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United States will make swifter progress in arts and arms, and in all that adorns and dignifies hu man society, than any people or nation ever yet have done.

The tyrants of Britain, and the abject slaves whom they can hire, are all the enemies we have to encounter; the rest of the world will be our friends. As we wish to injure no people, other bations will naturally be our friends, some from interest, and others, whose interest is no ways concerned, from motives of humanity. As America is so very extensive, capable of supporting so many millions of inhabitants, more than she has at present; and as the virtuous part of mankind love freedom, they will transplant themselves from the slavish dominions of Europe, to this land of liber ty, whereby the industry, the virtue, and the wis dom of the world will centre in these free and independent states. Such being our field of hope, such our prospect of happiness, not only for ourselves, but for millions of others, by what name shall we call that folly which would abate your ar dor, and discourage your efforts, to maintain the entire independence of America?

The following was thought to be a pretty accurate

state of the provincial forces in May, 1776. In Canada, 9000 continental troops; commanded] by major general Sullivan, and brigadiers Arnold and Wadkle. The generals Schuyler and Wooster are at Albany, with a body of militia, number not exactly known.

At New York, 12,000 continental, troops 11,000 militia, and the Jersey brigade consisting of 3300 commanded by general Washington, major gene -rals Putnam, and Gates, and brigadiers Heath, Green, lord Sterling, Waterbury, and Mercer.

In Jersey and Pennsylvania, a Aying camp of 10,000 man, commanded by brigadiers Milin, Deau, and

Johnson.

In Virginia, 8000 continental troops. In North Carolina 4000 ditto. South Carolina 1000 ditto. Commanded by major general Lee, brigadiers Armstrong, Howe, Moore, and Lewis.

At Boston, 2000 continental troops, commanded by major general Ward, and brigadier general Spencer.

By this account there were 36,000 continental troops, and 24,300 militia, ready for, and in the field; but there are 20,000 more of the militia, the stations of which are not exactly known. In all above 80,000 men.

EXPENSE OF THE AMERICAN CONTINENTAL ARMY,

STAFF STERLING MONEY.]

Commander in chief, general 2
Washington, (for table)

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4 Aids-de-camp, 4s. 6d. each 1 Adjutant general,

1 Quarter master general, 1 Assistant quarter master general,

1 Pay master general, 6 Majors brigade, 4s 6d. Secretary to commander in chief Directors of hospitals,

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12

4 6 13 6 7

9 6

8 06

1 4

18

4692

12

296 18

5 12 6

9 18

9 18 1 16

116 19

1 17 6

1 4

1 4 1 16

8 8 5

41 17 0

40 10

60 Colonels, 13s. 6d. 8) Lieutenant colonels, 9s. 27 60 M jors, 6s. 540 C ptains, 4s. 6d. 1080 Lieutenants, 3s. 2160 Serjeants, 1s. 3d. 540 Ensigns, 2s. 2160 Corporals, 1s. 1d. 540 Drums, 1s. 1d. and 540 fifes, 1s. 1d.

30600

Privates, 15.

(Chaplains, surgeons,

and surgeon's mates, not included)

14 Colonels, 13s. 6d.

18

121 10

162

54

135

117

58 10

1530

2263 10

2313 8 6

FIXING CAMP.

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14 Lieutenant colonels, 98. 14 Majors, 6s. 128 Captains, 4s. 6d. 256 Lieutenants, 39.

*Including Thompson, who is prisoner.

1

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fish;

1350

200 6 6

1892 14

DAILY ALLOWANCE OF PROVISIONS.

1 lb. fresh-beef, or 1 ib. salt. lb. pork, or 20 oz. salt. beef, 1 lb. bread, flour, 1 pint milk, 1 quart cider or spruce beer, per diem each-3 lb. can. dles, 8 lb. hard soap, per week for 100 men-3 pints pease, 1 pint Indian meal, 6 oz. butter, per man a week. This is about 10d. sterling ration per day.

Rations, on an average 3 per day, for general and other officers, 4898 at 2s. 6d.

612 5 0

Non-commissioned officers, and privates, 80,248, at 10d. 3343 13 4

Clothing for continental army, flying camp, and Jersey brigade, 49,248, 2d. per day.

Daily expenses. Nothing of the navy con. tingencies, or army extraordinaries, are included.

5014 12

3955 18 4

8970 10 4

410 8 9380 18 4

of the minute men were made, and they were ||140,000. [Aimon's.

A PROCLAMATION.

By his excellency general Washington, general and commander in chi f of the army of the United State of North America.

Whereas a bombardment and attack upon the city of New York by our cruel and inveterate enemy may be hourly expected: and as there are great numbers of women, children, and infirm persons yet remaining in the city, whose continuance will rather be prejudicial than advantageous to the army, and their persons exposed to great danger and hazard: I do therefore recommend it to all persons, as they value their own safety and preservation, to remove with all expedition out of the said town at this critical period-trusting that with the blessing of Heaven upon the American arms they may soon return to it in perfect security. And I do enjoin and require all the officers and soldiers in the army under my command, to forward and assist all such persons in their compliance with this recommendation.

Given under my hand, at head quarters, New
York, August 17, 1776.

GEORGE WASHINGTGN.

--

In convention of the representatives of the state of New York, held at Harlem, Aug. 17, 1776. Resolved, That the women and children, and infirm persons in the city of New York, be immediately removed from the said city, agreeable to general Washington's request of this house, in his letter of this date.

ROBERT BENSON, Sec.

MASSACHUSETTS.

IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

Watertown, April 26, 1775.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF GREAT BRITAIN.

Friends and fellow subjects,

Hostilities are at length commenced in this colony, by the troops under command of general Gage, and it being of the greatest importance, that an early, true, and authentic account of this inhuman proceeding should be known to you, the congress of this colony have transmitted the same; and for want of a session of the hon. continental congress, think it proper to address you on this alarming oc

casion.

These accounts of the American armies were taken about the latter end of May, 1776. But when the congress were informed, that foreigners had been hired, and that general Howe intended coming to New York (from Halifax) they ordered By the clearest depositions, relative to this the number of the continental troops to be increas- transaction, it will appear, that, on the night preed, to seventy thousand. At the same time, returns ceding the 19th of April, instant, a body of the

king's troops, under command of colonel Smith,, for the justice of our cause, "we determine to die, were secretly landed at Cambridge, with an apor be free." parent design to take or destroy the military and

We cannot think that the honor, wisdom, and other stores, provided for the defence of this co-valor of Britons, will suffer them to be longer inlony, and deposited at Concord; that some inhabi-active spectators of measures, in which they them. tants of the colony, on the night aforesaid, whilst selves are so deeply interested; measures pursued travelling pesceably on the road between Boston in opposition to the solemn protests of many noble and Concord, were seized and greatly abused by lords, and expressed sense of conspicuous comarmed men, who appeared to be officers of gene mons, whose knowledge and virtue have long charal Gage's army; that the town of Lexington, by racterized them as some of the greatest men in the these means, was alarmed, and a company of the nation; measures, executing contrary to the interinhabitants mustered on the occasion; that the re-est, petitions, and resolves of many large, respectgular troops, on their way to Concord, marched in-able counties, cities, and boroughs, in Great Bri to the said town of Lexington, and the said com-tain; measures highly incompatible with justice, pany, on their approach, began to disperse; that but still pursued with a specious pretence of easnotwithstanding this, the regulars rushed on with ing the nation of its burthens; measures which, if great violence, and first began hostilities, by firing successful, must end in the ruin and slavery of Bri on the said Lexington company, whereby, they tain, as well as the persecuted American colonies. killed eight, and wounded several others; that the regulars continued their fire until those of the said company, who were neither killed nor wounded, the Universe, who hath so often appeared for the

had made their escape; that colonel Smith, with

the detachment, then marched to Concord, where a number of provincials were again fired on by the troops, two of them killed and several wounded, before any of the provincials fired on them; and that these hostile measures of the troops produced an engagement that lasted through the day, in which many of the provincials, and more of the regular troops, were killed and wounded.

We sincerely hope, that the Great Sovereign of

English nation, will support you in every rational
and manly exertion with these colonies, for saving
it from ruin, and that, in a constitutional connec.
tion with our mother country, we shall soon be al-
together a free and happy people.
Signed by order,

JOS. WARREN, president,

IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

Watertown, May 5, 1775. To give a particular account of the ravages of Whereas, his excellency, general Gage, since his the troops, as they retreated from Concord to arrival in this colony, hath conducted, as an instruCharles Town, would be very difficult, if not im- ment in the hands of an arbitrary ministry, to enpracticable; let it suffice to say, that a great num-slave this people; and a detachment of the troops ber of the houses on the road were plundered, and under his command, has of late been, by him, orrendered unfit for use; several were burnt; women dered to the town of Concord, to distroy the pubin child-bed were driven by the soldiery naked into lic stores, deposited in that place for the use of the streets; old men, peaceably in their houses, the colony: And whereas, by this clandestine and were shot dead, and such scenes exhibited, as perfidous measure, a number of respectable inhawould disgrace the annals of the most uncivilized bitants of this colony, without any provocation giv. nations. en by them, have been illegally, wantonly, and in. humanly slaughtered by his troops:

These, brethren, are marks of ministerial vengeance against this colony, for refusing, with her Therefore, resolved, that the said general Gage sister colonies, a submission to slavery; but they bath, by these and many other means, utterly dishave not yet detached us from our royal sovereign; qualified himself to serve this colony as a governor, we profess to be his loyal and dutiful subjects; and and in every other capacity; and that no obedience so hardly dealt with as we have been, are still rea-ought, in future, to be paid by the several towns dy, with our lives and fortunes, to defend his per and districts in this colony, to his writs, for calling son, family, crown and dignity; nevertheless, to an assembly, or to his proclamations, or any other the persecution and tyranny of his cruel ministry, of his acts or doings; but that, on the other hand, we will not tamely submit; appealing to Heaven he ought to be considered and guarded against, as an unnatural and inveterate enemy to the country. JOSEPH WARREN, president P. T.

• There were 100 provincials, and 900 regulars.'

Y

Watertown, Nov. 20.

A PROCLAMATION FOR A PUBLIC THANKSGIVING.

destruction might come upon our frontiers, have been almost miraculously defeated; that our unAlthough, in consequence of the unnatural, cru-natural enemies, instead of ravaging the country el, and barbarous measures, adopted and pursued with uncontroled sway, are confined within such by the British administration, great and distressing narrow limits, to their own mortification and dis calamities are brought upon our distressed coun-tress, environed by an American army, brave and try, and in this colony in particular; we feel the determined;-that such a band of union, founded dreadful effects of a civil war, by which, America upon the best principles, unites the American cois stained with the blood of her valiant sons, who lonies,-that our rights and privileges, both civil have bravely fallen in the laudable defence of our and religious, are so far preserved to us, notwithrights and privileges; our capital, once the seat of standing all the attempts of our barbarous enemies justice, opulence and virtue, is unjustly wrested to deprive us of them. from its proper owners, who are obliged to flee And to offer up humble and fervent prayers to from the iron hand of tyranny, or held in the Almighty God, for the whole British empire; es. unrelenting arms of oppression; our seaports greatpecially for the united American colonies:-That He ly distressed, and towns burnt by the foes who have acted the part of barbarous incendiaries. wise and prudent measures, at this dark and diffi. would bless our civil rulers, and lead them into And, although the wise and Holy Governor of the cult day; that He would endow our general court world has, in his righteous Providence, sent droughts with all that wisdom which is profitable to direct; into this colony, and wasting sickness into many that He would graciously smile upon our endeavors of our towns, yet we have the greatest reason to to restore peace, preserve our rights and priviadore and praise the Supreme Disposer of events, leges, and hand them down to posterity; that He who deals infinitely better with us than we deserve; would give wisdom to the American congress, and amidst all his judgments, hath remembered equal to their important station; that He would dimercy, by causing the voice of health again to be rect the generals, and the American armies, wher heard amongst us; instead of famine, affording to ever employed, and give them success and victory; an ungrateful people a competency of the neces- that He would preserve and strengthen the harmosaries and comforts of life; in remarkably preserv-ny of the united colonies; that He would pour out ing and protecting our troops, when in apparent his spirit upon all orders of men, through the land, danger, while our enemies, with all their boasted bring us to a hearty repentance and reformation; skill and strength, have met with loss, disappoint-purify and sanctify all His churches; that he would ment, and defeat;—and, in the course of his good make ours, Emanuel's land; that He would spread Providence, the Father of all Mercies, hath be- the knowledge of the Redeemer through the whole stowed upon us many other favors, which call for earth, and fill the world with his glory. our grateful acknowledgments:

And all servile labor is forbidden on said day. Given under our hands, at the council chamber, in Watertown, the fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five.

By their honors command,

PEREZ MORTON, Dep. Sec.

Benjamin Lincoln,

Michael Farley,

Therefore-We have thought fit, with the advice of the council and house of representatives, to appoint Thursday, the 23d of November, instant, to be observed as a day of public thanksgiving, throughout this colony; hereby calling upon ministers and people, to meet for religious worship on the said day, and devoutly to offer up their unfeigned praises to Almighty God, the source and benevo lent bestower of all good, for his affording the necessary means of subsistence, though our commerce has been prevented, and the supplies from the fishery denied us;-that such a measure of health is enjoyed among us; that the lives of our officers and soldiers have been so remarkably pre- The following test passed the assembly of Massa

served, while our enemies have fallen before them;

that the vigorous efforts, which have been used to

James Otis,
Walter Spooner,
Caleb Cushing,
Joseph Whitcomb,
Jedidiah Foster,
James Prescott,
Eldad Taylor,

Joseph Palmer,

Samuel Holten,

Jabez Fisher,
Moses Gill,
Benjamin White.

GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE,

chusetts in 1776.

"We the subscribers do each of us severally

excite the savage vengeance of the wilderness, for ourselves profess, testify and declare, before and rouse the Indians to arms, that an unavoidable God and the world, that we verily believe that

the war, resistance and opposition in which the, should have given the good people of this colony United American Colonies are now engaged against a very just and general alarm; your subsequent the fleets and armies of Great Britain, is on the proceedings in fortifying the town of Boston, and part of the said colonies, just and necessary; and other military preparations, greatly increased their we do hereby severally promise, covenant and apprehensions for the safety of their friends and Engage to and with every person of this colony, brethren; they could not be unconcerned spectawho has or shall subscribe this declaration, or ano-tors of their sufferings, in that which they esteemther of the same tenor and words, that we will not, ed the common cause of this country; but the late during the said war, directly or indirectly, in any hostile and secret inroads of some of the troops ways aid, abet, or assist any of the naval or land under your command, into the heart of the counforces of the king of Great Britain, or any employ. try, and the violences they have committed, have ed by him, or supply them with any kind of pro-driven them alinost into a state of desperation. They visions, military or naval stors, or hold any corres feel now not only for their friends, but for them. pondence with, or communicate any intelligence selves, and their dearest interests and connections. to any of the officers, soldiers or mariners belong We wish not to exaggerate; we are not sure of ev ing to the said army or navy, or enlist or procure ery part of our information; but, by the best intelany others to enlist into the land or sea service of ligence that we have yet been able to obtain, the Great Britain, or take up or bear arms against this late transaction was a most unprovoked attack up. or either of the United Colonies, or undertaking on the lives and property of his majesty's subjects; to pilot any of the vessels belonging to the said and it is represented to us, that such outrages have navy, or any other way aid or assist them; but on been committed, as would disgrace even barbathe contrary, according to our best power and rians, and much more Britons, so highly famed for abilities, will defend by arms the United American humanity, as well as bravery. It is feared, thereColonies, and every part thereof, against every fore, that we are devoted to destruction, and that hostile attempt of the fleets and armies in the ser- you have it in command and intention, to ravage vice of Great Britain, or any of them, according to and desolate the country. If this is not the case, the requirements and directions of the laws of this colony, that now or may hereafter be provided for the regulation of the militia thereof."

Copy of a letter to his excelleney general Gage, from the hon. Jonathan Trumbull, esq. governor of the colony of Connecticut, in behalf of the general as sembly of said colmy, dated

HARTFORD, April 28, 1775. SIR-The alarming situation of public affairs in this country, and the late unfortunate transactions

in the province of Massachusetts Bay, have induced the general assembly of this colony, now sitting in this place, to appoint a committee of their body to wait upon your excellency, and to desire me, in their name, to write to you relative to these very interesting matters.

permit us to ask, why have these outrages been committed? Why is the town of Boston now shut up? And to what end are all the hostile prepara tions that are daily making, and why do we conti nually hear of fresh destination of troops for his country? The people of this colony, you may rely upon it, abhor the idea of taking arms against the troops of their soveriegn, and dread nothing so much as the horrors of civil war; but, at the same time, we beg leave to assure your excellency, that as they apprehend themselves justified by the prin ciples of self defence, so they are most firmly resolved to defend their rights and privileges to the last extremity; nor will they be restrained from tack is made upon them. Be so good, therefore, giving aid to their brethren, if any unjustifiable at

as to explain yourself upon this most important subject, as far as is consistent with your duty to The inhabitants of this colony are intimately our common sovereign. Is there no way to preconnected with the people of your province, and vent this unhappy dispute from coming to extreesteem themselves bound, by the strongest ties of mities? Is there no alternative but absolute subfriendship, as well as of common interest, to regard mission, or the desolations of war? By that huwith attention, whatever concerns them. You will manity which constitutes so amiable a part of your not, therefore, be surprised, that your first arrival character; for the honor of our sovereign, and by at Boston, with a body of his Majesty's troops, for the glory of the British empire, we entreat you to the declared purpose of carrying into execution | prevent it, if it be possible; surely, it is to be hoped certain acts of parliament, which, in their appre- that the temperate wisdom of the empire might, hension, were unconstitutional and oppressive, even yet, find expedients to restore peace, that so

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