army retreated to Fort Ann, and that Col. Sam'l Brewer commanded them, and that fifteen hundred of the enemy attacked him, and that he nobly defended his post, and that the enemy left three hundred dead on the field. If the same spirit had animated Gen'l St. Clair, Tyconderoga would still have been in our hands. I hope this will teach us never to give a Commission to a Scotchman again. I understand there were one hundred pieces of cannon on the lines at Ty.; they with all the provision, ammunition and camp equipage, have fallen into the enemy's hands. I congratulate you on the gallant behavior of Commodore Manly, and Capt. McNiel's gallantry, in not only hunting the fox, but in catching him. This is a noble example for all sea commanders to follow. There is a fine prize arrived at Dartmouth, with five hundred hhds. of sugar. Also one other prize from the West Indies, her cargo is unknown here. The merchants and others at New York, are packing up all their goods, household furniture, &c. Their troops are embarked on board their largest ships; which are wooded and watered, as if designed for a long voyage, but I rather think they are designed for Rhode Island, as they may safely land there; and there is nothing that I can see to prevent their taking possession of Providence. I think it an object worth their attention; as two of the Continental ships and several others of Force, together with fifty or sixty other vessels are in that harbor. The Council have issued orders to all the Brigadiers in this part of the State to see that all the militia under their command hold themselves in readiness, at an hours warning to march, well equipped with army ammunition, and six days provision, to any part of the State that may be attacked. We have also one regiment to be drafted for the defence of the State of Rhode Island; to be taken out of three regiments that are situated nearest that place. I would have written more fully, but there is such a crowd of public business, and but few members of the Board attend, so that I have very little time to spare. Pray let me have the satisfaction of hearing from you at the first opportunity; I this minute heard of your choice of a representative, and think you have made a better choice than you did before. My compliments to all friends; I am Sir, Your ready friend and Humble Servt. To Coll. JOHN WAITE, Esq. Falmouth. JEDIDIAH PREBLE. Boston, July 16, 1778. DEAR SIR,-I Congratulate you on the success of the American Army, for the particulars of which I refer you to Thursday's paper, which I suppose will reach you before this. It appears to me, the great Gen'l Clinton cuts but a very despicable figure, in his first setting out at the head of the British Army. The game they have been playing, ever since the contest between Britain and America took place, is not worth the candle. However, I am fully persuaded they are near the end of their tether. We have a report here that they are shipping all their heavy cannon-at Newport; and at Halifax they are in the greatest confusion imaginable, and fortifying with all possible despatch. We also hear there are a number of the refugees that declare they will return, and throw themselves on the mercy of the State, live or die. Among which is Foster, Hutchinson, and Maj. Paddock the chaise-maker in this town. But if all were of my mind, they should keep the side they have chosen, and never be allowed to set their feet on any part of America in our possession. The day before yesterday the Council dissolved the bond of matrimony between Wm. Sturges and his wife, on full proof of her inconstancy. Yesterday on the petition of a great number of the most respectable gentlemen of Boston and elsewhere, in behalf of one Jones who was under sentence of death, and was to be executed next Thursday; there were fifteen members of the Board present, and after considering all circumstances relating to said Jones' crime and trial, the question. was put; there were eleven for a pardon and four against it. We this morning received the agreeable intelligence of the French fleets arrival in Chesapeake Bay, consisting of twelve ships of the line and six frigates. Provisions are very scarce and dear, rice $15 a hundred, rye $7 a bushel. The State of Connecticut has laid an embargo on all provisions from being transported by land out of the State. The Council has written to Gov. Trumbull, representing the necessity of their supplying us, and praying the embargo may be taken off. Please to favor me with a line by the first opportunity, which will very much oblige your ready friend and DEAR SIR,-These leave me in perfect health, as I hope they will find you, your good family and all our connections; a blessing to be prized above rubies. We have three posts between here and Rhode Island established, so that we have intelligence of the army at that. place every evening. Capt. Staral goes for Falmouth to-morrow, by whom this comes, shall to-morrow give you what situation our army is in, under the command of Gen'l Sullivan; as the post will be in, the night ensuing. Our troops were yesterday morning within two miles of the enemies lines. We are all filled with anxious concern for the return of the French fleet; on which in my opinion depends the success in a great measure of the enterprise against Rhode Island; they are expected every hour. Saturday last Jacob Hathaway, one of the men whose oxen the Committee of Falmouth stopped and sold last August, threw in a petition to the Council accompanied with a letter of recommendation from Gov. Trumbull, and one other from two Justices of the Peace and sundry others, signifying he had taken the oath of fidelity to the United States, and that he bore a good character. Mr. Wendell and myself were chosen a committee to consider the petition, and report what was proper to be done there. I endeavored to excuse myself as being one of the Committee, but the Council would not. We sat and had the said Hathaway before us. He made his story as good as he could, and Mr. Wendell believed him, being a very honest man himself, he said from what he had heard, the Committee had good reason to suspect them; but he really thought this man honest, and it was justice he should be paid for his oxen. However I told them the Resolve prohibiting any provisions being exported from this State to any other, by sea or by land, was come into the whole Court, and therefore Council could not take cognizance of the matter. Mr. Wendell told him if he would get a petition to the whole Court, he would take care of it, for he really thought he ought to be paid. This is the state of affairs relative to the sixteen oxen, at present; Iwould have you consult with the concerned to-morrow and please to advise me of the result, and if not too much trouble please to send me every step that was taken by the Committee, and whether you think the resolve of the Court will justify in detaining said oxen, please to favor me with the news at Falmouth. I rejoice to hear my children are well recovered of the small pox, and thank you for the intelligence. The 18th August. We have had advice from head quarters, that our army were advanced within half a mile of the enemies lines, and that they were in high spirits, and march up to their lines in the greatest order and regulation. The General complains that he has not men enough to make the victory certain; however, he is resolved to risk it. I am exceedingly sorry there is no news of the French fleet; however, what happens in the course of Providence will always turn out for the best. My compliments to all friends. I had like to forgot to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 6th inst., which afforded me great satisfaction. I am with sentiments of friendship and respect, Your most obedient humble Servt. To JEDIDIAH PREBLE. Coll. JOHN WAITE, Falmouth. Boston, December 8, 1778. DEAR SIR,-I was last Sunday evening in company with Gen'l Warren, and some other gentlemen. He informed us that he had seen Mr. John Adams's wife, who told him she had received letters from her husband in France; and that he advised her that America had nothing to fear from Great Britain, and signified that Spain would soon join. I understand our ambassadors are about applying to other powers besides France and Spain, and hope they will meet with the desired success. We have nothing lately from Head-quarters worth observing. We have had accounts from Sheepscot, that there are two 20 gun ships, and two tenders cruising off that harbor, with a design. to capture two ships loading there with masts, whenever they should go to sea, which if they should effect, it would be (considering the want of those articles in the British Navy), better to them than silver or gold. The Council have applied to the Navy Board, asking them to send two of the Continental Ships. And the Council have ordered Capt. Williams, commanding the armed brig Hazard, to join them, in order to disappoint those British Pirates from fulfilling their purpose; but I am very sorry the Navy Board discover so much coolness and even backwardness in sending these ships on this expedition, when they have been repeatedly applied to, more especially as there are now six frigates in this harbor, and some of them have been in port six months. There must be a very great neglect in some department or other. It is a shame and scandal to the whole Naval Department, that so many fine ships should lie so long in harbor, and suffer the enemy to capture our vessels with inferior forces. The Congress, in my opinion, had better have made a present of all the Continental ships, as fast as they were built, to some spirited gentlemen in the several States, who would have properly employed them; than to have put them. under the direction of agents and Navy Boards; and I believe would have been gainers by it. I never saw more business carried on in Boston than at present; the streets are so crowded with carts, trucks, horses and people, it is difficult in passing. Goods are amazing dear, and rising every day. If some method is not hit on to stop the depreciation of the currency, the States will be ruined. There is a report that Congress proposes to send to France, for £3,000,000 in goods, and which they can have for credit; and have them convoyed to America by several 74 gun ships. These goods to be put into the hands of some gentlemen in each State, to be sold out, twelve for one, on account of the United States, and the net proceeds to be returned into the Continental Treasury and burnt. By this mode of procedure, by running three millions sterling in debt to France, we should sink 36 millions lawful money of the public debt. If this could be done, it would be the cheapest way we could devise to take the major part of the paper money out of circulation. Should be much obliged to you to tell my son Edward* to send me the Continental tickets by the very first opportunity, as one of them drew a prize, and if it is not here by the 1st of Jan. I shall miss taking out any tickets in the 2nd Class. I must beg the favor of a few lines, to let me know what passes in Falmouth, and how our friends are. I have nothing to add, but that I am, with tenders of any service in my power, Your ready friend and Humble Servt. To Coll. JOHN WAITE, In Falmouth. JEDIDIAH PREBLE. Boston, March, 1779. SIR,-These leave me in perfect health, as I hope they will find you, and all our connections. I saw a letter from Col. Parker addressed to Mr. Williams, dated at Philadelphia, Feb. 23d last, one paragraph of which I have transcribed, and is as follows, viz.: "goods continue high and have risen lately. Iron is now at 600£, notwithstanding the arrival of the best good news since our troubles began. Officers, members of Congress and others have assured me, in short it is universally known, or rather believed that such news is received, but it is not to be divulged yet. I am glad Congress can for once keep a secret, for I am told that scarcely an instance has happened before, when some member has not divulged it. This kind of intelligence we have had divers ways, and I have not the least scruple but Spain has recognized our Independence. Britain, look to yourself! A letter from Gen'l Washington to Gen'l Gates, informing him that the army was in good health, high spirits and well fed and clothed, which I am very glad to hear. I cannot get one penny of money from the Treasurer on account of the sufferers of Falmouth. I am dunning him every day. People here in general are in a suffering condition for want of * Afterwards Commodore Edward Preble, then 17 years old. |