The two vessels sent into Winter Harbour were very unjustly taken, and are delivered up to their respective owners.

Captain Adams has his complement of men made up. Please to make my compliments to Mr. King; tell him I will be much obliged to him for the invoice of flour by first private hand.

Captain Manly has been very successful since I last wrote you, having taken three more valuable prizes. I wish the commanders of the rest of our little fleet were as active; if they were, we could conquer our enemies without loss of blood. I am, &c.,

STEPHEN MOTLAN.

To Colonel Joshua Wentworth, Portsmouth.

MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Medford, (Porter's Tavern,) December 14, 1775.

SIR: I sailed from Gravesend the 4th of June last, in a merchant ship, bound to Baltimore, in Maryland, which was, at the time I came away, the nighest passage I could get to Philadelphia, where I waited on the gentlemen that compose the Continental Congress, in order to obtain their permit to settle my private affairs, being much encumbered with debts, chiefly contracted in the Province of New-York; in which settlement my brother, Colonel James Rogers, (who lives in the Province of New-York, about twenty miles west of Connecticut river,) was deeply concerned, being bound for me in several sums of money, which made it necessary for me to visit him in my way home, and for that purpose came by the way of New-York and Albany, to my brother's, and from thence to Portsmouth, to my wife and family, (a pleasure long wished for,) having been six years in Europe.

I have taken the earliest opportunity that would permit to come to this town, (where I arrived this morning,) in order to lay before your Excellency the passport I received at Philadelphia, from the Committee of Safety there, a copy of which is transmitted at the bottom of this letter, together with the minutes made thereon by the Committees of Safety at New-York and New-Hampshire. I do sincerely entreat your Excellency for a continuance of that permission for me to go unmolested where my private business may call me, as it will take some months from this time to settle with all my creditors.

I have leave to retire on my half-pay, and never expect to be called into the service again. I love North-America; it is my native country, and that of my family, and I intend to spend the evening of my days in it.

I should be glad to pay you my respects personally, but have thought it prudent to first write you this letter, and shall wait at this place for your Excellency's commands.

I am, sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

ROBERT ROGERS, Major.

To his Excellency General Washington.

The following is a copy of the aforesaid Permit, and the Certificates relative thereto, viz:

"I, Robert Rogers, Major, on half-pay in His Majesty's army, a prisoner in the custody of the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania, and being kindly treated and protected by them, and enlarged on parole, do hereby solemnly promise and engage, on the honour of a soldier and a gentleman, that I will not bear arms against the American United Colonies, in any manner whatever, during the present contest between them and Great Britain; and that I will not in that time attempt to give intelligence to General Gage, the British Minister, or any other person or persons, of any matters relative to America.

"(Signed)

ROBERT ROGERS."

"Philadelphia, September 23, 1775."

"These are to certify, to all persons to whom these presents may appear, that the above writing is a true copy of the parole of honour given by the bearer, Major Robert Rogers, to the Committee of Safety for the Province of Pennsylvania.

It is therefore recommended to such persons, that the said Major Rogers, be permitted to pass where his business may lead him, without any hindrance or molestation.

Extract from the minutes of the Committee of Safety.

(Signed)

WILLIAM GOVETT, Sec.

Philadelphia, September 23, 1775."

In Provincial Congress at New-York, October5, 1775.

The above certificate was read in Provincial Congress at New-York.

(Signed)

NATHANIEL WOODHULL, Pres't."

"Colony of New-Hampshire, in Committed of Safety,

December 12, 1775.

"The within certificate was read and considered, and this Committee acquiesce therein.

(Signed)

MATTHEW THORNTON, Chair'n."

ADVICES RECEIVED IN ENGLAND, FROM AMERICA, TO DECEMER 14, 1775.

General Howe has barely six thousand effective men at Boston. The fortifications begun to be erected from water to water, within the Neck of Boston, he has been obliged to abandon for want of men sufficient to perform the work.

General Clinton preserves his post at Bunker's Hill. The Provincials have abandoned Ploughed-Hill, but the Regulars have not taken possession of it. The situation of the troops at Bunker's Hill is truly deplorable; much snow, northeast winds, &c, no fire, poor clothing, salt provisions, &c., &c.

The distress of the troops and people at Boston exceed the possibility of description. There are advices in town of December 14th; not a coal ship was then arrived. The inhabitants and troops literally starving with cold. They had taken the pews out of all the places of worship for fuel; had pulled down empty houses, &c., and were then digging up the timber at the wharves for firing; very poor clothing, and so scarce of provisions they have been eating horse-flesh for some time.

A difference has broke out between General Howe and Admiral Graves, at Boston. General Howe is obliged to repair the light-house with his own people; the Admiral refused to have any thing to do with it.

The distress of the troops and inhabitants in Boston is great beyond all possible degree of description. Neither vegetables, flour, nor pulse for the inhabitants, and the King's stores so very short pone can be spared from them. No fuel; and the winter set in remarkably severe. The troops and inhabitants starving for want of provisions and fire. Even salt provision is fifteen pence sterling per pound.

Three coal ships from England, were taken at the mouth of the harbour, by the American privateers, as was also a vessel with live stock, from Halifax. They boarded another vessel within two miles of the light-house.

On account of this accumulating distress, the inhabitants petitioned General Howe for leave to quit the town. He refused. They then petitioned to go out, leaving their effects in the town. But he still refused. They consist chiefly of the Selectmen and other principal inhabitants, and it is thought the General keeps them as security for the town.

The Provincial Generals intend, as soon as the water is frozen between Dorchester-Neck and Boston-Neck, to erect batteries upon Dorchester-Point. No ships nor floating batteries can then annoy them. They waited for the frost, otherwise they would have been done long ago. From Dorchester-Point they can command the town of Boston.

The Americans ridicule the folly and ignorance of the Ministry, in sending transports to Boston, with troops, stores, and provisions, so late in the season, when, as they say, the northwest winds alone will prevent four in jive from ever getting to North-America.

The American privateers constantly cruise at the mouth of Boston harbour, and between Cape-Cod, Cape-Ann, and Jeffery's Ledge.

Only four companies of one of the last two regiments which were sent had arrived, though the whole sailed together.