(the Falkland, commanded by Captain Lindsey,) and was carried into Boston, and there sold; and I myself detained on board a man-of-war for some time, and finally dismissed. And do further testify and say, that, according to the best of my judgment, said schooner, with her appurtenances, was worth at that time, (including her cargo,) fifty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence, lawful money, and belonged to Mr. Zoheth Smith and others; and since I was taken, the man that was my partner is deceased. And further saith not.

SIMON NEWCOMB.

Eastham, January 26, 1776.

BARNSTABLE, ss.

The above-named Simon Newcomb personally appeared before me, one of his Majesty’s Justices of Peace, and, after being duly cautioned, made oath to the above-written Deposition.

JOHN ATWOOD, Justice of Peace.

New-Haven, 8, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The 22d December last I wrote you, informing you of the loss we sustained on Noddle’s Island; since which, I have been down to Boston, and find the Island much more damaged than I could have conceived of Besides the buildings, &c., I mentioned, (the amount was £1,520,) they destroyed, cut, and burnt, &c., underwritten, viz:

25 large locust trees.

220 feet planed and painted fence, and with large gates before the mansion-house, red cedar posts.

500 feet board fence round the cow-yard.

170 feet board fence round the garden, red cedar posts, almost new.

13 fruit trees in the garden.

100 or more spruce spars, poles for fences.

45 lengths post and rails fence, 5 rails each.

78 lengths 3-rails fence, underpinned with stone; wall good.

2 pumps entirely destroyed.

1 pump much damaged.

234 feet open board fence round the sheep-yard.

A bridge burnt, and a wharf, where the store was burnt, much burnt.

1 horse-stable, omitted in my last, worth about twenty pounds sterling; (Mr. Williams says thirty pounds sterling; but I believe twenty is enough.)

GENTLEMEN: You may, if you please, make an addition to the sum of £1,520 of £100 sterling, for above loss and damages. And whereas we expect to be paid for those damages done by the Provincial Troops on the Island, we should be glad that, if it is in your power at present, you would please to give us part to begin to rebuild with now. The troops have left Boston. The longer delayed, the greater the damage; and conclude with wishing you grace and wisdom, health and happiness, here and hereafter.

From your obedient, humble servant,

THOS. GREENOUGH.

To Messrs. Deane, Adams, and Wythe, Esquires.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 9, 1776.

SIR: The important post of Dorchester-Hill, which has long been the object of our particular attention, and which, for various weighty reasons, I had hitherto delayed taking possession of, I have the pleasure to inform you is now so well secured, that I flatter myself it will not be in the power of the enemy to dispossess us. A detachment of twenty-five hundred men, under the command of Brigadier-General Thomas, on Monday evening last began the works there, which they have carried on ever since, without the least molestation from the enemy. For two or three nights previous to this, I thought it necessary to draw off their attention from the grand object, and accordingly ordered a brisk cannonade and bombardment of the town, which, as I have been since informed, had the desired effect; for they had no suspicion of our real design till Tuesday morning, when they discovered our troops in possession of the hill.

A Captain of a transport, who made his escape from Boston the night before last, informs me that three thousand men, under the command of Lord Percy, were ordered to dispossess us; but the weather being very tempestuous, or perhaps for some better reason, the expedition was laid aside. He also informs me that they were making every necessary preparation to evacuate the town. They have, indeed, been observed, for several days past, to be very busily employed in removing their cannon and ammunition; and yesterday, in the afternoon, the Captain’s intelligence was confirmed by a flag of truce, sent out with a message from the Selectmen of the town, a copy of which I have the honour to enclose you. It seems very evident that they can no longer keep possession of the town, and are determined to take post or attack in some other quarter. Where that may be is at present altogether uncertain; but I thought it my duty to give you the earliest information of this important movement, that you might take proper measures for the security of your Colony. I have ordered their motions to be very narrowly watched; and if anything material should occur, you may rely on my giving you speedy notice.

I have also the pleasure to acquaint you that Captain Manly and others have taken another transport-ship, laden with coals, porter, &c., for the use of the Ministerial Troops at Boston. She brings papers to the 2d of December, but they afford no material news. An armed transport is also stranded on the beach of Cape-Cod. The most of her cargo (consisting principally of a few military stores) has been secured by the inhabitants; the master, two midshipmen, and a number of seamen, made prisoners. She was bound from Boston to New-York.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To His Honour Governour Trumbull.

[Letters of the same import with the above were sent to his Honour Governour Cooke, and to the President of the Assembly of New-Hampshire .]

COLONEL MOYLAN TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE AMERICAN FORCES STATIONED AT NEW-YORK.

Cambridge, March 9, 1776.

Sir: I have it in command from his Excellency General Washington to inform you that, in consequence of his determination to possess himself of the Heights at Dorchester, a cannonade and bombardment was begun on Saturday night last, on the town of Boston, continued on Sunday night, and on Monday night A vast number of shot and shells were thrown into that town, under the cover of which the intended purpose was effected. On the enemy’s perceiving, next morning, that we had taken post, they were all hurry and bustle, embarking their troops, as was expected, and wished to attack us; but the violent storm which came on that day prevented them, and disappointed us, who were prepared to give them a warm reception.

The possession of these Heights are preparatory to our forming a fort upon Nuke-Hill, which commands the south of Boston, and to which their shipping will be much exposed. This they seem to be well aware of, and are now making every preparation for moving off. Captain Irwin escaped from them the night before last, and assures us that this is their intention. It is corroborated by a message from the Selectmen in that town to his Excellency, a copy of which you have enclosed.

These informations will not prevent the General from proceeding in his advances to the town; so that, if they do not move off, he is determined to force them to a battle, by making that town so hot that they will have but little rest therein.

His Excellency has good reasons to imagine that New-York will be the place of their destination. He therefore desires that you will exert yourself to the utmost in preparing for their reception. He has ordered the armed vessels to be in readiness to attend their motions, and give him the earliest intelligence of the course they steer; by which intelligence his motions will be governed. If they steer west, you may expect a large reinforcement from this camp, and in all probability the main body will soon follow.

You will please to communicate this to the Provincial Congress in Convention, who, the Governour doubts not, will co-operate with you in using every endeavour to prevent their forming a lodgment before his Excellency can