used for such purpose, as she may answer without laying out further cost upon her. Have ordered Captain Harding to do only what may be barely needful, and to secure the navigation of the Sound as far as in his power.

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

JONTH. TRUMBULL.

To Nathaniel Shaw, Jun., Esq.

WILLIAM LOUD TO JOHN TAYLOR.

Muscowgus Island, near Bristol, July 20, 1776.

SIR: I saw a letter from Colonel William Jones, of Bristol, to Captain James Hilton, of said place, informing him of the capture of General Thompson, and many officers, as also the retreat of General Sullivan to St. John's, and the doubt of his ability to support that post; as also that fifteen hundred Canadians and five hundred Indians were employed by General Burgoyne to attack our back settlements; also, orders for said Hilton to have his company of Militia in order for defence. Captain Hilton sent intelligence eastward, to the settlements; but, sir, in my opinion, intelligence without ammunition would be of little service; and I do not think one-tenth part of the inhabitants have any, neither do I think it possible for them to be supplied except by the Congress, and are therefore at present in a woful condition if attacked. I doubt not, sir, that you remember Mr. Waterman Thomas, of Waldoborough, who was up to the Congress the year past, on account of supply for many settlements, but could not obtain it. Now, if no speedy supply, and the enemy approach, you may expect dismal news from this quarter.

As the inhabitants have been driven to great straits on account of not having a market for their lumber the year past, and the supports of life having been so dear to them, I cannot see how it is possible at present for them to raise cash for ammunition; and if some way cannot be proposed as to furnish for a hereafter-pay, then farewell to defence.

I imagine it will be some time before the many settlements will be notified of the danger, and be able to meet and consult measures for safety; and as there are many settlements and Islands that have no representatives or acquaintances in the Congress, I desire that you would be so good as to use your endeavours to have a supply for them on such terms as you may think proper, which will be ever esteemed as a favour done to your humble servant,

WILLIAM LOUD.

N. B. I believe the Islands and non-incorporated places are not omitted in the Province tax; and as for my part, I am, and ever have been, ready to pay such, and have done it many years.

Sir, the favour of a line from you, to inform me what dependance may be had on account of ammunition, directed to myself or Waterman Thomas, Esq., of Waldoborough, will greatly oblige yours, &c.,

W. L.

N. B. I have four that bear arms.

COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS TO SELECTMEN OF BOSTON.

Council-Chamber, Watertown, July 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: It appears that there is a great uneasiness in the minds of the people, in various parts of the State, that no greater care has been taken to prevent the spreading of the small-pox; and unless such care should now be taken as may be reasonable and satisfactory, great mischief must certainly ensue, and still greater if the distemper should further prevail in the country towns. To prevent which, and in order that the town of Boston may not in a special manner be subjected to inconveniences, which they are certainly liable to, we request you to use every means in your power for getting clear of the infection of that distemper as soon as possible, and, in the mean time, that you use every precaution to prevent the communication thereof to other towns, and particularly that you employ trusty and proper guards at the ferry places, and at the Neck, to prevent any persons from going into the country, until they are entirely cleansed from the infection, so as to be beyond the possibility of communicating it to others; otherwise the country towns will think themselves under a necessity of setting guards and preparing smoke-houses, &c, the great expense and trouble of which may be saved, if they can be ascertained that you do not fail of doing what is thought to be your duty to do.

To the Selectmen of Boston.

JONATHAN GLOVER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Marblehead, July 20, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: I am extremely sorry to take up one moment of your attention, engaged as it is in concerns of the highest import to the United American States; but seeing, without your kind interposition, that I may be materially injured, I hope you will excuse me.

Your Excellency was pleased to appoint me one of the Agents for the Continental armed vessels; which office I have endeavoured to discharge with diligence and fidelity, and conducted, I would fain suppose, to your satisfaction. Among other things, when the ship Hope, laden with powder, was taken, 1 hastened to Pulling-Point Gut, through which they attempted to carry the ship to Boston; but she got aground; so I procured small craft, and, before night, got out twelve hundred barrels of powder. I procured a guard of one hundred and fifty men from General Ward, lest the enemy should take the ship by their boats in the night. I engaged the best pilot in Boston to carry up the ship; but he despaired of doing it in the night, because he could not see the marks, as the channel was crooked. I told him I did not choose to trust her there that night, and that she must be got up. He said it was impossible. I then proposed placing at anchor a number of the small vessels, with lanterns on board them, at the shallow places and bends of the channel; and after they were thus stationed, the ship fluting and the wind being fair, we made sail, and got her up to Boston safe at anchor off the wharf before daylight; and I ceased not till, with vast labour and fatigue, the whole cargo was secured. On account of this business, for four days and three nights I did not pull off my clothes, and scarcely slept at all. Afterwards I libelled the ship and cargo, and attended the trial and condemnation. In one word, I have taken the whole care of them; and nothing now remains to be done but making sale of the ship, and a few articles that are not military stores—the work of a day. In this stage of the business, Mr. John Bradford, of Boston, steps in and desires to sell this ship Hope and her cargo, and claims a commission on some others, against which I have either finished or commenced prosecutions.

I will take the liberty to fairly state his pretensions: He received a private letter, about six weeks since, from Mr. Hancock, informing him that, through his friendship, he was appointed Agent for all prizes brought into this Colony, and that his commission should be forwarded as soon as might be, and advising him, when he should receive it, to make known his appointment in the publick newspapers. This letter Mr. Bradford communicated to me. As I have received no intimation of this from your Excellency, who appointed me an Agent, nor from any person under the authority of Congress, and as Mr. Bradford's commission has not arrived, and perhaps never may, I thought it my duty, not only to myself, but to your Excellency and the Continent, to continue acting in that capacity as far as respected those vessels that had come into my hands; those that have been since brought in, to avoid any colour of dispute, I have not meddled with. Under these circumstances, I flatter myself my conduct will receive the approbation of your Excellency and the Congress. And if your Excellency shall judge it expedient, a line from the Marine Committee of Congress may settle this matter, as in justice it ought to be, which is all I wish. Mr. Bradford has lately received a letter from the Marine Committee, which considers him as Agent respecting some matters yet to be done. This, with Mr. Hancock's letter, is all that give him any authority.

I hope I shall be excused for thus troubling you. I was afraid the publick service would suffer by an altercation between us and the captors. I shall esteem it a favour if your Excellency will give directions to have the military stores taken in the ship Hope appraised, in order that the cantors may have their shares, as they are greatly in want of many of them.

I am, with the utmost respect, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

JONATHAN GLOVER.

To His Excellency General Washington, Esq., Commander-in-Chief, in New-York.

Exeter, New-Hampshire, July 20, 1776.

Tuesday last Mr. Blunt, who went to the Northern Army, with a number of letters, returned to this town. He left