near the mills, with an old carriage; and one be carried to Malden; and that upon the approach of a fleet of more than sail, an alarm be made by firing the beacons, and by a discharge of three cannon at each place successively, at one minute's distance between each discharge between the rising and setting of the sun, and two in the night. And that on an alarm being made, the detached Militia aforesaid immediately repair to their alarm-posts, and there wait further orders.

In order that people may generally know what signals will be given on the approach of an enemy, &c., and when the same signals will be given for an experiment, would it not be well to have it published by the Clergy in the same manner as the Declaration of Independency is to be made known? It appears to me necessary that some order should be taken for a general spread of an alarm through this State.

I am, with esteem and regard, your most humble servant,

BENJAMIN LINCOLN.

To the Hon. Thomas Cushing.

TRISTRAM DALTON TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

Newburyport, July 19, 1776

DEAR SIR: I wish you joy on the late full Declaration—an event so ardently desired by your good self and the people you particularly represent. We are no longer to be amused with delusive prospects. The die is cast. All is at stake. The way is made plain. No one can now doubt on which side it is his duty to act. We have everything to hope from the goodness of our cause. The God of justice is omnipotent. We are not to fear what man or a multitude can do. We have put on the harness, and I trust it will not be put off until we see our land a land of security and freedom—the wonder of the other hemisphere—the asylum of all who pant for deliverance from bondage.

Wishing every blessing to attend you, I am, dear sir, with great regard, your obedient servant,

TRISTRAM DALTON.

H. WENTWORTH TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Portsmouth, July 19, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Mrs. Levins having informed this Committee that she was about to apply to you for leave to depart this place, in order to proceed to her husband at Quebeck, we beg leave to acquaint you that the situation of her family is such as that, if she can go with safety, we should think it expedient. Major Meigs and Captain Dearborn inform us that Mr. Levins interested himself with General Carleton to obtain leave for them to revisit their families; and that in return for his kindness, they promised him to use their utmost endeavours to have his family sent him. If this measure meets with your approbation, we can see no reasonable objection to Mrs. Levins's going with her family as soon as she can get away.

I am, by order of the Committee of Safety, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

H. WENTWORTH, Chairman.

To the Honourable the Committee of Safety at Exeter.

H. WENTWORTH TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Portsmouth, July 19, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Captain Roach, in the schooner Polly, naving cleared from this port to the eastward, with a cargo consisting of two hogsheads of salt, twenty bushels of corn, three hundred pounds of tobacco, three barrels of rum, and three barrels of cider, sundry of the inhabitants of this town have made application to us to forbid his departure, supposing the risk too great at this time. We have had Captain Roach before us, and he acquaints us that he intends to go to St. Peter's, and to carry with him, exclusive of the above articles, cash sufficient to purchase a cargo there of such commodities as he supposes will be suitable for this market. We think it our duty to inform you of this matter, and have desired Captain Roach to wait on you, and request your opinion thereon.

I am, by order of the Committee of Safety, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

H. WENTWORTH, Chairman.

To the Honourable the Committee of Safety, at Exeter.

JOSEPH WENTWORTH TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Portsmouth, July 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Pursuant to an order from Major-General Sullivan of the 3d instant, to me directed, to raise one hundred and fifteen men out of the First Regiment, I now have the pleasure to enclose the return of that number, who have voluntarily engaged in the service of their country.

Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

JOSEPH WENTWORTH.

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

CAPTAIN RICHARDS, OF THE LISBON PACKET, TO THE' POSTMASTERS-GENERAL.

Falmouth, England, July 20, 1776.

MY LORDS: Saturday, June 15, received two mails from Mr. Bell, for the Duke of York packet, and sailed for Lisbon, in company with the Anna Theresa and Eagle packets. Tuesday, June 25, arrived at Lisbon with the Eagle packet in company, and off the Bar saw a fleet of French men-of-war, consisting of six sail of the line, two frigates, two sloops, a brig, and two cutters. The 29th arrived six sail of Spanish men-of-war in the Tagus. On Monday, the 8th of July afterwards, we sailed in company with the Spanish fleet, which consisted of three sail of the line, one frigate, and two sloops. In the evening saw four sail more of Spanish ships-of-war going in—three sail of the line, and one frigate. The French fleet sailed to the northward.

On the 4th of July, his most faithful Majesty of Portugal issued a decree prohibiting all ships and vessels belonging to British-America entering into any ports of the dominions of Portugal; and in case they should arrive, prohibiting any of his subjects from giving them any succour, but immediately turning them out of the ports; and for those in the ports, immediately after eight days from the above date; and, in case of disobedience, all such ships or vessels are to be confiscated to the use and benefit of the publick works; and in case of departure, a strict charge is given to the outward Consulada to search them, that they do not carry with them any implements of war.

I am, my Lords, your Lordships' obedient, humble servant,

JOHN RICHARDS.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED LONDON, JULY 20, 1776.

The Ministry seem so confident of reducing the Colonies with the formidable force which they have sent for that purpose, that they are already employed in devising means for keeping them in subjection after they have subdued them. Lately, there was presented to the King a project for that purpose, which his Majesty approved of. The proposal is, to keep up ten thousand troops, of which two shall be battalions of Artillery, and two of Light-Dragoons; and to establish on the Continent two Bishopricks, the titles of which shall be, the Protectors of the English Church. Such are the brilliant chimeras which are spread by the Ministerial party, and which the opposite party are labouring to destroy, by publishing to the world that the Colonies combatting for liberty will not yield but to force; that the force already sent out by the mother country, which at present appears irresistible, will soon be reduced to nothing, if the first consequences of it should not equal the expectations of Administration. Dissatisfaction will soon succeed, and diffuse itself through all ranks of people, already much fatigued with civil intestine war; that in this case the consequences must necessarily be very fatal to England, especially if strangers, taking advantage of these dissensions, and in support of America, should attack the most remote English settlements, and occasion a diversion which will greatly weaken the power of Great Britain.

It appears plainly already that the formidable armaments which they are fitting out in the ports of France and Spain, have no other object but war; that we may be convinced of this by the evasive answers given to our Ambassadors at the Courts of Versailles and Madrid, as we have them from their representations on that subject; that the distinguished marks of respect with which they have received the Deputies of Congress in these two Courts, does not leave