place, this Committee will endeavor to give you such early intelligence as may be necessary. The request of this Committee to your honor we flatter ourselves, will not be conceived by you as carrying in it the least disrespect to Col. March or Col. Phinney, but solely from the probability of the armys being complete, without taking men from those parts of the Colony which are more immediately exposed. We should be glad to see your honor at Head-quarters, which we hope your health will soon admit, and with you we join in the hope upon seeing a speedy end to the great difficulties, this disturbed Colony now labors under.* We are with great respect, Your Honors humble Servts. P. S. Please inform the within Colonels of this determination. Falmouth, June 14, 1775. HONORED SIR,-These wait on you by Col. Phinney, who informs us he has ordered the men lately enlisted in this county, to guard the sea coast and islands within said county, to secure the cattle and sheep from the ravages of cruisers from the Navy; but as no provision is made for their subsistence, it cannot be expected they can do duty without. We refer you to Col. Phinney for particulars. Four Indian Chiefs arrived here to day, with Capt. Lane, from the Penobscot Tribe. We hope their expectations will be answered; which will lay the foundation for securing to our interest the whole tribe.† We are honored Sir, Your most Obt. Humble Servts. Hon. JOSEPH WARREN (to be communicated). JEDIDIAH PREBLE, * June 10, 1775.-The Committee of Safety reported to Congress, "Early after the 19th April, this committee sent ten sets of beating orders to the Hon. Jedidiah Preble, desiring him to give out such orders to such persons as were suitable for commission, in order to form a regiment. Col. March was also supplied with ten sets of orders for the purpose of raising a regiment to be commanded by him. Soon after it was represented to us, by the Committee of Correspondence of Falmouth, that it would be inconvenient to that county, in their exposed situation, to raise men for the army. The same was agreed to by Cols. Phinney and March, and this Committee. On which we wrote to Gen'l Preble, informing him of the same; but heard nothing further until about six days past, when we received a letter from Col. Phinney, of about 500 men enlisted in a regiment to go under his command, and Col. March certified that he agreed to come in as his second, a copy of which letter to Gen'l Preble accompanies this report. + Monday, June 19, 1775. Journal of the 3d Prov. Congress. Capt. Goodrich, Mr. Aiken, and Capt. Dwight, were appointed to consider a letter from the Hon. Jedidiah Preble Falmouth, June 15, 1775. HONORED SIR,—Mr. Lane has returned here, with four of the Penobscot Tribe; we have furnished them with carriages to convey them to you, and Mr. Lane with money to pay their expenses. Orono the chief man seems to be sensible, and hearty in our cause. He reserved what he chiefly has to say, till he comes to the Congress. We gave them assurances that they might depend upon being provided for while there, as well as on their return back again, wished them a pleasant journey, and that the event might be happy to them and us. We suppose Mr. Lane will give account of the expense, therefore we have sent none. Wishing success to our righteous cause, we are your honors The Committee of Correspondence, To Hon. JOSEPH WARREN, Boston. and Hon. Enoch Freeman, respecting Col. Phinney's regiment being commissioned for the defence of the sea coasts. The 3d Provincial Congress passed the following Resolves concerning the matters mentioned in the foregoing letters-viz.: June 24, 1775. Resolved,-That the resolve which passed yesterday relative to Col. Phinncy's regiment, be so far reconsidered as that the remainder of said regiment, after 400 thereof have marched to the camp at Cambridge, be immediately raised and stationed in such places in said counties, as shall be thought best by Gen. Preble, Col. Freeman, and Maj. Wheaton of St. Georges, until they receive further orders from the Congress, or a General Assembly of this Colony. Resolved,―That it be recommended to our good brothers the Indians of the Penobscot Tribe, to immediately apply to Gen. Preble and Col. Freeman of Falmouth for a supply of provisions and all other necessary goods, and would recommend said gentlemen as the most suitable persons to supply the Indians, who will undoubtedly do them justice; and it is hereby recommended to Gen. P. and Col. F. to supply said Indians with provisions and all other necessary articles, upon the most equitable terms, and to receive their furs and skins in payment; and the said Gen. Preble and Col. Freeman are hereby desired to supply said Indians at the truck house at Penobscot. July 9, 1775. Resolved,―That the Hon. Jedidiah Preble and the Hon. Enoch Freeman be and hereby are empowered to supply the Indians of the Penobscot Tribe with any quantity of goods, not exceeding the value of 300 £, and to draw on the Receiver General for the same, who is hereby directed to pay such drafts, in three months after the date of this resolve. And to take furs and skins of the said Indians, in exchange, and on the account of this Colony; they to be accountable for their forwardings. July 10, 1775. The Committee of Supplies were directed to deliver to Capt. John Lane, 25 lbs. of powder, for supplying the Indians; taking his receipt therefor, and which he was to deliver to Gen. Preble and Col. Freeman in account of the Colony. July 13, 1775. Whereas-The Hon. Jedidiah Preble or the Hon. Enoch Freeman, have employed some person to build a number of whale-boats, for the service of the public, Therefore, resolved-that the Committee of Supplies be and are hereby directed to deliver to Capt. Briant Morton an order to be by said Morton delivered to said Preble and Freeman, such a quantity of nails and provisions, as they think will be necessary to complete the building of said boats. Falmouth, the 15th June, 1775. DEAR SIR,-These waite on you by Capt. Lane who arrived here yesterday from Penobscot, with our Indian Chiefs who are bound to the Congress. I hope and wish they may meet with such encouragement as may engage them in our interest, as I think it of the utmost consequence to engage that Tribe, and I doubt not but your using your Interest in the Congress will very much contribute to the effecting it. Col. Goldthwait will no doubt make interest to have provision made for Subsistance of the garrison at Penobscot, but I will leave you to judge whether a man is fit to command such a fortification as Fort Pownal, who will suffer two Schooners to rob it of Guns and ammunition. I think it will be the height of imprudence to neglect the supplying the Truck trade, and shall be much obliged to you to use your influence, that my son may be continued Truck master, as he has been at great expense to furnish himself with a habitation, and other necessaries for carrying on the Indian Trade. I shall refer you to your honored father's letters for news. Please present my compliments to all inquiring friends. I am your ready friend and humble Servant, JEDIDIAH PREble. To SAMUEL FREEMAN, Esq. Falmouth, 5th January, 1776. SIR, The receipt of your favor of the 20th ultimo, we acknowledge and observe the contents, your anxious concern for the credit of Falmouth affords us great pleasure, but we are very sorry so many of the members of the honorable Court (as you intimate), should be prejudiced against this town, for not throwing up a bulwark the night preceding the conflagration, when that night was the only time we had allowed by that villain (Mowatt) to secure our wives, children and effects; besides if cannon had been mounted we had not powder enough to have served properly half an hour. It is impossible any person can with propriety condemn the conduct of Falmouth in that respect. If the town is to be blamed, it is for not being provided with a stock of powder. It is cruel and unjust to charge the town of Falmouth with Capt. Noyes' cowardice; we wish sincerely that the officers' and soldiers' behavior on that day had been such as to have justified their conduct. As to what you say in respect to Gen. Frye's not being able to procure utensils, we are very sure he never applied for any. We are glad an easy method has been found to make saltpetre, and ordered to be published. We hope the Bill you mention for the recovery of our stolen goods, will answer the laudable intent of the Court in passing it. In answer to your letter directed to Mr. D. Ilsley, of the 22d ult. (to be communicated), we would say we have no vessel in port but what is frozen up, that will answer the schedule sent to us, except one sloop of Capt. Bucknam's, about 99 tons, which we have engaged. Capt. William McLellan, the bearer, is empowered to charter her, and has agreed to go master. We can procure between 30 and 40 hhds. of fish, with some hoops and stores to fill up, but fear not enough without some boards are allowed to be put in, we doubt not but you will assist Capt. McLellan and give him the best advice in your power. We received the resolve of the Court, requesting a list of all vessels suitable for armed vessels, and of all persons proper for masters, seamen and marines, to be employed in the Continental and Colony service, or that are willing to fix on their own account. There is no vessel in port that is suitable, there are some good men fit for masters, seamen and marines, but they want to know what encouragement is to be given, as no terms are mentioned. We are with respect, SAMUEL FREEMAN, Esq. --- Your friends and humble servt. Watertown, Oct. 23d, 1776. DEAR SIR, I arrived here this day at two o'clock, P.M., in good health. I have conversed with the gentlemen chosen by the town of Charlestown to go to Congress, and they have almost convinced me there is at least a probability of obtaining some partial relief for the sufferers of Falmouth. I would, as Mr. Freeman is going to Falmouth, advise you to get the accounts completed in a proper manner. They must be all drafted in a book, for model of which I refer you to the bearer, Sam'l Freeman, Esq.; and the Commissioners must be sworn that they have made a true statement of the damages sustained by the sufferers, according to their best skill and judgment. The Enemy has got entire possession of Lake and Crown Point, for which I am heartily sorry. Mr. John Adams is arrived from New-York, and advises that Gen'l Lee is arrived there with six thousand men of are inforcement to Gen'l Washington, and that our troops are in high spirits. I have but one minute's time, as Mr. Freeman is waiting, to subscribe myself, Your ready friend and humble servt. JEDIDIAH PREBLE. Το Coll. JOHN WAITE, Boston, January 4, 1777. GENT., I heartily congratulate you and all my friends and worthy Countrymen on the important and very interesting Hand-Bill, which is a copy of a letter from Gen'l Heath to Mr. Bowdoin, the President of the Council. Another letter from Major Francis Shaw of the same date, to the Secretary, confirms the account and says he had it immediately from Gen'l Washington himself, and saw the Hessian prisoners. May every heart glow with gratitude and praise to the God of Armies and take courage from his favors. So wishes Your Friend, SAM'L FREEMAN. It is reported that 15,000 French Troops have arrived at Cape Francois. To Hon. JEDIDIAH PREBLE, Esq. or JOHN WAITE, Esq. to be communicated. Boston, January, 1777. DEAR SIR,-The military operations of War appear at present, with a promising aspect, all the accounts we have from the army lately seem to be favorable, you have had no doubt a partial account, of the several actions, between Gen'l Washington and Gen'l Howe. We have had an account from the army that Fort Washington and Fort Lee, are both in our Possession, with the cannon, and that there was a brigade of Hessians, had laid down their arms, and Gen'l Howe had sent them prisoners to New York. I dined with young Mr. Bowden, who said it might be depended on. There was this day an express from the Congress, by which the Court was informed that Gen'l Howe had committed Gen'l Lee for six Hessian officers, that five of the Hessian officers and Col. Cammal which are now in our hands, should be treated in every respect in the same manner as Gen'l Lee should be treated by them, they also have ordered that Col. Cammal with all the regular officers in our hands shall be closely confined till further orders. The General Court passed the Regulation Bill, fixing a price on every necessary of life, and to take place to morrow; they have also resolved that every town in this State, shall cause every seventh man in it, to engage in the service of the United States, to complete the Army. The Treason Bill passed both Houses. The Court is so attentive to public business, that I believe I shall not get the Independent Company established. I am Sir, your ready friend and Humble Servt. JEDIDIAH PREBLE. |