pressed. We have at Hampton, at present, about two hundred men only, who have so obstructed the navigation up that river, by sinking boats, that none can get up but those well acquainted with it, and have raised some breastworks for defence. A reinforcement to them of two hundred men is ordered, and will be there in a day or two; beside those, there is a Captain Barron, a brave, experienced seaman, whose company of Militia, being also stationed there, has been very active in small excursions of vessels, in Hampton Roads, from which he has brought in several vessels belonging to Tories, protected others, the properly of friends, from falling into the enemy's hands, and has taken two tenders, on their way to the Eastern-Shore for provisions, manned with Americans and slaves. We have strengthened his hands, by empowering him to fit out three armed vessels, to be employed in this way, and have great confidence in his prudence and valour. We have recommended it to Captain Hyde, that, should any vessels of yours be passing through the Road, they give a signal, to be settled by him with Captain Barron and the commanding officer at Hampton, which may produce some useful pilots, and, perhaps, other assistance from thence. We have, also, about three hundred troops in this city.

We Tire informed of a considerable cannonade, heard this day towards Norfolk, and suppose the gust may have produced some effects of consequence there. If either should occasion any material intelligence from thence, we will endeavour to put it into the way of Captain Hyde, on his return from Hampton. In the mean time, we have particularly mentioned every thing which occurs to us as material, and are, with regard and esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

To the Honourable Matthew Tilghman, Thomas Johnson, Jun., and Samuel Chase, Esquires.

Williamsburgh, December 29, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Mr. Howard delivered me your favour of the 22d of December. I find the Committee of Safety have seen those gentlemen; who, no doubt, have made them acquainted with the present situation of affairs. We hear the men-of-war are beating down the town of Norfolk. I most sincerely wish the speedy arrival of your ships. I believe we have, at Hampton, three hundred men.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

WILSON MILES CARY,

To Matthew Tilghman, Esquire.

A List of the Naval Force, now in the Harbour of Norfolk, and in Hampton Roads, December 30, 1775, viz:

Ship Liverpool, twenty-eight guns, Henry Bellew, commander; sloop Otter, sixteen guns, Matthew Squire, commander; sloop Kingfisher, eighteen guns, James Montagu, commander; sloop, eight guns, Robert Stewart, commander; Lord Dunmore's ship, Eilbeck, force unknown; six or seven small tenders of small force.

The force of Lord Dunmore's, by account of Colonel Elliott: 130 Regulars; 120 Marines; 150 Negroes; 250 Liverpool.

Memoranda of Vessels, Cargoes, Owners, Masters, &c:

Sloop Christian, Captain Avery, belonging to Messrs. Givens, from Norfolk, bound to Glasgow, two thousand five hundred bushels of wheat, two thousand staves; sloop Agatha, Captain Wilson, belonging to Shadden & Co., from Grenada, bound to Norfolk, forty-seven hogsheads rum; brig Cornet, Captain Harris, belonging to Captain Harris, from Glasgow, bound to Norfolk, a few dry goods; schooner Peggy, Captain Haynes, belonging to Maximilian Calvert, from St. Vincent's, bound to Norfolk, three hogsheads rum, one hogshead and one tierce and four barrels sugar; sloop Industry, Captain Pierce, belonging to Mr. Hebb, from Turk's Island, bound to Maryland, nine hundred bushels salt; sloop Molly, Captain Servant, belonging to Wardroop, of Norfolk, from Turk's Island, bound to Norfolk, one thousand two hundred and thirty-two bushels salt; sloop Swallow, Captain Burrell, belonging to Mo Callister & Co., from Turk's Island, bound to Norfolk two thousand five hundred bushels of salt; sloop Snow-Bird, Captain Horn, from Rhode-Island, bound to Maryland, seven thousand pounds cheese, twenty barrels cider, two hundred and fifty bushels of potatoes, thirty barrels of apples; sloop Dorothy, Captain Goodrick, belonging to Goodrick, from St. Emtatia, bound to Nansemond, in ballast.

THOMAS ELLIOTT,

SAMUEL PURVIANCE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Road January 8, 1776.]

Baltimore, January 5, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed I send you the deposition of a certain Captain John Horn, of Providence, in Rhode-Island, who arrived here this day. By said deposition it appears that there is the greatest reason to believe the ships of war hate fired upon and destroyed the town of Norfolk, in Virginia. I thought it a matter of so much importance that the Congress should have the earliest advice of this important transaction, that I have despatched the bearer express therewith. Mr. Wall, of Providence, a gentleman of character, owner of Captain Horn, who is now here, assures me I may depend on the truth of his deposition.

I am, with the greatest respect, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

SAMUEL PURVIANCE, JUN.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. This moment a young man is arrived from Annapolis, who informs me there was a boat arrived there from Hampton, who brings the same advice of the ships being left firing against the town of Norfolk.

Baltimore Town, ss:

This day came before me, the subscriber, one of the Lord Proprietor's Justices of the Peace for the County of Baltimore, John Horn, master of the sloop Snow-Bird, lately arrived from sea, who did depose as follows: That he, the said John Horn, being at Hampton, in Virginia, on Monday, the first instant, did hear a continued firing of great guns the whole day, supposed to be at the town of Norfolk; that a boat (as he was informed) was sent the same day from Hampton to know the cause of said firing, which, he was informed by Captain Barron, commander of a cruiser belonging to Hampton, brought advice that the vessels of war were firing upon the town of Norfolk; that about four o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, a great flame and smoke was perceived at Hampton, supposed to proceed from the town of Norfolk being on fire. That this deponent sailed from Hampton on Monday, the same evening, during which, and the whole night following, be heard a continual firing of great guns, and observed a great flame towards Norfolk; that on Tuesday, all day till about the middle of the afternoon, he heard a continual firing of great guns, and observed a great smoke ascending from the same quarter, and further this deponent saith not.

JOHN HORN.

Sworn before me at Baltimore, January 5, 1776.

HER. COURTENAY.

ORDERS FROM NAVAL COMMITTEE TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE FLEET OF THE UNITED COLONIES,

In Naval Committee, January 5, 1776.

Orders and directions for the Commander-in-chief of the Fleet of the UNITED COLONIES.

You are to take care that proper discipline, good order, and peace, be preserved amongst all the ships, and their companies, under your command.

You are to direct the several Captains to make out and deliver monthly, or oftener, an exact return of the officers, seamen, and marines, on board of each respective vessel, noting their particular condition and circumstance; also, the quantity and quality of provisions and stores of every kind, together with the state of the respective ships'; which returns, or copies of them, you are to transmit to Congress, or a Committee appointed by them to receive such returns, as often as opportunity offers.