pounders will be soon cast there, which is the largest size we can hope for from that furnace.

I have ordered two of our row-galleys to proceed to New-York, and trust they will be with you at the receipt of this; they have no guns larger than nine-pounders. I wish it may be in your power to make them more useful, by placing heavier metal upon them, whilst they continue in your service.

The Continental regiment raising in this Colony is now in some measure filled up, mustered, equipped, and ready to march; but as there seems to be much danger from the prevalence of the small-pox in Boston, should they march there, and as the whole force of the enemy on this side seems to be directed against you at New-York, I have thought it best they should suspend their march towards Boston till your pleasure might be known whether they should join the Army at New-York or proceed for Boston.

Since the arrival of the fleet and army at the Hook, several frigates and ships have been stationed between Montauk Point and Block-Island, to intercept the trade from the Sound, in which they have been so successful that they have derived great advantage from the provision vessels they have taken; and by frequent advices from the Captains of our armed vessels, and others, it appeared highly improbable that any vessel going out or coming in by that passage could avoid falling into their hands; and as several vessels were prepared and preparing in sundry places to proceed to sea with cargoes of provision, the owners of which must be presumed to be ignorant of the hazard they ran in getting out; and sensible of how great importance it is that all supplies of provision should be kept back from the enemy; and having good grounds to believe that some evil-minded persons had designedly carried provisions to the enemy, or thrown themselves in their way, as your Excellency will see by the enclosed copies of depositions taken and sent to Congress,—I have given orders to the Captains of the armed vessels in the service of this Colony to stop and detain all provision vessels coming out of any port in this Colony, or through the Sound, and bound to sea, for the present, and until the Continental Congress and the Congresses or Conventions of the Colonies or States to which they respectively belong, may be apprized of the hazards attending their proceeding in their voyages, and, on consideration, shall give such orders as they may think fit respecting the same. The apparent necessity of this measure will, I flatter myself, justify me in taking it, where, it is known and properly explained. To prevent or obviate any misrepresentation, is my motive for troubling your Excellency with this account.

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

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

19th.—Received your favour of the 15th instant, which induced me to send orders immediately to Theo. Stanton, Captain of our other row-galley, the Shark, to proceed with her forthwith to New-York, and subject himself to your command. Wish him safe, and serviceable to your designs.

20th.—Colonel Ward, of the Continental battalion lately ordered to be raised here, and mentioned above, informs that his regiment is not much beyond half filled, occasioned by their being raised for a longer time and receiving less bounty than others. Since many are ordered from Boston, and this may be stationed on the works below or in the environs, at places out of danger of the infection from the small-pox, will it not be best this battalion should be ordered to march to that place, first mentioned for their destination? They are principally men who have not seen service. Please to give the earliest notice of your pleasure therein.

Nathan Spicer, (late a hand on board the sloop Macaroni,) of New-London, of lawful age, testifies and says: That on the 22d of May last he was made a prisoner, carried to Halifax, and there detained on board the Ministerial fleet until they sailed for New-York, when he was put on board a transport, and removed near to Staten-Island, and from thence escaped on the 14th instant; that while this deponent was on board said transport, viz: on the 5th instant, there arrived and sailed up and near to the fleet a ship of about two hundred tons burden, marked and called the Charming Polly; that she was conducted near to the Admiral's ship, where she lay several days, during which this deponent's duty was often to row near to and by said ship; that on Sunday, about the 7th instant, this deponent, when passing said ship, saw the people on board selling fowls, &c., to the people of the fleet; that this deponent often heard the officers, and others belonging to the fleet, say that said ship belonged to New-York; that she was loaded with flour, live stock, &c., and that she came on purpose to supply the fleet. And this deponent further adds, that had not the fleet been successful in making prizes of American vessels when on their passage to New-York, they must have been much distressed for provisions, their allowance being very short before they had made prizes of nine vessels, chiefly loaded with flour. And further saith not.

NATHAN SPICER.

July 17, 1776.—Copy of an affidavit taken before civil authority.

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

Samuel Smedley, Second Lieutenant of the brig Defence, of lawful age, testifieth and saith, That on the passage from New-London to Boston, in said brig, by order of Captain Harding, commander of the said brig, having boarded sundry of the Block-Island boats on his way thither, and in conversation with the people belonging to said boats, this deponent formed in his mind the judgment that they were not so friendly as they ought to be to the American cause; and further saith not.

SAMUEL SMEDLET.

July 17, 1776.—Copy of an affidavit taken before civil authority.

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

Robert Niles, of lawful age, and Captain of the schooner Spy, testifies and says: That in the beginning of the present month, a ship, to appearance of about one hundred and sixty or seventy tons burden, loaded with flour, lay at anchor in Fisher's Island Sound, for the term of about one week; that during said term this deponent spoke with said ship, and advised and ordered her to make New-London harbour, assigning for reasons, that her situation was unsafe, being exposed continually to the ships of the enemy; and also that her remaining there was very disagreeable to the people of New-London, fearing that her cargo would fall into the hands of the enemy. However, the commander refused to comply with said advice and order, but remained in that situation until a number of small vessels came up and joined her, when she sailed, without waiting or attending to any signal of safety, as has been practised by other vessels. This deponent further says, that when cruising on his station he very frequently has seen the Block-Island boats passing to and from; that he has good and sufficient reason to believe that they are much employed in furnishing the enemy's ships and vessels with intelligence, supplies, and every comfort in their power to afford; and that the people of New-London, Groton, and Stonington, are generally of the same opinion, appear to have no doubt of the truth of that fact, and are much dissatisfied with that circumstance. This deponent further says, that at the time of the Commodore's fleet lying in the harbour of New-London, after his return from New-Providence, one Littlefield, of Block-Island, came over to Stonington, and there, or near there, purchased a hogshead of Jamaica spirits, and paid therefore about one hundred and twenty dollars in milled money, as it was then and ever since has been universally said and believed, and returned with it to said Island, at which time there lay watering at said Island one of the King's ships; and further saith not.

ROBERT NILES.

The above is a true copy of the deposition, attested 17th July 1776.

WINT. SALTONSTALL, J. P.

The above is a true copy, extracted from an attested copy of the original. Examined by

JONATHAN TRUMBULL

Ebenezer Colefox, late mate of the schooner Macaroni, of lawful age, testifies and says: That on the 22d of May last he was made a prisoner by a British ship, carried to Halifax, and there detained until the British fleet sailed for New-York, when he was put on board one of the transports, and removed near to Staten-Island, and from thence escaped on the 8th of July instant; that while this deponent was on board said transport, viz: on the 5th instant, there arrived within the Hook, below New-York, a ship of near two hun-