Copy of Col. Nicholson's Commission and Instructions relating proceedings of the Assembly of the Massachusetts thereupon: Proclamation for encouragement soldjers volunteers, by which you will perceive there was no room to lessen your quota, but that you must proceed forthwith to raise your transports and provisions for three months, besides what shall be necessary before their Embarcation.

I must desire you to use no delay, but imediately and cheerfully consent in yo' votes with this Goverment, [P. 330.] agreeable to all your prayers and humble addresses to her Majesty for this expedition, and in which you will, I hope, first and imediately obtain the benefit.

I am sensible of every article of distress you are in, but there is no help at this time; I shall do you all the favours in my power; I have sent out for thirty or forty Indians more than the complement of this Province, which I shall put in the stead of your English men, so far as they will go, upon a very easy hire, of which I have written to Major Smith and Colonel Walton, who may shew their letters, and in the absence of your men, if the troubles press upon you, I shall do my duty from hence to cover and support you. I have ordered the ninth of August for the appearance of 900 Massachusetts men at Dorchester and Cambridge, and I desire that your men may parade at the fort in New Castle, that day at furthest, from whence I will take order for their coming hither.

Gentlemen,This is a very great affair before you, and the cheerful and speedy concurrence in every thing relating to the expedition will bespeake for yor Province her Majesty's favour in other articles referring to you.

The business of clothing is the only thing that will admit of your consideration, but that also must be soon ended; when you remember that all the other Goverments shall appear in regimental clothing, Hampshire will be out of countenance not to do the same, as well as the soldjers in your pay discouraged; and particularly if the Indians, that I hope to get for you, be not like their fellows, I shall by no means retain them in the service.

[P. 331.] I desire to let a few hours serve yo' consideration in this matter, and let Major Smith and my officers proceed forthwith, and let your letters and his be exprest to me every three days.

The eyes of all Great Britain are upon us to see our obedience at this time; to make ourselves and our children easy and happy. I am, Gentlemen, Your humble servant,

J. DUDLEY.

The copy of General Nicholson's Commission and part of his instructions relating to the reducing Port Royal, was read at this Board, as upon file.

The proceedings of the Council Warr relating to the reducing Port Royal, was also read at this Board, and sent down to the House of Representatives, and now upon file.

A proclamation relating to the encouragement of volun teers upon the expedition to Port Royal, &c., was read at this Board and sent down to the House of Representatives. Adja till to-morrow morning, 10 of the clock, ante merediem.

[P. 332.] Province of New Hampshire.

At a Council and General Assembly held at Portsmouth by adjt, on Friday, the fourth day of August, 1710. Present,

The following vote was sent up from the House of Representatives and read at this Board:

Prov. New Hampshire.

Voted, That out of the hundred men to be raised in this Province on the intended expedition against Port Royal, &c., the Governour be desired to let the commission officers be inhabitants of the same Goverment; that for encouragement of volunteers, every one that will enlist shall have a coat of thirty shillings, and one month's pay before he embark, and be freed from any impress for three years after his return; excepting scouting near the garrison to which he belongs, watching, warding, &c.; That if this encouragement do not prevail for the bringing in volunteers the men imprest by

the several officers shall be obliged to go in person or hire a soldjer to the acceptance of such officer, notwithstanding the former Act that excused any person impressed for the paying of four pounds.

Past by the House of Representatives.

Sam' Keais, Clerk.

Read in Council, 4th August, 1710, and consented to. Cha. Story, Secretary.

Consented to.

Eodem die.

J. DUDLEY.

Voted in Council that Proclamations be sent to each town in this Province, pursuant to the above said vote; and that his Excellency be desired to issue forth proclamations accordingly.

Richard Waldron, Esq., was sworn one of the members of her Majesty's Council, and took the oaths appointed by Law, &c.

[P. 333.] The following proclamation was consented to by both Houses, and ordered that Mr. Secretary send them to each minister of the several Towns, in Order to be publickly read at their meetings, next Sabbath day:

By his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esq., Governour and Commander in Chief of her Majesty's Province of New Hampshire, in New England,

A Proclamation for a General Thanksgiving.

The Unconstant unwearied course of Divine Bounty and goodness wherewith we are encompassed in the midst of our Great unworthiness, the distresses we labour under by the sore calamities of War, as the just demeritts of our sins, notwithstanding, demand our highest acknowledgments of gratitude to Almighty God;

it being our commanded duty in every thing to give thanks, whereto we are also invited by many special causes, particularly for the continuing of the life of our Sovereign Lady the Queen, the preservation of her Majesty's sacred person, and superadded glorious victories to her Majesty's Arms, with those of her allies in Europe this present summer; The happy arrival of her Majesty's forces from Great Britain for our relief from the insult of enemies; The signal mercy of God vouchsafed in answer for prayers for raine, under the late extreme scorching drought, by granting repeated plentiful showers, and wonderfully reviving the languishing fruits of the earth, so that there is the prospect of a plentiful Harvest; The preventing of the spreading mortal contagious sickness that was among us, and granting of general health:

I have therefore thought fit, by and with the consent of her Majesty's Council, and at the instance of the Representatives in their present session, to appoint and order [P. 334.] Thursday the tenth day of August current, a day for a General publick Thanksgiving throughout this Province, forbidding all servile labour thereon, and exhorting both ministers and people in their respective Assemblies, with a becoming devotion, to celebrate the praises of our most Gracious God, for the before enumerated and other his numberless mercies and favours; that glorifying him for them we may see more of his salvation.

Given at this Council Chamber at Portsmouth, the fourth day of August, in the ninth year of the reign of our sovereign Lady Anne, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the faith, &c.

By order of his Excellency the Governour with the advice of the Council and Assembly.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

J. DUDLEY.

Cha. Story, Secretary.

Adja till to-morrow morning, 10 of the clock, ante merediem.

Met accordingly, and adja to Thursday, the 8th current, 10 of the clock, ante merediem.

His Excellency's Letters, dated the 1st and 5th of August current, was read at this Board and sent down to the House of Representatives, in hæc verba sequen:

Gentlemen:

Boston, 1st Aug., 1710.

I desire you, as I have written to the Council and Assembly, to dispatch the affairs of the expedition; if then, the Assembly shall see meet to raise 2000lbs added to the 3000lbs already impressed, I shall agree to an Act for the repetition of 1000lbs and the Impression of one other 1000lbs, provided the fund and security for the same be 1100lbs payable in November, 1715; and 1100lbs in the year 1716; See the Act well drawn after the manner of the Massachusetts Acts.

And again I require that nothing of this matter be offered until the affair of this Expedition be dispatched, and if then the Assembly doubt, it must be left to my next coming.

I am, Gentlemen, your humble serv',

J. DUDLEY.

To the Gentlemen of her Majesty's Council, to be communicated.

Gentlemen:

Roxbury, August 5th, 1710.

I have the votes of the Council and Assembly referring to the Expedition; Tho' they may have abated that of the Officers being of the Province, because it is in a great measure useless, being always my own inclination; [P. 336.] and accordingly, I have now written to Colonel Walton, who is the Colonel of the regiment in which your men are to serve, to bring with him a Captain and two or three other fit persons, to be commissionated under him, for your