CORRESPONDENCE.

TO THE COUNCIL.

FALMOUTH, 7 November, 1775.

I NOT long ago took the liberty to submit to your honors the very alarming state of this part of the colony; and now again, presuming on your candor, trouble you further. As the public good is my only inducement, I trust, however assuming it may be, I shall be pardoned.

In my former letter I mentioned that an army raised to defend us at the public expense would defeat its very end. Since that time, being invited by the people of the county of Cumberland to assist in fortifying Falmouth Neck, I find the ground here to be so advantageous, that, should the regular army get possession of it with one thousand men, there would be no way to force their lines. All the province of Maine must fall a sacrifice, and be obliged to take arms against their brethren, as the inhabitants of Boston now are, or flee from their habitations to the old colony, for subsistence and protection; an alternative cruel to our brethren, but infinitely more so to us. If the English troops should get footing here, beef, wood and other necessaries, would be supplied to their army, wherever on the continent it may be encamped, and a full supply of lumber sent to the West Indies. This I apprehend to be well worthy the attention of the guardians of this colony, as well as of those of the continent.

The militia of the county of Cumberland, and the eastern part of the county of York, have been for several days,

and now are, cheerfully entrenching and fortifying, to prevent so great a calamity. But as a fleet can at any hour after night come into the harbor, which is, undoubtedly, at all seasons of the year the best in America, and suddenly land a party on the hill, which forms one of its banks, and is much better adapted for defence than Bunker Hill, there must be a constant garrison to hold possession. One thousand men, with a good organization of the militia, will be sufficient to keep the town, and hold the key of all this territory.

This would be more eligible than the keeping an army of several thousand men, next spring or summer, to watch the motions of an army encamped within lines by no means to be forced.

There are a number of fine cannon here, but no powder worth consideration, and I must beg leave to suggest, for the public good, that the powder in several towns behind the continental army might be ordered here immediately. There is no probability of its being needed this winter where it is, and, as several vessels are now gone from this place to procure a supply, and advice this day has been received from the West Indies that powder is plenty there, it may be repaid before spring. The distress of this unhappy town serves to unite the people in the most vigorous measures they are capable of, and many of those who addressed Governor Hutchinson are now the most zealous in their country's cause.

I would beg leave to suggest the expediency of having the sea-coast men in this county, and those in Wells, Arrundel, Biddeford, Pepperelborough, in the county of York, ordered here. These will make one good regiment, and, as they must be on much fatigue, their wages may be raised to the establishment of the army at Cambridge, and field officers appointed over them. These can serve until the last of December, with such regiments as may be ordered here from Cambridge, or raised by this colony, and by the

CORRESPONDENCE.

TO THE COUNCIL.

FALMOUTH, 7 November, 1775.

I NOT long ago took the liberty to submit to your honors the very alarming state of this part of the colony; and now again, presuming on your candor, trouble you further. As the public good is my only inducement, I trust, however assuming it may be, I shall be pardoned.

In my former letter I mentioned that an army raised to defend us at the public expense would defeat its very end. Since that time, being invited by the people of the county of Cumberland to assist in fortifying Falmouth Neck, I find the ground here to be so advantageous, that, should the regular army get possession of it with one thousand men, there would be no way to force their lines. All the province of Maine must fall a sacrifice, and be obliged to take arms against their brethren, as the inhabitants of Boston now are, or flee from their habitations to the old colony, for subsistence and protection; an alternative cruel to our brethren, but infinitely more so to us. If the English troops should get footing here, beef, wood and other necessaries, would be supplied to their army, wherever on the continent it may be encamped, and a full supply of lumber sent to the West Indies. This I apprehend to be well worthy the attention of the guardians of this colony, as well as of those of the continent.

The militia of the county of Cumberland, and the eastern part of the county of York, have been for several days,

and now are, cheerfully entrenching and fortifying, to prevent so great a calamity. But as a fleet can at any hour after night come into the harbor, which is, undoubtedly, at all seasons of the year the best in America, and suddenly land a party on the hill, which forms one of its banks, and is much better adapted for defence than Bunker Hill, there must be a constant garrison to hold possession. One thousand men, with a good organization of the militia, will be sufficient to keep the town, and hold the key of all this territory.

This would be more eligible than the keeping an army of several thousand men, next spring or summer, to watch the motions of an army encamped within lines by no means. to be forced.

There are a number of fine cannon here, but no powder worth consideration, and I must beg leave to suggest, for the public good, that the powder in several towns behind the continental army might be ordered here immediately. There is no probability of its being needed this winter where it is, and, as several vessels are now gone from this place to procure a supply, and advice this day has been received from the West Indies that powder is plenty there, it may be repaid before spring. The distress of this unhappy town serves to unite the people in the most vigorous measures they are capable of, and many of those who addressed Governor Hutchinson are now the most zealous in their country's cause.

I would beg leave to suggest the expediency of having the sea-coast men in this county, and those in Wells, Arrundel, Biddeford, Pepperelborough, in the county of York, ordered here. These will make one good regiment, and, as they must be on much fatigue, their wages may be raised to the establishment of the army at Cambridge, and field officers appointed over them. These can serve until the last of December, with such regiments as may be ordered here from Cambridge, or raised by this colony, and by the

expiration of that time it may be determined whether five hundred men, during the residue of the winter, will be sufficient. There must also be some person appointed as commissary and quarter-master.

In the above suggestion for garrisoning this place, I have no selfish views; for, if the ministerial army should come here to ravage and destroy, it would be but little out of my way to find an asylum on the westward of Merrimac River; but I tremble at the consequence of not holding this advantageous ground. I would just mention that the general officer who commands this garrison ought also to command the militia of the province of Maine.

TO SAMUEL FREEMAN.

FALMOUTH, 21 January, 1776.

SIR: I am obliged by your several letters. I am surprised the militia bill is where you mention in your last. I fear our country will owe its destruction to the squeamishness of our General Court. Bold and manly strides are necessary in war. What is done amiss may be set right in time of peace. If the court would have a recess, and see how much the country is distressed for want of the bill, they would pass it, or some one, immediately. Shire has been at Falmouth engaging men, and has never refused serving there. How Mr. Morton came to be appointed in his room, when he had never resigned, I do not conceive.

Mr. Morton's delivering the orders of rice and crackers has been a great injury to us. General Washington's taking the guns from the eastern soldiers is also a serious evil. A petition is on foot on that subject. No news here. Frye expects the command.