when finished. Our zeal and ardour are not abated.

I am, with great truth and regard, sir, your obedient

humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable President Hancock.

Providence, May 21, 1776.

SIR: I this day received yours, and observe the contents; and 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 was and am now 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 them were left at New-London, I have accordingly given them an order on you for the same, and make no doubt, as it is the express orders of Congress, you will deliver the same without delay.

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

ESEK HOPKINS

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour of the Colony of Connecticut.

Providence, May 21, 1776.

SIR: On receipt of this, you will deliver to the bearer, Messrs. Hollingsworth and Richardson, twenty of the heaviest cannon, a proportion of the trucks, and as many large ball 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, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

ESEK HOPKINS.

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

HARTFORD (CONNECTICUT) COMMITTEE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 1.-Referred to the Committee on Prisoners.]

Hartford, May 27, 1776.

PLEASE YOUR HONERS: On the 23d instant, the parole Governour Skene was under being expired, by direction of Governour Trumbull a parole, of which the enclosed is a copy, was tendered him, (he having previously elected Middletown for the place of his residence,) which he peremptorily refused to give; at the same time offered his parole to abide within the town of Middletown, or such limits as Governour Trumbull should prescribe, and insisted that that was all the resolve of Congress, relative to him, required. After he was made acquainted by Governour Trum-bull and the Committee, that unless he gave the parole he must be confined, he, continuing to refuse, was by the Committee committed to prison on said 23d instant; knowing that an enemy within the walls, at liberty to give intelligence, is far more dangerous than many without.

Captain Samuel McKay, a prisoner taken at St. Johns, and sent to Hartford by General Schuyler, being under a parole, a copy of which was transmitted to Congress, by him renewed, and given on the 10th day of May instant, did, in the night after the 18th instant, make bis escape in violation of his parole, and took with him Daniel McFar-land, a soldier belonging to the Artillery, who was his waiter, and being pursued, were retaken at Lanesborough, and brought back to Hartford, with one John Graves, of Pittsfield, who assisted them in making their escape, and were all three committed to prison on the 22d instant. Said McKay has a horse, which the Committee have in custody. The Committee esteem it their duty to embrace the earliest opportunity to acquaint the honourable Continental Congress with the above transactions, and shall attend their directions thereon.

From your Honours’ dutiful, obedient, humble servants.

Per order of the Committee at Hartford:

JESSE MOAT, Chairman.

I, being a prisoner by order of the Continental Congress of the thirteen United Colonies in America, do promise and engage on my word and honour, and on the faith of a gentleman, to go immediately to the town of Middletown, in the Colony of Connecticut, the place of my election, and there to remain within the limits of said township of Middletown during the present contest between Great Britain and the said United Colonies, or until the Congress of said United Colonies shall order otherwise; and that I will not, directly or indirectly, give any intelligence whatsoever to the enemies of the said United Colonies, nor do or say anything in opposition to, or in prejudice of, the measures or proceedings of any Congress for the United Colonies, during the present troubles, or until I am duly exchanged, or discharged, or otherwise ordered, by the Continental Congress, by the General Assembly of Connecticut, or by Governour Trumbull.

Given under my hand this 21st day of May, Anno Domini 1776.

The above is a true copy of the parole tendered to Governour Skene, which he refused to subscribe.

Test:

BENJAMIN PAYNE, Com. Clerk.

GENERAL WARD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Boston, May 27, 1776.

SIR: I am to inform your Excellency that Mr. Bartlett, the Agent at Beverly, has purchased the brigantine Hannah for the continent, at five hundred and twenty pounds. Captain Bradford, of Boston, having represented to me that he had an order from Robert Morris, Esq., member of Congress, and one of the Marine Committee, to provide a good sailing vessel for Continental service, and that the brigantine would answer the purpose, I have directed Mr. Bartlett to let Captain Bradford have the brigantine, to fit her for the use of the continent, as Mr. Morris writes that a vessel is wanted to go a voyage upon particular business immediately.

In the late account I transmitted, respecting the attempt the pirates made upon the two armed schooners in this harbour, I mentioned that Major Frazer’s schooner cut her cable and came up. Since I have learned more particulars, I think it appears that the little schooner was bravely defended. The Franklin had twenty-one men, officers included; the Lady Washington had seven-Captain Cunningham commander. She was attacked by five boats, which were supposed to contain near or quite a hundred men; but after repeated efforts to board her, they were beaten off by the intrepidity and exertions of the little company, vvho gloriously defended the Lady against the brutal ravishers of liberty.

I am your Excellency’s obedient humble servant,

ARTEMAS WARD.

Te Goneral Washington.

MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF MALDEN.

At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Maiden, May 27, 1776, it was voted unanimously, That the following Instructions be given to their Representative, viz:

To Mr. EZRA SARGEANT:

SIR: A resolution of the honourable House of Representatives, calling upon the several towns in this Colony to express their minds with respect to the important question of American Independence, is the occasion of our now instructing you. The time was, sir, when we loved the King and the people of Great Britain with an affection truly filial. We felt ourselves interested in their glory. We shared in their joys and sorrows. We cheerfully poured the fruits of all our labour into the lap of our mother country, and without reluctance expended our blood and our treasure in their cause.

These were our sentiments towards Great Britain while she continued to act the part of a parent state. We felt ourselves happy in our connection with her, nor wished it to be dissolved; but our sentiments are altered. It is now the ardent wish of our souls that America may become a free and independent State.