members of the Committees of the towns of Farmington and New-Hartford, convened at said Symsbury, to consult upon matters of importance, that fall under their cognizance, taking into consideration the present situation of Newgate prison, beg leave to represent to your Honour, that, since sundry persons have been sentenced by the Superior Court of this Colony to said prison, as enemies to their country, who, it is generally apprehended, are not in safe custody; and since said present keeper has repeatedly manifested to said Committee and to others an uneasiness under the burden of his office, which uneasiness is not peculiar to him, but pervades the body of the people in these towns; in our opinion, some effectual measures should be taken to prevent the consequences which we apprehend may soon take place, to the detriment of the cause we are endeavouring to defend. Permit us to suggest to your Honour, whether it is not necessary, under the present situation, to secure said prison with a sufficient guard, under the conduct of such person or persons as your Honour shall think fit to appoint. Further, we entertain the most sanguine hopes, that in some future time, as speedily as may be, your Honour, in conjunction with the General Assembly, will cause an addition to be made to said prison-house, wherein a prison-keeper, to be appointed, may dwell. Such a step, we imagine, will be a mean of retrenching much unnecessary expense. The apprehensions of imminent danger have compelled us to take this measure. Any impropriety in it, your Honour will benevolently impute not to our arrogance, but to the love we bear our country.

We have the honour to be, your Honour's most obedient and most humble servants.

Per order of the Committee:

ELISHA CORNISH, Chairman.

BENJAMIN PAYNE TO JAMES WARREN.

Hartford, July 8, 1776.

By direction of the Committee for superintending prisoners of war in this Colony, I have to inform you that a certain John Graves, of Pittsfield, in your Province, was sent here by order of the Committee of said Pittsfield, some time in May last, he being accused of aiding and assisting Captain McKay, a prisoner stationed here, in making his escape, in direct violation of his parole. And said Graves being examined touching the matter, it evidently appeared, by his confession and other evidence, that he had made two journeys to Hartford in the course of the last Spring, the last of which was about the 17th of May, the time when said McKay escaped; that he (said Graves) was not only concerned in concerting measures for effecting said McKay's escape, but actually undertook and acted as his pilot, and when they had got as far as Pittsfield, furnished him (this man) with fresh horses. On which he was committed to the jail in this town, where he hath remained ever since in close confinement. He appears to be a low-spirited, insidious fellow, and to have entertained strong prejudices against the liberties of America, and no doubt ought to be brought to trial for his aforesaid offence; but as he is a subject of your Government, it is doubtless most proper that he should be brought to trial there, notwithstanding he so far perpetrated his crime here as to bring him within the jurisdiction of our Court; yet his estate, if he hath any, lieth in your Province, and the evidence (in case he should not on trial confess the matter) would most likely be more full and clear against him, not only to this particular crime, but with respect to his general character. Besides, to take up the subjects of one Government and carry them into another for trial, which might, with as great propriety, be had in the Colony where such offender belonged, may prove, on occasion of a misunderstanding between Colonies, of dangerous consequence at all times, but more especially at the present day; which on all, occasions ought to be carefully avoided. It is therefore expected that your Assembly will take the affair into consideration, and give orders for his removal from hence to such place as they shall think proper, in your Province, in order to take his trial for his aforementioned offence.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most humble servant,

BENJAMIN PAYNE.

To the Honourable James Warren, Esq.

COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS TO JERATIIMEEL BOWERS.

Watertown, July 8, 1776.

SIR: As it is of importance that the Colony vessels should be immediately equipped and fixed for sea, the Board have ordered me to desire you to use your utmost endeavours to have the two vessels (built under your directions for the use of the Colony) completely equipped and fixed as soon as may be I am, sir, your humble servant,

JOHN AVERY, Deputy Secretary.

To Jerathmeel Bowers, Esq.

SAMUEL ELLIOT TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Boston, July 8, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: Some days past I did myself the honour of informing you (very briefly) of Captain Harding's engagement. I purpose forwarding the particulars as they appear upon trial, which is appointed to be on the 23d of this month. I am now just setting out for Reading, to obtain Colonel Campbell's deposition, which, with the other evidences, shall be duly handed you. I shall esteem it a favour in your Honour to inform Captain Harding (who will doubtless be with you by the time this reaches you) the trial is to be on the 23d, not 26th, as he was informed; as it is absolutely necessary that two intelligent persons who were on board the brig should attend the trial. Three days will make an amazing difference. There are many claimants; but my counsel affirms that half the ship George and brig Annabella will be adjudged to the Colony brigantine. Captain Harding will assign the particular reasons for leaving this port. It was the opinion of all his friends that he could not justify Timeself in staying while the small-pox was so prevalent in this place, and so many on board the brig liable to take the infection. We parted with regret. His polite and genteel carriage and easy deportment has gained the esteem of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

I must request the favour of particular directions respecting those who had the misfortune to be wounded in the engagement. They have had the best attendance. I have discharged their bills, with the Captain's consent. If any allowance is made to them, it ought (I think) to be deducted. Captain Harding mentioned that an allowance of about thirty or forty pounds was to be made for the loss of a limb, but could not tell with respect to the others. I should be glad for it to be ascertained, as it should be taken out before there is any division.

I must beg your Honour's pardon for thus troubling you; but I thought it my duly to mention every (although some may be trivial) circumstance that I am in doubt of. With pleasure I would acquaint your Honour the prize brig Annabella is brought up, and laid along side Hancock's wharf. She is damaged, but not so much as I expected. There may be some directions necessary for regulating my conduct: your Honour may depend upon my strict observance and punctual fulfilment of any you shall at any time think necessary to favour me with.

I remain your Honour's most obedient and dutiful servant,

SAMUEL ELLIOT, Jun., Agent to Captain Harding.

P. S. Yesterday Captain Johnson, in a sloop of ten carriage guns, carried into Cape-Anna large three-deck Jamaicaman, with near six hundred hogsheads best sugar, some rum, &c.; also, a brig loaded with rum from Antigua, both bound for London. She had been cruising about six weeks.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AMSTERDAM TO A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, DATED JULY 9, 1776.

There is not a maritime nation in Europe but which privately carries on a trade with the British Colonies of North America: France and Spain in particular, who have the best opportunity for it. Witness, that commerce never flourished so much throughout all Europe as it has actually done since the beginning of the present American war. Thus Great Britain, formerly the provider of the whole globe, now suffers foreign nations to enrich themselves by trafficking with her own Colonies, while she is contending with them for power and vain superiority. The armament of France and Spain, which of late has so much taken up the notice of Europe, we now find to be for the following