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Sir Head Quarters Cambridge 1st April 1776

This Letter will be deliver’d you by Jonathan Eddy Esq. the Gentlemen from Nova Scotia who I mention’d to you in mine of the 27th Ulto. He seem’d desirous of waiting on the Honorable Congress in Order to lay before them the state of public Affairs, and situation of the Inhabitants of that Province; and as it might be in his power to communicate many things personally, which could not be so well done by Letter, I incouraged him in his design and have advanced him fifty dollars to defrey his Expences—The Acadian accompanies him, and as they seem to be solid, judicious Men, I beg leave to recommend them both to the Notice of Congress, and am most respectfully Sir Your most obedient humble Servant

Go: Washington

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Sir, White Head 5 Leagues West of Canso In Nova Scotia Novr the 2d 1775

by unfavorable Winds & weather we have been able to make but little head since our last—the 31st of Octobr some way off this Harbour we saw a Vessel standing to the Northward which Capta. Selman & I gave chase to; the Wind Springing up sudingly to a heavy gale, she bore away for this Harbour for safety; we pursued her directly in, & found her to be a Sloop belonging to Enoch Rust of Boston, who last Spring had the Sloop cleard out from Hallifax with Provision for Quebec, the Sloop has since taken a Cargo of Provision from Louisburgh for the west Indies; contrary as we apprehend to the Association of the united american Colonies, the Owner now at Canso we have reason to believe is not a favorer of our Cause as the Capta. (James Hawkins) told us he was lately undetermined whether he should go to Boston this Fall or not; The smallest Intention of going to that Den of Mischievous Violators of the rights of Humanity, must carry in the bosom of it as we concieve the Idea of Friendliness to their infernal Intentions, we upon the whole concieve ourselfes bound in obedience to your Excellencys Instructions to send the Vessel to a friendly port in New England upon her Arrival, your Excellency will have the Vessels Papers laid before you & will do respecting Vessel & Cargo as you may please The Master will be sent to New England the first Opportunity aftr this.

Capta. Hawkins about the Middle of September saw a Ship & a Brigantine going up the River St Lawrence but did not speak with either.

the Master informs that there was no Vessel of Force at Quebec [285] the begining of September & that he knows of none going up since he likewise says that a large Brigantine was lately (& he believes is not yet saild) loading with Coal at Spanish River on the Island of Loisburgh for Boston; & that three or four Score Boston Men have been diging Coal there, for the Ministerial Army for the season. we shall hoist Sail directly the wind breasing rather favorably & pursue our Course from your most obedient & very humble Servant

Nicholson Broughton

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Dear General— Philadelphia 28 Novr 1780.

I ⟨mutilated⟩ to write a Letter which I ⟨mutilated⟩ you to excuse. If I am rightly inform’d of the Situation of the Enemy the Next E⟨m⟩barkation will not leave above 6.000 Men in New York. Supposing this to be the Case I will go on to suppose that the french Troops with 2.000 Militia are throw⟨n⟩ upon Long Island and march Westward. That you move down with 10.000 Men to the Neighbourhood of Kingsbridge and at a proper Moment throw a Bridge over Ha⟨erlem⟩ River at Haerlem and cross to the Island with 8.000 Men leaving 2.000 above King⟨’s⟩ Bridge. That 1500 Militia are assembled at Elizabeth Town Point and ⟨3⟩00 artillery⟨.⟩ In this Situation it appears almost certain that the Enemy would abandon Forts Washington and the adjacent Heights. If so We might take Possession of them, thr⟨ow up⟩ Intrenchments, by Lumber from Albany build Huts, and thus keep Possession of ⟨th⟩at Ground. In this Case The Enemy would probably quit New York and then we ⟨m⟩ight make such powerful Diversions next Year agt Canada and Nova Scotia as ⟨e⟩asily to recover the Southern States almost by their own internal Strength but es⟨p⟩ecially if Spain should send three thousand Men to operate in that Quarter. If ⟨the⟩ Enemy should persist in keeping fort Washington &ca they would loose Staten ⟨I⟩sland & their Fort at Brooklyn. If they abandon Staten Island, ⟨s⟩trengthen themselves at Brooklyn then they would necessarily loose New York. ⟨W⟩hat would be the Effects of a brilliant Stroke at the close of the Campaign I need not ⟨hi⟩nt—believe me yours

Gouvr Morri⟨s⟩

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Dear Sir, Philadelphia October the 5th 1778

I hope the measures you have taken will be effectual to the purpose of reenlisting the Army, because it is an object of great importance; and I readily admit the propriety of first trying those methods which promise fewest ill consequences. Danger will only arise from pressing such too far, and urging the experiment too long. I very much fear Sir, that the knowledge of depreciation has reached the most uninformed, and therefore, that every evil which can, will happen to us from this cause. But I am not without hope that such measures will be adopted as may, before it is too late, restore our currency to its proper value.

It is indeed no easy matter to judge of the designs of the enemy—They have created to themselves a great choice of difficulties. I believe they would willingly change their war of conquest to one of revenge altogether, but revenge must be postponed to safety. Gen. Clintons Army is the only hope of Canada, Nova Scotia, Floridas, the West Indies, and I may safely add, much so of Great Britain and Ireland—Whilst this is the case, altho Boston in its present situation is a very tempting object, I cannot think they will undertake it. However, what can be attempted may be attempted, and wisdom points to precaution. If it be true, and our information comes pretty direct, that Dominica has fallen, that Jamaica and St Kitts are in jeopardy, and that Keppel has fled from the fleet of france, we may suppose that our enemies can [268] make no long stay with us. Distance and Land carriage, distress us greatly in the article of bread provision, to which is added an artificial scarcity created in the midst of plenty, by an infamous set of Engrossers who have raised the price of flour from four dollars an hundred to five and six pounds. I hope the measures we are taking with these gentry will make them suffer in a way most hurtful to them.

Mr Custis had quitted this City before your letter came to hand, and as he is gone to the Army, I have inclosed the letter in this. I am, with much esteem and regard dear Sir your most obedient and very humble servant

Richard Henry Lee

Boston Novr 27. 1789.

To the President the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.

The Petition of James Boyd of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire, Humbly sheweth—

That your Petitioner was possessed from the Year 1767 till the Beginning of our Contest with Great Britain of very large Property in Lands situated on the Eastern Bank of the River Schoodick, granted him by the British Government of Nova-Scotia, and that during said Period he introduced many Families on the same Lands at his own Charge, and expended much Property in getting the same under considerable Improvement and Cultivation; But feeling himself attached to the Cause of America, he took such an active Part in their Favour, that the resentment of the British Subjects in that Province compelled him to leave the Country, and flee to the Protection of the United States; & that in Consequence thereof he has suffered Poverty and Distress from that Day to the present Time, that the said Lands which your Petitioner held, are on the western Side of the River St Croix, and within the Dominions of the United States, but unjustly now held in Possession by British Subjects—That the Facts aforesaid and your Petitioner’s Situation have been particularly set forth to Congress by the Legislature of this Commonwealth, in a Letter of Instruction to their Delegates in the Year 1786, signed and transmitted by the then Governor Bowdoin, and which is now on the Files of Congress, accompanied wth a Number of Letters from Governor Bowdoin, the present Governor Hancock, and others upon the Subject, to which your Excellency and Honours will please to be refered: that your Petitioner by his thus quitting the British and joining the American Interest has been subjected to peculiar Hardships and Difficulties, which with a large Family he has with great Anxiety sustained: But confiding in the Power and Disposition of the present Congress of the United States to do him compleat Justice, he requests them to put him in Possession of his Lands aforesaid now held by British Subjects, tho’ on this Side the Line between the two Dominions, or otherwise recompence your [329] Petitioner who has lost the whole of his Property and Means of procuring a comfortable Subsistence in Consequence of his Attachment as aforesaid.

Your Petitioner begs Leave to add that he is possessed of Papers, and that John Mitchel Esqr. of the State of Newhampshire (now an old Man about 76 Years of Age) is also possessed of Papers, that may be useful in determining the real Situation of the River St Croix, entended by the late Treaty of Peace to be the dividing Line between the Dominions of the United States & Great Britain, as will appear by a Plan taken in the Year 1764 by the said Mitchel, and another taken by the Surveyor General of Nova Scotia the Year following, and now in the Possession of your Petitioner, who, As in Duty bound will ever pray &c.

James Boyd

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Sir Head Quarters Fredericksbg [N.Y.] 14th[–16] Novemr 1778

I am favd with yours of the 7th. We are yet under as much uncertainty as ever respecting the evacuation of New York. My advices from Lord Stirling of the 11th say that another fleet of one hundred sail had collected at the watering place, and that they had some Hessians and troops of other kinds on board, but he does not mention the estimated number. He also adds that but few ships are left at New York, so that if the fleet above mentioned does not carry off the whole, a Garrison must of necessity remain or wait the arrival of more ships, which is not probable.

Inclosed you have a Resolve of Congress directing me to procure intelligence from Canada and Nova Scotia. I have laid a proper train to obtain the necessary information from Canada, but I must depend upon you, from your situation, to procure the best you can from Nova scotia. If you have an opportunity of getting any thing from Canada, I shall be glad you will do it, as, by comparing the two accounts, we may form a better judgment. [148]

No doubt proper advantage will be taken of the Winter to establish Magazines of Flour to the Eastward, which will not be so difficult now you are releived from the Convention Troops and the French Squadron. I am Sir Your most obt and hble Servt

Go: Washington

16th I have your favr of the 10th and am obliged for your care of the Box committed to Colo. Harrison who is not yet arrived—nothing further from New York of any consequence.

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Granville near Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia

August Sir

Being sensible from the nature of true greatness & goodness, that the greatest & best of men was never unwilling to accept a tribute of respect from the least of their Friends, gives me tacit leave, to address myself Great Sir, to the most illustrious character, the Annals of Fame can glory of—altho there is nothing that relates to me or mine—worthy the notice of so august Personage, yet I presume my simple narrative will not be displeasing.

I am a native of the state of New york, and as such had (during the struggle for American Liberty) a peculiar regard for the wellbeing of my Country—her cause I espoused, in her cause I bled & bled profusely & freely—throug the well directing providence of GOD, after a Bloody war, a happy, advantageous peace took [578] place August Sir, according to the desire of your heart & power of your Arms, for which may the Almighty arbitor of war & peace for ever be adored.

In 1788 I trust by the direction of Heaven—& by the advice of my Brethern & Friends of the Methodest connexion I sail’d from New york to Nova scotia, to Preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ—sometime since I enter’d into the domestic Life—on the 14th April 1792 my wife was deliver’d of a Son & daughter, which we were unhappy enough to loose in a short time—on 14th Apr. 1793 she was delivered of another son & daughter which abundantly compensates the first loss—I have taken the Liberty to name my little son George Washington, not being favourd with Lady Washington’s first nor maiden name I could not name my little daughter as I desired, I believe time itself never heard such another noise about the name of a Child as has been made about mine, but I am happy to say that its confined to that unhappy description of People, who not long since were call’d Tories but now refugees.

I have sometime wish’d to have certain account of America’s young Patron, the unfortunate Marqu⟨is⟩ De Le Fayette.

Since America has gain’d her independence at the Expence of vast Blood & treasure, I pray God to conti⟨nue⟩ the same unto her admidst the confusion of Europe, my Expection⟨s⟩ thereof are sanguine, August Sir, since I read your pe⟨ace⟩full Proclamation & have been enform’d of the neutral disposition of the people U.S.A. in General.

May the best of Heaven’s blessings for ever rest upon you as upon the Father & Prince of his peo⟨ple⟩ and may Lady Washington richly share in the sa⟨me⟩ adundant blessings is the sincere desire & constant Prayer of August Sir your most Humble & most Obedient Servant

Thos. Whitehead

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Sir Boston May 16. 1776

Notwithstanding the favorable reception of a former letter, & the obliging answer it procured, which I gratefully acknowledge, I feel unwilling a second time, to trouble your Excellency, or interrupt the interesting business, which continually engages your attention, tho’ only for a moment. But my zeal for the safety & honor of my Country, & an opinion, that every individual of this New & Rising State ought to exert himself to the utmost, during our present struggle, must be my sole apology, for seeming once more to step aside from the peaceful & salutary paths, in which my profession naturally leads me.

To be as little tedious as possible. I shall venture to give your Excellency my sentiments of the necessity & importance of an immediate expedition against Nova Scotia, in as few words as I can.

If our late intelligence from Great Britain can be relied on, I apprehend none of our troops in Canada can be spared, whether Quebeck is, or is not, in our hands. Nova Scotia has heared of our intension to reduce that Province, as soon as we can call Quebeck our own, & that the troops now in Canada are to be sent against them. Consequently they are now in profound peace. no ships of war are now in the Bay of Fundy, except the Martin stationed at Anapolis; nor have the Kings troops taken much pains to fortify Halifax, as yet. But as soon as they hear of the reduction of Quebeck, they will immediately make themselves as strong as possible. Nova Scotia will not readily be given up, & if Anapolis & St Johns River are strongly fortified, the eastern part of this Colony, as far as Penobscot will be ruined, it is almost ruined already; & should Mechias break up, which lies about ten leagues from the boundary line of Nova Scotia, an infant, & once flourishing country, of upwards of 100 Miles in extent, will probably be deserted & become again a wilderness, or a prey to enemies Now the whole Province may possibly be taken by surprize, if proper secrecy can be observed. Nine tenths of the Inhabitants, who amount to 12, or 14000 Souls, wish for nothing more, & would join us instantly. A few pieces of cannon, which might be easily conveyed across the Country either by land or water, properly planted on a hill nearly opposite the town of Halifax, would soon demolish the town, & navy yard, & destroy or drive the shipping away. Some variation from the plan already laid before your Excellency would doubtless be necessary—Five thousand men would not be too many to insure success.

If this is the proper time to strike a decisive blow in that quarter, the importance of an immediate expedition is self-evident, & victory will add to the other Colonies a teritory of great extent & immense value.

I have meddled thus far—I have, I trust, done my duty—I now, with the greatest deference & pleasure, submit the matter to your Excellency & the Honbe Congress, to whom I glory in being subject. I am, very respectfully, Your Excellencys most humble & obedient Servt

Jas Lyon

P.S. Would not a rising Sun with this inscription, Jussu Dei Surgo appear well on the Standard of some Colony?

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Sir, Mechias [District of Maine] Dec. 25. 1775

You doubtless remember to have seen an application from the committee of safety in this place, for leave to go against Nova Scotia, which might probably have been taken then with very little difficulty: But we were informed, that such an expedition could not be carried on at that time, with proper secrecy; & that there was imminent danger from the Kings ships. The same difficulties may, possibly, lie in the way now, if any troops are collected, & sent from any part near the Head Quarters. I apprehend, that secrecy is as necessary now as ever it was, & if only one proper person, at a suitable place, be ordered to conduct the whole affair, it will probably succeed.

There have been many applications, I dare say from many persons & places, but, were I to point out a suitable place, I should mention this, as it is near to Nova Scotia. I should be more at a loss for a proper person to conduct the enterprize. I know of fitter persons, than myself in many respects, but they are strangers to the Province & people. But I have dwelt there for years, & have a personal acquaintance with almost all the principal men, & know the country well. I should rejoice, therefore, in the appointment to this necessary business; & if your excellency together with those only, who must necessarily be acquainted with the appointment, for I choose none but they should know any thing of the matter, in your great wisdom, should see fit to appoint me, I will conduct the expedition, with the utmost secrecy & (deo. adj.) will add to the dominions of the Continental Congress another Province, before our enemies are able to defend it. All I require is sufficient authority to collect as many troops, as I see fit in this eastern country, not exceeding 1000 men, & vessels to convey them to the place of action, & blank commissions for the necessary officers of a thousand more, to be filled up, as I shall find expedient, in Nova Scotia, where the men are to be raised, put into the Continental pay, & left there to defend the country when taken: And farther, that a sufficient quantity of provision, amunition, arms &c. be sent here about the middle of March.

Your Excellency may enquire as much about me, as you please, of Benjn Foster Esqr. Capt. Stephen Smith, Capt. Obrian, & Mr Shannon, for these Gentn I should choose to have as companions, but do not choose, that they, or any other persons living should know any thing of the design, if this petition if granted, till it is time to embark, except those persons only, who have authority to appoint. The above mentioned Gentn know nothing of this application.

The reduction of Nova Scotia is a matter of great importance, & lies near my heart, on account of my many suffering friends in that Province, & on account of the many advantages, that would arise from it, to this Colony, & to this place, in particular: But should the Government appoint another person to conduct the expedition, I shall cordially acquiesce, & pray for his success, as I ever do, that God may smile on all the American arms, till all our enemies are subdued before us.

Your Excellency will not take amiss, what my zeal for the honor & safety of my country constrained me to write. I am, most respectfully, your Excellency’s very humble and obedient Servant

Jas Lyon

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Cambridge February the 14. 1776

Sir

Through you I beg leave to lay before Congress, the Inclosed Letter from Lord Drummond to General Robertson, which came to my hands a few days agoe in order to be sent into Boston.

As I never heard of his Lor[d]ship being vested with power to treat with Congress upon the Subject of our Greivances nor of his having laid any propositions before them for an Accomodation, I confess It surprized me much, and led me to form various conjectures of his motives, and Intended application to General Howe & Admiral Shouldam for a pasport for the safe Conduct of such Deputies as Congress might appoint for Negociating Terms of Reconciliation between Great Britain and us. Whatever his Intentions are, however benevolent his designs may be, I confess that his Letter has embarrassed me much, and I am not without suspicion of Its meaning more than the Generous purposes It professes. I should suppose that If the mode for Negociation which he points out, should be adopted, which I hope will never be thought of, that It ought to have been fixed and settled previous to any application of this sort, and at best that his conduct in this Instance is premature and Officious, & leading to consequences of a fatal and Injurious nature to the rights of this Country. his zeal and desire perhaps of an amicable & constitutional adjustment’s taking place may have Suggested & precipitated the measure, be that as It may, I thought It of too much importance to suffer It to go in without having the express direction of Congress for that purpose, and that It was my Indispensable duty to transmit them the Original to make such Interpretations and Inferences as they may think right.

Messrs Willard & Child who were sent to Nova Scotia in pursuance of the Resolve of Congress, have just returned and made their Report, which I do myself the honor to Inclose you. they have not Answered the purposes of their commission by any means, as they only went but a little way into that Country, and found their Intelligence upon the Information of Others. You will see the reasons they Assign in excuse or justification of their conduct in the Report Itself.

Last night a party of Regulars, said to be about Five hundred, landed on Dorchester Neck and burnt some of the Houses there, which were of no value to us, nor would they have been, Unless we take post there; they then might have been of some service. A Detachment went after them as soon as the fire was discovered, but before It could arrive, they had executed their plan and made their retreat.

Inclosed is a Letter for David Franks Esqr. from Mr Chamier in Boston, upon the Subject of victualling such of the Kings Troops as may be prisoners within the Limits of his Contract, which I beg the favour of you to deliver him, and that proper agents may be appointed by him to see that It is done—I could wish too that Congress would fall upon some mode for Supplying the Officers with such Money as they may really stand in need of, and depute proper persons for that purpose & furnishing the privates with such Cloathing as may be absolutely necessary; I am applied to and wearied by their repeated requests—In some Instances I have desired the Committees to give the prisoners within their appointments, what they should Judge absolutely necessary for their support, as the only means in my power of releiving their distress—But I immagine that If there were persons to superintend this business, that their wants would be better attended to, and many exorbitant charges prevented and saved to the Continent & the whole wou’d then be brought into a proper account. I am Sir with great esteem & regard Your Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-03-02-0222-0001

The above mentioned enclosure from Messrs Willard & Child as follows:

We the Subscribers being appointed by his Excellency general Washington agreeable to an order of the Continental Congress to Repair to the Province of Novia Scotia for the following purposes Viztt to Inquire into the Disposition of the Inhabitants of Sd Province Towards the common Cause of america the Condition of their Forti[fi]cations Quantity of warlike Stores the number of Soldiers and Salors and Ships of war.

We beg Leave to Report as follows that agreeable to the above order we did Repair to a place Called Campobello about Twenty or thirty miles into the Province aforesaid, but Could not Cross the Bay of Funda [Fundy] for no Vessel Could be hired or procured Except we purchase one as Every Vessel Even to a Boat that Crossed the Bay was Seized as soon as they Came into Port Except Cleared from Hallifax and we Could not Travel any further into the Country By Reason of governor Leggs [Legge] Establishing Martial Law in Said Province and Isuing Several proclamations one Bea[r]ing Date July the 5 1775 which is as follows

I Do therefore with the advice and Consent of his Majesty’s Council publish this proclamation hereby Notifieing and warning all Persons that they Do not in any manner Derectly or Inderectly aid or assist with any Supplies whatever any Rebel or Rebels nor hold Intelligence or Correspondence with them nor Conceal harbour or protect any Such offenders as they would avoid being Deemed Rebels and Trators and be proceeded against accordingly

Also a proclamation Dated December the 8 1775 forbiding any Strangers to be in Halifax more than Two hours without making his Business Known to a Justice of the Peace upon the pain and Peril of being Treated as Spies, also forbiding any Person Entertaining any Such Stranger for more than Two hours without giving Information on the penalty aforesaid.

From our own Knowledge and the Best Information from others about Eight parts out of Ten of the Inhabitants of Novia Scotia would Engage in the Common Cause of america Could they be protected.

There are no Fortifications in the Province only at Halifax and those much out of Repair but they are at work on them they have Piquitted the Town in and have about one hundred and fifty Peaces of cannon not mounted and about Twenty or thirty peaces mounted in the Town there was at Halifax about Two hundred Soldiers the Begining of January 1776 which was all that there was in the Province at that Time but we are crediably Informed that there are Two Regements arived there Since that time there was only one Ship of war of 60 guns at Halifax and one of 14 at annopolis [Royal] at the Time aforesaid.

Aaron Willard

Moses Child

George Washington Papers, Series 4, General Correspondence: Moses Child and Aaron Willard to George Washington, Report. 1776. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/mgw444482/, https://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/default.xqy?keys=GEWN-print-03-03-02-0222-0002