Council Chamber, January 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We have sent to your care Archibald Bowie and Mandatt Engs, Masters of the two Vessels lately taken and carried into Newburyport, and you are requested to see that the above-mentioned persons do not go without the limits of said Town; and, if you see cause therefor, you are desired to confine said persons, or either of them, till the further order of the Council.

In the name and by order of the Council:

W. SEVER,

To the Committee of Safety, Newburyport.

[GENERAL WASHINGTON] TO THE COMMITTEE OF NEWBURYPORT.

Cambridge, January 20, 1776.

SIR I am commanded by his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, with the enclosures No. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

His Excellency desires, through you, sir, to return the Committee of Newburyport, his sincere thanks for their great politeness in this instance, and wishes that these prizes may be succeeded by others. I am, &c.

To Jonathan Jackson, Esq., Chairman, &c.

[GENERAL WASHINGTON] TO THE COMMITTEE OF STONINGTON.

Cambridge, January 20, 1776.

SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant. As you, from having fully inquired into matters respecting the capture of Captain Denny's vessel, must be better able to determine the propriety of the same than he is, he again refers it entirely to your decision, in full confidence, that the same will be founded upon the principles of equity and the strictest justice. I am, &c.

To Joseph Dennison, Esq., Chairman, &c.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Cambridge, January 20, 1776.

SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 15th instant. His Excellency is glad to hear of the vessels being libelled, and doubts not of your assiduity to have the legality of the captures determined, as soon as it shall be in your power.

His Excellency is well pleased that the schooner Harrison is yet good and fit for service; and, from the character you have given Captain Dyar, is willing you should give him the command of her, and to indulge such men as may offer their service to inlist only for six months. The Captain thinks that a squaresail, and some other small sails, will be of great advantage to her. This his Excellency leaves to your judgment. If they are necessary, in your opinion, and the expense will not be out of proportion to the benefit likely to be derived from them, you will please to provide them. You will immediately despatch the Captain upon a cruise, with such sails as he has, if they will answer. Those he wants may be made while he is out.

As to the vessels taken and carried into Dartmouth, by Major Tapper, his Excellency thinks they ought to be libelled.

I am, sir, &c.,

ROBERT H. HARRISON, Aid-de-camp.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO STEPHEN MOYLAN.

Cambridge, January 20, 1776.

SIR: Your letter of the 19th instant was delivered early yesterday, and would have been answered before this evening, had not his Excellency's time been much employed in despatching expresses to sundry places.

His Excellency is much pleased that our fleet is likely to get out again, and wishes your return as soon as you have despatched them.

Herewith you will receive the commissions you wrote for; also, a copy of private signals used by the King's ships in the American service, which his Excellency desires you to furnish each of our Captains with, and to return the copy sent, when you come back.

As to the attempt on the Fowey, he thinks that the situation of our affairs, at present, will not justify it; but, on your arrival, will consider more of it, should there be the same prospect of success that you apprehend there is now.

The report you have had is too true, but not so bad, we hope, as you have heard. However, it is certain, that the great and gallant Montgomery is no more. He, with his Aid-de-camp, Captain Macpherson, and Captain Cheese-man of New-York, fell the first fire; also, Colonel Arnold is wounded in the leg.

I am, &c.,

ROBERT H. HARRISON.

To Stephen Moylan, Esq.

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE ASSEMBLY.

Winter-Hill, January 20, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOURS: The bearer hereof, Mr. Adjutant Peabody, of Colonel Reed's Regiment, earnestly desiring to go to the relief of our distressed brethren in Canada, I beg leave to recommend him to the office of Second Lieutenant, and Adjutant, in the regiment bound there, which offices he has voluntarily resigned here, and cheerfully undertakes the fatigues of a long march to relieve our worthy friends at Quebeck. I can assure you that he has ever behaved well, and been highly esteemed here, as well for his conduct in the common business of his office, as for his courage and intrepidity at Bunker's Hill. Any favour you shall please to show him, shall be gratefully acknowledged by, your much obliged, and humble servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

To the Honourable General Assembly.

COLONEL WOODFORD TO THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION.

Norfolk, January 21, 1776.

We have had a party, these ten days, upon Tanner's Creek, who yesterday had a brush with a tender's boat, attempting to land at Sprawl's plantation; they beat her off, and killed one man.

Eight o'clock at night.—About four this afternoon, another heavy cannonading began from the Liverpool and Otter, during which the enemy landed, and set fire to some houses that remained unhurt, near to which is called Town Point Wharf. I sent strong parties to reinforce our water guards. We had three fine men killed with cannon shot, and one wounded, who, it is thought, will lose his arm. We have found one sailor and two Negroes dead, and suppose many others were killed and wounded that were carried off in their boats. Captains Green and Markham arrived in the height of the fire.

I am, sir, &c.

GEORGE STRICKER TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Fredericktown, January 21, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I am informed that my company of Light-Infantry are to be armed with rifles; shall, therefore, esteem your directions to some person to contract for the same, they being to be had here. The gunsmiths have offered to furnish the company with the same, in a few weeks. Nothing retards me now, but the want of arms and recruiting cash. I have recruited twenty-one select men in two days, and make no doubt of completing my company in ten more.

Please to send, by the bearer, Mr. Benjamin Ford, or any one of my Lieutenants, the recruiting cash. Imagine shall want about two hundred and fifty pounds.

I am, with respect, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE STRICKER.

To the Council of Safety.

N. B. If a person is directed to contract for rifles, it will be necessary, also, to contract for bullet-pouches and powder-horns.