shot. Timber in plenty, near, to be had. No enemy can land at Haverstraw and cross the mountain, to annoy it by land. The height of the place, about one hundred feet above the river, and is not much wider over to Anthony's Nose than at this post. From Pooploop's Hill, we understand, there is a tolerable road, and can be made, with ease, much better to the West-Point. From there an enemy might bring cannon by land against this post.

We beg you will be pleased to lay the above before the honourable Congress.

And are, sir, your humble servants,

WILLIAM BEDLOW,

THOMAS GRENELL,

JONATHAN LAWRENCE.

To Nathaniel Woodhull, Esquire.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO COLONIAL BALDWIN.

Cambridge, December 13, 1775.

SIR: I have it in command from his Excellency to inform you that, notwithstanding his orders to the contrary, some of the persons that came last from Boston to Point Shirley have been at this camp. One he has seen himself. He is exceedingly desirous to prevent a measure that may prove of fatal consequence to the army, and therefore enjoins that you will make it known to these people, and all others that may be sent out, that they do not come here without special leave obtained first of him; and if they do, they will be immediately imprisoned.

R. H. HARRISON.

To Colonel Loammi Baldwin, Chelsea.

COLONEL MOYLAN TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Cambridge, December 13, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 4th instant is come to hand. Your attention and activity in fitting out the armed vessels is pleasing to his Excellency. I wish they may carry in some prizes that may pay you for all your trouble. Captain Manly's good fortune seems to stick to him; he has taken three valuable prizes since my last. This shows of what vast advantage to the cause these vessels would be, if the commanders were all as attentive to their duty and interest as Manly is. There runs a report about camp that one of our little fleet is taken and carried into Boston. We shall be uneasy until we hear from Martindale, as he is the one suspected. If Captain Coit and he are safe, let us know it as soon as possible.

Yours of the 11th is come to hand. I fear there is no doubt that the Washington is taken.

Mr. Isaac Symms receives £1015 16s. 8 ¾d., being the amount of the account of expenses for fitting out the Washington and Harrison, armed vessels. The General returns his thanks for the venison.

I am, &c.,

STEPHEN MOYLAN.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

ELBRIDGE GERRY TO SAMUEL ADAMS.

Watertown, December 13, 1775.

DEAR SIR: With pleasure I received your letter of October 29th, relative to the militia and other subjects equally important. When writing on the subject of the militia, I proposed they should be under the command of a Continental General, in case of their being raised to reinforce his army, and upon the supposition that this must require an act of the Court of the Colony whose militia should be thus raised. A Continental General, as such, I am clearly of opinion, ought not to have any command of the militia. It is by no means necessary for general defence. It would lead a principal servant of the Government to forget his station, and conceive himself its master; but since, in military operations, it is absolutely necessary to have but one head, each Assembly would find it necessary that the commanding officer of the army which their militia should occasionally reinforce, should take the command of such part as they might order to his assistance, and this during the pleasure, only, of such Assembly; upon which plan he would, as to this, be in effect a Colonial officer. We already see a growing thirst for power in some of the inferior departments of the army, which ought to be regulated so far as to keep the military entirely subservient to the civil in every part of the United Colonies.

Your sentiments on the choice of men for publick offices are extremely just. The jealousy you speak of is plentifully produced in our House of Representatives. This is so natural to their habits, and toryism so noxious, that an enemy to America might as well attempt to scale the regions of bliss as to insinuate himself into the favour of the Assembly; but I should be glad to see a sufficient guard against the choice of men on account of pecuniary recommendation. It is happy to find a man independent in his fortune, of good sense and true patriotism, filling a publick office; but when the last is wanting, the possession of the first is an evil. Notwithstanding which, there have been instances in this Government, of persons chosen into publick office who might have lived till the millenium in silent obscurity had they depended on their mental qualifications to bring them into publick view.

With respect to incompatible offices, a bill is on foot to prevent this evil, and particular care will be taken to exclude gentlemen of the army from the Legislative, that military influence may never reach the Senate.

History can hardly produce such a series of events as have taken place in favour of American opposition. The hand of Heaven appears to have directed every occurrence. Had such an event as lately occurred in Essex happened to Cromwell, he would have published it as a miracle in his favour, and excited his soldiers to enthusiasm and bravery.

The manufacture of saltpetre is increasing. We shall be greatly served if a plan of the Philadelphia powdermills can be sent us, which (Mr. Revere tells me) the owner was so selfish as to refuse, without a reward of one hundred half-johannes.

Your very true friend,

ELBRIDGE GERRY.

MAJOR-GENERAL HOWE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH.

Boston, December 13, 1775.

MY LORD: His Majesty's ship Tartar, being ordered to England, by Admiral Graves, I am to confirm to your Lordship the intelligence before communicated, of the capture of the ordnance brig Nancy, by the Rebels, and that there is certainty of another vessel, the property of a merchant, loaded with woollen goods and every article necessary for clothing, having lately fallen into their hands, which must afford great relief to their most essential wants.

Since the departure of the Boyne, man-of-war, on the 5th instant, there have been no arrivals from Britain; and I am induced to believe, from the long prevalence of northerly winds, that the transports from Cork, with the 17th, 27th, 28th, 46th, and 55th regiments, together with the ships bringing stores for this place, have been forced far from the coast; and if so, the difficulties they have to encounter in getting to this port will increase in proportion as the winter season advances.

These considerations, and the state of provisions in store, a particular account of which your Lordship has with my separate letter of the 2d instant, sent by the Boyne, give rise to very alarming apprehensions, especially as demands for this article are increased from the transports, provisions for the seamen being expended from the pressing wants of useful persons, who must be supported for their services, and of many others, who have ever been attached to Government.

I am also concerned to observe that the uncertainty of defenceless vessels getting into this harbour is rendered more precarious, by the rebel privateers infesting the bay, who can take the advantage of many inlets on the coast, where His Majesty's ships cannot pursue them, and from whence they can safely avail themselves of any favourable opportunities that offer. The Admiral being of opinion that the ships cannot block up the several ports of Cape Anne, Marblehead, Beverly, and Plymouth, which afford protection to these pirates, without the assistance of a land force, that cannot at present be spared, has placed his ships in Nantasket-Road, with orders to cruise from thence in the bay; which, not proving effectual, I would humbly propose that the provisions, and other valuable stores, be