Resolved, That if the Ministerial Troops should totally abandon the town of Boston, it will be unnecessary to employ any part of this Army for the defence and security of the same, as the Militia of the Province will be adequate thereto.

The opinion of Council was also demanded by his Excellency, whether, if the Ministerial Troops should continue in the harbour of Boston, it would be advisable to fortify Nuke-Hill, in Dorchester.

Resolved, That if the Ministerial Troops should continue in this harbour to-morrow, it would be advisable to fortify Nuke-Hill the next night, at all events.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 9, 1776.

The General earnestly expects every officer and soldier of this Army will show the utmost alertness, as well upon duty, as off duty; as, by that means, not only the utmost power, but the utmost artifice of the enemy will be defeated. The Regiments which have not drawn their clothing from the Quartermaster-General, are commanded to do it immediately.

The Regiment and Companies of Riflemen are to hold themselves in readiness to march at an hour’s warning. The whole Army to prepare to be ready to march when commanded.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 10, 1776.

There was a mistake in the Orders of the, 6th instant: General Heath being ordered for the command therein mentioned, instead of General Greene, who is appointed for that command.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 11, 1776.

That there may not be the least pretext for delay, (as the General is determined to march the whole, or any part of this Army, the instant occasion shall require,) his Excellency desires that not a moment’s time may be lost in preparing for the march. The Colonels will pay particular attention to the clothing of their men. To prevent any unnecessary preparations, the General informs the officers and soldiers, that it is his desire and expectation that they encumber themselves with as little baggage as possible, as, apart from the enormous expense to the Continent, teams cannot be procured for superfluous articles; it will be well if sufficient can be found to answer all requisite services. The nature of the service we are engaged in is such as requires Light Troops, ready at all times, and upon all occasions, for forced marches; the less baggage, therefore, officers and men are encumbered with, the better.

The recruiting service is to be continued; but the recruits, and all the men upon furlough, are to join their respective Regiments immediately.

The General being desirous of selecting a particular number of men as a Guard for himself and baggage, the Colonel, or commanding officer, of each of the established Regiments, (the Artillery and Riflemen excepted,) will furnish him with four, that the number wanted may be chosen out of them. His Excellency depends upon the Colonels for good men—such as they can recommend for their sobriety, honesty, and good behaviour. He wishes them to be from five, feet eight inches high to five feet ten inches, handsomely and well made; and as there is nothing in his eyes more desirable than cleanliness in a soldier, he desires that particular attention may be made in the choice of such men as are neat and spruce. They are all to be at Head-Quarters to-morrow, precisely at twelve, at noon, when the number wanted will be fixed upon. The General neither wants men with uniforms or arms; nor does he desire any mail to be sent to him that is not perfectly willing and desirous of being of this Guard. They should be drilled men.

The General desires that those Colonels who nave not furnished the arrangement of their officers, will do it forthwith, under the inspection of the Brigadiers, who are to certify the same. He also requires the Brigadiers to see that the returns are made, that the commissions may issue.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 12, 1776.

An abstract of the pay of the commissioned officers of each of the established Regiments, for January, to be delivered, as soon as possible, to the Adjutant-General, signed by the Colonel, or officer commanding each Regiment.

The Director-General and Surgeons of the Hospital to proceed in the examination of the Regimental Surgeons and Mates; who are required to attend for that purpose at such time and place as may be appointed, of which they will receive timely notice. When the examination is finished, report is to be made of the same, that commissions may be made out for those who are approved of as duly qualified.

The Colonels, in making out the pay abstracts for their officers for January, are to be careful to see that each officer is charged only from the day of his being appointed.

The General Court-Martial, of which Colonel Phinney was President, is dissolved.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, March 13, 1776.

A. General Court-Martial to sit to-morrow morning, at ten o’clock. All evidences and persons concerned, to attend the Court.

The Rifle Regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hand, and the three Rifle Companies under the command of Captain Stephenson, are to be ready to march to-morrow morning, at ten o’clock. A copy of their route, with their orders, will be delivered to Lieutenant-Colonel Hand and Captain Stephenson this afternoon.

As the Ministerial Troops in Boston, both from information and appearance, are preparing to evacuate that town, the General expressly orders that neither officer or soldier presume to go into Boston, without leave from the General-in-Chief at Cambridge, or the Commanding-General at Roxbury . As the enemy, with a malicious assiduity, have spread the infection of the small-pox through all parts of the town, nothing but the utmost caution on our part can prevent that fatal disease from spreading through the Army and country, to the infinite detriment of both. His Excellency expressly commands every officer to pay the exactest obedience to this order.

If, upon the retreat of the enemy, any person whatsoever is detected in pillaging, he may be assured the severest punishment will be his lot. The unhappy inhabitants of that distressed town have already suffered too heavily from the iron hand of oppression! Their countrymen, surely, will not be base enough to add to their misfortunes.

After Orders . His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, orders that the Rifle Battalion, with Stark’ s, Webb’s, Patterson’s, Greaton’s, and Bond’s Regiments, be immediately relieved from duty, and hold themselves in readiness to march on Friday morning next, except the Rifle Battalion, which marches to-morrow.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COLONEL BEDEL,

March 13, 1776.

SIR: We received your letter, dated at Orford, the 8th instant; and, as the Court was sitting, took the contents under consideration; and are very sorry the inlisting and marching of the men are so much slower than we were made to expect. As to the expenses of the Indians, we are told General Washington undertook, and settled with you, about that matter. Any particular Colonies making any considerable present to them, we think needless, as the Continental Congress have appointed Commissioners to transact those affairs; and what is given by them, we must pay our proportion of. As your Regiment this year is raised for the Continental service, and immediately under their direction, we cannot think it necessary to carry anything with you for stores more than will last you to Canada, as we are well assured by the Continental Congress every requisite will be sent there to supply the Army; and are informed they are all gone forward some time. The wages are to be paid off there monthly, which we trust will supply the officers and soldiers’ necessities. We expect you will march as soon as possible, to take care of the men gone forward; and