to Daniel Tillinghast, Esq., as directed; who advised us to proceed to Newport, where we should meet the Commodore. Sunday evening, we delivered him the orders. He informs us he left thirty-four of the cannon, mostly heavy, at New-London, and brought only twelve twenty-four pounders, and twelve nine pounders to Newport, which he delivered to the Governour of the Colony and took his receipt for them. We came up to this place with him yesterday. Governour Cooke had left town before we got here, and will not be at home for some time. Commodore Hopkins hath applied to the Governour’s Council for the cannon, that he might be enabled to comply with the requisition of the Congress; but they have refused to deliver them until they have a hearing in Congress, and send a gentleman (John Collins, Esq.) to represent their situation, in hopes the cannon for Philadelphia will be ordered to be sent from New-London.

Commodore Hopkins will give us an order for twenty cannon on Governour Trumbull, with which we shall proceed to Connecticut, and make a demand of them; though we fear with as little success as at this place. We shall, if refused, return to Newport, and wait your further orders, which we expect as soon as possible. Please to excuse haste. We should have been more full, but the post hath waited near two hours, and is very impatient.

Your most obedient and humble servants,

To the Honourable Committee of Safety for Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.

NATHANIEL SHAW TO ADMIRAL HOPKINS.

New-London, May 21, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed is an account of what I have advanced the people belonging to the fleet for necessaries which they could not do without, amounting to eighteen pounds fifteen shillings and eleven pence; also fifty dollars, which I have delivered to Sargeant Hamilton and John McNeal, second mate of the sloop Providence, to pay their expenses on the road, and which sum they are to account with you for. I thought it best to send them off, for they are now fit to do duty, and they cannot bear to be idle.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

NATHANIEL, SHAW, Jun.

To Admiral Hopkins.

CAPTAIN BIDDLE TO ADMIRAL HOPKINS.

On board the Andrew Doria, May 21, 1776.

SIR: The night after we left Newport, being chased by a vessel we took to be the Cerberus, the Cabot ran a more direct course for Nantucket shoals than I thought safe to do, by which means we have lost company with her. This morning we took a sloop from Sattertidas to Liverpool, in Nova-Scotia. Mr. Brown, my third mate, to whom I have given charge of her, will give you what further information you may want to know.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

N. BIDDLE.

To the Hon. Esek Hopkins, Esq., in Providence.

ADMIRAL HOPKINS TO NATHANIEL SHAW.

Providence, May 21, 1776.

SIR: You know when I left the guns at New-London I told you, that if the Congress sent for them they must have them; which you then said must be complied with; and as there is now an express order, without reserve, for twenty of the heaviest cannon to be sent to Philadelphia, I expect, if Governour Trumbull is not at New-London, you will immediately deliver them to Messrs. Hollingsworth and Richardson, who are sent to receive them, as the failure may be attended with fatal consequences.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

ESEK HOPKINS.

To Mr. Nathaniel Shaw, Merchant, New-London.

ADMIRAL HOPKINS TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Providence, May 21, 1776.

SIR: On receipt of this you will deliver to the bearers, Messrs. Hollingsworth and Richardson, twenty of the heaviest cannon, a proportion of the trucks, and as many large balls as can be spared, which I left at New-London, I having received an order of Congress for the same, in order to be sent immediately to Philadelphia, for the defence of that city.

I am, your humble servant,

ESEK HOPKINS.

To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., or, in his absence, to Mr. Nathaniel Shaw, Merchant at New-London.

ADMIRAL HOPKINS TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Providence, May 21, 1776.

SIR: I this day received yours, and observe the contents. As to the order of Congress to deliver the cannon to you, there was a discretionary power in me to stop as many as I thought would be for the benefit of the fleet; and as I am still careening the fleet, I think it not safe to part with the cannon before the ships are. in a posture of defence. I yesterday received an order of Congress to deliver to Messrs. Hollingsworth and Richardson, in order to be sent to Philadelphia for the defence of that city, twenty of the heaviest cannon which I brought from New-Providence; and as the largest of the cannon were left at New-London, I have accordingly given them an order on you for the same; and make no doubt, as it is an express order of Congress, you will deliver the same without delay.

I am, with great respect, your Honour’s most obedient, humble servant,

ESEK HOPKINS,.

Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour of Connecticut.

ADMIRAL HOPKINS TO WALTER SPOONER.

Providence, May 21, 1776.

SIR: You will, on receipt of this, deliver to Messrs. Hollingsworth and Richardson, the bomb brig or schooner, as they may think best, if they have occasion for them; and if you can collect any of the hands that belong to the fleet, you must get them on board and take charge of the vessel yourself, and follow such directions as you shall receive from them.

ESEK HOPKINS, Commander-in-Chief.

To Mr. Walter Spooner, at Newport.

ADMIRAL HOPKINS TO JOHN COLLINS.

Providence, May 21, 1776.

SIR: When you arrive at Philadelphia, please to get directions to me, from Congress or the Naval Committee, what I shall do with the negro slaves taken in the bomb brig, and what I shall do with the New-Providence sloop which I took to bring the guns to New-London; and let the Congress known that it will not be in my power to man the fleet without their orders for shipping men out of the Army.

I am yours, &c.,

ESEK HOPKINS.

To Mr. John Collins.

NEW-SALEM (HAMPSHIRE COUNTY) MASSACHUSETTS.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of New-Salem, lawfully warned and regularly assembled, on the 21st day of May, 1776:

Put a vote, whether they, the people, will stand by the Congress with their lives and fortunes, if they set up for Independency.

It passed in the affirmative unanimously.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COLONEL WOODFORD TO GENERAL LEWIS, DATED NORFOLK, MAY 22, 1776.

The vigilance of my guards has occasioned the enemy to abandon their lines at Portsmouth. This, and some fire-rafts I was preparing, has likewise occasioned the fleet to go off. They have thrown over their salt, burnt the most indifferent of their small craft, and are all now below Craney-Island, except four ships, which are opposite the distillery, but underway likewise. One of the Fourteenth Regiment and five sailors have deserted; they inform me they have the small-pox. I have given very particular orders to avoid this evil, if it be true. They all concur in the same story,