and encouraged the officers and soldiers to expect to be continued here if they did not inlist. However, after struggling with all these and many more difficulties, we have so far prevailed as to get several companies filled up. Captains Baker, Copps, Elkins, Clark, and Webster, from the troops here, we expect will be on their march today and tomorrow. Captain Mark Wiggin, of Stratham, we hear, has raised a company, and is ready to march. Several more companies are forwarded. Captain Denbo, of Lee, inlisted near thirty men here, and went home to recruit on Sunday. We think there is a good prospect of near half the companies you asked for being seasonably in, from this part of the Colony. We hope the people on the western part of the Government will exert themselves. A few more than thirty-one orders have been given out, as we thought some would fail.

Strict orders have been given every one to be at the camp by the 10th instant; however, it is probable, as the time was so short, some will be later. If they should, in that case, be sent back, it will hurt the cause greatly. We shall continue our most strenuous efforts to forward the men. Colonel Burnham has, to his great honour, exerte himself greatly in this matter. His influence has increased the inlistment very much. He is now going forward to hasten and muster the companies, and accompany them to the camp. We commend him to your notice as a person very deserving, especially for his extraordinary zeal in this manœuvre.

In behalf of the Committee, I am your obedient humble servant,

Wm. Whipple.

To Brigadier-General Sullivan.

PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOUR LEGGE.

By his Excellency Francis Legge, Esq., Captain-General and Governour-in-chief in and over His Majesty's Province of Nova-Scotia and its Dependencies, Vice-Admiral of the same, &c., &c.

Proclamation.

Whereas, in prejudice of all order and regularity, a daring and traitorous rebellion against His Majesty's person and Government at present subsists in many of His Majesty's Plantations and Colonies on this Continent:

And whereas, in pursuance of such unnatural and traitorous designs, many of the Rebels from the said Colonies have, at several times, dared to insult and make actual invasion on this Province, to the great detriment of numbers of His Majesty's faithful subjects therein:

And whereas, by such like proceedings as these, the trade of this Province may be endangered, and thereby the accustomed and lawful pursuits of its inhabitants be hindered or prevented; armed vessels fitted out by the Rebels having, at several times, traitorously and illegally seized and made prizes of vessels the property of His Majesty's loyal subjects of this Province, and particularly, of late, two armed vessels have appeared off Canso, where they have daringly seized and taken a schooner belonging to this Port:

To the intent, therefore, that all and such like proceedings may in future be prevented, the persons and properties of His Majesty's faithful and loyal subjects within this Province be rendered secure, and that all aiders, abetters, and correspondences with Rebels, in arms against His Majesty's Government, may more effectually and speedily be convicted and brought to condign punishment for such atrocious and treasonable crimes, I have thought fit, and I do hereby, with and by the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council, publish and declare martial law, to be of full force within this Province, requiring all persons to take notice thereof.

And all His Majesty's officers military, are hereby required to assemble in military array, and by force of arms to repel all such invaders and all other His Majesty's enemies. And all His Majesty's civil officers, and other his liege subjects, are hereby required to be aiding and assisting therein, agreeably to the laws of the Province in that case made and provided, and to obey all such orders as they shall receive from me, or other military officers appointed by me for that purpose.

Given under my hand and seal at Halifax, this 5th day of December, 1775, and in the sixteenth year of His Majesty's reign.

Francis Legge.

By his Excellency's command,

Richard Bulkeley.

God save the King!

ADDRESS OF THE NOBLEMEN, ETC., OF THE COUNTY OF CAITHNESS.

Address of the Noblemen, Gentlemen, Freeholders, Justices of the Peace, and Commissioners of Supply, of the County of Caithness, in general meeting assembled, transmitted to the Earl of Suffolk, one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, and presented to His Majesty.

Unto the King's Most Excellent Majesty.

The humble Address of the Noblemen, Gentlemen, Freeholders, Justices of the Peace, and Commissioners of Supply, of the County Caithness, in general meeting assembled.

Most Gracious Sovereign:

Alarmed with the prospect of seeing the greatest and noblest, because the freest empire that God ever framed, rent in pieces by an unnatural war with America, and an unprovoked faction at home, which has fomented and still foments that spirit of rebellion, we your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Noblemen, Gentlemen, Freeholders, Justices of the Peace, and Commissioners of Supply of Caithness, at this dangerous crisis, presume to express (he sentiments of duty and loyalty which animate the breasts of the inhabitants of this most northerly part of your Majesty's dominions.

We beg leave to assure your Majesty that the hearts of all your people are united in affection and gratitude to your person. That they approve highly of the lenient measures which your Majesty and Parliament have hitherto taken with regard to America; and that they will support with their lives and fortunes, the vigorous exertions which they foresee may soon be necessary to subdue a rebellion premeditated, unprovoked, and that is every day becoming more general.