matter to your Excellency and the honourable Congress, to whom I glory in being subject.

I am, very respectfully, your Excellency’s most humble and obedient servant,

JAMES LYON.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq., &c.

P. S. Would not a rising sun with this inscription, Jussu Dei surgo, appear well on the standard of some Colony?

NORTHAMPTON (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Northampton, May 16, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: In compliance with a resolve of Congress, of February 28th, we take the liberty to mention the circumstances of the prisoners sent hither for confinement, and our conduct towards them.

Twenty officers in the British Navy, the greater part Midshipmen, were confined to this town on their parole not to go beyond the bounds of it. The complaints of the inhabitants, that they went abroad unseasonably in the night, to the disturbance of the people, induced us to resolve that they should not be from their lodgings after nine o’clock in the evening, though several of them have since declared they were not properly notified of it. About the 20th of March, from an apprehension that some of them might be inclined to make their escape, a mutual parole, drawn up by one of their own number, and at that time known only to themselves, was proposed to each of them to sign, in which the subscribers, after reciting the above apprehensions, reciprocally engaged to each other that they would not leave the place of their confinement without the knowledge and consent of the majority. All of them signed the above-mentioned paper except Messieurs Stanhope, Gregory, Webb, Robbimon, Curtis, and Atkinson. Soon after, the Committee was informed by some of the people with whom they lived that a design of escape was certainly in contemplation among the prisoners; but as they were closely connected among themselves, it was impossible to learn who in particular entertained the design; and being often out on horseback late in the evening, and sometimes absent through the night, the Committee thought it necessary, about the middle of April, to direct them for the present not to be from their lodgings after sunset. In the evening of the 27th of April, Mr. Stanhope and Mr. Gregory absconded. They were pursued and retaken at Middletown, in Connecticut, and brought back to this place on the first of this month, and committed to jail. When they were examined the next day before the Committee, Mr. Stanhope declared that any restrictions laid on him by the Committee would discharge him from every obligation to observe his parole; and that the order not to be out after sunset, or even after nine o’clock, would justify his going away. Mr. Gregory excused himself on similar principles. They were recommitted, and are now in close confinement. In the night of the 30th of April, Mr. Robbinson also absconded, and has not yet been retaken. On the 1st of this month Mr. Webb (of whom there had been strong suspicion) was desired to attend upon the Committee. One of his fellow-officers declared he had heard him say that he did not think his parole binding. Another testified that Mr. Webb had told him he would make his escape if he had an opportunity. The Committee also confined him in jail. As the other gentlemen did not appear to be privy to their companions’ going off, and had only heard them express themselves in general terms, our conduct towards them is not altered.

We should be happy to know the sentiments of Congress touching the matters above-mentioned; and it would be perfectly agreeable to us if any other place should be chosen where those in jail could be confined in a manner less disagreeable to them. However, we shall, with the greatest punctuality, observe any instructions we may receive.

A number of the prisoners confined to this town were taken by the Continental forces, and were sent to our care by General Washington. The people with whom they are lodged, and who have furnished them with clothing, are impatient to know where they must apply for a reward. We should be particularly obliged to the Congress if they would give us the information.

We have enclosed an account of the expense occasioned by the above-mentioned prisoners who broke their parole, (all of whom were ordered to this place by General Washington;) the charges we think as low as the services mentioned could be hired for.

I am, sir, in the name and behalf of the Committee of Inspection for the town of Northampton, your most obedient, and most humble servant,

JOSEPH HAWLEY, Chairman.

To the Honourable the President of the American Congress, in Philadelphia.

Northampton, April 29, 1776.

The following prisoners, lately officers in the British Navy, who had given their parole of honour not to depart from the bounds of the town of Northampton without leave from the Commander-in-Chief, did, in the evening of the 27th instant, abscond and runaway, viz: Henry Edwin Stanhope, twenty-four years of age, has lightish eyes, hair, and complexion, pitted with the small-pox, has a large nose, and is about five feet six inches in height. Also, George Gregory, twenty-four years old, with light-coloured short hair, light complexion and thin favoured, about five feet eight inches high. They took away a young stone horse, almost black, with a white face and hog mane, and an old roan gelding, both good horses. It is hoped the greatest vigilance will be exerted to apprehend the said prisoners, who, in return for the indulgence shown them, have basely violated their word of honour. Five dollars, and all necessary charges, will be paid for apprehending and securing either of them.

Per order of the Committee of Northampton:

ROBERT BRECK, Chairman.

N. B. The Printers in this and the neighbouring Colonies are desired to insert the above in the several papers.

H. E. STANHOPE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 11, 1776. Referred to the Committee on Prisoners.]

Northampton Jail, May 11, 1776.

SIR: I am very sorry my situation is such as to oblige me to apply to you as a prisoner. I can remember a time when I could have esteemed you a friend and acquaintance; you no doubt will recollect it, in 1769, when I frequently had the pleasure of paying my respects to you in Boston; however, not to trespass too much on your time, I must beg to inform you that the purport of this letter is to seek a redress of grievances from you and the gentlemen of Congress, (though you in particular,) from whose kind desire of having lenity shown prisoners I have every reason to expect it.

My parole to Governour Cooke, of Rhode-Island, in whose Government I was taken, restricted me to the township of Northampton, without any clause whatever as to the time of my going out or coming in. My situation seemed by no means agreeable to the inhabitants, who, as I am induced to suppose, though have no positive proof, encouraged our common sailors to attack us; by which means I nearly lost my life, having been assaulted three times by people whom I had never before seen; and upon application to Major Hawley for redress by civil law, was informed that we were not entitled to the benefit of it, as prisoners. However, some time after the Committee published an advertisement,* signifying, to the best of my understanding, that we had been fighting among each other, (making no distinction between officers and privates;) whereas you will observe it was an attack upon us, and, I wish I need not (as before) add, was encouraged; for who can suppose that men whom I had never before seen or heard of, should attack me, merely for the sake of beating me. But these are points which cannot be better determined than by a man of Mr. Hancock’s understanding and abilities; and for the future the aggressor should be punished. Likewise, if we insulted anybody in town, let them bring their evidence; they should have ample satisfaction. After this, the Committee resolved that we should be at our apartments by nine o’clock. This was never made known to me. Being at the house of one of the Committee some minutes after that time, to visit some of my fellow-sufferers, he brought a stick with him, and threatened, if I did not instantly depart, he would kick me out, which he put in execution; upon which the Committee made another resolve, confining us to our apartments at sundown, and one of their body said he hoped somebody

* A copy of which I should have enclosed but cannot procure it.

*