and the prisoner at the bar, according to law and evidence; and to keep together until you are agreed of a verdict or verdicts in the case or cases that shall be committed to you from this Court, and to keep your own and fellows’ secrets; and this engagement you make and give upon the peril of the penalty of perjury.”

Town Officers.—“You, A B, do hereby solemnly engage to be true and faithful unto this Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations; and that you will well and truly, according to the laws established, or that may be established by the General Assembly of said Colony, execute the office of . . . for the ensuing year, or until another be engaged in your room, or you be legally discharged therefrom; and this engagement you make and give upon the peril of the penalty of perjury.”

Military Commissioned Officers.—“You, A B, being by the General Assembly chosen and elected unto the place and office of . . . , do solemnly swear to be true and faithful unto this Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, and to the authority therein established by the General Assembly; and you do also further engage well and truly to execute the office of . . . , to which you are elected, according to your commission; and to perform and observe all the laws made and provided for the support and well ordering of the Militia, without partiality; and that you will observe and follow such orders and instructions as you shall from time to time receive from your superiors: so help you God.”

Clerk of a Company of Militia.—“You, A B, do solemnly swear well and truly to perform and execute the office of Clerk of the Company, or trained band, under the command of C D, to the utmost of your skill and ability, without partiality, according to the laws of this Colony which relate to your office: so help you God.

A true copy:—Witness,

HENRY WARD, Secretary.

GOVERNOUR COOKE TO THOMAS CUSHING.

Providence, May 6, 1776.

SIR: At the request of the General Assembly, I am to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 3d instant, and to inform you that in case of an attack upon the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, this Colony will afford all the assistance in our power to give. Orders have been given to several of the Colonels of Militia to hold their regiments in readiness.

The enclosed act passed the Upper House unanimously, and the Lower House by a vast majority, there being upwards of sixty members present, and only six votes against it.

I am, with great regard, sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

NICHOLAS COOKE.

To the Honourable Thomas Cushing, Esq.

ADAM BABCOCK TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-Haven, May 6, 1776.

SIR: I heard, a few days since, that you Excellency had fitted out an armed vessel, under the command of Captain Perrit, to cruise to the southward. Should that be the case, I beg leave to propose that a vessel I have fitted out, commanded by Captain Brooks, may go out in company with her; which will make them both quite secure against anything they may chance to meet with in getting off the coast, except they should fall in with a man-of-war. The little vessel I have fitted mounts six three-pounders, with swivels, blunderbusses, and small arms for fifty men, which she carries, and is already manned, and is a prime sailer. She will sail the beginning of next week, but will wait till Thursday for your Excellency’s vessel, if in the mean time I am informed that she will be ordered here, and to keep company with my vessel till both are clear of the coast.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect and regard, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

ADAM BABCOCK.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq.

GENERAL WARD TO COLONEL WARREN.

Boston, May 6, 1776.

SIR: I would inform you that, last evening, a man made his escape from Lovell’s Island, in this harbour, who appears to be an honest American. He informs that yesterday he was on board the man-of-war which lies in Nantasket, and that an officer of the Navy told him the fleet and troops from Halifax were expected to return soon to this place; and that they intended to land their troops below, and march to Boston by land, while the man-of-war made an attack by water. The same account was given by another man who made his escape from the same man-of-war the night before last. What regard ought to be paid to these accounts you will determine. I thought it my duty to give you the information, that you might acquaint the General Court therewith.

I am, sir, your obedient, humble servant,

ARTEMAS WARD.

To the Honourable James Warren.*

JAMES WARREN TO JEDEDIAH PREBLE.

SIR: Last fall this Court made choice of you for their Truckmaster to the Penobscot Tribe of Indians. We trust you have been duly acquainted with your appointment, as your son was in town when you were appointed. This Court have lately received a letter from said Indians, dated the 22d of last November, complaining to us that they were not satisfied with their present Truckmaster: they say he detains them a long time when they come to trade with him. Their chief complaint is the want of despatch. They desire that Mr. Lowden may be appointed their Truckmaster. We have promised them that their case shall be considered as soon as may be after the meeting of the next General Court. You are sensible, sir, that it may be attended with very ill consequences to have these Indians uneasy. We desire you to search into the cause of their complaints, and report to the next General Court on or before the second Wednesday of their first meeting.

JAMES WARREN.

To the Honourable Jedediah Preble, Esq.

COLONEL GILMAN TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Head-Quarters, May 6, 1776.

MOST RESPECTED GENTLEMEN: My officers here make a great complaint for the want of paper. They cannot receive the necessary orders, and make proper returns of their companies, for want of that article. By the best information I can get, the officers and non-commissioned officers in the Continental Army are allowed that article. I should be glad that the matter might be considered, and that you would grant such relief as you in your wisdom may think best. My command here is attended with some considerable difficulty, the soldiers being very mutinous, (Captain Dearborn’s Company in particular,) not owing to their officers being backward in their duty, but from a notion that the Artillerymen have no right to build fortifications. I have ordered that company over to Sevey’s Island, in hopes to have them in some better order. Five of the said company are now under trial of a Court-Martial for mutinous behaviour.

You may remember, gentlemen, when you were down here I mentioned something concerning boats to reinforce New-Castle, in case we should be attacked by the enemy: I am of the same opinion still, and think it worthy of your consideration. I have almost completed the battery on Church-Hill. Should have done it long ago, if the wind and weather had not prevented getting turf. We have

* IN COUNCIL, May 7, 1776.—The Committee of both Houses to whom is referred the consideration of a letter from General Ward, have considered the same; and, from various circumstances, are led to conclude that the probability of the enemy’s return to this Colony is such as renders it highly necessary that part of the Militia be called to the lines near Boston, with ail possible despatch; and that due care be immediately taken to provide proper magazines of provision, and a sufficient supply of intrenching tools and camp utensils, for their use and support. All which is humbly submitted.

J. WINTHROP, per order.

PEREZ MORTON, Deputy Secretary.