dred tons burden, loaded with flour; that she continued her course up until not far distant from the fleet, when the Admiral sent out a boat, which met and conducted her up near to the stern of the Admiral's ship, soon after which this deponent heard Captain Knowles, commander of said transport, say to the people on board, that the ship then arrived was not a prize, but that she came from New-York on purpose to supply them, and that she was loaded with flour; and further saith not.

EBENEZER COLEFOX.

New-London, July 17, 1776.

Copy of an affidavit taken before civil authority:

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

The testimony of Matthew Thompson, of London, in the kingdom of Great Britain, late of the armed brigantine Diligence, Dodd, commander, mounting twelve carriage guns, belonging to the King of Great Britain, of lawful age, is as follows, viz: The deponent, some time in the month of April, deserted from said brig, when sent on shore on Block-Island to assist in watering said brig, when the deponent remained on said Island six days; the deponent applied to several of the boatmen for assistance to get to the main, who refused; and finally this deponent, together with one Thomas Nixon, a fellow-deserter, obtained their passage from said Island in a canoe. The deponent further says that the livers on the Island, except as above said, treated him very kindly, excepting also one John Wright, a taverner on said Island, and his brother-in-law, who used their endeavours to prevail on this deponent and Thomas Nixon to return on board said brig. And the deponent further says, that he observed a number of cattle, sheep, and horses, on said Island, and that the brig Diligent and the ship Cerberus were supplied from said Island with calves, hogs, ducks, geese, and fowls, which articles this deponent assisted in transporting on board said vessels. And further this deponent saith, that John Little-field, of said Island, was very kind in using his endeavours to get this deponent off said Island; and further saith not.

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

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

Thomas Kanady, master of the ship Mary, of lawful age, testifies and says, That some time in the beginning of the present month, he discovered lying at anchor at Fisher's Island a ship of about one hundred and eighty tons burden; that this deponent, when on board said ship, found her to be partly loaded with provisions, &c., some valuable house furniture in the cabin, &c., and on board Mr. Damune, of New-York, part owner, and two youths, sons of the Captain, John Hilton; that this deponent observed to the Captain, that he admired at his lying in that situation, as he must be exposed to be taken by the enemy's ships, &c.; to which Captain Hilton replied, that he was not in the least afraid of being taken; and if they did take him, he was not in the least afraid that they would take from him any of his cabin furniture; and further saith not.

THOMAS KANADY.

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

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

MAJOR HAWLEY TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

Northampton, July 17, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I have often said that I supposed a Declaration of Independence would be accompanied with a declaration of high treason. Most certainly it must immediately, and without the least delay, follow it. Can we subsist—did any State ever subsist, without exterminating traitors? I never desire to see high treason extended here further than it is now extended in Britain. But an act of high treason we must have instantly. The Colonies have long suffered inexpressibly for want of it. No one thing made the Declaration of Independence indispensably necessary more than cutting off traitors. It is amazingly wonderful, that having no capital punishment for our intestine enemies, we have not been utterly ruined before now. For God's sake, let us not run such risks a day longer. It appears to me, sir, that high treason ought to be the same in all the United States, saving to the Legislature of each Colony or State the right of attainting individuals by act or bill of attainder. The present times show most clearly the wisdom and sound policy of the common law in that doctrine, or part thereof, which consists in attainting by an act of the whole Legislature. Our Tories (be sure the learned of them) knew very well the absurdity of punishing as high treason any acts or deeds in favour of the Government of the King of Great Britain, so long as we all allowed him to be King of the Colonies. Dear sir, this matter admits of no delay; and when the act declaratory of high treason is passed, the strongest recommendation for a strict execution of it, I humbly conceive, ought to accompany it. Our whole cause is every moment in amazing danger for want of it. The common understanding of the people, like unerring instinct, has long declared this; and from the clear discerning which they have had of it, they have been long in agonies about it. They expect that effectual care will now be taken for the general safety, and that all those who shall be convicted of endeavouring, by overt act, to destroy the State, shall be cut off from the earth.

The levying an army for the war, after the 1st of January next, lies heavy upon me. The present levies for reinforcing the armies, are, by order of Congress, only till the 1st of December next. It appears to me high time to set seriously and in the greatest earnest about it. I observe, sir, that you charge the miscarriages in Canada partly to the short time for which the troops were raised. You know that nothing will detain our people after the expiration of the term for which they were engaged. It will be in vain to attempt to inlist New-England people for a longer term than two years. No bounties will induce them to engage for a longer time—I fear for no longer time than one year.

I have not time to add a word more. Too early or earnest care cannot be taken for the providing good barracks and covering for our Northern Army, or Armies, against the cold season of the year. They suffered much last campaign, when about Boston, for want of seasonable covering and firing. We are apt to delay. Let us strain every nerve. Don't let us hesitate a moment at any necessary expense. We will conquer or die. Amen.

If you judge anything in this confused epistle worth communicating to your brethren of this Colony, to whom I present my sincerest respects, you are at liberty to communicate it.

And I am, dear sir, your true friend, and faithful humble servant,

JOSEPH HAWLEY.

To Mr. Gerry.

GENERAL LINCOLN TO THE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Boston, July 17, 1776.

How to remedy the inconveniences that may arise to this State from the removal of the Continental troops, and how we shall supply forces sufficient to garrison the works already thrown up, complete and garrison those that are begun, is a question truly important—a question that has or will call for the attention of the honourable Board. And as it is necessary to know the state of the several fortifications in and near Boston, previous to a determination what number of men will be necessary for the purpose aforesaid, the Committee, under whose eye the fortifications have been erected, thought it their duty to lay before your Honours the following state of the forts, and their idea of the number of men necessary to garrison them: The fort in Boston, that in Charlestown, one on Noddle's Island, and one on Governour's Island, are nearly finished. Properly to man the lines of the fort in Boston, it will require seven hundred men, and an equal number, considering the unarmed state of the inhabitants of Boston, as guards in the different parts of the town. As Charlestown and Noddle's Island can be reinforced by the Militia, if at any time a reinforcement should be necessary, it is therefore proposed that one company only be placed in Charlestown and two on Noddle's Island; and that one company be placed on the small redoubt on Governour's Island, of seventy-five men each.

The works on Castle Island are quite incomplete. How much the security of the town of Boston depends on our maintaining that post is too evident to need a comment. It hath been thought that five hundred men at least, were necessary to complete the works there, and to defend them when completed. The two forts on Dorchester Heights are in the same unfinished state as are the works on Castle Island. Such hath been the idea of the importance of those