Since our last arrived here the Captains [Thomas] Reed and [John] Barry from London, by whom we have the following advices.

London, August 1, 1775

The armourers in the Tower work sixteen hours (in the room of twelve) by order of the Board of Ordnance.

August 2. It is said Governor [James] Wright, of Georgia, is made prisoner by the people. (A Tory Lie.)¹

The Americans seem to out number us in Generals, there appearing from several of their accounts to be the following, viz. General [Israel] Putnam, Gen. Pomroy [Seth Pomeroy], Gen. Washington, Gen. [Charles] Lee, Gen. [Artemas] Ward, and Gen. Doctor [Joseph] Warren, killed in the late engagements, besides other superior Commanders, as Col. Ethan Allen, at Ticonderoga, and Col. [Patrick] Henry, at Virginia, &c.&c.

August 3. The public may be assured, that by orders from above, a frigate of twenty-eight guns is fitting up at Woolwich, for sea, with all practicable speed, the officers cabins are upon the quarter deck, or in the gun-room, the great, or Captain's cabin is lined with crimson baize; she is otherwise prepared and decorated with every thing commodious and proper for her intended destination, which is Virginia, where she is to accomodate the governor Lord Dunmore, and enable him to receive deputations from the Council and Burgesses of that province, when assembled, with greater conveniency; she may also serve to receive delegations from the Caghnawaga Indians, to induce them to take up the hatchet, and boil the war-kettle ー Lady Dunmore is just arrived in England, or it might have enabled her Ladyship, with equal propriety, and perhaps, with equal success, to have given balls on board, to the Planters Ladies upon the intervening days! What a deep business! What a secrecy! What dispatch is necessary! Who can wonder at the many councils which have been lately held!
August 4. In consequence of General Gage's new Commission, the Patents of all the Governors of the Provinces in America, we hear, will be recalled, and others made out consonant thereto.

General Washington, who was lately appointed Generalissimo over the Provincials, has refused any Salary, and is to attend to the hazardous duty alloted him from principle only. A most noble example, and worthy of imitation in Great-Britain, particularly at this time; for if there were a few disinterested Patriots, like Washington, the Supplies of the Mother Country would soon lessen the national debt without any requisition from the Colonies.

Eight men of war, from forty to fifty guns each, are ordered for the American station; some ships now there being ordered home, as too large for the service.

A plan for reducing the rebellious Colony of New-England, and for the support of a legal Constitutional Government in America.

To fortify Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. ー

To garrison each place with 3000 troops. ー

To keep cruizing upon the American Coast three squadrons, each consisting of three 74 gun ships, three armed sloops, three schooners, three bomb vessels, and a battalion of Marines. ー These three maritime pendulums moving upon the American Coast, would support the three garrisons, maintain the power of government, prevent illicit trade, and give full protection to fair and just Commerce. During the winter, two Squadrons of the fleet to rendezvous at St. Augustine, for reasons too obvious to mention. ー

To disarm the Commercial Colonies. ー

Upon petitioning Government, to receive any military force that may be necessary, during war, to supply a number of recruits only for army and navy. ー

Martial law to be fixed in the Colony of Connecticut, till full submission is made to Government. ー

All forfeited estates to be granted to loyal Americans.

Canadian troops to possess Connecticiut till all Rebellion ceases. ー

The cordon of forts from Quebec to the Mississippi, to be garrisoned from thence, and by the Indian subjects. ー

All ships trading in America, to be registered as British ships, and registered in some English port, commanded by an Englishman. ー One third of the crews natives of England. ー

The Agent of each Colony resident in England, to be recommended by the Upper Assembly of each Colony, and paid by Government in England, from the American Revenue, the annual salary of 1500£. (A pretty plan of Slavery)

August 5. It is whispered that government has ordered Gen. Gage to offer five thousand pounds to any person or persons who will bring him Gen. Putnam's head; this has been privately communicated to most of the royalists in and about Boston, who could be confided in.²

By Capt. Barry [arrived in the ship Black Prince] we learn, that some of the transports sailed from England for Ireland the beginning of August, to take in the five regiments for America.