and the danger we are exposed to, we are willing to exert every nerve to the utmost of our power. We are raising troops with all possible expedition, agreeable to the requisitions made; and upon the importunity and assiduity of those good gentlemen sent from Philadelphia for that purpose, have ordered six of the heaviest cannon to be delivered them, which we wish safe to hand. The remainder of them we found it absolutely necessary to retain until the further order of Congress can be obtained thereon; and doubt not but, upon a review of the necessity, importance, and justice of the measure, it will meet with your approbation, and the first order of Congress, so far as it respects the remaining cannon, will be confirmed, and they suffered to remain.

I am, with great truth and regard, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable President Hancock.

P. S. Beg leave to add, that this unexpectedly large requisition, at this difficult and busy season of the year, in addition to the late one for Boston, (in which we were obliged to give an additional premium of forty shillings per man,) has put us to the necessity of giving large encouragements, by way of bounty, over and above the Continental pay, six pounds, lawful money, per man, for the Northern Department, and three pounds, lawful money, per man, for those destined for New-York, otherwise our Militia will not be induced to engage for the term requested, which is much beyond any idea we had conceived of the Militia being drawn out for, which our laws relating to alarms will not warrant; we are obliged to raise them as inlisted soldiers for the ensuing campaign, and until winter obliges them to retire, when they can earn little or nothing at home. Trust, therefore, it will be thought reasonable and just that this Colony be considered and compensated for this extraordinary and necessary expense, incurred as aforesaid.

Yours, ut antea.

J. TRUMBULL.

MARY WOOSTER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

New-Haven, June 17, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: Some time since I wrote to your Honour, soliciting the favour of having the Naval office for the port of New-Haven continued in General Wooster’s hands.

I would now inform your Honour that a letter from the General gives us to understand that he is at present in Philadelphia, and will be in this Colony in a few days. I would therefore ask your Honour to suspend bestowing the above favour to any other person until the General shall be able to wait on your Honour in person, and give such sureties as the law requires for the faithful discharge of the trust, if he should be honoured with it.

I am, respectfully, your Honour’s obedient servant,

MARY WOOSTER.

To His Honour Governour Trumbull.

COMMODORE HOPKINS TO CAPTAIN BIDDLE.

Providence, June 17, 1776.

SIR: Mr. Warner comes down and Mr. Brown. I think it will be best for you to order Mr. Darne to act as Lieutenant in the room of Mr. Josiah, and for Mr. Brown to act as Master; but I think it will be prudent not to give a commission or warrant till we hear further from Mr. Josiah, for if he returns he must have his old berth.

I am your friend,

E. HOPKINS.

To Nicholas Biddle, Esquire, Commander of the Andrew Doria.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER IN THE COLONY TRAIN AT NANTASKET, UNDER THE COMMAND OF COL. CRAFTS, TO HIS FRIEND IN BOSTON, DATED JUNE 17, 1776.

MY DEAR FRIEND: I promised to give you a short account of our transactions. We embarked with a part of Colonel Marshall’s and Whitney’s Regiment late on Thursday evening for the lower harbour, under the command of Major Revere; the whole expedition directed by General Lincoln, —Captain Swan for Pettick’s Island, Major Revere and Captain Melville for Nantasket, Captain Balch for Hoff’s Neck, Captain Edes for Moonhead, and Captain Burbeck, of the Continental train, with five hundred inert for hong-Island Head. The night proved very unfavourable, by being a flat calm. The Continental troops, from their nearness, and the advantage of the tide, reached their destination in season. From our distance, and the tide being against us half the way, we did not arrive here till after sunrise. We expected to have found a breastwork erected; but, to our surprise, not a sod had been raised, and not one hundred men to support us. Tide of flood had been made, and we could not get the vessel near enough to land the cannon. The Major reconnoitred, and found the enemy’s vessels all busy. We having no boats proper to unload, were obliged to attempt it in a flat-bottomed one. We got a field-piece on shore, but in getting one of the heavy cannon into the boat, (which was entirely insufficient for so great a weight,) filled, and did not recover it till low water. The other piece, with great difficulty, we got on shore and mounted, which had like to have been too late. The Continental train began firing, and the ships immediately got under way, and anchored opposite the Light-House. Captain Swan arrived at Pettick’s Island about two in the morning, expecting, as we did, to find a work ready for his cannon. He went on shore; but, to his great mortification, found not a soul there, nor any work thrown up; and having no small arms on board but such as his officers had, he waited till day-light, and then sailed for the Braintree shore to cover the ordnance he had on board. By order of the General he came down to us, and much assisted in getting up our cannon on Quaker-Hill, and giving them a grand salute. The Commodore lay foremost, and after firing the second shot, he blew up the Light-House, and at our fourth round the whole fleet got under way a second time. Some of our shot, we have no doubt, struck him, as all the boats in the fleet were sent to tow him off. He fired but one shot, but we pelted him till out of reach of our cannon. Thus we have got rid of a nest of scoundrels the very day two years they blocked the harbour up.

On Sunday afternoon, we saw a ship and a brigantine standing in for the Light-House channel, chased and fired upon by four privateers, who frequently exchanged broadsides. We, supposing them to be part of the Scotch fleet, got every man to his quarters, and carried one eighteen-pounder to Point Alderton, on purpose to hinder their retreat, should they get into the road, opposite where we had three eighteen-pounders. About five o’clock the privateers left them and stood for the southward, when the ship and brig crowded all their sail for the channel. Our orders were, not to fire till the last got abreast of us. In tacking, she got aground just under our cannon, when we hailed her to strike to this Colony; they refused, and we fired one eighteen-pounder, loaded with round and canister shot, when she struck, and cried out for quarters. We ordered the boat and Captain on shore, and then fired at the ship; but being quite dark, we supposed she had struck. By this time the privateers came up. A Captain of the Highlanders, in the brigantine’s boat, came on shore. Some time after, the ship got under way and stood for the Narrows, when a fine privateer brigantine, commanded by Captain Harding, of New-Haven, (who, we hear, came in this bay on purpose to meet our old friend Darson,) and five schooners, gave chase. The brig came alongside, when a hot engagement ensued, which lasted three-quarters of an hour, when the ship struck. The brigantine floating, took advantage of the confusion, and attempted to follow, both supposing the enemy in possession of Boston. We found them from Scotland, with Highlanders, to join General Howe. The ship had on board one hundred and fourteen, the brigantine seventy-four; the former lost, in the engagement, Major Menzies, eight privates, and thirteen wounded; the latter, one killed by the privateers in the day. The privateer brigantine had three wounded, one supposed mortally.

MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

In the House of Representatives, June 17, 1776.

Whereas many inconveniences and dangerous consequences may, and in all probability will, accrue to this Colony in the course of its defence against its unnatural enemies, if a speedy and effectual prohibition does not take place, of the exportation of Provisions from each and every Port,