TO THE INHABITANTS OF MASSACHCSETTS-BAY.

MY COUNTRYMEN: When I consider the danger attending this important day—Burgoyne with his Regulars, Canadians, and Indians, on our Northern and Western frontiers, General Howe with his Regulars and Naval force on our sea-coats, and our Northern Army in such a situation as that the enemy may evade their force and possibly spread devastation in our defenceless towns—how necessary and important is it, then, that every well-wisher to American liberty should be equipped in the best manner to oppose our enemies. In what a miserable situation would we be in should our frontiers be invaded with two or three thousand Canadians and Indians, and so many of our people without fire-arms and ammunition, to oppose their career. How far would they spread devastation before we should be able to stop them? Should Howe, with the help of his fleet, suddenly transport his Army to any of our Colonies where our Army is not stationed, and our home farmers be unprepared to meet them, in such case we must leave our houses to the devouring flames, and possibly our stock, our wives, our children, at their mercy. Pray let us realize these things, and if any are destitute of implements of war, let them, rather than remain in such a situation, "sell their coats and buy them." Pray consider that our liberties are vastly more worth than all our property, and that he who at such a day as this will not rather venture his life in battle than be a slave, shows a dastardly spirit, and cannot be said to stand fast in that liberty in which the God of nature has made us free.

A WATCHMAN.

Worcester, Massachusetts, July 24, 1776.

COURT-MARTIAL ON LIEUTENANT MOSES BANKS.

At a General Court-Martial held at Boston, July 24, 1776, by order of the Hon. Artemas Ward, Major-General and Commander-in-Chief of the American Forces stationed at Boston, on Moses Banks, Second Lieutenant and Quartermaster-General in the Eighteenth Regiment of the United Independent States of North America, for defrauding the said Regiment of their pay, provisions, &c., he was found guilty, sentenced to be cashiered, forfeit all his pay, and refund £10 to the Regiment.

JOHN BACHELLOR TO MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.

Boston, July 24, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOURS: The information which the Committee for fortifying the. Harbour of Boston lately gave to your Honours, relative to Captain Obrian, they had from me. I then supposed the suggestion could be easily supported; but from various circumstances since turned up, I am inclined to think that the malice of his enemies hath induced them to take such steps to injure his character as cannot be justified.

I am, your most obedient and most humble servant,

JNO. BACHELLOR.

WILLIAM SEVER TO JAMES BOWDOIN.

Kingston, July 24, 1776.

DEAR SIR: The brigantine Independence being now nearly ready for sea, Captain Samson waits on your Honour for his commission, and such instruction for his conduct as may be thought proper.

As from the time which has elapsed since the evacuation of Boston, I apprehend we cannot expect to find British merchant-ships on the coast of this Colony, and British ships-of-war having withdrawn themselves, allow me, sir, to suggest the expediency, in my opinion, of giving him such latitude in his orders as will authorize his cruising in the path of the homeward-bound West-India trade, at least a part of the time he may be abroad.

Captain Samson does not think the half ton of powder which he has received is by any means sufficient. I am informed the person who received it was told that it was as much as had been ordered by the brigantine at Dartmouth; but it is said that about half a ton of powder, which was stored at Dartmouth, has been received on board said brigantine, in addition to what was received at Watertown. If you, sir, should be of opinion that the quantity is insufficient, I presume you will endeavour to have it augmented.

I am, respectfully, sir, your very humble servant,

W. SEVER.

To the Hon. James Bowdoin, Esq., President of the Council, at Watertown.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY COMMITTEE TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.

Falmouth, July 24, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOURS: We desire you will give the bearer hereof, Mr. Jesse Partridge, an order upon the Treasurer for the sum of £820, to pay off the men, the bounty, advance pay, &c., as ordered by the honourable Court. We likewise desire blank commissions for one set of commission Officers for one company, and orders for the men's marching when inlisted.

JOSIAH NOYES,

JOSHUA FABYAN,

JNO. LEWIS,

Committee of the County of Cumberland.

To the Honourable Council of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay.

In Council Chamber, July 27, 1776.

Read and Ordered, That a warrant be drawn on the Treasurer for £251 16s., for the use of Jos. Noyes and others, Committee for the County of Cumberland.

JNO. AVERY, Deputy Secretary.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO BENJAMIN GILES.

In Committee of Safety, July 24, 1776.

SIR: We received yours by Mr. Trott. Have sent you by him £20, and expect you will settle with him for his time and expenses in the service. We hope Mr. Farnsworth or his deputy will supply the troops in such a way as will help them to proceed; and though we would by no means pretend to supply, or in anywise be concerned in the affair, unless to prevent their returning home dissatisfied, in which case we would desire you to do what you can in reason to furnish them to march forward. If the provision you have furnished is not wanted, you may stow it, and it will come to bear at some time or other, without doubt.

By order of the Committee.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

M. THORNTON, Chairman pro tem.

To Benjamin Giles, Esq.

Williamsburgh, July 26, 1776.

Yesterday afternoon, agreeable to an order of the honourable Privy Council, the Declaration of Independence was solemnly proclaimed at the Capitol, the Court-House, and the Palace, amidst the acclamations of the people, accompanied by firing of cannon and musketry, the several regiments of Continental troops having been paraded on that solemnity.

Advices from Charlestown, which arrived here by express, say that the Cherokee Indians have committed several outrages, which seem to be only a part of the capital and favourite plan laid down by his most excellent and clement Majesty George the Third, to lay waste the Provinces, burn the habitations, and mix men, women, and children, in one common carnage, by the hands of those merciless savages. It is to be hoped, however, that our frontier riflemen, joined to those of the Carolinas, will be able before long to strike some blow that may intimidate numerous tribes of Indians from falling into the measures of the tyrant, and make a severe, lasting, and salutary example of the treacherous Cherokees. By the same express, we learn that the Army and squadron under Clinton and Parker have remained tolerably quiet since their late drubbing; but daily make some alteration in the disposition of the land forces from one Island to another, probably for the sake of water, of which, deserters say, they are in great want: as also, that considerable sickness prevails among them, and great discontents, from bard duty and bad diet. The deserters likewise say, that was not the Army on an island from which it is difficult to escape, two-thirds of them, they are confident, would soon