General Return of the Regiments of Militia of the Province of MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, in the service of the UNITED COLONIES; Head-Quarters at CAMBRIDGE, MARCH 3, 1776.

HORATIO GATES, Adjutant-General.

Return of the Regiment of Artillery in the service of the UNITED COLONIES, commanded by HENRY KNOX, Esq., MARCH 3, 1776.

One Cadet, exclusive of the above.

One deserted since last Return.

HORATIO GATES, Adjutant-General.

COLONEL MOREY TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Orford, March 7, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I am to inform you that many difficulties have arisen since I left you, about raising this regiment of Colonel Bedel’s —too many to mention at present. I shall only say that many independent companies have inlisted, which has occasioned the long delay of the companies, both here and Colonel Wait’s party. Some recruiting officers from Colonel Warner’s party have inlisted a considerable number of fine men; they had the money to pay down forty shillings bounty, only for about three months’ service, which was much easier than to get men for one year. I am also to inform you that Captain Town, who told you and Colo­nel Bedel that he had his men all ready, has wholly failed, and taken sixteen pounds, (that is, two months’ advance pay to himself,) as the Honourable Jonathan Blanchard will inform, &c.

Great difficulty on account of the want of guns, of which I have been obliged to buy many; and more must be bought, or they will be obliged to go without, which I should think would by no means do, although there were some few guns there last fall. By what I can learn, they will be taken up before our men can get to Canada. There is a regiment of Canadians raising in Canada. I find with the money I can buy about one hundred very good guns, which will cost nigh a thousand dollars. I have likewise to inform you that I have purchased, by Colonel Bedel’s order, about seventy pounds’ worth of medicines for the regiment. I have like­wise a bill of Doctor Crane’s for medicine, that Doctor Barker had for Colonel Bedel’s Regiment last year, about twenty pounds, to pay; all which I shall lay before you, &c., as soon as may be. I am ordered to provide two horses and a sleigh to carry the medicines to Canada. I am further to inform you that it is impossible ever to march the company without some advance pay, clothing, &c. I wish, gentlemen, I was master of words sufficient to de­scribe the wants of the men to fix themselves for a long and tedious march, and to leave a small matter for the support of their families, while absent. I fully expect I shall want about two thousand dollars more before the regiment can be completed, for guns, &c. Lieutenants Grant and Thurbur marched off last week with a party of forty-four men, be­longing to Captains Grant and Everett’s companies. About forty more march to-morrow, and about as many now. None yet from Captain Osgood’s company. All this way to march next week. I shall be obliged to send down for more money before the whole can complete their march, unless you think to send me a sum of money by some safe hand. I can assure you that no man has yet waited one hour for any business on my part, and I am fully determined they shall not. I have been careful to keep everything on my part ready. Nothing shall be wanting that is in my power to provide. All the guns that were brought I have got appraised, and what guns I have purchased, by them that are good judges of guns, &c. Money answers all things: if that be wanting, the voyage must of consequence fail.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

ISRAEL MOREY.

To the Hon. Mcshech Weare, Esquire, Chairman of the Committee of Safety of New-Hampshire.

P. S. Since I began the letter, Colonel Bedel came to Orford, and has wrote you on the affair, &c. Major James Richardson, or Colonel William Simpson, will wait upon you with this express, and wait your orders. You will please to take notice that the footing of Doctor Crane’s

You will observe that I have not had any money advanced on account of the above. You will likewise remember that the Committee of Safety are empowered to do what is need­ful on account of forwarding this regiment. And further, be glad of your opinion of Doctor Crane’s bill, &c., as I am not a judge of such affairs.

I. M.

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