Proceedings of a Court-Martial on JOHN HAZARD, Commander of the Sloop PROVIDENCE.

At a Court-Martial, held on board the Alfred, at Providence, in the Colony of Rhode-Island, on the 8th day of May, 1776, by order of Esek Hopkins, Esquire, Commander-in-Chief of the American Fleet, for the trial of John Hazard, Esquire, Commander of the sloop Providence, in the Continental service, for misconduct; Present:

Captain Dudley Saltonstall, President. Members.

Captain Hazard, aforesaid, being brought before this Court a prisoner, on the complaint of a number of officers belonging to the sloop Providence, aforesaid, bearing date May 6, 1776, setting forth a number of crimes and misdemeanours against him, as per complaint on file, which will appear at large: The charge being read in the hearing of the prisoner, and the question being put to him, Whether he was guilty or not guilty? He answered, not guilty; and desired he might be heard. Upon which this Court proceeded to hear him, and, on trying the merits of the case, find him guilty, as follows:

Question 1st. Whether the prisoner was guilty of breach of orders at Reedy-Island, in not delivering a certain parcel of wood which the Commander-in-Chief had directed to be put on board the sloop Fly?

Passed in the affirmative unanimously.

Question 2d. Whether the prisoner was guilty of neglect of duty on the night the fleet engaged the Glasgow, in not preparing for action before the engagement began, he having timely information?

Passed in the affirmative unanimously.

Question 3d. Whether the prisoner was guilty of embezzling part of the vessel’s stores?

Passed in the affirmative unanimously.

Question 4th. Whether the prisoner was guilty of breach of orders going up Providence river the 26th April last?

Passed in the affirmative unanimously.

In consequence of the foregoing trial, this Court are unanimous in their opinion, that the prisoner, John Hazard, Esq., has rendered himself unworthy of holding his commission in the Navy of the United Colonies of North America, and adjudge him accordingly.

A true copy from the file:

DUDLEY SALTONSTALL, President.

Having this day received and examined the above sentence of the Court-Martial pronounced against Captain John Hazard, do hereby ratify and confirm the same, and order that the said Hazard forthwith surrender his commission to the President of the said Court.

ESEK HOPKINS, Commander-in-Chief.

Providence, May 9, 1776.

The above is a true copy:

SAMUEL LYON, Secretary.

JAMES WARREN TO MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.

Plymouth, May 22, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I have, agreeable to the order of Court, purchased a sloop to observe the motions of the enemy and give intelligence. You may, if you please, call her the Swift. Captain Wigglesworth, the bearer of this, I have appointed to the command of her. He now waits on you for your orders, and to get some powder and other ammunition, and perhaps a few articles which cannot be obtained here. You will please to give him despatch, as I propose to have everything ready for him to go to sea as soon as he returns.

I am, with great respect, your most humble servant,

JAMES WARREN.

ORDERS TO GENERAL FOLSOM.

To NATHANIEL FOLSOM, General of the Militia in the Colony of NEW-HAMPSHIRE:

Whereas you were lately directed by this Committee to warn the Militia in several of the Counties in this Colony, to hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice to relieve any place in this Colony that should be attacked by our enemies; and inasmuch as there may be a sudden descent made on our sea-coast, you are hereby directed and authorized, on notice of any such descent or attack, immediately to order the Militia to march to such place, and repair there yourself with all speed, and take the command of all the forces of this Colony raised for the defence thereof, as well as the Militia, giving them such orders and directions as you may judge best to repel the enemy.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO MRS. CONNOLLY.

Philadelphia, May 23, 1776.

MADAM: I laid before Congress your application for a passport to proceed to Pittsburgh, and am now to acquaint you that, under the present situation of affairs, they could not comply with your request; and further, they have judged it necessary that you should for the present remain in this city; and, agreeable to their order, I am to inform you that they expect you do not depart this city without the permission of Congress. You will, therefore, abide here until you hear further from me.

I am, madam, your very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Mrs. Connolly.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO ABRAHAM LIVINGSTON.

Philadelphia, May 23, 1776.

SIR: The Congress having been pleased to accept your resignation of the contract for supplying the forces in the Colony of New-York, I am extremely happy in conveying to you the sense they entertain of your conduct on the occasion.

In thus voluntarily resigning so profitable a contract, it is their opinion, which I am commanded to signify to you, that you have exhibited an example of publick spirit. The generous and disinterested virtue you have shown will undoubtedly entitle you hereafter to the notice of Congress. Should any appointment worthy of your acceptance come before them, I shall do all in my power to have it bestowed on a gentleman who has reflected the highest honour upon himself by an unsolicited sacrifice of private interest to pub-lick order and economy.

I have the honour to be, with great esteem, sir, your most obedient, and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Mr. Abraham Livingston, at New-York.

JOHN McDONALD TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

May 23, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: After exploring the mines both in Orange and Dutchess Counties, brought the full reports to your honourable House on the 26th April, 1776. The day thereafter some of the members desired me to wait on the gathering of as many members as might be sufficient to make a full and complete House, to determine upon the matter; and that I would be rewarded for the attendance; and thereby have been kept in suspense from time to time, waiting for the Board’s further instructions relative to lead-mines. Now expect that the Board will clear me of all reasonable demands, as I am a poor man, with a small family, and illy able to lose much time.

Gentlemen, if my reports should meet with your approbation, and thereon it should be resolved to proceed to open said mines, it would be necessary to be furnished with a sufficient instruction; and therein to be authorized to dig for mines in any part of the Colony, or the neighbouring Colonies, according to information; further, to be empowered to call for any assistance that can be afforded by any Committee, where occasion offers, concerning the business, in case