COLONEL GILMAN TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE ASSEMBLY.

Head-Quarters, Portsmouth, June 10, 1776.

MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE: When I was appointed to the arduous though agreeable command of the troops at this place, it was with the greatest satisfaction that I accepted the command; though conscious to myself unequal to the important trust imposed in me, yet, desirous of serving my country in general and Colony in particular, I cheerfully entered the service, venturing my life and all in the cause of my injured country. All which time I have been in the service, I think I can appeal to God that I have endeavoured to do my duty both to the Colony and troops under my command. But, some how or other, I seem to have lost the love and confidence of a considerable part of that honourable body from whom I have received so many signal honours, in that they have preferred a gentleman before me, whose character does not stand so clear in this time of difficulty as I could wish; for I am of the opinion that we stand in need of the wisdom and military accomplishments of every person, of which that gentleman, by information, has no great share. Whether the charges against him are just, I do not pretend to say; but supposing they are, what will be the consequence? Does not our all depend upon officers and men in publick affairs being hearty in the cause? Has not the honourable the Continental Congress advised that no suspected persons be put in places of trust? Surely, gentlemen, it is a matter of the utmost importance to us to keep out all unfriendly persons. Are there not men enough that we know to be friendly, without taking those who have never appeared in the publick cause? Gentlemen, I would not presume to dictate to so worthy a body of men, but only give my poor advice as a member of society, who expects to rise or fall with you; and I hope you will consider the matter; and as I think it a diminution of my honour to fall from a Colonel to a Lieutenant-Colonel, I would beg that the vote appointing Captain Dame Colonel may be reconsidered, and I have the indulgence of the Court to come to Exeter, and clear up some things that I understand laboured on the minds of some worthy members relative to my conduct, so as to stand upon an equal footing with others; which is the prayer of your most obedient and very humble servant,

DAVID GILMAN.

To the Honourable General Assembly for the Colony of New-Hampshire.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LORD GEORGE GERMAINE TO GENERAL HOWE, DATED WHITEHALL, JUNE 11, 1776.

Your letters of the 25th of April, and 7th and 12th of May, together with the enclosures, have been received, and I have had the honour of laying them before his Majesty.

It would have been very fortunate if the despatches to which you allude, and which have been so long on their passage, had reached you in due time, and it gave a real satisfaction to learn that you had at last received them.

Your attention to the service, in sending the Forty-Seventh Regiment to Quebeck, is highly commendable; but I trust the forces sent from Europe for the relief of that place, and the reduction of the neighbouring country to their obedience, will fully answer those purposes. You will desire General Carleton to return you that regiment, unless he shall find that the situation of affairs in that quarter makes it necessary for him to keep it.

Give me leave to express my satisfaction on the safe arrival of yourself and the fleet at Halifax. The capture of the brig was an unfortunate circumstance; but I hope that the loss of the shoes and woollen articles, which were on board, have, ere this, been repaired by means of the stores that were forwarded in the ships that have been sent from hence.

His Majesty has been pleased to approve of your appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel Paterson, of the Sixty-Third Regiment, to be your Adjutant-General, and I shall certainly pay due attention to your recommendation of Major Kemble.

I cannot help expressing my concern that so many of his Majesty’s faithful subjects in America should be so much distressed for the want of provisions that it is necessary for you to supply them from the King’s stores; and it is impossible for me to say more upon so delicate a business than that you must be guided by your own feelings and humanity, which, I am persuaded, will always direct you right.

In answer to the last paragraph of your letter of April 25, it will be sufficient for me to observe, that your brother Lord Howe’s arrival in America must have afforded you the most pleasing, as well as most convincing proofs of the great estimation in which his Majesty holds you, and of the opinion he so justly entertains of your ability and inclination to render him the most essential services.

His Majesty always acts upon such fixed and unalterable principles of justice, that he will never withdraw his royal favour and confidence from any of his servants, without reason; and absence, which has frequently proved fatal to the fortunes of even the most meritorious men, will, in these days, I am positive, be detrimental to none, as the King seems to make the interests of those who are abroad in his service the more peculiar and more immediate objects of his care.

The whole of Brigadier-General Robertson’s behaviour is deserving of great commendations; and his Majesty approves of your having appointed him to act as Major-General, and consents that he should continue to serve in America in that capacity this campaign.

It is not necessary for me to enter into the particulars contained in your letter of May 7; but as I feel myself perfectly satisfied with what you have already done, and purpose to do, it would be ungenerous in me not to endeavour, in my turn, to contribute to your happiness, by assuring you that your actions and intentions are honoured with the entire approbation of your Sovereign.

P. S. When I was closing my letter, I received the very agreeable intelligence from Quebeck, which you will see in the enclosed Gazette Extraordinary. I most heartily congratulate you upon an event that must greatly facilitate all our operations, and opens a prospect of putting an end to the rebellion in one campaign.

CHARLES DICKINSON TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Caroline County, June 11, 1776.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: Enclosed are the proceedings of the Committee of Observation for Caroline County against Cornelius Hogans, who is sent under the guard of Captain Joseph Richardson and five men.

CHARLES DICKINSON.

To the Hon. Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq.

Mellvill’s Warehouse, June 8, 1776.

At a special meeting of the Committee of Observation for Caroline County, of whom were present Major Richard Mason, (in the Chair,) Colonel William Richardson, Colonel Henry Dickinson, Mr. Jeremiah Colston, Col. Benson Stainton, Major Matthew Driver, and Mr. John White.

Information being made to this Committee that sundry evil-disposed persons had been endeavouring to disunite the good people of this County in the common cause of America, and had actually prevailed on several Companies of Militia to lay down their arms, the Committee came to the following Resolution, to wit: That warrants do issue to Captains Joseph Richardson and John Mitchell, against a certain Cornelius Hogans and others, suspected of high and dangerous offences.

The Committee adjourns to the 10th instant, at the house of Mr. Vincent Price, at the mouth of Tuckahoe.

Signed per order:

JOHN TILLOTTSON, Cl’k Com.

Monday, June 10, 1776.

The Committee met according to adjournment, at Captain Vincent Price’s, at the mouth of Tuckahoe, of whom were present Mr. Charles Dickinson, (in the Chair,) the Rev. John Andrews, Colonel Benson Stainton, Mr. John White, Colonel Henry Dickinson, Mr. Joshua Clarke, Major Matthew Driver, and Mr. Jeremiah Colston, members of the Committee.

At which time and place appeared Captain Joseph Richardson, and reported to the Committee that, in obedience to the said warrant, he had taken the body of the aforesaid Cornelius Hogans, to answer the complaints aforesaid; upon