reasons they assign in excuse or justification of their conduct, in the report itself.

Last night, a party of Regulars, said to be about five hundred, landed on Dorchester-Neck, and burned some of the houses there, which were of no value to us, nor would they have been, unless we take post there. They then might have been of some service. A detachment went after them, as soon as the fire was discovered, but, before it could arrive, they had executed their plan, and made their retreat.

Enclosed, is a letter for David Franks, Esq., from Mr. Chamier, in Boston, upon the subject of victualling such of the King's troops as may be prisoners within the limits of his contract, which I beg the favour of you to deliver him, and that proper agents may be appointed by him to see that it is done. I could wish, too, that Congress would fall upon some mode for supplying the officers with such money as they may really stand in need of, and depute proper persons for that purpose, and furnishing the privates with such clothing as may be absolutely necessary. I am applied to, and wearied by their repeated requests. In some instances, I have desired the Committees to give the prisoners within their appointments what they should judge absolutely necessary for their support, as the only means in my power of relieving their distress. But I can imagine that, if there were persons to superintend this business, their wants would be better attended to, and many exorbitant charges prevented and saved to the Continent, and the whole would then be brought into a proper account.

I am, sir, with great esteem and regard, your most obedient, humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

P. S. I send a return of the strength of the Regiments.

New-York, February 5, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Just as I was sitting down to write to you, I received yours, by General Clinton, but have not, as yet, had an opportunity of seeing him. During the very few moments I was with you at Boston, I expressed my wish of being able to make known at Philadelphia the disposition in England towards an accommodation, upon liberal terms, and such as were founded in equity and candour. You then concurred with me in thinking that, however much those gentlemen whose province it now is to think for the publick might be held up as aiming at a total separation, they had as their sole object such a reconciliation as would give a constitutional security to their children. In this opinion I think we were not deceived. From all the conversation I had at Philadelphia with those gentlemen, (who allow me, I hope, to rank myself among the number of their friends,) I have every reason to think them most seriously disposed towards reconciliation. From a conviction of this, I have pressed the setting on foot a negotiation; nor am I without hopes of success. Should such an event take place, it is not impossible but a deputation from hence may be found expedient, and, in that case, a passport requisite for a security against English cruisers. Such a passport must be left blank, for filling up names, and sent by the same conveyance that this passes through. It will be needless to caution you against delay. My slight acquaintance with General Howe and Admiral Shuldham will furnish you with an apology for not making a more direct application.

I continue, my dear friend, yours, &c.,

DRUMMOND.

Brigadier-General Robertson, Boston.

P. S. Let me guard you against letting this go to the publick, till you see how far my hopes are well-grounded.

REPORT OF MESSRS. WILLARD AND CHILD.

We, the subscribers, being appointed by his Excellency General Washington, agreeable to an order of the Continental Congress, to repair to the Province of Nova-Scotia, for the following purposes, viz: To inquire into the disposition of the inhabitants of said Province towards the common cause of America, the condition of their fortifications, quantity of warlike stores, the number of soldiers and sailors, and ships-of-war: We beg leave to report as follows, that, agreeable to the above order, we did repair to a place called Campo-Bello, about twenty or thirty miles into the Province aforesaid, but could not cross the Bay-of-Fundy, for no vessel could be hired or procured, except we purchased one, as every vessel, even to a boat, that crossed the Bay, was seized as soon as they came into port, except cleared from Halifax; and we could not travel any farther into the country, by reason of Governour Legg's establishing martial-law in said Province, and issuing several Proclamations, one bearing date July 5, 1775, which is as follows: "I do, therefore, with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council, publish this Proclamation, hereby notifying and warning all persons that they do not, in any manner, directly or indirectly, aid or assist, with any supplies whatever, any Rebel or Rebels, nor hold intelligence or correspondence with them, nor conceal, harbour, or protect any such offenders, as they would avoid being deemed Rebels and Traitors, and be proceeded against accordingly;" also, a Proclamation, dated December 8, 1775, forbidding any stranger to be in Halifax more than two hours, without making his business known to a Justice of the Peace, upon the pain and peril of being treated as a Spy; also, forbidding any person entertaining any such stranger for more than two hours, without giving information, on the penalty aforesaid. From our own knowledge, and the best information from others, about eight parts out of ten of the inhabitants of Nova-Scotia would engage in the common cause of America, could they be protected. There are no fortifications in the Province, only at Halifax, and those much out of repair; but they are at work on them. They have picketed the town in, and have about one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon, not mounted, and about twenty or thirty pieces mounted in the town. There were at Halifax about two hundred soldiers, the beginning of January, 1776, which were all that there were in the Province at that time; but we are credibly informed that there are two regiments arrived there since that time. There was only one ship-of-war, of sixty guns, at Halifax, and one, of fourteen, at Annapolis, at the time aforesaid

AARON WILLARD,

MOSES CHILD.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, February 9, 1776.

The Colonel of a Regiment is, on no pretence, to license more than one Sutler within the limits of the camp, as the Quartermaster-General has his Excellency's positive orders to punish with severity any person who is unlicensed, or licensed contrary to the above order.

If any of the Militia who are ordered into camp should incline to enter into the Continental Army, they are immediately to join the Regiment they inlist into, and are, from that day, to be struck off the Militia rolls, that their pay may from thenceforward commence in the Regiment they engage in, and cease in the Militia. It is expected that proper attention be paid to this order, as no plea of ignorance will be admitted.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, February 10, 1776.

General Green's Brigade to furnish one Field-Officer, two Captains, four Subalterns, four Sergeants, four Corporals, two Drums, and one hundred and twenty Privates, to relieve the Guard, tomorrow morning, upon Cobble-Rill. General Sullivan's Brigade to furnish the same number of officers and men to relieve that Guard on Monday morning; and so, alternately, by each Brigade, until further orders.

Robert McKnight, of Captain Gleason's Company, in Colonel Nixon's Regiment, tried at a General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Hutchinson was President, for desertion, and inlisting in different Regiments, is found guilty by the Court, and adjudged to receive thirty-nine lashes upon the bare back, and be stopped five pounds four shillings out of his pay, to repay those officers whom the prisoner has defrauded.

The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be put in execution, at such time and place as the commanding officer of the Regiment shall appoint.

Head Quarters, Cambridge, February 11, 1776.

Benjamin Woodman, of Captain Darby's Company, in