before proper authority, that they maybe dealt with in such manner as the nature of their several cases may require.

A true copy,

Attest:

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Clerk.

TIMOTHY PARKER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

New-London, July 18, 1776.

SIR: I received your Honour's favour of the 11th instant, wherein I am made acquainted with my appointment to the First Lieutenancy of the Colony ship, to be commanded by Captain William Coit, a gentleman 1 much esteem for his patriotick principles, as well as the bravery and valour he hath so often manifested in the cause of this our much injured and oppressed country.

I have to thank your Honour and his Council for the good opinion they must entertain of my skill and ability in naval affairs, as being worthy the appointment.

Sir, I am diffident of my own ability in the performance of so great a trust; and am sorry I am under the necessity of declining so honourable an appointment, for reasons (to me of weight) already communicated to Benjamin Huntington, Esq., one of your Honour's Council.

I am, with the greatest esteem, your Honour's and Council's most obedient and humble servant,

TIMOTHY PAKKER.

To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Lebanon.

JEHIEL TINKER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

New-London, July 18, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: I received yours of the 16th instant, ordering me to New-York.

I shall be ready by to-morrow night, if the small-arms are ready, that I am to apply to Colonel Huntington for. I have applied for them, but Colonel Huntington was not at home. I could not get them. There is a postscript on the back of the letter your Honour sent me, informing me there is a letter at Lebanon to General Washington, which I shall wait for. I have got on board three cannon, (nine-pounders,) of the five that were here, which is all that will answer; and two three-pounders out of the old fort. I should be glad if your Honour would give me an order on Captain Dickerson, at Saybrook, for part of a hogshead of rum that is there, as cider is very scarce and dear, and it is likely rum will be dear at New-York.

From your most humble servant,

JEHIEL TINKER.

To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq.

Boston, Thursday, July 18, 1776.

This day, pursuant to the orders of the honourable Council, was proclaimed, from the balcony of the State-House in this town, the Declaration of the American Congress, absolving the United Colonies from their allegiance to the British Crown, and declaring them free and independent States.

There were present on the occasion, in the Council Chamber, the Committee of Council, a number of the Honourable House of Representatives, the Magistrates, Ministers, Selectmen, and other gentlemen of Boston and the neighbouring towns; also, the Commission Officers of the Continental Regiments stationed here, and other officers. Two of those regiments were under arms in King Street, formed into three lines, on the north side of the street, and into thirteen divisions; and a detachment from the Massachusetts regiment of Artillery, with two pieces of cannon, was on their right wing. At one o'clock the Declaration was proclaimed by Colonel Thomas Crofts, the Sheriff of the County of Suffolk, which was received with great joy, expressed by three huzzas from a great concourse of people assembled on the occasion; after which, on a signal given, thirteen pieces of cannon were fired from the fort on Fort-Hill; the forts at Dorchester-Neck, the Castle, Nantasket, and Point-Alderton, likewise discharged their cannon; then the detachment of Artillery fired their cannon thirteen times, which was followed by the two regiments giving their fire from the thirteen divisions in succession. These firings corresponded to the number of the American States united. The ceremony was closed with a proper collation to the gentlemen in the Council Chamber; during which, the following Toasts were given by the President of the Council, and heartily pledged by the company, viz:

Prosperity and perpetuity to the United States of America.

The American Congress.

The General Court of the State of Massachusetts-Bay.

General Washington, and success to the arms of the United States.

The downfall of tyrants and tyranny.

The universal prevalence of civil and religious liberty.

The friends of the United States in all quarters of the globe.

The bells of the town were rung on the occasion, and undissembled festivity cheered and brightened every face.

On the same evening, the King's arms, and every sign with any resemblance of it, whether Lion and Crown, Pestle and Mortar and Crown, Heart and Crown, &c., together with every sign that belonged to a Tory, was taken down, and made a general conflagration of in King Street.

Watertown, Monday, July 22, 1776.

Last Thursday, a number of the Members of the Council, (who were prevented attending the ceremony of proclaiming the Declaration of Independence at Boston, on account of the small-pox there,) together with those of the honourable House of Representatives who were in town, and a number of other gentlemen, assembled at the Council Chamber, in this town, where the said Declaration was also proclaimed by the Secretary from one of the windows; after which, the gentlemen present partook of a decent collation prepared on the occasion, and drank a number of constitutional toasts, and then retired.

On the same day, the Tyrannicide privateer, in the service of this State, commanded by John Fisk, carried into Salem an armed schooner of eight carriage and twelve swivel guns, and thirty men, which he took off George's Banks, about three weeks ago, after an obstinate engagement of three glasses. The schooner belonged to and sailed with the fleet which is arrived at New-York, and was one of those which belonged to the rear division. The Tyrannicide had one man killed, and one wounded, and was much shattered; but is now refitting, and will soon be ready for another cruise. The Captain of the schooner and one man were killed; the master lost one arm, and about ten were wounded, several mortally.

The King's arms in this town were, on Saturday last, defaced.

The post for Crown-Point sets out this day (and every Monday) at ten o'clock, from the house of Mr. Stephen Harris in this town, where letters are to be sent, in order to be forwarded gratis. He returns on Saturdays.

TIMOTHY PICKERING, JUN., TO RICHARD DERBY.

Salem, July 18, 1776.

SIR: I am directed by the Selectmen and Committee of Safety of this town to inform you, that the inhabitants are very uneasy, and urge the erecting a gate at the entrance of the town to secure them against the small-pox, of which they think themselves in danger, by means of persons coming from Boston unexamined and uncleansed, which they do to this day, and it is feared will continue to do, unless the honourable Council take some effective order to prevent it. Captain Peele tells us that he came out of Boston yesterday, without seeing any guard, or being asked a question. If there be a continuance of such carelessness in Boston, the infection may be spread far and near, and a great many towns put to a very great expense in erecting gates and providing guards. The Selectmen and Committee pray you to use your endeavours in Council that effectual measures be taken to prevent such extensive mischief. The Selectmen and Committee are also desirous that the poor of Boston may be removed from our Hospital. Their continuance there any longer will be attended with many disadvantages to the town. We have two patients already with the natural small-pox, and we expect many more. It is no longer expedient to remove them to the Neck, because, in case of an alarm in that quarter, the whole country would be in danger, if they ventured on to the Neck, and perhaps they would refuse to go. The Court of Sessions may also order