discharged. Be pleased, sir, to advise me by the return of the as our express if I may hope to have these men soon. I could wish the Militia from your Province to be at Skenesborough, or rather Ticonderoga, the soonest possible, as our Army is extremely weak.

I am, sir, most respectfully, your Honours’ obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable President of the House of Assembly of the Massachusetts-Bay.

MATTHEW GRISWOLD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Fairfield, June 25, 1776.

SIR: I have to acquaint your Excellency that the delay of discharging the pay-roll of the regiment under the command of Colonel G. S. Silliman, sent from this Colony in the late campaign to New-York, greatly obstructs the raising the new levies ordered by the late act of our Assembly. Many of the men in this part of the Colony, proper for the service, decline to inlist till they are paid their former wages. Colonel Talcott was ordered by our Assembly to receive the pay for this regiment, but inadvertently omitting to take the proper credentials, was able to obtain none but for his own regiment. Colonel Silliman has now sent Mr. Davenport, a young gentleman of known fidelity, to make a new application for the money. I suppose he is furnished with the proper credentials for that purpose. Hope he will succeed. Colonel Silliman is a worthy officer; has an appointment for the present service. His attention to give all possible despatch to the service prevents waiting on you personally.

I hope my zeal for the cause and the great distance from Governour Trumbull will excuse this freedom, from your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

MATTHEW GRISWOLD.

To His Excellency General Washington.

THOMAS MUMFOHD TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Norwich, June 25, 1776.

HONOURABLE SIR: The bearer, Captain Nathaniel Peck, of Greenwich, informs me a small sloop he is master of, belonging to Mr. David Bush, of Greenwich, is taken possession of by an officer at Saybrook, for having on board eighteen barrels of pork and a few hogsheads of rum and molasses, for which he had not given bonds, agreeable to the laws of this Colony, but says he went from Lyme to Say-brook for that purpose.

I think it my duty to inform your Honour that in the course of last year Mr. Bush sent me a considerable quantity of flour, &c., by this Captain Peck, and I have ever supposed both Mr. Bush and the bearer are heartily engaged in the American cause. The pork he has on board, (viz: eighteen barrels,) I bought of him, but on examining it at Groton, and finding it rusty, I refused taking it, and I believe he really was returning to Greenwich with it.

I am your Honour’s most obedient humble servant,

THOMAS MUMFORD.

To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull.

P. S. The enclosed I received from Captain Nash respecting Captain Mott.

COLONEL BAYLEY TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE ASSEMBLY.

Newbury, June 25, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I have proceeded twenty-seven miles on the road to Canada with carts; but by the alarming accounts from St. Johns, and two men I sent by Messerve not returning, I have called in my workmen; and if the accounts we have received are true, we are in great danger on this river, in particular here and at Upper Coos, if we are not supported. Concord is the next place at which a stand can be made. I am of the opinion this river is much in the Regulars’ view, as provisions are plenty, and will be a help to them, and strike a fatal blow to our cause.

If our troops have left Canada, no time must be lost to support this country. This is from a servant of the Colonies and yours.

JACOB BAYLEY.

To the Honourable the Council and General Assembly of MASSACHUSETTS-BAY:

From the Committees of the Town of NEWBURY, HAVERHILL, BATH, and MOORETOWN, met at NEWBURY, June 25, 1776, on account of some very alarming news from ST. JOHNS, received the evening before by two men from ONION RIVER, of publick notoriety.

That they saw a letter from General Sullivan to Lieutenant Allen to have all the inhabitants of the town on Onion River to remove with all possible despatch, not knowing but the enemy would be upon them soon. This they received last Thursday evening, and they removed the next day. That it was feared the enemy would get the upper hand. The sick of our army were sent to Crown Point. In the General’s letter it was said that the regular army consisted of about thirty thousand, fifteen hundred Canadians, and five hundred Indians. The Continental Army was retreated to St. Johns, and last Friday a very heavy fire of cannon was heard all the day.

The Committees voted to send Major Jonathan Hale and Captain Robert Johnston with the abovesaid information to head-quarters at Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire, and to inform them of the dangerous situation these parts were in, and that except we are immediately supported we shall be obliged to quit these parts. In our extreme danger, as exposed every day to the enemy, the Committees beg the favour of two hundred fire-arms, and ammunition equal, as; so much is necessary for ourselves. And if the above information be true, which we do not dispute, this fertile part of the country must soon be abandoned to the enemy, except timely aid can be had of a sufficient number of men as well as arms and ammunition; the damage of which to the Continental cause is needless for us to represent. We would only further add, that if it be judged best to make a stand here, a few small cannon will be necessary.

We are, gentlemen, your humble servants,

JAMES BAYLY,

JACOB BAYLEY,

Chairmen for Newbury and Haverhill. *

MAJOR PEABODY TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE ASSEMBLY.

Exeter, June 25, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I received information from the Secretary that I was appointed Major of the Regiment raising for Canada, and was desired to make speedy answer whether I would accept the service. As I am ever ready to serve my country, and you have been pleased to confer this honour upon me, I shall endeavour to serve you in that station in the best manner I am capable of, wishing my abilities were equal to my desires to serve my country. Your favour is gratefully acknowledged.

Gentlemen, I am, with respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

STEPHEN PEABODY.

To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives.

JAMES LOVELL TO ARTHUR LEE.

Halifax, Provost’s, June 25, 1776.

SIR: Suffering under a most wanton exercise of military power, I am sure it is needless to do anything further than establish that fact as an introduction to your notice and benevolent exertions for me; though I am personally a stranger to you, however strictly intimate with your real character through your most favoured correspondents in New-England, and your political writings.

You know that General Gage, with troops from Great Britain, entered Boston with professions of friendship and of a design to promote good order in the Province. He erected works at the isthmus which joins the town to the main country. He declared himself shocked upon a remonstrance of the County of Suffolk, suggesting apprehended

* June 29, 1776.—The Committee of both Houses appointed to take into consideration the Letter from Newbury and Haverhill, requesting a supply of arms and ammunition in their exposed situation, have attended that service, and beg leave to report that, considering the arms and ammunition, supplied the men in the Continental Army, and the destitute circumstances of the inhabitants of the Colony upon the eastern frontier and upon the sea-coasts, are of opinion that it is not at present in the power of this Court to comply with the request made in said letter. Per order:

JER. POWELL.