and Mr. James Christie, passenger on board the ship,) have behaved themselves with honour while in this town.

From your Honour’s most obedient and very humble servant,

BERIAH NORTON.

To the Honourable James Otis, Esq., President of the honourable Council at Watertown.

N. B. These certify your Honours that Captain Richard Whetten, a worthy gentleman, lately appointed Captain of the First Company of Militia in this regiment, had the command, in taking the ship, as master. Benjamin Smith, within named, as Captain. But I expect to be down soon.

Your humble servant,

BERIAH NORTON.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CAMBRIDGE TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED MARCH 10, 1776.

We were last night disappointed in an attempt made to possess ourselves of Nuke Hill. We were too much elated with the advantages lately gained, and, I must think, imprudently laid out the ground in the open day, and in the face of the enemy. They took the alarm, and, as soon as it was dark, began a very heavy cannonade, which was kept up on both sides, without intermission, until sunrise. As the fire of the enemy was principally directed to the spot we intended to intrench upon, our people were obliged to be drawn off after losing three or four men.

As we are so near the town, every shot from our batteries must take effect. The tumbling I could distinctly hear amongst the houses; some of which this morning exhibit the dreadful havock made by our last night’s work. If the enemy remain much longer, I am of opinion we shall leave very little for Mr. Howe to reek his vengeance on in that devoted city.

There is less appearance this day of their embarkation than has been for some days past. Their sick and wounded, their heavy baggage, and chief part of their heavy artillery, are, by every account we get, already on board; so that I believe we shall soon draw near to you, as New-York will probably be their destination. If that should be the case, your gallant associates will have an opportunity of showing their spirit. We are likely to have a warm night of it. If anything material happens, and I am left in the land of the living, you shall soon hear it.

By His Excellency WILLIAM HOWE, Major-General, &c.

As linen and woollen goods are articles much wanted by the Rebels, and would aid and assist them in their rebellion, the Commander-in-Chief expects that all good subjects will use their utmost endeavours to have all such articles conveyed from this place. Any who have not opportunity to convey their goods under their own care, may deliver them on board the Minerva, at Hubbard’s Wharf, to Crean Brush, Esq.,* marked with their names; who will give a certificate of the delivery, and will oblige himself to return them to the owners, all unavoidable accidents excepted.

If, after this notice, any person secretes or keeps in his possession such articles, he will be treated as a favourer of Rebels.

Boston, March 10, 1776.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CHARLESTOWN, SOUTH-CAROLINA, DATED MARCH 11, 1776.

The Good Intent, Captain William Baker, of twenty-three guns, and two hundred and forty men, fitted out at this place, fell in, on the 18th instant, about twenty leagues from hence, with six transports, and one of the King’s sloops-of-war of fourteen guns; when, after a stout resistance, the sloop was obliged to sheer off. Four of the latter were taken by Captain Baker, and were brought in here this morning; they have on board provisions, clothing, ammunition, &c. The two other vessels, with the sloop, are supposed to be gone to Boston.

THOMAS DORSEY TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Elk-Ridge Landing, March 11, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I received yours of yesterday by express, and, agreeable to order, shall dismiss my battalion of Militia, who were in readiness at this place to march to any part of the Province that your Honours or the General should request.

It gives me the greatest satisfaction that my conduct, as well as the other gentlemen, officers, and Militia, under my command, meets with your approbation.

I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

THOMAS DORSEY.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

ELK-RIDGE COMMITTEE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

In Committee, March 11, 1776.

The Committee of Observation in the neighbourhood of Elk-Ridge, reflecting on the necessity of having the sum of about two hundred pounds lodged in their hands to defray the expenses of the Elk-Ridge Battalion, in case the exigencies of the Province shall, at any time, require their marching to a distance to repel a hostile invasion by the British forces, beg that you will send them the said sum of two hundred pounds by Mr. Samuel Godman, and the Committee of Elk-Ridge will be responsible for the same. The Committee have already advanced about fifty pounds for the support of the Elk-Ridge Battalion, after being called on to go to Baltimore Town.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

JOSEPH GALLOWAY TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

March 11, 1776, Seven o’clock, P. M.

GENTLEMEN: By the order of Colonel Weems, I am to inform you that the alarm given by Captain Chew is without the least foundation. The sloop-of-war and her tenders are at least fifteen miles below Fishing-Creek. Captain Chew discharged his company at twelve o’clock last night, after being

* The following draft of a Letter was found among the Papers of CREAN BRUSH, who was taken in his flight from BOSTON to HALIFAX, and is published, that the good people of these Colonies may see the unwearied attempts of our implacable enemies to enslave them.

SIR: The movement of the troops from Boston to Canada is the only measure which assures success in the reduction of America to due obedience, which, I trust, sir, you will remember to have been an observation of mine to you in February, 1765. From the frontiers of that Province, the troops can, with great facility, possess the interior fertile country, which forms the great object of Rebel resources, and, by throwing the disaffected inhabitants in crowds upon an already exhausted and almost barren sea-coast, and keeping them confined there, they must be reduced by famine without a blow, provided a proper fleet is stationed on the coast of the Atlantick, to harass them on that quarter, and prevent foreign succours. The rivers, lakes, and streams connected with, and contiguous to, the River St. Lawrence, must be the channels through which this desirable object is to be accomplished—the River Kennebeck, whose source is near that of the River Chaudiere, emptying into the St. Lawrence River a few miles above Quebeck; the Sago River, which separates the Province of New-Hampshire from the Province of Maine; the River Merrimack, rising about latitude 43°; the River Connecticut, whose source is in about latitude 46°, near the Lake De St. Francois, in the River St. Lawrence; Hudson’s Susquehannah, Delaware, and Ohio Rivers, with the lakes forming those rivers and streams issuing into them. Far on the banks of these lakes, rivers, and streams, are the fertile lands; and the whole settlements in the interior parts are chiefly formed on them. You will be pleased, sir, to excuse the liberty I have already taken, and indulge me until I have before you the method I would pursue in taking possession of any capital river; which, if it furnishes a hint which may facilitate the operations on any other, I should esteem myself very happy. The plan I would lay down relates only to the River Connecticut —an object of the greatest consequence, as it forms the granary of Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut. And I request you may believe, that what I advance is not founded on mere speculative knowledge, founded on maps, but from the actual experience of many years traversing that river, from its mouth to latitude 45°, where I had an opportunity of thoroughly inspecting its falls. On supposition, therefore, that the body of Regulars on this expedition consists of one thousand five hundred men, the like number of Canadians, and one hundred Indians, with arms and ammunition, and six small field-pieces, the whole to proceed together from Quebeck to Lake De St. Francois, with about one hundred and fifty horses, or more, if possible, and birch canoes sufficient to carry such provisions and light baggage as may be necessary, the distance from the Lake De St. Franois to the source of Connecticut River may be about six days’ march; and in this the whole difficulty consists. However, the Canadians, who are good axe-men, covered by an advanced party, and Indian guides, might cut out such fallen timber as may lay across the path, and fill up such gulleys with logs and earth as would otherwise obstruct the march of the artillery. Immediately on entering the settled townships on Connecticut River, a printed paper, to the purport or effect following, might be distributed. [Here the letter ends.]