affairs, in a little time, in that quarter, will wear a more promising aspect than what they now do.

I am, sir, very respectfully, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CAPTAIN CHARLES DYAR.

To Captain CHARLES DYAR, of the United Armed Schooner HARRISON:

SIR: You being appointed Captain and Commander of the armed schooner Harrison, in the service of the United Colonies, are to pay all attention and obedience to the following Instructions:

1st. You are to proceed, immediately, on a cruise against such vessels as may be found on the high seas, or else-where, bound inward or outward to or from Boston, in the service of the Ministerial army, and to take and seize all such vessels, laden with soldiers, arms, ammunition or provisions, going to or from said town of Boston, or, which you shall have good reason to suspect, are employed for the purpose of aiding or assisting the Ministerial troops or navy.

2d. If you should be so successful as to take any of said vessels, you are, immediately, to send them to the nearest and safest port to this camp, under a careful prize master, directing him to deliver said prize unto the Agent by me appointed for the port into which a prize is carried, (if any there;) if none should be in that port, notice is to be given to the nearest Agent thereto; at same time an account of such capture to be transmitted to Head-Quarters, with all particulars thereto belonging, by express.

3d You are to be very particular and diligent in your search after all letters, or other papers, tending to discover the design of the enemy, or of any other kind, and to forward all such to me as soon as possible.

4th Whatever prisoners you take must be treated with kindness and humanity; their private stock of money and apparel to be given up to them after being searched; and when they arrive at any port, they are to be delivered up to the Agent, if any there; if not, to the Committee of Safety of such port.

5th. For your encouragement, and that of the other officers and men, to diligence and activity, over and above their pay, which will be the same as in the Army of the United Colonies, you shall be entitled to one-third part of every vessel and cargo, after condemnation in the Court of Admiralty, which shall be by you taken and sent into port; if she is an armed vessel that resists, as an inducement for you, your officers and men, to act courageously, one-half of the vessel and cargo will be allowed to you, which parts are to be divided in the following proportions:

6th. As Captain Manly is appointed Commodore of the four schooners now fitted out, he will fix upon proper signals by which you may know each other; and you are to obey him, as such, in all cases. If it should so happen that a prize is taken in sight of other vessels, fitted out at the Continental expense, or at the charge of individuals, the rule which takes place among private ships of war to be observed in the distribution of the prize money.

7th You are to be extremely careful and frugal of your ammunition and other stores; by no means to waste any of it in salutes, or for any other purpose, but what is absolutely necessary.

8th You, your officers and men, are, from the date hereof, to consider yourselves engaged in the service of the United Colonies, and in every respect subject to the rules and regulations formed by the Congress for the government of the Army raised for the defence of American liberty, or as near as possible, consistent with the difference of the land and sea service, a book of which rules and articles you will receive herewith; at the end of which you, your officers and men, must subscribe your names.

9th As it is very apparent that the ill success which attended the major part of the armed vessels in former cruises was owing to the want of industry, and inactivity of the officers who commanded, you will, therefore, take notice, that a fondness to be on shore, indolence, or inactivity, will meet with their just deserts; for, if it appears that the Captain, or any of the officers, do not exert themselves and do all that they possibly can for their own and publick good, they shall be dismissed the service, and rendered incapable of serving their country in any honourable station hereafter, in the Army or Navy.

Given under my hand, at Head-Quarters, Cambridge, the 20th day of January, 1776.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

NEWBURYPORT COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS,

Newburyport, January 16, 1776.

SIR: Yesterday forenoon appeared in our Bay a brig and a ship, which were suspected to be enemy's vessels. These vessels were soon taken and brought safe into the river. The ship was from London eleven weeks since, and is named The Friends, Archibald Bowie, master, burden about two hundred tons, laden with coals, porter, pickled cabbage, vinegar, live hogs, &c., for Government service. The ship was to enter at Boston as a transport. The brig was from Cork about ten weeks since, and is named the Sukey, Mandatt Engs, master, burden about ninety tons, laden with beef, pork, butter, hams, tongues, potatoes, &c., and owned by Lewis Gray, of Boston. Both these vessels were bound to Boston. There were two passengers in the brig, viz: Lieutenant Hill, of Earl Percy's regiment, and Mr. John Gray, son of Harrison Gray, Esq. We thought it best to forward the two masters and these two passengers to the honourable Council, to dispose of them as they may think fit, and to make what inquiries they may choose.

Mr. Marsh and Mr. Mullikin of this town, (and the first gentleman of this Committee,) have undertaken to see them safe to Watertown. They bring with them all the papers of publick concern that were found in both vessels. We would observe to their Honours that there is, besides, a number of letters to officers and soldiers in Boston, a book of military orders or regulations, we did not know but might be a matter of curiosity, if not of service, at Head-Quarters, which you will present to the General if you please. Mr. Hill begs a return of it to him finally. Messrs. Marsh and Mullikin will present their bill of charges in this matter, which their Honours will order payment of as they shall think proper.

In behalf of the Committee of Safety for this town, I am, sir, your very obedient servant,

JONATHAN JACKSON.

To the President of the Honourable Council for the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay.

In Council, January 20, 1776.

On examination of the Prisoners by the major part of the Council, Ordered, that a Letter be wrote to his Excellency General Washington, and sent with two of the Prisoners, viz: Lieutenant Hill and his servant, to be at his Excellency's disposal—that a Letter be wrote to the Committee of Safety at Newburyport, and that the two Captains of the two Vessels be sent to their care and disposal; and John Gray, the other Prisoner, be sent to the Jail in Newburyport, and held in close confinement, at his own expense, until further orders.

JOHN LOWELL, Deputy Sec'y, P. T.

Watertown, January 20, 1776.

SIR: The Board, upon examination of several persons who were sent here by the Committee of Safety, and were taken on board a ship from London and a brig from Cork, both bound to Boston, find that one of the passengers in the latter is a Lieutenant in the Fifth Regiment (Earl Percy's) now in Boston. They have, therefore, ordered the said Lieutenant Hill, with his servant, to be sent to your Excellency, to be disposed of as you may think proper.

In the name and by order of the Council:

W. SEVER.

To His Excellency General Washington.