Letter from Colonel Robertson to Captain Montague laid before the Congress and read

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A Letter from Dr˙ J˙ Mallett to Mr˙ William Allmon, of the 18th July, was read and filed.

A Letter from Col˙ Robertson to Capt˙ Montague, of the 20th of July, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"Boston, July 20, 1775.

"DEAR SIR: Two turtles at a time, when a bit of beef or mutton is a rare feast, command my gratitude; but let me assure you I enjoyed the reflection that I owed them to your friendly regard far above the relish of a well-dressed dish.

"Your health was drunk by a company whose good wishes you would value. I wish I could send you any thing in return that would be grateful to you. The state of poor Parsons' s health affords nothing of this kind; he is very weak, in much pain, and great danger indeed; the heat of the season and the want of fresh provision made many officers' cases, though judged slight, dangerous.

"It would not be proper to put in writing my sentiments about the state of the war or the mode of carrying this on. I may say, however, the enemy are multiplying immense works, all round this country; every hill has Gothick fortifications, like those in the west of England, With these they seem to intend to shut up every access from this place. All their works, except those they began on Bunker' s Hill, have been of the defensive kind. So far they seem sensible that they will be ruined if they give us an opportunity of charging them with bayonets in a fair field. Numbers can' t save them; behind works and walls they may kill ten men, and then fly, and this repeated often would make a dozen victories equal to a defeat.

"I send you some letters that have passed. If you were Admiral here, land and sea would be on better terms, the Town better supplied, and convoys better guarded. The Yankees have brought about fifty whale boats over Dorchester Neck, by Roxbury Church, and put them in the water near Charlestown River; with fourteen others they landed on Thursday, and burnt the Light-House; and, it being calm, afterwards set fire to some fishing boats; and all this in open day, in sight of our fleet. The Congress edicts direct the people in all the Colonies to refuse us supplies; the Committees enforce the edicts with attention and severity. To prevent our suffering by want of fuel and barrack bedding, I sent Mr˙ Page to London, to purchase and send out these necessary articles. Even candles are ordered from home; we are distressed a little by a scarcity of these already. I have in Sergeant Bowden' s care one hundred and forty boxes; if you could get these on board, under the pretence of your ship' s service, and then give them to Capt˙ Evans, who commands the Spy, armed vessel, and will be the bearer of this, you would oblige me, and, what you value more, serve the publick, by saving it from a double loss, as these candles may not only be lost to us, but be taken for the use of the rebels; however, if moving them would endanger the quiet of the Town, or be productive of a riot, it is not an object deserving such a risk. Mr˙ Page returns from London as soon as he can finish the business he goes on; his address will be to the care of James ˙˙˙˙˙˙˙˙, Parliament Street. He will be here in October, and he would be happy to direct his attention to any commands you may give him.

"I am, with much regard, ever, dear Sir, your obliged and obedient servant, JAMES ROBERTSON,

"To Captain Montague, Commanding his Majesty' s Ship Kingfisher, New-York.

"P˙S. I wish poor Mrs˙ Arry and Betsey well; bid them have patience; her civility will make her friends, and times may soon mend."