harvest, that is now very promising; this may be a double loss to us. I shall proceed on my journey to-morrow for Haverhill, leaving my wife here; and if anything important occurs, I will immediately advise you, but must beg leave to repeat my request, that we may have some very speedy assistance. Why may not Captain Harper's company, if mustered, or any other first in readiness, march off for this purpose? It can be no detriment, and little out of the way, should they afterwards be ordered to Crown-Point. Shall be glad to hear something of this sort by return of Colonel Bayley, for the quiet of our people.

In the mean time remain, with great esteem and respect to you and the gentlemen of the Committee of Safety, sir, your most obedient servant,

J. HURD.

To the Honourable Meshech Weare, Esq.

MEMORIAL FROM CONWAY, FRYBURGH, AND BROWNFIELD.

To the Honourable General Court of the Colony of NEW-HAMPSHIRE:

The memorial of the Committee of Conway, in the County of Grafton, and Fryburgh and Brownfield, in the County of York, and Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, united, humbly showeth: That the abovesaid new Plantations, consisting of about thirty families, are situated at a place called Pigwacket, upon Saco River, which nearly unites with a branch of the Androscoggin River, about thirty miles northerly from other settlements, and lie greatly exposed to incursions from the savages, by the following natural communications, as frequented by the Indians that come to those places: one from Chaudiere River into Umbagog Lake, which empties itself into Androscoggin River; another from St. François River, into a branch of Connecticut River, and by that into Androscoggin River; another from Kennebeck River, by the way of Muschamucontocock, into Androscoggin River; that these several ways are by water, except a few short carrying places, which bring them within twenty miles of these settlements; that the greatest part of these twenty miles is water carriage; that Androscoggin River runs farther to the northward than the head of Connecticut River; that a party the last year was sent out from Coos to reconnoitre the woods over to Umbramagog Lake, which empties into the St. François River, from thence they set out eastwardly, in order to strike Connecticut River, but headed it, and struck Androscoggin River, came down that river, and came into these settlements; that last fall three men from Colonel Arnold's party came into these settlements by the way of Androscoggin River; four or five persons from Quebeck, last May, came in here the same way. It appears that whenever the frontiers are exposed, these settlements are in danger; that from the alarming accounts we have lately received from Canada, we think it necessary to make preparation for defence; and as it is not likely we can provide ourselves with arms and ammunition Without the aid of the honourable Court, therefore the memorialists entreat the favour of the honourable Court to the application that may be made for the above purpose and for protection, if the time should come that the frontiers are in danger. And we, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

RICHARD KIMBALL, Chairman of Committee.

Dated at Fryburgh, this 7th day of July, 1776.

N. B. Last night came in here one family from the Upper Coos, and all the rest of the inhabitants are removing as fast as possible.

DEPOSITION OR JARRET WILLIAMS.

Fincastle, Virginia, Monday, July 8, 1776.

The Deposition of Jarret Williams, taken before me. Anthony Bledsoe, a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, being first sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith: That he left the Cherokee Nation on Monday night, the 8th instant, (July;) that the part of the nation called the Overhills, were then preparing to go to war against the frontiers of Virginia, having purchased to the amount of the thousand skins, or thereabouts, for moccasins. They were also beating flour for a march, and making other warlike preparations. Their number, from a calculation made by the Raven warriors, amounts to about six hundred warriors; and, according to the deponent's ideas, he thinks we may expect a general attack every hour. They purpose to take away Negroes, horses, &c., and to kill all kinds of cattle, sheep, &c., for which purpose they are well stocked with bows and arrows, &c.; also to destroy all corn, burn houses, &c. And he also heard, that the valley towns were, a part of them, set off; but that they had sent a runner to stop them, till all were ready to start. He further relates, that Alexander Cameron informed them that he had concluded to send Captain Nathaniel Guest, William Faulin, Issac Williams, and the deponent, with the Indians, till they came near to Nanachukey, then the Indians were to stop, and Guest and the other whites abovementioned were to go to see if there were any King's men among the inhabitants; and if they found any, they were to take them off to the Indians, or have a white signal in their hands, or otherwise, to distinguish them. When this was done, they were to fall on the inhabitants, and kill and drive all they possibly could. That on Saturday, the 6th instant, in the night, he heard two prisoners were brought in about midnight; but the deponent saw only one. That the within Williams saw one scalp brought by a party of the Indians, with a prisoner; but from accounts, they had five scalps. He also says, that he heard the prisoner examined by Cameron, though he gave a very imperfect account, being very much cast down. He further says, that the Cherokees had received the war-belt from the Shawanese, Mingo, Taawah, and Delaware Nations, to strike the white people; that fifteen of the said nation were lately in the Cherokee towns, and that few of the Cherokees went in company with the Shawanese, &c. That they all intended to strike the settlers on Kentucky; and that the Cherokees gave the said Shawanese, &c., four scalps of white men, which they carried away with them. The said Shawanese and Mingoes informed the Cherokees, that they then were at peace with every other nation; that the French were to supply them with ammunition, and that they wanted the Cherokees to join them to strike the white people on the frontiers, which the Cherokees have agreed to. And the deponent further saith, that before he left the nation a number of the Cherokees of the lower towns were gone to fall on the frontiers of South-Carolina and Georgia; and further saith not.

JARRET WILLIAMS.

Signed before

ANTHONY BLEDSOE.

DR. C. WIESENTHALL TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

July 8, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: In all the troops which designed, or are taking the field, there is a necessity for a medical department abstract from that of the battalion, and which is committed to the superintendency of a physician or surgeon-general, or director-in-chief, who has the care of the hospitals, and gives the proper directions thereof, as well as to the troops in general.

This was that station I meant when I accepted the service; very well knowing, as surgeon in common, several might be had to fill that station, because during engagements, they chiefly act in dressing wounds, &c., where very little art is necessary; but after the removal of the wounded to the hospital the proper applications are made.

The first surgeon of a battalion or regiment is called Surgeon-Major, and his province goes no farther than his battalion, only except he is contiguous to the hospital, and has time, then he assists his men belonging to the battalion.

You were pleased, gentlemen, to give me a commission of first surgeon of Colonel Smallwood's battalion only, which I accepted, with the promise of having it laid before the Convention in order to increase the salary adequate to the above-mentioned station. I have acted all along in that station according to the extent of the circumstances. I have taken and caused to be taken care of the sick of the ship Defence as often as they left the harbour. I have advised and visited them when in harbour. I have even twice furnished them with a surgeon in absence of their own. The Militia when called to town made likewise application during their stay. Several instances more might be mentioned, but the above will be sufficiently convincing, and leave the method to your consideration, being, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most humble and most obedient servant,

C. WIESENTHALL.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.