Your Excellencies Letter of the 11th Current was duly receivd & read in Council; in Consequence of which, orders are issued to the Brigadiers of the Counties of Hampshire & Berkshire to detach and forward on under proper officers with all possible Dispatch a Number consisting of one sixth part of their Militia to such place in Connecticutt as your Excy shall appoint & to continue in Service for the Defence of the State of Connecticutt during the space of one Month after their Arrival at the place appointed unless they shall be sooner dischargd.  It is presumd that the Aid of one thousand Men at least will be afforded by means of this order.  The Council very sensibly feel the Distress which the State of Connecticutt have already sufferd by the Incursions & Depredations of a desperate & malicious Enemy, and trust in God that the People of New England will be always spirited to exert themselves upon every pressing occasion for the Common Safety & that their Exertions will be attended with the divine Blessing.

TO HORATIO GATES.

[Ms., Massachusetts Archives; a portion of the text is in W. V. Wells, Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii., pp, 70, 71.]

State of mass Bay council Chamber July 14 1779

SIR

Your Letter of the 12th Instant with its Inclosure has been receivd by the Council.  The Progress of the Enemy into the State of Connecticutt, and the Devastations they have already made in some of the Towns there, require our vigorous Exertions.  Orders have been given to forward the Troops destind for the Defence of Rhode Island with all possible Dispatch.  And the Commanding officers of the Counties of Hampshire and Berkshire are also directed to detach a Number from their Militia & march them forthwith for the Reliefe of Connecticut!, to such place as Govr Trumbull shall appoint, of which due Notice is forwarded to the Governor.  Should the Enemy, direct their force to Connecticutt or any part of New Engd & attempt to make that the Seat of the War, this Summer, Nothing shall be wanting on the part of this Board, to defeat their Designs.

In the Name & behalf of the Council I am——­

Sir your most obedient

humble Servt

TO THE NAVY BOARD AT BOSTON.

[Ms., Massachusetts Archives.]

State of Massachusetts Bay council Chamber July 14, 1779

To the Hon the Commissioners of the Continental Navy Board

GENTLEMEN

This Board being duly informd by the Board of War that the Ships & Vessels in Service of this State on the Expedition to Penobscot are ready to proceed to Sea upon the proper Signals being given from the Frigate Warren, you are requested to give the necessary order to Captain Salstonstal as soon as may be.