about upon it a considerable time; if these companies had had the whale-boats, it is not likely the enemy would have ventured so far. I find that a considerable number of inhabitants of Hull are returned, and boats from the ships have been observed to go thither; no doubt can be made but that intelligence and provisions are conveyed in that channel, and for want of whale-boats we cannot prevent it. It would be better to burn the town than permit such communication; but a party of perhaps fifty or one hundred men might prevent it and protect the inhabitants. They certainly know that the whale-boats are taken off from hence, or they would not venture to look after our fishing-canoes so far up the harbour, when we were so near to our guards upon Hough’s Neck. The Committee of War will doubtless consider the matter.

By intelligence from our guards, our armed vessels this morning took a ship and brig a little without the Light-House, some say only a ship. I saw Dawson endeavour to go out at the time of the firing, but wind and tide being against, he could not go out. The like has taken place several times before, and is evidence to me that the enemy do not think it safe to ride outside the Light-House. Just before their great fleet left Nantasket Harbour several of them anchored below the Light-House, but soon returned: similar instances I can give, which fully evince that they do not think it safe to anchor so low down.

It may be well to consider whether, if they are driven from their present station, they may not attempt to lodge in Marblehead Harbour, or some other within the Capes. It ought also to be considered how they may be dislodged from the heights of Hull and the Islands, should they possess them, and also how they will dislodge us, should we have possession of the heights.

I am, &c.,

J. PALMER.

To the Honourable Thomas Cushing, Esquire, Chairman of the Committee of War.

LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE FRONTIER INHABITANTS BY MK. STUART, BRITISH SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT, DELIVERED 18TH OF MAY, 1776.

Some time ago Mr. Cameron and myself wrote you a letter by Mr. Thomas, and enclosed you the talk we had with the Indians respecting the purchase which, it is reported, you lately made of them for the rivers Wattangah and No-lachucky, &c. We are since informed that you are under great apprehensions of the Indians doing mischief; but it is not the design of his Majesty to set his friends and allies, the Indians, on his liege subjects. Therefore, whoever of you are willing to join his Majesty’s forces as soon as they arrive at the Cherokee nation, by repairing to the King’s standard, shall find protection, and their families and estates be secure from all danger whatever. Yet, that his Majesty’s officers may be certain which of you are willing to take up arms in defence of the King’s just rights, I have thought fit to recommend to every one of you that is desirous of preventing inevitable ruin to himself and family, immediately to subscribe a written paper, acknowledging their allegiance to his Majesty King George, and that they are ready and willing, whenever called upon, to appear in arms in defence of the British rights in America; which paper, as soon as it is signed, send to me by some safe hand.

Should any of the inhabitants be desirous of knowing how they are to be kept free from every kind of insult or danger, inform them that his Majesty will immediately land an army in West-Florida, and march them through the Creek nation to the Chickasaws, where five hundred warriors from each nation are to join them, then come by the Cherokees, (who have also promised their assistance,) and then take possession of the frontiers of North-Carolina and Virginia, at the same time that his Majesty’s forces make a diversion on the sea-coasts of those Provinces.

If any of the inhabitants have cattle, pack-horses, or flour to spare, by applying to us they shall have a good price for them, as soon as his Majesty’s troops are imbodied.

I am, gentlemen, &c.,

HENERY STUART, Deputy Superintendent.

TO THE PUBLICK.

Whereas many misrepresentations have been circulated respecting the quantity of ammunition, and other circumstances relating to the condition of the galleys at the time of the late engagement; the officers on that service, in justice to their reputation, conceive themselves called upon to give a true account thereof.

The number of cartridges on board at the commencement of the action, on the 8th instant, amounted on an average to twenty-eight rounds only, when filled up fit for service, which was expended in many of the boats, and only a round or two left in others, at the time the Roebuck sot aground; otherwise we have every reason to believe we should have made a prize of her, as we had above an hour’s daylight when we were obliged to retreat for want of ammunition. Soon after this, we received a small supply, partly of loose powder, amounting to eight rounds only, and deficient of cartridges to put it in, which we judged insufficient to renew the attack with.

On the 9th we received a second supply, which made up forty-five rounds, including the former eight, but not till long after the Roebuck was got off, which she effected before daylight. Soon after receiving this we began the second attack, under the disadvantage of being obliged, in the time of the action, to cut up blankets, jackets, trousers, stockings, &c., to supply the defect of cartridges; and, for want of wads, some were necessitated to cut up cables, and take the oakum out of the netting. This supply was also expended about sunset, after a very close engagement, when some retreated to look for fresh supplies; and meeting with a barge, three of us got seven rounds therefrom and returned to the attack, which was continued till the enemy was below New-castle. Next morning she dropped to Reedy Island. We continued watching them three days, in which time we received a further supply of powder; but as many of the boats were then without shot, and others had but very few, we were still ill provided either for attack or defence.

We have, on former occasions, from first entering on the duty, experienced many distresses, both for service and accommodation, which we have borne with a soldierlike patience, under the hopes that future regulations would relieve us therefrom.

We are the publick’s most obedient humble servants,

Lieut. BENJAMIN THOMPSON, commanding the Experiment.

Lieut. ROBERT HUME, commanding the Ranger.

To the Honourable the Representatives of the Freemen of the Province of PENNSYLVANIA, in General Assembly met.

The Address of the Committee of Inspection for the County of PHILADELPHIA.

We esteem ourselves in no small degree happy that we have the satisfaction, in this very critical conjuncture, of expressing our sentiments to the constitutional Representative body of this Province.

With the deepest concern, we have lately observed that the ground on which our opposition to the arbitrary and oppressive measures of the British Ministry was first made is so totally changed. Instead of our joining hand and heart in forwarding a reconciliation with our parent State, on constitutional principles, which is the object we ought ever to have kept in view, as the only termination of our disputes which can possibly give us happiness and security, a system has been adopted by some persons in the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, which tends immediately to the subversion of our Constitution.

When we recollect the declaration of Congress, that they “mean not to destroy the Union which has so long happily subsisted, and which they sincerely wish to be restored;” when we think of the known instructions given to the Delegates of the several Provinces, as well as to those of our own, we are alarmed at the prospect of a disunion, which