American Archives, Fourth Series: Containing a Documentary History of the English Colonies in North America, From the King's Message to Parliament, of March 7, 1774, to the Declaration of Independence by the United States [2]

Citation preview

u>

I

V

-»

c

American grdntoess: CONSISTING Or

A COLLECTION OF AUTHENTICK RECORDS, STATE PAPERS, DEBATES, AND LETTERS AND

OTHER NOTICES OF PUBLICK AFFAIRS, THE WHOLE FORMING

A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF

THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES; OF THE

CAUSES AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION;

AND OF

THE CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES, TO

THE FINAL RATIFICATION THEREOF.

IN SIX SERIES. FOURTH

FIRST SERIES.

From

the Discovery and Settlement of the North American

Colonies, to

the Revolution in England, in 1688.

From

the King's

ration of Independence,

the Revolution in England, in 1688, to the Cession of

Canada

to

Great Britain, by the Treaty

at Paris, in 1763.

From

sage

finitive

to

Parliament, of

March

North America.

7th, 1774,

Mes-

on the Proceed-

From

the Treaty of Peace, in 1783, to the final ratification

of the Constitution of Government for the United States,

proposed by the Convention, held

at Philadelphia, in

BY PETER FORCE.

I'REPARED

De-

Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, in 1783.

SIXTH SERIES.

the Cession of Canada, in 1763, to the King's

ings in

Decla-

States, in 1776.

the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, to the

THIRD SERIES.

From

7th, 1774, to the

by the United

FIFTH SERIES.

SECOND SERIES.

From

SERIES.

Message of March

AND PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

1787.

:9i

AMERICAN ARCHIVES: Series.

JfourtJ)

CONTAINING

A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF

THE ENGLISH COLONIES

IN

NORTH AMERICA,

FROM

THE

KING'S

MESSAGE TO PARLIAMENT, OF MARCH

7, 1774,

TO

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY

THE UNITED STATES.

BY PETER FORCE.

VOLUME

PUBLISHED BY M.

ST.

II.

CLAIR CLARKE AND PETER FORCE,

UNDER AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED ON THE SECOND OF MARCH, 1833.

i k rmination to do what they can tn

3,

Country, and will, if called upon, be the foreThey request him to most to take the field. dissuade the Indians from interfering in the dispute between the Mother Country and the -

Colonies, 2,

-

-

-

"

"

.

"

...

-

unlawful Standing Armies,

Colonies: or an Address to the Inhabitants of the Colony of New- York, against unlawful Standing Armies, Letter of Robert and John Murray to the New-

York

..... -

Congress,

....

2,

Letter from John Lamb to the New- York Congress, offering his services in the Artillery

2,

Letter from

------

Department,

Ethan Allen,

New- York Posts on

at

3

With

Congress.

though If

it

881

887 887

888 890 3,

891

Point, to the Importance of the

it

it ;

them.

-

the thousand

Men

sent

bull to Ticonderoga. tions as to

891

what

what disposition

is

to

893

by Governour Trum-

They desire full

instruc-

expected of them, and also make of the Prisoners taken

at St. John's,

Letter from General Greene to Jacob Greene, Petition of the Inhabitants of Georgetown, on

3,

1276 894

Kennebeck River,

to the Massachusetts Conone or two barrels or half-barrels of Powder, as they have but thirty pounds, and are in daily expectation of being plundered by

2,

armed

vessels,

-

-

2,

.

894

Letter from Colonel Gridley to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, -

894

Letter from Nathaniel

-

....

Shaw, at New- London,

to

894

2,

1

the present urgent necessity, from the New- Hampshire Congress to the

1

895

Continental Congress, remonstrating against the abandonment of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and

removing the Cannon end of Lake George,

to the

3,

3,

:

in'

plan for raising Money, but doubt of its being adopted by the Continental Congress. As General Officers will, in all probability, be appointed soon, they wish to know who would be most acceptable to them, to take command of the Continental Army in the Province, which is to be maintained at the general charge,

898

Letter from the New- York Congress to the Inhabitants of Tryon County, urging them, for their own reputations' sake, the love of their Country, their regard for the welfare of the yet unborn,

as the time has almost come able to know our ene-

south

895

mies, Letter from the Congress of

New-York

1274

ColoThey will discountenance nel Guy Johnson. every attempt against his person and property, and expect he will not counteract any measures recommended by the Continental or Provincial Congress, or by the Committees formed, The dispute has become so or to be formed. serious that they cannot silently suffer their plan to be frustrated by their own Countrymen, 1275 New- York Committee. Mr. George Folliot declines taking his seat in the Provincial Congress, and Isaac Sears is nominated in his to

898

Proclamation by Lieutenant-Govemour Colden, further proroguing the Meeting of the Assembly to the 5th of July next, Letter from James Rivington to the New- York Congress, Letter from the New- York Committee to the Continental Congress, referring to their decision in the case of

3,

the New-Hampshire Congress. Has ordered a large quantity of Powder, but, from its not arriving, fears the Cruisers in the British Channel, or the negotiations between Great Britain and the States of Holland, have prevented it, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to their Delegates in the Continental Congress. Circumstances appear daily more and more alarming: the Men-oi- War stop all Provision Vessels coming to Portsmouth ArmsandGunpowder must be procured, if possible, in the Southern Governments; it is indispensable that some plan be adopted by the Continental Confor a Paper Currency, or some other to

897

897

place, 3,

gress, for

the British

896

.....

the Association, Letter from the New- York Delegates in the Continental Congress to the Provincial Congress. They are much pleased with the New- York

.......

3,

New-York

Provincial Congress to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebeck, Letter from the Committee of Albany to the Provincial Congress of New- York, requesting them to furnish Provisions, except Flour, for

896

when we should be

is thought premature to push an Army Canada, he proposes to make a stand at

------

....

movements of any bodies of armed men from one Town to another, Provincial Congress of South-Carolina earnestly recommend to their Constituents the promotion of union and harmony, Association unanimously agreed to in the Provincial Congress of South-Carolina, Norfolk, Virginia, Committee. Order the immediate return of the Ship Molly, Captain Mitcheson, lately arrived from Great Britain, laden with a large quantity of Goods, in violation of

last application,

this object should be accomplished, required ten thousand Men to do it.

Isle-au-Noix,

895

not to separate from their brethren upon this momentous occasion, but to unite with the rest of the Colony, and send Deputies to the ProPerhaps this will be the vincial Congress.

hundred Men he can take Monwould be no difficult matter to take

Address of the

...

determination of that body, Committee of Portsmouth, NewHampshire, to the Provincial Congress. Request the Congress will regulate all future

Letter from the

whole Continent, and of millions

fifteen

Quebeck

into

3

Lake Champlain, which have been

and

treal,

880

Crown

taken, and the necessity of retaining

2,

879

in the British

Memorial of Robert and John Murray to the New- York Congress, Memorial of Robert and John Murray, Merchants of the City of New- York, to the Continental Congress, Papers accompanying the Memorial,

2,

3,

John Holt, approving of his publishing and putting his name on the Address against

Letter to

No Standing Army

2,

2,

to

The People have

Johnson.

to

The Fortress of Congress. important to the welfare of all

the

An OM

Letter from the

New- York

Ticonderoga is Northern Colonies, and particularly so to New-Hampshire, where the thoughts of its demolition casts a damp on the spirits of the People they trust the order for its abandonment will be reconsidered by the Continental Congress, but are determined to abide by the

ProTiaio—, 8*an -

June2,

the

James Rivington,

-

Post-Rider appointed by the Committee of Providence, Rhode- Island, to be under their direction until the Assembly of the Colony, or the Continental Congress, shall make other regulations and appointments, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Henry Gardner, requiring him to proceed immediately to sign Bills for the payment of the Troops, to prevent their returning home, Letter from the Committee of the Town of Arundel, in Massachusetts, to the Provincial ConThey have seized a Vessel from Bosgress. ton, with a number of the King's Arms on board, and send the persons and papers seized, to be disposed of by the Congress, Deposition of Samuel Smith, Orders from William Sheriff", dated Boston, May 30, to Josiah Jones, to proceed to Wind. sor, in Nova-Scotia, Letter from William Sheriff", dated Boston, May 30, to Day & Scott, at Windsor, Nova-Scotia,

899

899

899

Post-Master and

900

900

900 901

901

901

—

-

CONTENTS.

LXXXI 1775.

William

Letter from

June

3,

Sheriff, dated Boston,

29, to

Thomas Williams,

nance

at

May

Storekeeper of OrdAnnapolis Royal, -

Letter from setts

3,

------

Loammi Baldwin

Congress,

Letter from the

to

the

902

Massachu-

New- Hampshire Congress

to

902

the 5,

intelligence of the istry to engage the Canadians

and Indians in they have raised and sent three

5,

Companies

protection of the frontier

for the

902

Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend The duplicity of New- York in Philadelphia.

6,

will ever render them suspected. The many assurances given to the Ministry by their leaders, justify a suspicion, which the conduct of some of their Merchants confirms, that they would adopt any means to break through the

------

Association,

4.

Meeting of the Committee of Observation for Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Letter from Colonel Philip Schuyler to the NewYork Congress. He has been appointed by the Continental Congress to settle the Accounts of the People employed in the reduction of Ticonderoga,

4,

4,

5,

Having undoubted attempts of the British Min-

settlements,

4,

June

Massachusetts Congress.

their interest,

4,

------

Ethan Allen, at present the principal commander of the Army at Ticonderoga, to our worthy and respectable countrymen and friends, the French People of Canada, Letter from Elbridge Gerry to the Massachu-

6,

903 903 6,

904

6,

904

6,

Letter from

6,

by any General not American, yet GeneLee could be of great service. The NewEngland Generals would acquiesce in the appointment of Colonel Washington as Gene-

led

ral

------

4.

5,

5,

lie at their

-

door,

-

-

-

-

5,

vanian, Letter from

-

-

-

-

to the

-

-

6,

906 907 908 909

Fourth Series.

—Vol.

ii.

-

-

-

-

-917

Louw to

6,

6,

6, 6,

909 7,

-

-

Congress,

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

917

917 918

Meeting of Delegates from the several Towns in the County of Cumberland, New- York. They will resist and oppose the acts of Parliament for raising a Revenue in America, and adopt the Association entered into at New- York. They have many brave Soldiers, but nothing to fight with, and request a supply from the

------

Congress, Letter from

James Easton,

Crown

at

918

Point, to the

Massachusetts Congress, Concession of Silvanus Whitney to the Committee of Observation for Stamford, Connecticut, Narrative of the destruction of the Tea, delivered up by Silvanus Whitney, Exchange of Prisoners at Charlestown, Declaration by John Prentice, of his reasons for signing the Address to Governour Hutchinson, Subscription of One Hundred Pounds, by the Constitutional Society, London, for the relief of

Widows and Orphans of those who were inhumanly murdered by the King's Troops at Lexington and Concord, in April last, -

919

920 920 920 921

the

8,

-910

921

The

Association of the Provincial Congress of South-Carolina, signed universally by the Intwo persons only habitants of Charlestown treated it with contempt, ;

922

Michael Hubart to the Committee of Correspondence at Charlestown, complaining of his treatment by Laughlin Martin and John

910

Petition of

911

-912

5,

-

916

the Ulster County, New- York, Committee, making concessions for his opposition to the Resolves of the Con-

New- York 906

New- York

Congress, representing the Disturbances and Riots in the New-Hampshire Grants, Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson to the Committee for Tryon County, New- York, Letter from Hartford to a Gentleman in NewRobert Temple, a high-flying Tory, York. taken at Plymouth, and sent to Cambridge, with his papers, Letter from Jaint. rial plan lor enslaving their Country, and

8,

the support of his

ing brethren in Boston,

7,

924

-

-

Dixou Quinton and Thomas Lambden declared enemies of their Country, by the Worcester, Maryland, Committee, Delaware Assembly declare they will be charge-

925

-

925

.....

Philadelphia Committee examine the complaint against Captain Robert Torrans, for having imported and sold some Irish Linens about the first of May last, and resolve that he has wilfully and knowingly violated the Continental Association,

7,

Letter from the

to

7,

is

so irregular on the

928

their

Northern part

of Manhattan Island that no Fortifications can be constructed there so as to be tenable for any No part of the Island is length of time. adapted for a Magazine or place of Arms, with an enemy superiour in the field, and with the - 1278 command of both Rivers, Letter from the New- York Congress to the ComHighly approve of their mittee of Albany. zeal and activity in raising Troops, but request them to proceed no further without orders the two Companies raised may be sent to Ticonderoga. The Prisoners taken at St. John's should remain at liberty, and be supported out of the Colony Provisions, - 1280 Letter from the New- York Congress to their Delegates in the Continental Congress calling their attention to the necessity of immediately providing Money, without which it will be impossible to comply with their further requests. Their attention is particularly called to the situation of New- York, with respect to the Indians on their Northern Frontiers, whom policy will teach the British Ministry to set upon them, that they may be driven for protection to embrace their terms of slavery; this evil may be remedied by the appointment of a Continental Superintendent of Indian affairs, instead of leaving the management of Indian affairs in the hands of Crown Officers. The appointment of a General is left to the wisdom of the Continental Congress, - 1281 Letter from the New- York Congress to their Delegates in the Continental Congress, recommending Colonel Philip Schuyler and

...

7,

7,

7,

the

---...

New- York Committee,

8,

they represent,

-

College

932

932

933

933 Cumberland Coun-

to the President,

Answer

-

--------------

of the President to the Petition of the Senior Class,

Letter from

Governour Trumbull

to the

chusetts Congress, tain

934

935

936

Massa-

Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to

936

Cap-

Solomon Uhhaunnauwaunmut, Chief Sa-

chem

Moheakonnuck Tribe

of the

at Stockbridge,

Letter from the

Committee,

to

of Indians,

Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, the Provincial Congress,

937 937

Committee appointed by the New-Hampshire Congress to demand of George Jaffrey, Treasurer of the Colony, the Money in his hands, Provincial Congress of South-Carolina have

937

The

determined to raise two Regiments of Foot and one of Horse immediately, and to put the Militia on a respectable footing, . Volunteer Company of Lancaster County, Virginia. Thank Captain Patrick Henry for his spirited conduct in the late expedition, and will defend him and the Delegates, and all other friends to America, whom the abandoned tools of Administration may dare to attack, from the New- York Congress

-

Commander-in-Chief,

-

Letter

at

Ticonderoga,

New- York Congress to

938

to

the

938

the

1288

Com-

missioners at Albany, appointed to superintend the removal of the Stores from Ticonderoga, - 1188 Letter from William Williams, Benjamin Waite, and Joab Hoisington, to the New- York Congress, requesting to be appointed Field-Offi-

929

cers, 9,

930

-

-

New- York, to the Provincial Congress. Will support all the American measures in opposition to the arbitrary, tyrannick, and sanguinary measures of the British Parliament, Petition of the Senior Class of Rhode-Island

929

j

Towns

of Observation, Letter from the Committee of

Letter from the

930

-

-

ty,

928

,

931

late

-------

missible,

asking for a

Commission, Letter from Benjamin Lindsay to the New- York Committee, asking permission to take on board a parcel of Flour for the Poor of Boston, Application of the Selectmen of the Town of Lancaster to the Massachusetts Congn B8, to know what shall be done wilh the Estates of those who have gone to General Gage, Letter from Committee of Belfast, &c to the Mas"cl "ugress, representing the defenceless condition of the

Gill, dated Camp, June 4, 1775, Letter to the Provincial Congress of New- York,

Meeting of Freeholders of Brookhaven, in Suffolk County, New- York, choose a Committee

Committee of Safety. They are aware of the dangerous consequences

that await them, either from supineness, or a confidence in the honour of the avowed instruments of Ministerial vengeance, Petition o( Donald McL-od, late from Scotland, to

931

Deputy to the Provincial Congress, in place of George Folliot. Committee appointed to examine the cargo of any Vessel which arrives, suspected of having on board Goods not ad-

sachusetts

7,

------

-----

Captain Richard Montgomery to the offices of Major and Brigadier-General, - 1282 Letter from the New- York Congress to the Masfully

931

from Scotland can raise a Company of Scottish Highlandi ers, to enter the service of the Colonies, and requests an answer to his application for a a Commission, New- York Committee. Isaac Sears elected a

•

7,

931

...

them with a supply, Donald McLeod,

;

7,

931

-

Hanover, Virginia, Volunteers, declare they will risk their lives to aid and assist in protecting the Libei lies of their Country, and approve of the reprisals on the King's property for the Powder taken by Lord Dunmore, Three Battalions of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, the Artillery Company, a Troop

Petition of

;

7,

Massachu-

-

from General Ward, Dr. Warren President of the Committee of Safety, and Moses Gill Chairman of the Committee of Supplies, of Massachusetts, informing them of their distressed condition for want of Powder, and urging them in the strongest terms to assist

Delegates in the Continental Congress, enclosing the Report of a Committee appointed on erecting Fortifications at King's Bridge. The

ground

to the

-

rels of Gunpowder, to be sent on to the Camp near Boston, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Continental Congress, enclosing a Letter from General Ward, Joseph Warren, and Moses

1,

......

New- York Congress

-

of the Continental Congress, Abraham Clark, of Elizabethtown, New-Jersey, to the New- York Congress. Forward six quarter casks and two half bar-

925

the Parish of St. John's, in Georgia, Letter from General Charles Lee to General

Burgoyne, 7,

-

Letter from

able with their share of the expense incurred in the defence of the lives and liberties of the People of the Twelve United Colonies, and of 7,

Congress,

of Light- Horse, several Companies of LightInfantry, Rangers, and Riflemen, in all above two thousand Men, reviewed by the Members

will cheerfully contribute to assist their suffer-

7,

LXXXIV

CONTENTS.

LXXXIII

Letter from

-

-

...

Ethan Allen

to

the Massachusetts

Congress. Two or three thousand Men, conducted by intrepid commanders, would at this juncture make a conquest of Canada. Such a plan would make a diversion in favour of the

938

:

CONTENTS.

I.XXXV Massachusetts-Bay, who have been too much burdened with a calamity that should be more 9,

.--.-.

sionary

among

the Oneida Indians, to the

10, 10,

10,

10,

10,

:

from Governour Trumbull

setts

and Remonstrance of Abiathar Angell, of Lanesborough, in the County of Berkshire, to the Massachusetts Congress, Letter from John Lane, at Fort Pownall, to the Massachusetts Congress, Journal of John Lane, from Watertown to Penobscot, to treat with the Eastern Indians, Letter from Elisha Hewes, dated at Penobscot River, to the Massachusetts Congress, Letter from Joseph Hawley to Joseph Warren. Urges reasons why the Posts on Lake Champlain should not be abandoned, but should be

9,

9,

maintained 10,

at all events,

2,

10,

London

Gazette,

-

Return by General Gage of the Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers, Rank and File, Killed, Wounded, Prisoners and Missing, on the 19th of April, 1775, Remarks on the Gazette account of the Action of the 19th of April, Strictures on the Gazette account of the Action between the Provincials and the Regulars, near Boston, Address to the People of England, on the Gazette account of the Attack of His Majesty's Troops on the Provincials in Massachusetts, Letter from Falmouth, in England, to a Gentleman in Philadelphia. The hostilities com-

10,

fatal

consequences

to

both parties,

-

Letter from the

thousand barrels of Flour, Congress, from their Delegates in the Continental Congress. The emission of Paper Money will be discussed

and secrecy,

five

958

Committee of Conway, New-

men are not able to carry on forming they are in want of Arms and Ammunition, and, expecting an attack from the Indians, apply to the Provincial Congress for assist-

942 942

ance, 11,

11,

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

958

Tryon County, New- York, Committee, appoint Delegates

943

to the

Provincial Congress,

-

-

959

Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the Continental Congress. The embarrassments

every undertaking are so many they cannot be enumerated. This is chiefly to be attributed to the want of a Civil Government on which the immediate advice of the Congress is requested, 12, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia. Since the confirmation of the news brought by Captain Derby, the Americans bear the greatest applause here of any people in the world, 12, Address to the People of England, on the Disturbances in America, 12, Provincial Congress of South-Carolina. Resolve that any person who refuses obedience to the authority of the Congress shall be advertised in executing

944

that

:

945

946 947

...

as an enemy to the Liberties of America, and an object of the resentment of the Publick, -

948 12,

Some Thoughts on the Constitution of the British Empire and the Controversy between

12,

Letter from the

952

12,

953 12,

12,

959

960 961

962

Great Britain and the American Colonies, - 962 New- York Congress to the Merchants of Canada, 1294 New- York Committee. Direct the removal of some Soldiers' Wives and their Children, infected with the Small-Pox, out of the City, 966 Letter from the Committees of the Precincts of New-Marlborough, New- Windsor and Newburgh, in Ulster County, New- York, to the

.....

....

953

Provincial Congress, Letter from Alexander McDougall to the Massachusetts Congress.

966

Some Powder has been

which will be forwarded this night, accompanied by a Guard. They are directed to travel always in the night, and to put up in the day; to avoid any parade on the road which might lead to a conclusion that the Powder is much wanted by the Army, Letter from Alexander McDougall to Joseph Warren, Letter from Alexander McDougall to the Committee for Greenwich, Connecticut, requesting them to forward the Powder, obtained,

954

New- York

Indian affairs, which are of the 12th. highest importance to New- York, will be duly considered by the Congress. The Indians will not be disposed to engage in our unhappy quarri-'l, unless deceived by misrepresentations; and this, with care on our part, can be prevented, -

958

old

941

and Second Regiments of Infantry, and of the Regiment of Horse Rangers, appointed by Provincial Congress

Letter to the

957

Hampshire, to Matthew Thornton. All the young men are enlisted in the Army. The

questing them to purchase and forward to the Army at Boston, with the utmost expedition 10,

...

the Massachusetts Congress,

Officers of the First

of South-Carolina, Letter from John Hancock, President, to the NewYork Congress, enclosing a Resolution re-

957

New- York Concan make Muskets,

10,

in America, between the King's Troops and the Provincials, will be attend-

ed with

956

the

941

menced

10,

to

10,

Account of what passed on the 19th of April last, between a Detachment of the King's Troops, in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, and several parties of the Rebel Provincials, published officially in the

1

....

Boyd

Letter from Robert

940

10,

Petition

9,

--..... ----.-

them he and requesting an advance of one hundred Pounds, to provide the necessary Machinery, Letter from the Officers at Crown Point and Ticonderoga to the Continental Congress. Recommend Ethan Allen, Seth Warner and Remember Baker for appointments, Letter from Elisha Hewes, at Fort Pownall, to

the Massachu-

to

Congress,

detained to get the opinion of the Continental Congress whether she should be permitted to proceed, Letter from the New- York Congress to Govern-

gress, informing

to the ContiCongress. Has made provision for the defence of Ticonderoga Col. Hinman is appointed to the command of the Troops there, consisting of one thousand Men from Connecticut, well armed, and furnished with one pound of Powder and three pounds of Ball to each ;

9,

956

their

immediately, 10,

nental

.-..-.. ------

to

our Trumbull. Have procured six hundred and fifty pounds of Powder from New-Jersey for Massachusetts, which will be forwarded

1310

man, Letter from Abiathar Angell

New- York Congress

956

A

Colonel Johnson has orders from Government to remove the dissenting Missionaries from the Six Nations, till the difficulties between Great Britain and the Colonies are settled he has forbid Mr, Kirkland to speak one word to the Indians, and threatened him with imprisonment if he transgresses, because he translated the proceedings of the Continental Congress for the Indians, at their Letter

Letter from the

955 955

Delegates in the Continental Congress. Vessel, suspected of having on board Provisions for the British Army at Boston, has been

mittee of Albany.

9,

Massachu-

...

940

Com-

request,

to the

Congress, enclosing a Resolution of the Congress advising the assumption of Civil Government by Massachusetts, Gen. Gage having levied War against His Majesty's peaceable Subjects of that Colony, Letter from Thomas Cushing to Elbridge Gerry, Letter from Robert Treat Paine to Elbridge Gerry, Letter from President Hancock to the NewHampshire Congress, enclosing Resolutions of the Congress of this day, setts

Proclamation by General Guy Carleton, Governour of the Province of Quebeck. Rebels from the neighbouring Colonies, having' made incursions into the Province, making prisoners of a number of His Majesty's Troops, and are at present invading the Province in a traitorous manner, it is necessary to suspend the ordinary course of civil law, and martial law will henceforth be executed throughout the Province, Letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland, Mis-

9,

June I 0, Letter from President Hancock

939

general,

June

LXXXVI

1775.

1775.

on the

12 12

954

966

....

967

...

967

— ;

CONTENTS.

L.XXXVII

LXXXV11I

177...

Junel-2, Official notice of advices received

by the Earl of

i.irtmoulh, from QeB. ( tage, to this date, Letter from General Que to the Earl e# Dartmouth. A plan for a R> bellion has been long conceived, and the People's minds riprwd for ]

12,

9G8

it.

12,

Proclamation by General Gage, declaring the Province of Massachusetts-Bay in a state of actual Rebellion, offering pardon to all who lay down their Arms, excepting only from the benefit of pardon Samuel Adams and John Hancock; suspending the Civil Law, and establishing Martial Law throughout the Pro

------

vince, 12,

968

-

June 13, Letter from Benedict Arnold, Crown Point, to Has learned from the Continental Congress. a Messenger he sent among the Indians, that they are determined not to assist the King's Governour Carleton has not sucTroops. ceeded in raising more than twenty Canadians; if the Congress think proper to take possession of Montreal and Quebeck, it can be done with two thousand Men; it would be more advantageous to take and keep possession of

Quebeck than Letter from

13,

Palmer, Quartermaster General, to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the New- York Congress; informing them that they have requested the Continental Congress to quiet the apprehensions of the Canadians,

Taking and keeping Continental Congress. possession of Ticonderoga was necessary for the preservation of the Liberties of America but in so doing there was no intention to disturb the People of Canada and they request

13,

12,

-------

and Hog- Island, relief,

them

12,

12,

12,

1

2,

Declaration of John Worthington to Committee for Springfield, Massachusetts, of his determination to support the measures of the Continental Congress, and of his willingness to defend the Rights and Liberties of America, Committee for Springfield, in Massachusetts. Recommend John Worthington to the favourable opinion of the Publick, and to the treatment and respect due to a friend to the Country, Acknowledgment of Timothy Brown, of Tewksbury, suspected as an enemy to his Country, Committees for Chelmsford, Billerica and TewksSatisfied with Timothy Brown's Acbury.

.....

knowledgment, 12,

Town

Petition of the

chusetts Congress. sions are cut to

be beat

borough

off,

and

Town

13,

971

971

13,

13,

972

14,

972

14,

12,

13,

New- York. The People are suffering for bread they curse New- York, which was the only place they depended on for assistance in subjugating the Americans and propose the most inhuman procedures if any of the Continental Congress should fall into their hands, Letter from Governour Martin of North-Caro-

972

14, 14,

14,

of

New- York

;

13,

delphia, 8,

973 14,

Letter from D. Cross to trick Kenniin,

14,

13,

ginia. Lord lHuimore left and went on board a Man-of-War, on Friday, the 8th instant, and refused to return on an invitation from the Ass mbly, Lett.r from the New- Yoik Congress to their

Delegates

Gentleman

982 Con-

the Army, Letter from the

983

New-York

Congress

to

their

New- York,

984

Information given by Captain Thompson to the New- York Congress of the embarkation of

974

Troops 14,

for

America,

Letter from the

----.....

New- York Congress

Wooster, requesting him

975 14,

975

VirWilliainsburgh, in

in the Ogress, ening a Report of a Committee appointed to examine the Highlands. -

lishing a Post-Office, Letter from the New- York Congress to the

981

Delegates in the Continental Congress, communicating information just received of the sailing of Troops from Ireland for Boston and

James Dunlop and Pa-

Virginia, Letter from Baltimore to a

979 980

Congress, enclosing a copy of the Resolution directing the purchase of Flour for

Merchants, on Rappahannock,

13,

pointment. Ten thousand Men will be kept up in Massachusetts, and five thousand in New- York, at the expense of the Continent, Address to the Inhabitants of New-Jersey, Letter from William Duer to the New- York Congress, Letter from William Goddard to the New- York

tinental

974

Letter from D. Cross, of Glasgow, in Scotland, to James Dunlop, Merchant, Port- Royal, Virginia,

13,

---.... ----... -------

979

Delegates in

for annihilating the old Parliamentary and Ministerial Post-Office in this Country, Papers from Massachusetts, Rhode-Island and Connecticut, approving of the plan for estab-

him

to send a Royal Standard, and Furniture a Colonel's Tent, Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates in the Continental Congress to a friend in Williamsburgh. Colonel Skene has just arrived from London, charged with a power from the Administration to influence the Members of Congress, by arguments drawn on the Treasury. He has been made a Prisoner, and is on his parole, to remain within eight miles of Phila-

---..---

Letter from one of the Virginia

dom

requests

for

the

Congress, enclosing papers which are explanatory of a design formed by the friends of Free-

;

Henry White

to

-981

973

;

lina, to

Johnson

supreme command of the American Troops Roxbury, and will probably accept the ap-

Men-of-War;

-----

Guy

at

being reduced to the alternative, either to fight or perish by famine, they choose the first, and 12,

against

Congress to his friend in Williamsburgh. Colonel Washington has been pressed to take

threatened

request supplies of Powder and Ball, Letter from Elisha Phelps to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, Letter from Newfoundland to a Gentleman in

making

of the Colonies; and to coun-

1319 Six Nations, Instructions of the Massachusetts Congress to Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and James Sullivan, a Committee appointed to proceed to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by the road through the new settlements called the NewHampshire Grants; giving them full power to do every thing in behalf of Massachusetts, for the effectual securing and maintaining those Posts, which they shall judge necessary, 1408 Petition of Lemuel Prescott, of Boston, to the Massachusetts Congress, 978 Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of Safety to the Massachusetts Congress, 979 Letter from the Committee of Safety for NewHampshire to the Committee of Conway. They have sent twenty-five pounds of Powder; can spare no more, and can supply no

Arms,

972

the Captains of the Scar-

Canceaux

the

is

some

resentations of Colonel

of Kittery to the MassaTheir supplies of Provi-

and their

down by

in

978

teract the evil effects of the malevolent misrep-

970

Boston-Bay, and praying

in

Letter from John

that hostile preparations are

;

means may be taken to remove the false impressions made upon the minds of the Cana-

that

976 977

Trumbull,

968

Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the

dians on this subject, Memorial of Henry Howell Williams to the Massachusetts Congress, setting forth the losses he has sustained from a number of armed Troops, commonly called Provincials, on Noddle- Island

to rebuild Ticonderoga, Benedict Arnold to Governour

13,

14,

97C