being, (as they thought,) ill-used by General Montgomery.

You will find, by the enclosed letter, that the General Council have determined that a regiment from each of the frontiers of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, are to march, with all possible expedition, to secure our conquests, and, if possible, retrieve the honour of the American arms. This resolution induced us to release one of the regiments wrote for in my last, to serve here two months, and, instead thereof, for New-Hampshire to furnish one here, and one for Canada, the latter to be inlisted for twelve months. I have a prospect of raising one for this place, from among the recruits here, in the manner I formerly mentioned; so you need give yourselves no other trouble about that, but advancing, upon the credit of the Continent, a month's pay, advance, which beg you to do.

The party going for Canada, I suppose General Washington has called upon you to furnish them with money, &c. Upon my soul, it gives me pain to find that our Continental chest is so often empty, and that parsimony and indolence, which has destroyed so many powerful Slates, is but too likely to destroy ours. To this, alone, was owing that fatal defeat at Quebcck, as the deceased Montgomery's letters will fully show, for he seemed to prophesy his defeat from the want of money to pay off the troops.

I have selected officers for the regiment to be stationed here, as I mentioned, (Capiains Waldron, Chesley, and Place,) to take the command as Field-Officers, and have taken some of the best Captains and Subalterns.

I should rejoice if Captain Mooney would, in conjunction with the bearer, Lieutenant Clough, and two subalterns, appointed by you, or them, undertake to bring in a company. The residue I. can furnish myself, without giving you any trouble, except what I mention.

With respect to the regiment bound to Canada, you will excuse my suggesting the necessity of raising that in the western parts of the Colony. Colonel William. Stark now happens to be in camp, and says he can, undoubtedly, raise the men. He is well acquainted with the country, and with the nature of such a march. I would, therefore, for the good of the service, beg leave to recommend him, unless you have some other person, more suitable, in view. I have directed him to wail on your Honours, and receive your commands.

Captain John Parker, who was here some days since, was soliciting license from General Washington, and myself, to raise four or five companies, and march to Canada; we, knowing of no necessity therefore, refused him. Perhaps he may be of some advantage in raising men; but many among you know the man, and his communication. All these hints I throw out for the good of the service; I have no particular person in view, barely for his own sake. The good of my country is what I mean to promote: where I mistake the proper means to attain that desirable end, you will please to correct me, as an ignorant offender, and believe me to be, as I really am, a true friend to my country, and your much obliged and humble servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

To the General Assembly of New-Hampshire.

P. S. The General has enclosed you copies of most of the important letters from Canada. My extreme hurry will, I hope, apologize for incorrectness.

Yours,

J. S.

JOSEPH MAYHEW TO MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL

Chilmark, January 18, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: Judging it to be of importance to the County of Dukes, whereto I belong, that the honourable Council of this Colony be informed of the state of civil affairs here, I think it to be my duty to give your Honour the following intelligence, with respect hereto, to be by your Honour communicated, if you shall think fit.

Now, four, out of the nine, commissioned to be Justices in this County, viz: Jonathan Allen, John Worth, Enoch Coffin, and Thomas Cook, Esquires, and, also, William Mayhew, Esq., appointed Sheriff, and Mr. Robert Allen, appointed Coroner, remain unsworn, appearing unwilling to be so, and neither of them, except Jonathan Allen, Esq., being present, when the other civil officers here were sworn, which was done on the 22d of November last.

Of the five Justices who have been sworn, two, viz: Ebenezer Smith and Bariah Norton, Esquires, live at Edgartoum; and two, viz: James Athearn and Shubael Cotter, Esquires, at Tisbury, and I, only, at Chilmark; and the only person Coroner, Mr. Ebentzer Norton, lives at Edgartoum.

As 1 have thus informed your Honour who, of those who have been commissioned to be civil officers, have declined being sworn, I hope it will not be thought impertinent if I account for this in the following manner:

The real state of things here, sir, as I apprehend, is this: There are some here who are really not well-affected to the present Government, nor to the measures now pursued in defence of our civil liberties, and these ill-affected persons endeavour to embarrass the establishing of civil government in this County, and, through their suggestions, in part, at least, many persons here, perhaps near one-half of the people of this County, imagine that it is best for us, considering our situation, to be still, and in no way to show ourselves to be on the side of the assertors of our civil liberties, lest we, thereby, provoke the invaders of our coasts to ruin us; and it is (as, I think, I have sufficient reason to believe,) through such an apprehension as this, that so many of those, who have, been lately appointed civil officers, are unwilling to be sworn.

I mean, sir, that many here were thus intimidated, till the honourable General Assembly of this Colony discovered their late resolution, with respect to the defence of this country; but how far people here, are, hereby, emboldened to appear in defence of their rights and liberties, I cannot yet tell. And as, for aught 1 know, some, or all of those whom I. have above-mentioned, are unwilling to be sworn, may have their fears so far removed as to manifest a desire to have the oath administered to them, and I am at a loss what we, who are empowered to administer the oath, ought to do in this case, I am very desirous of the direction of the honourable Council herein.

As to a Sheriff for this County, about the want of which officer here, I am peculiarly concerned. I hope it will not appear assuming in me, if I mention Major Peter Norton as a suitable, and, perhaps, all things considered, the most suitable person to be Sheriff of this County, and, also, to be Colonel of the Regiment of Militia here, the latter of which offices, he, as I perceive, prefers. And if he is not made Sheriff, I humbly propose that he be made a Justice of the Peace at least, if not a Justice of the Pleas also, for this County. A great part of this letter may, perhaps, appear as a vain repetition of what 1 wrote above a month ago to the Hon. Colonel Otis, as President of the honourable Council; but having reason, sir, to fear that my letter has miscarried, I have thought it proper for me to write as above.

This, honoured sir, with great respect and deference to the honourable Council, and to your Honour in particular, is from, honoured sir, your Honour's most obedient, and most humble servant,

JOSEPH MAYHEW.

To the Honourable President of the Council.

CAPTAINS SALTER AND DANIEL'S RETURN OF SHOALERS.

In Congress, at Exeter, January 5, 1776.

Voted, That Captain Titus Salter and Captain Eliphalet Daniels, be appointed to go over to the Isle of Shoals, and inform all the inhabitants there, that it is the opinion of this Congress that the situation of the said islands is such, that the inhabitants are exposed to our enemies in the present unhappy controversy, and may be obliged by their weak, defenceless circumstances, and inability to defend themselves, to assist our enemies; and that, for said reasons, it is absolutely necessary that they should, immediately, remove themselves, with their effects, to the main land, (to tarry during the present dispute,) to such place, or places, as they may choose; and, provided they neglect to comply herewith for the term often days after this notice, that they be informed that they must be brought off by authority.

Extract from the Minutes of Congress:

Attest:

E. THOMPSON, Secretary.

Pursuant to the above vote of Congress, we repaired to the Island of Shoals, on the 16th instant, being the first