May it please your Honours: Ignorance, inadvertence, and absolute necessity, were the sole cause of my setting foot in the Government of Nova-Scotia. And during my continuance there (which was at Cape Forsckue) I neither corresponded, countenanced, or associated with any of the enemies of America, but most warmly espoused the cause of liberty, and bore unfeigned testimony against the iniquitous, tyrannical, Ministerial measures and acts of the British Parliament. Nor was this confined to my tongue alone, but my hand witnessed the same, as leisure and opportunity gave me leave, copies of which I humbly crave leave to lay at the feet of your Honours, most solemnly declaring them to be authentick.

May it please your Honours: From the first of my leaving Machias, last July, to my arrival a few days since, I have not ceased endeavours to serve the place to the utmost of my ability; and I do most solemnly declare that nothing has, is, or can be remoter from my heart than an inclination to aid or abet the enemies of America, liberty and freedom, and in this necessary contest am willing to risk my interest in life; and for this purpose did strictly recommend to Captain Fossey to bring a quantity of powder for the use of the Colony. Therefore, throwing myself at the feet of your Honours, I most humbly crave for myself and distressed family your Honours’ pardon and protection; and, as in duty bound, shall ever pray for your Honours’ consummate happiness and prosperity.

STEPHEN PARKER.

Machias, May 11, 1776.

MONSIEUR DUMAS TO THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE.

Utrecht, May 14, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I wrote the 9th to the person who wrote me the letter of the 6th, (of which I have given you a copy,) that if what he had to say to me was pressing, I would go and return in two succeeding nights, to be with him Sunday, the 12th, which is between the two; but if the interview could admit a week’s delay, I should be able to make the journey more conveniently. He answered the next day (10th of May) as follows:

“I have received, sir, the letter you did me the honour to write. I obey instantly the order you have given to answer you as to the day when I shall be able to have the pleasure of seeing you. As what I shall have the honour of saying to you is not pressing, you may put off till Saturday next, (eight days hence,) that is to say, the 18th of this month, the visit with which you flatter me; nay, I take the liberty to anticipate you in the offer of expenses, in all cases where your good offices will be useful to me. Flattered, honoured, as I am with the acquaintance I have made with you, I should be very sorry to be a burden to you, and to abuse your kindness. I have the honour to be, very respectfully, sir, at your command.”

Do not think, gentlemen, that a childish vanity leads me to recite to you this letter, and to take to myself sincerely the compliments which are addressed to me.

May 21st.—I am at length returned from my journey, with which I have been much satisfied, because I think you will have reason to be so. After we had conversed some time on the great and very late news of the evacuation of Boston by your enemies, as a new mark of the wisdom of your operations, our friend (whose name I have promised not to reveal) said, the King of England does not forget himself, nevertheless, as you see; and he showed me in a Gazette a prohibitory edict, very severe, of the Empress Queen of Hungary, against all exportation of arms and munitions from her States for America. I had already seen it, and I told him so. But what you do not know, said he, is, that the King has demanded this of the Empress, by a letter written with his own hand. I gave him to understand that I hoped this Court would not be so partial. You shall know, he replied, for you will comprehend it. As to your first demand, the mediation of the King cannot take place whilst the Colonies are subjects of the King of England, who, besides, would not accept it. As to your second demand, the King is a true Knight: his word is sacred; he has given it to the English to live in peace with them; he will hold to it. While France is not at war with the English, he will not ally himself against them with the Colonies, and will not furnish aids to the latter. But, on the other hand, for the same reason, the Americans have the same protection and liberty as all other English to resort to France, to export thence merchandise, arms, and munitions of war, without however forming magazines of them in France, which is not permitted by any nation. Besides, added he, the Colonies have no need that either France or Spain should enter into this war. Commerce alone will furnish to the Americans all that they want to defend themselves. I am of his opinion. I think, even, it will be more advantageous to you, and to France also, that she should not be hasty to declare openly for you. Once more, gentlemen, your union, your constant love of liberty, your fortitude in turning from all that looks like luxury, and in despising it; your hatred of tyranny and despotism, which are the sad fruits of luxury; in fine, all your republican virtues, will render you superior to your enemies, and invincible even without allies. These, however, will not be wanting, be assured; for it cannot be thought that with what is passing in your part of the world, ours can long remain at peace. The time will come when your friends will show themselves, and when your alliance will not only be accepted, but sought. Meanwhile you have struck a great and wise blow in driving your enemies from Boston. They publish that they have evacuated the place with profound political motives; the publick laughs at this pretence.

I forgot to mention to you that the person in question offered to reimburse to me the expenses of my journey, and that I answered they were already paid; on which he requested me to tell him at least in what he could do me a favour. I answered, that he was doing me such in rendering great services to the Americans. Finally, he desired me to correspond from time to time with him. I engaged to do it, and shall not fail. Thus it depends only on you, gentlemen, to render this correspondence more and more interesting. On my part, I will be vigilant to profit by all events that can make any change in Europe. Those which happen in America will require, without doubt, that you give me frequently new instructions and orders, provided always with letters of credence, or at least with one that will serve for the time, as you judge proper. I know to whom to address myself to ask for intelligence at the Court of France, and to have an answer in a few days.

June 6th.—Here you have a copy of a letter from London, dated May 21. You know well from whom it is. I have sent to him under the envelop the two letters which Mr. Story had left with me, and I added a cypher, which he has already used with success.

“Everything is safe. I shall write you fully next week by our friend Story. One Hortalez will apply to you on business that concerns our friends. He has your address. Be so good as to assist him.”

I expect these gentlemen with impatience, and shall do all that depends on me for your service and theirs.

I trust you will always answer me speedily, and inform me if my letters reach you. I will send you once more a general copy of my preceding letters to supply the loss of one or both, in case the vessels that carry them are lost or are taken.

When I promised the Minister, with whom I had an interview on your affairs, not to name him to you, it is only until you expressly require that I make him known to you; for in that case you may know him when you will.

In about eight days I shall leave Utrecht for a country house within seven leagues of the Hague, where I expect to pass the summer.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

DUMAS.

To the Committee of Secret Correspondence.

LOUDOUN COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, May 14, 1776.

Richard Morlan being summoned to appear before this Committee, for speaking words inimical to the liberties of America, and tending to discourage a Minute-man from returning to his duty; and also publickly declaring he would not muster, and if fined would oppose the collection of the fine with his gun; the charges being proved against him, and he heard in his defence, the Committee think proper to hold