Gentlemen:

Your instructions of the 14th instant from the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay, in regard to my conduct here, being now before me, I will answer in course.

In the first place, I observe you are appointed to examine my conduct, and in what manner I have executed my commission. I look on this instruction at this juncture as unprecedented, and a very plain intimation that the Congress are dubious of my rectitude or abilities, which is a sufficient inducement for me to decline serving them longer.

Secondly, the Congress have authorized you to judge of my spirit, capacity, and conduct, and determine whether I shall continue in commission, and if so, that I shall be under the command of a person appointed by the Colony of Connecticut. In answer to the first part, it appears to me very extraordinary that the Congress should first appoint an officer, and afterwards, when he had executed his commission, to appoint a Committee to examine if he was fit for his post. I think the examination should have been prior to the commission, and that after executing that commission they should order a younger officer of the same rank to take the command of the fortresses, vessels, &c., conquered, plainly indicates the loss of their confidence, and is a most disgraceful reflection on him and the body of troops he commands, which is a sufficient inducement to resign, not to mention the very great hardship on the private men, who, having served well near two months, are now to be mustered, and if, by sickness or hard labour, they are reduced and not fit for service, and of course do not pass muster, they are to lose their former time and service, and reduced to the distress of begging their bread until they can get home to their friends.

The last objection I have to make is, that I have so far lost the confidence of the [Provincial] Congress, that they have declined sending me money, as was promised by Captain [Jonathan] Brown, to discharge the small and unavoidable debts I have contracted for necessaries for the use of the Army, for which my own credit is at stake, and I am reduced to the necessity of leaving the place with dishonour, or waiting until I can send home and discharge those debts out of my private purse. The latter of which I am determined to do, though I have already advanced one hundred Pounds, lawful money, out of my private purse. All which reasons I believe will be thought a sufficient inducement for me to decline holding my commission longer.

I am, Gentlemen, [&c.]

Messrs. [Walter] Spooner, [Jedediah] Foster, and [James] Sullivan, present