Captain Edward Mott appeared, and accepted of his appointment as Captain of the Groton Company. And Oliver Coit is appointed First Lieutenant, and William Latham Second Lieutenant of said Company, and William Whiting Ensign,

Letter sent to Colonel Easton. And dismissed.

Tuesday, February 27, 1776.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safety, Present: His Honour the Governour, Eliphalet Dyer, Jabez Huntington, Jedediah Elderkin, Joshua West, Nathaniel Wales, Jun., Benjamin Huntington, Esquires.

Voted, That Adriel Ely be, and he is hereby appointed Ensign of the Company under the command of Captain John Ely

Wednesday, February 28, 1776.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safely, Present: His Honour the Governour, and the rest, as yesterday.

Voted, That Nathaniel Green and Company, of the Colony of Rhode-Island, be permitted to purchase three cargoes of the produce of this Colony, in such proportion (as to particulars) as his Honour the Governour shall direct, in order to be transported to the West-Indies to purchase warlike stores, in pursuance of a contract made between the said Green and Company and the Committee of Secrecy of the Continental Congress, for the benefit of the United Colonies. One of said cargoes to be shipped on board a Brig, in Norwich, belonging to some gentlemen in the Colony of Rhode-Island. And the other two cargoes to be shipped on bottoms, to be taken up in this Colony.

Voted, That Captain Ephraim Bill, be, and he is hereby appointed to repair to Say brook, and there inspect the building the Colony's Ship-of-War at Captain Hoyden's Yard, and to do whatever is needful to promote the work in the best and most speedy manner. And the Builders, Riggers, Blacksmiths, and Sailmakers, &c., are hereby directed to consult him in their several branches of the work as shall be convenient for the service.

Voted, That this Committee will, at a proper time, take up the matter of the taking of Ticonderoga, Sic, and come into some measures to represent the same to the Congress, that the persons, to whom reward for their service is due, may be considered; and that the persons who have received money to disburse in that service, shall, in a proper way, be called to account.

N. B. One Thomas Lurk was a Captain at St. John's, and is to be remembered for reward.

Ordered, That Team and Tools, for the use of the Fortifications at New-London and Groton, shall be provided by Colonel Soltonstall, Mr. Nathaniel Shaw, Jun., and Ebenezer Ledyard, Esquire.

His Honour the Governour is desired to write to the northward for as many Gun Barrels as can be obtained, in order for repairs.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO SPRINGFIELD (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE,

Cambridge, February 9, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I have it in command from his Excellency General Washington, to inform you, that on Tuesday last he received a petition from the Marines, in Springfield Jail, signed by David Scurrey and Patrick Clark, suggesting the severity of their confinement, without fire, and the want of necessary clothing, at that inclement season. His Excellency doubts not, but you have paid proper attention to their wants, if you have been apprized thereof, and I have only to add, that it is his earnest desire, that the prisoners in our hands should be treated with humanity and kindness, and, have every thing, really necessary, for their support. I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant. To the Committee of Springfield.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO LEVI ALLEN.

Cambridge, February 9, 1776.

SIR: I have it in command from his Excellency, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo. There is little doubt but that Colonel Allen has been sent to England. The General has inquired of General Howe about him, but received for answer, that his command did not extend to Quebeck, and that he knew nothing of your brother. As to your going to England after him, his Excellency cannot give you any opinion thereon; he cannot think there would be even a probability of success in your scheme: it would be running yourself in danger, without a prospect of rendering service to your brother. I am, &c.

To Mr. Levi Allen.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO GEORGE GREGORY.

Cambridge, February 9, 1776.

SIR: Your letter to his Excellency, of the 31st ultimo, is come to hand. I have it in command from him to inform you, that he has laid it down as an invariable rule (for the present) not to grant liberty to any prisoners of war, to remove from the place to which they are, by their parole, confined; the many applications to the General were become troublesome, he was, therefore, necessitated to come to this resolution. If the gentlemen, whom the fortune of war has placed in our hands, will compare their situation with that of those of ours who have been made prisoners, they will not think their case very hard; they are not confined in a loathsome prison, nor are they sent in irons to a distant part. His Excellency is sorry that any gentlemen should suffer in his private affairs, but the fortune of war must be submitted to. I am, sir, &c.

To George Gregory, Esq.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Road February 22, 1776.]

Cambridge, February 9, 1776.

SIR: In compliance with the resolves of Congress, I have applied to General Howe for the exchange of Mr. Lovell; a copy of my letter and his answer thereto you have enclosed.

Captain Wafers, and Captain Tucker, who command two of the armed schooners, have taken and sent into Gloucester a large brigantine laden with wood, one hundred and fifty butts for water, and forty suits of bedding, bound from La Have, in Nova-Scotia, for Boston. She is one of the transports in the Ministerial service; the Captain says that he was at Halifax the 17th January, and that General Massey was arrived there with two regiments from Ireland.

The different prizes were all libelled immediately on receipt of the resolves of Congress, pointing out the mode, but none of them yet brought to trial, owing to a difference between the law passed in this Province and the resolutions of Congress. The General Court are making an amendment to their law, by which the difficulties that now occur will be removed, as I understand it is to be made comformable to your resolves. The unavoidable delay attending the bringing the captures to trial is grievously complained of by the masters of these vessels, as well as the captors; many of the former have applied for liberty to go away, without waiting the decision, which I have granted to them.

I beg leave to recall the attention of Congress to their; appointing a Commissary in these parts, to attend the providing of necessaries for the prisoners who are dispersed in these Provinces, Complaints are made by some, of them, that they are in want of bedding, and many other things. As I understand that Mr. Franks has undertaken that business, I wish be was ordered to send a Deputy immediately, to see that the prisoners get what is allowed them by Congress; also, to supply the officers with money, as they may have occasion; it will save me much time, and much trouble, There are yet but few companies of the Militia come in; this delay will, I am much afraid, frustrate the intention of their being called upon, as the season is slipping fast away when they may be of service.

The demands of the Army were so very pressing before your last remittance came to hand, that I was under the necessity of borrowing twenty-five thousand pounds, lawful money, from this Province; they very cheerfully lent it, and passed a vote for as much more, if required. I have not repaid the sum borrowed, as I may stand in need of it before the arrival of another supply, which the demands of the