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posts and the post on Dorchester Point, that seven hundred men have been assigned as absolutely necessary to complete and garrison them. The Committee are of opinion, as these posts are justly considered as a key of the town of Boston, that the number was not extravagant, and, indeed, far short of what they ought to be, was there not the highest probability that they could be reinforced by the Militia from the neighbouring towns in case of an alarm.
Orders have been issued to us from the Court, that works should be erected on Long Island. Very little hath been done there, as we had no cover for the men. Barracks are now ready to receive them. Four hundred men are proposed for that post.
The next is Nantasket. To maintain that ground, which commands the road, is too important to be neglected. The post is about half finished. It is in a state that it may be defended by musketry. The cannon for it are not yet stocked, nor are the works ready to receive them. From the many convenient places there are in town for an enemy to land, and from the situation and height of the neighbouring hills, the possession of which, if possible, must be secured, and from the extent of the works, it will be found that a large number of men will be necessary—one thousand, at least. We cannot promise ourselves a reinforcement from the Militia.
As a further security to the several posts, the Committee beg leave to suggest whether it will not be necessary to have a small camp formed in the vicinity of Boston of one thousand men, to act in any part where they may be wanted in an emergency.
When we mention garrisons, we suppose that a suitable number of the Train are to be in addition to them. We are also of opinion, as the Continental Train is to be removed, and as our number was insufficient before, that it will be necessary to add three companies more to Colonel Crafts's regiment. The number for the several garrisons, without the Train, amounts, as estimated, to five thousand three hundred. In Colonel Whitney's and Colonel Marshall's regiments, and in the four Independent companies from Weymouth, Hingham, and Braintree, if full, there are seventeen hundred and forty; which leaves three thousand five hundred and sixty, upon our estimate, to be raised. From a view of the services in which they must be employed, it is, in the opinion of the Committee, very evident that draughts from the Militia will by no means answer the purpose; as in that case, perhaps, men will be drawn out who have good estates and large families. To content these for any considerable time from their homes, hath, by experience, been found impossible; and the present busy season of the year will make it very difficult to keep them even for a short time.
The Committee beg leave to ask whether it is possible to garrison properly our fortifications, &c., but by inlisting the men to serve a certain term; and to wish, as the circumstances of this State are so materially altered since the Court was prorogued, and it being so evidently necessary for them to be together, that the House might be summoned to attend on this matter, for in a few days we shall not have men in the pay of this Colony, near its capital, for a proper garrison thereof.
BENJ. LINCOLN, per order.
To the Honourable Council of the State of Massachusetts-Bay.
CAPTAIN FISK TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.
Salem, July 17, 1776.
This may serve to acquaint your Honours that in the latitude 40° 26' north, longitude 65° 50' west, I fell in with the armed schooner Despatch from Halifax, bound to New-York; and after an engagement of one-and-a-half hour, she struck to the American arms. I boarded her, and found on board eight carriage guns and twelve swivel guns, twenty small-arms, sixteen pistols, twenty cutlasses', some cartridge-boxes, and belts for bayonets, nine half-barrels powder, all the accoutrements for said cannon. The commander and one man were killed, seven others wounded. The crew consisted of thirty men and one boy. I lost one man killed and two wounded, and my vessel was much shattered, which obliged me to return with the prize, which I have at anchor in Salem Harbour, and wait your Honours' orders how to proceed with the prisoners. All the Captain's papers and orders were thrown overboard.
I am your Honours' humble servant,
JOHN FISK.
To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, now sitting at Watertown.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COL. WINGATE.
In Committee of Safety, July 17, 1776.
You are directed to repair to Charlestown, on Connecticut River, and there take charge of such companies as you may find there, whose officers are commissionated under you; and take all necessary care, with the persons appointed at that place to supply the troops, to have the soldiers fixed off, taking their route for Crown-Point, or Ticonderoga, or the place where the Continental Army may be; and when you have done what appears necessary to you to do at Charlestown, you will proceed forward and join the Continental Army as aforesaid, putting yourself and regiment under the command of the General and Commander-in-Chief of said Army. If no Continental officer has made provision at Charlestown for the soldiers, you will apply to Benjamin Giles, Esq., appointed by the Colony, to deliver six days' provision at marching, to last the troops to Crown-Point.
By order of the Committee:
MESHECH WEARE.
To Colonel Joshua Wingate.
FRANCIS SALVADOR TO WILLIAM H. DRAYTON.
Camp near Dewett's Corner, July 18, 1776.
DEAR SIR: You would have been surprised to have seen the change in this country two days after you left me. On Monday morning one of Captain Smith's sons came to my house with two of his fingers shot off, and gave an account of the shocking catastrophe at his father's. I immediately galloped to Major Williamson's to inform him, but found another of Smith's sons there, who had made his escape and alarmed the settlement.
The whole country was flying; some to make forts, others as low as Orangeburgh. Williamson was employed, night and day, sending expresses to raise the Militia; but the panick was so great, that the Wednesday following, the Major and myself marched to the late Captain Smith's with only forty men. The next day we were joined by forty more, and have been gradually increasing ever since; though all the men in the country were loath to turn out till they had procured some kind of fancied security for their families. However, we had last night five hundred men, but have not been joined by any from the other side of the river.* I rode there last Saturday, and found Colonels Williams and Liles, and two companies from Colonel Richardson's regiment, amounting to four hundred and thirty men. They were attacked on Monday morning, July 15th, by Indians and Scophelites,† but repulsed them, taking thirteen white men prisoners; the Indians fled the moment clay appeared. I will not trouble you with more particulars, as Major Williamson will send a circumstantial account to his Excellency.
I am afraid the burden of the war will fall on this regiment, and that the people over the river will do nothing. They grumble at being commanded by a Major; and I fear, if they join us at all, (which I doubt,) they will be very apt to prejudice the service by altercations about command. I cannot help saying, that if Williamson is fit to conduct such an expedition, he certainly ought to have a much higher rank than any of these chaps, who don't object to his person but his rank. I likewise think it an omission that the Colonels on the other side the river have no written orders to put themselves or their men under his command.
On the last accounts from town, that Cunningham and his companions were set at liberty, we were very near having a mutiny in camp; and it is really a measure which, though certainly intended for the best, is very alarming to all ranks of people. The ignorant look upon it as turning their enemies loose on their backs in the day of their distress; and the sensible part consider it as a dangerous exercise of a dispensing power, assumed contrary to the express deter-
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