your inspection, are diligent in executing your commands and forwarding the publick service.

As a number of wagons will this day be sent by the legislature of this Province, for the purpose of transporting stores, &c., to Norwich, those intended for the Quartermaster-General you will direct to be loaded with the articles first in request upon the Army’s assembling at their general rendezvous: such as camp equipage, intrenching tools, cooking utensils, &c., with all the articles now in store belonging to the various branches of the Quartermaster-General’s Department. A Wagonmaster and some of the clerks must accompany those teams to Norwich, and see that everything sent from hence is faithfully delivered there.

As some teamsters have lately dropped their lading upon the road at Waltham, you will order Wagonmaster Goddard to see it sent forward immediately, and be very strict, for the future, that every teamster is made answerable for the load he receives, by your ordering a clerk to enter in a book the teamster’s name, place of abode, and bill of lading. A copy of the bill of lading must also be given to the teamster, upon the back of which the receiver of his load at Norwich should be directed to write the certificate for the payment; and unless a teamster can produce such certificate of delivery, he is not to receive any money for his services.

When all the stores in your department, directed to be carried from hence to New-York, are sent forward, and the necessary directions given to the person who remains as Assistant Quartermaster-General to the Troops in this District, you will then, without delay, proceed to New-York, by the way of Norwich, in Connecticut. Upon your arrival at Norwich, you will see that all the stores are sent before you from thence; and, upon your being certain that it is effected, you cannot get too soon to New-York, where you will report your whole proceedings to Colonel Mifflin, and produce and settle your accounts with him.

Depending much upon your diligence, activity, and fidelity, I rest satisfied that no part of the publick service, committed to your care and guidance, will be, in the least, neglected.

Given at Head-Quarters, in Cambridge, this 3d day of April, 1776.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To John Parke, Esq., &c.

ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOCTOR JOHN MORGAN, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE HOSPITAL.

As the grand Continental Army immediately under the command of his Excellency General Washington will, as soon as it is practicable, be assembled at New-York, you are, with all convenient speed, to remove the General Hospital to that city.

As the sick in the different houses cannot be removed, but must be attended until they are able to march, you will leave such Surgeons, Surgeons’ Mates, Apothecary, and attendants, under the direction of                      as are necessary for the care of the sick now in the General Hospital.

The medicines, stores, bedding, &c., not immediately wanted in the General Hospital, should be loaded in carts, that will be provided next Saturday, by the Assistant Quartermaster-General, and sent, under the care of a proper officer, or officers, of the Hospital, to Norwich, in Connecti cut. Upon their arrival there, they will find his Excellency’s orders how, and in what manner, to proceed from thence, whether by land or by water.

The medicines ordered, upon his Excellency’s application, by the honourable the General Court of this Province, to be taken out of the town of Boston, should be sent with the first of the Hospital stores that go to Norwich, a careful person having orders to take charge of the same.

The fixing and completing the Regimental medicine-chests, according to your plan lately proposed, had better be deferred until your arrival at New-York, when that may be set about under your inspection.

As the removing the General Hospital must be attended with such a variety of duty and attention, I must refrain from giving more particular directions, leaving a latitude to your experience and knowledge in your profession to govern and direct all your motions.

Before you leave Cambridge, it will be necessary to see a proper Regimental medicine-chest provided and delivered to each of the Surgeons of the four Regiments left in garrison there under the immediate command of Major-General Ward; also, a chest for Colonel Glover’s Regiment, on command at Beverley.

Reposing entire confidence in your care, diligence, and zeal for the service, I remain satisfied of your best exertions! for the publick benefit.

Given at Cambridge, Head-Quarters, 3d day of April,1776.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Doctor John Morgan.

COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:

The Council are informed that there are a number of cannon on Castle-Island, which have been no further injured by our enemies than having been spiked up; and as they may be immediately wanted for the defence of this Colony, the Council recommend to the honourable House that they take the earliest opportunity to employ some suitable persons to unspike the touch-holes; and that garrison-carriages and other necessary implements be provided for them, that they may be fit for use.

In the name, and by order of the Council:

JAMES OTIS, President.

To the Honourable Council and the Honourable House of Representatives, now sitting at WATERTOWN.

The Petition of the Selectmen of PROVINCETOWN, in behalf of said Town, humbly showeth:

That on the 28th day of March last a sloop appearing near the shore on the back of said town, and to be in distress; on going on board, found her to be from Boston, with five men on board, and twenty-five women and children, in the most miserable condition. It seems they were: bound for Halifax; but, having neither seamen nor water on board, they were unable to proceed on their intended voyage. And as we have reason to believe them to be some of those vermin which have been so destructive to the peace and good order of the Colony, we communicate their names to your Honours, viz: Robert Campbell,* Peter Harris, Patrick Trutt, Daniel Wissel, and the famous Jolly Allen, late of Boston. Said sloop’s cargo consists of household goods, wearing apparel, and casks of delph and glassware.

And we humbly pray your Honours to give such directions as you shall think proper with the present vessel and goods now in our hands; and, as in duty bound, shall ever Pray.

NEHEMIAH NICKERSON, STEPHEN ATWOOD, SOLOMON COOK.

Provincetown, April 3, 1776.

COLONEL ANDREW REED TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

Boothbay, April 3, 1776.

I beg leave to inform your Honours, that James Cargil, whom the honourable Court last year appointed a Colonel in the County of Lincoln, on the 23d day of March last

*TRURO, April 5, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE THE HONOURABLE COURT: I beg leave to inform your Honours I have a sloop on shore at Cape-Cod, put in there in distress, having thirty souls on board, and not one drop of water.

It was with the utmost difficulty I got clear of the fleet, without the loss of the sloop, as my intention was to part them, to put into some port to repair, and to proceed to the Province of New-York. I beg such directions as may enable me to dispose of the passengers and secure my property. Should it be suggested that I may be an enemy to my country, I can produce proper testimony, if required, I have not acted any part in favour of the Ministerial Troops; but my intention is, by means of the sloop, to be useful to my country, and provide for my family.

I should have been glad to have had it in my power to make myself better known, but cannot at present, as I am illy able to hold a pen, having frozen my fingers for want of help on board.

The names of the persons that arrived at this place on board the Sloop Sally, 28th March, 1776: Robert Campbell, Master; Peter Harris, Patrick Prout, Daniel Wisel, wife and child; Jolly Allen, wife and his seven children; Sally Bradford, servant maid; Lilla Coppinger, belonging to Mr. Allen’s family; Mrs. Eleanor Barry, and her five children; Mrs. Nancy Crowfoot and child; Mrs. Joanna James and her son; Mrs. Dolly Stone, Mary Barrett, and Elizabeth Winslow—thirty persons in number.