consequence of which he will look out for other means to provide for his family and serve the State; and I shall really suspect that I am a stranger to his true character, that the publick know more of him than I do, and that he is not the man I have taken him to be.

I herewith enclose abstracts of the returns of the four Independent companies. They have never had any Commissary, which has occasioned much difficulty to them and me. They have not had any pay since December, as I think, and are now in straits for want of it, being part at Dorchester Heights and part at Hull, and very uneasy at their unsettled and ill-provided state. If those at Dorchester should be returned to Hull, where they are more wanted, the Commissary directed to supply them all, and they ordered to make up their rolls and billeting to a certain day, they may be kept quiet until they are regimented, or a Field Officer appointed over them; and when they are upon the same footing as others, they will cheerfully do their duty. I think they may be made part of the new regiments which it is supposed will be raised.

I am, dear sir, your very humble servant,

J. PALMER.

To the Honourable James Bowdoin, Esq., President of the Council.

PETITION OF THE TOWN OF WARREN.

To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Colony of NEW-HAMPSHIRE:

The Petition of us, the Committee of the Town of WARREN, humbly showeth:

That the inhabitants are destitute of fire-arms and lead, and pray that your Honours will grant us a sufficient quantity of fire-arms and lead, or otherwise grant us a sum of money to purchase them, as you in your wisdom shall think proper; for which we, the Committee of Safety for said Warren, will account, in hehalf of said town.

We shall ever pray, &c.,

JOSHUA MERRILL,

JOSHUA COPP,

OBED. CLEMENT,Committee for the Town of Warren.

Warren, July 22, 1776.

COLONEL DAVID GILLMAN TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Head-Quarters, Portsmouth, July 22, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I have the pleasure to inform you that the works at New-Castle go on very well. If nothing extraordinary happens, I am in hopes the walls of that important fortress will be almost completed this week. I believe I may venture to say, it will be one of the most complete ones upon the Continent of America, when finished. I should have been almost ready to have mounted all the cannon on the fort by this time, could I have got timber to have laid the platforms, but am still at a loss. Should be glad to know how soon some might be procured for that purpose. I flatter myself, gentlemen, when I have got these works a little out of the way, shall have an opportunity to discipline my men, and make them somewhat respectable, in case we should be attacked. I should think it proper to have some person appointed to muster the men here, as the Captains are daily recruiting.

I am, gentlemen, with great respect, your Honour's most obedient humble servant,

DAVID GILLMAN.

To the Committee of Safety.

Plymouth, England, July 23, 1776.

This day Commodore Fielding, with the last of the Hessians, Waldeckers, &c., Burgoyne's Lighthorse, horses for the Artillery, &c., &c., sailed for America. The Repulse, with the remainder (fifteen hundred) of the former division of the Hessians, sailed for America on the 25th of May.

B. JOHNSON TO MARYLAND COUNCIL, OF SAFETY.

Fredericktown, July 23, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I omitted in my letter in favour of Mr. Morris, to mention anything relative to equipping Captain Hardman's company. I have since had conversation with the Captain, and he is of opinion, that if you would furnish him with money, he could get guns, blankets, &c. For my own part, I think, from his assiduity, he will soon do it. Nor do I think it will be in his power to do it without.

I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

B. JOHNSON.

To the Council of Safety of Maryland.

MAJOR PRICE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Upper Camp, St. George's, July 23, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I arrived at this place the 21st instant, with one of the four-pounders; the other two I left at Leonardlown till further orders. After inspecting this camp, and giving the necessary orders, 1 went over to the lower camp, commanded by Colonel Barnes, who is stationed much nearer to the fleet than to this camp. I think a nine-pounder could reach the Fowey from one of the points, though I doubt our doing her much damage. The rest of the fleet lay outside of her. They are very quiet, and give us no disturbance. The Roebuck, and three or four large ships, went up the river the evening before I got here, since which a number of cannon have been fired, as I suppose, near the mouth of Nanjemoy. I have ordered the other two pieces of cannon to the lower camp, and shall, as soon as the nine-pounder arrives, order that there; and, if intrenching tools, which I have sent after, can be had, throw up an intrenchment as near the Fowey as possible. I find great difficulty in providing necessaries; it is the poorest part of the country I ever was in. I suppose there are not three spades and shovels to be had within ten miles.

We have several deserters from the enemy, most of them in the small-pox. A valuable negro made his escape from us last night, he not being so well guarded as he ought to have been, owing to the people's being afraid of the small-pox. The shores are full of dead bodies, chiefly negroes. I think, if they stay here any time, they must be ruined; for by deaths, desertions, and the, I think their business must be done completely. The officers who have been here some time, imagine about fifty corpses have been thrown on the shores.

Upon my arrival here, I was informed that General Dent had ordered a flag of truce on board the Fowey, to request a passage for Mr. Daniel Wolstenholme to go to England with his property; and this was done in consequence of a passport Mr. Wolstenholme obtained from the Committee of this County; and that he expected a boat every day to take him on board; but as matters are circumstanced, I thought it advisable not to suffer Mr. Wolstenholme to leave the Province, until your knowledge and approbation could be had relative to this business; therefore hope for your instructions by the return of this express, who promises to return immediately.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

THOMAS PRICE.

To the Council of Safety for the Province of Maryland.

P. S. The Fowey and Otter, with about fifty sail of vessels, are still here. This express to be paid by your Board.

MAJOR PRICE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Upper Camp, St. George's, July 23, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: About two hours after I sent off the express to you, which I had promised to detain till twelve o'clock, and did so, to give Mr. Wolstenholme an opportunity of writing to your Board, I received the enclosed packet from Colonel Barnes. The messenger told me, on delivering it, that it was for me, and, without looking at the direction, I broke the seal. A number of gentlemen were present. However, I discovered the mistake without knowing the contents, and enclosed it immediately. I hope you will pardon this blunder.

I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

THOMAS PRICE.

To the Honourable Council of Safety of Maryland, at Annapolis.

COLONEL BARNES TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

St. George's Neck, July 23, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Enclosed you will receive the papers relative to our permitting Mr. Wolstenholme to go on board the