COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS TO JOSEPH HAWLEY.

Watertown, July 15, 1776.

SIR: The Board have attended to your letter of the 13th instant, and, upon the fullest consideration, are unanimously of opinion, that it may be of the most dangerous consequence to allow of such a delay in the marching of the troops destined for the Northern Department as must necessarily be occasioned by their being inoculated before they march. By the best information the Board can get, they apprehend there is a probability of suppressing that distemper in the Army at Crown-Point; and Brigadier-General Bricket, who is to command the reinforcement, and has not had the smallpox, is so persuaded of this that he has declared he would not choose to be inoculated before the march. The Board therefore insist that the levies should be marched with all possible expedition, as any delay may perhaps occasion a total defeat and dispersion of the Northern Army, the consequences of which must be fatal to every one.

The Board rely on it that Commissary Trumbull has taken effectual measures to provide for paying the mileage to the troops till they arrive at the stores, agreeable to his letter of the 11th June, as the Court, in answer thereunto, in theirs of July 1st, informed him that they depended upon his doing; and they understand that Captain Farnsworth proceeded to make provision accordingly; but as you do not hear of his arrival there, shall write to Commissary Trumbull on that head.

Enclosed you have a copy of the resolve directing what route the troops shall take.

COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.

Watertown, July 15, 1776.

SIR: The foregoing is copy of what the Court wrote in answer to yours of the 11th July, to which they have received no answer; nor do we hear of the arrival of any person at Number Four, for the services mentioned in the Court's letter; for which reasons, the Board have directed that you be furnished with a copy of their last letter, as any failure in that service may be of the most fatal consequences, the troops being now under marching orders.

If you have not already sent a person to make provision for this service, the Board earnestly desire that you would do it without delay.

To Mr. Commissary Trumbull.

RICHARD NEWTON TO MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.

Boston Jail, July 15, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOURS: I am very sorry to trouble your Honours so often, but necessity now obliges me to do it. Having been closely confined for upwards of three months, and no allowance of any kind made me, I am reduced very low, having been obliged to dispose of my watch, clothes, &c. I am also destitute of friends that will support me without payment. I beg your Honours will be pleased to order me some subsistence, or liberty to earn it, or otherwise I shall certainly starve. I defy the world to prove I ever wronged or defrauded any person living, or ever was concerned in plundering the town of Boston, or in any way assisting against America. I do not know yet what I am committed for. It can't be for being in the King's service, as I never was in it. All I have to add is, I humbly beg your Honours will order me some relief, or inflict upon me the punishment I deserve, if any can be found; which is all that is wished for by your Honours most obedient and distressed servant,

RICHARD NEWTON.

[Acted upon, and released, August 15, 1776.]

COL BELLOWS TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Walpole, July 15, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: In obedience to the orders I received from General Folsom, of the 4th instant, I have raised seventy-three men out of the regiment under my command, agreeable to said orders.

I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

BENJAMIN BELLOWS, Jun., Colonel

To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-Hampshire.

COMMITTEE OF M0ULTONBOROUGH TO JONATHAN MOULTON.

Moultonborough, July 15, 1776.

SIR: By Daniel Beede, Esq., we understand there was a prospect of obtaining, on proper security, from the Treasury, a sum of money to purchase firearms for this almost defenceless town. Esquire Beede informed us you were so good as to tell him you would join him in security for the money on a day appointed, which day he was obliged to leave Court on express; and he agreed with Captain Josiah Moulton to join with you for security for the money in his stead, by which we flatter ourselves you may have obtained the money. We, together with Lieutenant James Brown, (who waits on you with this,) were chosen a Committee for this town, to purchase the guns. Lieutenant Brown goes on purpose to consult you on the matter, receive the money, if it can be had, and purchase the guns, if they are to be bought. If any difficulty should arise in your mind in taking his security singly, we hereby engage to indemnify you in letting him have the money, and will, with him, be answerable for the payment of the same, agreeable to the tenor of the obligation he may give for the money.

We beg, sir, your forwarding the matter, and you will much oblige the inhabitants here, as well as your most humble servants,

BRADBURY RICHARDSON,

NATHANIEL AMBROSE.

To Jonathan Moulton, Esq.

COURT-MARTIAL ON LIEUTENANT WILLIAMS.

Williamsburgh, July 16, 1776.

In consequence of an order from the Honourable Brigadier-General Lewis, for the trial of Lieutenant Henry William, of the Virginia forces, by a General Court-Martial, at Williamsburgh, July 16, 1776, he, the said Lieutenant Williams, was found guilty of behaving in a scandalous and infamous manner, unbecoming the character of an officer or soldier, was cashiered, drummed along the line at Springfield camp, through Williamsburgh and College camp, and, as a part of his sentence, is now held up with infamy to the publick, as a person not worthy of enjoying the common blessings of society.

JAMES HENDRICKS, President.

ST. JOSEPH DASHIELL TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Worcester County, July 16, 1776.

DEAR SIR: When Captain Kelly was down, my sloop lay at such a distance, that we could not go to her, as they were in such a hurry; but I promised to send up her dimensions. He heard her character of being the fastest sailer in this place. Her standing rigging in good order; sails and running rigging very indifferent; forty-six feet long on deck, fourteen-and-a-half feet beam, and six feet hold. I consider her sails and rigging as worth nothing to the Province, except her standing rigging, and should not have mentioned her only for her fast sailing. I gave £150 for her last year, and if better to answer the purpose cannot be got, I am willing to take the same for her now.

This comes by a French gentleman, whom I have had at my house, and sent part of the way to Annapolis. He has papers which will show that he is desirous to enter into our service in defence of liberty, and from his experience, hope he will be serviceable. If you please, lay this before your brethren, and oblige, sir, your humble servant,

ST. JOSEPH DASHIELL.

To James Tilghman, Esq., Annapolis.

BENNETT BRACCO TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

July 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I am extremely sorry that I am obliged once more to trouble you; but hope you will excuse it, as it is done through necessity. I have exhausted both money and credit to support the men under my command here, and assure you that, unless you furnish me very shortly with a sum of money for their subsistence, I shall be obliged to surfer the men to disperse, and let each man look out for himself. I expect that, in ten days from this, we shall be able to do duty, as the smallpox is very favourable.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

BENNETT BRACCO.

To the Honourable Council of Safety of Maryland.