doing of which, and on your march, I recommend the utmost economy that can be used consistent with despatch.

You will take under your care, Jean Baptist, together with the other Indians, (now at this place,) of the Caughnawaga tribe, and conduct them in the safest and most agreeable manner to themselves into Canada. You will receive a warrant upon the Paymaster for one hundred pounds, lawful, with which you are to bear their expenses, rendering an account of the just expenditure thereof for their use, to the Commissary of the Northern Department when you get there, who will be advertised of this matter, and directed to settle with you.

These, are, sir, my instructions, to which I doubt not you will pay a proper attention. I must again recommend your making all possible despatch; and that you may have a share in the glory of expelling the instruments of Ministerial tyranny from that fair Province, is the sincere wish of, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Colonel Timothy Bedel.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO TIMOTHY PICKERING, JUN.

Cambridge, February 1, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of yesterday, I received, and am sorry to hear that the quota of Militia, which the town of Salem was to furnish by resolve of the honourable General Court, cannot be had.

The generous tender of services made by you, sir, and the rest of the volunteers, claims a return of my sincere thanks. Should I have occasion to call upon them, I shall do it; at present I wish them to continue at Salem, and to hold themselves in readiness.

I am, sir, your and their humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Timothy Pickering, Jun., Esq., Salem.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Cambridge, February 1, 1776.

SIR: Major Hobart will want one hundred tons of the coals taken in the two prizes sent into your place by Commodore Manly. As it is for the publick service, his Excellency is willing to let him have them, he paying as much for them as any one else would.

His Excellency desires you would be careful to prevent a waste of this article, as it will be very much wanting for the publick works. He is informed that there has been some pilfering already. I am, sir, yours, &c.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Cambridge, February 1, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 29th ultimo, is come to hand. There must be an inquiry made into the conduct of that Captain, who so shamefully deserted his Commodore. Please to let the General know which of the schooners it was.

The General thinks it will be proper that the Captains of these vessels prove upon oath their private property; after which you may deliver to them all except the beef and pork, which he thinks most probably belongs to the vessels. If it does not, it is clear that they must be meant for supplying the enemy. Upon that principle, he does not think it will be proper to give them unto the Captains.

His Excellency has no objections to these gentlemen's returning to Plymouth; nor has he any objections to their disposing of the checks and baize at your place, if they choose it. He is pleased that the schooners got under way. Yours, &c.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

By His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq., Commander-in-chief of the Army of theUNITED COLONIES.

To WILLIAM BURKE, Esq.

By virtue of the powers and authorities to me given by the honourable Continental Congress, I do hereby constitute and appoint you Captain and Commander of the schooner Warren, now lying at Beverly Port, in the service of the United Colonies of North America; to have, hold, exercise, and enjoy the said office of Captain and Commander of the said vessel, and to perform and execute all matters and things which to your said office do, or may of right belong or appertain, until further order stall be given herein by the honourable Continental Congress, myself, or any future Commander-in-chief of said Army; willing and commanding all officers, soldiers, and persons whatsoever, any way concerned, to be obedient and assisting to you in the due execution of this commission.

Given under my hand and seal, at Cambridge, {his 1st day of February, Annoque Domini 1776.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

By His Excellency's command:

To Captain William Burke, of the Warren.

Officers of the Armed Vessels, fitted out by order of General WASHINGTON, on the 1st of FEBRUARY, 1776.

Cambridge, February 1, 1776,

We hear, that as Captain Manly was coming out of Plymouth, January 30, an armed brig, (which went from Boston for the purpose of taking him, as he supposed,) gave him chase, upon which he ran his vessel on shore a little south of the North-River, in Scituate. The brig came to anchor, and fired, not less than four hundred times upon the privateer; but, very remarkable, no man was even wounded. One ball entered the stern, and passed but about six inches from Captain Manly, who was confined by sickness in his cabin. The next day one hundred and thirty balls were found upon the adjacent shore.

Besides the above, which is from a correspondent near where the affair happened, we hear, that after the brig ceased firing she manned her boats, boarded Captain Manly's vessel, (the people being ashore,) and endeavoured to set her on fire; but seeing our people coming upon them, they were glad to get off without effecting their design. She has since been got off, is refitting, and nearly ready for another cruise.

JAMES OTIS TO COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Barnstable, February 1, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: This encloses the examination of one William Heath, the master of the sloop Betsey, taken and brought into this harbour the 31st of January last, by Captain Jonathan Howes, &c., bound from Nova-Scotia to Boston, to supply our enemies, and who has been in that employ for a considerable time. He appears to me to be a surly, inimical fellow to this country, and he destroyed all his papers, save the register and shipping paper, (and as I am told, that was his orders, if he was likely to be taken.) It is reported that he beat one of his foremast men so that his life is in danger. Some others of them frozen, that I