apprehensions of further scarcity or want of them? But whilst they are of a low price in themselves, yet money cannot always purchase them, and from their exceeding utility, in cases of need, they become of inestimable value.

As it is impracticable for the subscriber to make personal application to people at a distance, to furnish a supply of what is wanted of this sort for the patients in the Hospital, he hopes all printers of the publick news will be pleased to give this address a place in their papers. He also flatters himself, the Committees established in different places, especially, in large towns, will be pleased to set on foot a further collection of such of the articles enumerated, as may be most easy for them to procure, especially, old sheets and soft worn linen; and to forward the same to the camp with all possible despatch. The expense of conveyance, if any, will be cheerfully paid, and the generous donors may rest assured their contributions will be managed with the strictest care to prevent waste, and meet with due acknowledgment from their humble servant,

JOHN MORGAN,

Director General of the Continental Hospital, and the chief Physician to the Army.

N. B. Blankets are greatly wanted for the Hospital; for which a suitable price will be given, if sent to Cambridge. Any persons having blankets to dispose of, who live at a distance, if they will be so kind as to send notice thereof by the post, mentioning the quality and price of them, shall have an immediate answer.

INSTRUCTIONS TO WINTHROP SARGENT, AGENT.

Head-Quarters, January 1, 1776.

SIR: You being recommended to his Excellency as a proper person to transact the business of the several armed vessels fitted out, or to be fitted at the Continental expense, will be pleased to consider what follows as your Instructions:

1st. When any of the Continental vessels put into Cape Ann, you are to supply them with such necessaries as are absolutely wanting. When any prize is sent in, you are without delay to go on board, receive all the papers on board, and transmit them, by express, to Head-Quarters.

2d. You are to make out an inventory of the cargo, as near as you can from the papers found on board, or information from the Master or Mate of the prize; all possible care that can be taken must be used to prevent any embezzlement of the cargo, or of the captain's, crew's, or passengers', private property, which must be given up to them, except some extraordinary circumstances should arise, to make an alteration of this order necessary.

3d. All sailors belonging to a prize to be detained with you, or sent to neighbouring towns, where you may think them more secure, until you receive orders from Head-Quarters for the further disposal of them.

4th. All prisoners of whatever rank, or denomination, to be treated with the utmost humanity and tenderness.

5th. As you are appointed a Continental agent only, if the officers and men choose to appoint an agent for their one-third of any prize taken, they may do so, in that case you are to permit him to take a copy of all papers relating to the cargo, and when the vessel is discharged, you must give unto said agent a copy of what was on board.

6th. Hulls of all vessels taken, with all their appurtenances, to be carefully laid up in a secure port until further orders.

7th. Whatever advice you at any time have, respecting the armed vessels, or prizes, that is material, you will send up to Head-Quarters by suitable opportunities.

8th. Forasmuch as the port of Cape Ann lies convenient for the armed vessels to run into, when in want of provisions, and other necessaries, you will lay in, on the most reasonable terms, twelve barrels of beef, and twelve barrels of pork; twenty barrels of bread, will be ordered to you from Beverly, where a quantity is reserved for the use of the armed vessels; and, as you supply any vessels with a part of these articles, you are to replace them, so as always to keep that quantity on hand; you must take the steward's receipt for every thing you supply,

9th. As the harbour of Cape Ann is not looked upon as safe to lay up any prizes or their cargoes, you must, as soon as possible, have such as may be brought in there, sent up to Beverly, where William Bartlett, Esq., is, by his Excellency, appointed an agent. You and Mr. Bartlett must agree amongst yourselves about the terms upon which you will do business, for each, of this sort. The commission allowed to all agents, is two and one-half per cent, on sales of any prizes, &c., and the same on the amount of provisions and necessaries supplied the vessels with.

10th. In making up your accounts, you are to remember that the original bills or invoices are to be sent as vouchers; that your own account is to be general, and at the bottom, an affidavit of the justice of your account. This is not done from any jealousy or suspicion, but that the utmost satisfaction may be given the country, and that all agents may be on the same footing.

You will at all times give the utmost despatch, and if any irregularity, misconduct, or negligence in the officers of any vessels, you are desired to give immediate information to the General.

Should any of the vessels unnecessarily remain in port, you are to give orders to the Commander to proceed forth-with to sea; should he refuse, you are to demand his reasons, and transmit them to Head-Quarters.

By his Excellency's command.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COLONELS HOWE AND WOOD-FORD TO THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION, DATED NORFOLK, TEN O'CLOCK, P.M. JANUARY 1, 1776.

Between three and four o'clock, a severe cannonade began from all the shipping, under cover of which they landed small parties, and set fire to the houses on the wharves. The wind favoured their design, and we believe the flames will become general. In the confusion which they supposed would ensue, they frequently attempted to land; but this, by the bravery of our officers and men, we have hitherto prevented, with only a few men wounded on our side, and, we persuade ourselves, with a good deal of loss on theirs. Their efforts, and our opposition, still continue. We have stationed ourselves in such a manner as will, we believe, render every thing but burning the houses ineffectual. We wait with impatience your further orders, and are, respectfully, &c.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COLONEL HOWE TO THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION, DATED NORFOLK, JANUARY, 2, 1776.

The cannonade of the town began about a quarter after three, yesterday, from upwards of one hundred pieces of cannon, and continued till near ten, at night, without intermission; it then abated a little, and continued till two, this morning. Undercover of their guns they landed, and set fire to the town in several places near the water, though our men strove to prevent them all in their power; but the houses near the water being chiefly of wood, they took fire immediately, and the fire spread with amazing rapidity. It is now become general, and the whole town will, I doubt not, be consumed in a day or two. Expecting that the fire would throw us into confusion, they frequently landed, and were every time repulsed, I imagine with loss, but with what loss I cannot tell; the burning of the town has made several avenues, which yesterday they had not, so that they may now fire with greater effect; the tide is now; rising, and we expect at high water another cannonade,

I have only to wish it may be ineffectual as the last; for we have not one man killed, and but a few wounded. I cannot enter into the melancholy consideration of The women and children running through a crowd of shot to get out of the town, some of them with children at their breasts; a few have, I hear, been killed; does it not call for vengeance, both from God and man? It is but justice to inform you, that I had the pleasure to find every officer ready to execute orders at a moment's warning, and that the men behaved with steadiness and spirit. Colonel Stevens went down at my command, and headed some men near the water, where he engaged a party who had landed, with a spirit and conduct of a good officer. Of my friend, Colonel Woodford, it is almost needless to speak, but I cannot avoid expressing, that I received from him every assistance which conduct and spirit could give me.