WILLIAM HILLHODSE TO NATHANIEL SHAW.

Lebanon, July 9, 1776.

SIR: The Colony arms to be divided among the towns that I spoke to you about. New-London's share is seventeen, which may be had at Captain Brainard's, at Hadam. Mr. Hosmer, I suppose, has given orders accordingly.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

WM. HILLHOUSE.

To Mr. Nathaniel Shaw.

GOVERNOUR TBUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, July 9, 1776.

SIR: The small-pox in our northern Army carries with it a much greater dread than our enemies. Our men dare to face them, but are not willing to go into a Hospital. I wish to have every precaution taken to prevent the spread of that infection. Surely, by care and good discipline, the infected may be cleansed, and a stop put to its progress. To promote this design, and afford every assistance in my power, I have sent up Major John Ely, a gentleman skilled in that distemper, whose fidelity may be relied on, to consult and assist in the matter. I shall cooperate in every measure tending to the security of the rights of the Colonies. The two battalions from this Colony will come on soon; beg they may be preserved from the infection. The two companies of ship carpenters will begin their march the beginning of this week. One meets at Middletown this day. I have written you by Captain Window. Captain Lester will follow soon. Do not doubt you will find both, with their companies, skilful workmen, and answerable to your expectations. They bring their tools. Neither of the head workmen, and but few of the others, have had the small-pox.

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

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To Major-General Schuyler.

MOSES MORSE TO COMMANDING OFFICER AT CROWN-POINT.

Worthington, July 9, 1776.

SIR: I am directed by the General Court of Massachusetts-Bay forthwith to send an express to Head-Quarters at Crown-Point, requesting the true state of the Army in that department, and the danger that the country is in at present from that quarter. Would inform that three thousand men are preparing with all expedition to come to the relief of that part of the country. Also, fifteen hundred more are ordered by the Continental Congress to be raised for that department. Boston is become a hospital with the small-pox. Also, have enclosed a copy of a resolve for a post-rider. Have appointed Joshua Morse, of Worthington, for the present.

Am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

MOSES MORSE.

To the chief Commanding Officer at Crown-Point.

"In the House of Representatives, July 6, 1776,

"Resolved, That Jonathan Brown, Esq., Doctor Moses Morse, Mr. Benjamin Guild, Oliver Wendell, Esq., and Major Jacob Davis, be a Committee to agree with two suitable persons to ride post to Crown-Point once a week until the last day of November next; and that the said Post take such route as the Committee aforesaid shall think best—the said Post to start from and return to Watertown until the further orders of this Court.

"And it is further Resolved, That some person be appointed at Watertown by the Committee aforesaid to receive and deliver such Letters as shall not be delivered before said Post's arrival at Watertown; and that all Letters to or from any persons in the Army be carried free of charge.

Sent up for concurrence.

WILLIAM COOPER, Speaker pro tem.

IN COUNCIL, July 6, 1776: Read and concurred.

JOHN AVERY, Deputy Secretary.

Consented to by the major part of the Council.

A true copy: Attest:

JOHN AVERY, Dep. Sec.

"N. B. Letters to be received and delivered at Mr. Stephen Harris's, near Watertown Bridge, and at Captain Nathaniel Daniels's, in Worthington."

PETITION OF THE INHABITANTS OF TRUBO, MASSACHUSETTS.

To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives of the Colony of the MASSACHUSETTS-BAY in General Court assembled at WATERTOWN, July 9, 1776, the Petition and Memorial of the subscribers humbly show:

At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Truro, legally warned, and held on the 9th of July, 1776, moved and voted, that Israel Gross, Reuben Higgins, and Sylvanus Snow, be a Committee to draft a petition to the honourable. Council and House of Representatives for an easement of our Colony taxes; which is as followeth:

We, your petitioners, do humbly address your Honours to take into your wise consideration the many difficulties your petitioners at this time feel and labour under.

Firstly. The sandy and lightness of our soil, which is much blown over to sand, does not afford more than half a sufficient supply to support our inhabitants; and as Cape-Cod harbour is open to the enemy, and no convenient harbour in this town, we are at a great expense in transporting the most of our necessaries from other places.

Secondly. The enormous loss we sustain by being re-strained from our whale and cod fishery, which was our greatest support, besides a dormant and wasting substance of our vessels.

Thirdly. The exposed situation we are in to our unnatural enemies; as this town is a narrow neck of land, not short of twelve miles in length, and from a mile and a half to a half mile in breadth, and makes one side of Cape-Cod harbour, where the enemy may anchor in safety, and land and rob us of our stock, burn our buildings, and retreat off, before we can be reinforced from our neighbouring towns.

Fourthly. And that by reason of our distressed situation, from four years taxes our constables cannot gather enough to support our reverend pastor; as we were ever willing to pay the first money collected into the Province treasury, and left the town treasury empty; for which reason our schools, for six months past, have entirely ceased, and many of our necessary town charges remain unpaid; besides a great number of poor families, widows, and fatherless children, depend on the charity of the town; and although the greatest part of our men have gone into the war, yet we expect they will bring but little to support their families, by reason of extraordinary expenses. All of which your petitioners think it our indispensable duty not to conceal, but humbly to present it to this honourable Court, praying that your Honours, by taking our hard lot into your most serious consideration, would be pleased, so far to consider us as to cause an easement in our Colony taxes; and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

By order of the Committee:

ISRAEL GROSS, Chairman.

COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS TO GENERAL WARD.

Watertown, July 9, 1776.

SIR: The Board was this day informed that you had given liberty to a number of Continental troops now stationed at Winter-Hill, to receive the smallpox by inoculation. The Board are unwilling to credit such a report, as there is an act of this Colony prohibiting inoculation except in the town of Boston. They therefore request, if you have given out any such orders, that you would immediately recall them, that the good people of Medford, Sic, may be relieved of their apprehensions; and desire your Honour would not permit any of the troops under your command to receive the small-pox by inoculation, in any other town except the town of Boston.

To the Honourable Artemas Ward, Esq.

GENERAL WARD TO COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Boston, July 9, 1776;

SIR: I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favour, of this day; and in answer thereto, say, there is no Continental troops at or near Winter-Hill, except a guard at the powder magazine, and they have all had the small-pox.

Yesterday the Selectmen of Medford applied to me for leave to make use of one of the barracks at or near Winter-Hill for a small-pox hospital, the small-pox having broken out in said town. I gave them leave to take some of them