GENERAL WARD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Boston, May 19, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 13th instant is just come to hand, enclosing Colonel Varnum’s petition, by which I perceive he makes a charge against. me, because I did not redeliver, as he is pleased to call it, some men upon request of one Captain Lane.

The case was this, if I remember aright: Lane came to me and said he had supplied a man with money to inlist men for Colonel Varnum’s Regiment, and that he had inlisted fifteen or sixteen men, and had received his orders to join said regiment at Prospect-Hill; but before the men arrived, the regiment had marched for New-York, and the men had inlisted into Colonel Phinney’s Regiment. He desired that I would order them to join Colonel Varnum’s Regiment. I asked him for the inlistment, that I might know who the men were, and have the proper proof of their having inlisted into Colonel Varnum’s Regiment. He replied, he had not got any; they were destroyed; but did not say who destroyed them. I then asked him if he was like to lose the money. He said somebody (but who I don’t remember) would give him the money again, but he would not take it. I then told him he had better take it, and look out better next time. I think there would have been no propriety in my ordering that or any other number to join Colonel Varnum’s Regiment, without first having proper evidence of their first inlisting into the same.

It is somewhat surprising the gentleman should take it upon him to make a charge against me for not doing that which, by his own charge, it appears I had no right to do, by law or reason. As to Lieutenant Merrel’s conduct in the matter, I shall make inquiry into it as soon as may be. If I find him faulty, as alleged in the petition, I shall give information thereof to your Excellency.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

ARTEMAS WARD.

To General Washington.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER DATED HALIFAX, NOVA-SCOTIA, MAY 19, 1776.

On Thursday last arrived here the Greyhound man-of-war, Captain Dickson, in six weeks from Cork, with nine victuallers under convoy; and the same day sailed the Rose, Captain Wallace.

On Friday arrived the Savage sloop-of-war, Captain Bromedge, from New-York, with despatches for Admiral Shuldham and General Howe.

Sunday last arrived the Argo transport, with Colonel Enoch Markham and three companies of the Forty-Sixth Regiment.

Captain Nordberg, of the Sixtieth Regiment, who commanded at Fort George, is arrived there, having escaped from the Provincials.

A ship freighted with sundry articles, being a donation from London for the Army, is safely arrived here.

A regiment is raising here, to be called the Loyal Nova-Scotia Volunteers; and General Howe has issued a proclamation, offering a free pardon to all deserters who will surrender before the 24th of June, and enter into the said corps.

A special Court of Sessions was held here the 10th instant, to settle the price of provisions, as on account of the arrival of the troops every advantage had been taken of the fullness of the town, and the great demand for every article thereof. The order of Sessions runs thus: That all butchers and others selling dead meat shall expose the same publickly for sale, and shall not ask or demand for the best prime pieces of beef, pork, mutton, lamb, and veal, more than a shilling currency the pound, avoirdupois, and the coarser tarts in proportion; fowls, dead or alive, not exceeding two shillings each, and chickens in proportion; hares or rabbits, one shilling six pence each; tame ducks, two shillings each; wild ducks, one shilling six pence each; partridges one shilling three pence each. The above prices are in currency only.

We have now two ships of one hundred and forty tons each, with their cargoes, consisting of Russia bar-iron, ditto hemp, ditto sail-cloth, and ditto linen, on sale, which were taken from the Americans, and were condemned in our Admiralty Court. Everything is very quiet here; they are throwing up new works, and making the place more tenable than it was; and an expedition is concerting, but I believe they wait the succours from England before they mean to put it in execution.

Provisions, as you see by the above, are very dear; twenty years ago we bought here all the same articles for one-fourth of the present prices; even the common sort of soap is sold at one shilling a pound.

SOUTH-CAROLINA—CHERAWS DISTRICT.

At a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, Assize and General Jail Delivery, begun to be holden in and for the said District, at Long-Bluff, in the Colony aforesaid, on Monday, the 20th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six: The Presentments of the Grand Jury of and for the said District:

I. When a people, born and bred in a land of freedom and virtue, uncorrupted by those refinements which effeminate and debase the mind, manly and generous in their sentiments, bold and hardy in their nature, and actuated by every principle of liberality, from too sad experience are convinced of the wicked schemes of their treacherous rulers to fetter them with the chains of servitude, and rob them of every noble and desirable privilege which distinguishes them as freemen,—justice, humanity, and the immutable laws of God, justify and support them in revoking those sacred trusts which are so impiously violated, and placing them in such hands as are most likely to execute them in the manner and for the important ends for which they were first given.

II. The good people of this Colony, with the rest of her sister Colonies, confiding in the justice and merited protection of the King and Parliament of Great Britain, ever signalized themselves by every mark of duty and affection towards them, and esteemed such a bond of union and harmony as the greatest happiness. But when that protection was wantonly withdrawn, and every mark of cruelty and oppression substituted; when tyranny, violence, and injustice, took the place of equity, mildness, and affection; and bloodshed, murder, robbery, conflagration, and the most deadly persecution, stamped the malignity of her intentions; self-preservation, and a regard to our own welfare and security, became a consideration both important and necessary. The Parliament and Ministry of Great Britain, by their wanton and undeserved persecutions, have reduced this Colony to a state of separation from her, unsought for and undesired by them: a separation which now proves its own utility, as the only lasting means of future happiness and safety. What every one once dreaded as the greatest misery, they now unexpectedly find their greatest advantage. Amidst all her sufferings, and manifold injuries which have been done her, this Colony was ever ready, with her sister Colonies, to ask for that reconciliation which showed every mark of forgiveness and promise of future harmony. But how were they treated? Each token of submission was aggravated into usurpation; humble petitions styled insults; and every dutiful desire of accommodation treated with the most implacable contempt. Cast off, persecuted, defamed, given up as a prey to every violence and injury, a righteous and much injured people have at length appealed to God! and, trusting to his divine justice and their own virtuous perseverance, taken the only and last means of securing their own honour, safety, and happiness.

III. We now feel every joyful and comfortable hope that a people could desire in the present Constitution and form of Government established in this Colony; a Constitution founded on the strictest principles of justice and humanity, where the rights and happiness of the whole, the poor and the rich, are equally secured; and to secure and defend which, it is the particular interest of every individual who regards his own safety and advantage.

IV. When we consider the publick officers of our present form of Government now appointed, as well as the method and duration of their appointment, we cannot but declare our entire satisfaction and comfort; as well in the characters of such men, who are justly esteemed for every virtue, as their well-known abilities to execute the important trusts which they now hold.

V. Under these convictions, and filled with these hopes, we cannot but most earnestly recommend it to every man, as essential to his own liberty and happiness, as well as that