The prize brig being on the rocks, bilged, renders it difficult to get out her cargo. I shall be able to make a return by next post of what the three cargoes consist; in the interim, I have the honour to be, with great truth, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN BRADFORD.

To Hon. Jonathan Trumbull and Committee of Safety.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CUMBERLAND, NOVA-SCOTIA,
JUNE 23, 1776.

The following is a genuine copy of an inlistment present ed by Mr. Franklin to the inhabitants of this County, in order, as he said, to wipe off that stain of disaffection which had been represented home by Governour Legge. Yet, not withstanding the little art and finesse he is so remarkable for, he has not been able to gain that ascendency over the minds of the inhabitants which he and his friends expected. Were it not other motives which deterred the people from signing, the view which Mr. Franklyn has in doing it, being so obvious to the least impartial penetration acquainted in our Government, would prevent every honest and well thinking man from complying. Franklin and his friends gain one point, and himself two; first, by getting this inlistment signed, he may prove that Mr. Legge has made a false representation, and, in this convulsed time, must be very pernicious to the interest of Britain. By this, he may throw Mr. Legge out of the Government, and his adherents out of business. This would satisfy the revenge long looked for by Mr. Legge’s just administration in bringing many gross and atrocious offenders to justice for embezzling the publick moneys, and using such as they meant for ruling in a partial and despotick sway, to the great detriment of the progress of the settlement ever since Mr. Howe came. Secondly, Mr, Franklyn, who is reduced, in a manner, to a state of beggary, and being too well known for his dissimulation, cannot gain ground in proportion; but, no emolument arising, he by this may show his popularity and interest in favour of Government, (if signed,) and get himself established, with his regiment, on the Government. He has not procured above thirty volunteers, many of them of the most low character, and the others he has frightened, having declared openly that those who would not sign shall forfeit their interest. In this (should he accomplish it) he will get his desire, as he has often declared that he hoped to see the day when an American should not have a foot in Nova-Scotia.

Province of NOVA-SCOTIA, ss :

Whereas this his Majesty’s Province has been, and is now, threatened with an invasion from the neighbouring Colonies by certain people now in arms against his Majesty’s present Government, for refusing to concur with them in disobedience to the laws of Great Britain, and for affording, agree able to our duty, supplies and refreshments to his Majesty’s troops: we wish it to be known, that, however unwilling we should be to shed the blood of our American country men, we must, in discharge of our duty to God and the King, and in support of the Constitution and laws of our country, oppose their entry into this Province, and any and every of their proceedings therein, where their coming must expose us to the ruin and destruction of our property, and to all the ravages and horrours of a civil war; and we do solemnly promise, in the presence of Almighty God, to bear faithfully true allegiance to his sacred Majesty George the Third, and we will, to the utmost of our power and ability, support, maintain, and defend his crown and dignity against all traitorous attempts and conspiracies whatever; and further more, we, inhabitants of the township of——, do, for the purposes aforesaid, voluntarily enrol ourselves in a company of Militia, whereof——is to be our Captain, and ——are to be our Lieutenants, in the volunteer regiment of Militia, under the command of the Honourable Michael Franklyn, Esq., on condition, nevertheless, that we are not on any occasion whatever to serve out of this Colony, nor are we to be required to do duty in consequence of this enlistment but in case of an actual invasion of this Province by such a body of forces as may make it necessary to aid and support the King’s troops stationed in this Colony.

TRANSYLVANIA LANDS.

In Convention, Virginia, June 24, 1776.

Whereas divers petitions from the inhabitants on the Western frontiers have been presented to this Convention, complaining of exorbitant demands made on them for Lands claimed by persons pretending to derive titles from Indian deeds and purchases:

Resolved, That all persons actually settled on any of the said Lands ought to hold the same, without paying any pecuniary or other consideration whatever to any private person or persons, until the said petitions, as well as the validity of the titles under such Indian deeds and purchases, shall have been considered and determined on by the Legislature of this country; and that all persons who are now actually settled on any unlocated or unappropriated Lands in Virginia, to which there is no other just claim, shall have the pre-emption or preference in the grants of such Lands.

Resolved, That no purchases of Lands within the charter ed limits of Virginia shall be made, under any pretence whatever, from any Indian tribe or nation, without the ap probation of the Virginia Legislature.

EDMUND PKNDLETON, President.

MARYLAND CONVENTION AND GOVERNOUR EDEN.

In Convention, Annapolis, June 24, 1776.

The Letter of Captain Montagu and of Robert Eden, Esq., of this day to the Council of Safety, were laid before the Convention. And in confirmation thereof,

Resolved, unanimously, That the said Captain Montagu, by detaining several servants belonging to the inhabitants of this Province, and by refusing to deliver up a soldier who deserted from the service of this Colony, hath violated the truce, and acted in manifest violation of his promise to pre serve the same sacred.

Ordered, That the Commanding Officer do not permit any baggage or effects belonging to Robert Eden, Esq., or any other on board the Fowey, to be carried on board the said ship, and to take care that all communication with the said ship immediately cease.

Ordered, That the Letters of Captain Montagu to Ro bert Eden, Esq., of yesterday, and the several Letters from the Council of Safety, of this day, to Captain Montagu and Robert Eden, Esq., and their answers, together with the above Resolve and Order, be immediately published.

Fowey, off Annapolis, Maryland, June 23, 1776.

SIR: I have the happiness to acquaint you that last night I arrived here with his Britannick Majesty’s ship the Fowey under my command, agreeable to an order from Captain Hammond, of his Majesty’s ship the Roebuck, and senior officer of bis Majesty’s ships at Virginia. And in consequence of your application to him, 1 have hoisted the flag of truce at my foretopgallantmast-head, to show that I am not come in a hostile manner, and of which I desire you will be pleased to acquaint the inhabitants, that they may not offer any insults to my officers and boats; and on my part I shall hold the truce most sacred.

I have the pleasure to acquaint you that every accommodation the Fowey can afford is at your and your friends’ ser vice, and that my boats shall be ready at any time to attend your coming off, and sent for your property.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

GEORGE MONTAGU.

To Robert Eden, Esq.

In Council of Safety, Annapolis, June 24, 1776.

SIR : Representations have been made to the Council of Safety this morning, by Mr. Samuel Galloway and others, inhabitants of this Province, setting forth that a number of