* 
 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS 
 
 TO THE HONORABLE 
 
 AMERICAN CONGRESS, 
 
 Written, during the WAR between the 
 
 UNITED COLONIES AND GREAT-BRITAIN, 
 
 JBY HIS EXCELLENCY 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 
 COMMANDER IN CIJIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL FORCES, 
 
 NOW 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 Copied, by Special Permiffion, from the Original Fap^\s preserved in the 
 ^Office of the Secretary of State, PhiladelpXja. 
 
 r*. NEIV-TORK: 
 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY SAMUEL CAMPBELL 
 
 No. 124, PEARL-STREET. 
 
 M,DCC,XCVI, 
 
V 
 
 ) 
 
ADVERTISEMENT, 
 
 "A ESPECTING the fource from which the following letters have been 
 JLx. drawn, and the grounds on which the reader is expected to reft his be- 
 lief of their authenticity, it may be fufficient to inform him (and, for the truth 
 ex the aflertion, to appeal to His Excellency, Thomas Pinckney, the Ameri- 
 can jMinifter Plenipotentiary) that perrniffion was obtained from the proper 
 authority, to tranfcribe, from the original papers preferred in the Secretary 
 of State's ofnce in Philadelphia, thefe and fundry other authentic documents 
 relating to the conteft between the colonies and the mother country, via. 
 Letters from the Commanders of the continental forces, and other peribns erju 
 ployed in the pubilc fervice, intercepted Lettei's from Britifh Officers and o- 
 ther adherents to the royal cauie, Communications from the Governors, Con- 
 ventions, and Committees of the feveral American States, Dispatches from 
 Agents and Commiffioners, Inftrudlions, Reports of Committees of Congreis, 
 parts of the Secret Journals hitherto unpublifbed, and various other pie- 
 ces elucidative of the events which led to and finally eftabliuV d American In- 
 dependence. 
 
 That permifiion was granted early in the year 17552, and immediate advan- 
 tage was taken of the indulgence ; though, from various circumftances, of 
 little confequence to the reader to know, the publication has been fo long de- 
 layed. Even at this late period, the editor contents himfelf with laying be- 
 fore the public but a part of the collection, intending, if thefe volumes meet 
 with a favourable reception, to continue the publication^ and prefent his 
 readers with a variety of interefting pieces penned by the leaders and piin- 
 cipal agents in the American Revolution, and tending to throw light on 
 many important transactions that have hitherto been either enveloped in 
 total darknefs, or, at belt, but obfcurely perceived; and imperfectly under- 
 ftood. 
 
 Some paris of thefe letters may perhaps appear too full of minutiae to inter- 
 eft that clafs of readers, who, unaccuftomed to enter into the inveftigation 
 of caufes or conlequences, delight only in recitals of battles, fieges, and other 
 itrikin^ occurrences which conilitute the more prom it&\ features of hifto- 
 rv. But, to the reafonifig phiiofophic reader, who wifhes tVexplore the fe- 
 cret fprings of adlion, to trace events to their remote and lajent caufes, to 
 difcover and examine the fubordinate and collateral circur>'itances (oft tri- 
 appearance, and generally overlooked by the vfej^Kjdye) which, m 
 
 one or the o- 
 unaccepta- 
 :h alone he 
 
 can venture to ground a decTiivT ''opinion^ auJh^jhich he might elfewhere feek 
 i-i vain. ^^^ 
 
 The inclofures. frequently referred to in thefe vOKtthes, would ftill further 
 contribute to fet every circumfcance in a clearer and ilronger Light ; and it 
 was the editor's original intention that they mould have accompanied the 
 letters to which they refpedively belong. Obftacles however, at prefent in- 
 furmountable, (land in the way of their immediate publication : but, when 
 thefe are removed, the papers alluded to (hall make their appearance in form 
 of an Appendix, fuch parts of them at leaft, as are of a curi'\us and mtereil- 
 ing nature. 
 
 A a Mean, 
 
 mn_uv<ri auu. CA.CUUUIC me iuuuiu.iua.Lc a.iiu collateral circu T iianc 
 fling in appearance, and generally overlooked by the \V*c F f eye) 
 the ftruggles of contending nations, give a prepondcrancy $ the on 
 ther fcale, thofe minute details will, it is prefumed, bear from i 
 bie, as furaifliing him with tb^t-feecies of information, upon wnic 
 
 /I -i A 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 Meanwhile the reader will obferve that it was deemed as yet premature to 
 pu^lifli certain paffages of thefe letters : fome omiffions have of courfe taken 
 place, which are every where pointed out by afterifks, and which will be 
 fupplied at a proper feafon, probably not far diftant. On the other hand, in 
 perrups half a do^en inftances, a fingle word has been hazarded on conjec- 
 ture, to fill up a chafm, where either the original or the copy happened to be 
 torn or defaced ; in which cafes, the fupplemental words are inclofed within 
 crotchets and printed in Italic. A few entire letters, moreover, as appears 
 by reference made to them in fubfequent ones, are here wanted to complete 
 the cha-i of correspondence. Thefe the editor can give no account of, as the 
 originals appear to have been loft from the files of office. 
 
 About a dozen letters, written by the general's fecrelary*, are here infert- 
 ed ; a few from the general himfelf to the board of war, or com mine of Con- 
 greis, one to the prelident of the New-York Convention, and one to R. Mor- 
 ris, efquire, in the department of finance. Thefe it was thought proper to o-, 
 xnit : nor did it feem worth while, on account of a few exceptions, to make a, 
 uy alteration in the general title of the book. 
 
 Mr. JC. //. Harrifon. 
 
 O F F I. 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 
 
 FROM ' * 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON 
 TO CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honorable Members of the Continental Cougrefs ( 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, New-York June 24, 1775. 
 
 Tig 
 HE rain on fnday afternoon and faturday,- -the advice 
 
 of ieveral gentlemen of the Jerfeys and this city, by no means 
 to crofs Hudfon's river at the lower ferry and forne other cir- 
 cumitances, too trivial to mention, prevented my arrival at this 
 place, until the afternoon of this day. 
 
 In the morning, after giving general ScJ^ylcr fuch orders, 
 as, from the refu.lt of my enquiry into matters ^kere, appear ne- 
 -ceffary, I (hall fet out on my journey to the c?,.np at Boston, 
 and {hall proceed with all the difpatch Hi^my grower. Powder 
 is fo effential an article, that I cannot help again repeating the 
 neceflity of a fupply. The camp at Bofton, from the belt ac- 
 count I can*get from^^^scjgujyj^ut very poorly fupplied. At 
 this place, they have icarce any. ^Kow they are provided at 
 general Woofter's camp, I have not been-* able yet to learn. 
 
 Governor Tryon is arrived, and general Schuyler directed 
 to advife you of the line of conduct he moves in. I fear it will 
 not be very favourable to the American caufe. 
 
 I have only to add, that I am, with great refpecl: and regard, 
 gentlemen, your mod obedient and obliged humble fervant. 
 
 G. WASHINGTON. 
 To 
 
6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 To JOHN HANCOCK, Efquire, Prejldent of Congrefs. 
 
 New-York, funday, ifyh June, 1775, 5 o'clock, P. M. 
 SIR, 
 
 UPON my arrival here this afternoon, I was informed 
 that an exprefs was in town, from the provincial camp in Maf- 
 fachufetts-Bay j and having feen, among the papers in his pof- 
 ieilion, a letter directed to you as prefident of the Congrefs, I 
 have taken the liberty to open it. I was induced to take that 
 liberty, by feveral gentlemen of New-York who were anxious 
 to know the particulars of the affair of the ieventeentb. iflftant, 
 and agreeable to the orders of many members of the Congrefs, 
 who judged it neceiTary that I fhould avail myfelf of the beft 
 information in the courfe of my journev. 
 
 You will find fir, by that letter, a great want of powder in the 
 provincial army, which I fineerely hope the Congrefs will fup- 
 ply as fpeedily and as effectually as in their power. One thou- 
 fand pounds in weight were lent to the camp at Cambridge, 
 three days ago, from this city ; which has left this place almoft 
 dettitute of that necefiary article : there being at this time from 
 the bcft information, not more than four barrels of powder in 
 the city of New-York. 
 
 I propofe to fet oft for the provincial camp to-morrow, and 
 will ufe all poffible difpatch to join the forces there. 
 
 Pleafe to make my compliments to the gentlemen of the Con- 
 -. ; and believe me to be, fir, your obliged friend, and hum- 
 ble fervant, G. W 
 [A 1 . B. jdll the fulfequent letters, not otherwife exprefsly di- 
 rected, are addrejfed to the Prefident of Congrefs for the time 
 being.'] 
 
 SJR., Camp fit Cambridge, July IO, 1775. 
 
 I Arrivecrfafe at this place on the third inflant, after a 
 journey aUendect-TPftii a good deal of fatigue, and retarded by 
 neceffary attentions to thj fuccefliye civilities which accompa- 
 nied me in my whole. route. 
 
 Upon my arrival, I imm#di."clj~ ^Ti^^T^ie feveral ports oc- 
 cupied by our troops ; arrcl^ as foon as the weather permitted, 
 reconnoitred tliofe ot the enemy. I found, the latter ftrongly 
 intrenched on Bunker's hill, about a mile from Charleilov;n, 
 and advanced about half a mile from the place of the late acti- 
 on, with th'.:ir CL-ntries extended about one hundred and fifty 
 yards on this iidc of the narrower! purt of the neck leading 
 
 from 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS* 7 
 
 from this place to Charleftown. Three floating batteries lie in 
 Myftick river near their camp, and one twenty-gun fhip below 
 the ferry place between Bofton and Charleftown. 7 hey have 
 alfo a battery on Copfe-hill, on the Bofton fide, which much 
 annoyed our troops in the late attack. Upon the neck, they 
 have alfo deeply intrenched and fortified. Their advanced 
 guards, till laft faturday morning, occupied Brown's houfes, a- 
 bout a mile from Roxbury meeting-houfe, and twenty rods 
 from their lines : but, at that time, a party from general Tho- 
 mas's camp furprifed the guard, drove them in, and burned the 
 lipufes. The bulk of their army, commanded by general 
 Howe, lies on Bunker's-hill, and the remainder on Roxbury- 
 neck, except the light horfe, and a few men in the town of 
 Bofton. 
 
 On our fide, we have thrown up intrenchments on Winter 
 and Profpect hills, the enemy's camp in full view, at the dif- 
 tance of a little more than a mile. Such intermediate points 
 as would admit a landing, I have fince my arrival taken care 
 to ftrengthen, down to Sewal's Farm, where a ftrong intrench- 
 ment has been throxvn up. At Roxbury, general Thomas has 
 thrown up a ftrong work on the hill, about two hundred yards 
 above the meeting-houfe j which, with the brokennefs of the 
 ground, and a great number of rocks, has made that pafs very 
 fecure. The troops raifedin New-Hampfhire, with a regiment 
 from Rhode-Ifland, occupy Winter-hill j a part of thofe from 
 Connecticut, under general Putnam, are on Profpect-hill. The 
 troops in this town are entirely of the Maflfachufetts : the re- 
 mainder of the Rhode-Iiland-men are at Sewal's Farm. Two 
 regiments of Connecticut, and nine of the MaiTachufetts, are at 
 Roxbury. The refidue of the army, to the '\mber of about 
 feven hundred, are ported in feveral fmall towns aj^vpg the coaft, 
 to prevent the depredations of the enemy. 
 
 Upon the whole I think myfelf authorifed^to fay, that, con- 
 fidering the great extent of line and the nature of the ground, 
 tve are as well fecured, as could be expected in fo fhort a 
 time, and under the dife^an^es^e labour. Thefe confift in 
 z want of engineers to construct propel works and direct the 
 men, a want of tools, and a fufficient number of men to man 
 the works in cafe of an attack. You will obferve, by the pro. 
 ceedings of the council of war which I have the honour to hi- 
 clofe, that it is our unanimous opinion to hold and defend thefe 
 works as long as poflible. The difcouragernent it would give 
 the men, and its contrary effects on the minifterial troops, thus 
 to abandon our encampment in their face, formed with fo much 
 
 labor, 
 
8 GENERAL WASHINGTON* 
 
 labor, added to the certain definition of a confiderable and 
 valuable extent of country, and our uncertainty of finding a 
 place in all refpecls fo capable of making a Hand, are leading 
 reafons- for this determination. At the fame time we are very 
 lenfible cf the difficulties which attend the defence of linej. of 
 fo great extent, and the dangers which may tnfue from fuch a 
 tfivifion of the army. 
 
 My earnell wifh to comply with the instructions of the Con- 
 greis, in making an early and complete return of the Hate of the 
 aimy, has led into an involuntary delay of addi effing you ; 
 which has given me much concern. Having given orders for 
 this purpofe immediately on my arrival, and unapprifed of the 
 imperfect -. obedience which had been paid to t.hofe of the like 
 nature from general Ward, I was led from day to day to expert 
 they would come in, and therefore detained the meffenger. 
 They are not now fo complete as I could with : but much al- 
 lowance is to be made for inexperience in forms, and a liberty 
 which had been taken (not given) on this fubjecl. '1 hefe rea- 
 fons, I flatter myfelf will no longer exift ; and, of confequence, 
 more regularity and exaclnefs will in future prevail. This, with 
 a neceffary attention to the lines, the movements of the minifte- 
 rial troops, and our immediate fecurity, muft be my apology, 
 which I beg you to lay before Congrefs with the utmoit duty 
 and refpect. 
 
 We labour under great Mifadvantages for want of tents : 
 for, though they have been helped out by a collection of now 
 ufelefs fails from the fea-port towns, the number is far mort of 
 our neceilities. The colleges and houfes of this town are ne- 
 cefTa'rily occupied by the troops j which affords another reafon 
 for keeping ou^ j>refent fituation. But I moft fmcerely wifh the 
 whole army r was properly provided to take the field, as I am 
 well afifuied,, that (^befides greater expedition and activity in 
 cafe of alarm) it would highly conduce to health and difcipline. 
 As materials are* not to be had here, I would beg leave to re- 
 commend the procuring a farther fupply from Philadelphia, as 
 foon as pofTible. ,.^ ^ 
 
 I ftiouid be extremely -deficient ingratitude as well as juftice, 
 if I did not take th* firft opportunity to acknowledge the readi- 
 nefs and attention, which the provincial Congrefs and different 
 committees have fhewn, to rnr'ke every thing as convenient and 
 :eable as poflible. But there is a vital and inherent princi- 
 ple of delay, incompatible with military fervice, in tranfacling 
 buunefs through fuch numerous and different channels. I efteem 
 it therefore my duty to repicftnt the inconvenience which 
 
 muft 
 
OFFICIAL LETTER. 3. 9 
 
 ran ft unavoidably- enfue from a dependence on ?. n Limber of per- 
 fons for fuppliss; and fubmit it to the confideranon of Congrefs, 
 Whether the public fervice will not- be b.eil promoted by Ep- 
 pointing a comrniilary-general for thefe ptirpofes. We have a 
 tfriking in (lance of the preference of fuch a mode, in the cftab- 
 lifliment of Connefticut, as their troops are extremely well pro- 
 vided under the direction of Mr. Trutnbuli, and he. has at dif- . 
 ferent times afiUted others with various articles. Should my 
 fentiments happily coincide with thofe of your honours on this 
 fubjeci, I beg leave to recommend Mr. I luiribull as a very- 
 proper per (on for this department. In the arrangement of 
 troops collected under fuch circumftances, and upon the fpur of 
 immediate neceflity, feveral appointments are omitted, which 
 appear to be indifpenfably neceflary for the good government 
 of the army particularly a quarter-m after general, a commif- 
 fary of mufters, and a commilTary of artillery. Thefe I muft 
 earneftly recommend to the notice and proviiion of the Con- 
 grels. 
 
 I find myfclf already much embarra-Ted, for want of a milita- 
 ry cheft. 'i hefe embarraffments will iacreafe every day : 1 muft 
 therefore requeft that money may be forwarded as icon as pof- 
 flble. The want of this "moil neceilary article will (I fear) pro- 
 duce great inconveniencies, if not 'prevented by an early atten- 
 tion. I find the army in general, and the troops raifed in maf- 
 fachufetts in particular, very deficient in neceuary cloathing. 
 Upon enquiry, there appears no probability of obtaining any 
 fupplies in this quarter : and, on the beft coniideraticn of this 
 matter I am able to form, I am of opinion that a m-mber of 
 :;ng fliirts (not lefs than ten thcufand) would in a great de- 
 gree remove this difficulty, in the cheapelr. and quickeii manner. 
 I know nothing, in a fpedul&tive view, more ttivial, yet, if put 
 la practice, would have a happier tendency to unite the men, 
 and abol iih thofe provincial diminutions which lead to jealoufy 
 and .diffatisfa&ion. 
 
 In a former part of this letter, I mentioned the want of en- 
 gineers. I can hardly exprefs the difappointracnt I have expe- 
 rienced on this fubjejt,rthe jfkil! cf thofe we have being very 
 imperfect, and confined to the mere manual exercife of cannon j- 
 whereas the war in which we are engaged requires a knowledge, 
 comprehending the duties of the field, and fortification. If a- 
 ny perfons thus qualified are to be found in the fouthern colo- 
 nies, it would be of great public fcrvice to forward them with 
 all expedition. 
 
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON 1 * 
 
 Upon the article of ammunition, I mult re-echo the former 
 complaints on this Inbject. We are fo exceedingly dell^te, 
 that our artillery will be of little ufe, without a fupply both 
 large and feafonable. What we have muft be refei ved fo 1 * 
 
 the fmall arras, and that managed with the utmoft frueali- 
 ty> * * * 
 
 The ftate of the army you will find afcertained with tolera- 
 ble precision in the returns which accompany this letter. Up, 
 on finding the number of men to fall fo far fhort of the tfb- 
 bliihment, and beiow all expectation, I immediately called a 
 council of the general officers, whole opinion (as to the mode 
 of filling up the regiments, and providing for the prefent exi- 
 g&ncy) I have the honour of inclofing, together with the belt 
 judgment we are able to form of the minifterial troops. From 
 the number of boys, deferters, and negroes, that have been en- 
 lifted in the troops of this province, 1 entertain fome doubts 
 whether the number required can be raifed here : and all the 
 general officers agree that no dependence can be put on the mi- 
 litia, for a continuance in camp, or regularity and difcipline 
 during the mort time they may Itay. This unhappy. ^and de- 
 voted province has been fo long in a flate. of anarchy, and the 
 yo'ke * * * been laid fo heavily on it, that great 
 
 allowances are to be made for troops railed under fuch circum- 
 fhnces. The deficiency of numbers, difcipline, and ikucs, can 
 only lead to this conclufion that their fpirit has exceeded their 
 ftrength. But at the fame time I would humbly fubmit to the 
 confideration of Congrefs the propriety of making fome further 
 provision of men from the other colonies. If thefe regiments 
 mould be completed to their eftablilhment, the difmillion of 
 thofe unfit for duty on account of their age and character would 
 occafion a considerable reduction ; and, at all events, they 
 have been enlifted upon fuch terms, that they may be diihand- 
 ed when other troops arrive. But mould my appreheniions be 
 realifed, and the regiments here not filled up, the public caufe 
 would fuffer by an abfolute dependence upon fo doubtful an 
 event, unlefs fome provifion is made againft fuch a difapooint- 
 
 ment> -rr.^ <~-^r 
 
 It requires no military ikirf, to judge pt the difficulty of in- 
 troducing proper difcipline and fubordination into an army 
 while we have the enemy in view, and are in daily expedition 
 of an attack : but it is of fo much importance, that every cf- 
 Jprt will be made, which time and circumltances will admit. 
 ^1 the mean time I have a lincere pleafure in obierving that 
 thcie arc materials for a good aimy -a great numbei of able- 
 bodied 
 
 \ 
 
O F F I C I A L L E T T E R S. n 
 
 bodied men, a&ive, zealous in the caufe, and of unqueflionable 
 courage. 
 
 I am now, fir, to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of 
 the twenty-eighth, inclofing the refolutions of Congrefs, of the 
 twenty-feventh ultimo, and a copy of a letter from the commit- 
 tee of Albany j to all which I mall pay due attention, 
 
 Generals Gates and Sullivan have both arrived in good 
 health. 
 
 My bed abilities are at all times devoted to the fervice of 
 my country; but I feel the weight, importance, and variety of 
 my prefent duties too fenfibly, not to wim a more immediate 
 and frequent communication with the Congrefs. I fear it may 
 often happen in the courfe of our prefent operations, that I ih>U 
 need that affiitance and direclion from them, which time and 
 diftance will not allow me to receive. 
 
 Since writing the above, I have alfo to acknowledge your fa* 
 vor of the fourth initant by Feflenden, and the receipt of the 
 commiflions and articles of war. The former are yet eight hun- 
 dred fhort of the number required. This deficiency you will 
 pleafe to fupply as foon as you conveniently can. Among the 
 othef returns, i have alfo fent one of our killed, wounded, and 
 miffing in the late a&ion ; but have been able to procure no 
 certain account of the lors of the minifterial troops. My beft 
 intelligence fixes it at about five hundred killed, and fix or fe- 
 ven hundred wounded : but it is no more than conjecture. the 
 utraoft pains being taken on their fide to^conceal it. I have the 
 honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. Having ordered the commanding officer to give me the 
 farlieil intelligence of every motion of the enemy by land or 
 water, difcernible from the heights of his camp, I this initant, 
 as I was clofing my letter, received the inclofed from the bri- 
 gade major. The defign of this manoeuvred know not : per- 
 haps it may be to make a defcent fomewhere along the coalt ; 
 it may be for New- York ; or it may be pradifed as a 
 deception on us. I thought it not improper however to men- 
 tion the matter to you : I have done the fame to the commandr 
 ing officer at New^9 r K ; anc^I mall let it be known to the 
 committee of fafety here, fo that intelligence may be communi- 
 cated, as they fiiall think beft, along the fea-coaft of this go- 
 vernment. 
 
 SIR, 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 Si?., Camp at Cambridge, July 14. 177?. 
 
 SINCE I didmyfelf the honor of addrefiing you on the tenth 
 joftant, Nothing material has happened in the camp. Fron* 
 lome authentic and later advices of the ftate of the miniiierial 
 iroops, and the great inconvenience of calling in the militia ia 
 the midll of harycft, I have been induced for the. prefent to 
 v;ave it : but in the mean tims recruiting parties have been 
 fc;. r -if/iron ghaut this province, to fill up the regiments to the e- 
 irsblifhrrient of the provincial Congrefs, At the fame time that 
 "J received thefe advices, I alfo obtained a lift of the officers of 
 the enemy killed and wounded in the late battle at Charleftovn, 
 which J take this opportunity to. inclofe. 
 
 The great fcarcky of frelh proviiions in, their army has led 
 ine to take every precaution to prevent a fupply : for this pur- 
 pofe, I have ordered all the cattle. and iheep to be drawn from 
 the low grounds and farms within their reac|i. A detatchment 
 from general Thpmas's camp, on, wednefday night, went over 
 to Long-Iiland, and brought frorn. thence twenty cattle and s, 
 number of fheep, with about fifteen laborers who had been put 
 on by a Mr. Ray Thomas, to cut the hay, &c. By fome ac- 
 cident they omitted burning the hay, and returned the next day 
 at noon to complete it j which they effected, amidft the firing 
 DI the fhipping, with the lofs pf one man killed and another 
 wounded. 
 
 Laft evening alfo a party of the conne&icut-men ftrolled 
 rio'/vn on the roaiih at Roxbury, and fired upon a centry j which 
 drew on a heavy fire from the enemies line's and rloating bat- 
 *tfies, but attended with no other effecl: tha^i the lofs of one 
 killed by a mot from the enemies line's. In the mean time, 
 y/e are, on both iides, continuing pur work^ : but there has 
 p*:en no other mo /crnent than w^iat 1 have notice^! above. I 
 lhall endeavour to give a regular and particular account of all 
 tranfaftions. as they occur, which you will pleafe to lay before 
 the honorable Congrcis, 1 li^ve the honor to be, iivc, G. VV. 
 
 SIR, Camp at Cambridge, Jufy 21, 1775, 
 
 SINCE I did myfclf the honor of addre'iTing you the 
 fourteenth inftant, I have received advice from governor T rum- 
 bull, that the ailembly of Connecticut had voted, and that they 
 art now raifing, two regiments of feven hundred men each, in 
 confluence of an application from the provincial Congrefs of Mai- 
 
 fachufcttS" 
 
OFFICIAL LETTER 3. 13 
 
 ic!iufetts-Bay. The Rliode-Ifland affembly has^alfo made an 
 augmentation for this purpofe. Thefe reinforcements, with 
 Voe riflemen .who are daily expefted, and fuch recruits as m^y 
 Apine in to iill up the regiments heie, will, 1 apprehend, com- ' 
 pole an avray fufficiently itrong to oppoie any force which may 
 be brought againil u;j at prefect. I ana. very fenfcble that the 
 jjjrav.y expenie, ueceiiarUy attendant upon this campaign, wiij. 
 call for the utmyli frugality and care, and would therefore, if 
 poffible, avoid enliiiing one unneceiTary man. As this is the 
 rirft certain accouut of the deilination of thefe new-railed, troops, 
 I thought proper to communicate my fentiments as early as 
 poffible, left, the Congreis fhould acl upon my letter of, the 
 tenth, and raife troops in the fouthern colonies, which, in iny 
 present judgment may be difpenfed with. 
 
 For thefe eight days pall, there have been no movements iof 
 either camp, ot any coniequence. On our fide, we have conti- 
 nued the works without any intermiilion j and they are now fo 
 far advanced ,as to leave us little to apprehend on that fcore, 
 ,Qn the iide gf the enemy, they have alia been vtry induihious 
 in fiuiiUing their lines, both qn Bunkers-hill and Roxbury- 
 -neck. In this interval alfo, their tranfports have arrived from 
 .New York ; and, they h^ve been employed in landing and fta- 
 tioning their men. i have been able to.collecl: no certain ac- 
 count of the numbers arrived j but the inclofed letter, wrote 
 (though not figned) by Mr. SheriiF Lee, and delivered me by 
 captain Darby (who went exprefs with an account of the Lex- 
 ington battle) will enable us to form a pretty accurate judg- 
 ment. The increafe of tents and men in the town of oiton is 
 very obviqu ; but all my accounts from thence agree that 
 there is a great mortality, occalioned by the want of vegeta- 
 bles and freih meat j and that their lofs in the late battle at 
 Charleftown (from the few recoveries qd their wounded) iu 
 greater than at ril fuppofed. 1'he condition of the inhabit- 
 ants detained in Boilon is very di ft r elfin g: they are equally 
 deiiitiite of the comfort of freih provifions j and many oi thejn 
 ire fo reduced in their circumitances, as to be unable to fupply 
 themfelves with fait. Such fiia a*> the foldiery leave, is their 
 principal fupport. *A<lded to*ail this, fuch iufpicion and jea- 
 Joufy prevails, that they can fcarcely fpeak, or even look, 
 without expofing themleives to fome fpecies of military exe- 
 cution. 
 
 I have not been able, from any intelligence I have received, 
 io form any certain judgment of the future operations ot-riic 
 enemv. Sometimes 1 i^ave fufpe&ed an intention of detaching 
 
 a part 
 
14 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 a part of their array to forae part of the coaft, as they have 
 been building a number of flat-bottomed boats, capable of 
 holding two hundred men each. But, from their works, and 
 the language held at Boflon, there is reafon to think they ex- 
 peel the attack from us, and are principally engaged in prepar- 
 ing themfelves againft it. I have ordered all the whale-boats 
 along the coaft to be collected : and fome cf them are employ- 
 ed every night to watch the motions of the enemy by water, 
 fo as to guard as much as poflible againft any furprife. * * * 
 
 Next to the more immediate and prerTing duties of putting 
 our lines in as fecure a ftate as poflible, attending to the move- 
 ments of the enemy, and gaining intelligence my great con- 
 cern is to eftablith order, regularity, and difcipline, without 
 which, our numbers would embarrafs us, and, in aie of action, 
 general confunon muft infallibly enfue. Jn order {o this, I 
 propofe to divide the army into three divifions : at the head 
 of each, will be a general officer : thefe divifions to be again 
 fubdivided into brigades, under their refpective brigadiers. 
 But the difficulty ariiing from the arrangement of the general 
 officers, and waiting the farther proceedings of the Ccngrefs on 
 this fubject, has much retarded my progreis in this moft necef- 
 fary work. I mould be very happy to receive their final com T 
 mands, as any determination would enable me to proceed in 
 my plan. * * * 
 
 In addition to the officers mentioned in mine of the tenth 
 snftant, I would humbly propoie that fome provifion mould be 
 made for a judge-advocate, and provoft-marmal. The neceOi- 
 ty of the firft appointment was fo great, that I was obliged to 
 nominate Mr. i udor, who was well recommended to me, and 
 now executes the office under the expectation of receiving cap- 
 tain's pay an allowance (in my opinion) Icarcely adequate to 
 the fervice, in nefo-raifed troops, where there are court-mar- 
 tials every day. However, as that is the proportion in the 
 regular army, and he is coptented, there will be no necefihy 
 of an addition. 
 
 I muft alfo renew my requeft as to money, and the appoint- 
 ment of a paymafter. I have forebore urging matters of this 
 nature, from my knowledge di tlie manV important concerns 
 which engage the attention of the Congiefs j but as I find my 
 difficulties thicken every day, I make no doubt, fuitable re^ 
 gard will be paid to a neceffity of this kind. The inconveni- 
 ence of borrowing fuch fums as are conftantly requifite muft be- 
 *oo plain for me to enlarge upon, and is a fituation from which 
 I mould be very happy to be relieved. 
 
 Upon 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, i j 
 
 Upon the experience I have had, and the bell confederation 
 of the appointment of the feveral officers of commiffiary-gene- 
 ral, muiter-mafter-general, quarter-maiter-general, pay-mairer- 
 general, and commiiTiary of artillery, I am clearly of opinion 
 that they not only conduce to order, difpatch, and difcipline, 
 but that it is a meafure of economy. The delay, the watte, 
 and unpunilhable neglecl of duty, arinng from thefe officers 
 being in commiflion in feveral hands, evidently {hew that the 
 public expence muft be finally enhanced. I have experienced 
 the want of thefe officers, in completing the returns of men, 
 ammunition, and ftores. The latter are yet imperfect, from 
 the number of hands in which they are difperfed. I have in- 
 clofed the laft weekly return, which is more accurate than the 
 former ; and hope in a little time we {hall be perfectly regular 
 in this as well as feveral other neceffary branches of duty. 
 
 I have made inquiry into the eftablifliment of the hofpital, 
 and find it in a very unfettled condition. There is no princi- 
 pal direclor, nor any fubordinaiion among the furgeons : of 
 eonfequence, difputes and contentions have arifen, and muft 
 rontinue until it is reduced to fome fyftem. I could wifli it 
 \vas immediately taken into confideratiorC, as the lives and 
 health of both officers and men fo much depend upon a due 
 regulation of this department. I h^ve been particularly atten- 
 tive to the leafl fymptoms of the fmall-pox j and hitherto we 
 have been fo fortunate as to have every perfon removed fo 
 foon, as not only to prevent any communication, but any alarm 
 or apprehenfion it might give in the camp. We mall continue 
 the utmoft vigilance againft this moft dangerous enemy. 
 
 In an army properly organifed, there are fundry offices of an 
 inferior kind, fuch as waggon-marter, mafter-carpenter, &c. 
 but I doubt whether my powers are fufficienjjy exteniive for 
 fuch appointments. If it is thought proper to repofe fuch a 
 truft in me, I mall be governed, in the difcharge of it, Iby a 
 Uriel: regard to economy and the public intereft. 
 
 My inllructions from the honourable Congrefs direct that no 
 troops are to be difbanded without their expiefs direction, nor 
 to be recruited to more^than double the number of the enemy. 
 Upon this fubjeft I beg leave to reprefent, that, unlefs the re- 
 giments in this province are more fuccefsful in recruiting than 
 I have reafon to expeft, a reduction of fome of them will be 
 highly neceu'ary, as the public is put to the whole expence of 
 an eiiablifiiment of officers, while the real flrength of the regi- 
 ment (which confifts in the rank and file) is defective. In cafe 
 of fuch a reduction, doubtlefs fome of the privates and all the* 
 
 officers 
 
T, would return home : but many of the former wou!<4 'p/i 
 joto the remaining regiments ; and, having had ibme expeu- 
 cnce, would fill them up with ufeful men. ' I fb plainly per- 
 ceive the expence of this campaign will exceed any calculation 
 hitherto made, that I am particularly anxious to ilrike off eve- 
 ry unneceiTary charge. You will therefore, fir, be plea.fed to 
 favor me with explicit direclions from the Congrefs, on the 
 mode of this reduction (if it fhall appear neceffary) that no 
 time may be loil when fuch necedity appears. 
 
 Yefterday \ve had an account that tire light-houfe was b\i 
 fire : by ivhorn, and under what orders, I have not yet learn- 
 ed 7 but we have reafon to believe it has been done by our ir- 
 'ars. 
 
 You will pleafe to prefent me to the Cctogfefs, with the nt- 
 moft duty and refpecl j and believe me to be, &c. G. \V. 
 
 P. S. Captain Darby's itay in England was fo ihort, that lie 
 brings no other information, than what the incicfed letter, and 
 the news-papers which will accompany this, contain. General 
 Gage's difpatches had not arrived ; and the miniftfy affe&ed 
 to disbelieve the whole account, treating it as a ficliori, or ut 
 isioft, an affair of little confcquence. The full of ilocks was 
 very coniiderabie. 
 
 Camp at Cambridge, July 21, 1775, 5 o'clock, P. jJ/ 4 
 
 SIR, 
 
 SINCE clcfing the letters xvhicti accompany this, I have 
 received an account of the deilru&ion of the light-houfc ; a 
 copy of which I have the honor to inclofe and of again allur- 
 ing you that I a&4 with great .'refpec't, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. 1 have alfo received a more authentic account of the 
 lofs of the enemy in the late battle, than any yet received, 
 Dr. Winmip, who lodged in the fame houie with an officer o: 
 the marines, allures me they had exactly one thoufand and for- 
 ty-three killed and wounded of whom three hundred fell o:.? 
 the field, or died within a few hours. oVlany of the wounded 
 are iince dead. 
 
 SIR, Camp at ?;;*/ *vV/?, July 27, 177;.' 
 
 NOTHING material has occurred in either camp, iince 
 
 I had the honor of addrciiing you On the t'wenty-nritinitant by 
 
 exprcfs ; 
 
OFFICIAL LETT E R S* 17 
 
 rxprefs': but on Tuefday three men-of-war and nine tranfports 
 failed out of Kofton harbor, and Jftood a courfe about E. S. E. 
 
 One Groves, who came out of Bofton the fame, evening in- 
 formed the officer at one of the outpofts, that the tranfports 
 tad on board fix hundred men, and were bound to Block-lf- 
 land, FiiherVIiland, and Long- 1 Hand, to plunder them, and 
 bring off what cattle they may find. The fellow returned 
 again into Boflon under fuch fufpicious circumftances, that it 
 has led me to doubt the truth of his intelligence* 
 
 A deierter, who came in afterwards, informs me that it was 
 given out in their camp, that they were either gone for Indians 
 or frefti provifions : and that each tranfport had but twenty 
 men on board. Upon this intelligence, I immediately wrote 
 to governor Cooke of Rhode-Iiland, and to general Woofter, 
 that they might take proper precautions for removing the cat- 
 tle off thofe iilands and the coafts, and to .prevent any furprife. 
 As we are confirmed, by every account, in the fcarcity of frefh 
 provifions in the enemy's camp, and particularly by this de- 
 i'erter, it is very probable this .voyage may be only intended for 
 a lupply ; but as it may poilibly be otherwife, I thought it 
 fcierl to tranfmit the intelligence to the honorable Congrefs, 
 that they may forward it to the fouthward, or take fach other 
 ileps as they may judge proper. 
 
 Since writing the above, three more deferters have come 
 out which makes four in twenty-four hours. Their accounts 
 correfpond with thofe of the firil who came out, and which I 
 have related above. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W* 
 
 SIR, Catoj) at Cambridge , Aug^ 4, 1775* 
 
 I AM to acknowledge the receipt o&jgrour favour of the 
 twenty-fourth July, accompanied by two hundred and eighty 
 four comraiilions, which are yet much ihort of the neceffary 
 number I am much honored by the confidence repdfed in 
 me, of appointing the feveral officers recommended in mine of 
 the tenth ultimo - 7 and mall endeavor to feleft luch perfons as 
 are bell qualified to fJl thefe imiio'rtaht pofts. * - * * 
 
 In the renewal of thcfe commiflions, fome difficulties occur, 
 in which I ftiotild be glad to know the pleafure of the honora- 
 ble Congrefs. The general officers of the Maffachufetts have 
 regiments , thofe of Connecticut have both regiments and com- 
 panies j and the other field officers have companies each. From 
 Rhode-f Hand, the general officer has no regimsat, bu: the field 
 
 C ofn- 
 
18 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 officers have companies : but I do not find that they have cts* 
 expect pay under more than one comrmffion. Should the 
 commiflions, now to be delivered, purfue thefe different ef- 
 tablifliments, there will be a diftinftion between general and 
 field officers of the lame rank. In order to pat New-Harnp- 
 fkire, Maffachufetts, and Rhode-Ifland, upon a line with Con- 
 necticut, it would be neceflary to difmifs a number of officers 
 in poffeilion of commifikms, without any fault of theirs. On 
 the other hand, to bring the Connecticut generals and field offi- 
 cers to the fame fcale with the others, will add to the number 
 of officers, and may be deemed inconfiftent with the terms on 
 which they entered into the fervice, although you add nothing 
 to the expenfe, except in the article of provifions. Upon the 
 whole, it is a cafe which I would wiih the honorable Congrefs 
 to<:onfider and determine. 
 
 Colonel Gridley of this province, who is at the head of the 
 artillery, has the rank of major-general from the provincial- 
 Cong-refs. Will it be proper to renew his commiffion here in 
 the fame manner ? It is proper here to remark, that, in this~ 
 cafe, he will take rank of all the brigadiers-general, and evea . 
 the majors-general, whofe commiflions are fubfequent in date : ~ 
 and this can anfwer no good purpofe, but may be productive of 
 many bad confequences. 
 
 Thefe are matters of fome importance : but I am embarraff- 
 ed with a difficulty of a fuperior kind. The eftimate, made in 
 Congrefs, fuppofed all the regiments to be formed upon one ef- 
 tablifhment j but they are different in different provinces, and 
 even vary in the fame province, in fome particulars: In maila- 
 chufetts, fome regiments have ten companies, others eleven; the 
 eftablimment of the former is five hundred and ninety men, of- 
 ficers included ; of the latter fix hundred and forty nine, 
 The eftablifhment 01 Rhode-Ifland and New-Hampfhire is five- 
 hundred and ninety to a regiment, officers included : Coqnec- 
 ticut has a thoufand men to a regiment. Should the Maffachu- 
 fetts regiments be completed, with the new levies from Rhodt- 
 Ifla,nd and Connecticut, and the riflemen, the number will ex- 
 ceed twenty-twe thoufand. If f they fhould not be completed, 
 as each regiment is fully officered, there will be a heavy ex- 
 penfe to the public, without an adequate fervice. The reduc- 
 tion of fome of them feems to be neceffary, and yet is a mat- 
 ter of much delicacy, as we are fituated. I moft earneftly re~ 
 queft jtmay be taken into immediate confideration, and the time 
 and mode of doing it pointed out by the honorable Congrefs. 
 By an eilimate I have made from the general return, when 
 
 tlie 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 19 
 
 the -new levies arrive-, and tire regiments are completed, there 
 vvill be twenty- four, thoufand' four hundred and fifty men on the- 
 pay and provinon of the United Colonies. Some of the re- 
 cruiting- officers, who have been out on that fervice, have re- 
 turned with very little fuccefs j fo that we mayf.ifely conclude, 
 the number of two thoufand and' fixty-four, now wanting to 
 complete, will rather increafe than diminifh* There are the 
 regiment of artillery, confifting of four hundred and ninety- 
 three men, and one under colonel Sergeant ("who has not receiv- 
 ed any commiflion, although he had orders to iraife a regiment, 
 from the provincial Gongrefs here) which are hot included in 
 the above eftimate. This laft regiment coniifts of two hund- 
 red and thirty-four men by the laft return j but a company has 
 fince joined. 
 
 By adverting to the general return, which I have the ho- 
 nor of inclofmg (No. i), it will be feen, what regiments are 
 inoft deficient. 
 
 If the Congreft does not chufe to .point out the particular regi- 
 ments, but the provinces in which the reduction is to be made 
 the feveral CongreiTes and ArTemblies may be the proper chan- 
 nel to conduct, this bufinefs, which I would alfo conceive the 
 mod advifeable, from their better acquaintance xvith the merits, 
 terms, and time of fervice, of the refpec~Uve officers. Reduc- 
 ing fome regimerrts, and, with the privates thereof, filling up 
 others, would certainly be the beft method of accompliming" 
 this work if it were practicable : but the experiment is danger- 
 ous, as the Maffachufetts-men, under the privilege of chuiingf 
 their own officers, do not conceive tjiemfelves bound, ff thole 
 officers are difbanded, 
 
 As general Gage is making preparations for winter by con* 
 trading for quantities of coal, it will fuggeftjo us the proprie- 
 ty of extending our views to that feafon. ihave directed that 
 fuch huts as have been lately made of boards fhould be done 
 in luck a manner, that, if neceffary, : they may ferve for cover- 
 ing during the winter. But I need not enlarge upon the va- 
 riety of neceflities, fuch as cloathing. fuel, &c, (both exceed- 
 iagly fcarce, and difficult to be procured) which that feafon 
 muft bring with it, if the army of any 'confideiable part of it is* 
 to remain embodied. 
 
 From the inactivity of the erMimy fince the arriv-al- of fheir 
 whole reinforcement, their continual addition to their lin-es, 
 and many other cirucmftances, J- am inclined 'to think, that 
 finding us fo xvell prepared to receive them, the plan of opera- 
 tions is varied, and they mean, by regular approaches, to bom- 
 
 C a bard 
 
23 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 bard, us" out of oui prefent line of defence^ of are war:n - 
 expectation that fhe colonies mull fink under the weight of the 
 expenfe.-or the profpecl cf a winter campaign fo difcouia^e our 
 troops, as to break up our army. If they have not iorne inch 
 expectations, the iffue of which they are determined to wait, I 
 cannot account for the delay, when th.ir ftrength is leilened 
 every day by fkknefs, defertions, and little fkirmifhes. 
 
 .Of thefe lail we have had only two worthy of notice. Hav- 
 Jsig feme rcafon to fufpecr. they were extending their lines at 
 Charleiiown, I, lait faturday evening, ordered forne of the ri- 
 flemen down, to make a difcovery, or bring off a priioner. 
 They were accidently difcovered fooner than they expeded, 
 by the guard coming to relieve, and obliged to fire upon them. 
 We have reafon to believe they killed feVeral. They brought 
 in two prifoners, whofe account (confirmed by forne other cir- 
 cumftances) removed my fufpicions in part. Since that time/ 
 we have, on each fide, drawn in our Gentries, and there have 
 been fettering fires along the line. This ' evening we have 
 Heard of three captains who have been taken off by the rifle- 
 men, and one killed by a cannon- (hot from Roxbury, beiide&> 
 feveral privates : but as the intelligence is not direct, I only 
 mention it as a report which deferves credit. The other hap- 
 pened at the light-houfe. A number of workmen haviirg been 
 fent down to repair it, with a guard of twenty-two marines and 
 a fubaltern, major Tupper, lail monday morning about two 
 "clock, landed there with about three hundred men, attacked 
 them, killed the officer and four privates : but being detained 
 by the tide, in his return he was attacked by leverai boats : but 
 he happily got through, with the lofs of one man killed, and 
 another wounded. The remainder of the rninifterial troops 
 (thjee of whom are badly wounded) he brought off piiioners, 
 with ten torics, ail of whom are on their way to ^Springfield* 
 jail. The ri^emen, in thefe ikirmiihes, loit one man^ who (we 
 hear) is a priioner in Boiion-jail. The enemy, in return, en- 
 devoured to iurprife our guard at Roxbury : but they, being 
 appriied of it by a deferter, had tirae to prepare for it : but 
 iorne negligence or'mifconducl in the officer of the guard, they 
 Lamed the George tavern on the neck j and have every clay 
 iiuce been cannonading us from their lines, both at Roxbury 
 and Charleitown, but with no oth'-r efteft than the iofs of two 
 i. On our part, except ftraggling fires from the fmali arms 
 about the lines, which we endeavor to reilrain, we have made 
 or no return- 
 Oar 
 
OFF-ICIAL LErT.TERS. 21 
 
 -Our ntuation, in the. urtkle of powder, is much raore alarm- 
 ing than I had the mott diftant idea of. Haviog defired a re-- 
 turn to be mad out (on my arrival) of the ammunition, I- 
 found three hundred and three, barrels and a half of powder* 
 mentioned as in the {lore : but on ordecing a new fupply o 
 cartridges yeilerday, I was informed, to my very great afho- 
 nifhment, that there was no more than thirty-fix barrels of the 
 Maflachufetts llore, which, with the ftock of Rhode-Ifland, 
 New-Hampfhire, and Connecticut, makes nine thoufand nine 
 hundred and thirty-feven pounds, not more than nine rounds 
 a man. As there had been no confumption powder iince, that 
 could ia any degree account for fuch a deficiency, I was very 
 particular .in my inquiries, and found that the committee of 
 iupplies, not being fufficiently acquainted with the nature of 
 return, or mifapprehending my requeil, fent in an account of 
 all the ammunition which had been colle&ed by the province; 
 fo that the report included not only what was in hand, but what 
 had been fpent. 
 
 Upon discovering this miftake, I immediately went up to' 
 confer with the fpeaker of the houfe of reprefeatatives, upon 
 Ibme meafures to obtain a fupply from the neighbouring town- 
 ihips, in fuch. a manner as might prevent our poverty being 
 known 5 as it is a fecret of too great confequence to be divulg- 
 ed in the general court, fome individual "of which might per- 
 haps indifcreetly fuller it to efcape him, fo as to find it's way to" 
 the enemy, the confequences of which are terrible 'even in 
 idea. I ihall alto write to the governors of Rhode-Ifiand and 
 Connecticut, and the committee of fafety in New-Hampfhire, 
 on this fubjecl;, urging, in tne moil forcible terms, the neceffi- 
 ty of an immediate iuppiy, if iu cheir power. I need not en- 
 large on our melancholy tituation : it is {efficient that the ex- 
 iftence of the army and the falvation of $K country depetids 
 upon foraething being done for our relief, both fpeedy and ef- 
 fectual, and that our fittiation be kept a profound fecret. 
 
 In the inclofures, No. 2 and 3, 1 fend the allowance of* pro- 
 vifions, &cc. made by the. provinces of Connecticut and Maffa - 
 chufetts. The mode and quantity are different from what hrfs 
 fallen within my expSrience, and, I am confident, mail prov^ 
 very waiteful and cxperiilve. If any alterai^on can be Fafeiy 
 made (which I much doubt) there might "be a great faving to, 
 the public. 
 
 A gentleman of my family, afTiited by a defcrter who has 
 fome Ikill in fortiiication, has by my direction i3etched out 
 tw : o draughts of pur relpective lines at Charleftown and 
 
2* GENERAL. WASHINGTON'* 
 
 Roxbury, which, with the explanations, will convey Come idea 
 of oar lituation, and, I hope, prove acceptable to the members 
 of the honorable Congrefs. They are the incloftires, No. 4 
 and 5. 
 
 Since I had the honor of acldrefimg you laft, I have been 
 applied to, by a committee of the general court, for a detach- 
 ment of the army, to protect the inhabitants of the eaftern 
 parts of this province from fome apprehended depredations 
 on their coafts. I could have wifhed to have complied with 
 their recpieft : but, after due confideration, and confulting the 
 general officers,' together with thofe members of Congrefs who 
 are here, I thought it my duty to excufe mvfelf* The appli- 
 cation and my anfwer are the inclofures, No. 6 and 7, which I 
 hope will be approved by the honorable Congrefs. 
 
 Since I began this letter, the original (of which the inclo- 
 fure No. 8 is a copy) fell into my hands. As the writer is a 
 perfon of fome note in Bofton, and it contains fome advices of 
 importance not mentioned by others, I thought proper to for- 
 ward it as I received it. By comparing the hand-writing with 
 another letter, it appears the writer is one Belcher Noyes, a 
 perfon probably known to fome of the gentlemen, delegates 
 from this province, who can determine from his principles and 
 character, what credit is due to him. 
 
 The army is now formed into three grand, diviiions, under 
 the command of the generals Ward, Lee, and Putnam j each 
 diviiion into two brigades, conlifling of about fix regiments, 
 each, commanded by generals Thomas and Spencer at Roxbu- 
 ry, Heath and Cambridge, Sullivan and Greene at Winter-, 
 hill. By this, you will pleafe to obferve, there is a deficiency 
 of one brigadier-general (occafioned by Mr. Pomroy's not al- 
 ing under his commiiuon) which I beg may be filled up as foon 
 as poflible. I obf^e the honorable Congrefs have alfo favor- 
 ed me with the appointment of three brigade-majors. I pre- 
 fume they have or intend to appoint the reft foon, as they can- 
 not be unacquainted that one isneceflfary to each brigade 5 and, 
 in a new-raifed army it will be an oiTice of great duty and 
 fer-vice. 
 
 General Gage has at length'liberated the people of Boflon, 
 who land in numbers at Chelfea every day. The terms on 
 which the pafles are granted, as to money, effects, and provi- 
 iions, correfpond with Mr. Noyes letter. 
 
 We have feveral reports that general Gage is difmantling 
 Cafte-William, and bringing all the cannon up to town : but, 
 
 upon 
 
L LETTERS. 23 
 
 n a very particular enquir j, accounts are fo various, that I 
 cannot afcertain tlie truth of it. * * * 
 
 On the iirit inilant, a chief of the Caghnawaga tribe, xvho 
 lives about fix miles from Montreal, came in here, aceompa* 
 nied by a colonel Bayley of Cahofs. His accounts of the tem- 
 per and difpofition of the Indians are very favorable. He 
 fays they have been ftrongly folicited by governor Carleton to 
 engage againft us j but his nation is totally averfe j that 
 threats, 'as well as entreaties, have been ufed without effect ; 
 that the Canadians are well-difpofed to the Englifh colonies : 
 and, if any expedition is meditated againft Canada, the Indians' 
 in that quarter will give all their afiiftance. I have endeavored 
 to cheriih thefe favorable difpofitions, and have recommended 
 to him to cultivate them on his return. What I have faid, I 
 enforced with a prefent, w r hich I underftood would be agreea* 
 ble to him 5 and as he is reprefented to be a man of. weight and- 
 confequence in his own tribe, I flatter myfclf his viiitwill have 
 a good effeft. His account of general Carleton's force and 
 fituation at St. John's correfpond with what we have already 
 had from that quarter. 
 
 The acceffion of Georgia to the meafures of the Congrefo 
 i<* a happy event, and muft give a fincere pleafure to every 
 friend of America. 
 
 Augttjl, $. -We have accounts this morning of two explo* 
 lions at the caftlc j fo that its deftruclion may now be. fuppofed 
 Certain. 
 
 I have this morning been alarmed with an information that 
 two gentlemen from Philadelphia (Mr. Hitchbourn and captaiii 
 White,) with letters for general Lee and myfelf, have been 
 taken by captain Ayfcough at Rhode-Ifland, the letters -inter- 
 cepted and lent forxvard to Bofton, with the bearers, as pci- 
 foners 5 that -the captain exulted much in "the difcovtries he 
 had made : and my informer (who was alfo in the boat, but rc- ; 
 leafed) underftood them to be letters of confequence. I have 
 therefore difpatched the exprefs immediately back, though I 
 had before refolved to detain him till Feffenden's return. J, x 
 (hall be anxious till I am relieved^from the fufpenfe I am in, as 
 to the contents of thole letters. 
 
 It is exceedingly unfortunate that getlemen (hould cliufe to 
 travel the only road on which there .is danger. Let the event; 
 of this be what it wilL I hope it will fe.rve as a general caution 
 againft trufting any letters that way in future. 
 
 Nothing oF confequence has occurred in camp thsfe two 
 days. The inhabitants of Bojlon continue coming out at 
 
 CheU 
 
24 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 Chelfea, bur under a new reftri&icn, tliat no men fhall come 
 out without fpecial licence, which is refufed to all mechanics, 
 nce the tory laborers were taken at the liglit-houfe. I have 
 the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 [The following letter bears no date, but appears to have been 
 written on or about the twenty-Jtxth of Augujl^ I77J.J 
 
 SIR, 
 
 THE inctofed letter came under fuch a direction and cir- 
 cumftances, as led me to fuppofe it contained fome intereiling 
 advices, either refpecling a fupply of powder, or the clothing 
 lately taken at Philadelphia. I therefore took the liberty of 
 breaking the feal, for which I hope the fervice and my motives 
 will apologize. 
 
 As the filling up the place of vacant brigadier-general will 
 probably be of the firft bufinefs of the honorable Congrefs. I 
 Sitter myfelf it will not be deemed aifuming, to mention, the 
 names of two gentleman, whofe former fervices, rank and age, 
 i&ay be thought worthy of attention on this occafion. The for- 
 mer is colonel John Armftrong, of Pennfylvania : he ferved du- 
 ring the lali war, in moll of the campaigns to the fouthxvard j 
 was honored with the command of the Pennfylvania forces, 
 and his general military conduct and fpirit much approved by 
 all who ferved with him : befides which, his character was dif- 
 tihguifhed by an enterprife againfl the Indians, which he plan- 
 ned with great judgment, and executed with equal courage and 
 faccefs. It was not till lately that I had reafon to believe he 
 would enter again on public fervice 5 and it is now wholly un* 
 Solicited and unknown on his part. The other gentleman is co- 
 lonel Fry, of Maffachufetts-Bay. He entered into the fervice 
 us early as 1745, and rofe through the different military ranks, 
 m the fucceeding wars, to that of colonel, until lair. June, when 
 he was appointed major-general by the Congrefs of this province. 
 From thefe circumstances, together with the favorable report 
 made to me of him, I prefumtf he fuflain^d the character of a 
 good officer, though I do not find it diftinguiftied by any pecu- 
 liar fervice. 
 
 Either of thefe gentlemen, or any other whom the honorable 
 Congrefs fliall pleafe to favor with this appointment, will be 
 received by me with the utmoft deference and refpedl. 
 
 The 
 
I A L L E T T E R S. 35 
 
 The late adjournment having made it impracticable to know 
 the pleafure of the Congrefs as to the appointment of brigade- 
 majors, beyond the number of three which they were pleafed 
 to leave me, and the fervice not admitting of farther delay, I 
 have continued the other three j which I hope their honors will 
 not difapprove. Thefe latter were recommended -by the refpec- 
 tive corps to which they belong, as the propereft perfons for 
 thefe offices, until farther direction, and have difcharged the du- 
 ty ever fince. They are the majors Box, Samuel, and Samuel 
 Brewer. 
 
 Laft faturday night we took pofleflion of a hill confiderably 
 advanced beyond our former lines ; which brought on a very 
 heavy cannonade from Bunker's hill, and afterwards a bombard- 
 ment, which has been fince kept up with little fpirit on their 
 part, or damage on ours. The work having been continued c- 
 ver fince, is now fo advanced, and the men fo well covered, as 
 to leave us under no apprehenlions of much farther lofs. In 
 this affair, we had killed one adjutant, one volunteer, and two 
 privates. The fcarcity of ammunition does not admit of our 
 availing ourfelves.of the fituation, as we othertvife might do: 
 but this evil, I hope, will foon be remedied, as I have been in- 
 formed of the arrival of a large quantity at New-York, fomc 
 at New-London, and more hourly expecled at different places. 
 I need not add to what I have already faid on this fubjecl. 
 Our late fupply was very feafonable, but far fhort of our neceffi- 
 lies. 
 
 The late adjournment of the honorable Congrefs having been 
 made before my letter of the fourth inftant was received, I mull 
 tfow beg leave to recall their attention to thofe parts of it which 
 fefpecl the provifion for the winter, the reduction of the troops, 
 the double commitlions under different eftablimments, and colo- 
 nel Gridley's appointment of major-gene^l ; in all which, I 
 hope to be honored with their commands as foon as poffible. 
 
 The advocate-general has fent me a memorial refpe&ing his 
 fervice, which I have the honor to inclofe (No. i) : and from 
 the variety and multiplicity of duty in a new army, as well as his 
 regular fervice and attendance, I am induced to recommend 
 him to the farther nofice of the honorable Congrefs. 
 
 1 he treatment of our officers, prifoners at Bofton, induced 
 me to write to general Gage on that fubjecl:. His anfwer and 
 
 my reply I have the honor to lay before the Congrefs, in the 
 iTiclofures No. 2, 3, 4 j" fince which I have heard nothing from 
 him. 
 
 *T remain, with the greateft refpeft rfnd regard, &c. G. W, 
 
 D To 
 
26 GENERAL WASHINGTON s 
 
 To the Honorable PETER VANBRUGH LIVIN T Q-TON T , Efq. 
 of the Provincial Convention, New-York. 
 
 SIR, Camf> at Cambridge, jZugitfl, 30, 1775. 
 
 * * * MR. Livingiton and fome other gentlemen from 
 your city brought us the acceptable news of the fafe arrival of 
 a large quantity of powder, and "five hundred Hand of arms. 
 On.r fituatkm is fuch as requires your immediate affirmance and 
 fupply in that article. We have lately taken poiTcffion of a lull 
 confiderably advanced towards the enemy; but our pcveity 
 prevents our availing ourfelves of any advantage of fituatipa. 
 1 mult therefore moll earnestly entreat that meafures may be 
 taken to forward to this camp, in the moft fafe and expeditious 
 manner, whatever ammunition can be fpared from the immetfi- 
 ate and neceflary defence of the province. The value of what- 
 ever-may be fent in confequence of this requeft, will be paid by or- 
 der from hence when delivered, or negotiated with the honorable 
 continental Congrefs at 'Philadelphia, as may be agreed with th" 
 proprietors. I only requeft that no time may be loft through 
 any fuch difficulties, as our fituation is fo critical, and the exi- 
 gence fo great. The mode of conveyance I muft leave with 
 the provincial Congrefs, or the committee of the, city. I doubt 
 not they will take every precaution to make it fafe and expedi- 
 tious. I have the honor to be, &.c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, Catnp at Cambridge, Sept. 7, 1775. 
 
 I DO myfelf the honor of addrefling you in confequence 
 of an application from the commiiTary-general, who is, by my 
 direction, taking a\| proper precautions on the approach of win- 
 ter. I defired him to commit to writing fuch propoials a? his 
 experience and knowledge of the country might entitle him to 
 make ; w^ich he has done in the paper which I have the hen ::' 
 to inclofei The difficulty of procuring a fufficient quantity ot 
 fait, which. I had obje&ed to him, he has fully obviated, by af- 
 furing me that there is fo much now acl^aily in (lore, in tai.s 
 aivd the neighboting towns, as will remove all poiTibility of a 
 dif appointment. 
 
 I propofe to do myfelf the honor of writing, in a few day$, 
 fully and particularly on feveral heads, to which I mull now re- 
 fer. In the mean time, I have only to inform the honorable 
 Cotigreis, that I have received a fmall fupply of feren thoufand 
 
 nounds 
 
y F I C I A L L E T-T E R S. 
 
 pounds of powder this week from Rhode-Ifland, and in a few 
 days .expect feven tons of lead, and five hundred ftand of arms, 
 a part of the lame importation ; and to requeil that more mo- 
 ney maybe forwarded with all expedition, the military elicit 
 being nearly exhaufted. 
 
 I am, with the greateft refpeft, &c. G. W. 
 
 .fcrrr, v . i- '-$ \ j* - V .*-"" -: i **- ""'''> \ 
 
 SIR, Camp at Cambridge > &/>t. 21, 1775. 
 
 1 HAVE been ia daily expedation of bring favoured 
 vrith the commands of the honorable Congrefs, en the fubjecl 
 of my two laft letters. The feafon.now advances fo fait, that 
 I cannot any longer defer laying before them fuch farther mea- 
 iVres as rec^uire their immediate attention, and in which I wait 
 their direction. J_ ' 
 
 Ths mode in which the prefe.pt army has been collected has 
 occafioned Tome difRculty in procuring the fubfcriptioil of both ' 
 officers and foldiers to the continental articles of war. Their 
 principal objection has been, that it might fubje'ct therh to long- 
 er fervice than that for whick they engaged under their levt- 
 ial provincial eftabliihments. It is in vain to attempt to rea- 
 IPQ avvay the prejudices of" a whole army : * * * I hav : 
 therefore forborn prefling them, as I did not ^xperience any 
 inch inconvenience from their adherence to their former rule ;, 
 as would warrant the rifk of entering into a cotiteft upon it j 
 more especially as the rdlraints,-neceffaxy for the eftablithment 
 of efTential diicipline and fubordination, indifpofed their minds 
 to every change, and made it both duty and policy to intro- 
 duce as little novelty as pofiible, With the prefent a-rmy, I 
 fear fuch a fubfcription is impracticable : but the difficulty will 
 ceafe with this army. ^ i 
 
 The ConneiUcut and Rhode-Ifland troops ftand engaged to ' 
 the iirit of December only ; and none longer than the firft 'df ;c 
 January. A diflfolution of the prefent army therefore will" 
 take place, unlcfs fome early provifion is made againft-fuch an I 
 event. Moft of the general officers are of opinion the greater 
 part of them may be- r^-enlifted for the winter, or another cam- 
 paign, with the indulgence of^a furlough to viiit their friends, 
 which may be regulated fo as not to endanger the fervice. 
 How far it may be proper to form the new army entirely out 
 ofthe old, for. another campaign, rather than from the contin- 
 . ; ;onts of the leveral provinces, is a queftion which involves in 
 it -too flaany confklerations of policy and prudence, for me to 
 
 undcr 
 
58 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 undertake to decide. Jt appears to be impoflible to draw it 
 from any other fource than the old army, for this winter : and, 
 as the pay is ample, I hope a fufficient number will engage in 
 the fervice for that time at leaft. But there are various opini - 
 ons of the temper of the men on the fubj6l ; and there may be 
 great hazard in deferring the trial fo long. 
 
 In the continental eftablimment, no provifion has been made 
 for the pay of artificers, diftinct from that of the common fol- 
 diers j whereas, under the provincial, fuch as found their own 
 tools, were allowed one {hilling per diem advance, and particu- 
 lar artifans, more. The pay of the artillery alfo now differs 
 from that of the province 5 the men have lefs, the officers 
 more 5 and, for fome ranks, no provifion is made, as the Con- 
 grefs will pleafe to obferve by the lift which I have the honor 
 to inclofe (No. i). Thefe particulars, though feemingly in- 
 confiderable/ are the fource of much complaint and diffatisfacti- 
 on, which I endeavour to compofe in the beft manner I am 
 able. 
 
 By the returns of the rifle companies, and that battalion, they 
 appear to exceed their eftablifhment very confiderably. I 
 doubt my authority to pay thefe extra men without the direcli- 
 on of the Congrefs . but it would be deemed a great hardfhip, 
 wholly to refufe them, as they have been encouraged to come. 
 
 The neceflities of the troops having required pay, I directed 
 that thofe of the Maffachufetts mould receive for one month up- 
 on their being muftered, and returning a proper roll : but a 
 claim was immediately made for pay by lunar months j and fe- 
 veral regiments have declined taking up their warrants on this 
 account. As this practice was entirely new to me, though faid 
 to be warranted by former ufage, here the matter now waits the 
 determination of tl\e honorable Congrefs. I find, in Connecti- 
 cut and Rhode-Ifland, this point was fettled by calendar 
 months ; in Maffachufetts, though mentioned in Congrefs, it 
 was left undetermined j which is alfo the cafe of New-Hamp- 
 ftiire. 
 
 The inclofure No. 2, is a petition from the fubalterns, refpedl- 
 ing their pay. Where there are only twr, of thefe in a compa- 
 ny, I have confidered one as an enfign, and ordered him pay as 
 fuch, as in the Connecticut forces. I muft beg leave to recom- 
 mend this petition to the favour of the Congrefs : as I am of o- 
 pinion the allowance is inadequate to their rank and fervice, 
 and is one great fource, of that familiarity between the officers 
 and men, which is fo incompatible with fubordination and difci- 
 pline. Many valuable officers of thofe ranks, finding themfelvcs 
 
 usable 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. ^ 
 
 unable to fupport the character and appearance of officers, (I am 
 informed) will retire as focin as the terra of fervice is expired, 
 if there is no alteration, 
 
 For the better regulation of duty, I found it neceffary to fet- 
 tle the rank of the officers, and to number the regiments j and, 
 as I had not received the commands of the Congrefs on the 
 fiibjeft, and the exigence of the fervice forbade any farther de- 
 Jay, the general officers were conlidered as having no regi- 
 ments, an alteration, which, I underiland, is not pleafing to 
 ibme of them, but appeared to me and others to be proper, 
 when it was conlidered, that, by this means, the whole army is 
 put upon one footing, and all particular attachments diffolved. 
 
 Among many other conliderations which the approach of 
 winter will demand, that of clothing appears to rje one of the 
 moil important. So far as regards the prefervation of the ar- 
 my from cold, they maybe deemed in a ilate of nakednefs. Ma- 
 ny of the men have been without blankets the whole cam- 
 paign : and thofe which have been in ufe during the fummer, 
 are fo much worn as to be of little fervice. In order to make 
 a fuitable provifion in thefe articles, and at the fame time to 
 guard the public againfi impontion-and expenfe, it feems necef- 
 fary .to determine the mode of continuing the army : for, mould 
 thefe troops be clothed under their prefent engagement, and at 
 the expiration of the term of fervice, decline renewing it, a fet 
 of unprovided men may be fent to fupply their places. 
 
 I cannot fuppofe it to be unknown to the honorable Congrefs 
 that, in all armies, it is an eftabliihed pra&ice. to make an al- 
 lowance to officers, of provifions and forage, proportionate to 
 their rank. As fuch an allowance formed no part of the con- 
 tinental eftablilhment, I have hitherto forborn to iflue the or- 
 ders for that purpofe ; but, as it is a received opinion of fuch 
 members of the Congrefs as I have had an* opportunity of con- 
 fulting, as well as throughout the army, that it muft be deem- 
 ed a matter of courfe and implied in the eftabliihment of the 
 army, I have directed the following proportion of rations, being 
 
 the fame allowed in the American armies laft war :- major- 
 
 geneial, fifteen - 7 brigadier-general, twelve 5 colonel fix ; lieu- 
 tenant-colonel, five j major, four j captain, three j fubaitern, 
 two j flaflf, two. 
 
 If thefe mould not be approved by the honorable Congrefa, 
 they will pleafe to fignify their pleafure, as to the alterations 
 they would have made in the whole or in part. 
 
 I am now to inform the honorable Congrefs, that, encourag- 
 ed by the repeated declarations of the Canadians and Indians, 
 
 and 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 and urged by their requefts, I have detached colonel Arnold 
 \rith a thoufaad men, to penetrate into Canada by way of Ken- 
 uebeck river, and, if poffible, to make himfe If m after of Quebec. 
 By this mancevre, I propofed either to divert Carleton from 
 St. Johns, which would leave a free paiTage to general Schuyler j 
 or, if this did not take effecl, Quebec, in its prefent defence- 
 lefs ilate, mull fall into his hands an eafy piey. I made all pof- 
 iible enquiry, as to the diilance, the fafety of the route, and the 
 danger of the feafon being too far advanced 5 but found nothing 
 in either, to deter me from proceeding, more efpecially as it 
 met with very general approbation from all whom I confulted 
 upon it. But, $hat nothing might be omitted, to enable me to 
 jijdge of its propriety and probable confequences, I communi- 
 cated it by exprefs to general Schuyler, who approved of it in, 
 fuch terms, that I refolved to put it in immediate execution. They 
 have now left this place fevendays j and, if favored with a good 
 \vind, -I hope foon to hear of their being fafe at Kennebeck river. 
 or the fatisfa&ion of the Congreis, I here inclofe a copy of 
 the propofed route (No. 3). I alfo do myfelf the honor of in- . 
 doling a manifesto, which I caufed to be printed here, and oiL 
 which colonel Arnold has taken a fuitable number with him. 
 This is the ipelo.furej (No. 4.) I have alfo forwarded a copy 
 cf his initru&ions (No. 5): from all which, 1 hope the Con- 
 grefs will have a clear view of the motives, plan, and intended 
 execution of this enterprifr, and that I fliall be ib happy as to . 
 aiiect with their approbation in it. 
 
 I was the more .induced to make this detachment, as it is my. 
 clear opinion, from a careful obfcrvation of the movements of 
 the enemy, .corroborated by all the intelligence we receive by 
 deferters and others, (of the former of whom we have fome e- 
 very day) -that the enemy have no intention to come out, until 
 they are reinforced. H They have beea wholly employed for 
 fome time paii in procuring materials for bai.'acks, fuel, and 
 making other preparations for winter. Thefe circumftances, 
 with the conffcant additions to their works which are apparently 
 defenfive, have led to the above cbncluiion, and enabled me to 
 fpare this body of men where I hope they will be ufefully and 
 fuccefsfully employed. 
 
 The ftate of inactivity, in which this army has lain for fome 
 time, by no means correfponds with my wifh.es, by fome decinve 
 fuoke to relieve my country from the heavy expenfe its fub- 
 -iiilence mull create. After frequently reconnoitering the fitua- 
 tion of the enemy in the town of Bofton, collecling all pofTible 
 intelligence, and digefiing'the -whole, a furprife did hot appear 
 
 to 
 
C I A L LETTERS, & 
 
 to me wholly Jmpraftible, though hazardous. I coriimunieated 
 it to the general officers fome days before I called them to s 
 council, that thy might be prepared with their opinions*. The 
 reiult I have the honor of inclolrng (No. 6.) I cannot fay that 
 I have \vholly laid it afide : but new events may occafion new 
 meafures. Of this I hope the honorable Congrefs can need no 
 affurance, that there is not a man in America who more ear- 
 neftly wiihes fuch a termination of the campaign, as to make 
 the army no longer neceffary. -' j 
 
 The feafon advances fo faft, that I have given orders to pre- 
 pare barracks and other accommodations for the winter. Th* 
 great fcarcity of tow-cloth in this country, I fear, will totally 
 difappoint us in our expectations of procuring huntrng-fhirts. 
 Governor Cooke informs me, few or none are to be had in 
 Rhode-Ifland 5 and governor Trurabull gives me little encou- 
 ragement to expert many from Connecticut. 
 
 I have filled up the office of quarter-mailer-general which the 
 Congrefs was pleafed to leave to me, by the appointment of ma- 
 jor Mifflin, which I hope and believe will be univerfally accept- 
 able. 
 
 It gives me great pain to be obliged to folicit the attention 
 of the honorable Congrefs to the itate of this army, in terms 
 which imply the flighted apprehenfion of being neglected. Bur. 
 my lituaticn is inexpreflibly diftreffmg, to fee the winter fait 
 approaching upon a naked army - ? the time of their fervice with- 
 in a few weeks of expiring , and no provilion yet made for fuch 
 important events. Added to thefe, the military cheft is totally 
 exhaufted : the paymaiter has not a {Ingle dollar in hand : the 
 commiffary-general allures me he has flrained his credit, for the 
 fubfiftence of the army, to the utmofl. The quarter-maiter-ge- 
 neral is precifely in the fame fituation ; and trie greater part of 
 the troops not far from mutiny, upon the deduction of their fta- 
 ted allowance. I know not to whom I arn to impute this fai- 
 lure : but I am of opinion, if the evil is not immediately reme- 
 died, and more punctually .obferved in future, the army muft 
 abfolutely break up. 1 hope I have fo fully expreffed myfelf 
 on this fubjecl (bojth^by letter, and to thofe members of the 
 Congrefs who honored the camp with a vifitj, that no difap- 
 pointment could poflibly happen : I therefore hourly expected 
 advice from the paymafter that he had received a frefh, fup- 
 ply, in addition to {he hundred and feventy-two thoufand dol- 
 lars delivered him in Augult ; and thought myfelf warranted 
 to affure the public creditors that in a few days they iliould be 
 fatisfied. But the delay -hay brought matters to fuc.h % crifis, 
 
 j as 
 
3 2 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 as admits of no further uncertain expectation. I have tlierefor-e 
 fcnt off this exprefs, with orders to make all poiTible difpatch. 
 It is my moft earnell requeil that he may.be returned with all 
 poffible expedition, unlefs the honorable C.qngrefs have already 
 forwarded what is fo indifpenfably neceiTary. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 .SiR, Cam/) at Cambridge , Sept. 30, 1777. 
 
 THE reverend Mr. Kirk-land, the bearer of this, having 
 been introduced to. the honorable Congrefs, can need no parti- 
 cular recommendation from me. But as he now willies to 
 have the affairs of his million and public employ put upon fome 
 fuitable footing, I cannot but intimate my fenfe of the import- 
 ance of his fhtion, and the great advantages which have and 
 may refult to the United Colonies, from his ntuation being made 
 refpeclable. 
 
 All accounts agree that much of the favorable difpofi-tion, 
 fhewn by the Indians, may be afcribed to liis labor and influ- 
 ence. He has accompanied a chief of the Oneidas to this 
 camp, which I have endeavored to make agreeable to him, 
 both by civility arid fome fmall prefents. Mr. Kirkland bein^ 
 alfo in fome neceffity for money to bear his travelling charges 
 and other expenfes, I have fupplied him with thirty-two pounds 
 lawful money. 
 
 I cannot but congratulate the honorable Congiefs on tfie hap- 
 py temper of the Canadians and Indians, "our accounts of which 
 are now fully confirmed by fome intercepted letters from offi- 
 cers in Canada, to general Gage and others in Bofton, which were 
 found on board the veiTel 'lately taken, going into Bofton with 
 a donation of cattle and other frefh proviiions for the minified- 
 al army. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Camp at Cambridg?) Qtf. 5, 1775, 
 
 I WAS honored with your iavor o tlie tvventy-fixth ul- 
 timo, late the night before laft ; and a meeting of the general 
 officers having been called upon a bufinefs which will rnake^a 
 onlider.able part of this letter, I took the opportunity of lay- 
 ing before t r iem thofe parts. of yours which reipccl the continu- 
 ance and new-modelling of the army, the fuel, clothing, and 
 ; for. the; eiiiuing whiter, Xh<-y havp taken 
 
 two 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 33 
 
 two or three days to conlider ; and, as foon as I am pofleffcd of 
 their opinions, L {hall lofe no time in tranfmitting the refult, 
 not only on the above fubje&s, but the number of troops ne- 
 celTary to be kept up. 
 
 I have alfo directed the commiiTary-general and the quar- 
 ter mailer-general to prepare eilimates 01 the expenfe of their 
 departments for a certain given number of men, from which a 
 judgment may be made, when the number of men, to be kept 
 in pay is determined : all which I (hall do myfelf tht honor 
 to lay before the Congrefs, as foon as they are ready. 
 
 I have now a painful, though a. necefifary duty to perform, re- 
 fpe6ting Dr. Church, director-general of the hofpital. About 
 a. week ago, Mr. fecretary Ward of Providence, fent up to me 
 one Wainwood, an inhabitant of Newport, with a letter direct- 
 ed to major Cane in Bofton, in {accult~\ characters, which he 
 faid had been left with Wainwood fome time ago, by a womaa 
 who was kept by Dr. Church. She had before preffed Wain- 
 wood to take her to captain Wallace, Mr. Dudley the collec- 
 tor, or George Rome ; which he declined. She then gave him 
 the letter, with a itrict charge to deliver it to either of thofe 
 gentlemen. He fufpecUng fome improper correfpondence, kept 
 the letter, and after fome time opened it ; but, not being able 
 la read it, laid -it up, where it remained until he received an 
 obfcure letter from the woman, expreffing an anxiety after the 
 original letter. He then communicated the whole matter to 
 JVir. Ward, who fent him up with the papers to me. I imme- 
 diately fecured the woman : but for a long time the was proof 
 againil every threat and perfuaiicri to difcover the author, 
 -ilowever, at length (he was brought to a confeffion, and named 
 -^r. Church. I then immediately iecuied him and all hi,? pa- 
 pers. Upon his firlt examination, he readily acknowledged the 
 letter, faid it was defigned for his brother Fleming, and, \vheu 
 deciphered, would be found to contain nothing criminal. He 
 acknowledged his never having communicated the correfpond- 
 ence to any perfon here but the girl, and made many proteila- 
 tions of the purity of his intentions. Having found a perfon ca- 
 pable of deciphering the letter, I, in the mean time, had all his 
 papers fearehed, but found nothing criminal among them ; but 
 it appeared on enquiry, that a confident ha<i been among the 
 papers before my meffenger arrived. I then called the gene- 
 ral officers together for their advice, the refult of which you 
 will find in the incloiure, No I. The deciphered letter is the 
 incloiurc, No 2. The army and country are exceedingly irri- 
 t:.^d : and upon a free difcufiioa of the nature, circumitances, 
 
 and 
 
34 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 and confequence of this matter, it has been unamrooufiy agreed 
 to lay it before the honorable Congrefs for their fpecial advice 
 and direction ; at the fame time fuggcfting to their confidera- 
 tion, whether an alteration of the twenty-eighth article of war 
 may not be neceiTary. 
 
 As I {hall referve all further remarks upon the flate of the 
 army till my next, I (hall now beg leave to reqaeft the deter- 
 mination of Congrefs, as to the property and difpofal of fuch 
 veffels and cargoes as are deiigned for the fupply of the enemy, 
 and may fall into our hands. There has been an event of this 
 kind at Portfmouth (as by the inclofure, No. 3), in which I 
 have directed the cargo to be brought hither for the ufe of the 
 army, referving the fettlement of any claims of capture to the 
 decilion of Congrefs. 
 
 As there are many unfortunate individuals \vhofe property 
 has been confifcated by the enemy, I would humbly fuggeft to 
 the confideration of Congrefs the humanity of applying, in part 
 or in the whole, fuch captures to the relief of thofe fuiferers, 
 after compensating any expenfe of the captors, and for their ac- 
 tivity and fpirit. I am the more induced to requeft this deter- 
 mination may be fpeedy, as I have directed three veffels to be 
 equipped in order to cut off the fupplies ; and, from the num- 
 ber of veffels hourly arriving, it may become an object of fome 
 importance. In the difpofal of thefe captures, for the encou- 
 ragement of the officers and men, I have allowed them one- 
 third of the cargoes, except military ftores, which, with the 
 veflels, are to be referved for the public ufe. I hope my plan, 
 as well as the execution, will be favored with the approbation 
 of Ccngrefs. 
 
 One Mr. Fifk, an intelligent perfon, came out of Boiton on 
 the third inftant, and gives us the following advices : that a, 
 fleet, confirming of a fixty-four, and twenty-gun (hip, two Hoops 
 of eighteen guns, and two tranfports with fix hundred men, 
 \v-ere to fail from Bofton as yefterday ; that they took on 
 board two mortars, four hotvitzers, and other artillery, calcu- 
 lated for the bombardment of a town : their destination was 
 kept a profound fecret : that an expre/v-loop of war, which 
 left England the eighth Auguft, arrived four days ago j that 
 general Gage is recalled, and laft funday resigned his command 
 to general Howe j that Lord Percy, colonel Smith, and other 
 officers who xvere at Lexington, are ordered home with Gage ; 
 that fix {hips of the line and two cutters were coming out 
 under fir Peter Dennis j that five regiments and a thoufancl 
 marines are ordered out, and may be expected in three or four 
 
Q F F I C I A L ^ T-T E R.S. ^ 
 
 weeks ; no profpecl: of accommodation j but the miniftry de- 
 termined to pu(h the war to the utmoft. 
 
 I have an exprefs from colonel Arnold, and herewith fend 
 a copy of his letter and an inclofure, No. 4 and 5. I am har- 
 py in finding he meets with no .discouragement. The claim cf 
 the rifle officers, to be independent; of all the fuperior officer? ., 
 except colonel Arnold, is without any countenance or autho- 
 rity from me, as I have fignified in my laft difpatch both to 
 colonel Arnold and captain Morgan. The captain Q.f the brig 
 from Quebec for Bofton, informs me, that there is rio fufpicicii 
 of any fuch expedition 5 and that, if Carleton is not drvien from 
 St. John's, fo as to be obliged to throw himfelf into Quebec, 
 it muft fall into our hands, as it is left without a regular fol- 
 dier, and many of the inhabitants are moil favourably difpofed 
 to the American caufe j and that there is the largcil ftock of 
 ammunition ever collected in America. 
 
 In the above veffel fome letters- were alfo found, from an 
 officer at Quebec, to general Gage and major Sheriff at Bof- 
 ton, containing fuch an account of the temper of the Canadi- 
 ans, as cannot but afford the higheil fatisfaclion. 1 have 
 thought it beft to forward them: they are the inclofures, No. 
 6 and 7. 
 
 I aro, with the greateft refpeft, &.C. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Camp at Cambridge ', OB. 12, 1775. 
 
 I AM honored with your feveral favors of the twenty- 
 fixth and thirtieth September, and fifth Orlober, the content: 
 of which I (hall beg leave to notice in their refpeclive order. 
 
 Previous to the direction of Congrefs to confult the general 
 officers on the beft mode of continuing and providing for the 
 army during the winter, I had defired them to turn their 
 thoughts upon thefe fubjecls, and to favor me with the refult, 
 by a particular day, in writing. In this interval, the appoint- 
 ment of Dr. 'Franklin, Mr. Lynch, and colonel Harrifon, was 
 communicated, an event, which has given me the higlieft fa- 
 tisfa&ion, as the fudjel was too weighty and complex for a 
 diicuiTion by letter. This appointment made any conclusion 
 here unneceflary, as it is not probable any fuch arrangement 
 would be agreed on, as would not be altered in fome refpecis, 
 upon a full and free conference. This good effeft will arife 
 from the ftep already taken, that every officer will be prepared 
 to give his fcntiments upon thefe important fubie6ls. 
 
 The 
 
3 6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 The cftimates of the commiffary and quarter 
 J have now the honor of incloling. The firfl is No. j, the 
 other, No. 2. 
 
 With refpefl to the reduclion of the pay of the men, which 
 may enter into the conlideration of their fupport, it is the una- 
 nimous opinion of the general officers, that it cannot be touch- 
 ed with fafety at prefent. * * * 
 
 Upon the prefumption of there being a vacarcy in the di- 
 rection of the hofpital, lieutenant-colonel Hand, formerly a 
 furgeon in the eighteenth regiment of royal Irifh, and Dr. I'of- 
 ter, late of Charleftown, and one of the furgeons of the hofpi- 
 tal under Dr. Church, are candidates for that office. I do net 
 pretend to be acquainted with their refpecHve merits, and 
 therefore have given them no farther expectation, than that 
 they fhould be mentined as candidates for the department. I 
 therefore need only to add upon this fubjecl, that the affairs of 
 the hofpital require that the appointment fhould be made a:- 
 foon as poflible. 
 
 Before I was honored with your favor of the fifth inflant, I 
 liad given orders for the equipment of fome armed veilels, to 
 intercept the enemy's fupplies of provifions and ammunition. 
 One of them was on a cruife between Cape Anne and Gape 
 Cod, when the exprefs arrived. The others will be fit for the 
 fea in a few days, under the command of officers of the conti- 
 nental army, who are well recommended, as perfons acquainted 
 with the fea, and capable of fuch a fervice. Two of thefe 
 will be immediately difpatched on this duty ; and every parti- 
 cular, mentioned in your favor of the fifth inflant, literally 
 complied with. 
 
 That the honorable Congrefs' may have a more complete 
 idea qf the plan on which thefe veifcls are equipped^-1 inclcfe 
 a copy of the inftru&ions given to the captains no<v out, (No. 
 4). Thefe, with the addition?! inftruclions dir6ted, will be 
 given to the captains who go into the mouth of St. Lawrence's 
 river. As both officers and men moft cheerfully engage in the 
 fervice on the terms mentioned in thefe inftru6tions, I fear that 
 the propofed increafe will create fome ^fficulty, by making a 
 difference between men engaged on firnilar fervice. I have 
 therefore not yet communicated this part of the plan, but re- 
 ferved an extra bounty as a reward for extraordinary activity. 
 There are no armed veflels in this province j and governor 
 Cooke informs me the enterprife can receive no afiiftance from 
 him, as one of the armed veiTels of Rhode-Ifland is on a. long 
 cruife, and the other unfit for fervice, Nothing mall be omit- 
 
*e<FT: I C I A L L 2 T T E JL S. $7 
 
 td to fccure faccefs. A fortunate capture of an ordnance 
 ihip would give new life to the camp, and an immediate turn 
 to the ilfue of this campaign. 
 
 Our laft accounts from colorvel Arnold are very .favorable : 
 he was proceeding with all expedition , and I flatter myfelr" 
 (making all allowances) he will be at Quebec the -twent. 
 inftant, where a gentleman from Canada (Mr. *.*_*) allures 
 me he will meet with no reiiitance. -/.itaJfeJWh 
 
 In the charter-mailer's eilimate, there are fome articles o- 
 nitted, of which he informs me he cannot pretend to furnifh a 
 -computation, fech as cartage, tools, &cc. for which fome ge- 
 neral allowance muft be made. 
 
 From the various accounts received from Europe, there m-ay 
 be reaibn to expert troops will be landed at New. York, er 
 fome other middle colony. I fiuould be glad to know the plea- 
 sure of the Congrefs, whether, upon fuch an event, it would be 
 expected that a part of this army mould be detached, or the 
 internal force of fuch colony and its neighbourhood be deemed 
 fufficient j or whether, in fuch cafe, I am to wait the particular 
 direction of Congrefs. i 
 
 The fleet, mentioned in my laft, has been feen fianding 
 N. N. E. fo that we apprehend it is intended for fome part of 
 this province, or New Hampfhire, or poflibly Quebecy 
 
 The lateft 'and beft accounts we have from, the enemy, are, 
 that they are engaged in their new work acrofs the fouth e.nd 
 of Bofton, preparing their barracks, &c. for winter;: that it 
 is propofed to keep from five hundred to a thoufand mdn on 
 Bunker's-hill all winter, who are are to be relieved pn&e- a 
 week j the reft to be drawn into Boiton. 
 
 A perfon who has lately bee.n a fervant to major Can oily 
 (a tool of lord Dunmore's) has given an account of a fcheme 
 to diftrefs the ibuthern provinces, which appeared to re i of 
 fufRcieHt ccnfequence to be immediately trani'mitted. I have 
 therefore got it attetted, and do myfelf the honor of incloiln^ 
 it, No. 5. 
 
 The new levies from Connecticut have lately- marched -in l o 
 camp, and are a bc^iy of as good troops as any we have ^fo 
 that we have now the fame iirength, as before the d'etachraent 
 made under colonel Arnold. 
 
 I am, with the moft refpe&ful fentiments to tlie honorable 
 Congrefs, and yourfelf, iir, your moil obedient^ ^? Q- 'W. 
 
 . 
 Camp 
 
?S GENERAL WASHINGTON** 
 
 SIR, Cam/tat Cambridge, O&ob. 24, 17/5. 
 
 MY conjecture of the deitination of the late fquadron 
 from Bolion, in my laft, has been unhappily verified by an out- 
 rage, exceeding, in barbarity and crueley, every hoitile act 
 prattifed among civiliied nations. I have inclofed thr account 
 given me by Mr. Jones, a gentleman of the town of Falmouth, 
 of the definition of that increaiing and rlouriihing village. He 
 is a very great fosterer, and informs me that the time allowed 
 for the removal of efie&s was fo final!, that valuable property of 
 all kinds, and to a great amount, has been deftroyed. The or- 
 ders ihewn by the captain for this horrid procedure, (by which 
 it appears the fame defolation is meditated upon all the towns 
 on the coaft) made it my duty to communicate it as quickly 
 and extenfively as poUible. As Portfmouth was the next place 
 to which he propoied to go, general Sullivan was permitted to 
 go up, and give them ! r.ce and advice to ward off the 
 
 Mow. I flatter my felt the like event will not happen there, as 
 they have a fortification of fome ftrength, and a veffel has ar- 
 rived at a place called Sheepfcot, with fifteen hundred pounds 
 df powder. 
 
 The gentlemen of the Congrefs have nearly finifhed their 
 bufinefs : but as they write by this opportunity, I mull beg 
 e to refer you to their letter, for what concerns their com- 
 miffion. 
 
 We have had no occurrence of any confequence in the camp 
 iiace I had the honor of addrefling you laft j but expect every 
 hour to hear that Newport has ihared the fate of unhappy 
 Falmouth. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Camp at Cambridge, Oflob. 30, i;"J. 
 
 THE information, which the gentlemen who have lately 
 gone from hence can jjive the Congrefs, of the ftate and litua- 
 tion of the army, would have made a letjjer unneceffary, if I 
 did not fuppofe there would be iome anxiety to know the in- 
 tentions of the army on the fubjecl of the re-enlillment. 
 
 Agreeable to the advice of thofe gentlemen, and my own 
 
 opinion, I immediately began by directing all fuch orricers as 
 
 propofed to continue, to fignify their intentions as foon as pof- 
 
 fible. A great number of the returns are come in, from which 
 
 that a very great proportion of the oitkers of the rank 
 
 of 
 
O F F I C I A L L E T T E R S. & 
 
 of captains, and under, will retire j from prefent apjreanmc&s, 
 J may fay, half, but at leaft, one-third. It is with fome con- 
 cern alfo that 1 obferve, that many of the officers who retire, 
 difcourage the continuance of the men, and, I fear, will com- 
 municate the infection to them. Sorae have ad vile d that thole 
 officers who decline the fervice fhould be immediately difmiiT- 
 ed : but his would be very dangerous and inconvenient. I 
 confefs I have great anxieties upon the fubjed, though 1 {till 
 hope the pay and terms are fo advantageous, that intereft, and, 
 I hope alfo, a regard to their country, will retain a greater 
 proportion of privates than their officers. In fo important a 
 matter, I {hall cfteem it my indifpenfable duty, not only to ac~fc 
 with all poffible prudence, but to give the rnorVearly and con* 
 ftant advice of my progrefs. 
 
 A fupply of clothing, equal to our neceflities, would greatly 
 contribute to the encouragement and fatisfaclion of the men. 
 In every point of view, it is fo important that I beg leave to 
 call the attention of the Congrefs to it in a particular manner. 
 
 A ferjeant has juft come in from Bunker's-hill, but brings 
 no important ne\vs. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &.c. G. W- 
 
 SIR, Cambridge , Nov. 2, 1775. 
 
 I COULD not fuffer Mr. Randolph to quit this camp 
 without bearing fome teftimony of my duty to the Congrefs ; 
 although his fudden departure (occafioned by the death of his 
 worthy relative, whofe lofs, as a good citizen, and valuable 
 member of fociety, is much to be regretted) does not allow me 
 time to be particular. 
 
 The inclofed return {hews, at one view, what reliance we 
 have upon the officers of this army, and how deficient we are 
 like to be in fnbaltern officers. A few days more will enable 
 me to inform the Congrefs what they have to expel from the 
 foldiery, as I mall ilfue recruiting orders for this purpofe, fo 
 foon as the officers -sre appointed, which will be done this 
 day, having fent for the general officers, to confult them in 
 the choice. 
 
 I muft beg leave to recall the attention of the Congrefs to 
 the appointment of a brigadier-general, an officer as neceffary 
 to a brigade, as a colonel is to a regiment, and will be excetd- 
 
 wanted in the new atiangement. 
 
 The 
 
40 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 The proclamations and aftociation, herewith inclofed, cams 
 
 to my hands on rnonday lait. I thought it my duty to fend 
 them to you. Nothing oc moment has happened lince m^ 
 lait. 
 
 With refpe&ful compliments to the members of Congrefs, I 
 hare the honor to be, .c. G. \V. 
 
 SIR, CambriJge, Nov. 8, 1775. 
 
 THE immediate occafion of my giving the Congrefc the 
 trouble of a letter at this time is to inform them, that, in con- 
 fcquence of their order iignined in your letter of the twentieta 
 ultimo, I laid myfelf under a folemn tie of fecrecy to captain 
 M'Pherfon, and proceeded to examine his plan for the deil ruc- 
 tion of the fleet in the harbor of Bofton, with all that care and. 
 attention which the importance of it deicrvtd, and my judgment 
 could lead to. Bat not being happy enough to coincide in o- 
 pinion with that gentleman, and finding that his icheme wwuld 
 involve greater cxpente, than (under my doubts of its fuccek) 
 X thought myfelf juftiSed in giving into, I prevailed upon hira 
 to communicate his plan to three gentlemen of the artillery in 
 this army, well acquainted in the knowledge and pia&ite of 
 gunnery. By them he has been convinced, that, iuaimach as 
 fte fet out upon wrong principles, the icheme would prove a- 
 bortive. Unwilling, however, to relinquifn his favourite project 
 of reducing the naval force of Great-Britain, he is very defu- 
 ous of building a number of row gallics for this purpofe. But 
 as' the Congreis alone are competent to the adoption of thi 
 meafure, I have advifed him (although he offered to go en with 
 the building of them at his own expcnfe, till the Congref* 
 ihould decide) to itpair immediately to Philadelphia with his 
 propofals , where, if they ihould be agreed to, or vefTels of fu- 
 perior force, agreeable to the willies of moil others, (hoald be 
 refolved on, he may fet inilantly about them, with all the ma- 
 terials upon the ipot : here, they are to collect. To hiia 
 therefore I refer for further information 9,11 this head. 
 
 A ve-flfcl, laid to be from Philadelphia and bound to Bofton, 
 with a hundred and twenty pipes of \\ine (a hundred and eigh- 
 teen of which are liecuied) iiiandtd at a place called Eaiiham, 
 in a gale of wind, on the fecond inilant : another, fiom Boilcm 
 lo Halifax, with dry good, &.c. (amoualiag, per invoice, to about 
 v\vo hundred and foity pounds lawful money) got difabkd in the 
 ale,iicui JJL\CiU. TiicL ca:^oc... i'.ha ;i; papers, I have 
 
. 
 O F F I C I A L L E T T R S. 41 r 
 
 ordered to this place, the veffels to be taken care of till fur- 
 ther orders. I have alib an account of the taking of a wood- 
 iioop bound to Boiton, and carried into Portffnouth by one q 
 our armed veiTels j particulars not yet come to hand j and 
 this iuftant, of two others, from Nova Scotia to Hofion, with 
 hay, wood, live flock, &c. by another of our armed fchooners. 
 Thefe aie in Plymouth. 
 
 ^'hefe accidenrs and captures point out the neceffity of efta- 
 blilhing proper courts without lofs of time, for the decifion of 
 property, and the legality of feizures j otherwife I may be in- 
 volved in inextricable difficulties. 
 
 Our prifouers, by the reduction of Fort Chamblee (on which, 
 happy event I moit fincerely congratulate the Congrefs), being 
 considerably augmented, and likely to be increafed, I lubmit it 
 to the wifdom of Gongrefa, whether fome convenient inland 
 towns, remote from the poaft-roads, ought not to be affigned' 
 them; the manner of their treatment, fubfittence, &.c. defin- 
 ed; and a commiffary or agent appointed, to fee that juftice is^ 
 done both to them and the public, proper accounts rendered, 
 &c. Without a mode of this- fort is adopted, I fear there will 
 be fad confulion hereafter, as there are great complaints at pre- 
 lent. 
 
 I reckoned without my hoft,-when I informed the Congrefs 
 in my laft, that I ihould in a day or two be able to acquaint 
 them of the difpoiition of the foldiery towards a new enliftment^ 
 I have been in confutation with the gener Is of this army ever 
 iince thuri'day laft, endeavoring to, eitablifh new corps of offi- 
 cers j but find fo many doubts and difficulties to reconcile, that 
 I cannot fay when they are to end, or what may be the cohfe- 
 quence* ; as there appears to be fuch an unwillingnefs in the 
 officers of one government mixing in the fame regiment with 
 thofe of another ; and, without it, many muft be difmiffed, who 
 are willing to ferve 5 hotwithttanding, we are deficient on the 
 whole. , .'- r 
 
 The council of officers are unanimously of opinion .that the 
 co.mmand of the artij^lery mould no longer continue in colonel 
 * j and knowing of no perfon better qualified' to fuppty 
 his place, or whofe appointment will give more general fatis;- 
 faclion, have taken the liberty of recommending Henry Knox, 
 efquiie, to the confideration of Congrefs, thinkmg.it indifpenfa- 
 bly neceifary, at the fame time, that this regiment ihould cbn r 
 iiii of two lieutenant-colonels, two majors, and twelve corapa- 
 fciesi agreeable to tli.e glau and eftiraa.te handed in> waich'dit- 
 
42 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 fering from the laft eftablifhment, I fhould be glad to be In- 
 itrucled on. 
 
 The commiffary-general not being returned, will apologife, 
 I hope, for my filcnce refpe&ing a requifition of the expenfe of 
 his clerks, 8tc. which I was to have obtained together with o- 
 thers, and forwarded. 
 
 I have heard nothing of colonel Arnold fince the thirteenth 
 ultimo. His letter of, and journal to that date, will convey 
 all the information I am able to give of him. I think he rnufh 
 be in Quebec. If any mifchance had happened to him, he 
 would, as directed, have forwarded an exprefs. No account 
 yet of the armed veffels fent to St. Laurence. I think they 
 will meet the ftores inward or outward bound. 
 
 Captain Symons, in the Cerberus, lately fent from Bofton to 
 Falmouth, hath publiflied the inclofed declaration at that 
 place ; and it is fufpecled he intends to make fome kind of a 
 lodgment there. I wrote immediately to colonel Finnic of this 
 army,xvho went up there upon the laft alarm, to fpirit up the peo- 
 ple and oppofe it at all events. Falmouth is about a hundred 
 and thirty miles from this camp. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W 
 
 P. S. I fend a general return of the troops, and manifests of 
 the cargoes and veffels taken at Plymouth. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Nov. u, 1775. 
 
 * Inclofed, you have a copy of an al, paffed this fef- 
 iion, by the honorable council and houfe of reprefentatives of 
 this province. It refpefts fuch captures as may be made by 
 veffels fitted out by the province, or by individuals thereof. 
 As the armed veffels, fitted out at the continental expenfe, do 
 not come under this law, I would have h fubmittedto the con- 
 iideration of Congrefs, to point out a more fummary way of 
 proceeding, to determine theproperty and mode of condemna- 
 tion of fuch prizes as have been or hereafter may be made, than 
 is fpecified in this al. 
 
 Should not a court be eftablifhed by authority of Congref ? 
 to take cognifance of prizes made by the continental veffelss, 
 Whatever the mode is which they are pleafed to adopt, there 
 is an abfolute neceflity of its being fpeedily determined on : 
 for I cannot fpare time from military affairs, to give proper at- 
 tention to thefe matters. 
 
 The inhabitants of Plymouth have taken a floop, laden with 
 
 pro- 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 43 
 
 provifions, &c. from Halifax, bound to Bofton, and the inha- 
 bitants of Beverly have, under cover of one of the armed fchoon- 
 ers, taken a veffel from Ireland, laden with beef, pork, butter, 
 &c. for the fame place. The latter brings papers and letter* 
 of a very interefting nature, which are in the hands of the ho- 
 norable council, who informed me they Will tranfmit them to 
 you by this conveyance. To the contents of thefe papers and 
 letters I muft beg leave to refer you and the honorable Con- 
 grefs, who will now fee the abfolute neceffity there is, of ex- 
 erting all tjieir wifdom, to withftand the mighty efforts of our 
 enemies. 
 
 The trouble I have in the arrangement of the army is really 
 inconceivable. Many of the officers fent in their names to 
 ferve, in expectation of promotion: others flood aloof * * * 
 whilft a number who have declined, have again fent in their 
 names, to ferve. So great has the confuiion, arifing from 
 thefe and many other perplexing circumftances, been, that I 
 found it abfolutely impoffible to fix this very interefting bufi- 
 nefs exactly on the plan refolved on in the conference, though 
 I have kept up to the fpirit, as near as the nature and neceflity 
 of the cafe would admit of: the difficulty with the foldiers is as 
 great, indeed more fo, if poflible, than with the officers. 
 They will not enlift, until they know their colonel, lieutenant- 
 colonel, major, captain, &c. fo that is was neceflTary to fix the 
 officers the firft thing ; which is, at lafl, in fome manner donej 
 and I have given out enlifting orders. 
 
 You, fir, can much eafier judge, than I can exprefs, the 
 anxiety of mind I muft labor under on the occafion, efpecialljr 
 at this time, when we may expecl: the enemy will begin to act 
 on the arrival of their reinforcement, part of which is already 
 come, and the remainder daily dropping in. 
 
 I have other diftreffes of a ve'ry alarming nature. The arms 
 of our foldiery are fo exceeding bad, that I aflure you, fir, I 
 cannot place a proper confidence in them. Our powder is vaft- 
 ing faft, notwithftanding the ftri&eft care, economy, and at- 
 tention is paid to it. The long feries of wet weather we have 
 had, renders the greater part of what has been ferved out to. 
 the men, of no ufe. Yefterday I had a proof of it, as a party 
 of the enemy, about four or five hundred, taking the advan- 
 tage of a high tide, landed at Leechmore's point: we were a- 
 larmed, and of courfe ordered every man to examine his car- 
 touch-box 5 when the melancholy truth appeared ; and we were 
 obliged to furnifh the greater part of them with freih ammuni- 
 tion. 
 
 The 
 
44 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 The damage done at the point was the taking of a man who 
 watched a few horfes and cows : ten of the latter they carried 
 off. Colonel 1 hornpfon marched down with his regiment of 
 riflemen, and was joined by colonel Woodbiidge, with a part 
 of his and a part of Patterfon's regiment, who gallantly waded 
 through the water, and foon obliged the enemy to embark un- 
 der cover of a man-of-war, a floating battery, and the lire of a 
 battery on Charleftown neck. We have two of cur men dan- 
 geroufly wounded by grape-mot from the man-of-war, and, by 
 a flag fent out this day, we are informed the enemy loil two of 
 their men. 
 
 J have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIP., Cambridge^ November 19, 1775. 
 
 I received your favors of the fevcnth and tenth inftant, 
 with the refolves of the honorable Congrefs, to which I will 
 pay all due attention. As foon as two capable perfons can be 
 found, I will difpatch them to Nova-Scotia, on the fervice re- 
 folved on in Congreis. 
 
 The refolve to raife two battalions of marines will (if pracli- : 
 cable in this army) entirely derange what" has been done. It 
 is therein mentioned, " one colonel for the two battalions :"-; 
 of courfe, a colonel mufl be difmiffed. One of the many diili- , 
 culties, which attended the new arrangement, was in reconcil- 
 ing the different interefts, and judging of the merits of the dif- 
 ferent colonels. In the difmiflion of this one, the fame diffi- 
 culties will occur. The cfficers and men muft be acquainted 
 yith maritime affairs j to comply with which, they mult be 
 picked out of the whole army, one from this corps, one from 
 another,--fo as to break through the whole fyflem, which has 
 coft us fo much time, anxiety and pains, to bring into any to- 
 lerable form. Notwithftanding any difficulties which will arife r 
 you may be allured, fir, that I will ufe every endeavor to corn-*, 
 ply with their refolve. 
 
 I beg leave to fubmit it to the confrdeiation of Congrefs (if 
 thefe two battalions cam be formed out of this army) whether 
 this is a time to weaken our lines, by employing any of the for- 
 ces appointed to defend them, on any other fervice. The gen- 
 tlemen who were here from the Congrefs know their vaft ex- 
 tent : they muft know that we mail have occalicn for our whole 
 force for that purpofe j more fo now than at any paft time, as 
 \ve may expect the enemy will take the advantage of the-ftrft 
 
 hard 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 45 
 
 hard weather, and attempt to make an impreflion fomewhere. 
 That this is their intention, we have many reafons to fufpecl:. 
 
 We have had, in the laft week, fix deferters, and took two 
 ftraggling prifoners. They all agree that two companies, with 
 a train of artillery and one of the regiments from Ireland, were 
 arrived at Boftonj that frefh ammunition and flints have been 
 ferved out 5 that the grenadiers and light infantry had orders 
 to hold themfelves in readinefs at a moment's warning. 
 
 As there is every appearance that this conteft will not be foon 
 decided, and of courfe that there muft be an augmentation of 
 the continental army, would it not be eligible to raife two bat- 
 talions of marines in New-York and Philadelphia, where there 
 muft be numbers of failors now unemployed ? This however 
 is matter of opinion, which I mention with all due deference to 
 the fuperior judgment of the Congrefs. 
 
 Inclofed, you have copies of two letters, one from colonel 
 Arnold, the other from colonel * * *. I can form no judg- 
 ment on the latter's conduct, until I fee him. Notwithftanding 
 the great defection, I do not difpair of colonel Arnold's fuc- 
 cefs. He will have, in all probability, many more difficulties 
 to encounter, than if he had been a fortnight fooner;.as it is 
 likely that governor Carleton will, with what forces he can col- 
 lecl after the furrender of the reft of Canada, throiv himfelf in- 
 to Quebec, and there make his laft effort. There is no late ac- 
 count from captains Broughton and Sillman, fent to the river 
 St. Laurence. The othei craifers have been chiefly confined 
 to harbor, by the badnefs of the weather. 7"he fame reafon 
 has caufed great delay in building of our barracks , which, with 
 a moft mortifying fcarcity of fire-wood, difcourages the men 
 from enlifting. The laft, I am afraid, is an infuperable obfta- 
 cle. I have applied to the honorable houfe of reprefentatives 
 of this province, who were pleaied to appoint a committee to 
 negotiate this bufinefs : and notwithftanding all the pains they 
 have and are taking, they find it impofiible to fupply our ne- 
 ceilities. The want of a fufticient number of teams, 1 under- 
 ftand to be the chief impediment. 
 
 I got returns this day from eleven colonels, of the numbers 
 enlifted in their regiments. The whole amount is nine hundred 
 and iixty-fix men. There muft' be fome other ftimulus beiides 
 love for their country, to make men fond of the fervice. It 
 would be a great encouragement, and no additional expefe to 
 the continent, were they to receive pay for the months of Oc- 
 tober and November 5 alfo a month's pay advance. The pre- 
 
 fent 
 
4# GENERAL WASHINGTON'S. 
 
 fent ftate of the military cheft will not admit of this. The 
 fooner it is enabled to do fo, the better. 
 
 The commiffary-general is daily ^xpe&ed in camp. I cannot 
 fend you the efiimate of the clerks in his department, until he 
 arrives. 
 
 I fincerely congratulate you upon the fuccefs of your arms, 
 in the furrender of St, John's, which I hope is a happy prefage 
 of the reduction of the reft of Canada. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge^ Novtm. 28, 1775. 
 
 I HAD the honor of writing to you on the nineteenth 
 inftant. I have now to inform you that Henry Knox, efquire, 
 is gone to New-York, with orders to forward to this place 
 what cannon and ordnance ftores can be there procured. From 
 thence he will proceed to general Schuyler on the fame bulinefs, 
 as you will fee by the inclofed copy of inftruftions which I have 
 given him. It would give me much fatisfaclion, that this gen- 
 tleman, or any other whom you may think qualified, was ap- 
 pointed to the command of the artillery regiment. In my let- 
 ter to you, of the eighth inftant, I have expreffed myfelf ful- 
 ly on this fubjeft, which I beg leave to recommend to your 
 immediate attention ; as the formation of that corps will be at 
 
 a ft and, until I am honored with your inftruftions thereon. 
 
 * # * * 
 
 There are two perfons engaged to go to Nova- Scotia, on the 
 bufmefs recommended in your laft. By the beft information 
 we have from thence, theflores, &,c. have been withdrawn fome 
 time. Should this not be the cafe, it is next to an impoiiibility 
 to attempt any thing there, in the prefent unfettled and preca- 
 rious ftate of the army. * * * 
 
 From what I can collect in my inquiries amongft the officers, 
 it will be impoflible to get the men toenlift for the continuance 
 of the war j which will be an infuperable obftruclion to the for- 
 mation of the two battalions of marines on the plan refolved 
 on in Congrefs. As it can make no difference, I propofe to 
 proceed on the new arrangement of the army, and, when com- 
 pleted, inquire out fuch officers and men as are beft qualified 
 for that iervice, and endeavor to form thefe two battalions 
 out of the whole. 1 his appears to me the beft method, and 
 will, I hope, meet the approbation of Congrefs, 
 
 As 
 
O F F I C I A L L T t R S. 47 
 
 As it- will be very difficult for the men to work when the 
 hardfroftfets in, I have thought it neceffary (though of little uie 
 t prefent) to take pofleffion of Coble-hill, for' the benefit of a- 
 ny future operations. It was effected, without the leaft oppo- 
 iition from the enemy, the twenty-third inftant. Their inacti- 
 vity on this occafion is what I cannot account for : it is pro- 
 bable they are meditating a blow fomewhere. 
 
 About three hundred men, women, and children, of the poor 
 inhabitants of Bofton, came out to Point- Shirley laft friday. 
 They have brought their houfehold furniture, but are unpro- 
 vided of every other neceffary of life. I iiave recomme-nded 
 them to the attention of the committee of the honorable coun- 
 cil of this province now fitting at Watertown. 
 
 The number enlifted lince my laft are two thoufand four hun- 
 dred and fifty men. * * * * Our iituation is truly alarming: 
 and of this general Howe is well apprifed, it being the common 
 topic of converfation when the people left Bofton laft friday. 
 No doubt, when he is reinforced, he will avail himfelf of the 
 information*. 
 
 I am making the beft difpofition I can for our defence, hav- 
 ing thrown up, befides the work on Coble-hill, feveral icdoubts, 
 half-moons, &c, along the bay : and I fear I ihall be under the 
 neceffity of calling in the militia and minute-men of the coun- 
 try to my afliftance : I fay, I fear it, becaufe, by what I can 
 learn from the officers in the army, belonging to this colony, it 
 will be next to an impoffibility to keep them under any degree 
 of difcipline, and that it will be very difficult to prevail t>n them 
 to remain a moment longer than they chufe themfelves. It is 
 a mortifying reflexion, to be reduced to this dilemna. There 
 has been nothing wanting on my part, to infufe a proper fpirit 
 amongft the officers, that they may exert their influence with the 
 foldiery. You fee, by a fortnight's recruiting amongft men 
 with arms in their hands, how little has been the fuccefs. 
 
 As the fmall-pox is now in Bofton, I have ufed the precau- 
 tion of prohibiting fuch as lately came out, from coming near 
 pur camp. General Burgoyne, I am informed, will foon em- 
 bark for England. I think the riik too great to write you by 
 pott, whilft it continues to pafs through New-York. It is ceiv 
 tain that a poft has been intercepted the beginning of lait 
 month, as they fent out feveral letters from Bofton, with the 
 poft-raark of Baltimore on them. This goes by captain Jofeph 
 Blewer, who promifes to deliver it carefully unto you. 
 
 You, doubtlefs, will have heard, before this reaches, of gene- 
 tal Montgomery's having got poffeiTion of Montreal. I congratu- 
 late 
 
48 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 late you thereon. He has troubles with his troops, as well as 
 1 have. All I can learn of colonel Arnold is, that he is near 
 Quebec. I hope Montgomery will be able to proceed to his 
 amitance. I mall be very uneafy until I hear they are joined. 
 My belt refpeds attend the gentlemen in Congreis ; and be- 
 lieve me, fir, your moll obedient, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Novem. 30, 1775* 
 
 I HAD the honor to write to you, the twenty-eighth in- 
 ftant, by captain Joleph Blewer. Laft evening I received the 
 agreeable account of the Schooner Lee, commanded by captain 
 Manly, having taken and carried into Cape-Anne, a large Brig- 
 antine, bound from London to Boiton, laden with military 
 itores, the inventory of which 1 have the pleafure to intlofe you. 
 Cape- Anne is a very open harbor, and acceffible to large (hips; 
 which made me immediately lend off colonel Glover and Mr, 
 Palfry, with orders to raiie the minute-men and militia of that 
 part of the country, to have the cargo landen without lofa of time, 
 and guarded Up to this camp. This, I hope, they will be able 
 to effecl before it is known to the enemy, what port {he is car- 
 ried into. I fincerely congratulate you on this very great ac- 
 quiiition j and am, fir, your moil humble, &c, G. W. 
 
 Manly has taken alib a floop in the minillerial fervice j arid 
 captain Adams, in the fohooner Warren, has taken a fchooner 
 laden with potatoes and turnips, bound to Boflon, and carri- 
 ed her into Portfmouth. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Dec. 4, 1775. 
 
 I HAD the honor of writing to you, the thirtieth ultimo, 
 inclofing an inventory of the military itores taken on board the 
 brig Nancy by captain Manly of the armed fchooner Lee. I 
 have now to inform you that he has iince lent into Beverly, n 
 ihip named the Concord, James Lowrie mafter, from Greenock 
 in Scotland, bound to Boiton. Shcv has on boaid dry goods 
 and coals, to the value of three thoufand fix hundred and fix 
 pounds, nine millings and feven pence, ilerlincr, (hipped by 
 Crawford, Anderibn, and Co. and coniigned to James Ander- 
 fon, merchant in Boilon. It is mentioned in the letters found 
 on board, that this cargo was for the ufe of the army ; but, on 
 a itrick examination, I find it is ically the property of the 
 ihippcrs and the pciloji to whom cciifigned. Pray what is to 
 
 be 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 49 
 
 be done with this {hip and cargo ? and what with the brigsntine 
 which brought the military ftorqs ? It was agreed, in the con- 
 ference laft Oclober, " that all vejjeh employed merely as iranf- 
 ports, end unarmed, with their crews, be Cet at liberty, upon 
 giving fee urity to return to Europe ; but that this indulgence be 
 not extended longer than till the firjl of dpril next?"* In the 
 fhippers' letter, they mention: " you muft procure a certifi- 
 cate from the general and admiral, of the Concord being in 
 the government fervice, fuch as the Glafgow packet brought 
 with her, which was of great fervice, piocurtd a liberty to arm 
 her, which was refufed us \ alfo gave her a preference for fome 
 recruits that went out in her." In another part of the letter, 
 they fay : " Captain Lowrie will deliver you the contract for 
 the coals : we gave it to him, as it perhaps might be of ufe, as 
 a certificate of his (hip being employed in the government fer- 
 vice. " Every letter on board breathes nothing but enmity to 
 this country : and a vaft number of them there are. 
 
 It is fome time fince I recommended to the Congrefs that 
 they would inilitute a court for the tiial of prizes made by 
 the continental armed veiTels ; which I hope they have ere 
 now taken into their conlideration : otherwife I mould again 
 take the liberty of urging it in the moil preffing manner. 
 
 The conduct of a great number of the Connedicut troops 
 has laid me under the neceffity of calling in a body of the mi- 
 litia much fooner than I apprehended there xvould be aa occa- 
 fion for fuch a ftep. I was afraid fome time ago that they 
 would incline to go home when the time of their inliftraent 
 expired. I called upon the officers of the feveral regiments, 
 to know whether they could prevail on the men to remain un- 
 til the firft of January, or till a fufficient number of other for- 
 ces could be raifed to fupply their place. I fuppofe they were 
 deceived themfelves : I know they deceived me by ailuranccs 
 that I need be under no apprehensions on that fcore, for the 
 men would not leave the lines. Lail friday {hewed how much 
 they were miftakcn, as the major part of the troops of that 
 colony were going away with their arms and ammunition. We 
 have however, by threats, perfuaflon, and the activity of the 
 people of the country, who fent back many of them that had 
 i'st out, prevailed upon the moil part to flay. There are about 
 eighty of them milling. 
 
 i have called in three thoufand men "from this province ; and 
 general Sullivan, who lately returned from the province of 
 New-Harnpfhire, having informed me that a number of men 
 were there, ready, at the (hortefl notice, I have demanded two 
 
 G thoufand 
 
50 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 thoufand from that province. Thefe two bedies, I expe5, 
 will be in by the tenth inflant, to make up the deficiency of 
 the Conne6licut-men, whom I have promifed to difmifs on that 
 day, as well as the numbers to whom I was obliged to grant 
 furloughs before any" would enlift. As the fame defection 
 is much to be apprehended when the time of the Maffachu- 
 fetts-Bay, New-Hampmire, and Rhode-Ifland forces is ex- 
 pired, I beg the attention of Congrefs to this important 
 affair. 
 
 I am informed that it has been the cuflom of thefe provinces 
 in the laft war, for the legiflative power to order every town to 
 provide a certain quota of men for the campaign. This or fome 
 other mode fhould be at prefent adopted, as I am fatisfied the 
 men cannot be had without. This the Congrefs will pleafe to 
 take into their immediate consideration. My fufpicions on this 
 head I mall alfo communicate to the governors Trumbull and 
 Cooke, alfo to the New-Hampihire convention. 
 
 The number enlifted in the lail week are about thirteen hun- 
 dred men. By this you fee how flow this important work 
 goes on. 
 
 An exprefs is juft come in from general Schuyler, with let- 
 ters from colonel Arnold and general Montgomery, copies of 
 which I have the honor to inclofe you. Upon the whole, I 
 think affairs carry a pleafing afpe6t in that quarter. The reduc- 
 tion of Quebec is an objecl; of fuch great importance, that I 
 doubt not the Congrefs will give every afiiflance in their power 
 for the accomplishing it this winter. 
 
 By the laft accounts from the armed fchooners fent to the ri- 
 ver St. Laurence, I fear we have but little to expecl from them : 
 they were falling fhort of provifion, and mention that they 
 would be obliged to return ; which at this time will be paiti- 
 cularly unfortunate, as if they chofe a proptr itation, all the 
 veffels coming down that river muft fall into their hands. The 
 plague, trouble, and vexation I have had with the crews of all 
 the armed veffels, is inexpreflible. I do believe there is not on 
 earth a more diforderly fet , every time they come into port, 
 we hear of nothing but mutinous complaints. Manly 's fuccefs 
 has lately, and but lately, quieted his people. The crews of 
 the Waihington and Harrifon have actually deferted them j fo 
 that I have been under the necefftty of ordering the agent to 
 lay the latter up, and get hands for the other on the beft terms 
 he could. 
 
 The houfe of reprefentatives and the honorable board have 
 fent me a vote of theirs relative to the harbor of Cape-Cod, 
 
 which 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 51 
 
 which you have herewith. I fhall fend an officer thither to 
 examine what can be done for its defence, though I do not 
 think I fliall be able to give them fuch afliftance as may be re- 
 quifite j for I have at prefent neither men, powder, nor cannon 
 to fpare. The great want of powder is what the attention of 
 'Congrefs fhould be particularly applied to. I dare not attempt 
 any thing oifenfive, let the temptation or advantage be ever fo 
 great, as I have not more of that moft effential article, than 
 will be abfolutely neceiTary to defend our lines, mould the ene- 
 my attempt to attack them. 
 
 By recent information from Bofton, general Mowc is going 
 to fend out a number of the inhabitants, in order, it is thought, 
 to make more room for his expected reinforcements. There is 
 one part of the information I can hardly give credit to : a fai- 
 lor fays that a number of thofe coming out have been innoculat- 
 cd, with deizgn of fpreading the fmall-pox through this country 
 and camp. I have communicated this to the general court j 
 and recommended their attention thereto. 
 
 They are arming one of the tranfports in Bofton, with 
 ivhich they mean to decoy fome of our armed veffels. As we 
 are appiifed of their defign, I hope they will be difappointed. 
 
 My beft refpects wait on the gentlemen in Congrefs, and I 
 am, fir, your moft humble, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. I was miiinformed when I mentioned that one regi- 
 ment had arrived at Bofton j a few companies of the feventeenth, 
 aud. artillery are all that are yet come. Near three hundred 
 perfons are landed on Point-Shirley from Bofton. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Decemb. 7, 1775. 
 
 I WROTE you, the fourth inftant, by exprefs, to which 
 I beg you will be referred. My fears, that Broughton and Sill- 
 man would not effect any good purpofe, were too well founded. 
 They are returned, and brought with them three of the princi- 
 pal inhabitants from the Ifland of St. John's. * * * They 
 brought the governor's commirTion, the province feal, &c. &.c. 
 As the captains acted without any warrant for fuch conduct, I 
 have thought it but juftice to difcharge thefe gentlemen, whofe 
 families were left in the utmoft diftrefs. 
 
 I am credibly informed that James Anderfon, the confignee 
 and part owner of the mip Concord and cargo, is not only 
 unfriendly to American liberty, but actually in arms againft us, 
 being captain of the Scotch company at Bofton. Whether 
 
 your 
 
52 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 yqur being acquainted with this circumftance, or not, will ope- 
 rate againft the veffel and cago, 1 will not take upon me to 
 fay : but there are many articles on board, fo abfolutely necei- 
 fary for the army, that, whether (he is made a prize or not, we 
 muf! have them. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Decenw. i r, 177^. 
 
 * * * The numbers enlifted laft week are men. If 
 
 they go on at this flow rate, it will be a long time before this 
 army is complete. I have wrote to the governors of Connecti- 
 cut and Rhode-Ifland, alfo to the Convention of New-Ham::- 
 ihire, on this fuhjec~t. A copy of my letter .to them I have the 
 honor to inclofe herewith. A letter to the fame purport I lent 
 to the legiilature of this province. 
 
 The militia are coming in fafc. I am much pleafed with the 
 alacrity which the good people of this province, as well as 
 thofe of New-Hampihire, have {hewn upon this occafion. I ex- 
 peel: the whole will be in this day and to-morrow, when what 
 remains of the Connecticut [troops^ who have not enlifted, will 
 have liberty to go to their fire-fides. 
 
 The commiiTary-general is ftill, by his indifpofition, detained 
 from camp. He committed an error when making out the ra- 
 tion-lift : for he was then ferving out (and has continued fo to 
 do) fix ounces" per man. per week, of butter, though it is not in- 
 cluded in the lift approved of by Congrefs. I do not think it 
 would be expedient to put a flop thereto } as every thing, that 
 would have a tendency to give the foldiery room for complaint, 
 inuft be avoided. 
 
 The information I received that the enemy intending fnread- 
 ing the fmall-pox amongft us, I could not fuppofe them capable 
 of. I now muft give fome credit to it, as it has made its appear- 
 ance on feveral of thofe who laft came out of Bofton. Every 
 necefiary precaution has been taken to prevent its being com- 
 municated to this army 5 and the general couit will take care 
 that it does not fpread through the country. 
 
 I have not heard that any more troops are arrived at Soften ; 
 which is a lucky circumftance, a$ the Connecticut troops, 1 now 
 fmd, are for the molt part gone off. -The houfes in Eofton are 
 leifening every day : they are pulled down, either for fire-wood, 
 or to prevent the effects of fire, mould we attempt a bombard- 
 jnent or an attack upon the town. -^-Coble-hill is ftrongly for- 
 tified, 
 
O F F I C I A L L E T T E R S. $3 
 
 tiffed, without any interruption from the enemy. * '* * This 
 is what at prefent occurs, from, fir, your moil obedient, &c* 
 
 G. W. 
 
 P. S. The weekly returns of enliftments not being yet re- 
 ceived for more than ten regiments, amounting to feven hun- 
 dred and twenty-five men, I cannot fill up the blank in this let- 
 ter : but this, added to the former, makes in the whole five 
 thoufand two hundred and fifty-three. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Decerr.b. 14, 1775. 
 
 I RECEIVED your favor of the fecond inftant, tvith the 
 feveral refolves of Co.ngrefs therein inclofed. The refolves re- 
 lative t captures made by continental armed veiTels only want, 
 a court eflabliihe^ for trial, to make them complete. This, I 
 hope, will be foon done, as I have taken the liberty to urge it 
 often to the Congrefs. 
 
 I am fomewhat at a lofs to know whether I am to raifit the 
 two battalions of marines here,, or not. As the delay can fe* 
 attended with but little inconvenience, I will wait a farther ex- 
 planation from Congrefs, before I take any fleps therein. 
 
 I am much pleafed that the money will be forwarded with 
 all pofiible expedition, as it is much wanting j alfo that Conolly 
 and his afibciates are taken. It has been a very fortunate dif- 
 covery. I make no doubt but that the Congrefs will take eve- 
 ry necefTary meafure to difpcfiefs lord Dunmore of his hold in 
 Virginia : the fooner fleps are taken for that purpofe, the more 
 probability there will be of their being effectual,, * * * * 
 
 I wilt make application to general Howe, and propofe an ex- 
 change for Mr, Ethan Allen. I am much afraid I mail have 
 a like propofal to make for captain Martindale of the armed 
 brigantine Wafhingtcn, and his men, who, it is reported, wa\s ta- 
 ken a few days pail by a: man-of-war, and carried into Boilbn. 
 We cannot expeft to be always fuccefsful. 
 
 You will doubtlcfs hear of the barbarity of captain Wallace 
 on Conanicut ifland, ere this reaches your hands. 
 
 About a hundred and fifty more of the poor inhabitants are 
 come out of Boilon. The fmall-pox rages all over the town : 
 fuch of the military as had it not before, are now under inocula- 
 tion. This, I apprehend, is a weapon of defence they are ufing 
 againft us. v\hat confirms me in this opinion, is, that I have 
 information that they are tearing up the pavement, to be' pro- 
 vided again 11 a bombardment. 
 
 ' * I wrote 
 
54 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 I wrote you this day by Meffrs. Fennel and De Pliarne, who 
 will lay before the Congrefs, or a committee thereof, propofals 
 for furnifhing the continent with arms and ammunition. I refer 
 you to themfelves for further particulars. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c, G. W 
 
 Chelfea, Decemb, 1 6, 1775. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS OF THE DAY. 
 
 LAST evening, eight men came in a boat from Bofton, 
 to our guard at the ferry, fix of them captains of veffels. 
 They brought the following account : 
 
 Vefterday, one, large mortar was carried over to Bunker's 
 hill : the troops filling water, carrying it on board the tranf- 
 ports : provifions fcarce, not more than fufficient for fix 
 weeks. One regiment of foot, and three companies ol the light 
 horfe, fail for Halifax this day. 
 
 Dorchejter, December 16, 1775. 
 
 Sailed out of Bofton harbor this morning, eight large and 
 two fmall veffels, taken to be tenders j by their firing, appear- 
 ed to be going a voyage out to fea. 
 
 Mr. Joftiua Pico came laft night from Bofton. He con- 
 firms the information that the regiment of foot, and fome com- 
 panies of the light horfe, were preparing to embark for Hali- 
 fax. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, December 16, 1775. 
 
 The information, contained in the above, coming fo many 
 different ways, corroborated by feveral veffels having failed this 
 day from Bofton, I thought it my duty to tranfmit it to you. 
 Though Halifax is the place given out for their deftination, it 
 is portible they may be bound elfewhere. I mail communicate 
 this intelligence to governors Cooke and Trumbull, and to the 
 convention of New- York, for their government, 
 
 J remain, fir, your moil obedient, &c. G. W. 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 55 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Decemb* 19, 1775, 
 
 CAPTAIN Manly, of the Lee armed fchooner, took and 
 fent into Beverly the iloop Betfey, A. Atkinfon mafter. She 
 is an armed veffel, difpatched by lord Dunmore, with Indian 
 corn, potatoes, and oats, for the army in Bofton. The packets 
 of letters found on board, 1 have the honor to fend you with, 
 this by captain James Chambers, they being of fo much im- 
 portance, that I do not think it would be prudent to truft them 
 by a common exprefs. 
 
 As lord Dunmore's fchemes are fully laid open in thefe let- 
 ters, I need not point out to the Congrefs the neceflity there is 
 of a vigorous exertion being adopted by them, to difpoffefs his 
 lordmip of the ftrong hold he has got in Virginia. I do not 
 mean to dictate j but I am fure they will pardon me for giving 
 them freely my opinion, whiqh is, that the fate of America a 
 good deal depends on his being obliged to evacuate Norfolk 
 this winter, or not. 
 
 I have Kirkland well fecured, and think I will fend him to 
 you for examination. By moft of the letters relative to him, 
 he is a dangerous fellow. John Stewart's letters and papers are 
 of a very interefting nature. Governor Tonyn's and many- 
 other letters from Auguftine mew the weaknefs of the place j 
 at the fame time, of what vaft confequence it would be for us 
 to poiTefs ourfelves of it, and the great quantity of ammunition 
 contained in the forts. Indeed thefe papers are of fo great con- 
 fequence, that I think this but little inferior to any prize our 
 famous Manly has taken. 
 
 We now work at our eafe on Leechmore's hill. On difco- 
 vermg our party there yefterday morning, the fhip which lay 
 oppofite began a cannonade, to which Mount Horam added 
 fome fhells. One of our men was wounded. We fired a few 
 mot from two eighteen-pounders which are placed on Coble- 
 hill, and foon obliged the fhip to flxift her ftation. She now 
 lies in the ferry-way: and, except a few (hells from the mount 
 in Bofton (which do no execution), we have no interruption in 
 profecuting our works, which will in a very fhort time be com- 
 pleted. \Vhen this is done, when we have powder to fpqrt 
 with, I think, if the Congrefs refolve on the execution"of the 
 propofal made relative to the town of Boilon, it can be done. 
 
 I have fent a letter in this day to general Howe, of which a 
 copy goes herewith. My reafon for pointing out brigadier-ge- 
 neral Prefcot as the objecl: who is to fufrer Mr. Allen's fate, 
 is, that, by letters from general Schuyler, and copies of letters 
 
 froui 
 
.5* GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 from general Montgomery to Schuyler, I am given to under- 
 ftaRd that Prefcot is the caufe of Allen's fufferings. I thought 
 it beft to be decifivc on the cccafion, as did the generals whom 
 I confulted thereon. 
 
 The returns of men emitted iince my laft, amount to about 
 eighteen hundred, making in the whole feven thoufand one 
 hundred and forty. The militia that are come in, both from 
 this province and New-Hampfr,ire, are very fine-looking men, 
 and go through their duty with great alacrity. The difpatch 
 made, both by the people in marching and by the legislative 
 powers in complying with my requiiition, has given me infinite 
 fati'sfaction. 
 
 Your letter of- the eighth inilant, with the explanatory re- 
 folve refpe&ing my calling forth the militia and minute-men, is 
 come to hand; to which I {hall pay all clue attention. You 
 have removed all the difficulties which I labored under, about 
 the two battalions of marines. I (hall obey the orders of Con- 
 j grefs in looking out for proper officers to command that corps. 
 I make no 'doubt b-ut,- when the money arrives to pay off" the 
 arrears and the month's advance, that it will be a great encou- 
 ragement for the men to enlifr. 
 
 laclofed is a letter I lately received from Mr. James Lovell. 
 His cafe is truly pitiable. I wiih fume mode could be fallen 
 Upon to relieve him from, the cruel fituation he is now in. I 
 am fenfibie of the impropriety of exchanging a foldiei for a ci- 
 tizen : but there is fo me thing fo cruelly difireffing in regard to 
 this gentleman, that I dare fay you will take it under your con- 
 ^deration. 
 
 I am, with great refpecl, &c. G, W, 
 
 SIR, Cambridge^ Dec. 25, 1775. 
 
 I HAD the honor to acldrefs myfelf to you on the nine- 
 teenth inftant, fmce which I have received undoubted infor- 
 mation that the genuine in (I ructions given to Conolly have not 
 reached your hands; that they are very artfully concealed in 
 the tree of his faddle, and covered with canvas fo nicely that 
 they are fcarcely difcerniblc j that thofe which were found up- 
 on him were intended to dtc:.ivt.-, if he were caught. You wiil 
 moil certainly have his faddle taken to pieces, in order to dli- 
 cover this deep-laid plot. 
 
 Inclofcd is a cooy of general llowe^s letter in anfwer to the 
 'one I wrote him the eighteenth iaflaut. The conducl I am to 
 
 obfervc 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 57 
 
 obferve towards brigadier Prefect in confequence of thefe let- 
 ters, the Congrefs will oblige me by determining for me. 
 
 The gentlemen by whom you fent the money are arrived. 
 The fum they brought, though large, is not fufficient to anfwet 
 the demands of the army, which at this time are remarkably 
 heavy : there is three month's pay due, one month's advance, 
 two dollars for each blanket, the arms, that are left by thofe 
 who are difmiffed, to be paid for, beiides the demands which 
 are on the commiffary and quarter-mailer-generals. You will 
 therefore fee the neceffity of another remittance, which I beg 
 may be as foon as you conveniently can. 
 
 I will take the opportunity of the return of thefe gentlemen, 
 to fend colonel Kirkland to you for examination, and that you 
 may difpofe of him as to you may feem proper. 
 
 A committee from the general court of this province called on. 
 me the other day, informing me that they were in great want o 
 ordnance for the defence of the colony j that, if what belonged 
 to them, now in ufe here, was kept for the continent, they 
 would be under the neceffity of providing themfelves with o- 
 thers : of courfe what is kept muft be paid for. There are ma- 
 ny of the cannon of very little ufe : fuch of them as are good, 
 I cannot at prefent part with : perhaps when I receive the fup- 
 ply from New- York and Canada, it may be in my power to 
 ipare them. 
 
 Mr. Wadfworth has fent in his report refpe&ing Cape-Cod 
 harbor, a copy of which you will receive herewith j alfo a let- 
 ter fiom Mr. Jacob Bailey, put into my hands by colonel Lit- 
 tle. It contains fome things that may not be unworthy the con- 
 fideration of Congrefs. 
 
 We have made good progrefs in the works on Leechmore's 
 point. They would have been finiftied ere' this, but for the 
 feverity of the weather, which prevents our people from working. 
 
 I received a letter from governor Cooke, which exprefies 
 the fears of the people of Rhode-Iiland, left the fnips, which 
 we had information were failed with fome troops on board, 
 were deftined for Newport. I fent major-general Lee. there, 
 to point out to them fuch defence as he may think the place ca- 
 pable of. I {incereiy wi(h he may be able to do it with effect, 
 as that place, in its prefent ftate, is an afyluia for fuch as are 
 difaftecled to American liberty. 
 
 Our returns of enliitments, to this day, amount to eight 
 thoufand five hundred men. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W* 
 
 P. S. Inclofed is an eftlmate o the demands of the army. 
 H *^J Cam* 
 
& GENERAL WASPIINGTON** 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Dec. 31, 
 
 I WROTE to you the twenty-fifth inftsnt -, fince which 
 I am not honored with any of your favors. The eftimate I 
 then inclofed you was calculated to pay the troops, &c. up to 
 the firil of January. That cannot he done for want of funds in 
 the paymafter-general's hands \ which caufes a great murmur- 
 ing amongft thofe who are going off. The monthly expenfes of 
 this army amount to near two hundred and feventy-nve thou- 
 fand dollars, which I take the liberty of recommending to the 
 obiervation of Congrefs, that their future remittances may be 
 governed thereby. 
 
 It fometimes happens that perfons would wiih to depofit mo- 
 ney in the hands of the paymailer-general, for his bills on the 
 trcafury at Philadelphia. He has hitherto declined fuch offers, 
 not having authority from Congrefs to draw. Would it" not be 
 proper to give this power ? If it fhould be approved of, you 
 will pleafe to point out the mode that the Congrefs would chufe 
 to have it done in. 
 
 The clothing fent to the quarter-mafler-general is not fuffici- 
 ent to put half our army into regimentals \ nor is there a pofli- 
 bility of getting any quantity here. I have wrote to general 
 Schuyler, that I wifli what was lodged at Albany could be fpar- 
 cd for thefe troops, as general Montgomery would clothe the 
 men under his command at Montreal. If this can be done, it 
 will be of infinite fervice j and no time fhould be loll in for- 
 warding them to this camp. 
 
 In forming the regiments for the new eflablilhment, I thought 
 it but juftice to appoint the officers, detached under co]onel 
 Arnold, to commiilions in them. Their abfence at prefent is 
 of very great detriment to the fervice, efpecially in recruiting: 
 I would therefore wifh, if the Congrefs intend railing troops in 
 or for Canada, that they could be taken in there. The fooner 
 I- have their opinion of this matter, the better, that, if they 
 can be commiflioned in Canada, I may appoint officers here to 
 replace them. 
 
 Inclofed you have a copy of a representation fent to me by 
 the legiflative body of this province, refpefting four companies 
 Rationed at Braintree, Weymouth, and Hingham. As they 
 wcie never regimented, and were doing duty at a diftance from 
 the reft of the army, I did not know whether to confider them 
 as a part of it \ nor do I think myfelf authorifed to direct pay- 
 ment for them without the approbation of Congrefs. 
 
 It hsf heen reprefented to me that the free negroes who have 
 
 ferved 
 
OFFICIAL LETTER 5* S9s 
 
 ferved in this army are very much diffatisfied at being difcard.-, 
 ed. As it is to be apprehended they may feel: employ in the 
 miniiteTial army, I have prcfumed to depart from the refolutiou 
 refpe&ing them, and have given licence for their being enlu'led. 
 If this is difapproved of by Congrefs, I will put a ftop to it. 
 
 * * * I muft remark that the pay of the affiftant engi- 
 neers is fo very fraall, that we cannot expecl: men of icience 
 will engage in it. Thofe gentlemen, who are in that (lation, 
 remained under the expectation that an additional allowance 
 would be made them by the refpe&ive provinces in which they, 
 were appointed, to that allowed by the Congrefs. 
 
 Captain Freeman arrived this day at camp from Canada. He 
 left Quebec the twenty-fourth ultimo, in confequence of gene- 
 ral Carleton's proclamation, which I have the honor to fend 
 you herewith. He faw colonel Arnold the twenty-lixth, and 
 fays that he was joined, at Point-a-tremble, by general Mont- 
 gomery, the firft inttant - y that they were about two thoufand 
 ftrong, and were making every preparation for attacking Que- 
 bec ; that general Carleton had with him about twelve hun- 
 dred men, the majority of whom are failors; that it was his 
 opinion the French would give up the place if they get the 
 fame conditions granted to the inhabitants of Montreal. * * * 
 
 Captains Semple and Harbefon take under their care Mr. 
 Kirkland. * * * Captain Mathews and Mr. Robinfon will ac- 
 company them. The two latter were taken prifoners by lord 
 Dunmore, who was fending them to Bdfton, from whence there 
 is little doubt but they would be forwarded to England, to 
 \vhich place I arn credibly informed captain Martindale and the 
 crew of the Wafhington are fentj alfo colonel Allen, and the 
 prifoners taken with him in Canada. This may account for ge- 
 neral Howe's filence on the fubjeft of an exchange of prifoners 
 mentioned in my letter to him. 
 
 General Lee is juft returned from his excurfion to Rhode- ' 
 Ifiand : he has pointed out the the beft method the iiland would 
 admit of for its defence : he has endeavored all in his power to 
 make friends of thofe \vlio were our enemies. You have, in- 
 clofed, a fpecimen of his abilities in that way, for your perufal, 
 I am of opinion that, if the fame plan was purfued through 
 every province, it would have a very good effecl. " , 
 
 I have long had it on my mind to mention to Congrefs that 
 frequent applications had been made to me refpe&ing the chap- 
 JUin's pay, which is too fmall to encourage men of abilities. 
 Some of them, who have left their flocks, are obliged to pay 
 the parfon a cling for them, more than they Deceive. I need not 
 
 point 
 
Ct GENERAL WASHINGTON 1 ? 
 
 point on: the great utility of gentlemen v/hofe lives and conver- 
 fation art unexceptionable, being employed for that fervice, in 
 this army. There are two ways of making it worth the atten- 
 tion of ioch : one is an advancement of their pay ; the other, 
 that one chaplain be appointed to two regiments. This laft, I 
 think, may be done wilhout inconvenience. I beg leave to re- 
 commend this matter to Congrefs, whofe fentiments hereon I 
 ihall impatiently expect. 
 
 Upon a farther converfation with captain Freeman, he is of 
 opinion that general Montgomery has with him near three thou- 
 fand men, including colonel Arnold's. He fays that loid Pitt 
 had received repeated orders from his father to return home 5 
 in confequence of which, he had embarked fome time ia Oc- 
 tober, with a captain Green who was m alter of a vefiel belong- 
 ing to Philadelphia. 
 
 By a number of falutes in Bofton harbor yefterday, I fancy 
 admiral Sheldam is arrived. Two large {hips wtre feen com- 
 ing in. 
 
 Our enlirhnents now amcnint to cine thoufand fix hundred and 
 fifty. 
 
 Thofe gentlemen, who were rr.ade prifoners by lord Dun- 
 more, being left deftitute of money and neceffaries, I have ad- 
 vanced them a hundred pounds lawful money belonging to the 
 public, for which I have taken captain Mathews's draught on 
 the treafury of Virginia, which goes inclofed. 
 
 J have the honor to be, &.c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. You have, inclofed, the returns of the army. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge -, January 4, 1776, 
 
 SINCE my laft of the thirty-firft ultimo, I have been ho- 
 nored with your favor of the twenty-fecond, inclofiBg fundry 
 yefolves, which mail, in matters they refpe&, be made the rule 
 of my conduct. 
 
 refolution relative to the troops in Eofton, I beg the 
 favor cf you, fir, to afiure the Congrefs, (hall be attempted to 
 be put in execution the fiift moment 1 fee a probability of fuc- 
 cefs, and in fuch a way as a council of officers /hall think molt 
 likely to produce it : but if this fhould not happen as foon as 
 you may expect or rny wifhts prompt to, 1 requeft that Con- 
 ^rrefs may be pleafed to advert to my iituation, and do me the 
 juftice to believe, that circumftunces, and not want of inclina- 
 is the caufe of dt:hty. 
 
CiAL LETTERS^. 6c 
 
 It is not in the pages of hiftory, perhaps, to furniih a cafe 
 like ours : to maintain a poll within mufket-fhot of the enemy, 
 for fix months together, without * , and at the fame time 
 
 to difband one army, and recruit another, within that'diftance 
 of twenty-odd Britith regiments, -is more, probably.' than ever 
 was attempted. But if we fucceed~as well in the laft; as we 
 have heretofore in the firft, I ihall think it the moil fortunate 
 event of my whole life. 
 
 By a very intelligent gentleman, a Mr. Hutchinfon, from 
 BoftoR, I learn, that it was admiral Shuldham that came into 
 the harbor on faturday laft: j that two of the five regiments 
 from Cork are arrived at Halifax ; two others have foiled for 
 Quebec j but what was become of them, could not be told ; 
 and the other (the fifty-fifth) has juil got into Boflon. Certain 
 it is alfo, that the greater part of the feventeenth regir;-nt is 
 arrived there. Whtther we are to conclude from hence that 
 more than five regiments have been fent out, or 'that the com- 
 panies of the feventeenth, arrived at Boitpn, are part of trie re- 
 giroents deftined for Halifax and Quebec, I know not. 
 
 We alfo learn from this gentleman and others, that the 
 troops, embarked for Halifax (as mentioned in my letter of the 
 iixteenth) were really deiigned for that place, but recalled 
 from Nantafket road, upon advice being received of the above 
 regiments there. I am alfo informed of a fleet now getting - 
 ready under the convoy of the Scarborough and Foweymei: 
 war, confiiiing of five tra'nfports and two bomb veffels, with 
 about three hundred marines, and feveral flat bottomed boats. 
 It is whifpered that they are defigned for Newport, but gene- 
 rally thought in Boiton, that it is meant for Long-Ifland: and 
 it is probable it will be followed by more troops, as the other 
 tranlports are taking in water, to He, -as others fay, in Nan- 
 tajket road, to be out of the ice. A large quantity of bifcuit 
 ii alfo baking. 
 
 As the real defign cannot with certainty be knowtr^ I fubmit 
 it, with all due deference, to the fuperior judgment of Congrefs, 
 whether it would not be confident with prudence, to have fome 
 of the Jerfey troops thrown into New- York, to prevent an evil, 
 which would be almoft irremediable, mould it happen, I mean, 
 the landing of" troops at that place, or upon Lond-lHand, 
 near it. 
 
 As it is poffible you may not yet have received his majefty's 
 
 * 'Left blank in the origiimlto ^udrd againft the dangtr ofmif- 
 arrwg^. Read, " without powder," 
 
62 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 ** mofl gracious'*' 1 fpeech, I do myfelf the honor to inclofe one 
 of many, which were fent out of Boflon yefterday. It is full 
 of * * .*, and explicitly holds forth his royal will to be, that 
 vigorous meafures muft be purfued, to deprive us of our * * *^ 
 Thefe meafures, whatever they be, I hope will be oppofed by 
 more vigorous ones, and rendered unavailing and fruitlefs, 
 though fan&ioned and authorifed by the name of majeily, a 
 name, which ought to promote the blefiings of his people, and 
 not their oppreffion. 
 
 I am, fir, &c, G, W, 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Jan. n, 1776. 
 
 EVERY account I have out of Bofton, confirms the em- 
 barkation of troops mentioned in my laft, which, from the fea- 
 fon of the year, and other circumflances, muft be deftined for 
 forne expedition to the fouthward of this. I have therefore 
 thought it prudent to fend major-general Lee to New- York. I 
 have given him letters recommendatory to governor Trumbull, 
 and to the committee of fafety at New-York. I have good 
 hopes that in Conne&icut he will get many volunteers, who (I 
 have fome reafon to think) will accompany him on this expedi- 
 tion, without more expenfe to the continent than their mainte- 
 nance. But'fhould. it be otherwile, and that they ihould ex- 
 pe& pay, I think it is a trifling confideration, when put in com- 
 petition with the importance of the objecl, which is to put the 
 city of New-York, with fuch parts of the North river and 
 Long-Iiland as to him fhall feem proper, in that ftate of de- 
 fence, which the feafon of the year and circumftances will ad- 
 mit of, fo as, if poflible, to prevent the enemy from forming 
 a lodgment in that government, which, I am afraid, contains 
 too many perfons diiaffecled to the caufe of liberty and Ame- 
 xlca. I have alfo wrote to lord Stirling to give him all the af- 
 fiilance that he can with the troops under his command, in the 
 continental fervice, provided it does not interfere with any or* 
 ders he may receive from Congrefs relative to them, 
 
 I hope the Congrefs will approve of my conduct in fending 
 general Lee on this expedition : -I am fure I mean it well j as 
 experience teaches us that it is much eaiier to prevent an ene- 
 my from polling themfelves, than it is to diflodge them after 
 they have got poffefiion. 
 
 The evening of the eighth inftant, a party of our men, under 
 the command of major Kaoulton, were ordered to go and burn 
 
 feme 
 
'*., 
 OFFICIAL LETTERS. 6$ 
 
 fome houfes which lay at the foot of Bunker's-hill, and at the 
 head of Charleftown. They were alfo ordered to bring off the 
 guard, which, we expected, confiited of an officer and thirty 
 men. They croffed the milhdam about half after eight o'clock, 
 and gallantly executed their bufinefs, having burned eight 
 houfes, and brought with them, a ferjeant and four privates of 
 the tenth regiment. There was but one man more there, who* 
 making fome refiftance, they were obliged to difpatch. The 
 gun that killed him was the only one difcharged by our men, 
 though fevcral hundred were fired by the enemy from within 
 their works, but in fo confufed a manner, that not one of our 
 people was hurt. 
 
 Our enliftments go oh very heavily. 
 
 I am, with great refpect, &c. >G. W* 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Jan. 14, 1776* 
 
 I AM exceedingly forry that I am under the neceffity of 
 Applying to you, and calling the attention of Congrefs to the 
 ftate of our arms, which is truly alarming. Upon the diffolu- 
 tion of the old army, I was apprehenfive that the new would be 
 deficient in this inftance : and, that the want might be as in- 
 confiderable as poffible, I gave it out in orders, that the arms 
 of fuchmen as did not re-enlift (or fuch of them as were good) 
 mould be retained at the prices which fhould be affixed by per- 
 fons appointed to infpe<5l and value them : and, that we might 
 be fure of them, I added that there would be a ftoppage of pay 
 for the months of November and December, from thofe who 
 fhould carry their firelocks away without their being firft exa^- 
 mined. I hoped, by thefe precautions, to have procured a con- 
 fiderable number : but, fir, I find with much concern, that from 
 the badnefs of the arms, and the difobedience of too many in 
 bearing them off without a previous infpeclion, very few were 
 collected. Neither are we to expe&that many will be brought 
 in by the new recruits, the officers, who are out enlifling, hav- 
 ing reported that few men who have arms will enlilt in the fer- 
 vice j and that they are under the difagreeable alternative of 
 taking men without arms, or of getting none. Unhappy fitua- 
 tion, and much to be deplored ! efpecially when we have 
 every reafon to convince us, that we have to contend with a 
 formidable army, well provided of every neceffary - y and that 
 there will be a moft vigorous exertion of miniflerial vengeance 
 againft us, as foon as they think themfelves in a condition for 
 
 it, 
 
6"4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 it. I hope it is in the power of Congrefs to afford us relief: 
 if It is not, what muft, what can be done ? 
 
 Our treafury is almoft exhauited, and the demands againft it 
 very confiderable. A eonftant fupply of money, to anfwer every 
 claim and exigency, would much promote the good of the fer- 
 vice. In the common affairs of life, it is ufeful : in war, it is 
 abfolutely necelTary and effential. I would beg leave, too, to 
 remind you of the tents, and their impertance, hoping that 
 if an opportunity has offered, you have procured them. I fear 
 that our army will not be railed to the new eftablifhment in any 
 rcafonable time, if ever : the enlifling goes on fo very (low r 
 that it almoft feems at an end. 
 
 In my letter of the fourth inftant, I wrote you that I had re- 
 ceived certain intelligence from a Mr. Hutchiiifon and others, 
 that two of the five regiments from Cork were arrived at Hali- 
 fax, one at Bofton, and the two others had failed for Quebec, 
 and had^not been heard of. I am now allured (as a matter to 
 be relied on) by four captains of (hips, who left England about 
 the fecond of November, and who appear to be men of vera- 
 city, that the whole of theie regiments (except the tw r o com- 
 panies that arrived at Bofton iome time ago), when they failed, 
 were at Milford Haven, where they had been obliged to put 
 in, by a violent florm, the nineteenth of October ; that they 
 would not be able to leave it for a confiderable time, as they 
 were under the neceflity of repairing their veffels, and getting 
 fome new ones taken up. Such is the uncertainly and contra- 
 diction in what I now hear, that it is not poflible to know what 
 to believe or difbelieve. 
 
 I wrote to tke general court yerterday, and to the conventi- 
 on of New-Hampfhire, immediately upon feeing the great defi- 
 ciency in our arms, praying that they would intereft them- 
 felves in the matter, and furnuli rne with all in their power. 
 Whether I {hail get any, or what quantity, I cannot determine, 
 not having received their anfwers. - -The fame 'application will 
 be made to the governments of Connecticut and Rhode-Ifland. 
 
 I' do myfelf the honor to fend you fundry newfpapers I re- 
 ceived from the above-mentioned captains, as they may be later 
 than any you have feen, and contain fome interelling intelli- 
 gence. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 Cam- 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 6$ 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Jan. 19, 1776. 
 
 TAKING it for granted that general Schuyier lias not 
 only informed you of the fall of the brave and much-to-be-la- 
 rnented general Montgomery, but of the fituation of our affairs 
 in Canada (as related by general Woofter, colonel Arnold, co- 
 lonel Campbell, and others), I (ball not take up much more o 
 your time on this fubject, than is necefTary to inclofe you a copy 
 of his letter to me, with the refult thereon, as appears by the 
 council of war, which 1 immediately fummohed on the occafion, 
 and at which Mr. Adams, by my particular deiire, was good 
 enough to attend. 
 
 It may appear ftrange, fir, as I had not men to fpare from 
 thefe lines, that I mould prefume (without firft fending to Con- 
 grefs, and obtaining an exprefs direction) to recommend to the 
 governments of Maffachufetts, Connecticut, and New-Hamp*- 
 (hire, to raife each a regiment, on the continental account, for 
 this fervice. I wifh mofl ardently that the urgency of the cafe 
 would have admitted of the delay. I wifh alfo that the purport 
 of general Schuyler's letter had not, unavoidably as it were, 
 laid me under an indifpenfable obligation to do it : for having 
 informed you in his letter (a copy of which he inclofed me) of 
 his dependence on this quarter, for men, I thought you might 
 alfo have fome reliance on my exertions. This confideration, 
 added to my fears of the fatal confequences of delay, to an 
 information of your having defigned three thouiand men for Ca- 
 nada, to a belief, 'founded chiefly on general Schuler's letters, 
 that few or none of them were raifed, and to my apprehenfi * 
 ons for New-York, which led me to think, that no troops could 
 be fpared from that quarter, induced me to lofe not a mo-' 
 mot's time in throwing in a force there , being well affureti 
 that general Carleton will improve, to the utmoft, the advanta- 
 ges gained, leaving no aitifices untried, to fix the Canadians 
 and Indians (who, we find, are too well difpofed to take part 
 with the ftrong-eft) in his intereit. 
 
 If thefe reafons are not furHcient to juflify my conducl in the 
 opinion of Congrefs, if the meafure contravenes any resolution 
 of theirs, they will pleafe to countermand the levying and 
 marching or the regiments as foon as pofuble, and do me the 
 juilice to belive that my intentions were good, if my judgment 
 has erred. 
 
 The Congrefs will pleafe to obferve, that the meafures of 
 Supporting our polls in Cana4a appeared of luch exceeding great 
 importance, that the general officers (agreeing, with me in fen- 
 
 I ticaent, 
 
66 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 timent, and unwilling to lay any burden which can poflibly be 
 avoided, although it may turn out an ill-timed piece of parfi- 
 mony) have refolved that the three regiments for Canada (hall 
 be part of the thirteen militia regiments which were requelted 
 to reinforce this army, as appears by the minutes of another 
 council of war, held on the fixteenth inftant. I ftiall (being 
 much hurried and fatigued) add no more in this letter, than my 
 duty to Congrefs, and that I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
 G. W. * 
 
 P. S. I inclofe you a copy of my letter to the government 
 of Maifachufetts, Connecticut, and New-Hampfhire , alfo a copy 
 of a refolution of this colony, in anfwer to an application of 
 mine for arms. 
 
 Since writing the above, I have been informed by a meffage 
 from the general court of MaiTachufetts, that they have refol- 
 ved upon the raifing of a regiment for Canada, and appointed 
 the field officers for it, in the weftern parts of this government. 
 I am alfo informed by exprefj? from Governor Trumbull, that 
 lie and his council of fafety had agreed upon the raifing of a 
 regiment for the fame purpofe j which was anticipating my ap- 
 plication to that government. 
 
 If commiflions (and they are applied for) are to be given by 
 Congrefs to the three regiments going to Canada, you will 
 pleafe to have them forwarded, as I have none by me for that 
 jmrpofe. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Jan. 24, 1776, 
 
 THE commifTary general being at length {recovered] from 
 a long and painful illnefs, I have it in my power to comply 
 with the requilion of Congrefs, in forwarding an eitimate of the 
 expenfe attending his office, as alfo that of the quarter-mailer- 
 general. 
 
 You will pleafe to obferve that the comnfiflary, by his ac- 
 count of the matter, has entered into no fpecial agreement with 
 any of the perfons he .has found occafion to employ (as thofe, 
 to Vvhofe names fums are annexed, are of their own fixing), but 
 left it to Congrefs to afcertain their wages. I mall fay nothing 
 therefore on this head, farther than relates to the propofition 
 of Mr. * * *, to be allowed one -eighth for his trouble and 
 the delivery of the other feven-eighths of provifions, which to 
 me appears exorbitant in the extreme, however conformable it 
 may be to cuftom and ufage : I therefore think that reafonable 
 
O F F I C I A L L E T T E R S. 6j. 
 
 ftipends had better be' fixed upon. Both the quarter-maftcr . 
 and commiflary-gcnerals allure me that they do not employ a 
 Jingle perfon ufelefsly : and as I have too good an opinion of 
 them to think they would deceive me, I believe them. 
 
 I mall take the liberty, in this place, of recommending the 
 inexpediency, indeed the abfolute neceffity, of appointing fit 
 and proper perfons to fettle the accounts of this army. To do 
 it with piecifion, requires time, care, and attention : the longer 
 it is left undone, the more intricate they will be, the more lia- 
 ble to error, and, difficult to explain and rectify ; as alfo the 
 perfons in whofe hands they are (if difpofeq* to take undue ad- 
 vantage) will be lefs fubjeft to detection. I have been as at- 
 tentive as the nature of my office would admit of, in granting 
 warrants for money on the paymafter : but it would be abfo- 
 Lutely impoflible for me to go into an examination of all the ac- 
 counts incident to this army, and the vouchers appertaining to 
 them, without devoting fo large a portion of my time to the 
 buunefs, as might not only prove injurious, but fatal to it in 
 other refpefts. This ought, in my humble opinion, to be the 
 particular bunnefs of a fele& committee of Congrefs, or one 
 appointed by them, who, once in three months at furtheit, 
 ihould make a fettlement with the officers in the different de- 
 partments. 
 
 Having met with no encouragement from the governments 
 of Mafl'achufetts and New-Hampihire, from my application for 
 arms, and expecting no better from Connecticut and Rhode-Ii- 
 land, J have as the laft expedient, fent one or two officers from 
 each regiment into the country, with money, to try if they can 
 buy. In what manner they fucceed, Congrefs fhall be informed 
 as foon as they return. 
 
 Congrefs, in my laft, would difcover my motives for ftrength- 
 ening thele lines with the militia : but whether, as the wea- 
 ther turns out exceedingly mild, infomuch as to promife no- 
 thing favorable from ice. and no appearance of powder x I 
 ihall be able to attempt any thing deciuve, time only can deter- 
 mine. No man upon earth withes more ardently to dellroy 
 the neft in Bolton, than I do : no perfon would be willing to 
 go greater lengths than I (hall, to accomplifh it, if it fhall be 
 thought advifeable. But if we have neither powder to bombard 
 with, nor ice to pals on, we ihall be in no better fituation than 
 we have been in all the year ; we ihall be worfe, becaufe their 
 works are flronger. 
 
 1 have accounts from Bofton, which I think may be relied 
 on, that general Clioton, with about four or five hundred men, 
 
 hath 
 
68 GENERAL WASHINGTON!* 
 
 hath left that place within thefe four days. Whether this is 
 part of the detatchment which was making up (as mentioned in 
 my letter of the fourth inftant, and then at Nantafket) or not, is 
 not in ray power to fay. If it is defigned for new-York or 
 Long-I/land as fome think, throwing a body of troops there 
 may prove a fortunate circumftance. If they go farther fouth 
 agreeable to the conje&ures of others, 1 hope there will be men 
 to receive them. 
 
 Notwithftanding the pofitive affertions of the four captains 
 from Portfmouth, noticed in my letter of the fourteenth, I am 
 now convinced from feveral corroborating circumftances, the 
 accounts of deferters, and of a lieutenant Hill, of Lord Percy's 
 regiment, who left Ireland the fifth of November, and was ta- 
 ken by a privateer from Newburyport, that the feventeenth 
 and fifty-fifth regiments are arrived at Borlon, and other troops 
 at Halifax, agreeable to the information of Hutchinfon and o- 
 thers. Lieutenant Hill fays that the tranfports of two regi- 
 ments only were forced into Milford Haven. 
 
 Cpngrefs will think me a little remifs, 1 fear, when I inform ' 
 them that I have done nothing yet towards raifing the battalions 
 of marines : but I hope to ftand exculpated from blame, when 
 they hear the reafon, which was, that already having twenty-fix 
 incomplete regiments, I thought it would be adding to an ex- 
 penfe, already great, in officers, to fet two entire corps of offi- 
 cers on foot, when perhaps we ifhould not add ten men a week 
 By it to our prefent numbers. In this opinion the general offi- 
 cers have concurred, which induced me to fufpend the matter 
 a little longer. Our enliftments, for the two laft weeks, have 
 not amounted to a thoufand men, and are diminishing. The 
 regiment for Canada (it is thought) will foon be filled, as the 
 men are to chufe all but their field officers, who are appointed 
 by the court. 
 
 On funday evening, thirteen of the Caghnewaga Indians ar- 
 rived here on a vifit. I fhall take care that they be fo enter- 
 tained during their ftay, that they may returned impreiTed with 
 fentiments of friendfhip for us, and alfo of our great ftrength, 
 One of them is colonel Louis, who honored me with a viiit once 
 before. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c, G. W, 
 
O F.F I C I A L L E T T E It f , 69 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Jan. 30, 1776.. 
 
 YOUR favors of the fixth and twentieth inftant I receiv- 
 ed yefterday, with the feveral refolves of Gongrefs alluded to ; 
 for which I return you my thanks. '.:*"- 
 
 Knowing the great importance Canada will be of to us in the 
 prefent interefting conteft, and the relief our friends there (land 
 in need of, I mould be happy, were it in my power to detach a 
 battalion from this camp : but it cannot be dpne. On the 
 nineteenth inftant, I had the honor to write to you, which will 
 fully convey the resolutions of a council of war, and the fenti- 
 rnents of the general officers here, as to the propriety and expe- 
 diency of fending troops from thefe lines, for the defence of 
 which we have been and now are obliged to call in the militia; 
 to which I beg leave to refer you. You may reft affured 
 that my endeavors and exertions (hall not be wanting, to y ftU 
 urmlate the governments of Connecticut and New~Hamp(hire to 
 raife and forward reinforcements as faft as poflible j nor in any 
 other inftance that will promote the expedition. 
 
 I (hall, in obedience to the order of Congrefs, though inter- 
 dicted by general Howe, propofe an exchange of governor 
 Skene for Mr, Lovell and family, and (hall be happy to have 
 an opportunity of putting this deferving man (who has diftin- 
 guiihed his fidelity and regard to his country to be too gieatfor 
 perfecution and cruelty to overcome) in any pod agreeable to 
 his wiihes and inclination. 
 
 i do not know that there is any particular rank annexed to 
 the office of aids-de camp. Generally they are captains, and 
 rank as fuch : but higher rank is often given on account of par- 
 ticular merit and particular circumflances. Aids to the king 
 have the rank of colonels. Whether any diftin&ion ihould be 
 made between thofe of your commander- in-chief and the other 
 generals, I really know not : I think there ought. 
 
 You may rely that Conolly had inflruclions concealed in his 
 iaddle. Mr. * * * who was one of lord Dunmore's family," 
 and another gentleman who wiflies his name not to mentioned, faw 
 them cafed in tin, put in the tree, and covered over. He pro- 
 bably has exchanged his faddle, or withdrew the papers when 
 it was mended, as you conjecture. Thofe that have been di- 
 covered are fufficiently bad j but I doubt not of the others be- 
 ing worfe, and containing 'more diabolical and extenfive plans. 
 1 hope he will be taken proper care of, and meet with rewards 
 equal to his merits. 
 
 I mall 
 
fo GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 I {hall appoint officers in the places of thofe wlio are in Ca- 
 nada, as I am fully perfuaded they will wi(h to continue there, 
 for making our conqueft complete in that quarter. I wifti 
 their bravery and valor may be attended with the fmiles of for- 
 tune. 
 
 It gives me great pleafure to hear of the meafures Congrefs 
 are taking for manufacturing powder. I hope their endeavors 
 will be crowned with fuccefs. I too well know and regret the 
 want of it. It is fcarcely poffible to defcribe the difadvantages 
 an army muft labor under, when not provided with a fuffitient 
 fupply of this neceffary. It may feem ftrange, that, after hav- 
 ing received about eleven tons, added to about five tons which 
 I found here, and no general a6lion has happened, we (hould 
 be fo deficient in this article and require more. But you will 
 pleafe to confider, that, bfefides its being in its nature fubjecl: to 
 watte, and (whilft the men lay in bad tents) unavoidably da- 
 maged by fevere and heavy rains (which could not have been 
 prevented, unlefs it had been entirely withdrawn from the men, 
 and an attack hazarded againft us without ammunition in their 
 kands) the armed veflels, our own occafional firings, and fome 
 fmall fupplies I have been obliged to afford the fea-port towns: 
 threatened with deftru&ion, "-to which may be added the fup- 
 ply to the militia, and going off of the old troops, have occa- 
 iioned, and ever will, a large eonfumption of it, and waile, in 
 fpite of all the care in the world. The king's troops never 
 have lefs than fixty rounds a man in their poffeflion, indepen- 
 dent of their ftores.. To fupply an army of twenty thoufand 
 men in this manner, would take near four hundred barrels, al- 
 lowing nothing for {lores, artillery, &c. I have been always 
 afraid to place more than twelve or fifteen rounds at a time in 
 the hands of our men, left, any accident happening to it, we 
 fliould be left deftitute, and be undone. I have been thus pa'r- 
 ticular, not only to (hew our poverty, but to exculpate myfelf 
 from even a fufpicion of unneceffary wafte. 
 
 I (hall inform the paymafler-general of the refolutjon of Con-f 
 grefs refpec"Ung his draughts, and the mode and account of 
 them. 
 
 The companies at Chelfea and Maiden are and have always 
 been regimented. It was not my intention to replace with 
 continental troops the independent companies at Hingham, 
 Weymouth, and Braintree. Thefe places are expofed, but 
 not more than Cape Ann, Beverly, Salem, Marblehead, &c, 
 &c. &c. 
 
 Is 
 
O FT C I A L LETTERS. 71 
 
 Js it the intention of Congrefs that the officers of the army 
 (hould pay pottage ? They are not exempted by the relblve of 
 the ninth inftant. 
 
 The Congrefs will be pleafed, I have no doubt, to recollect 
 that the five hundred thoufand dollars, now coming, are but 
 little more than enough to bring us up to the firft -day of this 
 month } that to-morrow will be the laft of it: and, by their 
 refolves, the troops are to be paid monthly. 
 
 I wiih it was in my power to furnifh Congrefs with fach a 
 general as they defire, to fend to Canada. Since the unhappy 
 reverfe of our affairs in that quarter, general Schuyler has in- 
 formed me, that, though he had thoughts of declining the fer- 
 vice before, he would now act. My le.tter of the eleventh will 
 inform them of general Lee's being at New- York. He will 
 be ready to obey their orders, mould they incline to fend him : 
 but, if I am not greatly deceived, he or fome other, fpirited a-- 
 ble officer will be wanted there in the fpring, if not fooner j as 
 We have undoubted intelligence that general Clinton has failed 
 with fome troops. -The reports of their number are various, 
 from between four and five hundred to nineteen companies o 
 grenadiers and light infantry. It is alfo imagined that the re- 
 giments, which were to fail the firft of December, are intended 
 for that place or Virginia. General Putnam is a moll valua* 
 ble man, and a fine executive officer : but I do not know how 
 he would conduft in a feparate department. He is a younger 
 major-general than Mr. Schuyler, who, as I obferved, having 
 determined to continue in the fervice, will, 1 expect, repair in- 
 to Canada. A copy of my letter to him, on this and other fub- 
 jefts, I inclofe you, as it will explain my motives for not flop- 
 ping the regiments from thefe governments. ? *l, 
 When captain Cockran arrives, I will give him every aflift- 
 ance in my power, in obedience to the orders of Congrefs : but 
 I fear it will be the means of laying up our own veflels, as thefe 
 people will not bear the diftinc~iion. Should this be the confe- 
 quence, it will be highly prejudicial to us, as we fometimes pick 
 up their provifion-veffels, and may continue to dillrefs them m 
 this way, 
 
 Laft week captain Manly took a fhip and brig bound to Bof- 
 ton from Whitehaven, with coals chiefly, and fome potatoes, 
 for the army. I have for his great vigilance and induftry, ap- 
 pointed him commodore of our little fquadron j and he now 
 hoiils his flag on board the fchooner Hancock. 
 
 I congratulate you upon the recovery of Smith, and'am ex- 
 ceedingly glad to hear of the meafures Ccngrefs are taking for 
 
 the 
 
72 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S. 
 
 the general defence of the continent. The clouds thicken 
 iaft : where they will burft, I know not ; but we fhould be 
 armed at all points. 
 
 I hav-e not; fucceeded in my applications to thefe govern- 
 ments for arms. They have returned for anfwer, that they can- 
 not furniih any. Whether I ihall be more lucky in the laft re- 
 iburce left me in this quarter, I cannot determine, having not 
 received returns from the officers fent out to purchaie of .the 
 people. I greatly fear that but very few will be procured in 
 this way, as they are exceedingly fcarce, and but a fmall part 
 of what there are, fit for fervice, When they make their re- 
 port you (hail be informed. 
 
 The quarter-mafter-general has juft received from general 
 fiehuyler clothing for the foldiery, -amounting to about feven- 
 teen hundred pounds York currency. It has come very fea- 
 fonably, as they are in great want, and will contribute a little 
 to their relief. 
 
 Since wilting the above, I faw Mr. * * *, and mentioning 
 that nothing had been found in the tree of Conolly ? s laddie, he 
 told me there had been a miilake in the matter; that the in- 
 ftruclions were artfully concealed on the two pieces of wood 
 which are on the mail-pillion of his portman,teau-faddle ; that, 
 by order of lord Dun more, he faw them contrived for the pur- 
 pofe, the papeis put in, and firil covered with tin, and over that 
 with a waxed canvas cloth He is fo exceedingly pointed and 
 clear in his information, that I have no doubt of its being true. 
 - 1 could wiiTi them to be difcoverecl, as I think they contain 
 fome curious and extraordinary plans. 
 
 In my letter of the twenty-fourth inftant, I mentioned the 
 arrival of thirteen of our Caghnewaga friends. They honored 
 me with a talk to-day, as did three of the tribes of the St, 
 John's and Pafmiquoddi Indians *, copies of which I beg leave 
 to incloie you. I fnall write to general Schuyler refpe&ing the 
 tender of fervice made by the former, and not to call for their 
 afiiftance, uniefs he (hall at any time want it, or be under the 
 neceflity of doing it to prevent their taking the fide of our ene- 
 mies. 
 
 I had the honor of writing to you on the nineteenth of No- 
 vember, and then I iaformed you of having engaged two per- 
 fons to go to Nova-Scotia en the bufinefs recommended in your 
 letter of the tenth : and alfo thai the ft ate of the army would 
 not then admit of a fumcient force being fent, for carrying into 
 execution the views of Congrefs refpe&ing the dock-yards, &c.' 
 - 1 would now beg leave to attention, that, if the perfous, 
 
 fent 
 
OFFICIAL LET TEkS. 73 
 
 Tent for information, mould report favorably of the expedi- 
 ency and practicability of the meafure, it will not be in my 
 power to detach any men from thefe lines : the fituation of our 
 affairs will not allow it. I think it would be advifable to raife 
 them in the eaftcrn parts of this government. If it is attempt- 
 ed, it muft be by people from the country. -A colonel * * * 
 ajid a captain * * * have been with me : they think the men 
 neceffary may be ea.fily engaged there, and the meafure practi- 
 cable : provided there are not more than two hundred Britifh, 
 troops at Halifax, they are willing and ready to embark in the 
 matter, upon the terms mentioned in their plan, which I in- 
 ciofe you. I would wifh you to advert to the confideratiohs 
 inducing them to the expedition, as I ara not without appfe- 
 henfion, (hould it be undertaken upon their plan, that the. in- 
 nocent and guilty will be involved in one common ruin. I 
 piefume they do riot expect to receive more thaii the five -or ten 
 thoufand pounds mentioned in their fcherne, and to be at every 
 expenie. If We had men to fpare, it might be undertaken for 
 lets than either, I conceive. Perhaps, if Congrefe do not a- 
 dopt their proppiltion, they will undertake to raiffc men for 
 that particular purpoie, who may be" difbanded as foon as it is 
 effected, and upon the fame terms that are allowed the conti- 
 nental troops in general. Whatever may be'the determination 
 of Congrefs upon the fubje6r., you will pleafe to communicate 
 it to me immediately : for the feafon molt favorable for the- en- 
 terprife, is advancing fail y and we may expect in the fpring, 
 that there will be more troops there, and the meafure be more 
 difficult to execute. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W* 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Feb. $, 17761. 
 
 THE purport of this letter will be directed to a fingle ob- 
 iccl : through you I mean to lay it before Congrefs j and at 
 the fame time I beg their ferious attention to the fubjecT:, to 
 aik pardon for intruding an Opinion, not only uiiafked, but, in 
 iome meafure repugnant to their refblves. 
 
 The diiadvantages attending the limitted enliftmeht of troops 
 are too apparent to thofe who are eye-witneifes to them, to ren- 
 der any aniraadverfions necefiary : but to gentlemen at a dif- 
 tAnce, whofe attention is engroiTed by a thoufand important ob% 
 jeds,- the cafe may be otherwife. 
 
 That this ca'ufe precipitated the fate of the brave and much- 
 K to-be. 
 
74 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 to-be-lamented general Montgomery, and brought on the de- 
 feat which followed thereupon, I have not the moil diftant 
 doubt : for, had he not been apprehenfive of the troops leav- 
 ing him at fo important a crifls, but continued the blockade at 
 Quebec, a capitulation (from the beft accounts I have been a- 
 ble to colle6l) muft inevitably have followed. And that we 
 were not at one time obliged to difpute thefe lines under difad- 
 vantapeous circumftances (proceeding from the fame caufe, to 
 wit, the troops disbanding of themfclves before the militia 
 could be got in), is to me a matter of wonder and ailoniihment ; 
 and proves that general Howe was either unacquainted with our 
 iituation, ot r eft rained by his inftruclions from putting anything 
 to a hazard till his reinforcements fhould arrive. 
 
 The inftance of general Montgomery (I mention it, becaufe 
 it is a itriking one \ for a number of others might be adduced) 
 proves, that, inftead of having men to take advantage of 
 circumflances, you are in a manner compelled, right or wrong, 
 to make circumflances yield to a fecondary confederation. Since 
 the fir ft of December, I have been deviling every means in my 
 fiower to fecure thefe encampments; and, though I am fenfiblc 
 that we never have, lince that period, been able to act upon 
 the oiTenfive, and at times not in a condition to defend, yet the 
 coft of marching home one fet of men, bringing in another, 
 the havoc and wafte occafioned by the firft, the repairs necef- 
 fary for the fecond, with a thoufand incidental charges and 
 inconveniences which have arifen, and which it is fcarce poili- 
 ble eithe'r to recoiled!: or defcribe, amount to near as much, 
 as the keeping up a refpectable body of troops the whole time, 
 itady for any emergency would have dene. To this may be 
 added, that you never can have a well-difciplined army. 
 
 To bring men well acquainted with the duty of a foldier, re- 
 quires time. To bring them under proper difcipline and fubor-, 
 dination, not only requires time, but is a work of great diffi- 
 culty, and, in this army where there is fo little diftincSHon be- 
 tween the officers and foldiers, requires an uncommon degree 
 of attention. To expedl then the fame fervice from raw and 
 undifciplined recruits as from veteran foldiers, is to expecl 
 whnt never did and perhaps never will happen. Men who are 
 familiarifed to danger meet it without fhrinking-, whereas thofe 
 who have never feeh fervice often apprehend danger where no 
 danger is. Three things prompt men to a regular difcharge of 
 their duty in time of aftion, natural bravery, hope of re- 
 ward, and fear. of punifhment. The two firft are common to 
 the untutored and the difciplined foldier ; but the latter moit 
 
 cbvioufly 
 
O F F I C I A I. LETTERS. *$ 
 
 obvioufly diftinguimes the one from the other. A coward J 
 when taught to believe, that, if he breaks his ranks and aban- 
 dons his colors, he will be punifhed with death by his, own par- 
 ty, will take his chance againil the enemy: but a man who 
 thinks little of the one and is fearful of the other, ab from 
 prefent feelings, regardlefs of confequences. 
 
 Again, men of a day's landing will not look forward : and 
 from experience we find, that, as the time approaches for theic 
 difcharge, they grow carelefs of their arms, ammunition,' camp 
 utenfil-s, 8tc. Nay, even the barracks themfelves have felt 
 uncommon marks of wanton depredation, and lay us under frefk 
 tiouble and additional expenfe in providing for every freih fet, 
 when we find it next to impoflible to procure fuch articles as 
 are abfolutely neceffary in the firil inftance. To this may be 
 added the feafoning which new recruits miift have to a camp, 
 and the lofs confequent thereupon. But this is not all. Men, 
 engaged for a Ihort limitled time only, have the officers too 
 much in their power : for, to obtain a degree of popularity in 
 order to induce a fecond enliftment, a kind of familiarity takes 
 place, which brifigs on a relaxation of difcipline, unlicenfed 
 furloughs, and other indulgences incompatible with order and 
 good government ; by which means, the latter part of the time 
 for which the foldier was engaged, is fpent in undoing what 
 you were aiming to inculcate in the firft. 
 
 To go into an enumeration of all the evils we have experi- 
 enced in this late great change of the army, and the expenfes 
 incidental to it, to fay nothing of the hazard we have run, 
 and muft run, between the difcharging of one army and enlift- 
 ment of another, unlefs an enormous expenfe of militia is in- 
 currcd, would greatly exceed the bounds of a letter. What 
 I have already taken the liberty of faying will ferve to convey 
 a general idea of the matter j and therefore I ihall, with all 
 cue deference, take the freedom to give it as my opinion, that, 1 
 if the Congrefs have any reafon to believe that there will .be 
 occafion for troops another year, and confequently of another 
 f nliftment, they would fave money, and have infinitely better 
 troops, if they were, even at a bounty of twenty, thirty, or 
 more dollars, to engage the men already enlifted (till January 
 next), and fuch others as may be wanted to complete the en- 
 liftment, for and during the war. I will not undertake to fay 
 that the men can be had upon thefe terms ; but I am iatisfied 
 that it will never do, to let the matter alone, as it was laft 
 year, till the time of fervice was near expiring. The hazard 
 is too great in the firft place: in the- next, the trouble atid - 
 
 perplexity 
 
tf GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 plexiety of difpanding one army and railing of another at the 
 fame inftant, and in fuch a critical fituation as the laft was, is 
 fcarcely in the power of words to defcribe, and fuch as no man, 
 who has experienced it once, will ever undergo again. 
 
 If Congrefs mould, differ from me in fentiment upon this 
 point, I have only to beg that they will do me the jufiice to 
 believe, that ! have nothing more in view than what to me ap- 
 pear neceffary to advance the public weal, although in the 
 rft inftance it will be attended with a capital expenfe : and 
 that I h,ive the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, F-cb. 9, 17/6. 
 
 Btf. compliance with the refolves of Congrefs, I have -ap- 
 plied to general Howe for the exchange of Mr. Lovell. A 
 copy of my letter, and his anfwer thereto, you have inclofed. 
 
 Captain Watters and captain Tucker, who command two of 
 the armed fchooners, have taken and fent into Glocefter a large 
 brigantine, laden with wood, a hundred and fifty butts for wa- 
 ter, and forty fuits of bedding, bound from La Have in Nova* 
 Scotia, for Bofton. She is one of the tranfports in the mini- 
 Aerial fervice. The captain fays that he was at Halifax, the 
 ieventeenth of January, and that general Maffy was arrived 
 there with two regiments from Ireland. 
 
 The different prizes were all libelled immediately on the re- 
 ceipt of the refolves of Congrefs pointing out the mode - 7 but 
 Xione of them yet brought to trial, owing to a difference be- 
 tween the law palled in this province, and the resolutions of 
 Congrefs. The general court are making an amendment to 
 their law, by which the difficulties that now occur -will be re- 
 TOOved, as. I underftacd it is to be made conformable to your 
 refolves. The unavoidable delay attending the bringing the 
 captures to trial is grievoufly complained of by the matters of 
 thefe velTels, as well as the captors. Many of the former have 
 applied for liberty to go away without waiting the cleciiion, , 
 which I have granted them. 
 
 I beg leave to recall the attention of Congrefs to their ap- 
 pointing a comzniflary in thefe parts, to attend the providing 
 of neceHaries lor the prifoners who ;?.re difperied in thefe pro- 
 vinces. Complaints are rnade by fome of them, that they are 
 in want of .bedding and many other things. As I undcilland 
 that Mr. Franks has undertaken that builncfs, I wiih he was 
 ordered to fend a deputy immediately to fee that the .piifoneis 
 
 get 
 
OFFICIAL J.JSTTJERS. n 
 
 > t gp$ what is allowed them by Congrefs j .alfo to fupply the offi- 
 *cers with money as they may .have o.ccafian. , It would fave rne 
 much time and much trouble. 
 
 There arje yet but few companies of the militia come in* 
 This delay will, I am much afraid, fruftrate the intention of 
 their being called upon, as the IJeafon is flipping fall away when 
 they may be of fervice. 
 
 The demands of the army -were To very'prelling before your 
 laft remittance came to hand, that I was under the neceflity of 
 borrowing twenty-five thoufand pounds lawful money from this 
 province. They very cheerfully lent it, and .paffed vote' for 
 as much more, if requited. I have not repaid the fum bor- 
 rowed, as I may {land in need of it before the arrival of an- 
 other fupply, which the demands of the coramiiTary-general, 
 quarterrnafler-geneial, and paying off the arrearages, will very 
 foon require. 
 
 Your efteemed favor of the twenty-ninth ultimo is juft come- 
 to hand. It makes me very happy to find myfconduft hath 
 met the approbation of Congrefs. I am entirely of your opi- 
 nion, that, ihould an accommodation take place, the .terms 
 will be fevere or favorable in proportion to curability to refill, 
 and tjiat we .ought to be on a refpeclable footing to receive 
 .their armaments in the fpring. But how far we fhall be pto-r 
 vided with the means, is a matter I profefs not to know, under 
 juy prefent unhappy want of arms, ammunition, and, 1 may 
 add, men, as our regiments are very incomplete. The re. 
 cruiting goes on very flow, and will, I apprehend, be more fo, 
 if for other fervice the men receive a bounty, and none is given 
 here. 
 
 I have tried every method I could think of, to procure arms 
 for our men. They really arc not to be had in tjjiefe govern- 
 ments (belonging to the public-) j and if fome method is not 
 fallen upon, in the fouthern governments, to fupply us, we 
 fualj. be in a diftreffed iituation For want of them., There aie 
 near two thoufand men now in camp without firelocks. -I have 
 wrote to the committee of New-York this day, requeuing them 
 to fend me thofe arms which were taken from the difafie&ed in 
 that government. 1 he Congrefs interefling themfelves in this 
 requeft will doubt] efs have a good effecl:. I have fent officers 
 jinto the country,, with money to pujchafe arms in the different 
 towns. Some have returned, and brought in a few : -many 
 are ilill out ; what jheir fuccefs will be, I cannot determine. 
 . I was .in great hopes, that the expreffes, refolved to be efta- 
 Jbliilied between this place and Philadelphia, would ere now 
 
 have 
 
7$ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 have been fixed. It would, in my opinion, rather fave than 
 increafe the expenfe ; as many horfes are deftroyed by one man 
 coming the whole way. It will certainly be more expeditious, 
 and fafer, than writing by the poft or private hands, which I 
 am often under the necefiity of doing. 
 
 I am, with great refpeft, &c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Feb. 9, 1776, 
 
 I BEG leave to inform you, at the requeft of the com- 
 mittee of pay-table of the colony of Connecticut, that I have 
 not advanced, to any of the regiments from that government, 
 any mon^y except the fum of feven thoufand one hundred and 
 feventy-two dollars and one-ninth, on the twentieth of Novem- 
 ber laft, to major-general Putnam, for the thirty-fourth regi- 
 ment under his command. I mould have paid them in the fame 
 manner I did the reft of the army, had I not been prevented 
 by the colonels, who expreffed thtir inclination to receive the 
 whole at once, upon their return home, at the expiration of 
 fervice, as was cuftomary in their colony. For this reafon, I 
 never included them in my eflimates of money, and have made 
 no provifion for their payment, always imagining that whatever 
 payments the colony made them, Ccr.grefs would apply to their 
 credit in the general account againit the United Colonies, or 
 refund upon application. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &.c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, Feb. 14, 1776. 
 
 THROUGH you, I beg leave to lay before Congrefs the 
 inclofed letter from lord Drummond to general Robertfon, 
 which came to my hands a few days ago, in order to be fent in- 
 to Bofton. 
 
 As I never heard of his lordfhip being veiled with power to 
 treat with Congrefs upon the fubje6l of our grievances, nor of 
 his having laid any propofitions before them for an accommo- 
 dation, I confefs it furprifed me much, and led me to form va- 
 rious conjectures of his motives, and intended application to 
 general Howe and admiral Shuldham for a paffport, for the 
 i-afe-conducl of fitch deputies as Congrefs might appoint for ne- 
 gotiating terms of reconciliation between Great-Britain and us. 
 Whatever his intentions are, however benevolent his deiigns 
 
O F F I C I A L L T T E R S. 79 
 
 may be, I confefs that his letter has embarraffed me much; and 
 I am not without fufpicion of its meaning moie than the genei> 
 ous purpofes it profeifes. I mould fuppofe, that, if the mode 
 for negotiation, which "Itc points out, ihould be adopted *which 
 J hope will never be thought of), it ought to have been fixed 
 and fettled previous to any application of this fort 5 and at belt, 
 that his conduct in this inilance is premature and officious, and 
 leading to confequences of a fatal and injurious nature to the 
 rights of this country. His zeal and defire, perhaps, of an a- 
 micable and coniHtutiohal adjuftment's taking place may have 
 fuggefted and precipitated the meafure. Be that as it may, I 
 thought it of too much importance, to fuffer it to go in without 
 having the exprefs direction of Congrefs for that purpofe ^ 
 and that it was my indifpenfable duty to tranfmit them the ori- 
 ginal, to make fuch interpretations and inferences .as they may 
 think right. 
 
 MefiVs. Willard and Child, who were fent to Nova-Scotia, in 
 purfuance of the refolve of Congrefs, have juft returned, and 
 made their report, which I do myfelf the honor to inclafe you* 
 They have not anfwered the purpofes of. their commiflion by a- 
 ny means, as they only went a little way into that country, and 
 found their intelligence upon the information of others. You 
 will fee the reafons they afiign ill excufe or juilification of their 
 conduft, in the report itfelf. 
 
 Lail night a party of regulars, faid to be about five hundred, 
 landed on Dorchefter neck, and burned fome of the houfes 
 there, which were of no value to us j nor would they have been, 
 unlefs we take poll there : they then might be of fome fervice. 
 A detachment went after them as foon as the fire was difcover- 
 ed : but, before it could arrive, they had executed their plan, 
 and made their retreat. 
 
 Inclofed is a letter for David Franks, efquire, from Mr. 
 Chamier in Bofton, upon the fubjecl; of victualling fuch of the. 
 king's troops as may be prifoners within the limits of his con- 
 tract, which I beg the favor of you to deliver him, and that 
 proper agents may be appointed by him, to fee that it is done. 
 I could wifh too, that Congr.efs would fall upon fome mode for 
 fupplying the officers with fuch money as they may really Hand 
 in need of, and depute proper perfons for that purpofe, and 
 furnifhing the privates with fuch cloathing as may be abfolutely 
 neceffary. I am applied to, and wearied by their repeated re- 
 quefts. In fome inftances I have defired the committees to 
 give the prifoners within their appointments, what they fnould 
 judge abfolutelj necefiary for their fupport, as the only means 
 
go ' GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 in my power of relieving tlieir diftrefs, but I imarnn?, that, 
 if there were' perfons to fuperintend this bufinefs, their want.} 
 would ^>e better attended to, and many exorbitant charges pre- 
 vented and laved to the continent j and the whole would then 
 be brought into a proper account. 
 
 I am, fir, with great eiieem, &c. G. 
 
 ;.-,' y. return of the iirength of the regiments, 
 
 w 
 
 Six, Cambridge, Feb, iS, 1776. 
 
 TK'K Ir.te freezing weather having formed fome pretty 
 g ice from. 13 o'rc helper point to Boilon neck, and from 
 I ? rrhury to the Common, thereby affording a more expanded 
 :;uecvaently a lets dangerous approach to the" town, I could 
 not .help thinking, notwithftanding the militia were not all 
 come in, and we hs.d little cc r o powder to begin our operation 
 by a regular cannonade or bombardment, that a. bold and re- 
 foir.te aifault upon thr, troo-v-; :;: Bbfto'ft with fuch men as we 
 "had (for it could not take many men to guard our own lines at 
 a time when the enemy were' attacked in all quarters) might be 
 crowned with fuccefs : and. therefore, feeing no certain profpect 
 of a fupply of co'vvdcr on tlie ori^ han'd, and a certain ciirTolution. 
 of the ice on the other, I called the general Officers' together, 
 far their option, agreeably tcrthi- refolve of Congrefs, of the 
 twenty-tbcorid of December. 
 
 The re ful t will appear in tlic Inclofed council of war ; and, 
 "being alinoft iinaiiiraous, I muft fuppoie it to be rip-lit 5 al- 
 though, 0-om a thoroiicrh convriiion of the neceifity of attempt- 
 ing foraefhing -lie riiniiferial troops before a reinforce- 
 ment Oiould arrive, and while we were favored with the ice, I 
 Was not only ready, b"t wining, and defirous of making the af~ 
 ikult, under a finii h-pp.; u t'ift ' rtsri \vould have iiood by me) 
 of a favorable iHur, noiwithflanding the enemy 'u advantage of 
 ground, artillery., &c. 
 
 Perhaps the irkfomenef^ of my fituation may have given dif- 
 ferent ideas to rne, than thofe which influenced the gentlemen 
 I confuitcd, and uiight have inclined nae to put more to the 
 <J, l'an wa?r conhilent \vith prudence : if it had, I am 
 not feniible of it, as I endeavored to give it all the coniidera- 
 tion that a matter of fach importance required. True it is, 
 .. ;J I cannot help acknowledging, that I have many difagreea- 
 ble fcnfations on account of my fituation: for, to have the eyes 
 of the -,vho!e continent fixed v/itr. cxpeclation of hear- 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 8r 
 
 ing of fome great event, and to be retrained in every military 
 operation, for want of the necefTary means of carrying it on, 
 13 not very pleafing, efpecially as the means ufed to conceal my 
 weaknefs from the enemy, conceal it allb from our friends, and 
 add to their wonder. 
 
 I do not utter this by way of complaint. I am fenilble that 
 all that the Congrefs could do, they have donej and I ih-ould 
 feel feel mod powerfully the weight of eonfcious ingratitude, 
 were I not to acknowledge this* But as we have accounts of 
 the arrival of powder in captain Mafon, I would beg to have it 
 lent on in the moil expeditious manner : otnerwife we not only 
 lofe all chance of the benefits refuiting from the feafon, but of 
 the militia, who are brought in at a mofl enormous expenfe, 
 upon a prefumption that w r c mould, long ere this, have been, 
 amply fupplied with powder, under tne contracts entered into 
 with the committee of Congrefs. 
 
 The militia, contrary to an exprefs requifition, are come 
 and coming in without ammunition. To fupply them alone 
 with -twenty-four rounds (which is lefs, by three-fifths, than 
 the regulars are ferved with) will take between fifty and fixty 
 barrels of powder; and to complete the other troops to the like 
 quantity, will take near as much more, .and leave in flare not 
 more that about fixty barrels, befides a few rounds of cannon 
 cartridges ready filled for u(e. This, fir, Congrefs may be a* 
 iiired, is a true Hate of our powder, and will, I hope, bear 
 fome teflimony of my- incapacity for adtion in fuch a way as may 
 do any eirentiai fervice. 
 
 February 21. When I began this lettsr, I propofed to have 
 feat it by exprefs* But recolle&ing that ail my late letters 
 have been as expreffive of my want of powder and arras as I 
 could aint them, and that Mr. Hooper was to fct off in a day 
 or two, I thought it unneceiiciry to run the continent to the ex-* 
 penfe of an exprefs, merely to repeat what I had fo oftsn done 
 before, when I am certain that Congrefs, knowing our necefii- 
 ties, will delay no time that can poiTibls be avoided in fupply* 
 ing them. 
 
 My duty is offered to Congrefs , and, with great refpecl and 
 
 efteera, I have the honor to be, cic. G. W. 
 
 P. S. Hearing of the arrival of a frnail parcel of powder 
 
 in Connecticut, I have been able to obtain three tlioufand 
 
 weight of it, which is in addition to the fixty -barrels before 
 
 ' mentioned. 
 
82 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 SIR, Cambridge , Feb. 26 3 '7;- 
 
 I HAD the honor of addrefHng you on the eighteenth 
 and tvventy-firft inftant, by Mr. Hooper } nce which, nothing 
 material has occurred. 
 
 We are making every neceffary preparation for taking pofTef- 
 iion of Dorchefter heights as foon as pofiible, with a view of 
 drawing the enemy out. How far our expectations may be an- 
 fwered, time only can determine : but I mould think, if any 
 thing will induce them to hazard an engagement, it will be our 
 attempting to fortify thefe heights j as, on that events taking 
 place, we mall be able to command a great part of the town 
 and almoft the whole harbor, and to make them rather difa- 
 greeable than otherwife, provided we can get a fufficient fupply 
 of what we greatly want. 
 
 Within thefe three or four days, I have received fundry ac- 
 counts from Bofton, of fuch movements there, (fuch as taking 
 the mortars from Bonker's-hill, the putting them, with feve- 
 ral pieces of heavy ordnance, on board of ihip, with a quantity 
 of bedding, the mips all taking in water, the baking a large 
 quantity of bifcuit, &c.) as to indicate an embarkation of 
 the troops from thence. A Mr. Ides, who came out yefterday, 
 fays that the inhabitants of the town generally believe that they 
 are aboijt to remove either to New-York or Virginia, and that 
 every veflel in the harbor, on tuefday laft, was t^ken up for go- 
 vernment's fervice, and two months' pay advanced them. 
 Whether they really intend to embark, or whether the whole 
 is a feint, is impoflible for me to tell. However I have thought 
 it expedient to fend an exprefs to general Lee, to inform him 
 of it (in order that he may not be taken by furprife, if their 
 deftination mould be againfl New- York), and continued him 
 on to you. If they do embark, I think the poiTeiTmg them- 
 felves of that place, and of the North river, is the objec> 
 they have in view, thereby fecuring the communication with 
 Canada, and rendering the intercourfe between the northern 
 and fouthern United Colonies exceedingly precarious and dif- 
 ficult. To prevent them from effecting their plan, is a mat- 
 ter of the higheft importance, and will require a large and 
 refpe&able army, and the moll vigilant and judicious exer- 
 tions. 
 
 Since I wrote by Mr. Hooper, fome fmall parcels of powder 
 have arrived from Connecticut, which will give us a little alTilt- 
 ance. 
 
 On thurfday night a party of our men at Roxbury made the 
 
 enemy's 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. % 
 
 enemy's out-centuries, confifling of a corporal and two privates, 
 prisoners, without firing a gun or giving the lead alarm. 
 
 1 fhall be as attentive to the enemy's motions as I can, and 
 obtain all the intelligence in my power 5 and, if Ifcfind them 
 embark, mail in the moft expeditious manner detach a part of 
 the light troops to New-York, and repair thither myfelf if cit- 
 cumftances fhall require it. I fhall be better able to judge 
 what to do, when the matter happens. At prefent, I can on- 
 ly fay that I will do every thing that mall appear proper and 
 neceffary. 
 
 Your letter of the twelfth inftant, by colonel Bull, came to 
 hand yefterday evening : and I fhall, agreeable to your recom> 
 mendation, pay proper notice to him. The fupply of cafli came 
 very feafonably, as our treafury was juft exhaufted, and nothing 
 can be done here without it. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. This was intended to have been fent by exprefs : but 
 meeting with a private opportunity, the cxprefs was counter- 
 manded. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, March 7 
 
 ON the twenty-fixth ultimo I had the honor of addrefTing 
 you, and then mentioned that we were making preparations for 
 taking poffeflion of Dorchefter heights. I now beg leave to in- 
 form you, that, a council of general officers having determined 
 a previous bombardment and cannonade expedient and proper, 
 in order to harrafs the enemy and divert their attention from 
 that quarter, on faturday, funday, and monday nights laft, we 
 carried them on from our pofts at Coble-hill, Leechmoie's- 
 point, and Lim's-dam. Whether they did the enemy any con- 
 liderable and what injury,- 1 have not yet heard, but have the 
 pleafure to acquaint you that they greatly facilitated ourfchemes, 
 and would have been attended with fuccefs equal to our mofl fan- 
 guine expectations, had it not been for the unlucky burfting of 
 two thirteen, and three ten-inch mortars, among which was the 
 brafs one taken in the ordnance brig. To what caufe to attri- 
 bute this misfortune, I know not, whether to any defecl: in 
 them, or to the inexperience of the bombardiers. But to re- 
 turn, on monday evening, as foon as our firing commenced, a 
 conliderable detachment of our men, under the command cf 
 brigadier-general Thomas, crofled the neck, aud took poffeflion 
 of the two hills, without the leafl interruption or annoyance 
 
 from 
 
S 4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 from the enemy ; and t>v their great activity and induitry, be- 
 fore the morning, advanced the works fo far as to be fecure a- 
 gainft their ihot. Tkey are now going on with fuch expedition, 
 that in a4ittle time I hope they will be complete, and enable 
 our troops llationd there to make a vigorous and obftinate ftand. 
 Daring- the whole cannonade, which was inceffant the lail two 
 nights, we were fortunate enough to lofe but two men, one, 
 a lieutenant, by a cannon ball's taking offhis thigh, the other, 
 a private, by the explofion of a fhell, which alfo ilightly wound- 
 ed four or five more. 
 
 Our taking porTeffion of Dorchefter heights is only prepara- 
 tory to taking port on Nuke-hill, and the points oppolite the 
 fouth end of Bofton. It was abfolutely neceffary that they 
 ihould be previoufly fortified, in order to cover and command 
 them. As foon as the works on the former are rimmed and 
 complete, meafures will be immediately adopted for fccuring 
 the latter, and making them as iirong and defensible as we can. 
 Their contiguity to the enemy will make them of much import- 
 ance, and of great fervice to us. 
 
 As mortars are effential, and indifpenfably neceiTary for car- 
 rying on our operations, and for the profecution ef our plans, I 
 liave applied to two furnaces to have fome thirteen inch ones 
 call with all expedition imaginable, and am encouraged to hope, 
 from the accounts I have had, that they w r ill be able to do it. 
 "When they are done, and a proper fupply of powder obtained, 
 I flatter myfelf, from the polls we have juft taken and are about 
 to take, that it will be in our power to force the minifterial 
 troops to an attack, or to difpofe of them in feme way that will 
 be of advantage to us. I think from tlicfe polls they will be 
 fo galled and annoyed, that they mud either give us battle or 
 quit their prefent policffions. 1 am rcfolved that nothing ou 
 jny part (hall be wanting, to efTecl: the one or the ether. 
 
 It having been the general opini ri that the enemy would at- 
 .ternpt to di Hodge our people from the hills, and force their 
 works as foon as they were difcovered, which probably might 
 have brought .on ,a general engagement, -it was thought ad- 
 vifable that the honorable council fhould be applied to, to order 
 in the militia from the neighboring and adjacent towr.r;. I wrote 
 to them on the iubjeft, which they moft readily complied -with : 
 and in juftics to the militia, I cannot but inform yon that they 
 tame in at the appointed time, and manifeited the greatdtalert- 
 uefs and determined refolution to have ailed like men engaged 
 jn the caufe of freedom. 
 
 tlie enemy firft difcoyerecl our works in the morning, 
 
 they 
 
OFFICIAL -LETT E'R- 1 85 
 
 they feemed to be in great confufion, and, From their move- 
 ments, to have intendtd an attack. It is much to be wiftied 
 that it had been made; -the. event, I think, muft have been 
 fortunate, and noting lefs than fuccefs and vi&ory on our fide, 
 as-our officers and men appeared impatient for the appeal, and 
 to have pofEeiTed the moil animated fentiments and determined 
 refolution. 
 
 On tuefday evening a conliderable number of their troops 
 embarked on board of their tranfports, and fell down to th-i 
 caftle, where part of them landed before dark. One or two of 
 the veffels got a-ground, and were fired at by our people with 
 a field-piece, but without any damage. What was the defign 
 of th'ib embarkation and landing, I have not been able to learn. 
 It would feem as if they meant an attack j for it is moft proba- 
 ble, that, if they make one on our works at Dorchefter at this 
 time, they will firil go to the caille, and come from thence. 
 If fuch was their defign, a violent ftorm that night, and which 
 lailed till eight o'clock the next' day, rendered the execution 
 of it impracticable. It carried one or two of their veffels a- 
 iliore, which have fince got off. 
 
 In cafe the minifcerial troops had made an attempt to diilodge 
 our men. from Dorchefter hills, and the number detached upon 
 the occaiion had been fo great as to have afforded a probability of 
 a fuccefsful attack's being made upon Boiton, on a fignalgiven. 
 from Roxbury, for that purpofe, agreeable to a fettled and COTJ^ 
 certed plan, four thoufand chofen men,, who were held in rea- 
 dinefs, were to have embarked at the mouth of Cambridge ri- 
 ver, in two divifions, the firft under the command of brigadier- 
 general Sullivan, the fecond under brigadier-general Greene, 
 the whole to have been commanded by major-general Put- 
 nam. The firft diviilon was to land at the powder-houfe, and 
 gain poffeflion of .Beacon-hill and Mount-Horam, the fecond 
 at Barton's point or a little fouth of it, and, after fecuring that 
 poft, to join the other divifion, and force the enemy's gates and 
 .works at the neck, for letting in the Roxbury troops. Three 
 floating batteries were to have preceded, and gone in front of 
 the other boats, and -kept up a heavy fire on that part of the 
 town where our men were to land. 
 
 How far our views would have fucceeded, ha.d an opportu- 
 nity offered for attempting the execution, is impoffible for me 
 to lay : nothing lefs than experiment could determine with pre- 
 cifion. The plan was thought to be well digefted; and, as far 
 as I could judge from ti;e cheerfulnefs and alacrity which d'if- 
 
 tinguifhed 
 
36 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 tinguiflied the officers alid men who were to engage in tlie en- 
 terprife, I had reafon to hope for a favorable and happy iffue. 
 The militia who were ordered in from the adjacent towns 
 brought with them three day's provifion. They were only 
 called upon to aft under the idea of an attack's being immedi- 
 ately made, and were all difcharged this afternoon. 
 
 I beg leave to remind Congreis that three major-generals are 
 effential and neceffary for this army ; and that, by general Lee's 
 being called from hence to the the command in Canada, the 
 left divifion is without one. I hope they will fill up the vacan- 
 cy by the appointment of another. General Thomas is the 
 firfl brigadier, Hands fair in the point of reputation, and is ef- 
 teemed a brave and good officer. If he is promoted, there 
 will be a vacancy in the brigadier-generals, which it will be 
 neceffary to fupply by the appointment of fome other gentleman 
 that (hall be agreeable to Congrefs : but juftice requires me to 
 mention that William Thompfon, efquire, of the rifle regiment, 
 Is the firfl colonel in this department, and, as far as I have had 
 an opportunity of judging, is a good officer and a man of cou- 
 rage. What I have faid of thefe two gentlemen, I conceived 
 to be my duty, at the fame time acknowledging, whatever pro- 
 motions are made will be fatisfaclory to me. 
 
 March 9. Yefterday evening, a captain Irvine, who ef- 
 
 caped from Eoflon the night before, with fix of his crew, came 
 to head-quarters, and gave the following intelligence : "That 
 our bombardment and cannonade caufed a great deal of furprife 
 and alarm in town, as many of the foldiery faid they never 
 lieard or thought we had mortars or {hells \ that feveral of the 
 officers acknowledged they were well and properly dire&edj 
 that they made much diftrefs and confufion j that the cannon- 
 fiiot, for the greateft part, went through the houfes ; and he 
 was told that one took off the legs and arms of fix men lying 
 in the barracks on the neck ; that a foldier, who came from 
 the lines there on tuefday morning, informed him that twenty 
 men had been wounded the night before : it was reported that 
 others were alfo hurt, and one of the light-horfe torn to pieces 
 by the explofion of a (hell: this was afterwards contradicted :) 
 *-that, early on tuefday morning, admiral Shuldham, difco- 
 vering the works our people were throwing up on Dorchefter 
 heights, immediately fent an exprefs to general Howe, to in- 
 form him that it was neceffary they mould be attacked and dif- 
 lodged from thence, or he would be under the neceflity of with- 
 drawing the (hips from the harbor, which w r ere under his com- 
 mand > that preparations were directly made for that purpofe, 
 
 as 
 

 OFFICIAL LETTERS. 87 
 
 as it was faid; and, from twelve to two o'clock, about three 
 thoufand men embarked on board the tranfports, which fell 
 down to the caftle with a defign of landing on that part of Dor- 
 chefter next to it, and attacking our works on the heights at 
 five o'clock the next morning j that lord Percy was appointed 
 to command j that it was generally believed the attempt would 
 have been made, had it not been for the violent ftorm which 
 happened that night, as I have mentioned before j that he 
 heard feveral of the privates, and one or two ferjeants, fay as 
 they were embarking, " that it would be another Bunker's-hill 
 affair." 
 
 He further informs " that the army is preparing to leave 
 Bollon, and that they will do it in a day or two j that the 
 tranfports neceffary for their embarkation were getting ready 
 with the utmoil expedition $ that there had been great move- 
 ments and confufion among the troops, the night and day pre- 
 ceding his coming out, in hurrying doxvn their cannon, artil- 
 lery and other ftores, to the wharfs, with the utmoft precipita- 
 tion, and they were putting them on board the {hips in fuch 
 hafte, that no account or memorandum was taken of thm ; 
 that moft of the cannon were removed from their works, and 
 embarked or embarking j that he heard a woman fay, whom 
 he took to be an officer's wife, that (he had feen men go under" 
 the ground at the lines on the neck, without returning ; that 
 the ihip he commanded was taken up, places fitted, and fitting 
 for officers to lodge, and feveral (hot, fhells, and cannon alrea- 
 dy on board ; that the tories were to have the liberty of going 
 where they pleafe, if they can get feamen to man the veiTels, 
 of whom there was a great fcarcity j that, on that account, 
 many veffels could not be carried away, and would be burned ; 
 that many of the inhabitants apprehended the town would be 
 deftroyed j and that it was generally thought their deftination 
 is Halifax." 
 
 The account given by captain Irvine, as to the embarkation, 
 and their being about to leave the town, I believe true. There 
 are other circumftances corroborating; and it feems fully con- 
 firmed by a paper figiied by four of the fele6l-men of the town 
 (a copy of which I have the honor to inclofe you), which was 
 brought out yefterday evening by a flag, and delivered to colo- 
 nel Learned, by major Baflet of the tenth regiment, who de- 
 fired it might be delivered me as foon as poffible. I advifec! 
 with fuch of the general officers upon the occafion, as I could 
 immediately aiTemble ; and we determined it right (as it was not 
 addreffed to me or any one elfe, nor authenticated by the fig- 
 
 nature 
 
88 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 nature of general Howe, or any other aft obliging him to a 
 performance of the promife mentioned on his part) that I fhoulcl 
 give it no anfwer ^ at the fame time, that a letter fhould be re- 
 turned, as going from colonel Learned, fignifying his having 
 laid it beiore me, with the reaions aiTigned for not anfwermg 
 it. A copy of this is lent. 
 
 To-night I fLall have a battery thrown up on Nuke-hill 
 (Doichefler point) with a defign of acting as circumiiances 
 may require ; it being judged advifable to profecute our plans 
 of fortification as we intended, before this information from, the 
 feleft-men came. 
 
 It being agreed on all hands that there is no poffihUity of 
 ilr.pping them in cafe they determine to go, I {hall order 
 3ook-outs to be kept upon all the head-lands, to difcover their 
 movements and courfe, and moreover direct commodore Manly 
 and his little fquadron to dog them, as well for the fame pur- 
 pofe as for picking up any of their veilels that may chance to 
 depart their convoy. From their loading with fuch precipi- 
 tancy, it is prefurnable they will not be in the beft condition 
 for fea. 
 
 If the minifterial troops evacuate the town and leave h 
 ftanding, I have thoughts of taking rneafures for fortifying- the 
 entrance into the harbor, if it mall be thought proper, and the 
 fituation of affairs will admit of it. 
 
 Notwithstanding the report from Boflon that Halifax is the 
 place of their deitination, I have no doubt but they are going 
 to the fouthward of this, and, I apprehend, to New-Yoik. 
 Many reafons lead to this opinion : it is in fome meafure corro- 
 borated by their fending an exprcfs mip there, which, on wed- 
 nefday week, got on more and bilged at Cape-Cod. The dif- 
 patches, if written, were deftroyed when (he was boarded. Sli- 
 "had a parcel of coal, and about four thoufand cannon-ihot, ii.: 
 carriage-guns, a fwivel or two, and three barrels of powder. 
 
 I {hail hold the riflemen and other parts of 'our troops in 
 readineis to march at a moment's warning, and govern my 
 movements by the events that happen, or fuch orders as I may 
 receive from Congrefs, which I beg may be ample, and for- 
 warded with all poflible expedition. 
 
 On the fixth inftant, a ihip bound from London, with {lores 
 
 for the minifterial army, coniiiling of coal, porter, and kraut. 
 
 fell in with our armed veiTels, four of them in company, and 
 
 v.vis carried into Portfmouth. She had had a long paflage, and 
 
 ^nt no papers of late date. The only letters of 
 
 importance. 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 importance, or in the leaft interefting, that were found, I have 
 in do fed. 
 
 I* beg leave to mention to Congrefs that money is much 
 wanted. The militia from thefe governments, engaged till 
 the flrir. of April, are then to be paid : and, if we march from. 
 hence, the expenfe will be very confiderable, muft be defrayed, 
 and cannot be aecomplimed without it. The neceflity of mak- 
 ing the eaiiieft remittance for thefe purpofes is too obvious, 
 fox me to add more. 
 
 When I wrote that part of this letter which is antecedent to 
 this, date, I fully expected it would have gone before now by 
 colonel Bull, not deeming it of fufficient importance to fend a 
 Ijpeoial meffenger. But he deferred his return from time to 
 time, and never fet off till to-day. Thefe reafons I hope will 
 excufe the delay, and be received as a proper apology for not 
 transmitting it fooner* 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, March 13, 1776. 
 
 IN my letter of the feventh and ninth inflant which I 
 }iad the honor of addreffing you, I mentioned the intelli- 
 gence I had received refpecling the embarkation of the troops 
 from Boilon j and fully expecled, before this, that the town 
 would have been entirely evacuated. Although I have been 
 deceived, and was rather premature in the opinion I had then. 
 formed, I have little reafon to doubt 'but the event will take 
 place in a very (hort time, as other accounts which have come 
 to hand iince, of the failing of a great number of tranfports 
 .froni the harbor of Nantaiket road, and many circumftances 
 correfponding therewith, feem to confirm and render it un- 
 queftionable. 
 
 Whether the town will be deftroyed, is a matter of much. 
 uncertainty : but it would feem, from the deflrucliion they are 
 making of fundry pieces of furniture, of many of their Waggons, 
 carts, &.c. which they cannot take with them as it is laid, that 
 it will not : for, if they intended it, the whole might be involv- 
 ed ia one general ruin. 
 
 Holding it of the laft importance in the prefent conteft that 
 iv?e fljould fecure New-York, and prevent the enemy from pof- 
 feffing it, and conjecturing they have views of that fort, and 
 their embarkation to be for that purpofe, I judged it neceifa-. 
 ry, under the fituati.on of things here, to call a council of gene-. 
 
 M ral 
 
5,o GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 ral officers' to confult of fuch meafures as might be expedient to 
 be taken at this interefting conjuncture of affairs. A copy of 
 the proceedings T have the honor to inclofe you. 
 
 Agreeable to the opinion of the council, I (hall detach the 
 rifle regiment to-morrow, under the command of brigadier-ge- 
 neral Sullivan, with orders to repair to New-York with all 
 poffible expedition ; which will be fucceeded, the day after, 
 by the other five in one brigade, they being all that it was 
 thought advifable to fend from hence till the enemy mall have 
 quitted the town. Immediately upon their departure, I mall 
 fend forward major-general Putnam, and follow myfelf with 
 the remainder of the army as foon as I have it in my power,- 
 leaving here fuch a number of men as circumftances may feera 
 to require. 
 
 As the badnefs of the roads at this feafon will greatly retard 
 the march of our men, I have, by advice of the general officers, 
 wrote to governor Trumbull by this exprefs, to ufe his utraoft 
 exertions for throwing a reinforcement of two thoufand men 
 into New- York, from the weftern parts of ConnefUcut, and 
 to the commanding officer there, to apply to the provincial 
 convention or committee of fafety of New-Jerfey, for a thou- 
 fand more for the fame purpofe, to oppofe the enemy and pre- 
 vent their getting poffeflion, in cafe they arrive before the troops 
 from hence can get there j of which there is a probability, un- 
 lefs they are impeded by contrary winds. This meafure, 
 though it may be attended with confiderable expenfe, I flatter 
 myfelf, will meet with the approbation of Congrefs. Pail ex- 
 perience, and the lines in Bofton and on Boiton neck, point 
 out the propriety, and fuggell the neceffity of keeping our ene- 
 mies from gaining pofieflion and making a lodgment. 
 
 Should their deilination be further fouthward, or for Hali- 
 fax (as reported in BoilonJ for the purpofe of going into Cana- 
 da, the march of our troops to New-York will place them 
 Bearer the fcene of action, and more convenient for affording 
 fuccaurs. 
 
 We have not taken poft on Nuke-hill, and fortified it, as 
 mentioned that we mould, in my laft. On hearing that the 
 enemy were about to retreat and leave the town, it was thought 
 imprudent and unadvifable to force them with too much pre- 
 cipitation, that we might gain a little time, and prepare for a 
 march. To-morrow evening we mall take poffeffion, unlefs 
 they are gone. 
 
 As New- York is of fuch importance, prudence and policy 
 require that every precaution that can be deVifed mould be 
 
 adopted 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. p, 
 
 adopted, to fruftrate the defigns which the enemy have of pof- 
 lefTing it. To this end I have ordered velTels to be provided 
 and held ready at Norwich, for the embarkation and tranfpor- 
 Jatioii of our troops thither. This I have done with a view not 
 only of greatly expeditic^ their arrival (as it will fave feveral 
 jdays' marching), but alfo that they may be frefh and fit for in- 
 trenching and throwing up works of defence as foon as they 
 #et there, if they do not meet the enemy to contend with \ 
 fpjr neither of which would they be in a proper condition after 
 long and fatiguing march in bad roads. If Wallace, with his 
 ihips, mould be apprifed of the meaiure, and attempt to prevent 
 it by popping up the harbor of New-London, they can but 
 purfue their march by land. 
 
 You will pleafe to obferve that it is the opinion of the gene- 
 ral officers, if the enemy abandon the town, that it will be un- 
 Reqeffary to employ or keep any part of this army for its de- 
 fence -j and that I have mentioned, on that event's happening,, 
 I ihall immediately repair to New-York with the remainder of 
 tbie army not now detached, leaving onlyfucha number of men 
 here as circumftances may feem to require. What I partly al- 
 lude to, is, that, as it will take a connderable time for the re-, 
 mqval of fuch a body of men, and the diviiions muft precede 
 e.ach other in fuch order as to allow intermediate time fufficient 
 tor them to be covered and provided for, and many things, 
 done previous to the march of the whole, for fecuring and for- 
 warding fuch neceiTaries as cannot be immediately carried, and 
 others which may be proper to keep here, that directions 
 might be received from Congrefs refpe&ing the fame, and as 
 many men ordered to remain for that and other purpofes, as' 
 they may judge proper. I could wim to have their commands 
 noon the fubjeCr., and in time ; as I may be under fome degree 
 of embarrafifment as to their views. 
 
 Congiefs having been pleafed to appoint colonel Thompfpn 
 ?. brigadier general, there is a vacancy for a colonel in the re- 
 giment he commanded, to which I would beg leave to recom- 
 mend the lieutenant-colonel Hand. I fhall alfo take the liber- 
 ty pi recommending captain Hugh Stephenfon, of the Virginia 
 riflemen, to fucceed colonel Hand, and to be appointed in his 
 place as a lieutenant-colonel, there being no major to the re- 
 giment fince the promotion of major Magravv to be lieutenant- 
 colonel of one of the Pennfylvania battalions, and who is gone 
 from hence. He is, in my opinion, the fitteft perfon in this 
 army for it, as well as the oldeft captain in the fervice, having 
 dliiinguiihcj. hirafelf at the head of a rifle comjpany all the lafi 
 
 war, 
 
92 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 war, and highly merited the approbation of his fuperior 
 cers. 
 
 Colonel MifRin informed me to-day of his having received 
 tent-cloths from Mr. Barrell of Philadelphia, to the amount of 
 fcven thoufand five hundred pounds Pennsylvania currency, and 
 applied for a warrant for payment of it. But, as our fund is 
 low, and many neceffary demands againll it which muft be fa- 
 tisfled, ^and our calls for money are and will be exceedingly 
 great, I conic] not grant it, thinking it might be convenient 
 for payment to be made in Philadelphia, by your order on the 
 treafury there. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Head-starters, Cambridge, March 19, 1776,, 
 
 IT is with the greateil pleafure I inform you, that, on 
 funday laft, the feventeenth inflant, about nine o'clock in the 
 forenoon, the minifierial army evacuated the town of Bofton, 
 and that the forces of the United Colonies are now in actual 
 poffeffion thereof. I beg leave to congratulate you, fir, and 
 the honorable Congrefs, on this happy event, and particularly 
 as it was effefted without endangering the lives and property 
 of the remaining unhappy inhabitants. 
 
 I have great reafon to imagine their flight was precipitated 
 by the appearance of a work which I had ordered to be thrown 
 up laft faturday night on an eminence at Dorcheiler, which lay 
 Iieareft to Bofton neck, called Nuke-hill. 
 
 Trie town, although it has fuffered greatly, is not in fo bad 
 a ftate as I expefted to find it , and I have a particular plea- 
 iure in being able to inform you, fir, that your houfe has re- 
 ceived no damage worth mentioning. Your furniture is in to- 
 lerable order, and the family pictures are all left entire and 
 untouched. Captain Cazneau takes charge of the whole, un- 
 til he mail receive further orders from you. 
 
 As foon as the minifterial troops had quitted the town, I or- 
 dered a thouland 'men (who had had the fmall-pox), under 
 command of general Putnam, to take poffeflion of the heights, 
 which I ihall endeavor to fortify in fuch a manner as to pre- 
 vent their return, mould they attempt it. But, as they arc 
 ftill in the harbor, I thought it not prudent to march off with 
 the main body of the army until I mould be fully fatisfied they 1 
 had quitted the coaft. \ have therefore only detached five re* 
 
 gimcrits, 
 
O F F I C I A L L E T T K R-S. 93 
 
 , be&les the rifle battalion, to New-York, and fh all 
 keep the remainder here till all fufpicion of their return ceafes. 
 
 The fit nation in which I found their xvorks evidently difco- 
 vered that their retreat was made with the greateil precipita- 
 tion. They have left their barracks and other works, of wood 
 at Bunker's-lull, &c. all Handing, and have deflroyed but a 
 {mail part of their lines. They have alfo left a number of fins 
 pieces of cannon which they fifft f piked up, alfo a very large 
 iron mortar ; and, as I am informed, they have thrown another 
 over the end of your wharf. I have employed proper perfons 
 to drill the cannon, and doubt not I (hall fave the molt of them. 
 I arri not yet able to procure an exacl: lift of all the {lores 
 they have left. As foon as it can be done, I (hall take care to 
 tranfmit it to you, From an eftimate of what the quarter-maf- 
 Ter-general has already difcovered, the amount will be twenty- 
 five or thirty thou&nd pounds. 
 
 Part of the powder mentioned in yours of the fixth inftant 
 has already arrived. The remainder I have ordered to be 
 flopped on the road, as we (hall have no occalion tor it here. 
 The letter to general Thomas, I immediately fent to him. He 
 defired leave for three, or four days, to fettle fome of his pri- 
 vate affairs 5 after which, he will fet out for his command in 
 Canada. I am happy that my conduct in intercepting lord 
 Drummond's letter is approved of by Congrefs. 
 
 I hdve the honor to be; &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, March 24, 1776* 
 
 WHEN I had the honor to addrefs you on the nineteenth 
 Jnftant upon the evacuation of the town of Bofton by the mi- 
 mfterial army, I fully expecled, as their retreat and embarka- 
 tion were hurried and precipitate, that, before now, they would 
 have departed the harbor, and been far in their parTage to the 
 place of their deflination. But, to my furprife and diiappoint- 
 rnent, the fleet is flill in Nantafket road. The purpofe induc- 
 ing' their ftay is altogether unknown : nor can I fugged any 
 fatjsfa&ory reafon for it. On wednefday night laft^ before the 
 whole of the fleet fell down to Nantafket, they demolimed the 
 caitle and houfes belonging to it, by burning them down, and 
 the feveral fortifications. They left a great number of cannon, 
 but have rendered all of them, except a. very few, entirely ufe- 
 Icfs, by breaking off the trunnions j and thofe they fpiked up : 
 
 but 
 
V4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 but they imy be made ferviceable again : rfom.2 are 
 done. 
 
 There are feveral veffels in the docks, which were taken by 
 the enemy (feme with, and others without cargoes), which dif- 
 ferent pjEiTons claim as their property and right. Are they to 
 be reftored to their fbrmer owners on making proof of their 
 title, or to belong to the continent, as captures made from the 
 enemy ? I wife Congrefs would direct a mode of proceeding 
 again tl them, and eltabliih a rule for decinon : they appear to 
 me to be highly neceffary. In like manner, fome of the can- 
 non which are in Bofton are faid to have come from the callle. 
 Suppofmg them, with thofe remaining at the caille, to have 
 been purchafed by and provided originally at the expenfe of 
 this province, are they notv to be coniidered as belonging to 
 it, or to the public ? I beg leave to refer the matter to the 
 opinion of Congrefs, and pray their direction how I am to con- 
 lefpecling them. 
 
 terate difpofiiiori, in the town of Boiton, I thought it prudent 
 to write to the honorable general court upon the fuhjedl, that 
 it might be inquired after and fecured. A copy of the letter 
 1 herewith fend you, and fubmit it to. Congrefs through you, 
 whether they will not determine how it is to be difpofed of, 
 and as to the appropriation of the money arifmg from the fale 
 of the fame. 
 
 As foon as the town was abandoned by the enemy, I judged 
 it advifable to fecure the ieveral heights, left they mould at- 
 tempt to return j and, for this purpofe, have caufed a large and 
 itrong woik to be thrown up at Fort-hill, a poll of great im- 
 portance, as it commands the whole'harbor, and, wh^n forti- 
 
 ., if properly fupported, will greatly annoy any fleet the ene- 
 my may fend againlt the town, and render the landing of their 
 troops exceedingly difficult, if not impracticable. This work 
 is almolt done, and in a little time will be complete : and, that 
 the communication between the toxvn and country may be free 
 and open, I have ordered all the lines upon the neck to be im- 
 mediately deftroyed, and the other works on the fides of the, 
 town facing the country, that the inhabitants from the latter 
 may not be impeded, and afforded an eafy entrance, in cafe the 
 enemy ftiould gain poffeffion at any future time. Thefe mat- 
 ters I conceived to be within the line of my duty j^of, which I 
 ad n fed the general court, and recommended to their attention* 
 
 fueh 
 
OFFICIAL L E T T E R S , 95 
 
 fucli other meafures as they might think neceflary for fecuring 
 the town againfl the hofiile deiigns of the enemy. 
 
 I have juft got an inventory of ilores and property belonging 
 td the crown, which the enemy left in Boii on, at the caille, and 
 Bunkers-hill, which I have the honor to tranfmit you ; and 
 (hall give ftricl: orders that a careful attention be had to any 
 more that may be found. I fhall take fuch precautions re- 
 fpecting them, that they may be fecure, and turn to the pub- 
 lic advantage, as much as poffible, or circurnfiances will admit 
 of. 
 
 A Mr. Bulfinch from Bofton, who aled as a clerk to Mr* 
 
 , having put into my hands a lift of rations drawn the 
 
 iaturday before the troops evacuated the town, I have inclofed 
 it for your infpe&ion. He fays, neither the flaff officers nor. 
 women are included in the lift j from which it appears that their 
 number is greater than we had an idea of. 
 
 Major-general Ward and brigadier general Fyre are deiirous 
 of leaving the fervice, and, for that purpofe, have requefted me 
 to lay the matter before Congrefs that they may be allowed to> 
 refign then commiflions. The papers containing their applica- 
 tions you will herewith receive. They will give you a full and 
 more particular information upon the fubjet : and therefore I 
 mail take the liberty of referring you to them. 
 
 I would mention to Congrefs that the commirTary of artillery 
 ftores has informed me, that whatever powder has been fent 
 to this camp has always come without any bill afcertaining the 
 number of caiks or quantity. This it is probable, has proceed- 
 ed from forgetfulnefs or inattention in the perfons appointed to 
 fend it, or the negligence of thofe who brought it, though they 
 have declared otherwife, and that they never had any. As it 
 may in fome meafure pievent embezzlements (though I do net 
 fufpecr. any to have been made), and the commiiTary will know; 
 what and how much to receive, and be enabled to difcover mif- 
 takcs if any ihould happen, I mould be glad if you will .direct 
 a bill of parcels to be always fent in future. 
 
 There have been fo many accounts from England, all agree- 
 ing that commiflioners are coming to America, to propofe terms 
 for an accommodation, as they fay, that I am inclined to think 
 the time of their arrival not very far off. If they come to J3of- 
 ton (which probably will be the cafe, if they come to America 
 at all) 1 fliall be under much embarraffment refpecling the 
 manner of receiving them, and the mode of treatment that 
 ought to be ufed. I therefore pray that Congrefs will give me. 
 stiicftigns. and point out tlie line of conduct to be fmrfued, - 
 
 whether 
 
96 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 whether they are to be conlidered as ambaiTadors, and to have 
 pafs or permit for repairing through the country to Philadelphia 
 or to any other place, or whether they are to be retrained in 
 any and what manner. I (hall anxioufly wait their orders, and, 
 whatever theyaie, comply Math them literally. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W 
 
 SIR, Cambridge, March 27, 1776* 
 
 I Received your favcr of the eleventh inftant by faturday 
 night's poll ; and muft beg pardon for not acknowledging it in, 
 my laft of the twenty-fourth. The hurry I was then in occafi 
 cned the neglect, and I hope will apologife for it* 
 
 I now beg leave to inform you that I have juft received in- 
 telligence, that the whole of the minifleiial fleet, belides three 
 cr four (hips, got under way this evening at Nantafket road, 
 and were {landing out for fea j in confequence of which, I fhall 
 detach a brigade of fix regiments immediately from hence for 
 New-York, under the command of brigadier-general Sullivan 
 (brigadier-general Heath having gone with the firfl) j which 
 will be fucceeded by another in a day or two ; and direclly 
 after, I mall forward the remainder of the army (except four 
 or five regiments which will be left for taking care of the 
 barracks and public ftores, and fortifying the town, and erect- 
 ing fuch works for its defence as the honorable general court 
 may think neceffary) and follow myfelf. 
 
 Apprehending that general Thomas will ftand in need of 
 fome artilleries in Canada, I have ordered two companies of 
 the train to march immediately: and two mortars, with a quan- 
 tity of (hells and (hot, to be fent him. He fet out on the 
 twenty -firft inftant. 
 
 Inclofed you have a copy of the return of ordnance (lores left 
 in Boilon by the enemy. In it are not included the cannon left 
 at the caille, amounting to a hundred and thirty-five pieces, as 
 reported, all of which, except a very few, they have deftroyed 
 and rendered ufelefs, by knocking off the trunnions, and (pik- 
 ing up. 
 
 I beg leave to tranfrnit you the copy of a petition from the 
 inhabitants of Nova-Scotia, brought me by * * * efquire, 
 mentioned therein, who is now here with an Acadian. From 
 this it appears they are in a diftreffed (ituation; and, from Mr. 
 
 * * * > s account, are exceedingly apprehenlivc that they wiH 
 
OFFICIAL IE TTE'RS. 97 
 
 be reduced to the difagreeahlc alternative of taking up' arms and 
 joining our enemies, or to flee their country, unlefs they can 
 be protected againil their infults and oppressions. He fays that 
 their committees think many falutary and valuable'confequences 
 would be derived from five or Ijx hundred men being fent there, 
 'as it would not only quiet the minds of the people from the 
 -anxiety and uneafmefs they are now filled with, and enable 
 them to take a part in behalf of the colonies, but be the means 
 of preventing the Indians (of whom there are a good many) 
 from taking the fide of government, and the minifterial troops 
 from getting fuch fupplies of provifioos from thence as they 
 have done. 
 
 How far thefe good purpofes would be anfwered if fuch a 
 force was fent as they afk for, is irapodible to determine in the 
 prefent uncertain ftate of things. For, if the srmy from Boftoii 
 is going to Halii'ax (as reported by them before their depar- 
 ture), that or a much more conliderable force would be of no 
 av a j[ : if not, and they poffefs the friendly difpolition to our 
 caufe, fuggefted in the petition and declared by Mr. * * *, it 
 might be or great fervice, unlefs another body of troops mould 
 be fent thither by adminiitration, too powerful for them to op- 
 pofe. It being a matter of fome importance, I judged it pru- 
 dent to lay it before Congrtrfs for their confideration , and, re- 
 fuelling their direction upon the fubjecl, fhall only add, if they 
 determine to adopt it, that they will prefcribe the number to 
 be fent, and whether it is to be from the regiments which will 
 be left here. I mail wait their decifion, and, whatever it is, 
 will endeavor to have it carried into execution. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Head-Quarters, Cambridge, April i, 1776* 
 
 THIS letter will be delivered you by * * *, efquire, the 
 gentleman from Nova- Scotia, whom I mentioned to you iu 
 inlae of the twenty-feventh ultimo. He feemed deiirous ot 
 waiting on the honorable Congrefs, in order to lay before them 
 the (late of public affairs, and fituation of 'die inhabitants of 
 that .province. And, as it might be in his power to commu- 
 nicate many things peifonally which could not be fo well done 
 by letter, I encouraged him in his defign, and have advanced 
 him fifty dollars to defray his expenfes. Tjbe Acadian accom- 
 panies him: and, as tlie.y f&em to be folid judicious men, I beg 
 
 N leave 
 
$3 GENERAL WA3HINGTONY 
 
 leavi to recommend them both to the notice of Congrefs , - 
 and am moft refpedfully, fir, your moil obedient, &.c. G. W e 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters, Cambridge, April i, 1776. 
 
 AN exprefs arrived this morning with a letter from go- 
 vernor Cooke of Rhode-Ifland, of xvhich the inclofed is a copy. 
 In confcqurnce of this important intelligence, I immediately dif- 
 patched an exprefs after general Sullivan, who is on his march 
 to Norwich with fix^ regiments, and ordered him to file off to 
 Providence, if he ihould be fo defired by governor Cooke, to 
 whom I have wrote on the fubject. 
 
 General Greene was to have marched this morning with five 
 more regiments, by way of Providence. I have ordered him 
 to haften his march for that place j and hope to collect a force 
 there, fufficient to prevent the enemy from effecting their pur- 
 pofe. 
 
 Whether this movement be only a feint to draw our atten- 
 tion from their principal object, or not, is at prefcnt impoffible 
 to determine.- I momently expect further intelligence from 
 governor Cooke. If the alarm ihould be well grounded, I 
 i.'iall haften to Providence, and make the necefiary difpofition^ 
 for their reception. I beg you to affure the honorable Con- 
 gieis I mall exert myfelf to the utmoft to fruftrate the defigns 
 cf the enemy. 
 
 I am, iir, your mofl obedient, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Cambridge , ^pril 4, 17/6. 
 
 I WAS honored with your favors of the twenty-firft and 
 twenty-fifth ultimo, on the fecond inftant, the former by Mr. 
 Hanfon, &c, the latter by FeiTenden. I heartily wilh the 
 money had arrived fooner, that the militia might have been 
 paid as toon as their time of fervice expired. The difappoinN 
 rnent has given them great uneafinefs, and they are gone home 
 much diffktisfied : nor have I been without fevere complaints 
 from the other troops, on the fame account. When I get to 
 New-York, I hope a fufficient fum will be there, ready to pay 
 every claim. 
 
 It is not in my power to make report of the deficiency of 
 arms, in compliance with the direction of Congrefs, at this time, 
 
 as 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. ^9 
 
 as fome of the regiments are at, and moft of the other on their 
 march to New-York ; nor do I know that it would anfwer any 
 good purpofe, if it were, ;having made repeated applications 
 to the feveral affemblies and conventions upon the fubjeft, and 
 conitantly received for anfwej, that they, could afford no relief. 
 
 When I arrive at New- York, I mall, in purfuance of the 
 order of Congrefs, detach four battalions to Canada, if the fitu- 
 ation of affairs will admit of it j and fnall be extremely happy 
 if they and the troops already there can efFe6t the important 
 end of their going. 
 
 In my letter of the firfl inftant, per poft, I inclofed you a 
 copy of a letter from governor Cooke, adviling me of the arri- 
 val of a {hip of war, &.c. at and near the harbor of Newport. 
 I have now the pleafure to inform you that the report was en- 
 tirely premature, and without any foundation. You have a 
 copy of his Tetter of the firfl inftant to this effecl:. I wifji the 
 alarm had never been given : it occasioned general Sullivan and 
 his brigade to make an unneceiTary and inconvenient diverfion 
 from their route. 
 
 Incloftd is a copy of an account, prefented by the honorable 
 general court, of powder furnifhed the continental army by this 
 colony. From the account, it appears that part of it was fup- 
 plied before the army was under my command j and therefore 
 I know nothing of it ; but have not the finalleft doubt of the 
 juilice of the charge. I mail leave about two hundred barrels 
 of this article with major-general Ward, out of which Congrefs 
 will direct him to make a return, if they think proper, and 
 al.Cb repayment of what may have been furnifhed by the other 
 governments. 
 
 A proclamation of general Howe's, iflued a few days before 
 his departure from town, having fallen into my hands, I have 
 inclofed ypu a copy, which will, probably have been the occa- 
 fion of large quantities of gooda being carried away and the 
 removal of many perfons> which otherwife would not have hap- 
 pened. 
 
 Colonel Warren, paymafter-general, finding the army likely 
 to be removed from hence, informed me the other day that the 
 lituation of his affairs and engagements in the bufmefs of the 
 colony are fuch, as to prevent him from perfonally attending 
 the army j and offered, in cafe it mould be required, to refign. 
 This was rather embarraffing. To me it appears indifpeni'ably 
 rieceffary that the pay mailer-general, with his books, mould be 
 at or near head-quarters. Indeed it is ufual for the head of 
 department in the army, however difperfed that army 
 
io-5 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 may be, to be with the commanding general, keeping deputies 
 in tlje fmaller departments. On the other hand, colonel War- 
 ren's merit and attachment to the caufe are fuch, that I could 
 GO nothing leis than deiire (as forne money muft be left for the 
 pay and contingent charges of the army which will remain 
 here), he would wait here till Congrefs fhall be pleafed to' give 
 their ientiments upon the matter, fending, in the mean time, 
 ibme pedbn in whom he could confide, with the money, but 
 little of which there will be to carry, though great the de- 
 mands, as nine of the regiments which have marched to New- 
 York have only received five hundred pounds each, towards 
 their pay "for the months of February and March, and fix 
 others, not a farthing. I hope therefore this matter will be 
 coniidered by Congrefs, and the refult tranfmitted me as focn 
 23 done, 
 
 I would alfo mention to Congrefs that the militia regiments 
 which were laft called upon, in making up their abitrafts-, 
 charged pay, the officers, from the time they received orders 
 to raife companies, and the privates, from the time they re- 
 fpeftively engaged to come or were called upon, though they 
 did not march for a coniiderabie time after, forne not within 
 three, four, or twenty days, during all which, they remained 
 at home about their own private affairs, without doing any 
 thing elfe than " preparing for the march," as they fay by way 
 of plea. This appeared to me fo exceedingly unreafonable, 
 and fo contrary to jufticc, that the public mould pay for a Ion 
 ger time than from the day of their march to that of their re- 
 turn, that I ordered the abftrafts to be made out accordingly, 
 and refufed to give warrants on any other terms. They fay 
 that the enlifting orders, which went out from their govern- 
 ments, give them the pay they claim. The fact may be that 
 fomething in thefe may feem to authorife it : but I rnuft fubmit 
 it to Congrefs, and wifh for their decinon, whether the conti- 
 nent muft pay it. -I am, ivith great elteem, &c, G. W. 
 
 P. S. 1 fhall fet off to-day." 
 
 SIR, New-Tor^ April 15, 1776. 
 
 I AM now to inform you that on the fourth inftant I fet 
 out from Cambridge, and arrived here on faturday laft. 1 came 
 through Providence, Norwich, and New-London, in order to 
 fee and expedite the embarkation of the troops. The third 
 brigade, under the command of general Greene, was at New- 
 London 
 
O F FI.CTA-L-' L E T T E R'S. lor 
 
 London when I left it, where there was a fufficient number o 
 tranfports to embark them, and moil probably would have 
 arrived here before this, had it not been for a fevere florin- 
 which happened .the? -night they (axled, which .difperled them, 
 and, I fear, has doBQiftfeffll fome injury. se* 
 
 General Spencer, with the laft brigade, marched from Rox- 
 bury the day I left Cambridge, and would be at New-London, 
 ready to embark in the return tranfports which brought gene- 
 ral Sullivan's diviiion, to this place. The whole of the troops 
 may be reafonably expected here in the courfe of this week. 
 The badnefs 6f the roads, and difficulty of procuring teams for 
 bringing the itores, baggage, &.c. have greatly prolonged their 
 arrival at this place. s.? 1 * 
 
 I have not had time, fince I came, to look fully about me 4 
 but find many works of defence begun, and fome finilhed. 
 The troops are much difperied, fome on Long-Ifland, others 
 on Staten-Jiland, ckc, 
 
 I have ordered four battalions from hence to Canada, and 
 am taking meafures to. have them forwarded to Albany by wa-? 
 ter with all poflible expedition. This will greatly expe- 
 dite their arrival, and eafe the men of much fatigue. I have 
 wrote general Schuyler of their coming, that he may have 
 neceflary meafure-s taken, to hurry their march to general Tho+ 
 mas. 
 
 J am informed by general Putnam that the militia, that were 
 called in for the fupport of this town, in cafe the miniiterial 
 army had arrived before our troops; are all difcharged, it being 
 unnecessary to keep them longer. 
 
 All the f hips of war, belldes the Alia, moved out of this 
 harbor on faturday, and the Afia yeiterday 5 fome of which are 
 now below the Narrows, and the reft gone to fea. . 
 
 Your favor of the tenth infiailt, by major Sherburne, direct- 
 ed to general Putnam or the commanding officer here, came to 
 hand on faturday evening, with three boxes of money, which I 
 fhall deliver the paymafter as foon as he arrives, and tranfmit 
 you his receipt for the fame. 
 
 Having received information from hence before my depar- 
 ture from Cambridge, that thirty pieces of heavy cannon were 
 wanting, and effentially neceflary for the defence of this place, 
 in addition to thoi'e already here, -I took the liberty of apply- 
 ing to admiral Hopkins, whom I iaw at New-London, for that 
 number, with the-mortars and itores h brought from Proviu 
 dence, a lift of which he had transmitted you. He told ras, 
 that, us many were wanting for the defence of Providence'river 
 
 and 
 
ica GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 and the harbcr at Nexv-London, it was uncertain whether I 
 could have all I wanted j but that he would fend me all that 
 could be fpared. 
 
 I have not been able to get a return of the troops fince I 
 earne : as foon as 1 do, I will fend it you. 
 
 I am, iir, with great refpecl:, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-Turk, <dpril 18, 1776. 
 
 PERMIT me, through you, to convey to the honorable 
 Congrefs the fentiments of gratitude I feel for the high honor 
 they have done me in the public mark of approbation contain- 
 ed in your favor of the fecond inftant, which came to hand laft 
 night. I beg you to affure them that it will ever be my high- 
 eit ambition to approve myfelf a faithful fervant of the public j 
 and that, to be in any degree inftrumental in procuring to my 
 American brethren a restitution of their jufl rights and privi- 
 leges, will conftitute my chief happinefs. 
 
 Agreeable to your requeft, I have communicated, in general 
 orders, to the officers and foldiers under my command, the 
 thanks of Congrefs for their good behavior in the fervice ; 
 and am happy in having fuch an opportunity of doing juflice to 
 their merit. They were indeed, at fir ft, " a band of nndifci* 
 filmed hujhandmen :" but it is (under God) to their bravery 
 and attention to their duty, that I am indebted for that fuccefs, 
 which has procured me the only reward I wiih to receive, 
 the afieclion and efteem of my countrymen. 
 
 The medal, intended to be prefented to me by your honora- 
 ble body, I (hall carefully prefer ve as a memorial of their re- 
 gard. I beg leave to return you, fir, my warmeft thanks for 
 the polite manner in which you have been pleafed to exprefs 
 their fentiments of my conduct \ and am, with iincere eiltem 
 and refpecl, r, yours and their moil obedient and mofl humble 
 fervant. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-Tort, April 19, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE this moment received a letter from general 
 Schuyler, containing inciofures of a very important nature, co- 
 pies of which, I imagine, are contained in the inclofed letter to 
 you, which I thought it my duty immediately to forward by 
 exprefs, that they may be laid before the honorable Congrefs, 
 
 and 
 
OFFICIAL- LETTE R S. re^ 
 
 and proper meafares purfued to prevent tlie fatal effecls which 
 are therein apprehended. For my own part, I have done my 
 utmoft to forward the four regiments ordered by Congjtefs : 
 but a variety of incidents have hitherto confpired to prevent 
 their embarkation. The men had fcarcely recovered them- 
 felves from the fatigues of their march from Bofton, and are 
 quite unprovided with neceffaries. The colonels of the regi- 
 ments, though repeatedly called upon for that purpofe, had ne- 
 glected making out the abftra&s for their pay. All obftacles 
 however, are now removed j and I hope to begin the embarka- 
 tion this day. Indeed it would have been beft, in my opinion, 
 to have fent the regiments, raifed in this province and New- 
 Jerfey, upon that fervice, had not the peculiar circumftanceg 
 under which they were raifed prevented it. By the terms of 
 their enliitment, they are to ferve during the war, and at five 
 dollars per month, on condition, (as I am informed) that they 
 (hall not be fent out of thofe provinces. "Befides, they are ve- 
 ry ill provided with arms, fome companies not having any. It 
 muft be a great burden upon the continent to keep fuch a num- 
 ber of ufelefs men in pay : and yet, if they ihould be difmifled, 
 and an unexpected iupply of arms mould arrive, it may b& 
 found very difficult to replace them. ,. .- 
 
 The officers, of the feveral corps that have arrived here have 
 been fo bufily employed in fixing their men in quarters, that 
 I have not yet been able to procure an exacl return of their 
 numbers. Some are yet behind. As foon as the whole are 
 collected, I ihall order the proper returns, and tranfmit them' 
 to Congrefs. 
 
 You will pleafe to notice what colonel Hazen fays of the 
 difpofition of the Indians. In my opinion, it will be impoffi- 
 ble to keep them in a Hate of neutrality. They muft, and, no 
 j doubt, foon will take an active part either for or againft us : 
 and 1 fubmit it to the conlideration of Congrefs, whether it 
 would not be bell immediately to engage them on our fide, and 
 to ufe our utmoil endeavors to prevent their minds being poi- 
 foned by nainifterial emiifaries, which will ever be the cafe 
 while a king's garrifon is fuffered to remain in their country. 
 Would it not therefore be advifable to fend a fufficient force 
 from the back counties of Pennfylvania, to take poffcflion of 
 the garrifons of Niagara and Detroit ? This, I think, might 
 eafily be effected, and would anfwer the moft falutary purpofes. 
 The Seneca Indians, who have hitherto appeared friendly to 
 us, might be ufefully employed in this bufinefs, 
 
 I am 
 
iC4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 I am in hop-es moft of the difficulties mentioned in colonel 
 Hnzcn's letter will be obviated by the appearance of the re- 
 '>l.e -committee of Congrefs in Canada, and the forces that 
 jeen and will be fent there. The lecurity of that coun- 
 try is of the utmoit importance to us. This cannot be done fo 
 effectually by conqueft, as by taking ftrong hold of the affecti- 
 ons and confidence of the inhabitants. It is to be lamented 
 that any conduct of the continental troops fhould tend to alien- 
 ate their affections from us. 
 
 , The honorable Congrefs will be able to judge from the pa- 
 pers fent them by general Sclmyler, and the information they 
 may receive of the defigns of the enemy, whether it is expedi- 
 ent to fend a further reinforcement to Canada. If fuch mould 
 be their determination, I ft and ready to execute their orders j 
 and am, with reflect, fir, your moil obedient, humble fervant, 
 
 G. W. 
 
 . Inclofed is a return of the four regiments ordered to Cans 
 da j befides which, there will be two riile companies, a. compa- 
 ny of artificers, and two artillery-men, all under the comniand 
 of brigadier-general Thompfon. 
 
 SIR, New-Tork, April 22, 1776. 
 
 I WAS this day honored with the receipt of your favor 
 t>f the twentieth inftant. I have now the pleafure to acquaint 
 you that the four regiments defigned for Canada embarked yef- 
 terday with a fair wind for Albany, UHder the command ot 
 colonels Grcaton, Pattcrfon, Bond, and Poor } belides which, 
 there was a company of riflemen, a company of artificers, and 
 two engineers, -the whole commanded by brigadier-general 
 Thompfon. 
 
 I hax-e repeatedly mentioned to the honorable Congrefs the 
 dlilrefsful fituation we are in for want of arms. With much 
 pains and difficulty I got moft. of the regiments from the eali 
 ward tolerably well furn: ihcd. : but find the York regiments 
 yery badly provided. Colonel Rltzema's has fcarely any : znj. 
 yet thefe men, being enlifced during the war/ and at five dol- 
 lars per month, ought not (in my judgment) to be difcharovd ; 
 ss \ve find it alinoft as difficult to get men, as arms. This is u 
 natter of fome importance, which I ihould be gtad to receive 
 the particular opinion of Corigreis upon. 
 
 Mr. Baldwin .is one of the affiftant engineers ordered to Ca- 
 nada. He is indeed a very ufeful man in this department, but 
 
 declined 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 105 
 
 declined the fervice, on account of the pay, "which he fays is 
 inadequate to his fupport. In order to induce him to continue, 
 I promifed to reprefent his cafe to Coa-grefs , and would re- 
 commend an increafe of his pay, and that he Ihould have the 
 tank of lieutenant-colonel, of which he is very deferving. I 
 beg leave therefore to recommend him to Corigrefs, and that 
 they would make provifion for him accordingly. 
 
 A few days ago, application was made to me by the commit* 
 tee of fafety for this colony, for an exchange of prifoners. 
 For the particulars I beg leave to refer you to their letter, a 
 copy of which you have inclofed. As there is a Handing or- 
 der of Congrefs that no failors or foldiers {hall be exchanged 
 for citizens, I did not incline to comply with the requett with- 
 out the particular direction of Congrefs : but I have been fmce 
 informed, that the prifoners, mentioned in the committee's let* 
 ter as citizens, are really feamen taken from private veffels, but 
 hot in arms. How far this may alter the cafe, or how far the 
 reafons which induced the Congrefs to pafs the refolve above- 
 mentioned may ftill exift, murt be left to their determination. 
 
 The militia, who, on my application were ordered to this 
 place to keep pofleflion until I mould arrive with the continen- 
 tal forces, were obliged to return home without their pay^ as 
 there 'was not then money fufficient in the treafury for that 
 purpofe, and to anfwer the exigencies of the army. This occa- 
 iioned great uneaiinefs among them, and may be attended with 
 very bad confequences in cafe we (hould have occafion for theif 
 fervice on any future. emergency. I therefore beg the ConI 
 grefs would make" provifion for their paV, and point out parti- 
 cularly, whether it is to be dtirie by the commander o the 
 continental forces, or by the -provincial aiTemblies or conven- 
 tions from whence they are fent. 
 
 As the time for which the riflemen enlifted, will expire on 
 the firft of July next, and as the lofs of fuch a valuable and 
 brave *body of men will be of great injury to the fervice, I 
 would fubmit it to the confideration of Congrefaf, whether it 
 would not be beft to adopt fome method to induce them to 
 continue. They are indeed a very ufefal corps : but I need 
 not mention this, as their importance is already well known to 
 the Congrefs. It is neceffary they (hould pay an early atten- 
 tion to this matter, as we know from paft experience, that men 
 are very flow in re-enlifting. 
 
 When I had the honor of feeing admiral Hopkins at Nw* 
 London, he repiefcnted tome the weak rtate of his fleet, ccca- 
 Soned by ficknefs and the damage he received in 'his 1 , engage* 
 
 O 
 
io6 GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 ment with the enemy j and requefted I would fpare him two 
 hundred men to affift him in a defign he had formed of attack- 
 ing Wallace. This I readily confented to; and the men ar^ to 
 be returned as foon as the fervice is performed. 
 
 I wilh it was in my power at prefent to furnifh general Lee 
 with the companies of artillery he delires. I have already fent 
 two companies to Quebec j and I have not yet been able to 
 procure a return of thofe that are here- I expect colonel KROX 
 every moment, and fhall then be able to determine whether 
 any can be fpared from hence. Blankets xve are in great want 
 of, ourfelves ; and it was with great difficulty a few could be 
 procured for the riflemen that were ordered for Canada. 
 
 I inclofe you Mr. Winthrop's receipt for two hundred thou- 
 fand dollars, brought fome time ago from Philadelphia by ma- 
 jor Sherburne, which you will pleafe to deliver to the conti- 
 nental treafurers. 
 
 On my arrival here, I found that Mr. Livingfton had been 
 appointed by the provincial Congrefs, a commiffary, to furnidi 
 the continental troops ftationed in this city, with provjfioji?, 
 'I fuppofe thisL.was done becaufe there was no continental coro- 
 mifTary then on the fpot. Mr. Livingfton ftill claims a light of 
 fu^niihing all the troops but thofe lately arrived from Cam- 
 bridge. Mr. Trumbull is nowhere : and, as I confider him as 
 the principal in that office, I mould be glad to know whether 
 any part of the continental troops is to be furnimed by any 
 other than their coramiffary-general. I muft needs fay, that 
 to me it appears very inconfiftent, -and muft create great confu- 
 fion in the accounts as well as in the contracts: I intended to 
 have laid before Congrefs the amount of the rations, as fupplied 
 by colonel Trumbull and Pvlr. Livingfton , and called upon 
 thofe gentlemen to furniih me with a feparate eilimate for that 
 purpoie. Colonel Trumbull has given me his, by which it ap- 
 pears he fupplies the troops at eight pence and one-third per 
 ration. I have not yet received any from Mr. Livingfton 5 but 
 am informed his contract is at ten pence half-penny. The dif- 
 ference is immenfe, as it will amount to no lefs than two hun-, 
 dred pounds per day, for twenty thoufand men. It is indeed 
 to be coniidered that Mr. Livingfton's contract is, including 
 every other charge ' 7 and that to Mr. Trumbull's muft be added 
 jftore-.ture, clerk?, and every other contingent expenfe. But 
 ever* then it will not amount to fo much as Mr. LivingflonV;, 
 by a penny per ration, which, in the grofs, will be fomething 
 yery confiderable. 1 thought it my duty, without prejudice or 
 partiality, to ftate the matter fairly to Congrefs, that they 
 
 might 
 
CKF F I C I A L LETTERS. 107 
 
 take fuch order upon it as to. them (hall feem neccffary. 
 I cannot, however, in juftice to Mr. Trumbull, help adding 
 that he has been indefatigable in fupplying t^~ army j and I be- 
 lieve, from his connexions in New- England, .s able to do it on 
 *s good terms as any perfon in America. 
 
 The feveral matters contained in the foregoing, I muft beg 
 -the, early attention of Congrefs toj arid that I may be favored 
 with an anfwer as ibon as poflible. 
 . :! have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 
 
 , 1776- 
 
 : fn v, IN a letter which I had the honor to receive from Con- 
 grefs fome confiderable time ago, they were pleafed to alk what 
 rank aids-de camp bore in the army ? from whence .1 conclud- 
 ed that they had adverted to the extraordinary trouble and con> 
 finement of thofe gentlemen, with a view to make them an ade- 
 quate allowance. But nothing being fince done or faid of the 
 matter, I take the liberty, unfolicited by, and unknown to my 
 aids-de-camp, to inform your honorable body that their pay is 
 not by any means equal to their trouble and confinement. 
 
 No perfon wiihes more to fave money to the public, than I 
 4o : and no perfon has aimed more at it. But there are fome 
 cafes in which parfimony may be ill placed j and this I take to 
 $>e one. Aids-de-camp are perfons in whom entire confidence 
 muft be placed : it requires men of abilities to execute the du- 
 ties with propriety and difpatch, where there is fuch a multi- 
 plicity of buiinels, as muft attend the commander-m-chief of 
 iuch an army as ours : and perfuaded 1 am, that nothing but the 
 zeal of thofe gentlemen (who live with me, and act in this -ca-, 
 pacity); for the great American caufe, and perfonal attach- 
 ment to me, has induced them to undergo the trouble and 
 confinement they have experienced fince they have become 
 members of my ianiily. 
 
 I give into no kind of amufements myfelf ; and confequently 
 thofe about me can have none, but are confined from morning' 
 till eve, hearing and anfwering the applications and letters of 
 one and another, which will now, I expect, receive a pretty 
 confiderable addition, as the bufinefs of the northern and eaft- 
 ern departments (if I continue here) muft, I fuppofe, pafs 
 through my hands. If thefe gentlemen had the fame relaxation 
 from duty as other officers have in their common routine, there 
 would not be fo much in it. But, to have the mind always up- 
 
 on 
 
is8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 on the ftref.ch, -fcarce ever unbent. and no hours for'recreaj 
 tion, makes a material odds. Knowing this, and at the farce 
 time how inadequate the pay is, I can fcarce find inclination to 
 ampofe the neceiTary duties of their office upon them. To what 
 I have here faid, this further remark may be made, and h a. 
 matter of no fmall concernment to me, and, in its confequerces, 
 to the public; and that is, that, while the duty is hard and 
 the pay fmall, it is not to be wondered at, if there ihould ba 
 found a promptnefs in them to feek preferment, or in me to do 
 juftice to them by facilitating their views; by which means I 
 roufl lofe their aid when they have it moft in their power to af- 
 fift me. Influenced by theie motives, I have taken the liberty 
 of laying the matter fully, and with all due deference, before 
 your honorable body, not doubting its meeting with a patient 
 "hearing. 
 
 I am, fir, with the greater! rfpe, Sec. G. W, 
 
 SIR, . NeyjtrTorl, J$prl! 23, 1770. 
 
 THAT I might be in readiriefs to take the field in the 
 fpring, and prepared for any fervice .Ccngrefs mould think proper 
 to fend me upon, this campaign, I defired colonel Reed, when 
 he left Cambridge in the fall, to get me a fet of campt equi- 
 page, tents, and baggage -waggons, made at Philadelphia undep 
 his own infpeclion, and fent to me. This, he iniorms-me, is 
 now done, and ready to come on. I have therefore to beg the 
 favor of Congrefs, through you, to order payment of them frdrtt 
 the treafury, as it will fave the expenfe and hazard of a remit- 
 tance from hence, where we Hand much in need of every far- 
 thing we have. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, 
 
 SJP., fiew-Tort, April ' 2j*, I//6, 
 
 I Received by laft evening's pofl a letter from Jodiua 
 Wentworth, efquire, of Portfmouth, ivhom I had appointed 
 agent for our little fleet in that province. It is, dated the fif- 
 teenth inftant \ an extra-<S from yyhich J have the honor of tran- 
 fcribing for your perufal. 
 
 '** The third inilant, commodore Manly brought in the bri- 
 frantifce Elizabeth, one of the third divifion w^hich failed from 
 NanUfket, with a valuable cargo of Englidi goods, and a few 
 
 hogiheadi 
 
j F 1 C I A L JL T T E g. S. 103 
 
 of sum and, fugar, by a Mr. J * * *, ~w r ka was \ 
 paffenger, part freighter, and a very tory. Suppofe the cargo 
 worth twenty thoufand pounds fleiiing. Thofe goods are, the 
 greatelt part, owned' by the inhabitants of JBofton, and by fome 
 that were inhabitants when the troops left it, the refidue by 
 this Mr. J * * *, and ethers of the fame call. The complicate 
 ftate of this prize required my immediate fetting off for Bofton, 
 expecting I might find fome directions for rny government 
 there 5 when I waited on general Ward, who was obliging- 
 enough to give me his opinion (but not able to direct, having 
 received no inftruclions to the point) that the ve&el and cargo 
 muft be libelled, r.nd a dividend to the captors would follow, 
 of all fuch goods as might be legally claimed by .the friends to 
 America j and thofe that were the property of them inimical, 
 might be decreed forfeited. Upon further inquiry, I was in-r 
 formed a refolve paffed in Congrefs that ail veffels and goods, 
 retaken previous to a condemnation by a Britifn court of Ad- 
 miralty, were liable to a partial decree (by every colony judge) 
 to the captors,- not more than one-third, nor lefs than one- 
 fourth. The prefent prize falls under this refolve : and any 
 other, that [makes the~\ property of our internal enemies liable 
 to a full confiscation, may be neceflary for my government : 
 therefore mall be much obliged by your full direction of this 
 capture, and a copy of the continental refolves thereon. This 
 trigantine is owned by a Mr. Richard Hart of this town, taken 
 on her return from the Weil-Indies la'ft October, and carried 
 into Bofton, not condemned. The rum on board are feventeen- 
 hogmeads, and four of fugar, not removed out of her from 
 the time of capture. The other cargo was in general ftolen by 
 virtue of general Howe's proclamation (which undoubtedly you 
 have feen) appointing one C***B*** fuperintendant, 
 who, by the way, was taken in the prize, and is now confined 
 in the Maffachufetts colony, with Mr. J * * * and fundry 
 others, by order of the general court, to whom general Ward 
 delivered them. 
 
 ' There were a ferjeant and twelve privates of the fourth, 
 or king's own regiment, taken prifoners on board, with the o- 
 thers, making fixty-three fouls. * * * 
 
 There appeared from the pillage of this cargo by many of 
 the paffengers, the property was in him who could fecret the 
 moft. For when examining the chefts and bedding of the pri- 
 foners, I found great quantity of goods that they had collecled 
 while on board, which were taken out of warehoufes without 
 jacking, and hove prornifcuoufly oa board the veffel. Even 
 
 the 
 
lie GENERAL WASHINGTON 1 * 
 
 the failors had provided for their difpofal at pleafure. In fatr, 
 the dertruftion of property under cover of general Howe's pro- 
 clamation, is unparalelled. * * * 
 
 " i ana now difcharging the cargo, as it is in a perimlng ii~ 
 filiation; and, when felefted, and the regular courfe purfued 
 through the admiralty, mall advertife agreeable to his excel- 
 lency's inftiu6tions to general Ward, who was obliging enough 
 to give me an abftracT:. 
 
 " The general court of this province, finding a difficulty la 
 making a code of laws for the admiralty court, did not com- 
 plete that inftitution their laft fefrion, when they adjourned to 
 June ; which lapfe of time will not admit my facilitating the 
 difpofal of the prizes under my care, fo early as I could wilh, 
 for the fafety of part of the interereit of the Sufanna's cargo, 
 viz. the porter, which I fear may be fpoiled by lying fo long, 
 it not having equal body to that commonly imported for lale ; 
 which induces me to deiire your direction for a difpofal of 
 that article either at private or public fale." 
 
 That, fir, is an exact copy of part of Mr. Wentworth's letter 
 to Mrv Moylan. I now requeft you will pleafe to direct me, 
 in what manner I (hall inftrucl the agent refpedting the complin 
 cated cargo, and whether he may be empowered to difpofe of 
 the porter or any other articles on board the prizes under his 
 care, which the delay of eilabliihing the court of admiralty may 
 make liable to periih. 
 
 I have not yet heard that there has been any trial of the pri- 
 zes carried into Maffachufetts-Bay. This procrastination is at- 
 tended with very bad confequences. Some of the veffels I had 
 fitted out are now laid up, the crews being diifatisfied that they 
 cannot get their prize-money. I have tired the Congrefs upon 
 this fubject : but the importance of it makes me again mention, 
 that, if a furamary way of proceeding is not rcfolved on, it will 
 be impoilible to get our veifels manned. I mull alfo me.ntiou 
 to you, iir, that captain Manly and his crew are defirpus to 
 know when they may expecl their part of the value of the ord- 
 nance (tores taken lalt fall. They are anxious to know what 
 the amount may be. As the inventory of that cargo is in the 
 hands of Congrefs, I would humbly fubmit it to them, whether a 
 valuation thereof mould not be made, and the captors' dividend 
 be remitted them as foon as poflible. It will give them fpirit, 
 and encourage them to be alert in looking out for other prizes. 
 
 Several officers belonging to the regiments raifed in thefe 
 middle colonies inform me that their men (notwithitanding their 
 agreement) begin to murmur at the diilindliou of pay made be- 
 
 tweea 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. jfn 
 
 tween them and the regiments from the eaftward. I would be 
 glad that the Congrefs would attend to this in time, left it may 
 get to fuch a pitch as will be difficult to fupprefs. They argue 
 that they perform the fame duty, un'deigo the fame fatigue, and 
 receive five dollars, when the eaftern regiments receive fix dol- 
 lars and two-thirds per month. For my own part, I wi(h they 
 were all upon the fame footing : for, if the Britiili army will 
 not face this way, it will be neceffary to detach a great part of 
 our troops : in that cafe, I would, for many reafons, be forry 
 there ihould be any diftinftions of regiments that are all in the 
 pay of the United Colonies. 
 
 The deficiency of arms (in the New-York regiments efpeci- 
 ally) is very great. If I am rightly informed, there are fcarce 
 as many in colonel Ritzema's regiment as will arm one compa- 
 try. Can tht Congrefs remedy this evil ? If they can, there 
 ihould not a moment be loft in effecting it, as our ftrength 
 at prefent is, in reality, on paper only. Should we think of dif- 
 charging thofe men who are without arms, the remedy would 
 be worfe than the difeafe : for, by vigorous exertions, I hope 
 srms may be procured ; and I well know that the railing men 
 fs exceeding difficult, efpecially to be engaged during the con- 
 tinuance of the war, which is the footing on which colonel 
 Ritzema's regiment is engaged. 
 
 slpril 26. - I had wrote thus far before I was honored. 
 
 with your favor of the twenty-third inflant. In obedience to> 
 the order therein contained, I have directed fix regiments more 
 for Canada, which will embark as foon as VeiTels and other ne- 
 celTaries can be provided. Thefe regiments will be command- 
 ed by general' Sullivan. I mall give him initruclions to join 
 the forces in that country under general Thomas, as foon as 
 poflible. 
 
 With refpect to fending more troops to that country, I am 
 teally at a lofs what to advife, as it is impoiiible at prefent to 
 know the defigns of the enemy. Should they fend the whole 
 force under general Howe up the river St. Laurence to relieve 
 Qjuebec and recover Canada, the troops gone and novr o-oing 
 will be inefficient to flop their progrefs : and mould they think 
 proper to fend that or an equal force this ivay from Great Bri- 
 tain for the purpofe of poiTefling this city and fecuring the na. 
 Vigation of Hudfon's river, the troops left here will not be fuf- 
 cient to oppofe them : and yet, for any thing we know, I think 
 it not improbable they may attempt both, both being of the 
 greatefl importance to them, if they have men. 
 
 I, could wifli indeed that the army in Canada ihould be mere 
 
 powerfully 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON** 
 
 powerfully reinforced : at the fame time I am ccmfcious that 
 the trufting this important poft (which is now become the grand 
 magazine of America) to the handful of men remaining here, 'n 
 Tunning two great a n'lk. The fecuring this poft and Hudfon's 
 river is to us alfo of fo great importance, that I cannot at pre- 
 icnt advife the fending any more troops from hence : on the 
 contrary, the general officers now Here, whom I thought it my 
 duty to confult, think it abfolutely nec-eilary to increafe the ar- 
 my at this place with at leaft ten thoufaud men, efpecially when 
 it is confidered, that, from this place only, the army in Canada 
 mult, draw its fupplies of ammunition, provisions, and, moft pro- 
 bably, of men ; and that all reinforcements can be fent from 
 hence much eaiier than from any ether place. By the inclofed 
 return, you will fee the ftat'e of the army here, and that the 
 number of efife&ive men is far (hort of what the Congrefs muft 
 have expected. 
 
 I have found it neceffary to order colonel Dayton's regiment 
 from New-Jerfey, to march as one of the fix to Canada : where- 
 fore I mull recommend it to Congrefs to order two companies 
 of one of the regiments ftill in Pennfylvania to march to Cape- 
 May, which can be done much fooner : for, had this deftinatiort 
 ef that regiment not taken place, it would have been very in- 
 convenient to have detached two companies from it to that 
 place , as the march would (according to lord Stirling's and o- 
 ther accounts) have been at leail two hundred miles from Ara- 
 boy, and they muft have paffed within twenty miles of Phi- 
 ladelphia, there being no practicable road along the fea-coafc of 
 New-Jerfey for their baggage to have paffed. 
 
 Dr. Potts, who is bearer hereof, was, I underftand, appoint- 
 ed diretlor of the hofpital for thefe middle colonies : but the 
 army being removed, with the general hofpital, from the eart- 
 ward, does in courfe fupercede him. He is inclined to go to 
 Canada, where he may be veryufeful, if a nerfon is not already 
 appointed for that department. I would humbly beg leavs to 
 aik the Congrefs whether, in all the appointments, it would not 
 be beft to have but one chief, to whom all the others ihould be 
 iubordinate. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &e. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-Tort, dpril 30, 
 
 I P\IE IN, -tliroiigTi you, to do myfs:f the honor of 1 
 before Coagreis a copy of .as addrcfs tiaufiuitted them feme 
 
 tuat 
 
OFFICIAL LETTER'S. 
 
 113 
 
 txmc ago by the alfembly of Rhode-IlJand, which governor 
 Cooke favored me with in the month of January, at the faaie 
 time requefting me to interefl myfelf in procuringa body of for- 
 ces on the continental eftablifhment, for the defence of that 
 colony. I doubt not but the addrefs and the fubject of it have 
 had the attention and consideration of Congrefs before now. 
 But if they have not decided upon the matter, I would beg 
 leave to mention that I have made inquiry into the fituatiort 
 and condition of the colony, and find it to be as ilated in the 
 addrefs ; and, with all deference to the opinion of Congrefs, 
 conceive it highly neceffary and expedient that they fhould adopt 
 forae meafures for relieving their diftrefs, and granting the aid 
 prayed for. The importance of it in the chain of the union, 
 its extenfive fea-coait, affording harbors for our {hipping and 
 x-efiels, at the fame time expofing and fubje&ing the inhabitants, 
 to the ravages and depredations of our enemies, the zeal and 
 attachment which it has (hewn, and which ft ill actuates it, to- 
 wards the common caufe, their incapacity to pay a fufficient 
 number of men for its defence, fhould they be able to furriiili 
 them after fo many engaged in other fervices j thefe, and ma- 
 ny other rcafons which are too obvious to be mentioned, plead 
 powerfully for the notice and attention of Congrefs, and feeru 
 to me to claim their fupport. 
 
 Having thus ftated the matter to Congrefs for their confider- 
 ation, agreeable to my prornife to governor Cooke when I had 
 the honor of feeing him on my way here, I (hall leave it with 
 them, not doubting but they will duly w.eigh its importance, 
 and give fuch aUiftance as they may think reafonable and jutiL 
 -What they chiefly wiih for is that the troops they have raifed 
 may be taken into continental pay, and commanding officer?, 
 appointed by Congrefs. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &:c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, May 5, 1776". 
 
 I AM honored with your favor of the thirtieth ultimo, 
 and ooferve what Congrefs have done refpecling the fettlement 
 of the; pavmailer's accounts. This feems expedient, as lie 'Is 
 out OL o^ce, and, I am certain, will be attended with but little 
 if any difficulty j nothing more being neceffary, than to com- 
 pare the warrants with his debits, and the receipts he has giyeri, 
 with his credits. I with every other 'fettlemsnt as eafy, and 
 that a cona::nittee was appointed to examine and audit the zc- 
 
 ? counts 
 
1 1 4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S. 
 
 counts upon which the warrants are founded, particularly t-liofe 
 of the quarter-mafter and commiffary-generars. They are long 
 and of high amount, confiding of a variety of charges, of courfe 
 more intricate, and will require time and an extraordinary de- 
 gree of attention to adjuft and liquidate in a proper manner. 
 Upon this fubjeft, I did myfelf the honor to write you a confi- 
 de rable time ago. 
 
 Having had feveral complaints from the officers in the eaM> 
 em regiments, who have been, and are engaged in recruiting, 
 about the expenfe attending it, and for which they have never 
 yet been allowed any "thing, though the officers in thefe go- 
 vernments have, as I am informed. I (hall be glad to know 
 Hvhether the allowance of ten millings, granted to the officers 
 for every man enlifted, by the refolve of Congrefs in [_January~] 9 
 is general and indifcriminate, or confined to the middle diftricls. 
 If general, muft I have retrofpecl to the time of the refolve, 
 and pay for the fervices fmce, or only for future enliftments ? 
 
 In a letter I wrote to Congrefs the twenty-fifth of Decem- 
 ber, 1 inclofed one I had received from Jacob Bailey, efquire, 
 about opening a road from Newbury to Canada. I have re- 
 ceived another of the fifteenth ultimo: and, from his account 
 and the intelligence I have from others upon inquiry, I have 
 no doubt of the practicability of the meafure ; and am well in- 
 formed that the diftance will be confiderably fhortened, info- 
 much that our people going from any part of the Ne T .v-ngland 
 governments ealtward of Connecticut-liver, to Canada, or re- 
 turning from thence home, will perform their march in five or 
 fix days lefs time than by coming or going any way now ufed. 
 Add to this, that the road may be fo conducted (as it is laid) 
 as to go to the river Miflifque, from whence the water carriage 
 to St. John's is good, except forty odd miles, or be carried fo 
 far to the northward as to keep clear of the lakes altogether, 
 and afford an eafy pafs into Canada at all ieafons. The advan- 
 tage refulting from this route being fo great and important, I 
 have advanced colonel Bailey two hundred and fifty pounds to 
 begin with, and directed him to execute his plan. No doubt 
 it will require a confiderable advance to accoaiplilh it : but that 
 will be foon funk. The expenfe faved by taking off .fix days' 
 pay and provifions from the foldiers returning to the eailein go- 
 vernments at the expiration of this campaign, will be almoft if 
 not more than equal to the charge incurred in opening it. If 
 not, as in all probability there will be often a ^ecerTity for 
 fending detachments ef our troops to Canada from thofe go- 
 vernments, and for others to return, it will fooa be repaid. 
 
 By 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS/ 115 
 
 , By a letter from general Schuyler, of the twenty-feventh 
 ultimo, I find general Thompfon and his brigade were at Alba* 
 iiy j ^general Sullivan with the laft (except three or four com- 
 panies of colonel Wayne's regiment, not yet come) is embarked 
 and gone, and probably will be foon there. I amapprehenfive, 
 from general Schuyler's account, that they will not proceed 
 with the wimed-for expedition, owing to a difficuly in getting 
 teams and provender for cattle, neceffary to carry their bag" 
 gage, and a fcarcity of batteaux at the lakes for fo large a 
 number, though he is taking the utmoft pains to procure them* 
 Should they be Hopped for any time, it will be exceedingly un- 
 fortunate, as their going from hence has weakened vs- here 
 much, and our army.in Canada will not be ftrengtheined. 
 
 I have fent with the laft brigade fixty barrels of powder, and 
 other ftores and intrenching tools, a fupply being aiked for j 
 alio the chain for a boom at the narrows of Richelieu, and the 
 three boxes of money brought by Mr. Hanfon ; and have wrote 
 to Mr. Schuyler to have the boom fixed as foon as polfible. * 
 The commiiTary too has forwarded about eight hundred barrels 
 of pork, ami is in expectation of a further quantity from Con- 
 xie&icut, which will go on without flopping here. 
 
 As the magazine from whence the northern and eaftern ar r 
 mies will occafionally receive fupplies of powder will probably 
 be here, and our ftock is low and inconfiderable, being much 
 reduced by the fixty barrels fent to Canada, I mall be glad t* 
 have a quantity immediately forwarded. Our ftores mould be 
 great : for if the enemy make an attack upon the town, or at- 
 tempt to go up North-river, the expenditure will be very con^ 
 iiderable. Money too is much wanted: the regiments that 
 are paid have only received to the firft of April, except thofe 
 of Pennfylvania and Jerfey which are gone to Canada: they are 
 paid to the laft of April. By a letter from general Ward, I 
 find his cheft is juft exhaufted j the money which was left with' 
 him for the payment of the five regiments at Bofton and Bever- 
 ly, being almoft expended by large draughts in favor of the 
 comnuiTary and .quarter-mafter, and in fitting out the armed 
 veiTels. 
 
 I would here afk a queftion, to wit, whether, as Mr. War- 
 ren's comraiilion is fuperceded by Mr. Palfrey's appointment, 
 it will not be neceffary to fix upon fome perfon to pay the troops 
 there : or are the payments to go through his hands ? He does 
 not incline -to do any thing in the affair without the diredioa 
 of Congrefs. 
 
 I have inclofed you a return of tht laft brigade detached, and 
 
 alia 
 
316 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 alfo of the forces remaining here. And as it is a matter of 
 much importance to know the whole of our flrcngtli fiom time 
 to time, and to fee it at one view, for regulating cur move- 
 raents with propriety, I wiih it were a direction from Congrefs 
 to the commanding officers in the different diihicls to make 
 monthly returns to the commander-in-chief of the continental 
 army, and 01 the -ftate of the troops in their departments, and 
 alfo of the military fiores. Such direction will probably make 
 them, more attentive than they otherwife would, be. I could 
 uot get a return of the army in Canada all laft year. 
 
 I beg leave to lay before Congrefs a copy of the proceedings 
 of a court-martial upon lieutenant * * * * of the fecond regi- 
 ment, and of his defence, which I fhould not have troubled 
 them with, had I not conceived the court's fentence, upon the 
 faciis ftated in the proceedings, of a fingular nature, to be by no 
 means adequate to the enormity of his offence, and to be of ex- 
 ceeding dangerous and pernicious tendency. Upon thefe prin- 
 ciples I thought it my duty to tranfmit the proceedings to them, 
 5n order that they may form fuch a judgment upon the facls 
 fcated, as they may conceive right and -juii, and advancive of 
 the public good. -At the fame time I would mention to Con 
 grefs that I think it of material confequence that they ihould 
 yafs a refolve, cutting of? the right of fucceffion in the military- 
 line from one rank to another, which is claimed by many upon 
 the happening of vacancies, >~(upon which principle this offence 
 feems to have originated in a great meafure, and the extraor- 
 dinary judgment in this inirance to be founded) declaring that 
 310 fucceffion or promotion can take place upon any vacancy, 
 without a continental commiffion giving and authoriiing it. It 
 5s of much confequence to check and entirely fupprefs this opi- 
 nion and claim, which is becoming too prevalent, and has an 
 obvious tendency to introduce mutiny and difordcr ;-- -or, if 
 they conceive the claim good, and that it mould take place, 
 that they will declare it fo, that the pcint may be fettled and 
 known in future. 
 
 J have the honor to be, Sec, G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, May 5, 1776. 
 
 1 HAVE fo often and fo fully communicated my want of 
 arms to Congrefs, that I ihould not have given them the trou- 
 ble of receiving another letter upon this fubjeft at this time, 
 put for the particular application of colonel Wayne cf Pennjyl- 
 
 
 

 
 OFFICIAL LETTERS. 117 
 
 tania, who lias pointed out a method by which he thinks they 
 may be obtained. 
 
 t In the hands of the committee of fafety at Philadelphia, 
 there are, according to colonel Wayne's account, not lefs than 
 two or three thoufand fland of arms for provincial ufe. From 
 hence he thinks a number might be borrowed by Congrefs, pro- 
 vided they are replav^d with continental arms as they are 
 brought into the magazine in that city. At a crifis io impor- 
 tant as this, fuch a loan might be attended with the moil fignal 
 advantages, while the defencelefs ilatc of the regiments, i 
 no relief can be had, may be productive of fatal confequences. 
 
 To give Conqrefs fome idea of our iituation with refpe6t to 
 arms (and juftice to my own character requires that it ihould 
 be known to them, although the world at large will form their 
 opinion of our ftrength from numbers, without attending to cir- 
 cumftances) it may not be amifs to inclofe a copy of a return 
 which I received a few .days ago from the forts in the High- 
 lands, and add, that, by a report from colonel Ritzema's re- 
 giment, of the twenty -ninth ultimo, there appeared to be only 
 ninety-feven firelocks and feven bayonets belonging thereto ; 
 and that all the regiments from the eaftward are deficient from 
 twenty to fifty of the former. Four of thole companies at the 
 fortifications in the Highlands, belong to colonel Clinton's re- 
 giment : but in what condition the refidue are on account of 
 arms, and how colonel Wyncoop's men are provided, I cannot 
 undertake to fay, but am told, mod miferably ; as colonel Day- 
 ton's of New-Jerfey, and colonel Wayne's of Fennfylvania alib 
 are. This, fir, is a^rue, though melancholy deicription of our 
 iituation. The propriety therefore of keeping arms in ftore 
 when men in aclual pay are in want of them, and who (it is to 
 be prefumed) will, as they ought, bear the heat and burden of 
 the day, is fubmitted with all due deference to the fupeiior 
 judgment of others. 
 
 1 cannot, by all the inquiries I have been able to make, 
 learn what number of arms have been taken from the tories, 
 where they lie, or how they are to be got at. The committee 
 of fafety for this colony have affured me that no exertions of 
 theirs mall be wanting to procure arms : but our fufferings in 
 the mean time may prove fatal, as men without are in a man- 
 ner ufelefs. I have therefore thoughts of employing an agent 
 whofe fole bulinefs it mall be to ride through the middle and 
 interior parts of thefe governments, for the purpofe of buying 
 up fuch arms as the inhabitants may incline to fell, and are fit 
 for ufe. j i ;..&' -* 4 
 
 The 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 Tlie defigns. oF the enemy are too much behind the curtain 
 for me to form any accurate opinion of their plan of operations 
 for the fummer's campaign. We are left to wander therefore 
 an the field of conjefture : and as no place (all itsconfequences 
 coniidered) feemed of more importance in the execution of their 
 grand plan, than poflefling themfelves of Hudfon's river, I 
 thought it advifable to remove with the continental army to this 
 city as foon as the king's troops evacuated Bofton. But ii 
 Congrefs, from their knowledge, information, 01 belief, think 
 it beft for the general good of the fervice that I mould go to 
 the northward or elfcwhere, they are convinced, I hope, that 
 they have nothing more to do than lignify their commands. 
 
 With the greateft refpe6t, I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
 G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-Tor&, May 7, 1776, 
 
 At a quarter after feven this evening, I received by ex- 
 prefs a letter from Thomas Culhing, efquire, chairman of a 
 committee of the honorable general court, covering one to them 
 for the committee of Salem ; copies of which I do myfclf the 
 honor to lay before Congrefs, that they may judge of the in- 
 telligence contained therein, and direct fuch meafures to be 
 taken upon the occafion as they may think proper and necef- 
 far-y. 
 
 I would o-bfervc, that, fuppofing captain Lee's account to 
 be true in part, I think there mull be a tniilake either in the 
 number of troops or the tranfport friips. If there are no more 
 {hips than what are mentioned, it is certain there cannot be fo 
 many troops. Of this, however, Congrefs can judge as well as 
 -tnyfelf j and I fubmit to them, whether, upon th'e whole of the 
 circumftances, and the uncertainty of their defoliation (if they 
 were feen at all), they chufe that any forces fhall be detached 
 from hence, as they will fee, from the returns tranfmitted yef- 
 terday, that the number of men now here is but fmall and in- 
 confiderable ; and (what is to be regretted) no fmall part oi 
 thefe without arms. Perhaps, by dividing and fubdividing 
 our force too much, we fhall have no one port furBciently 
 guarded. 
 
 I (hall wait their direction) and, whatever their order is, 
 {hall comply with it as foon as poflible. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G, W. 
 
 P. S. I have by the fame exprefs, a letter from general 
 
 Ward 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 119 
 
 Ward, containing a iirailar account to that from the Salem com- 
 mittee, and by way of ca-ptain Lee. 
 
 Should the commiffioners arrive that are mentioned, how are 
 they to be received and treated ? I wifh the direction of Con- 
 grefs upon the fubjeft, by return of the bearer. 
 
 SIR, New-Tort, May 1 1, 1776. 
 
 I AM now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of 
 the fourth and feventh inftant, with their feveral inclofures, and 
 am exceedingly glad, that, before the refolution refpe&ing 
 lieutenant-colonel Ogden came to hand, I had ordered him to 
 join his regiment, and had quelled a difagreeable fpirit both of 
 mutiny and defertion, which had taken place and feemed to be 
 rifing to a great degree in confequence of it. In order to ef- 
 fect it, I had the regiment paraded, and ordered two more at 
 the fame time under arms,' convinced them of their error and ill 
 conduct, and obtained a promife for their good behavior in fu- 
 ture. To fuch of the men as had abfconded I gave pardons, on 
 their afl'urances to return to their duty again. 
 
 In my letter of the fifth inftant which I had the honor of ad- 
 drefling you, I mentioned to Congrefs the refraclory and muti- 
 nous conduft of lieutenant * * * * of the fecond regiment, 
 and laid before them a copy of the proceedings of a court-mar- 
 tial upon him, and of his defence, with a view that fuch mea- 
 fures might be adopted as they mould think adequate to his 
 crime. I would now beg leave to inform them, that, fince 
 then, he has appeared fenilble of his mifconducl: and having 
 made a written acknowledgment of his offence, and begged par- 
 don for it (as by the inclofed copy will appear), I thought it 
 bed to releafe him from his confinement, and have ordered him 
 to join his regiment j which i hope will meet their approbation, 
 and render any determination, as to him, unneceffary j ob- 
 ferving at the fame time that I have endeavored, and, 1 flatter 
 myfelf, not ineffually, to fupport their authority, and a due 
 fubordination in the army, I have found it of importance and 
 highly expedient to yield many points in fa6l, without leeming 
 to have done it, and this, to avoid bringing on a too frequent 
 difcuflion of matters, which, in a political view, ought to be 
 kept a little behind the curtain, and not be made too much the 
 fubjects of difquifition. Time only can eradicate and overcome 
 cufloins arid prejudice of long {landing : they mult be got the 
 better of, by flow and gradual advances. 
 
 I would 
 
i2o GENERAL WASHING TONV 
 
 I would here take occafion to fuggeft to Congrefs (not wifh- 
 ing or meaning of myfelf to amime the fmalleft degree of power 
 .in any infcance) the propriety and neceility of having their fen- 
 .timents refpeciing the filling up the vacancies and iffuing corn- 
 inifiioners to officers, efpecially to thole under the rank of field 
 oncers. Had I literally complied with the dire&ions given 
 upon this fubje& when I firft engaged in the fervice, and which 
 I conceived to be fuperceded by a fubfequent refolve for form- 
 ing the army upon the prefent e flab li lament, I muft have em- 
 ployed one clerk, for no other bufinefs than iffuing warrants of 
 Appointment, and giving information to Congrefs for their con- 
 firmation or refufal. It being evident from the neceflity of the 
 thing, that there will be frequent changes and vacancies in of- 
 fice, from death and a variety of other caufes, I now fubmit it 
 to them, and pray their direction whether I am to purfue that 
 .mode and all the ceremonies attending it, or to be at liberty to 
 11 up and grant commiffions at once to fuch as may be fit and 
 "proper perfons to fucceed. 
 
 Before I have done, with the utmoft deference and refpecl: 
 I would beg leave to remind Corig efs of my former letters and 
 applications refpeciing the appointment of proper perfons to fu- 
 .perintend and take direction of fuch prifoners as have already 
 .fallen and will. fall into our hands in the courfe of the war, 
 being fully convinced, that, if there were perfons appointed 
 ..who would take the whole management of them under their 
 care, the continent would fave a considerable fum of money by 
 it, and the prifoners be better treated and provided with real 
 neceiTaries than they now are j and (hall take the liberty to add 
 that it appears to me a matter of much importance, and worthy 
 of consideration, that particular and proper places of fecurity 
 fhould be fixed on and eilabiiihed in the interior parts of the 
 (different governments for their reception. 
 
 Such eftablifhments are agreeable to the pra&ice and ufaga 
 of the Engliih and other nations, and are founded on principles 
 of neceffity and public utility. The advantages which will a- 
 rife from them are obvious and many :- I (hall only mention 
 two 01 three. -They will tend much to prevent cfcapes (which 
 are difficult to effccl when the public is once advertifed that the 
 prifoners are restrained to a fe\v Hated and well-known places, 
 and not permitted to go from thence), r,nd the more ingenious 
 among them from dilTeminnting and foreadhig their artful and 
 pernicious intrigues and opinions throughout the country, which 
 would influence the weaker and wavering part of mankind, an:i 
 meet with but too favorable a hearing. Further, it will be leis 
 
 in 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 121 
 
 in their power to join and afiift our enemies in cafes of invauon, 
 and will give us an opportunity always to know, from the re- 
 turns of tiofe appointed to fuperintend them, what number we 
 have in poffeiTion, the force fufficient to check and fuppreis 
 their hotlile views in times of emergency, and the expenfes ne~ 
 ceffary for their, maintenance and fupport. Many other reafon* 
 might be adduced to prove the neceflity and expediency of the 
 meafure ; J {hall only fubjoin one more, and then have done 
 on the fubje6t, which is, that many of the towns where pri- 
 ibners have been already lent, not having convenience for or 
 the means of keeping them, complain they are burdenfomc j 
 and have become carelefs, inattentive, and altogether indiffer- 
 ent whether they efcape or not j and thofe of them that are re- 
 ft ricled to a clofer confinement (the limits of jail) are neglect- 
 ed, and not treated with that care and regard which Congreis 
 v/iih. 
 
 I have not received further intelligence of the German troops 
 fince my letter of the feventh iniiant, covering Mr. Cufliing's 
 difpatches. But, left the account of their coming mould be 
 true, may it not be advifable and; 'good policy to raife fome 
 companies of our German;, to lend among them when they ar- 
 rive, for exciting a fpirit of .difaffsilron and defertion ? If a 
 few fenfible and trufty feUdw.V could get with them, I mould 
 think they would have ^reat weight ai:d influence with the com- 
 mon foldiery, who certainly have no enmity towards us, having 
 received no injury nor caufe of quarrel irom u.s. The raeafu.re 
 having occurred, and appearing to me expedient, I thought it 
 prudent to mention it for the confederation of Cqngrefs. 
 
 Having received a letter from general Ward, adviiiiig that 
 Congrefs have accepted his refignation, and praying to be re- 
 lieved, and it being neceflary that a general officer fhould be 
 fent to take the command of the troops at Bofton, efpecially if 
 the aimy fhould arrive which is talked of, and which fome con- 
 iider as a probable event, I rauil beg leave to recommend to 
 Congrefs the appointment of fome brigadier-generals, not hav- 
 ing'moie here (nor fo many at this time) than are eiTential to 
 the government and conducting the forces and the works that 
 are carrying on. Generals Sullivan and Thompfon being or- 
 dered to Canada, I cannot fpare one more general ofHcer frora 
 hence without injuring the fervice greatly, and leaving the ar- 
 my here without a fufficient number. 
 
 Having frequent applications from the committse of fafety 
 and others, about an exchange of prifoners, and not having au- 
 thonrv to purlue any otlisr mods ii; this inftajxce, than that 
 
 Q markc-d 
 
122 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 marked out by a refolve of Congrefs fome confiderable time 
 ago, I hope they will pardon me when I wiih them to take un- 
 der confideiation fuch parts of my letter of the twenty-fecond 
 ultimo as relate to this fubjecl ; and for their determination 
 upon it. [ fhall then have it in my power to give explicit 
 and fatisfa&ory anfwers to thofe who fhall apply, 
 
 I am, fir. &c. . G, W. 
 
 SIR, New-Tori, May 15, 1776, 
 
 SINCE my lafl of the eleventh inftant, which I hzd the 
 honor to addrefs to you, nothing of moment or importance has 
 occurred ; and the principal defign of this is to communicate 
 to Congrefs the intelligence I received laft night from general 
 Schuyler by a letter of the tenth, refpeling the progrefs of 
 r:ar troops in getting towards Canada, not doubting of their 
 impatience and anxiety to hear of it and of every thing relating 
 to the expedition. For their more particular information .and 
 fatisficHon, I have done myfelf the pleaflire to extract the fub- 
 Stance of his letter on this head, which is as follows : *' that 
 general Thompfon, with the laft of his brigade, on the morning 
 of tuefday fe'nnight, embarked at Fort-George j and, in the 
 evening of the next day, general Sullivan arrived at Albany ; 
 -that he had ordered an additional number of carpenters to 
 a (lift in building boats j who, finimed eight every day, would 
 have a hundred and ten complete by the twenty-firft, before 
 which he was fearful the laft of general Sullivan's brigade 
 could not embark ; that they would carry thirteen men each, 
 befides the baggage, ammunition, and intrenching tools." 
 
 He alfo informs, *' that the fixty barrels of poxvder had ar- 
 rived, and would be forwarded that day ; that the firft regi- 
 ment of general Sullivan's brigade marched that morning ; and 
 that the intrenching tools and about fix hundred barrels of 
 pork were alfo gone on ', that he cannot poflibly fend more 
 than half of the three hundred thoufand dollars into Canada 
 (being greatly in debt on the public account, and the creditors 
 exceedingly clamorous and importunate for payment), which 
 fum he hopes will be fufficient, till the Canadians agree to take 
 our paper currency, to which they are much averfe, and of 
 which he is exceedingly doubtful : that he had got the chain, 
 and would forward it that day to general Arnold, with orders 
 to fix it at the rapids of Richelieu." le adds, " that he had 
 
 reviewed 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 reviewed general Sullivan's brigade in prefence of about two 
 hundred and fixty Indians, who were greatly pleafed with the 
 order and regularity of the troops, and furprifed at the number, 
 which, the tories had induftriouily propagated, confined only of 
 tlyee companies, and that they were always kept walking the. 
 jftreets, to induce them to believe their number was much great- 
 er than it really was." 
 
 1 have inclofed a copy of general Schuyler's inftroctions to 
 James Price, efquire, deputy commiiTary-general, for the regu- 
 lation of his conduct in that department, which I received laft 
 night, and which general Schuyler requefted me to forward 
 you. I alib beg leave to lay before Congrefs a copy of a let- 
 ter from Samuel Stringer, director of one of the hofpitals, pur- 
 porting an application for an increafe of furgeons'-mates, &c. 
 an eftirnate of which is alfo inclofed j and iubmit it to them, 
 what number muft be fent from hence or got elfewhere. It is 
 highly probable that many more will be wanted in Canada than, 
 are already there, on account of the late augmentation of the 
 army : but I thought it moil advifable to make his requifition 
 known to Congrefs, and to take their order and direction upon 
 it. As to the medicines, I mail fpeak to Dr. Morgan (not yet 
 arrived) as foon as he comes, and order him to forward fuch as 
 may be neceffary and can be poflibly fpared. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G .W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, Msy 17^ 1 7 76. 
 
 I THIS moment received by exprefs from general Schuy- 
 ler an account of the melancholy profpect and reverie of our 
 affairs in Canada : and prcfuming that the letters which accom- 
 pany this will give Congrefs full information upon the* fubject, 
 1 ihall only add, that general Schuyler, in puriuance of orders, 
 from the honorable commiffioncrs, has directed brigadier-gene- 
 ral Sullivan to halt his brigade 5 as a further reinforcement 
 (on account of the fcarcity of provifions) would not relieve, 
 but contribute greatly to diflrefs our troops already in Canada, 
 Before he received thefe orders, all the brigade, except Day- 
 ton's and Wayne's regiments, had left Albany : but I fuppoiV 
 he will be able to flop their inarch. 
 
 By my letter of the fifteenth, Congrefs will perceive the 
 quantity of pork already gone from hence : and the commiffary 
 has allured me that he will forward a further fupply as foon as 
 it can' be poffibly collected. I had alfo directed iive tons of 
 
 lead 1 
 
124 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 lead to be fent to general Schuyler for trie Canada expedition, 
 before I received this unfortunate account ; which was as much 
 as could be ipared for the preient *our flock being inconiidera* 
 ble in proportion to the demand we may reafonably expet for 
 it) y and (ball do every thing in my power to relieve oar afT-ahs 
 from their pi efent diitreiTed and melancholy, fituation in that 
 quarter, which occurs to me and appears necefLry. 
 
 I am alfo to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 
 tenth and thirteenth inftant, with their feveral inclofures. The 
 money, accompanying the letter, came to the paymaster's hands 
 fafe. I have the honor to be, &<:. G, W. 
 
 SIR, Nevj-Tor&, May 18, 1776. 
 
 I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit to you the inclofed 
 letters and papers I received this morning in the (late they 
 now are, which contain fundry matters of intelligence of the 
 rnoft interesting nature. As ^the confideration of them may 
 lead to important coniequences and the adoption of fereral 
 iDeafures in the military line, I have thought it advifable for 
 general Gates to attend Congrefs ^(he will follow to-morrow, 
 and fatisfy, and explain to them fome points they may wilh to 
 "be informed of in the courfe of their deliberations) rot hav- 
 ing an opportunity at this time to fubmit my thoughts to them 
 upon thefe intereiting accounts. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. "VV, 
 
 CJR, New-York, May 19, 1776. 
 
 *THIS will be delivered you. by general Gates who feti 
 out to-day for Congrefs, agreeable to my letter of yelterdav, 
 r have committed to him the heads of i'undry matters to lay- 
 before Congrefs for their confjderation, which, from the inter- 
 efting intelligence contained iti my.lait, appear to me of the 
 utmort importance, and to demand their mult early and ferious 
 attention. 
 
 S,enfible that I have omitted to fet down many things nece- 
 fary, and which probably, when deliberating, they will wiih to 
 be acquainted with, and not conceiving myfelf at liberty to 
 depart from my port (though to attend them) without their 
 jpievious approbation, I have requested general Gates to iub- 
 hints of his own, as he muy apprthend material. Hi* 
 
 military 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, x^ 
 
 military experience and intimate acquaintance with tlie fitua- 
 tfon of our affairs will enable him to give Congrefs the fulleft 
 fatisfaction about the meafures neceffary to be adopted at this 
 alarming crifis : and, with his zeal' and attachment to the caufe 
 of America, have a claim to their notice and favors. 
 
 When Congrefs {hall have come to a determination an the 
 fubjeft of this letter, and fuch parts of my former letters as 
 have not been determined on, you will be pleafed to honor me 
 with the refult. I am, fir, &c. G. W 
 
 SIR., New-York, May 20, 1776. 
 
 YOUR favor of the fixteenth, with fever al refolutions of 
 Congrefs therein inclofed, I had not the honor to receive till 
 laft night. Before the receipt, I did not think myfelf at liberty 
 to wait on Congrefs, although I wifhed to do it j and therefore, 
 the more readily alfented to general Gates's attendance, as I 
 knew there were many matters which could be better explain- 
 ed in a perfonal interview than in whole volumes of letters. 
 He accordingly fet out for Philadelphia yefterday morning, and 
 muft have been too far advanced on his journey (as he piopofed 
 expedition) to be overtaken. 
 
 I (hall, if I can fettle fome matters which are in agitation 
 with the provincial Congrefs here, follow to-morroxv or next 
 day ; and therefore, '/with every fentiment of. regard, attach- 
 ment, and gratitude to Congrefs for their kind attention to -the 
 means which they think may be conducive to- my health, and 
 w,ith particular thanks to you for the politenefs of your invi- 
 tation to your houfe, conclude, dear lir, your moft obedient, 
 &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Philadelphia^ June 3, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE perufed the petition preferred by the indepen- 
 dent corps of Boiton, and beg leave, through you, to inform 
 Congrefs that the five regiments there are extremely deficient 
 in arms, as arc many other regiments in continental pay j and 
 fubmit it to their confideration, whether any part of the arms 
 lately taken, under thefe circumftances, (hould be delivered 
 to the gentlemen applying for them j determining, at. .the 
 fame time, .that whatever decilion they come to, will be agree- 
 able to me, and be literally complied with, by, fir, your moft 
 , &c, G. W. 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 SIR, Neiv-Tork, June 7, 
 
 I DO myfelf the honor to inform Congrefs that I arrived 
 liere yefterday afternoon about one o'clock, and found all in a 
 ftate of peace and quiet. I had not time to view the works 
 carrying on, and thofe ordered to be begun when I went away; 
 but have reafon to believe, from the report of fuch of the ge- 
 neral and other officers as I had the pleasure to fee, that they 
 have been profecuted and forwarded with all poflible diligence 
 and difpatch. 
 
 I am much concerned for the fituation of our affairs in Ca- 
 nada, and am fearful, ere this, it is much worfe than was firft 
 reported at Philadelphia. The intelligence t from thence, in a 
 letter from captain Wilkinfon of the fecond regiment, to gene- 
 ral Greene, is truly alarming. It not only confirms the account 
 of colonel Biddle and major Sherburne's defeat, but feems to 
 forebode general Arnold's, with the lofs of Montreal. I have 
 inclofed a copy of the letter, which will but too well fhew that 
 there is foundation for my apprehenfions. 
 
 On wednefday evening I received an exprefs from general 
 Schuyler, with fundry papers refpecling fir John Johnfton, 
 which I have not time to copy, as the poft is juft going off, 
 but will do myfelf the honor of tranfmitting you as foon as Jt 
 poflibly can. 
 
 Before I left Philadelphia, I employed a perfon to fuperin- 
 tend the building of the gondolas which Congrefs had refolved 
 on for this place. He is arrived, and all things feem to be in 
 a proper channel for facilitating the work : but when they are 
 done, we (hall be in much want of guns, having never received 
 any of thofe taken by commodore Hopkins. 
 
 JBe pleafed to mention me to Congrefs with the utmoft re- 
 fcecl y and I am, fir, with every fentiment of regard and efteem, 
 your and their obedient iervant, G. W. 
 
 P. S. I this minute received your favor of the fifth inftant. 
 I am in need of commiJTions, and beg Congrefs to point out 
 precilely the line I am to purfue in filling them up. This I 
 mentioned in my letter of the eleventh ultimo. I am much 
 pleafed at the fortunate captures, and the generous conduct 
 of the owners and maftert., for the tender of the money to Con* 
 greis. 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 127 
 
 SIR, June 8, 1776. 
 
 IN my letter of yeflerday which I had the honor of ad- 
 drefling you, and which was defigned to have gone by poft, but 
 was prevented by his departure at the ufual time, I mentioned 
 iny having received by exprefs a letter and fundry papers from 
 general Schuyler, refpe&ing fir John Johnfton, copies of which 
 I herewith tranfmit you for your infpection and perufal. They 
 will (hew you what meafures were planned and attempted for 
 apprehending him, and fecuring the Scotch Hilariders in Try on 
 county. 
 
 Having heard that the troops at Bofton are extremely unea- 
 fy and almoft mutinous for want of pay (feveral months being 
 now due), I muft take the liberty to repeat a queftion contain- 
 ed in my letter of the fifth ultimo, " what mode is to be pur- 
 fued rtfpecting it ? whether is money to be fent from hence by 
 the paymafter-general, or fome perfon fubordihate to him to be 
 appointed there for that purpofe ? I expected fome direction 
 would have been given in this inftance, long ere this, from 
 what was contained in yours accompanying (or about the 
 time of) the laft remittance. I prefume it has been omitted 
 by reafon of the multiplicity of important bulinefs before Con? 
 grefs. 
 
 In perufing the feveral refolves you honored me with when 
 at Philadelphia and iince my return, I find one allowing a chief 
 engineer for th$ army in a feparate department. The fervice 
 requiring many of them, I wilh Congrefs, if they know any per- 
 fons Ikilled in this bufinefs, would appoint them. General 
 Schuyler has frequently applied, and fuggefted the neceility of 
 having fome in Canada. 1 myfelf know of none. 
 
 I alfo find there is a refolve of the third of June, for taking 
 Indians into the fervice, which, if literally ccnftrued, confines 
 them to that in Canada. Is that the meaning of Congrefs, or 
 that the commander-in-chief may order their fervice to any- 
 place h may think neceiTary ? 
 
 In refpect to the eftablifhing expreffes between the feveral 
 continental pofts, who is to do it ? the refolves does not fa'y. 
 - Is it expected by Congrefs that I fhould ? Whoever the 
 work is affigned to, I think fhould execu'te it with the utmoft 
 difpacth. The late imperfe6l and contradictory accounts re- 
 fpe&ing our defeat at the Cedars, flrongly point out the ne- 
 ceffity there is for it. No intelligence is yet come from any 
 flicer in command there (and molt probably for want of a pro- 
 per 
 
128 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 per channel to convey it), though this misfortune happened fo 
 
 long 3 
 
 .::n I had the honor of being in Congrefs, if I ihiftake 
 -rot, I heard a "refolvc read, or was told of one, alloy/ing the 
 New-York troops the fame pay as others in the continent?.! 
 fervice. This, i'f any fuch, I do not find j and if there is not 
 juch a one, I fhll be under ibme embanralTment, hcw'to pay 
 the militia' to be provided by this province. The refolve pro- 
 vlding 'them, &ys they are to be paid, wh'k in fervice, as other 
 t'ooTjs are. But if fhofe enlifted heretofore in this province 
 are to receive according to the firft eilabiiihrnent, it is a niatre.r 
 of doubt, what the militia are to have. 
 
 Before this comes to hand, a hand-bill, containing an account 
 of a' victory gained by general Arnold over the party that had 
 Defeated colonel Biddle and major Sherburne, will melt proba- 
 bly have reached you. I have inquired into the authenticity 
 c; this fortunate icpcrt, and have found there is no dependence 
 to be put in it : nor do I believe it deferving of the Icait credit. 
 J ihall be happy not to hear the reverfe. 
 
 1 have the' honor to be,-&c. G v W. 
 
 p. S. it Congrefs have come to any refolution about an al- 
 lowance to induce* men to re-enlift, you will pleafe to favor me 
 yvith.it, as the, time the nfi- regiment is engaged for is juft 
 
 expired. . 
 
 As the militia will be coming in, and they will be in much 
 need of covering, pleafe to have all the tents, and cloth proper 
 for making them that can be procured, forwarded as loon as 
 
 New-Tor*, 'June 9, 1776. 
 
 I WAS honored yefterday with your favor of the feventh, 
 with Us inclofures. When Dr. Potts arrives, ! ihall order hira 
 to Catiada or Lnke^George, as may appear moll proper. 
 cevtahJy neccii^ry that he or Dr. btringer ihouid go to the 
 fo^mer.i-The leiblve refpeOing general Woofler's recaJl I y :1 
 immediately tranfmit him with direaions to repsir hither *it 
 
 out delay. 
 
 "The fituatipn of our affairs m Canada, as rej 
 honorable committioners, is truly alarming j "and 
 that my opinion of the ill eonfequences refulting from the fiiort 
 enliftweut cf the army ihouid be but too well confirmed 
 'eYDcrience tliev have had of the want of difciphne r.nd oiiicr. 
 
OFFICIAL L UTTERS. 129 
 
 IA our foldiety tliere. This induces trie again to wifh Con- 
 grefs to determine on a liberal allowance to engage' the troops 
 already in fervice. to re-enlirt for a longer period, or during 
 the continuance of the war ; nor can I forbear cxprefllng my 
 opinion of the propriety of keeping the military cheft always 
 fupplied with money, as evils of the moft interefting nature are 
 often produced for want of a regular payment of troops. The 
 neglecl makes them impatient and uneafy* 
 
 I am much furprifed at the fcarcity of provisions there, parti- 
 cularly of Hour 5 as, from feveral accounts I had received from 
 thence, I was led to expect that confiderable fupplies of that 
 article could be procured there. That our misfortunes may not 
 become greater, I have wrote to the commiiTary to forward 
 more pro vifions, in addition to thofe already lent. 
 
 An adjutant and quarter-mafter-general are indifperifably 
 neceflary, with affiftants. The money laved to the continent 
 by their non- appointment will be but fmall and trifling, when, 
 put in competition with the lofs for want of them. Colonel 
 Fleming who a6tedin the former capacity under general Mont- 
 gomery, is now here : but his indifpolition is fuch as to render 
 him unfit, at this time, for the poft : it is an important one^ 
 and requires vigor and activity to discharge the duties of it* 
 He will be of much fervice to colonel Reed, the bufinefs of 
 fcrhofe office will increafe considerably by the augmentation o 
 the army, 
 
 It will be neceflary, too, that the Commifianes in Canada, 
 and the deputy qiiartei-mafter-generals, fhotild have feveral' 
 afliftants and clerks : n>r do I think a precife number can be 
 fixed on, as a variety of circumftances may and muft occur, to 
 render the number, effential for doing the buiineis in thofe de- 
 partments, greater or lefs at different times. It will be better, 
 I apprehend, to leave it indefinite, and with power to the com- 
 manding officer to alldw fuch as may be Wanted* 
 
 I am ftill in the dark, how the unfortunate affair ended at the 
 Cedars, or on what terms the furrender Was made, as the laft 
 tetter from the; commiffionti's has reference to a former^ and 
 mentions an agreement entered into, which I have hot feen ; 
 but I know of it more than I could wim. 
 
 I have received from Providence, in confequetice 1 of IVfr* 
 Morris's order, as chairman of the fec?et committee of Con- 
 grefs, two hundred and thirty-four miiiket3 f in part of the two 
 hundred and forty-four directed to be fent. The inclofed copy 1 
 of a letter froru Mr. Brown, will account for tbc deficiency. 
 
 , IfcaU. 
 
130 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 I fhall be much obliged by your ordering a quantity of lead 
 and flints to be immediately forwarded : our demands for both 
 are and will be very preiling. There are alfo wanted fome. 
 particular and neceffary medicines to complete our hofpitat 
 cheits, of which I will get Dr. Morgan to furnifh Congrefs with 
 a lilt, when he writes or waits on them about fome other mat- 
 ters ueceffary to be fixed in his department. 
 
 As general Woofter, in all probability, will be here in a lit- 
 tle time, in compliance with the refolve of Congrefs and my or- 
 der tranfmitted to him, I wifft to know what I am to do with 
 him when he comes. 
 
 General Schuyler, in his letter of the thirty-firft ultimo, of 
 which I tranfmitted you a copy yefterday, mentions that fun- 
 dry perfons had a deiign to feize him as a tory, and probably 
 ilill have \ and wiihes Congrefs to give him fome public mark 
 of their approbation, if they are convinced of hia zeal and at- 
 tachment to the caufe of his country. Whether he intended 
 chat I ihould communicate his delire to them, or not, I am not 
 certain : but, fuppofing that he did, I raufl beg leave to requcft 
 that yoa will lay the paragraph before them, that they may 
 do, in the inftance of his requifition, whatever they may judge 
 neceiTany. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. If Congrefs have agreed to the report of the commit- 
 tee for allowing the Indians fifty pounds for every prifoner 
 they fKall take at Niagara, &.c. it is material I mould be i:u 
 formed of it. This will be a favorable -opportunity for them to 
 embrace, to gain poffeffion of Detroit and the other polls, v/hilft- 
 ihe enemy are engaged towards Montreal, &c. 
 
 SIR, New-Tori:, June ID, 1776* 
 
 SINCE I -did myfelf the honor of writing to you yefter- 
 day, I have had the fatisfaclion of feeing, and for a few minutes 
 converting with, IVIr. Chafe and Mr. Carroll from Canada. 
 Their account of our troops and the fituation of aifairs in that 
 department cannot polTibly furprife you more than it has done 
 me. But I need not touch upon a fubjecl which you will be 
 lo well informed of from the fountain-head j nor ihould I have 
 given you the trouble of a letter- by this day's poft, but for the 
 didraciion which feems to prevail in the commiffary's depart* 
 ment, as well as others in that quarter, the neceffity of having" 
 it under one general direction, and the dilTatisf action of colo- 
 nel Tiumbull at the allowance made him by Congrefs as an 
 
 equivalents. 
 
O F F I C I A L JL ET T E fc S. 
 
 131 
 
 equivalent for his trouble. With refpe& to this particular mat- 
 ter, I can only fay that I think he is a man well \calculaied\ 
 for the bufinefs, and that, where a {hilling is faved in the pay, 
 a pound may be loll by mifmanageraent in the office j and that 
 liis refignation at this time (I mean this campaign) may pofiibly 
 be attended with fatal confequences. I therefore humbly fub- 
 mit to Congrefs the propriety of handfomely rewarding thoie 
 
 fentlemen who hold fucb very important, troublefome, and 
 azardous offices, as commiffary and quarter-matter. 
 
 In fpeaking to the former about the fupplies necefTary for the 
 troops to be laifed, he informed me that the quantity of fait 
 provifions which was ihipping from hence, might render his at- 
 tempts to do it precarious j in conference of which, 1 defired 
 him to lay the matter before the convention of this colon^-, 
 which he will do this day, but in the mean while deiired Cou- 
 grefs might be informed of the matter, which I cannot better 
 do than in his own words inclofed, and fubmit the confideratioa 
 of it to the wifdom of that honorable body. 
 
 To Congrefs I alfo fubrait the propriety of keeping the two 
 continental battalions (under the command of colonels Shee 
 and M'Gaw) at Philadelphia, when there is the greateft pro- 
 .bability of a fpeedy attack upon this place, from the king's 
 troops. The encouragements given by governor Tryon to 
 the difaffe&ed, which are circulated, no one can well tell how* 
 the movements of thefe kind of people, which are more eaiy 
 to perceive than defcribe, the confident report, which is faid 
 to have come immediately from governor Tryon, and brought 
 by a frigate from Halifax, that the troops at that place are em- 
 barking for this, added to a thoufand incidental circunfftances, 
 trivial in themfelves, but ftrong from ccnaparifon, leave not a 
 doubt upon my mind but that troops are hourly expected at 
 the Hook. 
 
 I had no doubt, when I left this city for Philadelphia, but 
 that fome meafures would have been taken to fecure the fuf- 
 pe&ed and dangerous perfons of this government before now, 
 and left orders for the military to give every aid to the civil 
 power. But the fubjed is delicate, and nothing is done in it. 
 We may therefore have internal as well as external enemies to 
 contend with. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. -G. W, 
 
 Bead* 
 
; 3 i GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 SIR, 'Bead-barters^ New-York, June 13, 1776* 
 
 1 F '.<e honor of tranfmitting to Congrefs a letter 
 
 ivhich :.-:irce by exprefs Jaft night from general Schuyler, incloi- 
 *ng a copy of a- letter to him from colonel Kirkland. I have 
 1'ktvvife ine'Sofed the copy of one directed to general Putnam or 
 the corBTR?.iiding officer at New-York. The reprefentations 
 contained in th^fc letters have induced me, without waiting the 
 determiiMt-Ou of Congrefs, to diret general Schuyler immedi" 
 stely to con.raence a treaty with the Six -Nations, and to engage 
 th?rn in our intereft, upon the ucit terms he and his colleagues 
 in commifiion can procure : and I trull the urgency of the oc- 
 cafion will juitify my proceedings tq the Congrefs : the necef- 
 iiry for decllion and difpatch in all our meafures, in my opinion, 
 becomes every day more and more apparent. 
 
 The expreft, Mr. Ben-net, was overtaken at Albany by .ge- 
 neral Schuyler, who had received intelligence at Fort-George 
 r'vit a confiderable body of Mohawk Indians were coming 
 ^Tvrn the Mohawk river under the conduft of fir John John- 
 iton. The general's extreme hurry would not allow him to 
 -write : but it feems his intention is to colled at Albany a fuffi- 
 cient force to oppofe fir John. I have given him my opinion 
 that colonel Dayton's regiment fhould be employed in that ier- 
 ^'ice, and to fecure the poll where Fort-Stanvvix formerly 
 flood. 
 
 In confeqnence of an information that feveral merchants 
 were exporting fait pork and beef from this place, I requefted 
 the commiiTary to make application to the provincial Congrefs 
 for a reftraint to be laid on the exportation of tliofe articles, as 
 I apprehended, not only that the enemy might receive fupplies 
 by the capture of our veflels, but that our people might fhortly 
 experience a fcarcity. The provincial Congrefs have accord- 
 ingly made a refolution (a copy of which is inclofed) to flop 
 the exportation for fourteen days. They expert Congrefs will 
 in the mean time frame fome general regulations on this head. 
 They are unwilling (they fay) to fubject their conllituents to 
 partial reftraims. 
 
 I once mentioned to Congrefs that I thought a war-office ex- 
 tremely necelTary ; and they feenied inclined to inititute one for 
 our army: but the affair feems to. have been fince dropped. 
 Give me leave again to jnfift on the utility and importance of 
 fuch an eftablifhment. The more I reflect upon the fubjeft, 
 .rhe more I am convinced of it* neceffity, and that affairs can 
 be properly conduced wli.ncut it, 
 
 "Tk 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 13 j 
 
 'TJs with pleafure I receive the refolve inclofed in your fa- 
 vor or the eleventh inftant. One, confiderable ground of difaf- 
 feftion iipt the army is thereby removed. 
 
 I have employed perfons ia building the gondolas and -rafts 
 which the Congrefs thought necefiary for the defence of this 
 place j and, in conjunction with the pTovincial Congrefs., have 
 determined to fmk chevaux-de-frile, one of which is already 
 begun. 
 
 Lanij with the- utmoft refpeft and efteem, &c. G. W. 
 
 "f*. -*!* . J< 
 
 SIR, New-York, jfune 14, 1776. 
 
 I Herewith tranfmit you copies of a letter from general 
 Schuyler and its feveralinclofures, which I received fince I had 
 the honor of addrefling you yefterday. From thefe you will 
 learn that general Thomas died the fecond inftant ; and.the ap- 
 prehenfions of our frontier 'friends in this colony, that our a- 
 vage foes are meditating an attack againft them. 
 
 I muft beg leave to refer you to a paragraph in the copy of 
 general Schuyler's letter to general Putnam or the command- 
 ing officer here, inclofed in mine of the thirteenth, where he 
 requefts a fupply of clothing to be fent for the army in Canada. 
 As there is but little or no probability of getting it here, I 
 (hall be glad to know whether there will be any chance of 
 curing it in Philadelphia ', and, if it mould be fent through the 
 hands of the quarter-matter here, to ^vhat account it 1* to be 
 charged. 
 
 I was laft evening favored with yours of the eleventh iriftant^ 
 and hope the two battalions, which Congrefs have ordered 
 from Philadelphia for the defence of this place, will come pro- 
 vided with arms. If they do not, they will be of no fer,vicej 
 as there are more troops here already than are 'aimedtfasrn-f 
 
 From general Schuyler's letter, he has in- view the taking 
 poft where Fort-Stanwix formerly flood. I wrote him, I 
 thought it prudent, previous to that, to fecure a polt lower 
 down, about the falls below the German-Flats, left the fava- 
 ges ihould poffefs themfelves of the country, and prevent fup- 
 plies of men and provifions that may be necefiary to fend there 
 in future. He fays he is in want of cannon and ammunition; 
 but has expreffed hirnfelf fo arnbiguoufly, that I am at a loft to 
 know whether he meant what he has faid as an application or 
 rxot, this being the only intelligence on the fubje6i, and the 
 firit mention qf his want. I have deiired him to explain the 
 
 matter, 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 matter, and, in his future requifitions for neceffimes, to be 
 more certain and explicit as to quantity and quality. In the 
 mean time I (hall fend Kim fome intrenching tools, and in- 
 quire whether there are any cannon that can be fpared from 
 Hence. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 Sis., New-Tor^, June 16, 1776. 
 
 I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit to Congrefs a copy of a 
 letter covering copies of other papers, which I received yef- 
 terday evening from general Sullivan. The intelligence com- 
 municated by him is pleating and interefting, and fuch as muft 
 afford the greatefl fatisfaftion, if the conduct the .Canadians 
 have difcovered fince his arrival among them is ingenious and 
 iincere. 
 
 General Sullivan mentions his having given commiflions to 
 fome of the Canadians as a mcafure founded in neceflity, and 
 requefts my approbation of it. But not confidering myfelf em- 
 powered^to fay any thing upon the fubjeft, it may not be im- 
 proper for Congrefs to give him their opinion in this inftance. 
 
 1 have alfo inclofed copies of General Schuyler's letters re* 
 ceived at the fame time. They contain accounts refpefting the 
 Indians, variant from what was reported by Mr. Kirkland, but 
 amounting to the fame thing, the probability of the favages 
 attacking our frontiers. 
 
 By latt night's poft I had information of a capture made by 
 our armed veflfels, of one of the tranfports with a company of 
 Highlanders on board, bound to Bofton. The inclofed extract 
 from general Ward's litter to me will give you the intelligence 
 more particularly. There are accounts in the city, mention- 
 ing other valuable prizes : but as general Ward has faid nothing 
 of them, I fear they want authenticity. 
 
 I beg leave to mention that a further fum of money will be 
 wanted for our military cheft by the time it can be fent. The 
 inclofed note fro'm the paymafter-general fhews the neceflity 
 for it ; and, I may add, beiides his eftimates of draughts to 
 be made, there are the claims of the eaflern troops at Boflon, 
 for three or four month's pay, not included, and now due. 
 
 Colonel Magaw is arrived with part of his battalion ; aad by 
 wednefday evening the whole, botJi of his and colonel Shee's 
 will be here, as I am told. 
 
 As it is and may be of great importance to have a communi* 
 
 cation 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 135 
 
 cation with the Jerfeys and Long-Iiland, i have had feveral 
 flat-bottomed boats built for the purpofe, and have thoughts of 
 getting more for Pofaic and Hickinfac rivers, where they may 
 be equally neceffary for transporting our army or part of it oc- 
 cafionally, or fuccours coming to or going from it. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-Tor^ June 17, 1776. 
 
 I BEG leave to inform Congrefs that general Woofter 
 has repaired to hea d-quarters, in obedience to their refolve 
 tranfmitted him ; and mall be extremely glad if they will give 
 me fuch further directions about him as they may conceive ne- 
 ceffary. He is defirous of feeing his family in Connecticut, as 
 I am informed, having been a good while from it. I fhall wait 
 their inftru&ions as to his future employment. 
 
 I am, fir, with fentiments of much eileera, &c. G. W 
 
 SIR, Newport, June 20, 1776, 
 
 I AM now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors o 
 the fourteenth and eighteenth inftant, and the interefting re- 
 folves contained in them, with which I have befen honored. 
 Thecfeveral matters recommended to my attention fliall be par- 
 ticularly regarded, and the directions of Congrefs and your 
 requefts complied within every inflance, as far as in my power. 
 
 The inftituting a war-office is certainly an event of great im- 
 portance, and, in all probability, will be recorded as fuch in 
 the hiftoric page. The benefits derived from it, I flatter my- 
 felf, will be coniiderable, though the plan upon which it is firft 
 formed may not be entirely perfect. This, like other great 
 v/orks, in its firft edition, may not be free from error : time 
 \villdifcoveritsdefec1ts, -and experience fuggeft the remedy, 
 and fuch further improvements as may be neceiTary 5 but it was 
 .right to give it a beginning, in my opinion. 
 
 The recommendation to the convention of New-Yorl; for re- 
 ftraining and puniflung difaffefted perfons, I am hopeful, will 
 be attended with faiutary confequences j and the prohibition a- 
 gainft exporting provifions appears to have been a meafure 
 founded in found policy, left proper fupplies mould be wanted, 
 wherewith to fupply our armies. 
 
 I have traufmiUed general Schuyler the refolves about the 
 
 Indians, 
 
13* GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 Indians, and the others on which he is to a 61: ; and ria^e re-* 
 ([ueited his fiticl attention and exertions in order to their being 
 carried into execution with all pcffible difpatch. 
 
 t l note your requeit refpecYmg Mr. Hancock. He fhall have 
 fuch direclidns as may be 'neceffary for conducing his office ; 
 2nd I am happy he will have To early a remittance for paying 
 the troops in his department. 
 
 The iilver and paper money defigned for Canada will be 
 highly ieiyiceable, and I hope will be the means of re-eiia- 
 blifhlng oiir Credit there in fome degree with the Canadians, 
 end alfo encourage our men too, who have complained in this 
 inftance. When it arrives, I will fend it forward under a pro- 
 per guard* 
 
 I have communicated to major-general Gates the refclve of 
 Gongrefs for him to repair to Canada, and directed him to view 
 Point-au-fer, that a fortrefs may be, erefted if he ihall judge 
 receffary. He is preparing Tor bis command, and in a few days 
 Will take his. departure for it. I would fairt hope his arrival 
 there will give our affairs a complexion different from what: 
 they rteve worn for a long time pail, and that many effential. 
 benefits will refult from it. 
 
 The kind attention Congrefs have (liexvn to afford the' Com- 
 mander-in-chief here every arTillance, by relblving that recom- 
 mendatory letters be written to the conventions of New-Jerfey, 
 New-York, and aiTembly of Connecticut, to authorife him to 
 call in the militia in cafe of exigency, claims my thankful ac- 
 knowledgments j and, I truft, if carried into execution, will 
 produce many advantages in cafe it may be expedient at any- 
 time to call in early reinforcements. The delays incident to 
 the ordinary mode may frequently render thtir aid too late, and 
 prove exceedingly injurious. 
 
 I this evening received intelligence of the nineteenth inftant 
 from captain Pond of the armed floop Schuyler, of his having 
 taken, about fifty miles from this, on the fouth fide of Long- 
 jiland, a fnip and a Jloop bound to Sandy-Hcok. Theihip, 
 from Glafgow, with a company of the forty-feccnd regiment, 
 had been taken by one of commodore Hopkins's fleet, who toot: 
 the fo'ldiers out, and ordered her to Rhode'-Ifland ; after which, 
 fLe was retaken by the Cerberus, and pr.t under the convoy of 
 the iloop. As captain Pond informs me, there were five con:- 
 miffioned officers, two ladies, and four privates on board. They 
 are not yet arrived at head-quaiters. Inclofed is an invoice of 
 what they have on board. 
 
 General WoaiUr having cxprcffcd an inclination and wiih to 
 
O f ft CIAL LETTERS, ttf 
 
 Wait on Congrefs, I have given him permiflion, not having any 
 dccalion for htm here. He fet but this mbrmrig. 
 
 I have been up to view the grounds about Kingfbndge, and 
 find them to admit of feveral places well calculated for de- 
 fence ; and, efteeming it a pafs of the titmoft importance, have 
 ordered works to be laid out, and (hall diret part of- the two 
 battalions from Pennfylvania to fet about the execution imme- 
 diately, and will add to their number feveral of the militia 
 when they come in, to expedite them with all poflible difpatch. 
 Their confequence, as they will keep open the communica- 
 tion with the country, requires the moil fpeedy completion of? 
 them. 
 
 I have the honor to be, ckc. G. W* 
 
 Jo **&^ tt,j _ _ 
 
 SIR, New-York, June 21, 1775* 
 
 I WAS this morning honored with your favor of the 
 nineteenth inftant, with fiindry fefblves of Congrefs, which 
 tame to hand after I had clofed mine of the twentieth. I fnall 
 appoint a deputy rnuiter-ijiafter-general as foon as 1 can fix on. 
 a proper perfon for the office, and direct him immediately to 
 repair to Canada. ,;,: f 5*'*. 
 
 Mr. Berinet* the bearer of this, delivered me a letter to-day 
 from general Schuyler, inclbfing the proceedings of the com- 
 iniflioners of Indian affairs, at a meeting at Albany^ in confe- 
 quence of the resolution df Congrefs (^as they fay) which I 
 tranfmitted, the feventli inftant v Cor engaging the Indians in 
 our fervice. The gentlemen appear to me to have widely mif- 
 taken the views of Congrefs in this inrtance, and to have form- 
 ed a. plan fbr engaging fuch Indians at> were not in contempla- 
 tion. I cannot account upon what principle they have gone^ 
 as a part of their proceedings (hews, they are about to hold a 
 conference with the Six-Nation's. I luppofe they efteemed 
 what they have done^ a neceffaiy meafure :- ! a copy of which. 
 I have the honor to Jflclofe you; 
 
 1 (liall now beg leave td lay before Congrefs a proportion 
 made to me by captain Leary ef this city f in behalf of a body 
 uf men who arc**defirous of being employed in the continental 
 fervice^ as a, troop of horfe, and at the fame time to offer my 
 opinion that fuch a corps may be extremely ufeful in many re- 
 ipecls. Iii a march, they may be of the utmoft fervice in, re- 
 connoitring the enemy and gaining intelligence, and have it in 
 l^eir power ;o reuder many iiiiportaui vc^efitbi Tie terms on 
 
 "S which 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON 
 
 they are willing to engage are inclofed, which appear to> 
 me moderate and reasonable. I am alfo informed that another 
 
 B company might readily be made up, and moft probably upon 
 the fame terms. I would therefore fubroit the propriety and 
 expediency of the meafure to the confederation of Congrefs, and. 
 wi'fh their opinion whether it will be agreeable to them that 
 both or either of them mould be formed and incorporated in 
 this army, in manner as has been propofed by captain Leary,. 
 if it can be done. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, Head-^'arters, *june 21, 1776. 
 
 THIS will be delivered to you by the chevalier de Kir- 
 movan ^nd monfieur de Vermonet. They are French gentle- 
 men juft arrived in this place, who have made application to 
 nve to be received into the continental fervice. They bring 
 letters to Dr. Franklin and fome other gentlemen of the Con-, 
 grefs. I fuppofe it will better appear from thofe letters, than 
 frorn any information I can give, whether it will be proper ta 
 employ them in the capacity they are deiirous of. 
 
 I am, fir, with the greateft efteem, &c. G, W, 
 
 
 SIR, New-Tore, *$une 23, 1776. 
 
 I Herewith tranfmit you an extract of a letter from gene- 
 ral Ward, which came to hand by laft night's poft, containing 
 the agreeable intelligence of their having obliged the king's 
 Ihips to leave Nantafket ro*ad, and of two tranfports more be- 
 ing taken by our armed veffels, with two hundred and ten 
 Highland troops on board. 
 
 I fincerely wifh the fame fuccefs had attended our arms in 
 another quarter: but it has not. In Canada, the fituation of 
 our affairs is truly alarming. The inclofed copies of generals 
 Schuyler, Sullivan, and Arnold's letters will inform you that 
 general Thompfon has met with a repulfe at Three-Rivers, and 
 is now a prifoner in the hands of general Burg *ne, who (thefe 
 accounts fay) is arrived with a conrklerable army. Nor do they 
 feem to proroife an end of our misfortunes here : it is greatly 
 to be feared that the next advices from thence will be, that our 
 mattered, divided, and broken army (as you will fee by the 
 return) have been obliged to abandon the country, and retreat, 
 

 OFFICIAL LETTERS. 139 
 
 to avoid a greater calamity, that of being cut off or becoming 
 prisoners. I will have done upon the fubjec~t, and leave you to 
 draw fuch conclufions .as you conceive, from the .ft ate of fads, 
 sre moft likely to refult ; only adding ray apprehenfions that 
 one of the latter events, either that they are cut off, or be- 
 come prifoners, has already happened, if they did not retreat 
 while they had an opportunity. General Schuyler and general 
 Arnold ieeia torthink it extremely probable : and if it has taken 
 place, it will not be eafy to defcribe all the fatal confequence 
 that may flow from it. At leaft our utraoft exertions will be 
 neceffary, to prevent the advantages they have gained being 
 turned to our greater misfortunes. General Gates will cer- 
 tainly fetout to-morrow, and would have gone before now, had 
 he not expe&ed to receive fome particular inftru.clions from 
 Congrefs, which colonel Braxton. faid he imagined would be 
 given, and tranfmitted here. 
 
 Inclofed is a copy of a letter from general .Arnold, refpecl:- 
 ing fome of the Indian tribes, to general Schuyler, and of 4 
 talk had at Albany, with thirteen of the Oneidas. They feem- 
 ed then to entertain a friendly difpofition towards us^ which I 
 wifh may not be changed by the misfortunes we have fuftamed 
 in Canada. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, New-York, June 27, 1776. 
 
 ! I THIS morning received by exprefs, letters from gene- 
 ral Schuyler and Arnold, with a copy of one to general Sulli- 
 van frem the former, and alfo of others to general Sullivan j of 
 all which I do myfelf the honor to tranfmit you copies. They 
 will give you a further account of the melancholy iituation of , 
 our affairs 'in Canada, and fliew that there is nothing left to 
 iave our army there but evacuating the country. 
 
 I am hopeful general Sullivan would retreat from Ifle-auxs 
 noix without waiting for previous orders for that purpofe j as 
 from general Schuyler's and Arnold's letters, it is much to be 
 feared, by remaining there any coniiderable time, his retreat 
 would be cut off, or at leaft be a matter of extreme difficulty. 
 I would obferve to Congrefs that it is not in my power to fand 
 any carpenters from hence to build the gondolas and galliet 
 general Arnold mentions, without taking them from a work 
 equally neceffary (if not more fo) here, of the fame kind j 
 stnd fobmit it to them whether it may not be advifable (as it is 
 
 of 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON** 
 
 of great importance to us to have a number of thofe veffels out 
 the lake, to prevent the enemy's paffing) to withdraw the car- 
 penters for the prefent from the frigates building up the North 
 river, and detach them immediately, with all that can be got 
 3t Philadelphia, for that purpofe and carrying on thofe here. 
 
 I have the pleafure to inform you of another capture made 
 by our armed veilels, of a tranfpqrt, on the nineteenth inrlant, 
 with a company of Highland grenadiers on board. The in- 
 clofed extract of a letter from general Ward, by laft night's 
 poft, contains the particulars 5 to which I beg leave to refer 
 you. ,. 
 
 I have been honored with your favors of the twenty-firft and 
 twenty-fifth inftant in due order, with their important inc"lc~ 
 fures, to which I ihall particularly attend. 1 have tranfmitted 
 general SchuyJer a copy of the refolve of Congrefs rcipecting 
 the jVlohickaa and Stoekbridge Indians, and directed him to 
 put an immediate ftop to the railing the two companies/ 
 
 The quarter-mauer-general has been called upon for flopping 
 the tents deiigned for MaHachufetts.'Bay, and ordered to for- 
 ward thein immediately. He means to write to- Congrefs up-? 
 on the fubjedl, and hopes hisconducl wijl not appear to defervo 
 their repreheafion. Of this they will judge fiom his relation 
 of the matter. 
 
 Being extremely denrous to forward the intelligence from 
 Canada tq Congrefs, well knowing their anxiety about our af- 
 air the,re ? I muft defer writing upon fome other matters I 
 want to lay before them, until the next opportunity, which I 
 jbope will be to-morrow, when I will inform them fully upon 
 the fubjeft o| rations, having defired the commiffary-general to 
 furnifh me with fome things necelTary in th^at iniUnce, 
 
 J have the honor to be, &c ? G. W e . 
 
 S:^.y New-York, June 27, 1776. 
 
 UPON information that major * * * was travelling 
 through the country under fufpickms circumstances, I thought 
 it neceifary to have him fecured. I therefore fent after him, 
 be was taken at South-Amboy, and brought a-p to New-York. 
 Upon examination he informed me that he came from New- 
 Harnpfhire, the country of his ufual abode, where he had left 
 his family j and pretended he was deftined to Philadelphia on 
 fouf nefs with Congrefs. 
 
 py his own confeffjon he had croffed Hudfon^s -river at 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 ISfew-Windfor, and was taken fo far out of his proper and di- 
 re& route to Philadelphia, this confederation added to the 
 length of time he had taken to perform his journey, his being 
 iound in fo fufpiciou a place as Amboy, -his unneceiTary ftay 
 there on pretence of getting fome haggage from New- York, 
 y.nd an expectation of receiving money from a perfon here, of 
 bad character, and in no circumftances to furniih him out of his 
 <uwn iiock, the major's reputation, and his being a half-pay 
 officer, ^haye increafed my jealoulies about him. 
 
 The buiinels, which he informs me he has with Congrtfs, i 
 a fecret offer of his fervices, to the end that, in cafe it mould 
 be rejected, he might have his way left open to an employment 
 in the Eail Indies, to which he is afligned : and in that cafe he 
 flatters himfelf he will obtain leave of Congrefs to goto Great- 
 Britain. 
 
 As he ha4 been put upon his parole by Congrefs, I thought 
 it would be improper to flay his progrefs to Philadelphia, 
 xhould he be in fact deftJned thither. I therefore fend him 
 forward, but (to prevent impoiition) under the care of an oiK- 
 C'~r, with letters found upon him, which, from -their tenor, 
 bem calculated to recommend him to Congrefs. I fubmit k 
 to their coniideration, whether it would not be dangerous to. 
 accept of the offer of his fervice. 
 
 1 am, fir, with greateil reflect, 8cc, G. W. 
 
 SIR, New~Tork, June 28, 1775.. 
 
 IN compliance with the requeft of Congrefs contained in 
 your favor of the twenty-fifth inllant, andmypromife of yefter- 
 ihty, I do myfelf the honor to inform you that the coft of a ra- 
 tion, according to the commiiTary-general's eftimate, from the 
 iirft of July to the tirfi of December, will be from eight-pence 
 to eight-pence halfpenny, York currency. 
 
 Having difcharged the obligation I was under in this in-- 
 fiance, and finding that many applications have been made for 
 vicbaalling the flying camp, I would, with all potlible defer- " 
 ence, with Congrefs to coniider the matter well before they 
 come to any determination upon it, Wh,o the gentlemen art-, 
 that have made offers upon this occaiion, I know not : conie- 
 quently my objeclions to their appointment cannot proceed 
 irom peribnal diilike ^ nor have I it in view to ferve Mr. 
 Trumbull the commiffary-general, by withing him to hare the 
 of the whole '{applies for his emolument 5 becaufe 
 
 whatever 
 
ir'42 GENERAL WASHINGTON 1 *." * 
 
 whatever rations are taken from him fave him the trouble of 
 f applying pro vi lions to the amount, without di mini thing his 
 pay, that being fixed and certain : but what influences me is 
 a regard to the public good. I am morally certain, if the bu~ 
 iinefs is taken out of Mr-. Trumbull's hands and put into ano- 
 ther's, that it may, and will in all probability, be attended with 
 great and many inconveniences. It is likely, during the conti- 
 nuance of the war between us and Great- Britain, that the array 
 here, or part of it, arrd the troops compoling the flying camp, 
 xvill be frequently joined, and under the neceflity of affording 
 each other mutual aid. If this event is probable (and moft 
 certainly it is), the fame confuiion and diforder will refult from 
 having two commiflaries, or one commiiTary and one contractor 
 in the fame army in the fame department, as did between Mr. 
 Trumbull and Mr. Livingfton on the coming of the former to 
 New-York. I cannot difcriminate the two cafes j and not 
 forefeeing that any good confequences will flow from the mea- 
 fiire, but that many bad ones will, fuch as clalhing of inter- 
 efts,, a contention for ftores, carriages, , and many other caufes 
 that might be mentioned if hurry of buiinefs would permit,- 
 I confers I cannot perceive the propriety of appointing a differ- 
 ent psrfon, or any but the commiiTary. 
 
 I would alfo add, that few armies, if any, have been better* 
 fupplied than the troops under Mr. Trumbull's care in this 
 Inftance j which, I fhould fuppofe, ought to have confiderable 
 "weight, efpeeially as \ve have ftrong reafons to believe that a 
 large (hare of the misfortunes our arms have fuftained in Cana- 
 da, fprang from a want of proper and neceffary fupplies of pro- 
 visions. 
 
 Mr. Trumbull too (I am informed) has already made provi- 
 iion in New-Jerfey for the flying camp which will be Rationed 
 there, and employed proper perfons in that colony to tranfadl 
 the buiinefs incident to his department, in obedience to my 
 orders, and m full confidence that it was to come under his 
 management. 
 
 My great defire to fee the affairs of this important poft, on 
 u-nich fo much depends, go on in an eafy, fmooth and unin- 
 terupted courfe, has led me to fay thus much upon the fubjecl, 
 and will, I hope (if I am unhappy enough to differ in opinion 
 with Congrefs), plead my excufe for the liberty J have taken. 
 
 I would alfo beg leave to mention to Congrefs the neceflity- 
 there is of fome new regulations being entered into, refpe&ing 
 the chaplains of this army. They will remember that appli- 
 cations were made to increafe their j ay s .which was Conceived 
 
 too 
 
O F F I C I A L L E T T E R S. 
 
 too low for their fupport j and that it was propofed (if it could 
 not be done for the whole) that the number mould be leffened, 
 and one be appointed to two regiments, with an additional al- 
 lowance. This latter expedient was adopted, and, while the 
 army continued altogether at one encampment, anfwered well, 
 or at leaft did not produce many inconveniences. ^ Eut the ar- 
 my now being differently circumftanced from what it then was, 
 part here, part at Bofton, and a third part detached to Ca- 
 nada, has introduced much cbnfufion and diforder in this in- 
 ftance \ nor do I know how it is poffible to remedy the evil, 
 but by affixing one to each regiment, with falaries competent 
 to their fupport. No fhifting, no change from one regiment to 
 another can anfwer the purpofe j and in many cafes it could 
 never be done though the regiments mould confent, as where 
 detachments are compofed of unequal numbers, or ordered" 
 from different ports. Many more inconveniencies might be 
 pointed out : but thefe, it is prefumed, will fufficiently (haw 
 the defect of the prefent eftabliftiment, and the propriecy of ai\ 
 alteration. What that alteration (hall be, Congrefs will pleaf 
 to determine. 
 
 Congrefs, I doubt not, will have heard of the plot that was 
 forming among many difaffected perfons in this city and go- 
 vernment for aiding the king's troops upon their arrival. No 
 regular plan feems to have been digefted : but feveral perfons 
 have been enlifted, ami fworn to join them. The matter, I am 
 in hopes, by a timely difcovery, will be fupprefied and put a 
 ftop to. Many citizens and others, among whom is the mayor^ 
 are now in confinement. The matter has been traced up to 
 governor Tryon j and the mayor appears to have been a princi- 
 pal agent, or go-between him and the perfons concerned in it* 
 The plot has been communicated to fome of the array, and 
 part of my guard engaged in it. T * * * H * * *, one of 
 them, has been tried, and, by the unanimous opinion of a court- 
 martial, is fentenced to die, having enlifted himfelf, and en- 
 gaged others. The fentence, by the advice of the whole 
 council of general officers, will be put in execution to-day at 
 eleven o'clock. The others are not tried, I am hopeful thu 
 example will produce many falutary confequences, and deter o- 
 thers from entering into the like traitorous practices'. 
 
 The inclofcd copy of a refolve of the provincial Congrefs 
 
 will (hew that fome of the difaffecled on Long-Ifland have 
 
 taken up arras. i have, agreeable to their requeft, fe-ht a 
 
 party after them, but have nut as yet been able to apprehend 
 
 - - them, 
 
*44 GENERAL \ 
 
 them, having concealed themfelves in different woods a^i'l 
 moraffes. 
 
 General Gates fet ovit on tuefday with -a fine wind which 
 "has been fair ev^r ii'nCe^ and would foon arrive at Albany. 
 
 I this moment received a letter from lieutenant Davifon,^ 
 ef the Schuyler armed iloop, a Copy of which I havt ihc'loftd j 
 to which I beg leave to refer you for t.he intelligence commu- 
 nicated by him. 
 
 I could wi?n general Howe and his armament not is arrive 
 yet, as not moire thari a thoufand militia have yet come s'u, and 
 our whole force (including the troops at all the detached poll.*, 
 and on board the armed veiTels, which are comprehended iu 
 our returns) is but frriall arid inconsiderable, when compared 
 with the exteniive lines they are to defend, and (noil proba- 
 bly) the army that he brings. I have no further intelligence 
 about him than what the- lieutenant mentions: but it is -ex- 
 tremely probable his accounts and cahjec~hir.es -are true. 
 
 I have the horior to be, &.. G. W 
 
 P. S. I have inclo{ed a general return : and it may be cer- 
 t, -.inly depended on> that general Howe and fleet have failed 
 from Halifax. Some of the men, on board the prizes menti- 
 oned in the lieutenants letter, were on board the Greyhound, 
 and law general Howe. 
 
 Sift,' h r ew-Tor, 'June 29, 1.7 ; v. 
 
 I x # AS lafi night lidriored with your favor of the twenfy- 
 fiy_th inftant, and, agreeable to your requeit, mail pay proper 
 attention to the refolves it irielofed, 
 
 I obferve the augmentation Congrefs have refolved to make 
 to the forces deilined to the northern department, and the 
 bounty be allowed fuch foldiers as will enlift for three year,. 
 I hope many good confequences will refult from thefe mea- 
 fures -, and that, from the latter, a confiderable number of men 
 m'dy be induced to engage in the fervice. 
 
 I fliould eileera myfelf extremely happy to afFoid the lenit 
 afTiftance to the Canada department in compliance with the de- 
 fire of Congrefs and your requifiticn, were it in my power : but 
 it is- not. The return which j transmitted yciterday will but 
 too well convince Congrefs of ray incapacity in this inftance, 
 3nd point out to them that the force I now have is trifling, 
 iqonfidering the many and important potts that are neceiUu'y, 
 ^ad niuil.be fuoported,, if poilir^e. But few militia have yet 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, ^ 
 
 ?i, ::..;;** I'-*' '" ' - '> \ 
 
 come in> the whole being about twelve hundred, including the 
 two battalions of this city, and one company from the Jerfeys. 
 I wi(h the delay may not be attended with difagreeable confe~ 
 quences, and their aid may not come too late, or when it may 
 'not be wanted. I have wrote, 1 have done every thing 1 
 could, to call them in : but they have not come, though I am. 
 told that they are generally willing. 
 
 The accounts communicated yefterday through lieutenant 
 Davifon's letter are partly confirmed, and> I dare fay, will turn 
 out to be true on the whole. For two or three days paft, 
 three or four ihips have been dropping in ; and I juft now re- 
 ceived an exprefs from an officer appointed to keep a look-out 
 on Staten-Ifland, that forty-five arrived at the Hook to-day i 
 fome fay more j and I luppofe the whole fleet will.be in^ 
 within a day or two. I am hopeful, before they are prepared 
 to attack, that I (hall get fome reinforcements. Be this as it 
 may, I fhall attempt to make the belt difpofition I can o 
 our troops, in order to give them a proper reception, and to 
 prevent the ruin and deftruftiou they are meditating againil us* 
 
 As foon as the exprefs arrived lait night, I fent the letters 
 for the northern colonies, to the quarter-mafter-general, with 
 orders to forward them immediately. 
 
 When monfieur Wiebert comes (I have not feen him yet) 
 I fhall employ him as Congrefs have directed. The terms 
 upon which he offers his fervice feem to promife fomething 
 from him. I with he may anfwer, and be fkilled in the bufinefs 
 he fays he is acquainted with. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, New-Tor t "June 30, 1776. 
 
 I HAD the pleafure of receiving your favor of the twen- 
 ty-ninth, early this morning, with which you have been pleafed. 
 to honor me, together with the refolves for a further augmen- 
 tation of our army. 
 
 The battalion of Germans, which Congrefs have ordered to 
 be raited, will be a corps of much farvice : and I am hopeful 
 that fuch perfons will be appointed officers^ as will complete; 
 their enlistments with all poffible expedition. 
 
 I (hall communicate to colonel Stevenfon and one of his. 
 field officers what you have requeued, and direct them to repair 
 immediately to Philadelphia. It is an unlucky circumilance 
 that the term of cnliilinent of thefe three companies, and of the 
 
 T rifle 
 
146 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 rifle battalion, fhould expire at this time, when a hot campaign 
 is, in all probability, about to commence. 
 
 Canada, it is certain, would have b.een an important acqinfi- 
 tion, and well worth the e"xpenfes incurred in the purfuit of it. 
 -But as we could not reduce it to our poffeifion, the retreat 6f 
 our krrny with fo little lofs, under fuch a variety of diflreffes, 
 muft be efteemed a moft fortunate event. It is true, the ac- 
 counts we have received, do not fully authorife us to fay that 
 we have fuftained no lofs : but they hold forth a probable 
 ground for fuch conclusion.- I am anxious to hear It confirm 
 ed. 
 
 J have the honor of transmitting you an extract of a letter 
 ireceived laft night from general Ward. -If the fcheme the 
 privateers had in view, and the meafures he had planned, have 
 ieen carried into execution, the Highlaad corps will be toler- 
 ably well difpofed of : but I fear the fortunate event has not 
 taken place. 
 
 In general WarcTs letter, was inclofed one from lieutenant- 
 colonel Campbell, who was made priibner with the Highland 
 troops. I have transmitted you a copy. This will give you a 
 full and exa& account of the number of prifoners that were on 
 board the four tranfports ; and will prove, beyond a poffibility 
 of doubt, that the evacuation of Boflon by the Britifh troops 
 Tvas a matter neither known nor expected when he received his 
 orders. Indeed fo many faVs had concurred before to fettle 
 the matter, that no additional proofs were rieceiTary. 
 
 When I had the honor of addreflfing you yesterday, I had 
 only been informed of the arrival of forty-five of the fleet in 
 the morning. Since that, I have received authentic intelli- 
 gence from fundry perfons (among them, from general Greene) 
 that a hundred and ten fail came in before night, that were 
 counted, and that more were feen about dufk in the offing 
 \ have no doubt but the whole that failed from Halifax are 
 now at the Hook. 
 
 Juft as I was about to conclude my letter, I received on 
 from a gentleman upon the fubjecl: of calling the five regi- 
 ments from Bofton to the defence of Canada or New-York,, 
 and to have militia raifed in their lieu. I have fent you a co 
 >py, and fl\all only obferve, that I know the author well : hb 
 hand-writing is quite familiar to the : he is a member of the 
 general court, very fenfible, of grer.t influence, and a warm and 
 zealous friend to the caufe of America. -The expedient pr'o- 
 pofed by him is fubmitted to Congrcfs. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &.o, G. W- 
 
 New- 
 
OFFICIAL LETT .&. S. x# 
 
 SIR, New-Tort, July 3, 1776'. 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you, and on the 
 -cUy, feyeral Ihips more arrived within the Hook, making 
 the number that came in then a hundred and ten 5 and there 
 remains no doubt of the whole of the fleet from Halifax being 
 now here. Yefterday evening fifty of them came up the bay, 
 and anchored on the Stateo-Ifland fide. Their views I-canno.t 
 precifely deterininte. j but am extremely apprehenlive, as part 
 of them only came, that they mean to furround the ifiand, and 
 fecure the ftock upon it. I had consulted with a committe of 
 the provincial Congrefs upon the fubjecl, before tbc arrival of 
 the fleet j and they appointed a perrfon to fuperintend the bufi- 
 nefs, and to drive the ftock off. I alfo wrote to brigadier-ge- 
 neral Heard, and directed him to the meafure, left it might be 
 neglected ; but am fearful it has not been effected. 
 ^ Our reinforcement of militia is yet but fmall : I cannot af- 
 ;ertain the amount, not having got a return. However, I 
 trufr, if the enemy make an attack, they will meet with a :e- 
 pulfe, as I have the pleafure to inform you that an agreeable 
 fpirit and willingnefs for action feem to animate and pervade 
 the whole of pur troops. 
 
 As it is difficult to determine what objects the enemy may 
 
 "have in contemplation, and whether they may not detach fome 
 part of their force to Amboy, and to ravage that part of the 
 
 ^ country, if not extend. their views farther, I fubmit it to Con- 
 grefs whether it may not be expedient for them to repeat and 
 urefs home their requefts to the different governments that'are 
 to provide men for the flying camp, to furnifh their quotas 
 with all poflible difpatch. It is a matter of great importance, 
 and will be of ferious confequence, to have the camp eftublifh- 
 cd in cafe the enemy mould be able to poffefs themfelves of 
 this river, and cut off the fupplies of troops that might be ne- 
 ceffary on certain emergencies to be fent from hence. 
 
 I muft entreat your attention to an application I made fome 
 time ago, for Hints. We are extremely deficient in this necef- 
 fary article, and (hall be greatly diftreffed if we cannot obtain 
 a fupply. Of lead we have a fufficient quantity for the whole 
 campaign, taken off the houfes here. 
 
 Eftimating it of infinite advantage to prevent the enemy 
 from getting freih provifions, and horfes for their waggons, ar- 
 
 . tillery, &c. I gave orders to a party of pur men on Staten-lf- 
 Jand (fince writing to general Heard) to drive the ftock off, 
 
 without waiting for the affiftance or direction of the commit- 
 
 ... 
 
 tees 
 
148 GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 tees there, left their flow mode of tranfa6Hng bulinefs might 
 produce too much cielay j -and have fent tijis morning to know 
 what they have done. I am this morning informed by a gen- 
 tleman, that the committee of Elizabeth-town fent their com- 
 pany x>f light-horfe on mcuday to eft'ecl: it, and that fome of 
 their militia were to give their aid yefterday. He adds that he 
 was credibly told laft night by a. party of the militia coming to 
 this place, that yefterday they f:iw a good deal of ilock driving 
 ofF the ifland, and eroding to the Jerieys. If the bufinefs is 
 pot executed before now, it will be impouible to do it. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, July 4, 1776. 
 
 THIS will be handed you by colonel Stevenfon, whom I 
 liave ordered, with the captains of the two rifle companies from 
 Maryland, to xvait on Ccngrefs. They will point out fuch 
 raeaiures as they conceive moil likely to advance the railing of 
 the new rifle battalion, and the perfons they think worthy of 
 promotion, that have ferved in the three companies here, agree- 
 able to the inclofed lift, J am not acquainted with them my- 
 felf, but from their report and re-commendation, which I" doubt 
 not to be juft j and that, if Congrels will pleafe to inquire of 
 them, they will mention other proper peifoiis for officers. 
 
 Only about forty of the three old companies have re-enlift- 
 ed^ whom, I fhall form into one for the prefent, and place under 
 an officer or two, till a further and complete arrangmeiit is 
 snade of the whole battalion. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, Sew-Torl?, July 4 
 
 WHEN I had the honor to addrefs you on the thirtieth 
 ultimo, I tranfmitted a copy of a ktter I had received from a 
 gentleman, a member of the honorable general court \_of Maf~ 
 Jachufetts^ fuggefting tbe improbability of fuccours coming 
 from therjce in any reafonable time, either for the defence' of 
 this place, or to reinforce our troops engaged in the Canada 
 expedition. I am forry to inform you, that from a variety of 
 Intelligence, his apprehenfions appear to be juft, and to be fully 
 confirmed: nor have I reafon to expecl but that the fupplies 
 "i'i'QOT the other two governments, Connefticut and New-Hawip- 
 
 ibire, 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 149 
 
 fhire, will be extremely flow and greatly deficient in num- 
 ber, 
 
 As it now feems beyond queftion, and clear to demonftrati- 
 on, that the enemy mean to dired: their operations and bend 
 their moft vigorous efforts againft this colony, and will attempt 
 to unite their two armies, that under general Burgoyne, and 
 the one arrived here, I cannot but think the expedient pro- 
 poied by that gentleman is exceedingly juft j and that the con- 
 tinental regiments, now in the Maffachufetts-Bay, fhould be 
 immediately called from thence, -and be employed where there 
 is the itrongeft reafon to believe their aid will be indifpeufably 
 neceffary. The expediency of the meafure I (hall fubmit to 
 the confideration of Congrefs, and will only oblerve, as my 
 opinion, that there is not the moft diftant piofpecl of an at- 
 tempt being made, where they now are, by the enemy j and, 
 if there ihould, that the militia th?.t can be affembled upon the 
 fhprtefl notice will be more than equal to repel it. They are 
 well armed, refolute, and determined, and will inftantly op- 
 pofe any invafion that may be made in their own colony. 
 
 I (hall alfo take the liberty again to requeft Congrefs to in- 
 tereft themfelves in having the militia raifed, and forwarded 
 with all poffible expedition, as fait as any confiderable number 
 of them can be collected, that are to compofe the flying camp. 
 This I mentioned in my letter yellerday, but think proper to 
 repeat it, being more and more convinced of the neceffity. 
 The camp will be in the neighborhood of Amboy : and I lhc.ll 
 be glad that the conventions, or committees of lafety, of thofe 
 governments from whence they come, may be requeited to give 
 me previous notice of their marching, that I may form iome 
 plan, and direct proviiion to be made for their reception. 
 
 The difaffedion of the people at that place and others not far 
 diftant, is exceedingly great j and, unleis it is checked and 
 overawed, it may become more general, and be very alarming. 
 The arrival of the enemy will encourage it. They, or at leait 
 a part of them, are already landed on Staten-liland which is 
 quite contiguous ; and about four thoufand were marching a- 
 bout it yefterday. as I have been advifed, and are leaving no 
 arts un-efiayed to gain the inhabitants to their fide, who ieem 
 but too favorably dilpofcd. Jt is not. unlikely that in a litth 
 time they may attempt to crofs to the Jeriey iide, and induce 
 many to join them either from motives of intereit or fear, un- 
 lefs there is a force to oppofe them. 
 
 As we ai e fully convinced that the minifterial army we mail 
 hiH'c to oppofe this campaign, will be great and numerous, and 
 
 well 
 
j 5 s GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 well know that the utmoft induftry will be ufed, as it already 
 lias been, to excite the favages and every body of people 19 
 arms agrdnft us whom they can influence, it certainly behoves 
 us to ftrairt every nerve to conteracl their defigns. I would 
 therefore fubmit it to Congrefs whether, (efpecially as ,o.uf 
 fchemes, for employing the weilern Indians do not feern to be 
 attended with any great prqfpeft of fuccefs. from general Schu 
 ler's accounts) it may not be advifable to take meafures to en~ 
 gage thofe of the eaftward, the St. John's, Nova-Scotia, Pe- 
 r.obfcot, &c. in our favor. I have been told that feveral might 
 b- got, perhaps five or fix hundred or more, readily to join us. 
 If they can, I mould imagine it ought to be done. It willpre.- 
 yent our enemies from fecuring their friendmip j and further 
 they will be of infinite fervice in annoying and harrafiing them, 
 fhould they ever attempt to penetrate the country. Congrefs 
 will be pleafed to confider the meafure : and if they determine 
 to adopt it, I conceive it will be neceffary to authorife and re- 
 queft the general court of the Mafiachufetts-Bay to carry it in- 
 to execution. Their fituation and advantages will enable them 
 to negotiate a treaty and an alliance better than it can be done 
 by any perfons dfe. 
 
 I have been honored with your two favors of the fir ft inftant; 
 and, agreeable to the wiihes of Congrefs, (hall put monfieur 
 Wiebert in the beft place I can to prove his abilities in the art 
 he profeffes. J (hall fend him up immediately to the works e- 
 redling towards Kinfbridge, under the direction of general Mi- 
 flin, whom I ihall requeft to employ him. 
 
 I this moment received a letter from general Greene, an ex- 
 tract of which I have inclofed. The intelligence it contains is 
 of the moft important nature, and evinces the neceiYity of the 
 moll fpirited and vigorous exertions on our part. 
 
 The expectation of the fleet under admiral Howe is certainly 
 the reafon the army already come have not begun their hoftile 
 operations. When that arrives, we may look for the molt in- 
 tere fling events, and fuch as, in all probability, will have con- 
 fiderable weight in the prefent conteil. It behoves us to be 
 prepared in the beft manner : and I fubmit it again to Congrefs, 
 whether the accounts given by their prifoners do not (lie w the 
 propriety of calling the feveral continental regiments from the 
 Mafiachufetts government, raifing the flying camp with all pofft- 
 ble.difpatch, and engaging the eallern Indians. 
 
 July 5. General Mercer arrived here on tuefday, and 
 
 the next morning was ordered to Paulus-Hook, to make fome 
 arrangements of the militia as they came in, and the beft dif- 
 
 pofttoon 
 
.-.' 
 
 OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 'wt 1 -- 
 
 pbfition lie could to prevent the enemy crofting from Staten- 
 Ifland, if they mould have any fuch views. The diftreffed iitu- 
 ation of the inhabitants of Elizabeth-town and Newark has 
 iince induced me, upon their application, to give up all the? 
 militia from the Jerfeys, except thofe engaged for fix months. 
 I am hopeful they will be able to repel any incurfions that may 
 be attempted. Generals Mercer arid Livingfton are concert- 
 ing plans for that purpofe. By a letter from the latter laft 
 night, I am informed the enemy are throwing up fmall works 
 at all the paffes on the north fide of S'taten-lSand, which it is 
 probable they siean to fecure. 
 
 None of the Connecticut militia are yet arrived : fo that the 
 t^ihforcement we have received is very inconliderable. 
 
 A letter from general Schuyler, with fundry inclofures (of 
 which No. i, 2, and 3, are exact copies), this moment came 
 to hand, and will no doubt claim, as it ought to do, the imme- 
 diate attention of Congrefs. The evils which muft inevitablf 
 follow a difputed command are too obvious and alarming to ad* 
 mit a moment's delay in your decifion thereupon : and, al- 
 though I do not prefume to advife in a matter, now, of this 
 delicacy, yet as it appears evident that the northern army has 
 retreated to down-Point, and mean to act upon the defenfive 
 only, I cannot help giving it as my opinion that one of the ma- 
 jor-generals in that quarter would be more ufefully employed 
 here, or in the flying camp, than there: for it becomes my duty 
 to obferve, if another 'experienced officer is taken from hencfe 
 in order to command the flying camp, that your grand army 
 will be entirely ilripped of generals who have feen fervice, - 
 being in a manner already deftitute of fuch. My diftrefs on this 
 account, the appointment of general Whitcomb to the eaftern 
 regiments, a conviction in my own breaft that no troops will 
 be fent to Boflon, and the Certainty of a number coming to 
 this place, occafioned by poftponing, from time to time, fend- 
 ing any general officer from hence to the e aft ward heretofore : 
 and now I fhall wait the fentiments of Congrefs relative to the 
 five regiments in Maflachufetts-Bay, before I do any thing ih 
 this matter. 
 
 The coramiffary-general has been with me this morning, con- 
 cerning the other matter contained in general Schuyler's letter 
 refpecting the bufinefs of that department. He has, I believe*, 
 (in order to remove difficulties), recalled Mr A very, but 
 feerns to think it neceflary in that cafe, that Mr. Livingfton 
 mould be left to himfelf, as he cannot be refponfible for pe*- 
 fons not of his own appointment. This matter fhould alfo be 
 
 clearly 
 
) 5 2 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 clearly defined by Congrefs. I have already given my opinion 
 of the neceflhy of thefe matters being under one general direc- 
 tion, in fo full and clear a manner, that I fua.ll not take up the 
 time of Congrefs to repeat it in this place, 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W* 
 
 Si*, New-Toft, "July 8, 1776. 
 
 CONGRESS having rcfolved to raife a regiment of Ger- 
 vnans to counteract the defigns of our enemies, I inuft beg leave 
 to recommend to their notice John David Wilpert, now a firit 
 lieutenant in colonel Sheets battalion, to the office of captain 
 'in faid regiment. I am perfonally acquainted with him, and 
 know that he joined the Virginia forces under my command ia 
 the year 1754, and continued in fervice the whole war, during 
 v/hich he concluded himfelf as an aclive, vigilant, and brave 
 officer. He is a German ; and his merit, as a foldier, entitle:; 
 .him much to the office he v;i(hes for. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-Tort, July 10, 1776, 
 
 I AM now to acknowledge the receipt of your two fa- 
 vors of the fourth and fixth initant, wkich came duly to hand) 
 with their important inclofures. 
 
 I perceive that Congrefs have been employed in deliberating 
 on meafures of the moft intereftiug nature. It is certain that 
 it is not with us to determine in many inftances what confe- 
 quences will flow from cur councils : But yet it behoves us to 
 adopt fuch, as, under the fmiles of a gracious and all-kind pro- 
 vidence, will be moil likely to promote our hnppincfs. I truft 
 the late decifive part they have taken is calculated for that end, 
 and will fecure us that freedom and thofe privileges, w T hicu 
 have been and are refufed us, contrary to the voice of nature 
 and the Britifh conftitution. Agreeable to the requeft of Con- 
 grefs, I caufed " THE DECLARATION" to be proclaim- 
 ed before all the army under my immediate command , and 
 have the pleafure to inform them that the meafure feemed to 
 have their mod hearty alTent, the exprefTions and behavior, 
 both of officers and men, teitifying their warmeft approbation 
 cf it. J have tranfmltted a .copy to general Ward at Bofton, 
 
 requeuing 
 
OFFICIAL-LETTERS; . 153 
 
 requesting liliri to have it proclaimed to the continental troop, 
 in that .department,. ~ -1 -*-, 
 
 It is with great pleafure that I hear the militia from Mary- 
 land, the Delaware government, and Penniyhania, will be in 
 motion every day to form the flying camp. It is of great im 
 portance, and mould be accomplished with all porlible difpatch. 
 The readinefs and alacrity, with which the committee of fafety 
 of Pennfylvania and the other conferees have a6ted in order to 
 .forward the aflbciated militia of that ft ate to the Jerfeys for. 
 fervi.ce, till the men to compofe the flying camp arrive, ilrong 
 ly evidence their regard to the common caufe, and that nothing 
 on their part will be wanting to fupport it. I hope, .and I 
 doubt not, that the aiTociated militia, iixipieiTe d with the expe- 
 diency of the ineafure, will immediately carry it into execution, 
 and furnim.in this inftance a proof of the continuance of that 
 1 zeal which' has fo eminently marked their conduct. I have 
 directed ; the commiiTary to make the necelTary proviilon for 
 their reception, who will alfo fupply the army for -the flying 
 carap wjth. rations. A proper officer will be appointed to com- 
 mand it. 
 
 v y In purfuance of the power given me by Congrefs, and the 
 advice of my general officers, I have wrote to general Ward, 
 and defired him forthwith. to ; detach three of the fulleft regi- 
 ments from the. Maffachufetts-Bay to join the northern army, 
 efteeming it a matter of the greateil importance to have a fuffi- 
 cien.t force, there tp prevent the enemy parling the lake and 
 laakijig. au. iniprciiion in that quarter. The gondolas and gal- 
 lies will be of great Service ; and I am hopeful the carpenters 
 you have, lent from Philadelphia, and that will go from the 
 eaitvvard on yoiu application, will be able to build a fufficient 
 Dumber in time to anfvver every exigency. 
 
 I have requefled governor Cooke, if the duck mentioned in 
 Mr. Greene's letter is proper for tents, to have it made up as 
 early as poffible and forwarded here. I have alfo defired h'im 
 to fend the flints and imall-arms, ^ I gave general Ward thofe 
 of the latter that weie taken out of the Scotch tranfports, our 
 deficiency in tliefe neceffary articles being Itill,,great. 
 
 Obferying that Congrefs have particularly mentioned a boun- 
 ty of ten dollars to be paid to men of {ome corps directed to be 
 railed in two or three instances ilnce their refolve of the twenty- 
 fixth of June allowing iiich bounty, I have been led to doubt 
 how that refolve is to be conftrue'd } whetlier it is a general 
 gulation, and extends to all men that will ;oi three 
 
 years, for iuHaace, the fcldiers ol . :mv, if -they 
 
 U - 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 will enlift for that time. If it is, and extends to them, it will 
 be neceffary to forward a large fum of money : many perhaps 
 \Vould engage, 
 
 r I alfo obferve, by their refolve of the twenty-fifth of June 
 for railing four regiments of militia in the eailern governments 
 to augment the troops in the northern department, that the af- 
 femblies of thofe governments are empowered to appoint pay- 
 ihafters to the faid regiments. This appears to me a regulation 
 of great life, and I could vridi that it was made general, and 
 one allowed to every regiment in the fervice. Many advanta- 
 ges would refult from it. 
 
 The Connecticut militia begin to come in : but from every 
 Account the battalions will be very incomplete, owing, they 
 fay, to the bufy feafon of the year. That government, leit 
 any inconvenience might refult from their militia not being 
 here in time, ordered three regiments of their light-horfe to my 
 aiiiftance, part of which have arrived. But, not having the 
 means to fupport them (and, if it could be done, the expenfe 
 would be enormous), I have thanked the gentlemen for their 
 zeal, and the attachment they have manifested upon this occa- 
 iicn, and informed them that I cannot confent to their keeping 
 iheir horfes, at the fame time wifhing them to- ftay them- 
 ieives. I am told they or part of them mean to do fo. 
 
 General Mercer is now in the Jerfeys, for the purpofe of re- 
 Reiving and ordering the militia coming for the flying camp : 
 and 1 have fent over our chief engineer to view the ground 
 within the neighborhood of Amboy, and to lay out fome ne- 
 ceiTary works for the encampment, and iuch as may be proper 
 sit the different pajQfes in Bergen-Neck, and other places on the 
 Jcrfey more oppofite Staten-Ifland, to prevent the enemy mak- 
 ing impreffions, and committing depredations on the property 
 of the inhabitants. 
 
 The intelligence that we have from a few deferters that have 
 come over to us, and from others, is that general Howe has 
 between nine and ten thoufand men, who are chiefly landed on 
 the ifland, ported in different parts, and fecuring the feveral 
 communications from the JeiTeys with fmall works and intrenca- 
 Jii'ents, to prevent oar people from paying them a viiit j that 
 the idanders have all joined them, feem well difpofed to favor 
 tlieir cauie, and have agreed to take up arms in their behalf. 
 They look for admiral Howe's arrival every day with his fleet 
 and a large reinfcrement j are in h/gh ipirits, and talk confi- 
 dently of fuccefs, and carrying all before them when he comes. 
 I truft, through divine favor and our own exertions, they will 
 
 be 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 
 
 be dlfappointed in their views : wl, at all events, any advan- 
 tages thqy may gain will cofl them very dear. If our troops 
 will behave well (which I hope will be the cafe, having every 
 thing to contend for, that freemen hold dear), they will have 
 to wade through much blood and flaughter before they can car- 
 ry any part of our works, if they carry them at all, and, at 
 belt, be in poffefficm of a melancholy and mournful ViCt^ry. 
 May the facrednefs of our caufe infpire our foldiery with fenti- 
 ments of heroifm, and lead them to the performance of the 
 nobleft exploits ! 
 
 With this wilh, I have the honor to be, &c, Q. W, 
 
 SIR, New-Tork, July u, 
 
 I WAS honored with your favor of the eighth inftant by 
 yelterday morning's poft, with the feveral refolves to which you 
 referred my attention. I mall duly regard them, and attempt 
 their execution as far as I am able. 
 
 By virtue of the difcretionary power that Congrefs were; 
 pleafed tu veil me with, and by advice of fuch of my general 
 officers as- i have had an opportunity of confulting, I have oi> 
 dered the two remaining continental regiments in the MaiTachu- 
 fetts-iiay to march immediately for the defence of this place, 
 in full confidence that nothing ho/lile will be attempted againit 
 that ilate in the prefent campaign. 
 
 I have wrote to the general court of Maffachufetts-Bay,. and 
 tranfmitted a copy of the refolve for employing the eaftern In* 
 dians, entreating their good offices in this inltance, and their^ 
 exertions to have them forthwith engaged and marched to joia 
 this aamy. I have deiired five or fix hundred of them to be 
 ^nlifted for two or three years, if they will content to it, fub- 
 jedlt to an earlier difcharge, if it mall be thought neceflary, 
 and upon the fame terms as the continental troops, if better 
 cannot be had, though I am hopeful they may. 
 
 In my letter of yefterday I mentioned the arrival of part of 
 the Connecticut light-horfe to affift in the defence of this place, 
 and my objection to their horfes being kept. Four or five 
 hundred of them are now come in : and, in jultice to their zeal 
 and laudable attachment to the caufe of their country, I am to 
 inform you that they have confented to Hay as long as occafioa 
 may require, though they fliould be at the expenfe of maintain- 
 ing their horfes themfelves. They have paftured them out a- 
 bout the neighborhood of Kingibridge (being unwilling to fend 
 
 them 
 
156 GE'NRA1, WASHINGTON'* 
 
 them nway) at the rate cf hslf a dollar per week each, -mean- 
 ing to leave It entirely with Con ere fs either to allow 'or refufe 
 it, as they ihall judge proper. 1 promifed to make this reprc- 
 ientation, and thought it my duty ; and will only obferve that 
 the motives which induced them at firft to fet cut were good 
 and praife-worthy, ana were to afford the rooft fpeedy and early 
 fuccour, which they apprehended would be wanted before the 
 militia arrived. Their Cervices may be extremely important, 
 being raoft of them, if not all, men of refutation and of pro- 
 perty. 
 
 The fubjeS of the inclofed copy of a letter from governor 
 TrumbuU I beg leave to fubmit to the 'confederation of Con- 
 grefs. They will perceive from his reprefentation, the difquitt- 
 ing apprehennons that have feized on the minds of the peaple 
 iince the retreat of the northern army, and how e\pofed the 
 northern frontiers of New-York and New-Hampihire are to the 
 ravages and incuriions of the Indian?. How far it may be 
 pedlent to rarfe the battalion he conceives neceffary to prevent 
 the calamities and diftrefles he points out, they will determiive, 
 Upon what he has faid, and the neceffity that may appear to 
 them for the meafure ; what I have done, being only to lay 
 the matter before them in compliance \vith his willies. 
 
 I have alfo inclofed a memorial from the furgeons'-matcs, 
 fetting forth the inadequacy of their pay to their icr vices and 
 ( maintenance, and praying'that it may be increafed. I 
 obferve that they have a long time complained in this inftance, 
 and that fame additional allowance may not be imreceiisry. 
 
 As I am truly fenfible the time of Ccngrcfs is much taken 
 tip with a vaiiety of important matters, it is with unwilling-net's 
 and pain I ever repeat a requeil after having once made it, or 
 take the liberty of enforcing any opinion of mine after it is 
 once given: but as the eft abliihing of Iqnre ofnce for auditing 
 accounts is a matter of exceeding- importance to the public in- 
 terei':, I would beg leave once more to call the attention of 
 Com/rtfs to an appointment competent to the purpofe. T\vo 
 motives induce me' to urge the matter - 7 fir ft, a conviction of 
 the utility of the meafure : feconclly, that 1 may ftand excul- 
 pated if hereafter it fhould appear that money has been impro- 
 perly expended, and necefTaries for the army obtained upon 
 uurciifonable terms. 
 
 For me, whofe tim is employed from the hour of my rifing 
 till I retire to bed again, to go into an examination of the ac- 
 counts of fuch an army as this with any degree of precifioi.. and 
 exachieis. without neglecting ether matter* of c-qu.. 
 
 tan 
 
O F F I C I A L LETTER S. 15? 
 
 tanee, is utterly impracticable. All that I have been able to, 
 sdo (and that, in r fa&, was doing nothing), was, when thc.com- 
 raiffary, and quarter-matter, and dire&or-general of the hofpi- 
 tal (lor it is to thefe the great advances are made) applied tor. 
 warrants, to make them at times produce a general account 
 of their expenditures. But this anfwers no valuable purpofe. 
 It i& the minutiae that rauft be gone into, the propriety of each 
 charge examined, the vouchers looked, into ; and, with re- 
 fpecl: to the commilTary-general, his victualling returns and ex- 
 penditures of provifions mould be comparcH with his purchafes; 
 otherwife-a perfon in this department, if he was inclined to He 
 knavifh, might purchafe large quantities with the ,public mo-> 
 ncy, and fell one half of it again for private emolument} and 
 yet his accounts upon paper would appear fair, and be fupporu 
 cd with vouchers for every charge. 
 
 I do not urge this matter from a fufpicion of any unfair prac- 
 tices in either of the departments before-mentioned ; and forry 
 Should I be if this conftruclion was put upon it, having a high 
 opinion of the honor 'and' integrity of thefe gentJemen. But 
 there mould, neyerthelefs, be fome- control as well upon their 
 diferetion as honefty : to which may be added, that accounts 
 become perplexed and confuted by long (landing, and the er- 
 rors therein not fo difcoverable as if they underwent an early 
 revifion and examination. I am well apprifed that a treafury- 
 oflice of accounts has been refclved s upon, and an auditor-gene- 
 -ral for fettling all public accounts: but, with. all deference, 
 l?nd fubmiffion to the opinion of Gongrefs, thefe inititutions are 
 not calculated to prevent the inconveniences I have mentioned; 
 nor can they be competent to the purpofts, circumftanced as 
 they are. 
 
 We have intelligence from a deferter that came to us, that, 
 on wednefday morning, the Afia, Chatham, and greyhound 
 jnen-of-war weighed anchor, and (it was laid) intended to pais 
 ^J^-the North-river above the city, to prevent the communica- 
 tion' with the Jerfeys. They did not attempt it, nor does he 
 knmv what prevented them. Apriibner belonging to the tenth 
 regiment, taken yeflerday, informs that they hourly expeded 
 admiral Howe and his fleet. He adds that a veffel has arrived 
 from them, and the prevailing opinion is, that an attack will 
 be made immediately on their arrival. 
 
 By a letter from general Ward, I am informed that the 
 fffiail-pox has broke out at Boftonyand infefted fome of tfo* 
 troops. I have wrote to him to place the invalids under an 
 officer, to remain till they are well;- and to uie every po&ble 
 
 precaution 
 
i jg GBNZFvAX WASHINGTON'* 
 
 precaution to prevent the troops from thence bringing the in* 
 fe&ion. The diftreffes and calamities we have already fuffered 
 by this diforder in one part of our army, I hope, will excite 
 his utmofLcare that they may not be increafed. 
 . I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, July 12, 17 76. 
 
 THE defign of this is to inform Congrefs, that, about half 
 after three o'clock this evening, two of the enemy's mips of 
 war, one of forty and the other cf twenty guns, with three 
 tenders, weighed anchor in the bay oppofite Staten-Illand, and, 
 availing themfelves of a briik and favorable breeze, with a 
 flowing tide, ran pail our batteries up the North-river, without 
 receiving any certain damage that I could perceive, notwith- 
 Itanding -a heavy and inceiTant cannonade was kept up from our 
 feveral batteries here, as well as from that at Paulus-Hook. 
 They, on their part, returned and continued the fire as they 
 ran by. I difpatched an expreis to brigadier-general Miffiin 
 at our encampment towards the upper end of the illand; but 
 have not heard whether they have got by, or received any da- 
 mage. 
 
 The account tranfmitted by this morning's poft, refpecling 
 the arrival cf one of the flerf, feems to be confirmed. Several 
 fhips have come in to-day : among them, one this evening with 
 2 Saint-George's flag at her fore-top-maft-head, which we con- 
 clude to be admiral Howe from the circuinftances of the flag) 
 and the feveral and general falutes that were paid. It is pro- 
 bable they will all arrive in a day cr two, and immediately be- 
 gin their operations. 
 
 As it will be extremely neceffary that the flying camp fliould 
 be well provided with powder and ball, and it may be imprac- 
 ticable to fend fupplies from hence on account of our hurry and 
 engagements (betides, the communication may be uncertain)^ 
 I muit beg the attention of Congrefs to this matter, and requeit 
 that they will forward with all poflible expedition fuch a quan- 
 tity of mufcet-pQwder and lead (if balls of different fizcs can- 
 not be had), as will be fulTicient for the militia to compofe that 
 camp. 
 
 By an exprefs this minute arrived from general Miffiin, the 
 Ihips have paiTed his works. 
 
 I am, in hade, with fentiments of great regard, &c G. W 
 
 A quarter paft eight , P. M. 
 
O F I C I A L L E T T E R S. 
 
 . .. g ork, "July 14, 
 
 MY laft of friday evening, which I had the honor of ad- 
 drefling you, advifed that two of the enemy's (hips of war and 
 three tenders had run above our batteries here and the works 
 at the upper end of the iiland. I am now to inform you, that, 
 yefterday afternoon, receiving intelligence from general Mifflin 
 that they had paffed the Tappan-fea, and were trying to pro- 
 ceed higher up, by advice of R. R. Livingfton, efquire, and 
 other gentlemen, I difpatched expreffes to general Clinton o 
 Ulfter, and the committee of fafety for Dutchefs-county, to 
 take meafures for fecuring the paffes in the Highlands, left 
 they might have defigns of feizing them, and have a force con- 
 cealed for the purpofe. I wrote the evening before to the 
 commanding officer of the two garrifons there to be vigilant 
 and prepared againfl any attempts they or any difaffe&ed per- 
 fons might make againft them, and to forward exprelTes all the 
 \vay to Albany, that provifion and other veffels might be fe- 
 cured and prevented falling into their hands. 
 
 The information given general Mirflin was rather premature, 
 as to their having gone paft the Sea. A letter from the com- 
 mitte of Orange-county, which came to hand this morning, fay* 
 they were there yefterday, and that a regiment of their militia 
 was under arms, to prevent their landing and making an incur- 
 fion. The me(Te=nger who brought it, and to whom it refers 
 for particulars, adds that a party of them, in two or three 
 boats, had approached the ftiore, but were forced back by our 
 people firing at them. Since the manoeuvre of friday, therfc 
 have been no other movements in the fleet. 
 
 General Sullivan, in a letter of the fecond inftant, inform* 
 me of his arrival with the army at Crown-Point, where he is 
 fortifying and throwing up works. He adds, that he, has fe- 
 cured all the (lores except three cannon left at Chambl.ee, 
 which in part is made op by taking a fine twelve-pounder out 
 of the lake.- The army is fickly, many with the imaU-pox ; 
 and he is apprehenlive, the militia ordered to join them, will 
 not efcape the infection. An officer he had fent to reconnoitre 
 had reported that he faw at Saint John's about a hundred and 
 fifty tents, twenty at Saint Roy's, and fifteen at Chamblee > 
 and works at the firft were bulily carrying on. 
 
 I have inclofed a general return of the army here, -which 
 will (hew the whole of our ftrength. All the deuched -pofts 
 are included. 
 
 A .letter 
 
sfo GENERAL ^ ^TON's 
 
 A lettqr from the eaftward, by lad night's poft to Mr. Ha- 
 zard, poll -mafic; ir? this city, advifes that two (hips had be<m 
 taken and-t arried into Cape- Ann, one from Antigua, con%a- 
 >?rnl Ho've, with four hundred and thirty-nine pan- 
 .cacons of .nun, the other a . Jamaica-man, with four hundred 
 hogfheada of fugar, two hundred puncheons of rum, thirty nine 
 bales of cotton, pimento, fuftic, &c. Sec. Each mounted two 
 guns, fix pounders. 
 
 About three o'clock this .afternoon I was informed t 
 flag from lord Howe was coming up, and waited with two oc 
 our whale-boats, until directions ihouid be given. I immedi- 
 ately convened Cuch of the general officers as were not upon- 
 other duty, who agreed in opinion that I ought not to receive 
 any letter directed to me as a. private gentleman : but if other- 
 wile, and the officer defired to come up to deliver the letter 
 Jnrofelf, as was fur-'gdled, he (herald come under a fafe-cor-ddcl. 
 Dpon this, I directed colonel Reed to go down and manage the 
 affair .under the above -general inftruction. 
 
 On his return, he informed me, that after the common civi- 
 lities, the officer acquainted him that he had a letter from lord 
 Howe to Mr. Washington, which he (hewed under a flibfc op- 
 tion, '* To George IVajlnngton, efquire" Colonel Reed repli- 
 ed, there was no .fuch perfon in the army, and that a letter in- 
 tended for the general, could not be received under fuch a di- 
 rection. The omcer expreiTed great concern, faid it" was a 
 letter rather of a civil than military nature, that lord Howe 
 regretted he had not arrived fooner, that he (lord Howe} 
 had great powers. The anxiety to have the letter received 
 was very evident, though the officer disclaimed all knowledge 
 ef its contents. However, colonel Reed's inftrudions being 
 pofitive, they parted. After they had got fome diftance, the 
 officer with the flag again put about, and afked under what di- 
 reftion Mr. Wafhington chofe to be addreffed : to which 
 colonel Reed anfwered, his itation was well known, and that 
 certainly they could be at no lofs how to dire& to him. "L he 
 0-oicer faid they knew it and lamented it j and again repeated 
 las wiih that the letter could be received. Colonel Reed told 
 him a proper direction would obviate ail difficulties, and that 
 this was no new matter, thi* fubjecl having been fully dil- 
 cuffed in the conrfe of Tail year j of which lord Howe couldl 
 not be ignorant : upon' which they - 
 
 . I would ..not upon any occafion iacrince effentials to pu-.:c- 
 
 tHio : but in this inilance, the opinion of others concurring 
 
 . \y. OV,TI ? I deemed it a duty to my country and my ap- 
 
 oin : 
 

 OFFICIALLETTERS. 161 
 
 bi 
 
 .fc . --, ,-. 
 
 jpomtment, to mint upon that relpecr, which, in any other than, 
 
 a public view, I would willingly have waved. Nor do I doubt> 
 but, from the fuppofed nature of the melfage, and the anxiety 
 expretfed, they will either repeat their flag, or fall upon fomei 
 raode to communicate the import and [contents'] of it. 
 
 I have been duly honored with your two letters, >that of 
 the tenth by Mr. Anderfon, - and the eleventh, with its inclo- 
 fures. I ha r /e directed the quarter-matter to provide him with 
 every thing he wants to carry his fcheme into execution. It 
 is am important one, and I wi(h it fuccefs 5 but am doubtful 
 that it will be better in theory than practice. 
 
 The paifage of the fliips of war and tenders up the river is a 
 matter cf great importance, and has excited much conjecture 
 arid fpe'culatio'n. To me two things have occurred as leading 
 them to this proceeding, firft, a defign. to feize on" the rrariow 
 paiTes on both fides of the river, giving almoft the only land- 
 communication with Albany, and of confequence, with our 
 northern army j for which purpofe, they might have troops 
 concealed on board, which they deemed competent of them- 
 felves,. as the defiles are narrow, or, that they would be ioin- 
 cd by mary difafFected perfons ia that quarter. Others have 
 added a "probability cf their having a large quantity of arms 
 on baord, to be in readinefs to put into the hands of the tories 
 ^immediately on the arrival of the fleet, or rather at the time 
 they intend to make" their attack.- The fecond is, to cut off 
 entirely all intercourfe between this and Albany, by water, 'and 
 the upper country, and to prevent fupplies of every kind going 
 and coming. 
 
 Thefe matters are truly alarming, and of fuch importance, 
 that I have wrote to the provincial congrefs of New-York, 
 and recommended to their ferious consideration the adoption 
 of every poflible expedient to guard again!! the two firft j and 
 have fuggelted the propriety of their employing the militia, or 
 fome part of them, in the counties iii which thefe defiles are,. 
 to keep the enemy fiom pofTerTing them, till further provificn 
 can be made j and to write to the feveral leading perfons on 
 our fide in that quarter, to be attentive to all the movements of 
 the finps and the difarFected, in order to difcover and frullrats 
 whatever pernicious fchemes they have in view. 
 , In refpect to the fecond conjecture of my own, and which 
 feems to be generally adopted, I have the pleafure to inform 
 Congrefs, that, if their cleiign is to keep the armies from pro- 
 vifion, the commiffary has told me upon inquiry, he has for- 
 warded fupplies to Albany (now there, and strove it) futHcient 
 
 X for 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 for ten thoufand men for four months ; that he has a fuffici- 
 ency here for twenty thoufand men for three months, and an 
 abundant quantity fecured in different parts of the Jerfeys for 
 the flying camp, betides having about four thoufand barrels of 
 flour in fome neighboring part of Connecticut. Upon this 
 Jiead, there is but little occasion for any apprehenfions, at leaft 
 for a confiderable time. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. I have fent orders to the commanding officer of the 
 Pennfylvania militia to march to Amboy, as their remaining at 
 Trenton can bo of no fervice. 
 
 SIR, New-York, "July 15, 1776. 
 
 THIS will be handed you by Mr. Griffin, who has alfo 
 taken upon him the charge and delivery of two packets con- 
 taining fundry letters which were fent to Amboy yeilerday by 
 a flag, 2nd forwarded to me to-day by general Mercer. Tli6 
 letter addrefled to governor Franklin came open to my hands. 
 
 I was this morning honored with yours of the thirteenth in- 
 ftant, with its important and neceflary inclofures ' 7 and, in obe- 
 dience to the commands of Congrefs, have tranfmitted general 
 Howe the refolves intended for. him. Thofe for general Bur- 
 goyne I incloied and fent to general Schuyler, with directions 
 immediately to forward them to him. 
 
 The inhuman treatment of the whole, and murder of part of 
 'our people, after their furreiider and capitulation, was certainly 
 a flagrant violation of that faith which ought to be held facred 
 by all civilized nations, and founded in the mod favage barba- 
 rity. It highly deferved the fevereft reprobation j and I truit 
 the fpirited meafures Congrefs have adopted upon the occafion, 
 will prevent the like in future : but if they {hould not, and the 
 claims of humanity are difregarded, juftice and policy will re- 
 quire recourfe to be had to the law of retaliation, however ab- 
 horrent and difagreeable to our natures in cafes of torture and 
 capital puniihments. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Mew-Tort, >'/>' I?, 1776, 
 
 I WAS this morning honored with yours of the -fifteenth 
 inftant, vrith fundry rciblves. 
 
 J perceive 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 1 perceive the meafures Congrefs have taken to expedite the 
 Tailing of the flying, camp, and providing it with articles of the 
 greatell ufe. You will fee by a poftfcript to my letter of the 
 fourteenth, I had wrote to the commanding officer of the Peun- 
 fylvania militia, ordering them to be march.ed from Trenton to 
 ^mbpy, as their remaining there could not anfwer the leaft 
 public good. For, haying confulted with fundry gentlemen, 
 I was informed, if the enemy mean to direct their views to- 
 .wards Pennsylvania, or penetrate the Jerfeys, their route will 
 be from near Amboy, and either by way of Brunfwic or Bound- 
 brook, the lower road from South-Amboy being through a 
 woody, fandy country. Betides, they will be then able to 
 throw in fuccour here, and to receive it from hence in cafes of 
 emergency. 
 
 The Connecticut ligKt-horfe, mentioned in my letter of the 
 eleventh^ notwithftanding their then promife to continue here 
 for the defence of this place, are now difcharged, and about, to 
 ^eturn home.-^ having peremptorily refufed all kind of fatigue 
 duty, or even to mount guard, claiming an exemption as troop- 
 ers. Though their afliftance is much needed, and might be of 
 ^{Jtntial fervice in cafe of an attack, yet I judged it adviiable, 
 on their application and claim of fuch indulgences, todifcharge 
 them y as granting them would fet an examples to others, and 
 might produce many ill confequences. The number of men 
 .jnckideqi. in the la# return, by this, is leffened about five hun- 
 dred. $&?/" ' * '- 
 
 I laft night received a letter from general Schuyler, with 
 Jeveral inclofures, copies of which I have herewith tranfmit- 
 'ted. They will give Congrefs every information 1 have re- 
 . fpecling our northern army and the fituation of our affairs in 
 that quarter j to which I beg leave to refer their attention. 
 I cannot but exprefs my furprife at the fcarcity ef provifion 
 which general Schuyler mentions, after what the commiflary 
 affured me, and which formed a part of my letter of the four- 
 teenth. He ftill affures me of the fame. This is a diftreffing 
 circumftance, as every article of provifion, ^nd every thing 
 neceffary for that department, can have no other pow than a 
 land-conveyance, the water-communication from hence to Al- 
 bany being entirely cut otf. 
 
 Congrefs will pleafe to confider the inclofure, No. 6, about 
 raifing fix companies out of the inhabitants about the lakes, to 
 prevent the incurfions of th,e Indians. The general officers, in 
 "their minutes of council have determined it a matter of much 
 importance ) and their attention to the price of goods fur- 
 
 nifhed 
 
164 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 niihed the foldiery may be extremely necerlary. They hsve 
 complained much upon this head. 
 
 The retreat frcrn Crown-Point feems to be confidered in 
 oppofile views by the general and field-officers. The for* 1 
 mer (I am fatisiied) have weighed the matter well ; and yet 
 the reafons aligned by the latter againft it appear ftrong and 
 forcible. I hope whatever is done will be for the beft. * * * 
 
 By a letter frorn the committee of Orange- county, receive^ 
 this morning, the men-of-war and tenders were yefterday at 
 Haveriham-bay, about forty miles above this. A number o 
 men, in four barges from the tenders, attempted to land, with 
 a view (they fuppofe) of taking forne fheep and cattle, that 
 had been previously removed, A fmall number of militia that 
 Vv r ere collected obliged them to retreat, without their doing any 
 damage, with their panpoii. They were founding the water up 
 towards the Highlands ; by which it is probable they will at- 
 tempt to pafs with part of the fleet, ifpoflible. 
 
 Yefterday evening, a flag came from general Howe, with a 
 letter addreffed " To Geerge Wajlrington, ef^uire, &c. &c. &'r." 
 It was not received, upon the fame principle that the one 
 from lord Howe was refufed. 
 
 J have the honor to be, ckc. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-Tori', July 19, i7/:6. 
 
 I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the lix- 
 teenth and feventeenth, with the feveral refolyes they ccntain- 
 .ed j to the execution of which, fo far as mall be in my power, 
 I will pay proper attention. 
 
 In my letter of the feventeenth I tranfmitted you a copy of 
 one from general Schuyler, and of its feveral inclofures. I 
 confefs the determination of the council of general oflicers crj 
 the feventh, to retreat from Crown-poirt, furprifed me much : 
 and the more I confider it, the more jftnking does the imprO' 
 piiety appear. The reafons afligned .againit it by the field^ 
 officers, in their rernonilrance, coincide greatly with my own 
 ideas and thofe of the other general officers \ have had an op- 
 portunity of confulting with, and fcem to be of confiderable 
 weight, I may add, concluiive. I am not fo fully acquainted 
 with the geography of that country and the iituatio* of the 
 different pelts, as to pronounce a peremptory judgment upon 
 the matter : but, if my ideas are right, the poiTeifion oi Crown- 
 
 Poiut 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 16$ 
 
 Ppint Is. effential, to give us the fuperiority arid maflery upon 
 the lake. 
 
 That the enemy will poffefs it as foon as abandoned by us, 
 there can be no 'doubt : and if they do, xvhatever gallics or 
 force we keep on the lake will be unqueftionably in the rear. 
 -How they are to be fupported there, or what fuccour can be 
 d fawn from them there, is beyond my comprehenfion. Per- 
 haps it is only meant that they fhould be employed on the com- 
 munication between that and Tyconderoga. If this \s the 
 cafe, I fear the views of Congrefs will not be anfwered, nor the 
 falutary effects be derived from them, that were intended. 
 
 I have mentioned my furprife to general Schuyler, and would, 
 by the advice of the general officers here, have directed that 
 that poft ihould be maintained, had it not been for two caufe,*;, 
 ; an appreheniion that the works have been deftroyed, and 
 that, if the army fliould be ordered from Tyconderoga, or the 
 poft oppoiite to it (where- 1 prefume they are) ? to rep'offcfs it, 
 they would have neither one place nor another fecure and in a 
 defenfible ft ate : -the other, left it might increafe the jealoufy 
 imd diverilty of opinions which feem already too prevalent in, 
 that army, and eftablifh a precedent for the inferior officers to 
 let up their judgments whenever they would, in oppofition to 
 thofe of their fuperiors. a matter of great delicacy, and that 
 might lead to fatal confequences, if countenanced j though 
 in the prefent^inrlance I could wifh their reafoning had pre- 
 vailed. 
 
 If the army has not removed, what I have faid to general 
 Schuyler may perhaps bring on a re-confideration of the mat- 
 ter j-and it may not be too late to take meafures for maintain- 
 ing that poft. But of this I have no hope. 
 
 In confequence of the refolve of Congrefs for three of the 
 eaftern regiments to reinforce the northern army, I wrote to 
 general Ward, and, by advice of my general officers, directed 
 them to march to Norwich, and there to embark for Albany 3 
 conceiving that two valuable purpofcs might refult therefrom, 
 rirft, that they would fooner join the army by putfuing this 
 route, and be faved" from the diiirefs and fatigue that muft at- 
 tend every long march through the country at this hot and un- 
 comfortable feafon ; and fecondly, that they might give fuc- 
 cour here, in cafe the enemy mould make an attack about the 
 time of their paffing. But the enemy having now, with their 
 (hips of war and tenders, cut off the water-communication from 
 hence to Albany, I have wrote this day and directed them to 
 proceed by land acrofs the country. If Congrefs difapprove 
 
 - ' Q 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 the route, or wifh to give orders about them, you will pleafo 
 to certify me thereof, that I may take meafures accordingly. 
 
 Inclofed I have the honor to tranfmit you copies of a letter 
 and fundry refolutions which I received yefterday from the 
 convention of this ilate. By them you will perceive they have 
 been acting upon matters of great importance, and are exertmg 
 themfelves in the moil vigorous manner to defeat the wicked 
 defigns of the enemy, and fuch difarfe&ed . perfons as may in- 
 cline to afiifl and facilitate their views. In compliance with 
 their request, and on account of the Icarcity of money for car- 
 rying their falutary views into execution, I have agreed to lend 
 them, out of the finall flock now in hand (not more than fixty 
 thoufand dollars), twenty thoufand dollars, in part of what 
 they want j which they promife fpeedily to replace. Had 
 there been money fufficient for paying the whole of our troops, 
 and no more, I could not have done it. But as it was other- 
 xvife, and by no means proper to pay a part and not the whole, 
 I could not forefee any inconveniences that would attend the 
 loan j on the contrary, that it might contribute in fome de- 
 gree to forward their fchemes. -I hope my conduct in this in- 
 ftance will not be difapproved. 
 
 I iuciofed governor Ttfumbull a copy of their letter and of 
 their feveral relblves, to-day, by colonel Broom and Mr. Duer, 
 two members of the convention, who are going t^o wait on him 5 
 but did not think myfelf at liberty to urge or requeft his inter T 
 ft in forming the camp. of- fix thoufancl men, as the levies, di- 
 recled by Congrefs to be furnifhed the third of June, for thf 
 defence of this place, by that government, are but little more 
 than one-third come in. At the fame timej the proportion I 
 think a good one, if it could be carried into execution. la 
 .cafe the enemy fbould attempt to effect a landing above Kingf r 
 bridge, and to cut off the communication between this city and 
 the country, an army to hang on their rear would diftrefs theiu 
 exceedingly. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, 
 
 The inclofed paper fhould have been fent before, but was 
 omitted through hurry. 
 
 P. S. After J had clofed my letter,. I received one from 
 general Ward, a copy of which is herewith tranfmitted. I, 
 have wrote him to forward the two regiments now at Bofton, by 
 H t he moil dire el road, to Ticonderoga, as foon as they are well, 
 with the utmoft expedition ; and.confider their having had the 
 ftnall-pox, as a fortunate ciicumltance. When the three arrive 
 v.hich have marched for Norwich, I fliall immediately fend one 
 
 o 
 
tffflClAL LETTERS. i6? 
 
 e them on, if Congrefs mall judge ;t expedient 5 of which 
 }ou will pleafe to inform me, ' 
 
 3====** 
 <*A* '/""" T* . "'*' - ' : 
 
 New-York, July 21, 1776, 
 
 I HAVE juft time to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 favor of the nineteenth. 'The inerefting intelligence of the 
 fuccefs of our arms in the fouthern department gives me the 
 higheft fatisfaftion. Permit me to join my joy to the congra- 
 tulations of Congrefs upon this event. To-morrow J will write 
 more fully. 
 
 Two o^clock, P. M. 1 this moment had report made me, 
 that ten (hips were feen in the offing, Coming in, I fuppofe, 
 part of admiral Howe's fleet. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &C. G. W. 
 
 H New-Tori, 'July 22, 1776, 
 
 YOUR favors of the eighteenth and nineteenth, with 
 fchich you have been pleafed to honor me, have been duly re- 
 teived, with the feveral refolves alluded to. 
 
 When the letter and declaration, from lord Howe to Mr, 
 Franklin, and the other late governors, come to be published, 
 1 mould fuppofe the* warmeft advocates for dependance on the 
 Britim crown mult be iilent, and be convinced beyond all pof- 
 fibility of doubt, that all that has been faid about the commifn- 
 oners was illufory, and calculated exprefsly to deceive and un~ 
 guaid, not only the good people of our own country, but thofe 
 of the Englifh nation that were averfe to the proceedings of 
 the king and miniftry. Hence we fee the caufe why a fpecin- 
 cation of their powers was not given the mayor and city of 
 London, on their addrefs requefting it. That would have beei* 
 dangerous, becaufe it would then have been manifeft that the 
 line of conduft they were to purfue would be totally variant 
 from that they had induftrioufly propagated, and amufed the 
 public with. The uniting the civil and military offices in the 
 fame perfons, too, muft be conclufive to every thinking one", 
 that there is to be but little negociation of the civil kind. 
 
 I have inclofed, for the fatisfadion of Congrefs, the fub- 
 ftance of what paffed between myfelf and lieutenant-colonel 
 Patterfon, adjutant -general, at an interview had yeftcrday, in. 
 
 confequcnce 
 
i68 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 confequence of a requeft from general Howe the day before j 
 to which I beg leave to refer them for particulars. 
 
 Colonel Knox of the train having: often mentioned to me the 
 neceffity of having a much more numerous body of artilleriftg 
 than what there now is, in cafe the prefertt contert mould con- 
 tinue longer, and knowing the deficiency in this inilance, and 
 their extreme ufefulnefs, I defired him 'to commit his ideais 
 upon the fubjer. to writing, in order that I might tranfmit 
 them to Congrefs for their confideration. Agreeable to my 
 requeft. he has done it 3 and the propriety of his plan is now 
 Submitted for their decinon. It is certain that we have not 
 more at this time than are fufficient for the fevcral cxtenlive 
 potts we now have, including th,e draughts which he fpeaks 
 of, and which, I prefume (not only from what he has informed 
 me, but from the nature of the thing), can never be qualified 
 to render the fame fervice as if they were regularly appointed 
 and formed into a corps for that particular purpofe. 
 
 I beg leave to remind Congrefs that fome time ago I laid be- 
 fore them the propofals of fome perfcns here, for forming a com- 
 pany of light-horfe ; and the prelid-ent's anfwcr, a little time 
 after, intimated that the plan feemed to be approved of. As 
 thcfe who wanted to make up the troop are frequently prcffing 
 me fox an anfwer, I could wifli to be favored with the decinon 
 of Congrefs upon the fubjeft. 
 
 By a letter from general Schuyler, of the fourteenth inftant, 
 dated at Albany, he informs me, that, the day before, fome 
 tjefperate defigns of the tories in that quarter had been difco- 
 Vered, the particulars of which he could not divulge, being 
 under an oath of fecrecy j however, that fuch meafuies had 
 been taken, as to promife a prevention of the intended mif^hiefj 
 and that four of the confpirators (among them a ringleader) 
 were apprehended about one o'clock that morning, not far trom 
 the town. What the plot was, or who were concerned in it, 
 is a matter I am ignorant of as yet. 
 
 With my befl regards to Congrefs, I have the honor to be 
 vour and their moft obedient fervant, G. W. 
 
 P. S. Congrefs will pleafe to obferve what was propofed 
 refpecting the exchange of Mr* Lovell, an<] iignify their plea- 
 i vour next. The laft week's return i>s alib incloied. 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 469 
 
 SIR, 'New-Tort, Jitty 22, 1776. 
 
 CONGRESS having "been pleafed to appoint Mr. Wilper 
 to the command of a company in the German' battalion now 
 railing, I have directed him to repair to Philadelphia for their 
 orders. From my acquaintance with him, I am perfuaded his 
 conduct as an officer will merit their approbation : and, thank- 
 ing them for their kind attention to my recommendation of 
 him, I have the honor to be, with fentiments o the higheil 
 refped, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, July 23, 1776. 
 
 I WAS honored with your favor of the twentieth by yef- 
 terday's poft, fince which, and my letter, nothing of moment 
 Jhas occurred. 
 
 The flaps, mentioned in rn$- letter of the twenty-firft to 
 have been in the offing, got in that day, and are fuppofed to 
 be part of the Scotch fleet, having landed fome Highlanders 
 yefterday. 
 
 Inclofed I have the honor to tranfmit you copies of a letter 
 and fundry refolutions which I received laft night from the 
 convention of this ftate. They will inform you of the comput- 
 ed number of inhabitants and ftock upon Naffau-Ifland, and. 
 their fentiments on the impracticability of removing the latter, 
 and alfo of the meafures they think neceffary and likely to fe- 
 cure them. 
 
 I have alfo inclofed a letter from Mr. Faefh to lord Stirling, 
 upon the fubjecl: of a cannon-furnace for the ufe of the dates. 
 Congrefs will fee hi* plan and propofals, and determine upon 
 them as they {hall judge proper.. 
 
 I am, fir, with every fentinlent of refpe&, &c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, tftwjh July 23, 1775. 
 
 SINCE I had the pic afure 'of writing you by this mornmg's 
 .poft, I was favored with a letter from governor Trurhbull^ a 
 copy of which is inclofed, and to which I beg leave to refer 
 you. In regard to the ftock he 'mentions, I wrote to him, re,- 
 quefting that they might be removed from the iilands on whioJi 
 they were, as I conceived it of great importance to diftrefsthe 
 enemy at much *s pofTiblc in the article of freili picviuon. 
 
 Y- I w2S 
 
170 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 I wifh the other governments may follow his example, and 
 have it removed from the iilands belonging to them refpec- 
 tively. 
 
 When the {hips of war and tenders went up the river, it was 
 thought expedient that application fhould be made for the 
 Connecticut row-gallies and thofe belonging to Rhode-Ifland, 
 in order to attempt fomething for their deftruclion. As foon 
 as they arrive we fhall try to employ them in fome ufeful way, 
 but in what, or how fuccefsfully, I cannot at prefent deter- 
 mine. 
 
 Congrefs will pleafe to obferve what Mr. Trurnbull fays re-' 
 fpefting the continental regiment raifing under colonel Ward. 
 If they incline to give any orders about their deftination, you 
 will pleafe to communicate them by the earlieft opportunity, 
 as their march will be fufpended till they are known. 
 
 The orders Mr. Trumbull has given to the officers of their 
 cruifers, to flop provifion-veffels, feem to be neceffary. We 
 have too much reafon to believe that fome have gone volunta- 
 rily to the enemy, and that there are many perfons who would 
 continue to furnifh them with large fupplies : and, however up- 
 right the intentions of others may be, it will be a matter of the 
 u'tmoft difficulty, if not an impossibility, for any to efcape fall- 
 ing into their hands now, as every part of the coaft (it is pro- 
 bable) will fwarm with their {hips of war and tenders. I had 
 propofed writing to the convention of this flate upon the fub- 
 jecl before I received his letter j and am now more periuaded 
 of the neceffity of their taking fome fieps to prevent further 
 exportations down the Sound. In my next I mall inform them 
 of the intelligence received from Mr. Trumbull, and recom4 
 mend the matter to their attention. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. It appears abfolutely neceffary that the exportation 
 of provifion mould be flopped. Our army is large, and other- 
 wife may want. Nor can individuals be injured, as they have 
 a ready-money market for every thing they have to difpofe of 
 in that wav. 
 
 SIR, New-York , July 25, 1776. 
 
 DISAGREEABLE as it is to me and unpleafing as it 
 may be to Congrefs to multiply officers, I find myfelf under the 
 unavoidable neceffity of afking an increafe of my aids-de-camp. 
 The, augmentation of my command,- the increafe of my cor- 
 
 refpondencc, 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 17* 
 
 pefpondence, the orders to give, the inftru6Hons to draw,- 
 cut out more bufmefs than I am able to execute in time with 
 propriety. The buiinefs of fo many different departments cen- 
 tring with me, and by me to be handed on to Congrefs for their 
 information, added to the intercqurfe I am obliged to keep 
 up with the adjacent ftates, and incidental occurrences, all 
 of which require confidential and not hack writers to execute, r 
 renders it impoflible, in the prefent ftate of things, for my fa- 
 mily to difcharge the feveral duties expelled of me, with that 
 precifion and difpatch that I could wifh.-r-What will it be then^ 
 when we come into a more active fcene, and I am called upon 
 from twenty different places perhaps at the fame inftant ? 
 
 Congrefs will do me the jultice to believe (I hope) that it is 
 not my inclination or wiih to run the continent to any unnecef? 
 fary expenfe ; and thofe who better know me will not fufpecl: 
 that (how and parade can have any influence on my mind in this 
 inftance. A convi&ion of the neceflity of it, for the regular 
 difcharge of the truft repofed in me, is the governing motive 
 for the application 5 and, as fuch, is fubmitted to Congrefs by, 
 Jlr, your moft obedient, &c. G, W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, July 27, 1776, 
 
 I WAS yeflerday morning honored with your favor of the 
 twenty-fourth inftant with its feveral inclofures, to which I 
 ihall pay the ftrifteft attention. 
 
 The confidence ongrefs are pleafetf to repofe in my judg~ 
 ment demands my warmeft acknowledgments, and they may 
 reft allured it mail be invariably employed, fo far as it mall be 
 
 in my power, to promote their views and the public weal. 
 
 * * # 
 
 Since my laft, nothing material has occurred. Yefterday 
 evening report was made that eight mips were feen in the offing, 
 Handing towards the Hook. The men-of-war and tenders are 
 ftill up the river. They have never attempted to pafs tne 
 Highland fortifications j and, a day or two ago, quitted their 
 ilatioB, and fell dow;i the river eight or ten miles. The vigi- 
 lance and a&ivity of the militia oppofite where they were, have 
 prevented their landing and doing much injury. -One poor pea- 
 fant's cot they plundered and then burnt. 
 
 I would wim to know whether the allowance given to offi- 
 cers, the feventeenth of January, of a dollar and one-third for 
 every man they enlift, Congrefe mean to extend to the officers 
 
 who 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'^; 
 
 xvho entift for the new army for three years. At firft it may 
 appear wrong, or rather exorbitant, fuppofing that many will 
 be recruited out of the regiments now in fervice, and under 
 them : but the allowance will be of great ufe, as it will intereft 
 the officers, and call forth their exertions which other wile 
 would be faint and languid. Indeed I am fearful, from the 
 inquiries I have made, $hat their utmofl exertions will be at- 
 tended with but little fuccefs. It is objected that the bounty 
 of tea dollars is too low j and argued, " if the dates, furnim- 
 ing men for f.ve or fix months, allow confiderable more, why 
 iliould that be accepted when the term of enliilment is to be 
 for three years ?" I heartily with a bounty in land had been 
 or could be given, as was propofed fome time ago. I think it 
 \vould be attended with falutary confequences. 
 
 In confequence of my application to governor Trumbull, he 
 lias fent me two row-gallics; and I expect another from him. 
 None from governor Cooke are yet come 5 nor have I heard 
 from him on the fubjecl. One is complete here. The fire- 
 fhips are going on under Mr. Anderfon's direction, but rather 
 {lowly 5 and I am preparing fome obflruftions for the channel 
 nearly oppoiite the works at the upper end of this ifland. 
 When all things are ready, I intend to try, if it fliall feem 
 practicable, to deflroy the mips and tenders above, and to em- 
 ploy the gallies, if they can be of advantage. 
 
 The militia for the flying camp come in but flowly. By a 
 return from general Mercer yefterday, they are but little more 
 than three thoufand. If they xvere in, or can be there fliortly, 
 and the fituation of the enemy remains the fame, I would make 
 fome efforts to annoy them, keeping our polls here well guard- 
 ed, and not putting too much to the hazard, or in any manner 
 to the rilk. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-Tort, July 29, 1776, 
 
 YOUR favor of the twenty-fourth I received on faturday 
 evening, and, agreeable to your requeft* mall expunge the 
 preamble to the refolution fubje&ing the property of fubjeCls tq 
 the Britifli crown to forfeiture and confiscation. 
 
 Our flock of mulket-powder is entirely made up into car- 
 tridges. I therefore requeil that Congrefs will order four or 
 five tons more of that foit to be immediately forwarded ) it be- 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. .173 
 
 ing not only neceffary that we mould have more for that pur* 
 pole, but alib fome itock to remain in barrels. 
 
 Yefterday evening Hutchinfon's and Sergeant's regiments 
 from Bofton arrived: alfo two row-gallies from Rhode-Ifland. 
 I am fearful the troops have not got entirely clear of the 
 fmall-pox. I mall ufe every poffible precaution to prevent the 
 infedion fpreading j and, for that purpofe, have ordered theia 
 to an encampment feparate and detached from the reft. 
 
 By fcUurday's report from Long-Ifland camp, five fhip.s, a 
 brig, and five fchooners had got into the Hook j by yefter- 
 day 7 s, two {hips more, and a {loop, were ftanding in. What 
 they are, I have not been able to learn. 
 
 I have tranfmitted a general return herewith, by which 
 Congrefs will perceive the whole of our force at the time it 
 was made. 
 
 I have inclofed you an account of the fundry prizes, which 
 was tranfmitted to fevcral gentlemen here by faturday's poft. 
 The two laft prizes 1 did not fee mentioned in the letters 
 (hewn me j and I fear the report of the fecond provifion-veflel 
 is premature. I was alfo this minute informed that captain 
 Biddle had taken a {hip with fugars, for Britain, and, in bring- 
 ing her in, unfortunately loft her on Fifher's-Iiland. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &.c. G. \V; 
 
 SIR, New-York, ^^30, 1776". 
 
 I WAS this morning honored with your two favors of yef- 
 terday's date j and, agreeable to your requeft, have given Mr* 
 Palfrey liberty to negociate your claim with Mr. Brimmer, and 
 wiih it may be fatisfied agreeably to you. 
 
 I laft night received a letter from general Schuyler, a copy 
 of which I do myfelf the honor to tranfmit you. You will 
 thereby perceive his reafons for leaving Crown-Point, and pie- 
 ferring the poft the council of officers determined to take oppo- 
 iite to Ticorideroga. I am totally unacquainted with thofe fe.- 
 veral pofts and the country about them, and therefore cannot 
 determine on the validity of his obfervations, or think myfelf at 
 liberty to give any direction in the matter. 
 
 Congrefs will pleafe to obferve what he fays of their diftrefs 
 for money. From hence he can have no relief, there being on- 
 ly about three or four thoufand dollars in the paymafter's hands 
 according to his return this morning, and all but two months* 
 pay due to the army, befides many other demands.-! could 
 
 wifh 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 wlfn that proper fupplies of money could be always kept : th$ 
 want may occafion confequences of an alarming nature. 
 
 By a letter from him, of a prior date to the copy inclofed, he 
 tells me that a Mr. Ryckman, who has juft returned through 
 . the country of the Six-Nation?, reports that the Indians who 
 were at Philadelphia have gone home with very favorable 
 ideas of our iirength and refcurces. This he heard in many of 
 their villages : a luckly ci re urn: 1 ! a nee, if it will either gain 
 their friendmin or fecure their ne.: : . I ty. 
 
 In my letter of the twenty-'c-: t:iiv.;> 1 informed Congrefs of 
 my views to attempt fomething againfl the troops on Staten-If- 
 land. I slm now to acquaint them, that, by the advice of gene- 
 ral Mercer and other oftlcers at Ambcy, it will be impractica- 
 ble to do any thing upon a large fcale, for want of craft, and as 
 the enemy have the entire command of water all round the If- 
 land. I have defired general .Mercer to have nine or ten flat- 
 bottomed boats built at Newark-bay and Elizabeth-town, with 
 a defign principally to keep up the communication acrofs ITack- 
 iafac and Paffaic rivers, which I deem a matter of great import- 
 ance, and r> :ctrernely neceffaty to be attended to. 
 
 Since I wrote you yefterday, eleven (hips more, four brigs, 
 and two {loops, have come into the Hook. I have not yet re- 
 ceived intelligence what any of tlae late arrivals are ; but I fup- 
 pofe we mall not long remain in a ilate of uncertainty/ 
 
 Having reafoii to believe that Iqrd Howe will readily come 
 into an exchange of fuch prifoners as may be more immediately 
 imder his command, r.nd that fomething will be offered on this 
 fabjecb within a day or two, or rather come in anfwer to the 
 propoiitions I have made general Howe, I fhould be glad to 
 have Congrefs's interpretation of'^he refolve of the twenty-fe- 
 cond inftant, empowering the commanders to exchange, &c. 
 whether, by the' word ^failor? they mean failors generally," 
 as well thofe taken in the veffels of private adventurers by the 
 enemy, as thofe belonging to the continental cruifers, or veffels 
 in the continent's employ \ ou: whether they only defign to 
 extend the exchange to the latter, thofe in their particular 
 employ. 
 
 I v/ould alfo obferve, that, heretofore, failors belonging to 
 merchant (hips that have fallen into our hands, and thofe em- 
 ployed merely as tra.nfports, have not generally been confidered 
 as prifone's. I fubmit it to Congrefs whether it may not be 
 now neceiT.iry to pals a refolve declaring their fentiments on, 
 this fubjer., and, in general, who are to be treated as prifoners 
 of war, that are taken on boaid vcTvk belonging to the i'ub- 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. ifjr 
 
 jeSs of the Britifh crown, .&c. The refult of their opinion up- 
 on the firft queftion propoTed, you will be pleafed to tranfmit 
 me by the earlier! opportunity. 
 
 I have inclofed, for the coiifide ration of Congrefs, a memo- 
 rial and petition by captain Holdridge, praying to be relieved 
 againft the lofs of money ftolen from him, not conceivino- my- 
 felf authorifed to grant his req'ueft, The certificae which at- 
 tends it proves^him to be a man of character ; and his cafe is 
 hard, on his ilate of it. Whether making the lofs good may 
 not open a door to others, and give rife' to. applications not fo 
 juft as his may bs, I cannot determine. That feems to be the 
 only objection to relieving him. 
 
 I am informed by general Putnam that there are fome of the 
 Stockbridge Indians here (I have not feen them myfelf) who 
 exprefs great uneafinefr at their not being employed by us, and 
 Jiave come to inquire into the caufe. I am fenfible Congrefs 
 had them not in contemplation when they refolved that Indians 
 might be engaged in our fervice. However, as they feem fo* 
 anxious, as they were led to eiped it, from what general 
 Schuyler and the other commiffioners did, as we are under 
 difficulties in getting men, and there maybe danger of their (or 
 fome of them) taking an unfavorable part, I beg leave to fub- 
 foit it as my opinion, under all thefe circumftances^ that they 
 Jiad better be employed. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W 
 
 S IR > ^ New-York, Augvjl 2, 1776* 
 
 _ YOUR favor of the thirtieth ultimo, with its feveral In- 
 clofures, I was honored with by wednefday's poft. 
 
 Congref> having been pleafed to leave with me the uirecliorr 
 of colonel \Vard's regiment, I have Wrote to governor Trura- 
 bull, and requeued him to order their march to this place, be- 
 ing fully fatisfied that the enemy mean to make their grand puih 
 in this quarter, and that the good of the fervice requires every 
 aid here that can be obtained. I have alfo wrote to colonel 
 
 Elmore, and directed him to repair hither with his r.epiment. 
 
 When it comes, I {hall fill up commifiions for fuch < ofrice-rs as 
 appear with their refpe&ive companies. 
 
 Colonel Holman, with a regiment from the Maflachufettg 
 "ate, is arrived. Colonel Gary from thence is alfo here, wak- 
 Mg the arival of his regiment which he hourly expecls'. He 
 "*ds t whcrj be left Ncw-Loadon he heard that the thud regk 
 
 merit 
 
2 7 6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 znent from the Maffachufetts was.almoft ready, and would foca 
 be in rao'-ion* 
 
 The enemy's force is daily augmenting and becoming ilron- 
 gci by new arrivals. Yefterday, general Greene reports that 
 about forty fail, including tenders, came into the Hook. What 
 they are, or what thofe have brought that have lately got in, 
 I remain un-informcd. However, I think it probable they are 
 part of lord Howe's Meet, with the Hcffian troops : it is time 
 to look for them. 
 
 J have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. 8. I am extremely forry to inform Congrefs our troops 
 are vcrj- fickly. 
 
 SIR, New-York, Augufi 5, 1776* 
 
 I WAS honored with your favor of the thirty-firft ultimo 
 on friday, with its feveral inclofures \ and return you my thanks 
 for the agreeable intelligence you were pleafed to commuicate, 
 of the arrival of one of our mips with fuch valuable articles 
 as arms and ammunition, alfo of the captuie made by a priva- 
 teer. 
 
 The mode for the exchange of prifoners, refolved on by 
 Congrefs, is acceded to by general Howe, fo far as it comes 
 ^ithin his command. A copy of my letter and his anfwer up- 
 on this fubjecl: I have the honor to incloie you j to which I beg 
 leave to refer Congrefs. 
 
 The inclofed copy of a letter from colonel Tupper, \vho had 
 the general command of th-e gallies here, will inform Congrefs 
 of the engagement between them and the {hips of war up the 
 North-river, on faturday evening, and of the damage we fuf- 
 tained. What injury was done to the (hips, I cannot afcertain. 
 It is faid they were hulled feveral times by our mot. All ac- 
 counts agree that our officers and men, during the whole of the 
 affair, behaved with great fpirit and biavery. The damage 
 done the gallies fhews beyond queition, that they had a warm 
 time of it. The (hips tlill remain up the river j and, before^ 
 any thing further can be attempted againfl tiiem (mould it be> 
 thought advifable), the gallies mud be repaired. 
 
 I have alfo transmitted Congrefs a copy of a letter I received, 
 by faturday's poit from governor Cooke, to w T hich I refer them 
 for the intelligence it contains. This feizure of our veffels by 
 the Portuguefe is, I fear, an event too true. Their depen-i 
 deuce upon the Britilh crown for aid agaifift.tke Spaniards mult 
 
 force,' 
 
OFFICIAL L E T T E R S. v *jr? 
 
 force them to comply with every. thing required of them. 
 I wifh the Morris may get fafe in with her cargo. As to the 
 fhips captain JBuchlin Taw on the twenty-fifth ultimo, they are 
 probably arrived : for yeiterday twenty-five fail came into the 
 Hook. 
 
 By a letter from general Ward, of the twenty-ninth ultimo, 
 he informs me that two of our armed veflels, the day before, 
 had brought into Marblehead a (hip bound from Halifax to 
 Staten-liland. She had in about fifteen hundred and nine 
 pounds' worth of British goods, bendes a good many belonging; 
 to tories. A Halifax paper, found on board her, I have inclof- 
 cd, as alfo an account fent me by Mr. Hazard, tranfmitted 
 him by fome of his friends, as given by the tories taken in her. 
 The intelligence, I dare fay, is true, refpecUng the arrival of 
 part of the Heffian troops. General Ward in his letter men- 
 tions, that, the day this prize was taken, captain Burke, in ano- 
 ther of our armed veffels, had an engagement with a hip and 
 a fchooner which he thought were tranfports, and would have 
 taken them, had it not been for an unlucky accident in having 
 his quarter-deck blown up. Two of his men were killed, a ndl 
 feveial more were wounded. 
 
 The hulks and chevaux de-frife, that have been preparing to 
 obftrucl the channel, have got up to the place they are intend- 
 ed for, and will be funk as fbon as pofnble. 
 
 I have tranfmitted Congrefs a general return of the army in 
 and about this place on the third inftarit, by which they will 
 perceive the amount of our force. 
 
 Before I conclude, I would beg leave to remind Congrefs 
 of the neceility there is of having fome major-generals appoint- 
 ed fer this army, the .duties of which are grer.t, extenfive, and 
 impoflible to be difcharged as they ought and the good of the. 
 fervice requires, without a competent number of officers of this 
 rank. I mean to write more fully Upon the fubjecT: : and, a* 
 things are drawing fait to an iifue, and it is neceffary to ma-iex 
 every proper difpoiition and arrangement that we podlbly can, 
 I pray that this matter may be taken into consideration, and 
 claim their early attention. I well know what has prevented 
 appointments of this fort for fome time paft : but the iituation 
 of our affairs will not juftify longer delays in this inftance. 
 By the firfl opportunity, I fhall take the liberty of giving you 
 my fentiments more at large upon the propriety and necefiity 
 of the rueafurc. I have the honor to bs, &c. G. W. 
 
 Z Ntw- 
 
378 GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 SIR, : Ne-w-Tor^ Augiijl 7, 177$; 
 
 IN rny letter of the fifth, which I had the honor of ad- 
 drafting you, I begged leave to recall the attention of Congrefs 
 to the abiolute neceffity there is for appointing more general 
 officers, promifiing at the fame time, by the firft opportunity, 
 to give my fentiments more at large upon the fubje6t. 
 
 Confident I am that the postponing this meafure has not 
 proceeded from motives of frugality : otherwife I fhould take 
 the liberty of atte&ipting to prove that we put too nuich to the 
 hazard by fuch a faving. I am but too well appriied of the dif- 
 ficulties that occur in the choice. They are, I acknowledge, 
 great \ but at the fame time it mtift be allowed, they are of 
 ihch a nature as to piefent themfelves whenever the fubject is 
 thought of. Time on the one hand does not remove them } on 
 the other, delay may be productive of fatal confequences. 
 
 This army, though far mort as yet of the numbers intended 
 by Congrefs, is by much two unwieldy, for the command of 
 any one man, without feveral major-generals to aflift. For it- 
 is to be obfcrved, that a brigadier-general at the head of his 
 brigade, is no more than a colonel at the head of a regiment, 
 except that he ads upon a larger fcale. Officers of more gene- 
 ral command are at all times wanted for the good order and 
 government of an army, especially when the aimy is compoic-d 
 chiefly of raw troops ; but in an aclion they are indifpenlably 
 neceffary.- At prefent there is but one major-general for this 
 whole department and the flying camp j whereas, at this place 
 alone, left than three cannot discharge the duties with that re- 
 gularity they ought to be. 
 
 If theft major-generals are appointed, as undoubtedly they 
 will, out of the prefent brigadiers, you* will want for this 
 place three brigadiers at leaft. The northern department will 
 require one, if not two (as general '1 hompion is a prilbner^ 
 and the baron Woedtkc reported to be dead or in a itate not 
 much better), there being at pi'efent only one brigadier- general 
 (Arnold) in all that department.-^-For the ea/lern govern- 
 ments there ought to be one, or a major-general, to iupeiin- 
 tend the regiments there, and to prevent impofitions that might 
 otherwife be praclifed. Thefe make tki number wanted to be 
 lix or fevcn : and who are to be i ppo'inted, Congrefs can bell 
 judge. 
 
 To make brigadiers of the cWeft .:o!or>t?s wjMsJd be the leafl 
 exceptionable way : but it is miu^ t<; be -peJlioned, whether 
 by that mode tlie ablcii men ^vo^lj^l bw < ; .ppointtd to office. 
 
 Audi 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS 17$ 
 
 And I would obferve, though the rank of the colonels of the 
 caftern governments was fettled !& Cambridge laft year, it only 
 refpefttid therni'elves, and is ftill open as to officers of other 
 governments. To pick, a colonel- here and, a 'colonel there 
 through the array, according to the opinion .en^artained of their 
 abilities, would no dotibt be the means of making a better 
 choice, and nominating the fitteft perfons : but then the fenior 
 officers would get difguited, and, more than probable, with 
 their connexions, o^uit the fervice. That might prove fatal- at 
 this time. -To appoint gentlemen as brigadiers that had not 
 ferved in this army (in tLis part of it at le^ft), would not 
 wound 'any one in particular, but hurt the whole equally, and 
 mult be confidered in a very difcouraging light by every officer 
 .of merit. View. the matter therefore in any point of light you 
 will', there are inconvenjencies on the one hand, and difficulties 
 on the other, which ought to b avoided. Would they be re- 
 medied by appointing the oldeil colonels from each itate ? . 
 If this mode ihould fye thought expedient, the inclofed lift 
 gives the names of the colonels, from New-Hampfhire to Penn- 
 fylvania inclulive, fpecifying thofe who rank firll, as I am told, 
 in the feveral colony lifts. 
 
 I have tranfmjtted a copy of a letter from Mr. John Glpver, 
 felting forth the nature and grounds of a difpute between him 
 and a Mr. Bradford, refpeiling their agency. Not conceiving 
 myfelf authorifcd, nor having the fmalled inclination to inter- 
 fere in any degree in the matter, it is referred to Congrefs, 
 who will determine and give direction upon it in fuch manner 
 as they (hall judge belt. I will only obferve, that Mr. Glover 
 was recommended to me as a proper perfon for an agent, fvheij 
 we firft fitted out armed veffels, and was accordingly appointed 
 one 7 and fo far as I know, difcharged his office with fidelity 
 and induftiy. 
 
 I receiytjil yefterday evening a letter from general Schuyler, 
 containing lieutenant M c Michael's report, who had been fent 
 a fcout to Ofwego. A copy of the report I have inclofed for 
 the information of Congrefs, leit general Schuyler mould have 
 omitted it in kis letter which accompanies this. He was at the 
 German-Flats when he wrote, \vhich was the fecond inltant, 
 and the treaty with the Indians not begun ; nor had the whole 
 expefted, then arrived. But of thefe things he will have ad- 
 yifed you more fully, I. make no doubt. 
 
 The paymailer informs me he received a fupply of money 
 yefterday. It came very feaibinbly : for the applications and 
 
 clamors 
 
jgo GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 clamors of the troops had become inceffant and diitrefling be- 
 yond meafure. There is now two month's pay due to them. 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 SINCE doling the letter which I had the honor to write 
 you this morning, two deferters have come in, who left the 
 Soiebay man-of-war lail evening. One of them is a native ot 
 New- York. Their account is that they were in the engage- 
 ment with colonel Moultrie at Sullivan's Ifland on the ninth of 
 July (the particulars they give nearly correipond with the 
 narrative feat by general Lee) j -that they left Carolina three 
 Weeks ago as a convoy to forty-five tranfports having on board 
 general Clinton, lord Cornwailis, and the whole fouthern army, 
 confiding of about three thoufand men, all of whom were land- 
 ed lavt week on Staten-Ifland in tolerable health - 7 that, on 
 iunday, thirteen tranfports, part of lord Howe's fleet, and hav- 
 ing on board Heilians and Highlanders, carne to Staten-Ifland ^ 
 that the remainder of the fleet, which was reported to have, 
 in the whole, twelve thoufancl men, had parted with thefe 
 troops off the banks of Newfoundland, and were expected to 
 come in every moment-, that they were getting their heavy 
 carriages and cannon on board, had launched eight gondolas 
 \vith flat bottoms, and two rafts or itages to carry cannon. 
 
 Thefe men understand that the attack will foon be made if 
 the other troops arrive j that they give out they will lay the 
 Jerieys watte with fire and fword ', that the computed ftrength 
 of their army will be thirty thoufand men. They further add, 
 that, when they left Carolina, one tranfpqrt got on fhore, fo 
 that they were not able to give her relief j upon which, ihe 
 furrendered, with live companies of Highlanders, to general 
 Lee, who, after taking every thing valuable out of her, burnt 
 her j that the admiral turned general Clinton out of his ihip 
 after the engagement, with a great deal of abufe j great dif- 
 ferences between the principal naval and military gentlemen ; 
 that the (hips left in Carolina, are now in fuch a weakly dif- 
 treffed condition, they would fall an eafy prey. 
 
 I am, fir, with great refpeft, &c. G. W. 
 
 ilead-^narters, New-York, Augujl 7, 1776. 
 on* o'clock P. M. 
 
 The fhips are changing their pofition, and the men-of-war 
 vqrmmg ^nto a line ; but I ilill thiiik they will wait the arrival 
 
 of 
 
O F F I C I A L L E T T E R & 
 
 the remaining Heflians before any general attack will 
 de. Monday's return will fhew our ilrcngth here. 
 
 be 
 
 SIR, New-Tort, dujitjl 8, 1776. 
 
 BY yeflerday morning's poft, I was honored with your 
 favor of the fecond inilant, with fundry refolutions of Congrefs, 
 to which 1 mall pay ftrict attention. 
 
 As the proportion for employing the Stockbridge Indians 
 lias been approved, i have wrote to Mr f .lEfd^ards, one of the 
 commillioners, and who lives among theni, requeuing him to 
 engage them, or fuch as are willing, to enter the T^rvice. I 
 Ijave directed him to indulge them with liberty to j^In this or 
 the northern army, or both, as their inclinations mgy lead. 
 
 I with the falutary confequences may refult *om the regular 
 tion refpec~ling feamen taken, that Congrefs have in view. 
 From the nature of this kind of people, and the privileges 
 granted on their entering into our fervice, I mould fuppofc ma- 
 ny of them will do it We want them much. 
 
 I yeilerday tranfmitted the intelligence I received from the 
 deferters from the Solebay man-of-war. The inclofed copy of 
 a letter by latl night's poft, from the honorable Mr. Bowdoin, 
 xvith the information of a captain Kennedy lately taken, corro- 
 borate their accounts- refpeaing the Heflian troops. Indeed 
 his report makes the fleet and armament, to be employed a- 
 gainft us, greater than we have heard they would be. Howe- 
 ver, there remains no doubt of their being both large and for- 
 midable, and fuch as will require our moil vigorous exertions 
 to oppole them. Perfuaded of this, and knowing how much 
 inferior our numbers are and will be. to theirs when the whole 
 of their troops arrive, of the important confequences that 
 may and will flow from the appeal that will foon be made, I 
 have wrote to Connecticut and New-Jerfey, for all the fuccouc 
 they can afford, and alfo to the convention of this flate. What 
 I may receive, and in what time, the event muft determine. 
 But I would fain hope, the fituation and the exigency of our 
 affairs will call forth the moft ilrenuous efforts and early afliil-' 
 ance of thofe who are friends to the caufe. I confeis there is 
 but too much occafion for their exertions. I confidently trull 
 they will not be withheld. 
 
 I have inclofed a copy of a letter from Mr. Bowdoin refpecl- 
 ing the eailern Indians. Congrefs will thereby, perceivs that 
 they profefs themfclvcs to be well attached to our intcreil, 
 
igs GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 and the fummary of the meafures taken to engage tliem in 
 our fervice. I have the treaty at large between the honorable 
 .council of the MaiTadiufetts, on behalf of the United States, 
 with the delegates of the Saint- John's and Mikrnac tribes. The 
 probability of a copy's being fent already, and its great length, 
 prevent one coming herewith. If Congrefs had it not fofwaid- 
 ed to them, I will fend a copy by the firit opportunity iifisr no- 
 tice that it has not been received. 
 
 .Auguft 9. By a report received from general Greene Ja(l 
 night, at funfet and a little after, about a hundred boats were 
 feen bringing traps i. rom Staten-Iiland to the {hips, three of 
 which had JLilen dow n towards the Narrows, having taken in 
 jfoldiers fr<bi thirty of the boats. He adds, that, by the belt 
 obfervatiorti of feveraJi officers, there appeared to be a general 
 embarkation'!, 
 
 I have wrote \*> general Mercei? for two thoufand men from the 
 fiying camp. Colonel Smallwood's battalion, as p^rt of them, 
 I expefb this forenoon : but where the reft are to ?ome from, I 
 know not, as, by the general's laft ret.urn, not more than three 
 or four hundred of the new levies had got in. 
 ' In my letter of the fifth I inclofed a general return of the ar* 
 m^ under my immediate command : but I imagine the follow- 
 ing ftate will -I.\e CongreFs a more perfecY idea, tlipugh not a 
 more agreeable one, of our fituation. For the feveral pods on 
 Ndw-York, Long and Governor's iflands, 'and Paii|us-Hook, we 
 have,' fit for duty, ten thoufand five hundred and fourteen,-; 
 ilck prefent, three thoufand and thirty-nine fick abfcnt, fix hun- 
 dred and twenty-nine, on command, two thoufand nine hun- 
 dred and forty-fix r -^on furlough, ninety-feven, total, feven- 
 teen thoufand t\vo hundred and twenty-five. In addition to 
 thefe, we are only certain of colonel Smallwcod's battalion in 
 cafe of an immediate attack. Our p-ofls are too much divid- 
 ed, having waters between many of them, and iome diltaut from 
 others, fifteen miles. Tbefe circumftances, fufficiently diilrelT- 
 zng of themfelves, are much aggravated by the fickneis that 
 prevails through the army. Every day more or lefs are ta- 
 ken down ; fo that the proportion of men that may come in can- 
 not be confidered as a real and fcrviceable augmentation on the, 
 whole. 
 
 Thefe things are melancholy ; but they are nevcrthelels true. 
 I hope for better. Under every difadvantage, my utmoft exer- 
 tions mall be employed to bring about the great end we have 
 in view : and, fo far as 'I can judge from the profefiions and ap- 
 parent difpofition of my troops, I fa all have their fupport. The 
 
 Superiority 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 3 8 3 
 
 fupeiiorlty of the enemy and the expelled attack do-*not feeiri 
 to have depreiTed their fpirits. Thefe confederations lead me 
 to think, that, though the appeal may not terminate fo happily 
 in our favor as I could wifii, yet they will not iucceed in their 
 views without confiderable lofs. Any advantage they may get^ 
 I truft, will coft them dear. 
 
 Eight o'clock , A. M. 
 
 By the reverend Mr. Madifon and a Mr. Johnfon, two gen- 
 tlemen of Virginia, who came from Staten-Jfland yelierday^ 
 tvhere they arrived the day before in the packet with colonel 
 Guy Johnfon, I am informed that nothing material had taken 
 place in England when they left it j that there had been a 
 change in the French minirlry. which, many people thought, 
 foreboded a war : that it feemed to be believed by many that 
 Congrefs would attempt to buy yfT the foreign troops, and that 
 it might be effected without great difficulty. Their accounts 
 fiom Staten-Iiland nearly correfpond with what we had before 3 
 they fay that every preparation is making for an attack j that 
 the force now upon the ifland Js about fifteen thoufand j that 
 they appear very impatient for 'the arrival of the foreign troops, 
 but a very fmall part having got jn. Whether they w r ould at- 
 t'empt any thing before they come^ they are; uncertain : but 
 they are fure they will as foon as they arrive, if not before.* 
 They fay, from what they could colled from the converfation 
 of officers, 6tc. they mean to hem us in by getting above us and 
 cutting off all communication with the country. 
 
 That this is their plan, feems to be corroborated and con- 
 firmed by the circumftance of fom.e mips of war going out at 
 different times within a few days paft, and other veffels. It is 
 probable that a part are to go round and come up the Sound. 
 
 Mr. Madifon fays lord Howe's powers were not known when 
 he left England j~that general Conway moved, before his> de 
 parture, ,that they might be laid before the commons 5 and 
 had his motion rejected by a large majority. 
 
 i have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Ncw-Ttjr}, Atiguft 12, 1776.' 
 
 I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the 
 eighth and tenth inftant, with their feveral inclofures. I {hall 
 pay attention to the refolution refpecling lieutenant Jofiah, and 
 attempt to relieve him from his rigorous ufage. Your letters. 
 
 tfl 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 to fuch of the gentlemen as were here Lave been delivered* 
 The" reft will be fent by the firft opportunity. 
 
 iiince my lail of the eighth and ninth, the enemy have made 
 no movements of confequence. They remain nearly in the fame 
 ilate j nor have we any further intelligence of their defigns. 
 They have not been yet joined by the remainder of the rlect 
 with ihe Hefiian troops. 
 
 Colonel bmallwood and his battalion got in on friday ; and 
 colonel Miles is alfo here with two battalions more of Pennfyl- 
 
 riflemen. 
 
 The convention of this flate have been exerting themfelves 
 to call forth a portion of their militia to an encampment form-* 
 ing above Kingforidge, to remain in fervlce for the fpace of one 
 li after their arrival there ; and alfo half of thofe in King 
 and Queen's counties, to reinforce the troops on Long-Ifland 
 t-,!l the fir ft of September, unlefs fooner discharged. General 
 j is too is to take poll with his brigade on the Sound and 
 Jiudfor's -river for ten days, to annoy the enemy in cafe they 
 attempt to land j and others of their militia are dire6led to be 
 511 readiiv.-fs, in cafe their aid ihould be acquired. Upon the 
 %vhole, from the information I have from the convention, the 
 jmlitia ordered are now in motion, or will be in a little time, 
 and will amount to about three thoufand or more. From Con- 
 necticut, I am not certain what iuccours are coming. Ey one 
 cr two gentlemen who have come from thence, I am told fome 
 cf the iniiitia are aiiVmbling, and, from the intelligence they 
 had, would march this week. 
 
 By a letter from governor Trumbull, of the fifth, I am nd- 
 vifed that the troops from that ft ate, de timed for the northern 
 army, had marched for Skenefborough. General Ward too, 
 by a letter of the fourth, informs me that the regiments would 
 march from Bofton lair, week, having been eleanfed and gene- 
 lally recovered from the fmall-pox. I have alio countermand- 
 ed my orders to colonel Elmore, and directed him to join the 
 northern army, having heard, after my orders to Connecticut 
 for his marching hither, that he, and moil of his regiment were at 
 Albany or within its vicinity. General Ward mentions that 
 the council of the Maffachufetts ilate will have in from two or 
 three thoufand of their militia to defend their lines and difitr- 
 ent polls, in lieu of the regiments ordered from thence agreea- 
 ble to the refolution of Congrels. 
 
 The inclofed copy of a refolve of this (late, pafTed the tenth 
 inftant, will difcover the apprehenfion they are under of the defec- 
 tion of the inhabitants of King's county from the common cauic, 
 
 and 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 Wid of the meafures they have taken thereupon. I have diret~ 
 d general Greene to give the committee inch auiilance as he 
 can, and they may require, in the execution of their commif- 
 fion ; though at the fame time, I wiih the information the 
 convention have received upon the fubjel may prove gr'ound- 
 $efs. 
 
 I would beg leave to mention to Congrefs, that, in a 1'etter I 
 received from general Lee, he mentions the valuable confequen- 
 ces that would relult from a number of cavalry being employed 
 in the fouthern department. Without them (to ufe his own 
 expreffions) he can anfwer for nothing : with one thoufand he 
 \vould enfure the fafety erf thole Hates.- I (hould have done 
 myfelf the honor of fubmittirig this matter to Cortgrefs before, 
 at his particular requeli, had it not efcaed my mind. Front 
 his acquaintance with that country, and the nature of the 
 grounds, I doubt not he has weighed the matter well, and pre- 
 fume he has fully reprefented the advantages that would arife 
 from the eftabljihment of. fuch a cerps : all I mean, is, in com- 
 pliance with his reqiiifitipA, to mention the matter, that fucli 
 "confideration may be had upon it (if not . already determined} 
 as it may be deferving of. 
 
 -I have tranfrnitted a general return, whereby Congrefs will 
 perceive the. whole of pur ftrcngth, except the two battalion* 
 under colonel Miles, which, coming fince it was made out, are 
 not included. 
 
 I have inclofed a letter jvift tome to han$l from Martinique,, 
 Congrefs will pleafe to confider of the purport, favoring me 
 with their anfwer and a return of- the letter. 
 
 This moment (ten o'clock) feport is made by general Greene 
 that a man-of-war came in-yefterday, and thatlixty fail of ihipa 
 are now Handing in. No doubt tftey are a further part of the 
 Heffian fleet. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c, Q. W* 
 
 Sis., Nei6-Tork> Mgitfi 12, 
 
 THIS will be handed to you by colonel * * * from the 
 northern army,, whom, the inclofed letter and proceedings of a 
 general court-martial will ihew to have been in arrelt, and tri- 
 ed .{'or Aindry matters charged againft him. As tae court-mar- 
 tial was by order of the commander in that Department,, the 
 fuels committed there^ the trial there, I am much at a lofjt 
 to know why the proceedings were referred to r*e to approve 
 
 A a' * cr 
 
186 GENERAL WASHINGTON 1 * 
 
 or difapprov*. As my interfering in the matter would carry 
 much impropriety with it, and fliew a want of regard to the 
 rules and praclice in fuch inftances, and as colonel * * * is 
 going to Philadelphia, I have fubmitted the whole of the pro- 
 ceedings to the confideration of Congrefs for their decifion up- 
 on his cafe, perfetly convinced that fuch determination will 
 be had therein, as will be right and juft. 
 
 J have the honor to be, &c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, New-Tort, dugujl 13, 1776. 
 
 AS there is reafon to believe that but little time will elapfe' 
 before the enemy make their attack, I have thought it advifa- 
 ble to remove all the papers in my hands, respecting the affairs 
 of the flates, from this place. I hope the event will (hew the 
 precaution was neceffary : but yet prudence required that it 
 ihouid be done, left by any accident they might fall into their 
 hands. They are all contained in a large box, nailed up, and 
 committed to the care of lieutenant-colonel Reed, brother of 
 the adjutant-general, to be delivered to Congrefs, in whofe 
 cuftody I would beg leave to depolit them until our affairs 
 {hall be fo circumftanced as to admit of their return. 
 
 The enemy, fince my letter of yeflerday, have received a 
 further augmentation of thirty-fix mips to their fleet, making 
 the whole that have arrived fince yeflerday morning, ninety- 
 fix. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. I would obferve that I have fent off the box privately, 
 that it might raife no difagreeable ideas ; and have enjoined 
 Colonel Reed to fecrecy. 
 
 SIR, New-York, Auguft 14, 1776. 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you on monday, 
 nothing of importance has occurred here, except that the ene- 
 my have received an augmentation to their fleet, of ninety-fix 
 ihips : fome reports make them more. In a letter I wrote 
 you yefterda}* by lieutenant-colonel Reed, I advifed you of 
 this : but prefuming it may not reach you fo foon as this will, 
 I have thought proper to mention the intelligence again. 
 
 Inclofed I have the honor to tranfmit a copy of the exami- 
 nation of a defcrter, fent me this morning by general Mercer, 
 
 to 
 
QFTICIAIi LETTERS. 187 
 
 to which I beg leave 19 refer Congrefs for the lateil accounts I 
 have from the enemy. Whether the intelligence he has given 
 is literally true, I cannot determine : but as to the attack, we 
 daily expedt it. 
 
 Your favor of the tenth, with its inclofures, was duly re- 
 ceived j and I have inftru&ed the feveral officers who were 
 promoted, to a& in their ftations as you requested, though 
 their commiffions were not fent. 
 
 As we are in extreme* want of tents and covering for this 
 army, a great part of fchofe at the out-poils having nothing to 
 ihelter them, nor houfes to go into, I fubmit it to Congrefs 
 whether it may not be prudent to remand thofe that were lately 
 fent to Boflon, where there are no troops at prefent j and, if 
 there were, the necefllty for them would not be great, as the 
 town, and barracks at feveral of the pofts, would be fufficient 
 to receive them. 
 
 The jnclofed letter from lieutenant-colonel Henmaw will dif- 
 cover to Cqngrefs his views and wiflies, which they will conn"- 
 der and determine on, in whatever way they think right and 
 conducive to the public good j meaning only to lay his letter 
 before them. 
 
 I take the liberty of mentioning that colonel Varnum of 
 Rhode-Ifland has been with me this morning to refign his com- 
 miflion, conceiving himfelf to be greatly injured in not having 
 ben noticed in the late arrangement and promotion of general 
 officers.-; I remonftrated againft the impropriety of the mea- 
 fure at this time 5 and he has confented to flay till affairs wear 
 a different afpeft from what they do at prefent. 
 
 Eleven o' ] clock. By a report juft come to hand from general 
 Greene, twenty (hips more are coming in. 
 
 J have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 S,IR, New-York, Auguft 14, 1776. 
 
 THIS will be delivered you by captain Moeballe, a Dutch 
 gentleman from Surinam, who has come to the continent- with 
 a view of entering into the fervice of the ftates, as you xvill per- 
 ceive by the inclofed letters from Mr. Browne of Providence, 
 and general Greene. What other letter? and credentials he 
 has, I know not -, but, at his requeft, have given him this line 
 to Congrefs, to whom he wiihes to be introduced, and where 
 hp will make his pretenfions known. 
 
 I have ordered the quart er-maftcr immediately to write to 
 
 Mr. 
 
i-,8*& GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 Mr. Browne for the R.ufHa duck lie menlions, with diiec"tiofjs- 
 to have it inftantly made into tents there, being in great dii^ 
 trefs for want of a fufficient number to cover out troops. 
 
 I have the honor, to be, &.C.. G. W.- 
 
 SIR, Ncu'-Toi-, Augitft 15, 177^, 
 
 AS the filiation of the trvo armies mud engage the atten- 
 tion of Congrefs, and lead them to expe6b that each returning 
 day will produce feme important events, this is meant to in- 
 form them that nothing of moment has yet c a ft- up. In the 
 evening of yeftdrday there were great movements among their 
 boats; and, from 'trie number that appeared to be pairing and 
 Ttpaffing about the Narrows, xve were induced to believe they- 
 intended to land a part of their force upon Long-Iiland : but, 
 having no report from general Greene, I prefume they have 
 riot done it. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.. 
 
 P. -S.' Y'our favor of the thirteenth was received by yefter- 
 dny's pofL I wrote on monday by the return exprefs, as you 
 iuppofed. 
 
 16, 
 
 I BEG leave to inform you, that, fince I had the plea- 
 fare of addreriing you yeiierday, nothing intereiling betweer* 
 the two armies has happened. Things remain nearly in the 
 Jltuation they then weTe. 
 
 It is with peculiar regret and concern that I have an oppor- 
 tunity of mentioning to Congrefs the lickly condition of our 
 troops. In fome regiments there are not a ? :y of the field-offi- 
 cers capable of doing duty : in others the duty is extremely 
 difficult fur want of a fufficient number. I have been obliged 
 to nominate feme till Congrefs transmit the appointments of 
 thofe they with to fucceed to the icveral vacancies occafioned, 
 by the late promotions. This, being a matter of forne coufe- 
 quence, I prefume will have their early attention, and' that they 
 v/ill fill up the feveral vacancies ailo mentioned in the li(t I had 
 the honor of tranfmitting fome few days ago to. the board of 
 var. 
 
 1 aro, fir, with the utra.oi^ refpea, &,c. G. W. 
 
 New** 
 
O F FT C I A L LETTER S. 
 
 SIR, New-York, Augufl 17, 1776.. 
 
 THE circumstances of the two armies having undergone 
 :no material alteration fince I had the honor of writing to you 
 laft, I have nothing particular or important to communicate re- 
 ipecting them. 
 
 In my letter of yefterday I forgot to mention the arrival of 
 .lord Dunmore here. By the examination of a captain Hunter 
 (who efcaped from the enemy, and came to Araboy on the 
 fourteenth) tranfmltted me by general Roberdeau, I am cer- 
 tainly informed his lordihip arived on the thirteenth. The ex- 
 amination does not fay any thing about the ihips he brought 
 with him : it only extends to his force, which it mentions to 
 be weak. 
 
 I before now expected the enemy would havs made their at- 
 tack : nor can I account for their deferring it, unlefs the intel- 
 ligence, given by captain Hunter and another perfon who ef- 
 caped about the fame time, is the caufe, to wit, that they are 
 waiting the arrival of another divilion of the Heffian troops, 
 which (they fayj is ftill out. Whether that is the reafon of 
 the delay, I cannot undertake to determine : but I mould fup- 
 pofe things will not long remain in their prefent flate. I have 
 inclofed a copy of general Roberdeau's Latter, and of the exa- 
 mination of thofe two perfons, which will (hew Congrefs all 
 tiie information they have given, upon thefe fubje&s. 
 
 I am juft now advifed by Mr. A,n'e who came from Phila-. 
 ,<lelphia to build the row-gallies, that two of our fire-veffels at- 
 tempted laft night to burn the enemy's (hips and tenders up the 
 river. He fays that they burned one tender, and one of them 
 boarded the Phoenix, and was grappled with her for near ten 
 minutes ; but me cleared herfelf. We. loft both of the vefTels. 
 His account is not fo particular as I could wiih \ however, I 
 am certain the attempt has not fucceeded to our wifhes. In a 
 little time it is probable the matter will be more minutely re- 
 ported. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, Augujl 18, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE Ueen honored with your favor of the Sixteenth 
 Vvith the inciofurc, and am forry it is not in my power to tranf- 
 rait Congrefs a copy of the treaty as they require, having fent 
 it away with ths' other papers that were in my hands. 
 
 r \ he 
 
i$z GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 The refolution they have entered into refpefting the foreign 
 troops, I am perfuaded, would produce falutary effe&s, if it 
 could be properly circulated among them. I fear it will be a 
 matter of difficulty. However I will take every meafure that 
 {hall appear probable to facilitate the end. 
 
 I have the honor to inclofe you, for the perufal and confi- 
 deration of Congrefs, fundry papers marked No. t to No. 7 in- 
 clufive, the whole of which, except No. 2 and 7 (my anfwers 
 to lord Drummond and general Kowe) I received yefterday 
 evening by a flag-, and to which I beg leave to refer Congrefs. 
 
 I am exceedingly at a lofs to know the motives and caufcs 
 inducing a proceeding of fuch a nature at this time, and why 
 lord Howe has not attempted fome plan of negociation before, 
 as he feerns fo defirous of it. If I may be allowed to conjec- 
 ture and guefs at the caufe, it may be that part of the HerTians 
 have not arrived, as mentioned in the examination tranfmitted 
 yefterday, or that general Burgoyne has not made fuch pro- 
 grefs as was expected, to form a junction of their two armies, 
 or, what I think equally probable, they mean to procraftinate 
 their operations for fome time, trufting that the militias which 
 have come to our iuccour, will foon become tired and return 
 ii>me, as is but too ufual with them. Congrefs will make their 
 obfervations upon thefe feveral matters, and favor me with the 
 refult as foon as they have done. They will obferve my an- 
 fwer to lord Drummond, who (I am pretty confident) has not 
 attended to the terms of his parole, but has violated it in feve- 
 ral inftances. It is with the reft of the papers : but, if my me- 
 mory ferves me, he was not to hold any correfpondence direclly 
 or indirectly with thofe in arms againft us, or to go into any 
 port or harbor in America, where the enemy themielves were 
 or had a fleet, or to go on board their {hips. 
 
 The treaty with the Indians is in the box which lieutenant - 
 colonel Reed, I prefume, has delivered before this. If Con- 
 grefs are defirous of feeing it, they will be pleai'ed to have the 
 box opened. It contains a variety of papers, and all the affairs 
 of the army, from ray firft going to Cambridge, till it was fent 
 saway. 
 
 This morning, the Phoeni^ and Rofe men-of-war, with two 
 tenders, availing themfelves of a favorable and briik wind, 
 came down the river, and have joined the fleet. Our feveral 
 batteries fired at them in their pafftgc, but without any good 
 that 1 could perceive. 
 
 I have the honor to be, dec. G. W. 
 
 New, 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. it 
 
 SIR, New-York, Augvjl 19, 1776, 
 
 I HAVE nothing of moment to communicate to Cor- 
 grefs, as things sue in the lituation they were when I had lait 
 the honor of addrefling them. 
 
 By a letter from general Ward, of the twelfth, I find that 
 Whitcomb's regiment, on the eighth, and Phinney's, on the 
 ninth, marched from Bofioh for Tyconderoga. 
 
 Governor Trurabull alfo, in a letter of the thirteenth, advi* 
 fes me that Ward's rigiment in the fervice of the iiates was or* 
 the march to this army, and that he and his fcouncil of fafety 
 had in the whole ordered fourteen militia regiments to reinforce 
 us. Three of them have arrived, and amount to about a thow- 
 fand and twenty men. When the whole come in, we (hall be 
 on a much more refpeclable footing than we have been : but I 
 greatly fear, if the enemy defer their attempt for any confider- 
 able time, they will be extremely impatient to return home j 
 and if they mould, we fhall be reduced to diftrefs again. 
 
 He alfo adds that captain Van Buren, who had been fent for 
 that purpofe had procured a fufficient fupply of fa*l-clcith for 
 the veflels to be employed on the lake, and a part of the cor* 
 dagc, in that ftate j and had a piofpe<5t of getting the remain- 
 der. 
 
 As there will be a difficulty in all probability to circulate 
 the papers defigned for the foreign troops, and many mifcarria- 
 ,ges may happen before it can be effected, it may be proper to 
 iurnifh me with a larger quantity than what I already have. 
 
 Inclofcd rjiare- the honor to tranfmit you a general return 
 of our whole force at this time, in which are comprehended the 
 three regiments of militia above mentioned. I am forry it 
 Should be fo much weakened by ficknefs. The return will mew 
 you how it diflreflfes us. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. V7, 
 
 P. S. The poft juft now arrived has brought a further fup- 
 ply of papers ior the Medians, which makes my requlfltion ua- 
 necefl(ary. 
 
 SIR, New-York, Augujl 20, 1776. 
 
 I WAS yefterday morning favored with yours (f ilis 
 feventeenth, accompanied by feveral refolutions of Congrcfs, 
 and commiflTions for officers appointed to the late vacancies in. 
 this army. 
 
 I wrote 
 
.19* GENERAL WASHINGTON 
 
 I "wrote fome day ago to general Schuyler to propofe to c- 
 t;crals Carleton and Burg'oyrie an exchange of pn>. 
 Sequence of a former refolvc of Congrefs ir com- 
 
 nvrtr.clers in each department to negcciate crre. 1 hat of m 
 Meigs for major French, and captain Dearborn's for any officer 
 
 jual rank-, I fubraitted togeneial Howe's confideration, 
 letter, en the fevtnteenth, underllanding their paroles had been 
 ftut him by general Carleton j biA have not yet received his 
 ar;fv;er upon the fubje. 
 
 in refpe& to the exchange of the pftfcners in Canada, if a 
 proportion oa that head has not been already made (and I be- 
 lieve it has net), the inclofed copy of general Caileton's or- 
 deis (tranfraitted rne under leal by major Bigelow, who \ 
 fer.t -with a flag to general Burgoyne from 'i v r nderoga, wkit 
 proceedings o Congrefs on the breach o capitulation at 
 Cedars, and the inhuman treatment of our people after- 
 ivaic'fi) vail iliew it is unneceiTary, as he has d^teimined to fend 
 tlura to their own pi evinces, there to remain as prifoners 5 in- 
 ttrdiciing at the fame time atl kind of intt-rcourie between in 
 and his army, except fuch as may be for the purpoic of implor- 
 ing the king's mercy. 1 he afiaflinalion he mentions, of bri 
 dier-general Gordon, is a faci entirely new to me, and what I 
 never heard of before. I fhall net trouble Congrefs with rny 
 . upon this * * * peiformace, * * * only obferving 
 its defsgp. ii ibmev/hat artful, and that each boatman with 
 ; cluw was furnifhed with a copy. 
 
 .;o transmitted ' y of the major \ r , journal, 
 
 b I beg leave to refer t! nee reported. 
 
 i his return from the tr 
 
 By a letter from general Greene yeflerday evening, he in- 
 foiraed me he had received an exprefs from Hog-Ifland inlet, 
 ;::ng that five of the entmy^s i'mall vefich had appeared at 
 mouth of the creek, with feme troops on board ', alio that 
 he had heard two periaguas were off Oyfter-bay, the whole 
 fuppofed to be after live flock ; and, to prevent liicir getting 
 'he had detached a party of horfe, and two hundred and 
 r;g them twenty lifiemen. I have not receiv- 
 ed fuither intelligence upcfn the fuhject. 
 
 1 ?.ni alfo advifed by the examination of a captnin ]>uttoa 
 of a velTcl that had been taker.) trnfniittcd me by 
 -, that the general report among the 
 : he cr.rnc off, v/as. ..:c: to attac; ' 
 
 -;d to fecure our :ie if poiT.b^c, at the fame 
 
 .. ; part of the^' 
 
 T: is 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 1-93 
 
 This information is corroborated by many other accounts, and 
 is probably true : nor will it be poflible to prevent them land- 
 ing on the ifland, as its great extent afford? a variety of places 
 favorable for that purpofe, and the whole of our works on it are 
 at the end bppofite to the city. However, we (hall attempt tu 
 harrafs them as much as poitible, which will be aH that we can 
 do. I have the honor to be, &c> G. W* 
 
 Si*, New-Tori, Augufl 21, 
 
 INCLOSED I have the honor to tranfmit you a copy o 
 -my letter to lord Howe (as well oa the fubje& of a general ex- 
 change of prifoners in the naval line, as that o lieutenant Jofi- 
 ah in particular) and of his lordlhip's anfwer, which, for its 
 matter and manner, is very different from general Carleton'* 
 orders which were forwarded yefterday. 
 
 The lituation of the armies being the fame as when I had the 
 pleafure of addrelTmg you laft, I have nothing fpecial to com- 
 municate on that head, nor more to add, than that I am with, 
 all poflible refped, &c, G. W* 
 
 SIR, tiew-York, Augufl 22, 1776* 
 
 I DO myfelf the nonor to tranfmit Congrefs a copy of a 
 letter I received yefterday from governor Livingflon, alfo co- 
 pies of three reports from colonel Hand. 
 
 Though the intelligence reported by the fpjr on his return to 
 governor Livingfton has not been confirmed by the event hd 
 mentions (an attack laft night), there is every reafop to believe 
 that one is fliortly deligned. The falling down of feveral fhip* 
 yefterday evening to the Narrows, crowded with men, thofc 
 fucceeded by many more this morning, ^and a great number of 
 boats parading around them (as I was _juft now informed) with 
 troops, ate all drcumftances indicating an attack: and it is 
 not improbable it will be made to-day. It could riot have hap- 
 pened laft night, by reafon of a moft violent gUft. 
 
 We are making every preparation to receive them ; and 
 truft, under the fmiles of providence, witti our own exertions, 
 .that my next, if they do attack, will tranfmit an account that 
 will be pleafing to every friend of America* and of the rights 
 of humanity. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c, G. W", 
 
 B b 
 
1*4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 SIR, New-Tort, Augufl 23, 1776* 
 
 I BEG leave to inform Congrefs, that," yefterday morn- 
 ing and in the courfe of the preceding night, a coniiderable bo- 
 dy of the enemy, amounting by report, to eight or nine thou- 
 fsnd, and thefe all Britifli, landed from the tranfport*fhips 
 mentioned in my laft, at Gravefend-bay on Long-Ifland, and 
 have approached within three miles of our lines, having march- 
 ed acrofs the low cleared grounds near the woods at Flat-bulb, 
 where they are baited, fince my laft intelligence. 
 
 I have detached from hence fix battalions as a reinforcement 
 to our troops there, which are all that I can fpare at this time, 
 not knowing but the fleet may move up with the remainder of 
 
 ' their army, and make an attack hefe, on the next flood-tide. 
 Tf they do not, I mall fend a further reinforcement, mould It 
 be neceffary j and have ordered five battalions more to be in 
 readinefs for that purpofe. 
 
 I have no doubt but a little time will produce fome impor- 
 
 'tant events. I hope they will be happy. -The reinforcement 
 
 detached yefterday went off in highTpirits ; and I have the plea- 
 fuie to inform you that the whole of the army, that are effec- 
 tive and capable of duty, difcover the fame, and great cheer- 
 fulnefs. I have been obliged to appoint major-general Sullivan 
 
 f to the command oil the ifland, owing to general Greene's in- 
 ciifpofition : he has been extremely ill for feveral days^ and 
 {till continues bad. 
 
 By wednefday evening's poft I received a letter from gene- 
 ral Ward, incloiing a copy of the invoice of the ordnance- 
 flores taken by captain Manly, with the appraifement of the 
 fame (made in purfuance of my direction, founded on the order 
 of CoRgrefs), which I do myfelf the honor of tranfmittmg. 
 You will alfo receive the treaty between the commiflioners and 
 the Indians of the Six-Nations, and others, at the German- 
 Plats, which general Schuyler requefted me to forward, by 
 liis letter of the eighteenth inftant. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 Sin, New-York, Augujl 24, 1776. 
 
 THE irregularity of the poft prevents your receiving the 
 
 early and.conftant intelligence it is my wim to communicate. 
 
 This is the third letter which you will probably receive from 
 
 me by the fame poll. The firft was of little or no conference ; 
 
 t but 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. ,9; 
 
 Jtt that of yefterday gave you the beft information I had been 
 able to obtain, of the enemy's landing and movements upon, 
 Long-Ifland. Having occafion to go over thither yefterday, I 
 fent my letter" to the poft-office at the ufual hour, being in-- 
 formed that the rider was expected every moment, and would 
 go out again diredly : but in the evening when I fent to in- 
 quire, none had come in. 
 
 1 now inclofe you a report made to me by general Sullivan 
 after I left Long-Ifland yelterday. I do not conceive that the 
 enemy's whole force was in motion, but a detached party ra- 
 ther. I have fent over four more regiments, with boats, to be 
 ready either to reinforce the troops under general Sullivan, or 
 to return to this place, if the remainder of the fleet at the wa- 
 tering place mould pufh up to the city; which hitherto (I mean" 
 fince the landing upon Long-Ifland) they have not had in their 
 power to do, on account of the wind which has either been a- 
 head or too fmall when the tide has ferved. I have nothing 
 further to trouble the Congrefs with at prefent, than that I am 
 theirs and your molt obedient humble fervant ? G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, Augtifl 26, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the 
 twentieth and twenty-fourth, and am happy to find my anfwer 
 to lord Drummond has met the approbation of Congrefs. 
 Whatever his views were, molt certainly his conduct refpecling 
 liis parole is highly reprehenlible. 
 
 Since my letter of the twenty-fourth, almoft the whole of 
 the enemy's fleet have fallen down to the Narrows j and, from 
 this circumflance, and the ftriking of their tents at their feve- 
 ral encampments on Staten-Ifland from time to time, previous 
 to the departure of the mips from thence, we are led to think 
 they mean to land the main body of their army on Long-liland, 
 and to make their grand pufti there. I have ordered over con- 
 fiderable reinforcements to our troops there, and fliall continue 
 to fend more as ciicumftances may require. There has been a 
 little Ikirmifhing and irregular firing kept up between their and 
 our advanced guards, in which colonel Martin of the Jeriey 
 levies has received a wound in his breaft, which, it is appre- 
 hended, will prove mortal 5 a private has had hit, leg broke by 
 a cannon-ball, and another has received a mot in the groin 
 from their mufketry. This is all the damage they have yet 
 done us ; what they have futfained, is not known. 
 
39* GENERAL WASHINGTON^. 
 
 The (hitting and changing the regiments have undergone o? 
 *?ate has prevented their making proper returns, and of courfe 
 put it out of my power to tranfmit a general on of the army, 
 iiowever, I believe our ftrength is much the fame as it was 
 when the laft was made, with the addition of nine militia regi- 
 ments come from the ftate of Connecticut, averaging about 
 three hundred and fifty men each. Thefe are nine of the four- 
 teen regiments mentioned in my letter of the nineteenth. Our 
 people Hill continue to be very iickly. 
 
 The papers deligneji for the foreign troops have been put int<> 
 feveral channels, in order that they might be conveyed to them > 
 and, from the information I had yeilerday, I have reafon to be- 
 lieve many have fallen into their hands. 
 
 I have inclofed a copy of lord Drummond's fecpnd letter (in,. 
 -jmfwer to mine) which 1 received fince I tranfmitted his firlt, 
 ind which I have thought neceffary to lay before Congreis, that 
 they may pblfefs the whole of the correfpondence between us, and 
 fee how far he has exculpated himfelf from the charge alledged 
 againit him. The log-book he mentions to have fent colonel 
 Mo'ylan proves nothing in his favor. That mews he had been 
 at Bermuda, and from thence to fome other ifland, on his paf- 
 fage from which to this place, the veffel he was in was boarded 
 by a pilot who brought her into the Hook, where he found the 
 Britifti fleet, which his lordfliip avers he did not expedl were 
 there, having underitood their defoliation, was to the fouth- 
 ward. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W 
 
 The following letter is- from one of- the generaPs fecretaries, 
 wbofejignafure w ill a If a appear to a few ofthefubfequent Id- 
 lers in this volume. J 
 
 SIR, New-Turk^ Aug. 27, 1776, 8 o* clock > P. M. 
 
 I THI5 minute return from our lines on Long-Iflaed, 
 where I left his excellency the general. From him I have it 
 in command to inform Congrefs, that yefterday he went there, 
 and continued till evening, when from the enemy's having land- 
 ed a confiderable part of their forces, and many of their 
 movements, there was reafon to apprehend they would make 
 in a little time a general attack. As they would have a wood 
 TO pafs through before they could approach the lines, it was 
 ibo'.ight expedient to plaqs a auiaber o men there on the dii- 
 
 fercnt 
 
O F F I C I A L L JL T T E It S. 
 
 fefent roads leading from where they were ftatkmed r in order to 
 hanafs and annoy them in their march. This being done, early 
 this morning a fmart engagement enfued between the enemy and: 
 our detachments, which, being unequal to the force they had 
 io contend with, -have fuftained a pretty considerable lofs : at 
 lead many of our men are miffing. Among thofe that have 
 not returned, are general Sullivan and lord Stirling. The 
 enemy's lofs is not known certainly : but we are told by fuch 
 o our troops 'as were ii\ the engagement and have come in, 
 that they had many killed and wounded. Qur party brought 
 <pfi a lieutenant, ierjeant, and corporal, with twenty privates^ 
 prifoners. 
 
 While thefe detachments, were engaged, a column of the 
 enemy descended from the woods, and marched towards the 
 centre of our lines with a deftgn to make an imprefTion, but 
 weie repulfed. This evening they appeared very numerous 
 ?bout the fkirts of the woods, where they have pitched feveral 
 tents : and his excellency inclines to think they mean to attack; 
 and force us from our lines by way of regular, approaches, rather 
 than in any other manner. 
 
 To-day, five (hips of the line came up towards the town, where 
 they feemed defirous of getting, as they turned a long time agamit 
 an unfavorable wind : and on my return this evening, I found a 
 deferter from the twenty-third regiment, who informed me that 
 they defign, as foon as the wind will permit them to come up, to 
 give us a fevere cannonade, and to filence our batteries, if pof- 
 iible. 
 
 I have the honor to be, ingrcat hafte,fir, your moft obedient, 
 
 ROBERT H. HARRISON. 
 
 SIR, Long-IJlaad, -dug* 29, half after 4, A. M. 
 
 I WAS laft night honored with your favor of the twenty- 
 feventh, accompanied by fundry refolutions of Congrefs* Thofe 
 icfpecling the officerSj &c. that may be wounded in the fervice 
 of the Hates, are founded much in juflice, and (I fhould hope) 
 may be productive of many falutary confequences. As to the 
 encouragement to the Heflian officers, I wiih it may have the 
 defired effedl:. Perhaps it might have been better, had the of- 
 fer been fooner made. 
 
 Before this, you will probably have received a letter from, 
 Mr. Harrifon, of the twenty-feventh, advifmg of the engage- 
 flvent between a detachment of our men and the enemy on that 
 
 day. 
 
19* GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 day. I am forry to inform Congrefs that I have not heard ei- 
 ther of general Sullivan or lord Stirling, who (they would ob- 
 ferVe j were among the mifiiug aUe the engagement ; nor can 
 I afcertain our lofs. I am hopeful, part of our men will yet get 
 In : feveral did vefterday morning, That of the enemy is alfo 
 uncertain : the accounts are various. I incline to think they 
 fuffered a good deal. Some deferters fay five hundred were 
 killed and wounded. 
 
 There was fome flurmifhihg, the greateft part of yeflerday, 
 between parties from the enemy and our people : in the even- 
 ing it was pretty fmait. The event I have not yet learned. 
 
 The weather of late has been extremely wet. Yefterday it 
 rained feverely the whole afternoon, which diftreffed our people 
 much, not having a fufiiciency of tents to cover them, and 
 what we have, not being got over yet. I am in hopes they will 
 all be got to day, and that they will be more comfortably pro- 
 vided, though the great icarcity of thefe articles dirlreffes us 
 beyond meafure, not having any thing like a fufficient number 
 to protect: our people from the inclemency of the weather j 
 which has occafioned much fickneis, and the men to be alinofl 
 broken down. 
 
 .1 have the honor to be, &.c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, New-York, dugujl 31, 1776. 
 
 INCLINATION as well as duty would have induced me 
 to give Congrefs the earliefl information of my removal and 
 that of the troops, from Long-IflUnd and its indepencies, to this 
 city, the night before latl : but the extreme fatigue which my- 
 ielt and family have undergone, as much from the weather fmce 
 as the engagement on the twenty-feventh, rendered me and them 
 entirely unfit to take pen in hand. Since monday, fcarce any 
 of us have heen out of the lines till our paiTage along the Eaft- 
 river was eS'ected yeiterday morning*, and, for forty-eight hours 
 preceding that, I had hardly been off my horfe, and never clof- 
 ed my eyes j ib that I was quite unfit to write or dictate till 
 this morning. 
 
 Our retreat was made without any lofs of men or ammuniti- 
 on, and in better order than I expected from troops in the fitu- 
 ation ours were. We brought off all our cannon and ilores, ex- 
 cept a few heavy pieces, which in the condition the earth was 
 by a long-continued rain, we found, upon trial, impracticable. 
 The wheels cf the carriages finking up to the hobs, jendered it 
 
 impoffiblc 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 impoflible for our whole force to drag them.; We left but lit* 
 tie provifions on the ifland, except fome cattle which had been 
 driven within our lines, and which after many attempts to force 
 acrofs the water, we found impoflible to effedl, circumftanced 
 as we were. 
 
 I have inclofed a copy of the Council of war held previous 
 to the retreat, to which I beg leave to refer Congrefs for the 
 reafons, or many of them, that led to the adoption of that mea- 
 fure. 
 
 Yefterday evening and laft night, a party of our men were 
 employed in bringing our ftores, cannon, tents, &c. from Go- 
 vernor's-Ifland, which they nearly completed. Some of the 
 heavy cannon lamain there flill, but (I expert) will be got a- 
 way to-day. 
 
 In the engagement on the twenty-feventh, generals Sullivan 
 and Stirling were made prifoners. The former has been per- 
 mitted, on his parole, to return for a little time. From my 
 lord Stirling I had a letter by general Sullivan (a copy of 
 which I have the honor to tranfmit) that contains his formati- 
 on of the engagement with his brigade. It is not fo full and 
 certain as I could wilh : he was hurried moft probably, as his 
 letter was unfinifhed : nor have I been yet able to obtain an 
 exacl account of our lofs : we fuppofe it from feven hundred 
 to a thoufand killed and taken. 
 
 General Sullivan fays lord Howe is extremely defirous of 
 feeing fome members of Congrefs j for which purpofe he was. 
 allowed to come out, and to communicate to them what has paf- 
 fed between him and his lordfhip. I have confented to his go- 
 ing to Philadelphia, a? I do not mean, or conceive it right, to 
 withhold, or prevent him from giving, fuch information as he 
 poffeffes in this inftance. 
 
 I am much hurried and engaged in arranging and making 
 new difpofitions of our forces ; the movements of the enemy re- 
 quiring them to be immediately had ; and therefore have only 
 time to add, that I am, with my beft regards to Congrefs, their 
 and your moft obedient, &c. . G. \V 
 
 SIR, New-York, September 12, 1776* 
 
 AS my intelligence of late has been rather unfavorable, 
 and would be received with anxiety and concern, peculiarly hap- 
 py fhould I efteem myfelf, were it in my power at this time to 
 tranfmit fuch information to Congrefs, as would be more pleaf- 
 
200 GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 ing and agreeable to their willies : but, unfortunately for me, 
 unfortunately for them, it is not. 
 
 Our iituation is truly diilrefling. The check Our detachment 
 fuftained on the twenty-fevcnth ultimo has difpirited too great 
 a proportion of our troops, and filled their minds with appre- 
 henfion and defpair. The militia, inttead of calling forth their 
 titmoft efforts to a brave and manly oppofition in order to re- 
 pair our loffes, are difmayed, intractable, and impatient to re- 
 turn. Great numbers of them have gone off, in fome inltan- 
 ces, alrnoft by whole regiments, by half ones and by companies 
 at a time. This circumftance, of itfelf, independent of others, 
 when fronted by a well appointed army iupeiior in number to 
 our whole collected force, would be fufBciently difagreeable : 
 "but, when their example has infected another part of the army, 
 \vhen their want of discipline, and refufal of almoft every kind 
 of reflrayit and government, have produced a like condu6t but 
 too common to the whole, and an entire difregard of that or- 
 der and fubordination neceffary to the well doing of an army, 
 and which had been inculcated before, as well as the nature o 
 our military eftablilhment would admit of, our condition is 
 Hill more alarming : and with the deepeft concern I am obliged 
 to confeis my want of confidence in the generality of the 
 troops. 
 
 All thefe circum fiances fully confirm the opinion I ever en* 
 tertained, and which I more than once in my letters took the 
 liberty of mentioning to Congrefs, that no dependence could be 
 put in a militia, or other troops than thofe cnlifted and embo- 
 died for a longer period than our regulations heretofore pre- ' 
 icribed. I am perfusded, and a fully convinced as I am of a* 
 ny one facl that has happened, that our liberties mull of necef- 
 ftty be greatly hazarded if not entirely loft, if their defence is 
 l?it to any but a permanent {landing army, I mean, one to ex- 
 ift during the war. Nor would the expenfe, incident to the .j 
 Inpport of fuch a body of troops as would be competent to al* 
 mod every exigency, far exceed that which is daily incurred 
 :-alliag in fuccour, and new enliftments> which, when effecV 
 <:d, are not attended wkh any good confequences. Men who 
 have been free, and fubjet to no controul, cannot b reduced to 
 or<ler in an inPtant : and the privileges and exemptions, they claim 
 and will have, influence the conduct of others , and the aid de- i 
 tived from them is nearly counterbalanced by the diforder, ir* 
 Parity, and confufion they occafion. 
 
 1 cannot find that the bounty of ten dollars is likely to pro- 
 duce the ckfired .effeft, When men can get double that fum to 
 
 engage 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. '**t 
 
 fengage for a month or two in the militia, and that militia fre* 
 'qucntly called out, it is hardly to be expected; The addition 
 of land might have a eoriliderable influence on a permanenten- 
 liftment. 
 
 Our number of men at prefent fit for duty is under twenty 
 thoufand : they were fo by the laft returns and befi accounts I 
 could get after the engagement on Long-Iiland j lince which, 
 numbers have deferted. I have ordered general Mercer to fend 
 the men intended for the flying camp at this place, about a 
 thoufand in number, and to try with the militia, if practicable^ 
 to make a diver/ion on Staten-Ifland; 
 
 Till of late> 1 had no doubt in my own mind, of defending 
 this place ; nor mould I have yet, if the men would do their 
 duty : but this I defpair o, It is painful, and extremely grat^ 
 ing to me, to give fuch unfavorable accounts -, but it would 
 be criminal to conceal the truth at fo critical a juncture. Eve- 
 ry power I poffefs mail be exerted to ierve the caufe ; and my 
 firft wifh is, that whatever may be the event, the Gongrefs will 
 do me the juftice to think fo. 
 
 If we fhould be obliged to abandon the town, ought it to 
 ftand as winter-quarters for the enemy ? They would derive 
 great inconveniences from it on the one hand j and much pro- 
 perty would be deftroyed on the other.- It is an important 
 queiUon, but will admit of but little time for deliberation. 
 At prefent I dare fay the enemy mean to preferve it if they 
 can. If Congrefs therefore mould refolve upon the definition, 
 of it, the resolution (hould be a profound fecret, as the know- 
 ledge of it will make a capital change in their planSi 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c* G. W* 
 
 SiRj New-York, Septefnber 4, 1776. 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addrefTing you on the fecond, 
 our affairs have not undergone a change for the better, nor af- 
 fumed a more agreeable afpecl: than what they then wore. The 
 militia under various pretences, of ficknefs, Sec. are daily di- 
 minifhing \ and in a little time, I am perfuadedj their number 
 will be very inconiiderable. 
 
 On monday riight a forty-gun (hip pafled up the found be- 
 tween Governor's and Long-I(Und, and anchored in Turtle-bay. 
 In her paffage She received a difcharge of cannon from our bat- 
 teries, but without any damage 5 and having a favorable winei 
 and tide, foon got out of their reach. Yefterday morning I 
 
 C e difpatchcd 
 

 
 202 GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 difpatched major Crane of the artillery, with two twelve pon- 
 ders and a howitzer, to annoy her - ? who, hulling her feve- 
 ral times, forced her from that flation, and to take ihelter be- 
 hind an ifland, where ine flill continues. There are ieveral 
 other mips of war in the Sound, with a good many tianfnorts 
 or ftore-fhips which came round Long-Ifland, fo that the com- 
 munication is entirely cut of?. The admiral with the main &o- 
 dy of the fleet, is clofe in with GoverncrVIiland. 
 
 Judging it expedient to guard again ft every contingency as 
 .far ar our peculiar iltuation will admit, and that we may have 
 refourqes. left if. obliged to abandon this place, I have lent away 
 and am removing above Kingfbridge all our ftores that are un- 
 necefiary, and that will not be immediately wanted. 
 
 .1 have enclofed feveral original letters from fome of our officers 
 prifoners at Quebec, which fell into general Gates's hands, and 
 were tranfmitted by him to general Schuyler who fent them to 
 me. General Gates adds, that the perfons who brought them 
 faid general Burgoyne had fent melTages to the inhabitants upon 
 .the lakes, inviting their continuance on their farms and aiTuririg 
 them that they fliculd remain in fecurity. 
 
 The poft-mafter having removed his office from the city to 
 Dobbs's-ferry, as it is faid, makes it extremely inconvenient, 
 and will be the means of my not giving fuch conftant and re- 
 gular intelligence as I could wifh. Cannot fome mode be de~ 
 vifed, by which we may have a pretty conftant and certain in- 
 tercourfe and communication kept up ? It is an interefting matter, 
 and of great importance j and, as'fuch, I am peifuaded, will 
 meet with due attention from Congrefs. 
 
 I have tranfmitted the copy of general Gates's letter as fent 
 me by general Schuyler, from which Congrefs will difcover all 
 the information I have refpefting general Burgoyne's meffage, 
 and my lateft intelligence from Tyconderoga, with the returns 
 of the army there. Thofe of the army here is impoifible to 
 obtain, till the hurry and buftle we are now in are a little over. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. Congrefs will perceive, by general Gates's letter, his 
 want of mufket-cartridge-paper. It is impoffible to fupply him 
 from hence'. They will therefore be pleafed to order what he- 
 wants (if it can be procured) to be immediately fent him from 
 Philadelphia. 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 203 
 
 New-York, September 6, 1776. 
 
 I WAS laft night honored with your favor of the third, 
 with, fundry refolutions of Congrefs : and perceiving it to be 
 their opinion and determination that no damage fhall be done 
 the city in cafe we are obliged to abandon it, I fhall take every 
 meafure in my power to prevent it. 
 
 Since my letter on the fouith, nothing very material has oc- 
 curred-, unlefs it is that the fleet feem to be drawing more to- 
 gether and all getting clofe in with Governor's-Ifland. Their 
 defigns we cannot learn j nor have we been able to procure the 
 ieaft information of late, of any of their plans or intended ope- 
 rations. 
 
 As the enemy's movements are very different from what we 
 expected, and from their large encampments a confiderable 
 diftance up the Sound, there is reafon to believe they intend to 
 make a landing above or below Kingfhridge, and thereby to 
 hem in our army, and cut off the communication with the coun- 
 try, rl mean to call a council of general officers to.-day or to- 
 morrow, and endeavor to digeft and fix upon fome regular and 
 certain fyftem of conduct to be purfued in order to baffle their 
 efforts and counteract their fchemes j and alfo to determine of 
 the expediency of evacuating or attempting to maintain the 
 city and the feveral ports on this ifland. The refult of their 
 opinion and deliberations I fhall advife Congrefs of by the ear- 
 liefl opportunity, which will be by exprefs, having it not in my 
 power to communicate any intelligence by poll, as the office is 
 removed to fo great a diftance, and entirely out of the way. 
 
 I have inclofed a lift of the officers who are prifoners, and 
 from whom letters have been received by a flag We know 
 there are others not included in the lift. 
 
 General Sullivan having informed me that general Howe was 
 willing that an exchange of him for general Prefcot fhouldtake 
 place, . it will be proper to fend general Frefcot immediately, 
 that it may be effected. 
 
 As the militia regiments in all probability will be impatient 
 to return, and become prefling for their pay, I fhall be glad of 
 the direction of Congrefs, whether they are to receive it here 
 or from the conventions or aflemblies of the refpeclive ftates to 
 which they belong. On the one hand, the fettlement of their 
 abftracts will be attended with trouble and difficulty : on the 
 other, they will go away much better fatisfied, and be more 
 ready to give their aid in future, if they are paid before their 
 Departure. 
 
 Before 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 Before I conclude, I muft take the liberty of mentioning to, 
 Congrefs the great diftrefs we are in for want of money. Two, 
 months' pay (and more to fome battalions) is now due to the 
 troops here, without any thing in the military cheft to fatisfy 
 it- This occafions much diffatisfadion, and almoft a general 
 uaeafmefs. Not a day paiTes without complaints and the moft 
 importunate and urgent demands on this head. As it may in- 
 jure the fervice greatly, and the want of a regular fupply of 
 cafh produce confequences of the moil fatal tendency, I en- 
 treat the attention of Congrefs to this fubjecl:, and ,that we may 
 be provided as foon as can be, with a fum equal to every prefent 
 claim. 
 
 I have wrote to general Howe, propofino- an exchange of ge- 
 neral M'Dorald for lord Stirling, and mall be extremely happy 
 to obtain it, as well as that of general Sullivan for general Pref- 
 cot, -being greatly in want of them, and under the neceffity of 
 appointing, pro tem.pore, fomc iif the colonels to command bri- 
 gades. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. As two regiments from North-Carolina and three re- 
 giments more from Virginia are ordered here, if they could 
 embark at Norfolk, &c. and come up the bay with fecurity, it 
 would expedite their arrival, and prevent the men from a long 
 fatiguing march. This however mould not to be attempted if 
 the enemy have veffels in the bay, which might probably inter- 
 cept them, 
 
 SIR, New-York, September 7, 1776. 
 
 THIS will be delivered you by captain Martindale and 
 lieutenant Turner, who were taken laft fall in the armed bn^' 
 Waihington, and who, with Mr. Childs the fecond lieutenant, 
 fcave lately effected* their efcape from Halifax. Captain mar- 
 tindale and thefe two officers have applied to me for pay from 
 the firft of January till this time : but, not conceiving myfelf 
 authorifed to grant it, however rcafonable it may be, as they 
 were only engaged till the laft of December, at their inftance 
 I have mentioned the matter to Congrefs, and fubmit iheir cafe 
 to their conlideration. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 New- 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 
 
 SIR, New-York, Head-quarters^ Sept. 8, 1776, 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you on the fixtl* 
 inftant, I have called a council of the general officers, in order 
 to take a full and comprehenfive view of our fituation, and 
 thereupon form fuch a plan of future defence as may be imme- 
 diately purfued, and fubjecl: to no other alteration than a change 
 of operations on the enemy's fide may occafion. 
 
 Before the landing of the enemy on Long-lfland, the point 
 of attack qould not be known, or any fatisfaftory judgment 
 formed of their intentions. It might be on Long- 1 (land, on, 
 Bergen, or directly on the city. jpiis made it necefiary to be 
 prepared for each, and has. occaiioqed anexpeufe of labor which 
 now feems ufelefs, and is regretted by thole who form a judg- 
 ment from x after knowledge. But I tru.fl, men of difcernment 
 will think differently, and fee that by fuch works and prepara- 
 tions we have not only delayed the operations of the campaign 
 till it is too late to effect any capital incurlion into the coun- 
 try, but have drawn the enemy's forces to one point and oblig- 
 ed them to \difctye\ their plan, fo as to enable us to foim our, 
 defence on forne certainty. 
 
 It isnow extremely obvious frpra all inteUigence,-*-from their 
 movements, and, every other circumftance, that having landed 
 their whole army on Long-lfland (except about four thoufaud 
 on Staten-Ifland), they mean to inclofe us on the iflan4 * New- 
 York by taking poft in our rear while the (hipping effectually 
 fecure the front j and thus, either by cutting off our communica- 
 tion with the country, oblige us to fight them on their own, 
 terms, or furreoder at difcretion, or by a brilliant ftroke en- 
 deavor to cut this army in pieces, and fecure the collection of 
 arms and ftores, which they well know we (hall not be able foon 
 to replace. 
 
 Having therefore their fyftem unfolded to us, it became an im-t 
 portant consideration how it could be mofl fuccefsfully opppfed. 
 On every fide there is a choice of difficulties \ and every mea? 
 fure o,n our part (however painful the reflexion is from experi- 
 ence) to be formed with fpme apprehenfion that all our troops 
 will not do their c\uty. In deliberating on this great queltion, 
 it was impoflible tq fprget, that hiflory, our own experience, 
 the advice of our ableft friends in Europe, the fears of the ene- 
 my, and even the declarations of Congrefs, demonstrate, that on 
 pur fide the war Ihould be defenfive (it has ever been called 
 a war of pofls) j 4hat we fhould on all occailons avoid a gene- 
 ral 
 
20(5 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 ral a&on, nor put any thing to the rifk, unlefs compelled by a 
 zjeceffity into which we ought never to be drawn. 
 
 The arguments on which fuch a fyftem was founded were 
 deemed unanfwertible ; and experience has given her fan&ion. 
 With thefe views and being fully perfuaded that it would be 
 preiurnption to draw out her young tioops into open ground a- 
 .!} their fuperiors both in number and difcipline, I have ne- 
 ver fpared the fpade and pickaxe. I confefs 1 have not found 
 readinefs to defend even {hong polls at all hazards, which 
 is necefiary to derive the greatett benefit from them. The ho- 
 nor of making a brave defence does not feem to be a fufficient 
 iHmulus when, fuccefs is very doubtful, and the falling into the 
 enemy's hands probable : but I doubt not, this will be gradual- 
 ly attained.- We aie now in a ilrong poll, but not an impieg- 
 riable one, nay, acknowledged by every man of judgment to be 
 untenable, unlefs the enemy will make the attack upon lines when 
 they can avoid it, and their movements indicate that they mean 
 to do fo. 
 
 To draw the whole army together in order to arrange the 
 defence .proportionate to the extent of lines and works, would 
 leave the country open for an approach, and put the fate of this 
 army and its (tores on the hazard of making a fuccefsful defence 
 in the city, or the iiTue of an engagement out of it. On the o- 
 ther hand, to abandon a city which has been by fome deemed 
 defensible, and on whofe works much labor has been bellowed, 
 has a tendency to difpirit the troops and enfeeble our caufe. 
 It has allo been confidered as the key to the northern counrry. 
 But as to that, I am fully of opinion that the e'ilabliihing of 
 flrong poRs at Mount-Wafhin^ton on the upper pait of this if- 
 land, and on the Jerfey fide oppofite to it, with the affiftance of 
 the obftrucYions already ma-le (arid \vhich may be improved) 
 in the water, not only the navigation of IJndfon's-river, but an 
 calier and better communication may be effectually fecured be- 
 tween the northern and fouthern fta'ces. This, I believe, every 
 one acquainted with the fitimtion of the country will readily 
 agree to : ?nd it will appear evident to thofe who have an op- 
 portunity of recurring to good ma^s. 
 
 Tbefe and many other confequences; which will be involved 
 in the determination of our next meaiure, have given our minds 
 full employ, and led every one to form a judgment as various 
 objects preferred themfelves to his view* 
 
 The poll at King/bridge is naturally ftrong, and is pretty well 
 fortified : the heights about it are commanding, and might foon 
 f^e made more fo. Thcfe are important objects, and I have at- 
 tended 
 
OFFICIAL ' LE'TTEIt S 20 ? 
 
 tended to them accordingly. I "have alSd removed frtirn the 
 city all the ftpres and ammunition except what was absolutely 
 neceffary for itj defence, and made every other difpofition that 
 did not effentially interfere with the objeft, carefully keeping 
 in view, until it Oiould be abSolutely determined on full confi- 
 deration, how far the city was to be defended at all events. 
 
 In refolving points of fuch importance, many circumfta'nce* 
 peculiar to our own army alfo occur. Being only provided 
 for a Summer's campaign, their clothes, ffi**, and blankets, 
 will ioon be unfit for the change of weather which we every 
 day feel. At prefent we have not tents for more than two- 
 thirds, many of them old and worn out : but if we had a plen- 
 tiful Supply, the SeaSon will not admit of continuing i n them 
 long. The cafe of our fick is alfo worthy of much coniidera- 
 tion. Their number, by the returns, forms at leatt one-fourth 
 of the army. Policy and humanity require they fhould be 
 made as comfortable as pofTible. 
 
 With thefe, and many other circumftanees before them, the 
 whole council oS general officers met yeftcrday in order to a,- 
 dopt fprne general line of conduft to be purfued at this import- 
 ant cniis, I intended to have procured their Separate opinions 
 on each point -, but time would not admit. I was therefore 
 obliged to collect their SenSe more generally than I could have 
 wifhed All agreed the town would not be tenable if the ene- 
 my refolved to bombard and cannonade it : but the difficulty 
 attending a removal Operated So ftrongly, that a courSe was.tal 
 ken between abandoning it totally and'concentring our whole 
 ftrength for its defence : nor were Some a little influenced ia 
 their opinion, to whom the determination of CongreSs was 
 known, againil an evacuation totally, as they were led to SuS- 
 pea CongreSs wilhed it to be maintained at every hazard. 
 
 It was concluded to arrange the army under three divisions; 
 
 five thouSand to remain for the defence of the city 5 nine 
 
 thoufand to Kingfbridg* and its dependencies, as well to poiTefs 
 
 and Secure thole pofts, as to be ready to attack the enemy who 
 
 I are moving^eaflward on Long-ffland, if they mould attempt to 
 
 | land on this Side ; the remainder to occupy the intermediate 
 
 ipace, and Support either j that the Sickfliould be immediately 
 
 removed to Orange-town, and barracks prepared at Kingibrid^e 
 
 with all expedition to cover the troops. 
 
 ^ There were Some general officers, in whofe" judgment snd op;- 
 
 ion much confidence is to be repoSed, that were for a total and 
 
 immediate removal Srom the city purging the great danger of 
 
 te pan of the army being cut off before the other can 
 
 If 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON" 1 * 
 
 it, the extremities being at leaft fixteen miles apart j-^tliat out 
 army, when collected, is inferior to the enemy ; ; -that they can 
 move with their whole force to any point of attack, and con- 
 icquently muft fucceed by weight of numbers, if they have on- 
 ly a part to oppofe them , -that, by removing from hence, we 
 deprive the enemy of the advantage of their fliips, which will 
 make at leaft one half of the force to attack the town ; that 
 we fhould keep the enemy at bay, put nothing to the hazard, 
 but at all events keep the army together, which may be re- 
 cruited another year ; that the unfpent ftores will alfo be pre- 
 Served ; and, in this cafe, the heavy Artillery can allb be fecur- 
 cd. But they were over-ruled by a majority, who thought for 
 the prefent a part of our fotce might be kept here, and attempt 
 to maintain the city a while longer. 
 
 I am fenfible a retreating army is encircled with difficulties ; 
 that the declining an engagement fubjecls a general to reproach ; 
 and that the common caufe may be affected by the difcourarp- 
 ment it may throw over the minds of many. Nor am I inft'n- 
 iible of the contrary effects, if a brilliant ftroke could be rj#de 
 with any probability of fuccefs, efpecially after our lo&; upon 
 Long-Ifland. But, when the fate of America may be at flake 
 on the iffue, when the wifdom of cooler moments and experi- 
 enced men have decided that we fhould protract the war, if 
 poffible, I cannot think it fafe or wife to adopt a different fyf- 
 tern when the feafon for action draws fo near a clofe. 
 
 That the enemy mean to winter in New-York, there can be 
 feo doubt : that, with fuch an armament they can drive us out, 
 is equally clear. The Congrefs having reiblved that it ihould 
 not be deftroyed, nothing feerris to remain, but to determine 
 the time of their taking poffeflion. It is our intereft and wifh 
 to prolong it as much as podible, provided the delay does not 
 $ffect our future meafures. 
 
 The reilitia of Connecticut is reduced, from fix thoufand, to 
 Icfs than two thoufand, and in a few da^s will be merely nomi- 
 nal. The arrival of feme Maryland troops, &c. from the fly- 
 ing camp, has in a great degree fupplied the lofs of men : but 
 the ammunition they have carried away will be a lofs fenfibly 
 felt. The impuife for going home was fo irrefiftible, it an- 
 i.wered no pui'pofe to oppofe it. Though I would not difchargc, 
 I have been obliged to acquiefce \ and it affords me more me- 
 lancholy proof, how deluiive fuch dependencies are-. 
 
 Inclofed I have the honor to tranfmit a general return, the 
 firft I have been able to procure for fome time ; alfo a report 
 u captain Ncwcli from our works at HornVhook or Hell- 
 sate, 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 409 
 
 Their fituation is extremely low, and the Sound fo very- 
 narrow, that the enemy have them much within their com- 
 mand. -^1 have the honor to be, &c. Q. W. 
 P. S. The inclofed information this minute came to hand. 
 I am in hopes we (hall henceforth get regular intelligence of 
 the enemy's movements. 
 
 SIR, New-Tork, September li, 1776* 
 
 I WAS yefterday honored with your favor of the eighth 
 Jnftant, accompanied by feveral refolutions of Congrefs, to 
 which I (hall pay the ftrifteft attention, and, in the irtltaniges 
 required, make them the future 'rule of my conduct. 
 
 The mode of negociation purfued by lord Howe I did not 
 approve of ; but as general Sullivan was fent out upon the bu- 
 iinefs, and with a ineflage to Congrefs, I could not conceive 
 myfelf at liberty to interfere in the matter, as he was in the 
 character of a piifoner, and totally fubjecl to their power and 
 direction. 
 
 The lift of prifoners, before omitted through hurry, Is now 
 inclofed j though it w r ill probably have reached Congrefs before 
 this. -I (hall write by the firfl opportunity for niajor Hawfakfe 
 to repair to Philadelphia (he is in the northern army) ; > 
 and will alfo mention the federal appointments in confequence 
 of colonel St. Glair's promotion. 
 
 As foon as generals Prefcot arid McDonald arrive, I (hall take 
 meafures to advife general Howe of it. that the propofed ex- 
 change for general Sullivan and lord Stirling may be cariied 
 into execution. 
 
 Since my letter of the eighth, nothing material has occurf ed, 
 except that the enemy have poffeiTed themfelvei of Monte- 
 zore's-Ifland, and landed a confiderable number of troop's upon 
 it. This iiland lies in the mouth of Haerlair-river, which runs 
 out of the Sound into the North-river, and will give the ene- 
 my an eafy opportunity of landing either 1 On the low grounds 
 of Morrifania, if their views are to feize and po-Tefs the paffes 
 above Kingfbridge, or on the plains of Haerlem, if they defign 
 to intercept and cut off the communication between our feveral 
 ports. I am making every difpolition and arrangement that the 
 divided itate of our troops will admit of, and which appear 
 moil likely and the be ft calculated to oppofe their attacks j for 
 I prefume there will be feveral. How the event will be, God 
 only knows ; but you may be affured that nothing in my power, 
 
 D d circumstanced 
 
2io GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 circumflanced as I am, (hall be wanting, to effe<?t a favorable 
 and happy iifue. 
 
 By my letter of the eighth you would perceive that feveral 
 of the council were for holding the town, conceiving it practi- 
 cable for fome time. Many of them now, upon feeing our di- 
 vided fUte, have altered their opinion, and allow the expedi- 
 diency and neceflity of concentring our whole force, or draw- 
 ing it more together. Convinced of the propriety of this mea- 
 fure, I am ordering our ftores away, except fuch as may be 
 abfolutely necefiary to keep as long as our troops remain , 
 that, if an evacuation of the city becomes inevitable (which 
 certainly muft be the cafe), there may be as little to remove as 
 fcoffibltf. 
 
 The inclofed packet contains feveral letters for particular 
 members of Congrefs and for fome gentlemen in Philadelphia. 
 They came to hand yefterday, and were brought from France 
 by a captain Levez lately arrived at Bedford in the Maflachu- 
 fetts ftate. I muft requeft the favor of you to open the pack- 
 et, and to have the letters put in a proper channel of convey- 
 ance to the gentlemen they are addreffed to. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Head-quarter \r, New-York, Sept. 1 2, 1776. 
 
 HIS excellency being called from head-quarters to-day 
 en bufinefs of importance which prevents his writing, I there- 
 fore do myfelf the honor to inform Congrefs of w'hat has hap- 
 pened fince his letter of yefterday. 
 
 Laft evening the enemy tranfported a number of men from 
 Buchanan's to Montezore's ifland, and, by their feveral move- 
 ments, more ftrongly indicate their intention to land fomewhere 
 about Haerlem or Morrifania, moft likely, at both at the 
 "fame time. This morning one of the {hips that have been for 
 fome time in the Sound moved down towards Hell-gate j but, 
 the tide leaving her, (he could hot get near enough to bring 
 her guns to bear upon our fortification. If me means to attack 
 it, it is probable (lie will warp in the next tide. Their batte- 
 ries have kept up a pretty conftant fire againft ours at that 
 place, but without any confiderable effect. This morning they 
 pened a new one. 
 
 I do not recollect any other material occurrence, and fliall 
 only add, that I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
 R. H. HARRISON. 
 
 New* 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 SIR, New-York, September 14, 
 
 I HAVE been duly honored with your favor of the tenth, 
 with the refolution of Congrefs which accompanied it, and 
 thank them for the confidence they repofe in my judgment re- 
 fpecling the evacuation of the city. I could wifh to maintain 
 it, becauie I know it to be of importance : but I am fully con- 
 vinced that it cannot be done, and that an attempt for that 
 purpofe, if perfevered in, might and molt certainly would be 
 attended with qonfequences the mofl fatal and alarming in their 
 nature. 
 
 Senfible of this, feveral of the general officers, fince the de- 
 termination of the council mentioned in my laft, petitioned that 
 a fecond council might be called to reconfider the proportions 
 which had been before them upon the fubject. Accordingly I 
 called one on the twelfth, when a large majority not only de- 
 termined a removal of the army prudent, but abfolutely necef- 
 fary, declaring they were entirely convinced from a full arid 
 minute inquiry into our fituation, that it was extremely peril- 
 ous ; and, from every movement of the enemy, and the intel- 
 ligence received, their plan of operations was to get in our 
 rear, and, by cutting off the communication with the main, ob- 
 lige us to force a paflage through them on the terms they wifh, 
 or to become prifoners in fome Ihort time for want of neceffary 
 fupplies of provifion. 
 
 We are now taking every method in our power to remove 
 the itores, &c. in which we find almoft infuperable difficulties. 
 They are fo great and fo numerous, that I fear we mall not ef- 
 fect the whole before we meet with fom.e interruption. I fully 
 expected that an attack fomewhere would have been made laft 
 night. In that I was difappointed j and happy fhall I be, if 
 my apprehenfions of one to-night, or in a day or two, are not 
 confirmed by the event. If it is deferred a little while longer, 
 I flatter myfclf all will be got away, and our force be more 
 concentred, and of courfe more likely to refift them with fuc- 
 cefs. 
 
 Yefterday afternoon, four {hips of war, two of forty and two 
 of twenty-eight guns went up the Eaft-river, pafling between 
 Governor's and Long-Ifland, and anchored about a mile above 
 the city, oppofite Mr. Stivanfent's, where the Rofe man-of- 
 war was lying before. The defign of their going not being 
 certainly known, gives rife to various conjectures, fome fup* 
 pofing they are to cover the landing of a party of the enemy a- 
 bovc the city, others that they are to aflift in deftroying our 
 
 battery 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 battery at Horn's-hopk, that they may have a free and un-in- 
 terrupted navigation in the Sound. It is an objeft of great im- 
 portance to them, and what they are induftrioufly trying to ef- 
 fect by a pretty conftant cannonade and bombardment. 
 
 Before I conclude, I would beg leave to mention to Con- 
 grcfs, that the pay now allowed to nurfes for their attendance 
 on the fick is by no means adequate to their fervices ^ the con- 
 fequence of which is, that tl^ey are extremely difficult to pro- 
 cure : indeed they are not to be got j and we are under the 
 neceffity of fubftituting in their place a number of men from 
 the refpeclive regiments, whofe fervice by that means is en- 
 tirely loft in the proper line of their duty, and but little bene- 
 fit rendered to the fick. The officers I have talked with upon 
 the fubjeft all agree that they mould be allowed a dollar per 
 W T eek, and that for lefs they cannot be had. 
 
 Our fick are extremely numerous, and we find their removal 
 attended with the greater! difficulty. It is a matter that em- 
 ploys much of our time and care j and what makes it more dii~ 
 treflmg is the want of proper and convenient place* for their 
 qreception. I fear their fufferings will be great and many. 
 However, nothing on my part, that humanity or policy can re- 
 quire, fhall be wanting to make them comfortable, fo far as 
 the itate of things will admit of. 
 
 J have the honor to be, &c. G, W. 
 
 at col. Roger Morris's houfe, Sept. 16, 
 
 ON faturday, about funfet, fix more of the enemy's mips, 
 cne or two of which were men-of-war paffed between Gover- 
 nor's r iflan4 and Red-hook, and went 'up the Eaft-river to the 
 Nation taken by thofe mentioned in my laft. In half an hour 
 I received two exprefies, one from colonel Serjeant at Hqrn's- 
 hook [Hell-gate] giving an account that the enemy, to the a- 
 mount of three or four thoufand, had marched to the river, and 
 were embarking for Barns's or Montezore's-ifland, where num- 
 bers of them were then encamped j the other from general 
 Alifflin, that uncommon and formidable movements were difco- 
 vered among the enemy ; which being confirmed by the fcouts 
 I had fent out, I proceeded to Haerlem, where it was fuppofed 
 (or at Morrifania oppofite to it) the principal attempt to land 
 yyppld be made. However, nothjng remarkable .happened that 
 
 night : 
 
OFFICIAL LETTER S. 
 
 night : but in the morning they began their operations. Three 
 Ihips of war^came up the North-river as high as Bloomingdaltj, 
 which put a total irop to the removal, by water, of any more 
 of our proviiion, &c. and about eleven o'clock, thofe in the 
 Eaft-river began a moil fevere and heavy cannonade, to fcour 
 the grounds, and cover the landing of their troops between 
 Turtle-bay and the city, where breait works had been thiown 
 up to oppofe them. 
 
 As foon as I heard the firkig, I rode with all pofTibls difpatch 
 towards the place of landing, when, to my great furprife and 
 mortification, I found the troops that had been poilecl in tl^e 
 lines retreating with the utmoft precipitation, and thofe ordered 
 to fupport them (Parfons and Fellows's brigades) flying in eve- 
 ry direction, and in the greatell confufion, notwithftaading the 
 exertions of their generals to form them. I ufed every means 
 in my power to rally and get them into fome orcjer : but my at- 
 tempts were fruitless and ineffectual j and on the appearance of 
 a fmall party of the enemy, not more than fixty or feventy, 
 their diforder increafed, and they ran away in the greatefl coajn 
 fufion, without firing a fingle Ihot. 
 
 Finding that no confidence was to be placed in thefe brigade^ 
 and apprehending that another party of the enemy might pafs 
 over to Haerlem plains and cut off the retreat to this place, 1 
 fent orders to fecure the heights in the belt manner with the 
 troops that were llationed on and near them ; which being done, 
 the retreat was effected with but little or no lofs of men, though 
 of a confiderable part of our baggage, occafioned by this clif- 
 graceful and daftardly conduct. 'Moft of our heavy cannon, and 
 a part of our ftores and proviiions which we were about remov- 
 ing, was unavoidably left in the city, though every mean:> (af- 
 ter it had been determined in council to evacuate the poll) had 
 been ufed to prevent it. 
 
 We are now encamped with the main body of the army on 
 the heights of Haerlem, where I fhould hope the enemy would 
 meet with a defeat in cafe of an attack, if the generality of oui- 
 troops would behave with tolerable bravery. But experience, 
 to rny extreme affliction, has convinced me that thts is rather to 
 be wilhed for than expected. However, I trull that there are 
 many who will act lik men, and (hew themfelves worthy o 
 the bleffmgs of freedom. 
 
 I have fent out fome reconnoitring parties to gain intelli- 
 gence, if poflible, of the difpofition of the enemy, and mall in- 
 form Congreis of every material event by the earlieft.oppoitu- 
 riity. I have the honor to be, &c, . W, 
 
 Heatf, 
 
214 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 Head-quarters at col. R. Morris's houfe, Sept. 18, 1776. 
 
 S: 
 
 AS my letter of the fixteenth contained intelligence of an 
 important nature, and fuch as might lead Congreis to expect 
 that the evacuation of New-York and retreat to the heights of 
 Haerlem, in the manner they were made, would he fucceeded 
 by fome other inttrefcing event, I beg leave to inform them 
 that as yet nothing has been attempted upon a large and gene- 
 ral plan of attack. 
 
 About the time of the poft's departure with iny letter, the 
 enemy appeared in feveral large bodies ifpon the plains about 
 two and a half miles from hence. I rode down to our advan- 
 ced pofts, to put matters in a proper fituation if they mould at- 
 tempt to come on. When I arrived there I heard a firing, 
 which, [ was informed, was between a party of our rangers un- 
 der the command of lieutenant-colonel Knolton, and an ad- 
 vanced party of the enemy. Our men came in and told me 
 that the body of the enemy, who kept themfclves concealed, 
 confided of about three hundred as near as they could gaefs. 
 I immediately ordered three companies of colonel Weedon's 
 regiment from Virginia, under the command of major Leitch, 
 and colonel Knolton with his rangers compofed of volunteers 
 from different New-England regiments, to try to get in their 
 rear, while a difpolition was making as if to attack them in 
 front, and thereby draw their whole attention that way. 
 
 '1 his took effect as I v.iihed on the part of the enemy. On 
 the appearance of our party in front, they immediately ran 
 down trre hill, took pofieOion of fomc fences and buihes, and 
 a fmart firing began, but at too great a diftance to do much ex- 
 ecution on either fide. 1 he parties under colonel Knolton and 
 major Leitch unluckily began their attack too foon, as it was 
 rather in- flank than in rear. In a little time major Leitch was 
 brought oil" wounded, having received three balls through his 
 fide ; and, in a iuort time after, colonel Knolton got a wound 
 which proved mortal. Their men, however, perfevertd, and 
 continued the engagement with the greatefl tefolution. 
 
 Finding that they wanted a fuppo'rt, I advanced part of co- 
 lonel Griffith's and cplonel Richardfon's Maryland regiments, 
 with forae detachments from the eaftern regiments who were 
 neareit the place of action. Thefe troops charged the^ enemy 
 with great intrepidity, and drove them from the wood into the 
 plain, and were puihing them from, thence ("having filenced 
 
 their 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 315 
 
 their fire in a great meafure) when I judged it prudent to or- 
 der a retreat, fearing the enemy (as I have fince found was realiy- 
 the cafe) were fending a large body to fupport their party. 
 
 Major Leitch, I am in hopes, will recover : but colonel 
 Knolton's fall is much to be regretted, as that of a brave and 
 good officer. We had about forty wounded : 'the number of 
 flam is not yet afcertained: but it is very inconfiderable. 
 
 By a ferjeant who deferted from the enemy and came in this 
 morning, I find that their party was greater than I imagined. 
 It confifted of the fecond battalion of light infantry, a battalion 
 of the Royal Highlanders, and three companies of Median ri- 
 flemen, under the command of brigadier-general Leflie. The 
 deferter reports that their lofs in wounded and milling was 
 eighty-nine, and eight killed. In the latter, his account is too 
 fmall, as our people difcovered and buried double that number. 
 This affair, I am in hopes, will be attended with many falutary 
 confequences, as it feems to have greatly infpired the whole of 
 our troops. The ferjeant further adds that a confiderable body 
 of men are now encamped from the Eait to the North-river, 
 between the feven and eight-mile Hones, under the command 
 of general Clinton. General Howe, he believes, has his quar- 
 ters at Mr. Apthorp's houfe. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. I fhould have wrote to Congrefs by exprefs before 
 now, had I not expe&ed the poft every minute 5 which, I flat- 
 ter myfelf, will be a fufficient apology for my delaying it.- 
 The late lofles we have fuftained in our baggage and camp ne- 
 ceflaries have added much to our diftrefs which was very great 
 before. I muft therefore take the liberty of requefting Con- 
 grefs to have forwarded as foon as poilible fuch a fupply of 
 tents, blankets, camp-kettles, and other articles, as can be col- 
 lected. We cannot be overftocked. 
 
 Head-quarters at col. R. Morris's hottfe, Sept. 19, 1776. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addrefiing you yefterday, no- 
 thing material has occurred. However, it is probable in a lit- 
 tle time the enemy will attempt to force us from hence, as we 
 are informed they are bringing many of their heavy cannon to- 
 wards the heights and the works we have thrown up. They 
 have alfo eight or nine (hips of war in the North-river, which 
 
CENERAE WASHINGTON'S 
 
 (it is faid) are to cannonade our right flank when they open 
 their batteries againft our front. Every difpofition is making 
 on our part for defence : and Congrefs may be aiTured that I 
 fhnil do every thingin my power to maintain the pod fo long as 
 it 'hall appear practicable, and conducive to the general good. 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 s, Heights of Haertem, September 2$, 17/6. 
 SIR, 
 
 been honored with your favor of the fixteentti 
 "with its irtclofures. To prevent the injury and abufes which 
 would arife from the militia and other troops carrying away 
 nrnmunication and continental property, I have published the 
 JTabflance of the refolves upon the fubjecl: in general orders. 
 
 Since my letter of yefterday, nothing of importance has caft 
 tsp. The enemy are forming a large and extenfive encamp- 
 ment in the plains mentioned in my lail, and are bufily em- 
 ployed in transporting their cannon and ftores from Long-If- 
 land. As they advance them this way, we may reafonably 
 expect their operations will not long be deferred. 
 
 Inclcfed are fundry letters, &c. to which Congrefs will be 
 pleafed to pay fuch regard as they may think them deferving 
 of. The letter from monfieur ..... came open under cover 
 of one to me. Thofe from colonel Hand and colonel Ward 
 contain a lift of vacancies in their regiments, and of the perfons 
 they eiteem proper to fill them. The former, I believe, re- 
 turned no lift before; the latter fays he never got any com- 
 sniflions, Generals Howe and Erfkine's proclamations fliew the 
 meafares that have been purfued, to force and feduce the in- 
 habitants of Loog-Ifland from their allegiance to the Hates,- 
 and to affift in their deftruclion. 
 
 As the period' will foon arrive, when the troops composing 
 tpc prefent army (a few excepted) will be difbanded according 
 to the tenor of their enliftrnents, and the mofl fatal confequen- 
 ces may enfue if a fuitable and timely proviiion is not made in 
 instance, I take the liberty of fuggefting to Congrefs not 
 only the expediency but the abfolute neceiTity there is that their 
 earliefc attention ihould be had to this fubjecl:. In refpecl to 
 the time that troops mould be engaged for, I have frequently 
 given my fcntiments ; nor have I omitted to exprefs my opini- 
 on of the difficulties that will attend railing them, nor of the 
 
 impra6ti- 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 impracticability of effecting it without the allowance of a large 
 and extraordinary bounty. 
 
 ft is a melancholy and painful confederation to thofe who are 
 concerned in the work and have the command, to be forming ar- 
 mies conftantly, and to be left by troops juft when they begin 
 to deferve the name, or perhaps at a moment when an impor- 
 tant blow is expected. This, I am informed, will be the cafe 
 at Tyconderoga with part of the troops there, unlefs fome 
 fyftem is immediately come into, by which they can be induced 
 to flay. General Schuyler tells me in a letter received yefler-t 
 Vtay, that De Haas's, Maxwell's, and Wind's regiments ftand 
 engaged only till the beginning of next month, and that the 
 men, he is fearful, will not remain longer than the time of their 
 enliftment. 
 
 I would alfo beg leave to mention to Congrefs, that the fea- 
 . fon is faft approaching when clothes of every kind will be wa.nt- 
 ecl for the army. Their diftrefs is already great, and Will* be 
 increafed as the weather becomes more fevere. Our fituation 
 is now bad, but it is much better than that of the militia that 
 are coming to join us from the ftates of the Mafiachufetts-Bay 
 and Connecticut, in corifequence of the requisition of Congrefs. 
 They, I am informed, have, not a fingle tent, or a neceiTary of 
 *ny kind ;. nor can I conceive Irow it will be poflible to fupport 
 them. Thefe circumftances are;' extremely alarming, and ob- 
 lige me to wifh Congrefs to have all the tents, clothing of eve- 
 ,ry kind, and camp neceffaries, provided and forwarded, that 
 are to be procured. Thefe eaiiern reinforcements have not a 
 fingle neceffary, not a pan or a kettle, in which we are now 
 greatly deficient. It is with reluctance that I trouble Con- 
 grefs with thefe matters : but to whom can I refort for relief 
 -unlefs to them ? The neceflity therefore, which urges the ap- 
 plication, will excufe it, I am perfuaded. 
 
 I have not been able to tianfmit Congrefs a general return 
 of the army this week, owing to the peculiar fituation of our 
 affairs, and the great fhifting and changing smong the troops. 
 A-s foon as I caa procure one, a eogy ihall be forwarded to 
 Congrefs. /.; 
 
 1 have the honor to be, 8tc. G. W', 
 
 P. S. September 21, 1776. Things with us remain in the 
 fituation they were yefterda^. 
 
 e 
 
31 GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 SIR, Head--^uarters, Haerlem Heights , Sept, 22, J77&"-- 
 
 I HAVE nothing in particular to communicate to Con- 
 grefs refpe&ing the fituatron of our affairs : it is much the faras 
 as xvhen I had thor honor of addrefling you laft. 
 
 On friday night, about eleven or twelve o'clock, a fire broke 
 out in the city of New-York, near the new or Saint Paul's 
 church, as it is faid, which continued to burn pretty rapidly till 
 after funrife the next morning. I have net been informed how 
 the accident happened, nor received any certain account of the 
 damage. Report fays many of the houfes between Broadway 
 and the river were confumed. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters^ Haerlem Heights, Sept. 24, 1776. 
 
 THE poft being about to depart, I have only time to add 
 that no event of importance has taken place on this fide Hud- 
 fon's-river fince my laft of the twenty-fecond inftant. 
 
 The inclofed letter, received laft night from general Greene 
 who now commands in the Jerfeys, will give Congrefs all the 
 information I have refpe&ing the evacuation of Paulus-Hook 
 and the landing of the enemy to poffefs it. 
 
 I this minute obtained a copy of the general return- of OUT 
 force,, the firil I have been able to procure for fome time paft, 
 which I do myfelf the honor of transmitting for the fatisfaclioa 
 of Congrefs. 
 
 I am, fir, with the greateft refpecl, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. The thirteen militia regiments from. Connecticut be- 
 ing reduced to a little more than feven hundred men rank and 
 file fit for duty, I have thought proper to difcharge the whole, 
 to fave the ftates the irnmenfe charge that would arife for offi- 
 cers' pay. There are many militia, too, that have ju'ft come m, 
 and on their way from that (late, none of whom are provid- 
 ed with a tent, ora finple canro utenlil. This diilrefies me be- 
 
 -." O * 
 
 Jond meature* 
 
 Colons! 
 
F i c i A i LETTERS. 
 
 Colonel Morris's on the Heights of Ha.erlem t Sept. 24, 1776, 
 
 SIR, 
 
 FROM the hours allotted to fleep I tvill borrow a few 
 moments to convey my thoughts on fundry important matters to 
 Congrefs. I fliall offer them with the fincerity which ought to 
 charade rife a man of candor, and with the freedom which mav 
 'be ufed in giving ufeful information without incurring the im- 
 putation of prefumption. 
 
 We are now, as it were, upon the eve of another diffolution 
 of our army. The remembrance of the difficulties which hap- 
 pened upon the occafion laft year, the confequences which 
 might have followed the change if proper advantages had been 
 taken by the enemy, added to a knowledge of the prefent 
 tamper and fituation of the troops, reflect but a very gloomy 
 -profpedl upon the appearances of things now, and fatisfy me be- 
 yond the poflibility of doubt, that, unlefs fome fpeedy and ef- 
 fectual rncafures are adopted by Congrefs, our caufe will be 
 loft. 
 
 It is in vain to expedl that any or more than a trifling part 
 of this army will again engage in the fervice on the encourage- 
 ment offered by congrefs. When men find that their townfmea 
 and companions are receiving twenty, thirty, and more dollars, 
 for a few months' fervice (which is truly the cafe), it cannot 
 be expected, without uiing compulfion : and to force them into 
 the fervice would anfwer no valuable purpofe. When men are 
 irritated, and the p-iilions inflamed, they fly haftily and cheer- 
 fally to arms : but after the firft emotions are over * * *, a 
 foldier, reafoned with upon the goodnefs of the caufe he is en- 
 gaged in and the inestimable rights he is contending for, hears 
 you with patience, and acknowledges the truth of your obferva- 
 tions, but adds tint it is of no more importance to him than others. 
 The officer makes you the fame reply, with this further re- 
 mark, that his pay will not fupport him, and he cannot ruin 
 himfslf and family to ferve his country, when every member of 
 the community is equally interefted, and benefited by his la- 
 bors. * * * 
 
 It becomes evidently clear then, that, as this conteft is not 
 likely to be the work of a day, as the war muft be carried on 
 iyilematically, and to do it you muft have good orHcers. -.' 
 there are, in my judgment, no other poflible means to obtain 
 them but by eflablimmg your army upon a permanent footing, and 
 -cr your officers good pay. This will induce gentlemen and 
 
 men 
 
220 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 men of character to engage : and, till the bulk of your officers 
 are compofed of fuch perfons as are actuated by principles of 
 lionoi and a fpirit of enterprife, you have little to expect from 
 them. They ought to have fuch allowances as will enable 
 them to live like and fupport the character of gentlemen. 
 * * '& Beiides fomething is due to a man who puts his life in 
 [your} hands, hazards his health, and forfakes the iweets of do-, 
 meitic enjoyment. Why a captain in the continental fervice 
 fliould receive no more than five (hillings currency per day for 
 performing the fame duties that an officer of t]ie fame rank in 
 the Britifh fervice receives ten (hillings fterling for, I never 
 could conceive, efpecially when the latter is provided with eve- 
 ry neceflfary he requires upon the belt terms, and the former 
 can fcarce procure them at any rate. There is nothing that 
 gives a man confequence and renders him fit for command, like, 
 a fupport that renders him independent of every body but the 
 itate he ferves. 
 
 With refpect to the men, nothing but a good bounty can ob- 
 tain them upon a permanent eftablilhment : and for no fnortcr 
 time than the continuance of the war, ought they to be engag- 
 ed 5 as facts inconteftably prove that the difficulty and colt of 
 enliflments increase with time. -When the army was firft raifed 
 at Cambridge, I am perfuaded the men might have been got, 
 without a bounty for the war. After thisj they began to fee 
 that the conteft was not likely to end fo fpeedily as was imagin- 
 ed, and to feel their confequence by remarking, that, to get in 
 the militia in the courfe of the la it year, many towns were indu- 
 ced to give them a bounty* 
 
 Foreieeing the evils refulting from this, and the deftructive 
 confequences which unavoidably would follow (hort enliitments,, 
 I took the liberty in a long letter (date not now recollected, as 
 my letter-book is not here) to recommend the eniiitments for 
 and during the war, ailigning (uch reafons for it as e.xpeiience 
 has fince convined me were well founded. At that time, twen- 
 ty dollars would, I am perfuaded, have engaged the men fov 
 this term. But it would not do to look back : and, if the pie-* 
 fent opportunity is (lipped, I am periuaded .that twelve months 
 more will increafe our difficulties four-fold. I (hall therefore 
 take the freedom of giving it as my opinion, that a good boun- 
 ty be immediately offered, aided by the proffer of at lealt a 
 hundred or a hundred and fifty acres of land, and a fuit of clothes 
 and. blanket to each non-commiiiioned officer and foidier '-> as I 
 have good authority for faying, that, hov/ever high the men's pay 
 may. ??rpsar, it is lurely iuii'lcieiit, in the preient fcarcity and 
 
 dearnefs 
 
O F PI C I A L LT T E ; R^S.. &zt 
 
 dcarnefs of all kinds of goods, to keep them in clothes, much 
 Itfs afford fuppoit to their families. 
 
 If this encouragement theu is given to the men, and fuch pay- 
 allowed the officers as will induce gentlemen of character and 
 liberal fentiments to engage, and proper care and precaution 
 ufed in the nomination (having more regard to the characters 
 of perfons than the number of men they can enlift), we mould 
 in % little time have an army able to cope with any that can be 
 cppofed to it f as there are excellent materials to form one out 
 of. But while the only merit an officer poiTeffes is his ability 
 to raife men, while thofe men conlider and treat kirn as an e- 
 qual, (and in the character of an officer) regard him no more than 
 a broom-ftick, being mixed together as on common herd, no or- 
 der nor discipline can prevail j nor will the officer ever meet with, 
 that refpect which is effentially neceffary to due fubordination., 
 
 To place any dependence upon militia is affuredly retting up- 
 on a broken ftarF, -men juft dragged from the tender fcenes of 
 domeftic life, unaocuftoraed to the din of arms, totally un- 
 acquainted with every kind of military {kill j which being fol- 
 lowed by a want of confidence in themfelves, when oppoled to 
 troops regularly trained, difciplined, and appointed, fuperior in, 
 knowledge and fuperior in arms, makes them timid and ready- 
 to fiy from their own fhadows. Betides, the fudden change in 
 their manner of living (particularly in the lodging) brings on 
 fjcknefs in many, impatience in all, and fuch an unconquerable 
 deiire of returning to their refcective homes, that it not only 
 produces fhameful and fcandalous defertions among themfelves, 
 but infufes the like fpirit into others. 
 
 Again, men accuflomed to unbounded freedom and no con. 
 trol, cannot brook the reflraint which is indifpenfably nec.eflarv 
 to the good order and government of an army j -without which, 
 licentioufnefs and every kind of diforder triumphantly reign,-. 
 To bring men to a proper degree of fubordination is not the 
 v/ork of a day, a month, or even a year : and, unhappily for u* 
 aad the caufe we are engaged in, the little difcipline I have 
 been laboring to cllablifh in the army under my immediate com- 
 mand is in a manner done away by having fach a mixture of 
 troops as have been called together within thefe fexv months. . 
 
 Relaxed and unfit as our rules and regulations of war sre for 
 the government of an army, the militia (thofe properly fo cal- 
 led -, for of thefe we have two forts, the fix-months-men and 
 thofe fent in as a temporary aid) do not think themfelves fub- 
 jeer to them, and therefore take liberties which the foldier is- 
 puniflied -for. This creates j.caloufy : jealoufy begets diiiatis* 
 
 fa en on ', 
 
222 GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 faction ; and thefe by degrees ripen into mutiny, keeping th6 
 whole army in a confufed and disordered ftate, rendering the 
 time of thofe who wifh to fee regularity and good order prevail. 
 more unhappy than words can defcribe. Eefides this, fuch re- 
 peated changes take place, that all arrangement is fet at nought, 
 and the conftant flu6luation of things deranges every plan as fait 
 as adopted. 
 
 Thefe, fir, Ccngrefs may be affured, are but a fmall part of 
 the inconveniences which might be enumerated, and attributed 
 to militia : but there is one that merits particular attention, and 
 that is the expenfe. Certain I am, that it would be cheaper to 
 keep fifty or a hundred thoufand in conftant pay, than to de- 
 pend upon half the number and fupply the other half occafion- 
 ally by militia. The time the latter are in pay before and after 
 they are in camp, aflembling and marching. The wafte of am- 
 munition, the confumption of ftores, which in fpite of every re- 
 fblution or requifition of Congrefs, they muit be furniihed with, 
 or fent home, added to other incidental expenfes confequent 
 upon their coming and conduct in camp, iurpalTes all idea, and 
 deftroys every kind of regularity and economy which you 
 could eftablifh among fixed and fettled troops, and will, in 
 ray opinion prove (if the fcheme is adhered to) the ruin of our 
 caufe. 
 
 The jealoufies of a Handing army, and the evils to be appre-. 
 hended from one, are remote, arid, in my judgment, lituated 
 and circumitanced as we are, not at all to be dreaded : but the 
 confequcnce of wanting one, according to my ideas formed from 
 the prefent view of things, is certain and inevitable ruin. For, 
 if 1 was called upon to declare upon oath, whether the militia 
 have been molt feiviceable or hurtful upon the whole, I mould 
 fubfcribe to the latter. I do not mean by this, however, to 
 arraign the condu6l of Congrefs : in fo doing I (hall equally 
 condemn rny own meafures, if I did not my judgment : but ex- 
 perience, which is the be ft criterion to work by, fo fully, clear- 
 ly and decisively reprobates the practice of triifting to militia, 
 that no man who regards order, regularity and economy, or who 
 kas any regard for his own honor, character, or peace of mind, 
 v;iil riik them upon this ifiue, * * 
 
 An army formed of good officers moves like clock-work; but 
 there is no fituation upon earth lefs enviable nor more diitrefF- 
 ing than that perfon'*s who is at the head of troops who are 
 regardlefs of order and difcipline, and who are unprovided with 
 almoft every neceffaiy. In a word the difficulties which have 
 for ever furrounded me lines I have been in the frrvice, and 
 
 kep; 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, fcfe) 
 
 kept my mind conftantly upon the ft retch, the wounds which 
 my feelings (as an officer) have received by a thoufand things 
 which have happened contrary to my expectation and wifhes,, 
 * *. * added to a confcioufnefs of my inability to govern an. 
 army compofed of fuch difcordant parts, and under fuch a vari- 
 ety of intricate and perplexing circumftances, induce not only 
 a belief, but a thorough conviction in my mind, that it will be 
 impoflible (unlefs there is a thorough change in our military 
 fyftem) for me to conduct matters in fuch a manner as to give 
 fatisfadion to the public, which is all the recompenfe I aim at, 
 or even wifhed for. 
 
 Before I conclude, I muft apologife for the liberties taken 
 in this letter, and for the blots and fcratchings therein, not 
 having time to give it more correctly. With truth I can add, 
 that, with every fentiment of refpedt and eftcem, I am yours 
 and the Congrefs's mod obedient, &c. G. W. 
 
 Hacrlem Heights, September 2$, 1776* 
 t w* <.<> y-->-- f, ; ;; '" _;, ",/ 
 
 SIR, 
 
 HAVING wrote you fully on fundry important fubjects 
 this morning, as you will perceive by the letter which accom- 
 panies this, I mean principally now to inclofe a copy of a letter 
 received from general Howe on funday morning, with the lifts 
 of the prifoners in his hands, of thofe in our poffeffion belong- 
 ing to the army immediately under his command, and of my 
 anfwer, which were omitted to be put in the other. His letter 
 will difcover to Congrefs his refufal to exchange lord Stirlirrg 
 for Mr. M*Donald, confidering the latter only as a major. 
 They will pleafe to determine how he is to be ranked in fix- 
 ture. 
 
 The number of prifoners according to thefe returns is great- 
 er than what we expected. However, I am inclined to believe, 
 that, among thofe in the lift from Long-Ifland, are feveral mi-" 
 litia of general WoodhulPs party, who were never arranged in 
 this army. As to thofe taken on the fifteenth, they greatly 
 exceed the number that I fuppofed fell into their hands in the 
 retreat from the city. At the time that I tranfmitted an ac- 
 count of that affair, I had not obtained returns, and took tht 
 matter upon the officers' reports. They are difficult to get 
 with certainty at any time. In the flurmiih of monday fe'n* 
 night, they could have taken but very few, 
 
 Before 
 
24 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 Before I conclude, I (hall take occafion to mention that thofe 
 returns made with fuch precifibn, and the difficulty that will 
 attend the propofed exchange on account of the difperfed and 
 fcattered ftate of the prifoners in our hands, will clearly evince 
 the neceffity of appointing commiiTanes and proper perfons to 
 iuperintend and conduct in fuch ir.itances. This I took the 
 liberty 'of urging more than once, as well on account of the 
 propriety of the meafure and the faring that would have refult- 
 ed from it, as that the prifoners might be treated with humani- 
 ty, and have their wants psrticularly attended to. 
 
 J would alfo obferve, (as I eileem it my duty) that this ar- 
 my is in want of almoft every neceffary, tenvs, camp kettles, 
 blankets, and clothes of all kinds. But what is to he done 
 with refpecl to the two latl articles, I know not, as the term, 
 of enliftment will be nearly expired by the time they can be 
 provided. This may be ezhibited as a further proof of the 
 difad vantages attending the levying of an army upon fuch a 
 footing as never to know how to keep them without injuring 
 the public or incommoding the men.; I have directed the co- 
 lonel or commanding ofticer of each corps to ufe his endeavors 
 to procure fuch clothing as is abfolutely neceffary : but at the 
 fame time I confefsj that I do not know how they are to be 
 got. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 Head-quarters, Heights of Haerlcm, September 27, 1776. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I HAVE nothing in particular to communicate to Con- 
 grefs by this day^s poll, as our fltuation is the Tame as when I 
 laft wrote. 
 
 We are now fitting upon the buiinefs the committee came 
 upon, which, it is probable, will be finiihed this evening. The 
 refult they will duly report upon their return. 
 
 I received ycfterday the inclofed declaration by a gentleman 
 from Elizabeth-town, who told me many copies were found in 
 the poffeffion of the foldiers from Canada, that were landed 
 there a day or two ago by general Howe's permiilion. I mall 
 not comment upon it. It feems to be founded on the plan that 
 has been artfully purfued for feme time pail. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. \V. 
 
 P. S. The account of the troops. Sic. in Cariada, comes 
 from a perfon who is among- the prifoners fent from Canada. 
 
 Is 
 
FtllAL LETTERS^ 
 
 : .|t was anonymous, nor do I know the intelligencer. Accord- 
 ing to him, the enemy in that quarter are Wronger than we 
 fuppofed, and their naval force much greater on the lakes than, 
 we had any idea ofl I trull he has takeri tile matter up on the 
 enemy's reportl 
 
 Heights of Haerlem, September i8$ 1776* 
 
 SIR, 
 
 BEING about to crofs the North-river this morning iri 
 order to view the poft oppofite, and the grounds between that 
 and PaulUs Hook, I mail not add much more than that I have 
 been honored with your favor of the twenty-fourth and its fe- 
 verai inclofures j arid that, firice iriy letter of f eiterdajf, no im- 
 portant event has taken place. 
 
 As colonel Hugh Stephenfori, of the rifle regiment ordered 
 lately to be raifed, is dead according to the information I have 
 received, I would beg leave to recommend to the particular 
 notice of CongreFs captain Daniel Morgan juft returned among 
 the prifoners from Canada, as a fit and proper perlbri to fuc- 
 ceed to the vacancy occasioned by his death. The prefent 
 field-officers of the regiment cannot claim any right in prefer- 
 ence to hini, becaufe he ranked above them, 2nd as a captain^ 
 when he firft entered the fervice. His conduct as an officer^ 
 on the expedition with general Arnold laft fall, his intrepid 
 behavior in the affault upon Quebec, when the brave Montgo- 
 mery fell, -the inflexible attachment he prdfeffed t6 our caufe 
 during his impriConnienr, and which he perfeveres in, -added 
 to thefe, his refldence in the place colonel Stephenfon came 
 froni, and his intereft and influence in the fame circle, and with 
 filch men as are to compofe fuch a regiment, -all, in my opi- 
 nion, entitle him to the favor of Congrefs, and lead me to be- 
 lieve that in his promotion the ftates will gain a good and va- 
 luable officer for the fort of troops he is particularly recom- 
 mended to command. 
 * * *~I have the honor to be, &c. G. VVi 
 
 J f 
 
226 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 Head-barters, Heights of Haerlctn September 30, 1776, 
 
 KIR, 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you laft, nothing of 
 Importance has tranfpired j though, from fome movements yef- 
 terday on the part of the enemy, it would fecm as if fomething 
 TI as intended. 
 
 The inclofed memorial, from lieutenant-colonel Shephard 
 of the fourtli regiment, I beg leave to fubmit to the coniidera- 
 tioii of Congrefs, and fhall only add, that I could wifti they 
 would promote him to the command of the regiment and fend 
 him a commiffion, being a good and valuable officer, and efpe- 
 . cially as the vacancy is of a pretty long ftanding, and I have 
 not had (nor has he) any intelligence from colonel Learned 
 himfelf (who had the command, and who obtained a difcharge 
 on account of his indifpofition), of his defign to return. I 
 have alfo inclofed a letter from captain Ballard, which Con- 
 grefs will pleafe to determine on, the fubjecl being new and 
 .bet within my authority. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. A commiffion was fent for colonel Learned, which is 
 now in my hands, having received no application, or heard from 
 "him fine e it came. 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters^ Haerlem Heights, 08. 2, 1776. 
 
 I DO myfelf the honor of tranfmitting to you the inclo- 
 jfed letter from. lieutenant-colonel Livingfton, with fundry co- 
 pies of general Delancey's orders, which difcover the mea- 
 fures the enemy are purfuing on Long-Ifland for railing recruits 
 and obtaining fupplies of provifions 1 . In confequence of the in- 
 telligence they contain, and authentic advices through other 
 channels refpecling thefe matters, I have fent brigadier general 
 George Clinton to meet general Lincoln who has got as far as 
 Fairfield with part of the troops lately ordered by the Maffachu- 
 fetts affembly, to concert with him and others an expedition 
 acrofs the Sound with thofe troops, three companies under colo- 
 nel Livingfton, and fuch further aid as governor Trumbull can 
 afford, in order to prevent if poflible their effecting thofe impor- 
 tant objects, and to aflift the inhabitants in the removal of their 
 ftock, grain, &c. or in deflroying them, that the enemy may not 
 derive any anvantage or benefit from them. 
 
 The 
 
O F -F I C I A L L E T T E R S. ^ 
 
 The recruiting fcheme they are profecuting with uncommon 
 indiiftry; nor is it confined to Long Ifland alone. Having juft 
 now received a letter from the committee of Weft-Chefter-coun* 
 ty, advifing that there are feveral companies of men in that and 
 Dutchefs-county preparing to go off and join the king's armyj 
 1 have given directions to our guard-boats and the centuries at 
 our works at Mount-Wafhington to keep a ftticl look-out in cafe 
 they attempt to come down the North-river ; alfo to general 
 Heath at Kingfbridge, that the utmoft vigilance may be obfer-* 
 ved by the regiments and troops flationed above there and down 
 towards, the Eaft-river, that they may intercept them, (hould 
 they take that rout with a view of eroding to Long-Ifland. I 
 will ufe every precaution in my power to prevent thofe parricides 
 from accompliihing their deiigns 5 but I have but little hopes of 
 fuccefs, as it will be no difficult matter for them to procure fc 
 pafiage over fome part or other of the Sound. 
 
 I have been applied to lately by colonel Weedon of Virginia, 
 for permiffion to recruit the deficiency of men in his regiment 
 out of the troops compofing the flying camp, informing me at 
 the fame time that fome of thofe from Maryland had offered to 
 engage. Colonel Hand of the rifle batallion made a fimilar ap- 
 plication to-day, If the enliftments could be made, they would 
 have this good confequence, the fecuring of fo many in the 
 fervice. However, as the meafure might occafion fome uneafi- 
 nefs in their own corps, and be confidered as a hardmip by the 
 ftates to which they belong, and the means of their furnifhing 
 more than the quota exacted from them in the general arrange- 
 ment, and would make it more difficult for them to complete 
 their own levies, 1 did not conceive myfelf at .liberty to autho- 
 rife it without fubmitting the propriety of it to the coniidera- 
 tion of Congrefs, and obtaining their opinion whether it {hould 
 be allowed or not. 
 
 I have inclofed a lift of warrants granted from the feeond to 
 the thirteenth ultimo inclufiye, the only return of the fort that 
 I have been able to make fince the refolution for that purpofe, 
 <-owing to the unfettlecj. ftate of our affairs, and my haying 
 fent my papers away. You will alfo receive fundry letters, 
 &c. from general Schuyler, which came under cover to me, 
 and which 1 have the honor of forwarding. 
 
 By a letter juft received from the committee of fafety of 
 the ftate of New-Hamplhire, I find a thoufand of their militia 
 were about to march on the twenty -fourth ultimo to reinforce 
 this army in confequence of the requifition of Congrefs. Pre- 
 vious to their march, general Ward ymtes me he WHS obliged 
 
 * 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 $0 furnifli them with five hundred pounds of powder, and a 
 thoufand pounds of mufket-ball 5 and I have little reafon to ex- 
 peft that they are better provided with other articles than 
 they were with ammunition. In fuch cafe they will only ad4 
 to our prefent diftrefs, which 13 already far too great, and be- 
 come difgufted with the fervice, though the time they are en- 
 gaged for is only till the firil of December. 7'his will injure 
 their enlifting for a longer term if not wholly prevent if. 
 
 By three deferters who came from the Galatea man-of-war 
 about five days ago, we are informed that feyeral tfanfports 
 }iad failed, before they left her, from England, as it was gene- 
 tally reported, in order to return with a fupply cf provifions, 
 of which they fay there is a want. General Mercer, in a let- 
 ter, informed me that general Thompfon faid he had heard they 
 ere going to difrnifs about a hundred of the mips from the 
 fervice. I am alfo advifed by a ktter from Mr. Derby at Bof- 
 ton, of the twerity-fixth ultimo, that, the day before, a tranf- 
 port fno\v had been taken and fent into Pifcatawa by a pri- 
 vateer, in her pailage from New-York to the Weft-Indies. She 
 failed with five more under the convoy of a man-of-war in or- 
 der to bring from thence the troops that are there, to join ge- 
 tferal Howe. -They were all victualled for four months. 
 Irrom this intelligence it would feem as if they 'die! net appre- 
 hend any thing to be meditated againft th,em by the court of 
 France, 
 
 O&ober 3. 1 jiave nothing in particular to communicate 
 
 Tefpeciing our fituation, it being much the fame as when I 
 wrote lart. We had an alarm this morning a little before four 
 o'clock, from fome of our out-centries, who reported that a 
 large body of the enemy was advancing towards our lines. 
 This put us in motion : however, it turned out entirely prema- 
 ture ; or at'leaft we faw nothing of them, 
 
 1 have the honor to be, ckc. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Haer/e?K, Qflober 4, 1776, 
 
 BEFORE I knew of the late refolutions of Congrefs 
 which you did me the honor to inclofe in your letter c-f the 
 twenty --fourth, and before i was favored with the vifit cf your 
 committee, I took the liberty of giving you icy fentirnents on 
 ieveral points which feerned to be of importance. I have no 
 doubt but that the committee will make fuch report of the Hate 
 and ceodition of the army, as will induce Congrtfs to believe 
 
 thai 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 325 
 
 that nothing but the molt vigorous exertions can put matters 
 upon fuch a footing as to give this continent a fair profpecl of 
 fuccefs. Give me leaye to lay, fir, I fay it with due defer- 
 ence and refped (and my knowledge pf the fails, added to the 
 importance of the caufe, and the flake I hold in it, mutt jufti- 
 fy the freedom, that your affairs are in a more uapromiling 
 way than you feem to apprehend. 
 
 Your army, as I mentioned in my laft, is en the eye of its 
 political diColutipn. True it is, you have voted a larger one; 
 in lieu of it : but the feaibn is late j and there is a material dif- 
 ference between voting of battalions and railing of men. in 
 the latter there are more difficulties than Congrefs are aware 
 of j which makes it my duty (as I have been informed of the 
 prevailing fentiments of this army) to inform them, that,unlefs 
 the pay of the officers, efpecially that of the field officers, is 
 raifed, the chief part of thofe that are worth retaining will 
 leave the fervice at the expiration of the prefent term, as the 
 ioldiers will alfo, if fome greater encouragement is not offered 
 them than twenty dollars and ft hundred acres of land. 
 
 Nothing lefs, in my opinion, than a luit of clothes annually 
 given to each non-commiiiioned officer and foldier, in addition 
 to the pay and bounty, will avail ; and I queftion whether that 
 will do, as the enemy (from the information of one John Maih, 
 who, with fix others, was taken by our guards) are giving ten 
 pounds bounty for recruits, and have got a battalion under ma- 
 jor Rogers nearly cpmpleted upon Long-lfland. 
 
 Nor will lefs pay, according to my judgment, than I have 
 taken the liberty of mentioning in the inclofed eilimate, retain 
 fuch officers as we could wiih to have continued. The differ- 
 ence per month in each battalion will amount to better than * 
 hundred pounds. To this may be added the pay of the itaff- 
 officers j for it is preiuma'ole they will not require an augment- 
 ation : but, being few in number, the fum will not be greatly 
 increafed by them, and confequently is a matter of no great 
 moment : but it is a matter of no fmall importance to make the, 
 ieveral officers defirable. When the pay and ertabiilhment of 
 an officer once become objects pf interefted attention, the lloth, 
 negligence, and even difobedience of orders, which at this time 
 but too generally prevail, will be purged off.^ But while the 
 fervice is viewed with indifference, while the officer conceives 
 that he is rather conferring than receiving an obligation, 
 there will be a total relaxation of all order and discipline, 
 and every thing will move heavily on, to the great detriment 
 
 pf 
 
230 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 of the fervice, and inexprefiible trouble and vexation of thfe 
 general. 
 
 The critical littiation of our affairs at this time will juftify 
 my faying that no time is to be loft in making of ftuitlefs ex- 
 periments. An unavailing trial of a month to get an army 
 upon the terms propofed may render it impracticable to do it. 
 at all, and prove fatal to our caufe ; as I am not fure whether 
 any rubs in the way of our .enliftments, or unfavorable turn in 
 our affairs, may not prove the means of the enemy recruiting 
 men falter than we do. To this may be added the inextrica- 
 ble difficulty of forming one corps out of another, and arrang- 
 ing matters with any degree of order, in the face of an enemy 
 who are watching for advantages. 
 
 At Cambridge, lad year, where the officers, (and more than 
 a fufficieacy of them) were all upon the fpot, we found it a 
 work of fuch extreme difficulty to know their fentiments (each 
 having fome terms to propofe), that I defpahed once of getting 
 the arrangements completed : and I do fuppofe, that at leaft a 
 hundred alterations took place before matters wer<j finally ad- 
 jufted. What muft it be then under the prelent regulation, 
 where the officer is to negotiate this matter with the {late he 
 comes from, diitant perhaps, two or three hundred miles ? 
 fome of whom, without leave or licence from me, fet out to 
 make perfonal application, the moment the refolve got to their 
 hands. What kind of officers thefe are, I leave Congrefs to 
 judge. 
 
 If an officer of reputation (for none other mould be applied 
 to) is alked to flay, what anfwer can he give, but in the firft 
 place, that he does not know whether it is at his option to do 
 io, no proviiion being made in the refolution of Congrefs, even 
 recommendatory of this meafure ; confequently, that it refts 
 with the Mate he comes from (furrounded perhaps with a vari- 
 ety of applications, and influenced probably by local attach- 
 ments) to determine whether he can be provided for or not ? 
 in the next place, if lie is an officer of merit, and knows that 
 the Hate he comes from is to furnifh more battalions than it at 
 prefent has in the fervice, he will icarcely, after two years' 
 faithful fervices, think of continuing in the rank he now bears, 
 when new creations are to be made, and men appointed to offi- 
 ces (no wife fuperior in msrit, and ignorant perhaps, of fervice) 
 over his head. A committee, lent to the army from each 
 ilate, may upon the fpot fix things with a degree of propriety 
 and certainty, and is the only method I can fee of bringing 
 matters to a deciiion willi refueCt to the officers of the army. 
 
 But 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. i 3 i 
 
 But what can be done in the mean while towards the arrang- 
 ment in the country, I know not. In the one cafe you. run the 
 hazard of lofing your officers ; in the other, of encountering 
 delay, unlefs fome method could be devifed of forwarding both 
 at the fame i aft ant. 
 
 Upon the prefent plan, I plainly forefee an intervention of 
 time between the old and new army, which muft be rilled up 
 with militia (if to be had), \vith whom rio man who has any 
 regard for his own reputation can undertake to be anfwerable 
 for confequences. I {hall alfo be miftaken in my conjectures, 
 if we do not lofe the moft valuable officers in this army, under 
 the prefent mode of appointing them : confequently, if we have 
 an army at all, it will be compofed of materials not only en- 
 tirely raw, but, (if uncommon pains are not takenj) entirely 
 unfit ; and I fee fuch a diftruft and jealoufy of military power, 
 that the commander-in-chief has not an opportunity, even by* 
 recommendation, to give the leaft affurances of reward for the 
 moft eifential fervices. In a word, fuch a cloud of perplexing 
 circumftances appear before me, without one flattering hope, 
 that I am thoroughly convinced, unlefs the moft vigorous and 
 decifive exertions are immediately adopted to remedy thefe e- 
 vils, that die-certain and abfolute lofs of our liberties will be 
 the inevitable confequence 5 as one unhappy ftroke will throw 
 a powerful weight into the fcale againft us, enabling general 
 Howe to recruit his army as fail as we {hall ours, numbers be- 
 ing difpofed [/o join him], and many actually doing fo already. 
 Some of the moft probable remedies, and fuch as . experience 
 has brought to my more intimate knowledge, I have taken the 
 liberty to point out : the reft I beg leave to fubmit to the con=- 
 lidcration of Congrefs. 
 
 I a{k pardon for taking up fo much of their time with my 
 opinions. But I mould betray that trurt which they and my 
 country have repofed in me, were I to be lilent upon a matter 
 fo extremely interefting. 
 
 With the moft perfect efteem, I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
 G. \V. 
 
 SIR, Head-quarter -s y Haerlem Heights, Off: 5, 1776, 
 
 I WAS laft night honored with your favor of the fecond, 
 with fundry refolutions of Congrefs. * * * 
 
 In refpeft to the exchange oJF prifoners, I fear it will be a 
 ivork of great difficulty, owing to their difperfed anel fcattered 
 
 jfituaUoit 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 fituation throughout the ftates. In order to effect it, T have 
 wrote to the eaftern governments to have them collected, and 
 to tranfmit me an account of their number, diftingui filing the 
 names and ranks of the field and commifiioned officers, and the 
 fcorps they belong to. I have alfo wrote to governor Living - 
 :3on of the Jerfeys Upon the fubjecl:, and miift take the liberty 
 of requeuing Con-jrefs to oive directions that a fimilar return 
 may be made of thofe in Pennfylvania and Maryland, and for 
 their being brought to Brunfvvic, that they may be ready to be 
 exchanged for an equal number of thole of the fame rank. 
 
 I obierve, by the refolve of the twenty-fixth tiltinio, that 
 the exchange is particularly directed to be made of the officers 
 and foldiers taken on Long-Ifland. But mould not that follow 
 the exchange of thofe officers and men who have lately re- 
 turned from Quebec, whofe imprifonment has been much lon- 
 ger, and whofe feivice has not been lefs fevere, and, in many 
 inftances, conducted with great intrepidity ? I Have had many 
 applications fince their arrival, by which they claim a kind of 
 preference as far as their number and the circiim fiances ol* their 
 rank will allow, and which I thought it my duty to mention, 
 that t may obtain forrie direHon upon the fubjecl:. 
 
 You will obferve by a paragraph of a letter received yefter- 
 day fiom g-eneral Howe, a copy of which you have at length, 
 that the non-performance of the agreement between captain 
 Forfrer snd general Arnold, by which the latter ftipulated for 
 the return of an equal number of officers and prifoners in cm- 
 hands for thofe delivered him, is confidered in art unfavorable 
 light, and entirely imputed td iriCj as having the chief com- 
 mand of the armies of the flates, and a controlling power over 
 general Arnold. The pointed manner in which Mr. Howe is 
 ^leafed to exprefs himfelf could not perfonally affect me, fup- 
 poling there had been no good grounds for the treaty riot being 
 ratified^ having been nothing more than an instrument convey- 
 ing to him the refolutions formed upon the fubjecl:. * 
 
 However I would beg leave to obferve, from the letters 
 from the hoftages, from what has been reported by others re- 
 fpecling captain Forfter's having ufed his endeavors to reflrain 
 the favages from exercifing rheir wonted barbarities, though in 
 iome inilances they did, his purchasing fome of the prifoners 
 for a pretty considerable premium, but, above all, from the 
 delicate nature of fuch treaties, and becaufe the non-obfervance 
 of them muft damp the fpiiits of the officers who make them, 
 and add affiic~uon to the misfortunes of thofe whom neceflity 
 a&d the nature of the caie force Into captivity to give them a 
 
 fancliori 
 
OFFICIAL LETTE 
 
 $33 
 
 fnriction by "a long and irkfome confinement, -for thefe feafons 
 ?nd many more that will readily occur, I eould wiih Congrefs 
 to reconilder the matter, and to carry it into execution* 
 
 I am fenfible the wrong was originally iri their employing fa- 
 vages, and that whatever cruelties were committed by them 
 fhould be efteemed their own ats : yet perhaps, in point of po- 
 licy, it may not be improper to overlook thefe infractions on 
 their part, and to purfue that mode which will be the moft like- 
 ly to render the hardfhips incident to war moil tolerabld, and 
 the greateft benefits to the ftate* 
 
 I have ventured to fay thus much upon the fubjecl:, from a 
 regard to the fervice, and beca.ufe fuch gentlemen of the army 
 as I have heard mention it, feem to wifti the treaty had been 
 ratified rather than difallowed. 
 
 Inclofed is a lift of vacancies in the third regiment of Virgi- 
 nia troops, in part oecafioned by the death of major Leitch 
 who died of his wounds on tuefday morning, and of the gen- 
 tlemen who ftand next in regimental order, and who are recom- 
 mended to fucceed to them. You will obferve that captain 
 John Fitzgerald'is faiu 1 . to be appointed to the duty of major. 
 This I have done in order, being the oldeft captain in the re- 
 giment, and, I believe, an officer o unexceptionable merit, 
 and as it was highly neceffary at this time to have the corps as 
 well and fully officered as poflible, There is alfo a vacancy in 
 the firft continental battalion, by the promotion of lieutenant 
 Clarke to a majority in the flying camp, to which colonel Hand 
 has recommended William Patton to fucceed, as you will per- 
 ceive by his letter inclofed* 
 
 I have taken the liberty to tranfmit a plan for eftablifhing a 
 corps of engineers, artificers, &c. fketched out by colonel 
 Putnam, and which is propofed for the confideration of Con- 
 grefs. How far they may incline to adopt it, or whether they 
 may chufe to proceed upon fuch an extenfive fcale, they will 
 be pleafed to determine. However, I conceive it a matter 
 well worthy of their confideration, being convinced from ex- 
 perience, and from the reafons fuggefted by colonel Putnam 
 who has ated with great diligence and reputation in the bufi- 
 nefs, that fome eftabliilmient of the fort is highly neceffary, and 
 will be productive of the moft beneficial confequences. 
 
 If the propontion. is approved by Congrefs, I am informed by 
 good authority that there is a gentleman in Virginia, in the 
 colony fervice, John Stadler, efquire, a native of Germany, 
 whofe abilities in this way are by no means inconfiderable. I 
 am told he was an engineer in the army under general Stanwix, 
 
 Cr g and 
 
GENERAL -WASHINGTON'S 
 
 and is reputed to be of Ikill and inginuity in the profeffion. Ire. 
 this capacity I do not know him rnyfelf, but am intimately ac- 
 quainted with him in his private character, as a man of under-' 
 ftanding and of good behavior. I would fubmit his merit to 
 the inquiry of Congrefs j and if he fhould anfwer the report I 
 have had of him, I make no doubt but he will be fait ably pro- 
 vided for. 
 
 The convention of this ftate have lately feized and had ap- 
 praifed txvo ntw thins, valued at fix thbufand two hundred and 
 twenty- nine pounds York currency, which they have lent down 
 for the purpofe of finking, and obflructing the channel oppofite 
 Mount- Washington. The price being high, and the opinions 
 various as to the neceffity of the meafure, fome conceiving the 
 obflrU&ion nearly fultlcient already, and others that they would 
 render it fecure, I would wilh to have the direction of Con- 
 grefs upon the fubject by the earlieft opportunity, thinking my- 
 felt, that, if the enemy fhould attempt to come up, they mould 
 be ufeci, fooner than to hazard their palling. I muVt be go- 
 verned by circumttances, yet hope for their fentimcnts before 
 any thing is necefTary to be done. 
 
 Sundry difputes having arifen of late between officers of dif- 
 ferent regiments and of the fame rank, respecting the right of 
 fucceflion to fach vacancies as happen from death or other 
 caufes, -fome fuggefting that it fhould be in a colonial line and 
 governed by the priority of their commiiTions, others, that it 
 fhould be regimentally, and there being an inftanee now be- 
 fore me, between the officers of the Virginia regiments, occa- 
 lioned by the death of major Leitch, it has become abiblu-tely 
 neceffary that Congrefs fhould determine the mode by which 
 promotions are to be regulated, whether colonially and by 
 priority of commiffions, or regimentally, .referving a right out 
 of the general rule they adopt, to reward for particular merit> 
 or of ivithholding fiom office fuch as may not be worthy to 
 fucceed. 
 
 I have only propofed two modes for their confideration, be- 
 ing fatisfied that promotions through the line (as they ate call- 
 ed) can never take place without producing difcord, jealoufy, 
 rliftruit, and the mofl fatal confequences. In fome of my let- 
 ters upon the fubjecl: of promotions, and one which I had the 
 honor of addreffing to the board of war on the thirtieth ultimo,, 
 1 advifed that the mode mould be rather praclifed than refolv- 
 ed : but I am fully convinced now of the necefiity there is of 
 fettling it in one of the two ways I have taken the liberty to 
 out, and under the refhi&ions 1 have mentioned j or the 
 
 difputes- 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. i 3 y 
 
 difputes and applications Kill be endlefs, and attended with 
 great inconveniences. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 Head-quarters, Heights of Haerlem, October 7, 17/6* 
 
 SIR, 
 
 I DO myfelf the honor of tranfmitting to you a copy of a 
 letter from the comte D'Emery, governor-general of the French 
 0ftrt of Saint-Domingo, which I received yefterday, and alfo 
 my anfvver, which I have inclofed and left open for the conii- 
 deration of Congrefs, wifhing that it may be fealed if they ap- 
 prove of the iieur De Chambeau's releafement, which I think 
 may be attended with many valuable confequences. If Con- 
 grtfs concur in fentiment \vith me, they will be pleafed to give 
 direction for his paffage by the firft opportunity to the French 
 iflands : if they do not, I (hall be obliged by your returning' 
 my letter. 
 
 I have alfo the pleafure of inclofing a copy of a letter from, 
 monfieur P. Fennel, which came to hand lait night, and which 
 contains intelligence of an agreeable and intereftinghatuie, for 
 which I beg leave to refer you to the copy. The polite man* 
 ner in which monfieur Fennel has requefted to be one of my 
 aids-de-camp demands my acknowledgments. As the appoint- 
 ment will not be attended with any expenfe, and will fnew a 
 proper regard for his complaifance and the attachment he is 
 pleafed to exprefs for the fervice of the American ftates, I 
 fhall take the liberty of complying with his requifition, and 
 tranfmit him a brevet commirlion, provided the fame fhall be 
 agreeable to Congrefs. Their fentiments upon this fubject you 
 will be kind enough to favor me with by the firft opportunity. 
 The inclofed letter for the fieur De Chambeau you will pleafe 
 to forward to him (if he is to be enlarged) after clofing it. 
 
 Before I conclude, I miift take the liberty to obferve that I 
 am under no fmall difficulties on account of the French gentle- 
 men that are here in confequence of the commirTions they have' 
 received, having no means to employ them, or to afford them' 
 an opportunity of rendering that fervice they themfelves" wilfr 
 to give, or which perhaps is expected by the public. Their 
 want of our language is an objection to their being joined to a- 
 ny of the regiments here at this time, were there vacancies, 
 and not other obitacles. Thefe confiderations induce me to 
 
 wilh 
 
236 GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 with that Congrefs would adopt and point out fome particular 
 mode to be obferved refpedting them. What it mould be, they 
 will be bed able to determine. But to me it appears that their 
 being here now can be attended with no valuable confequences, 
 and that, as the power of appointing officers for the. new army 
 is veiled in the conventions, &c. of the feveral ftates, it will 
 be neceffary for Congrefs to direct, them to be provided for in 
 the icgiments to be raifed, according to the ranks they xvould 
 with them to bear (or I am convinced they will never be ta- 
 ken in, let their merit be what it may) ; or to form them into 
 a diftincl: corps which may be increaled in time. They feem to 
 be genteel, fenfible men j and I have no doubt of their mak- 
 ing good officers as foon as they can learn as much of our lan- 
 guage as to make themfelves well underftood : but, unlefs Con- 
 grefs interfere by their particular direction to the ilates, they 
 will never be incorporated in any of the regiments to be raifed : 
 2nd, without they are, they will be entirely at a lofs, and in 
 the moil irklbme fituation, for fomething to do, as they now 
 are. 'I have the honor to be, &c, G. W, 
 
 Head-Quarters, Hacr/em Heights, Holer 8, 1776, 
 SIR, 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of writing you yefterday, I have 
 been favored with a letter from the honorable council of Maf- 
 fachufetts-Bay, covering one from Richard Derby, efquire, a 
 copy of which is herewith transmitted, as it contains intelli- 
 gence of an important and interefting nature. 
 
 As an exchange of prifoners is about to take place, I am in- 
 duced, from a queftion itqted in a letter I received from go- 
 vernor Trumbull this morning, to afk the opinion of Congreis 
 in what manner the Mates that have had the care of them are 
 to be reimburfed the expenles incurred on their account. My 
 want of information in this inltance, or whether any account is 
 to be fent in with the prifoners, would not allow me to give 
 him an anfwer, as nothing that I recoiled has ever been laid 
 upon the fubjecl.-r-He alfo mentions another matter, viz. whe- 
 ther fuca privates as are mechanics, and others who may dcfire 
 to remain with us, fhould be obliged to return. -In refpecl to 
 the latter, I conceive there can be no doubt of our being un- 
 der a nectiTity of returning the whole, a proportion having 
 been made on our part for a general exchange, and that agreed 
 to : bci:dcs, the balance of prifoners is greatly agahiit us j and 
 
 J am 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 237 
 
 I am imformed it was particularly ftipulated by general Mont- 
 gomery^ that all thofe that were taken in Canada mould be ex- . 
 changed whenever a cartel was fettled for the purpofe. 
 
 Under thefe circumilances, I (hould fuppofe the feveral com- 
 mittees having the care of them, mould be initrucled to make . 
 the moft exact returns of the whole, however willing a part 
 lliould be to continue with us. At the fame time I mould 
 think it not improper to inform them of the reafons leading to 
 the meafure, and that they mould be invited to efcape after- 
 wards, which, in all probability, they may effect without much 
 difficulty if they are attached to 'us, extending their influence 
 to many more, and bringing them away alfo. 
 
 The fituation of our affair^ and the prefent eflablifhment of 
 the army requiring our moil vigorous exertions to engage a 
 new one, I prefume it will be neceffary to furniih the paymaf* 
 t^rrgeneral as early as poffible with money to pay the bounty, 
 lately refolved on, to fuch men as will enliit. Prompt pay, 
 perhaps may have a happy effect, and induce the continuance 
 of fome who are here : but, without it, I am certain that no- 
 thing can be done j nor have we time to lofe in making the ex- 
 periment. But then it may be afked, who is to recruit ? or 
 who can coniider themfelves as officers for that purpofe, till 
 the conventions of the different Hates have made the appoint- 
 ments ? 
 
 Yeilerday afternoon the exchange between lord Stirling and 
 governor Browne was carried into execution ; and his lordmip 
 is now here.- He confirms the intelligence mentioned by cap- 
 tain Souther, about the tranfports he met, by the arrival of 
 the Daphne man-of-war (a twenty gun fhip) a few days ago, 
 with twelve (hips under her convoy, having light-horfe on 
 board. They failed with about twenty in each, and loll about 
 eighty in their paffage, befides thofe in the vefiel taken by cap- 
 tain Souther. He further adds that he had heard it acknow- 
 ledged more than once, that, in the aftiqn of the iixteenth ul- 
 timo, the enemy had a hundred men killed, about fixty 
 Highlanders of the forty-fecond regiment, and forty of the 
 light infantry. This confeflion coming from themfelves, we 
 
 may reafonably conclude, did not exaggerate the number. 
 
 * * * 
 
 QElober 9. About eight o'clock this morning, two (hips, 
 
 of forty- four guns each (fuppofed to be the Roebuck and Phoe- 
 nix), and a frigate of twenty guns, with three or four tenders, 
 got under way from about Bloomingdale where they had been 
 lying fome time, a.nd ftpod with an eafy foutherly breeze to- 
 wards 
 
438 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 wards our chevaux-de-frife, which we hoped would have inter- 
 cepted their paffage while our batteries played upon them : but, 
 to our furprife and mortification, they ran through without the 
 lead difficulty, and without receiving any apparent damage 
 from our forts, though they kept up a heavy fire from both fides 
 of the river. Their deftination or views cannot be known with 
 certainty : but mod probably they are fent to flop the naviga- 
 tion, and cut off the fupplies of boards, &c. which we mould 
 have received, and of which we are in great need. They are 
 Handing up, and I have difpatched an exprefsto the convention 
 of this ilate, that notice may be immediately communicated to 
 general Clinton at the Highland fortifications, to put him on 
 his guard in cafe they mould have any defigns againft them, and 
 that precautions mould be taken to prevent the craft belonging 
 to the river falling into their hands. s 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, flead-^Harters, Haerlem-Heights, QEl. II, 1776. 
 
 I BEG leave to inform you, that, fince my letter of the 
 eighth and ninth inftant which I had the honor of addreffing- 
 you, nothing of importance has occurred, except that the fhips 
 of war which I then mentioned, in their paiTage up the river, 
 took a (loop that was at anchor off the mouth of Spitendevil, 
 and two of our row-gallies which they out-failed. The crews, 
 finding that they could not prevent them falling into the ene- 
 my's hands, ran them near the more and effected their own ef. 
 cape. From the intelligence I have received, the fhips are now 
 lying at Tarrytown, without having landed any men (which 
 feemed to be apprehended by forae), or attempted any thing 
 elfe. Their principal views, in all probability are, to interrupt 
 our navigation, and to receive fuch difaffecled perfons as incline 
 to take part againft us. The former they will effect beyond all 
 queftion j and I fear that their expectations refpecling the lat- 
 ter will be but too fully anfwered. 
 
 O&ober 12. The inclofed copy of a letter received laft 
 night from the convention of this ftate will mew you the appre- 
 henfions they are under on account of the difaffecled among 
 them.^-I have ordered up a part of the militia from the Maf- 
 fachufetts under general Lincoln, to prevent, if poflible, the 
 coniequences which they fuggeft may happen, and which there 
 is reafon to believe the confpirators have jn contemplation. I 
 am perfuaded that they are upon the eve of breaking out, and 
 
 that 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 239 
 
 that they will leave nothing un-effayed that will diftrefs us 
 and favor the defigns of the enemy, as loon as their fchemes 
 are ripe for it. 
 
 OElober 13. Yefierday the enemy landed at Fiog's-Point, 
 
 about nine miles from hence, further up the Sound. Their 
 number we cannot afcertain, as they have ijot advanced from 
 the point, which is a kind of iiland, but the water that fur- 
 rounds it is fordable at low tide. I have ordered works to 
 be thrown up at the paffes from the point to the main. From 
 the great number of iloops, fchooners, and nine mips, that went 
 up the Sound in the evening, full of men, and from the infor- 
 mation of two deferters who came over laft night, I have reafon 
 to believe that the greateft part of their army has moved up- 
 wards, or is about to do it, purfuing their original plan of get- 
 ting in our rear, and cutting off our communication with the 
 country. 
 
 The grounds from Frog's-Point are ftrongand defenfible, be- 
 ing full of ftone fences, both along the road and acofs the adjacent 
 fields, which will render it difficult for artillery, or indeed a 
 large body of foot, to advance in any regular order, except 
 through the main road. Our men who are pofted on the paffes 
 feemed to be in great fpirits when I left them laft night. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters, Haerlem Heights, 08. 14, 1776. 
 
 HIS excellency having gone this morning to vifit our pofts 
 beyond Kingibridge and the feveral paffes leading from Frog's- 
 Point and the necks adjacent, I have the honor to inform you 
 by his command, that no interesting event has> taken place fince 
 his letter by yefterday's poft. 
 
 Every day's intelligence from the convention of this (late 
 holds forth difcoveries of new plots and of new confpiracies. 
 Some of the members feem to apprehend that infurreftions are 
 upon the eve of breaking out, and have fuggefted the neceflity 
 of feizing and fecuring the paffes through the Highlands, left 
 the diffaffefted mould do it. Their prefervation being a mat- 
 [ter of great importance, his excellency, notwithftanding the fi- 
 tuation we are in with refpeft to troops, has detached colonel 
 Ta(h with his regiment, lately from New-Hampthire, in addi- 
 tion to the militia mentioned in his laft, with directions to re- 
 jceive orders from the convention, as to the ftation and ports he 
 is to occupy. 
 
 There 
 
2 4 o GNEkAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 There nre now in our porTeflion feveral perfons, inhabitants 
 of this irate, who had engaged to join the enemy, and were in- 
 tercepted in going to them. There are alfo two who confefs 
 they have been with them, and that they had actually engaged 
 in their fervice : but, finding the terms (the bounty, pay, &c.) 
 not ib advantageous as they expe6te<llrom the information they 1 
 had received, they were induced to return. As the affairs or' 
 this government are in a precarious iituation, and fuch as, the 
 convention themfelves feem to think, forbid their interpolation 
 farther than taking meafures to apprehend them, his excellency 
 would wilh to obtain the fentiments of Congrefa, and their di- 
 rection upon a fubjecl fo extremely critical and delicate, and 
 which, in the coniideration of it, involves many important con- 
 fequences. 
 
 Your favor of the ninth, with its feveral inclofures, his ex- 
 cellency received yefterday morning by the exprefs, who pro- 
 ceeded immediately on his journey. 
 
 Q&ober 17.' ' "I am directed by his excellency to acquaint 
 you that we are again obliged to change our difpofition, to 
 counteract the operations of the enemy. Declining an attack 
 tipon our front, they have drawn the main body of their army 
 to Frog's-Point, with a defign of hemming us in, and drawings 
 line in our rear. To prevent the confequences which would 
 but too probably follow the execution of their fcheme, the ge- 
 neral officers determined yefterday that our forces muft be ta- 
 ken from hence, and extended towards Eail and Welt Chefter, 
 fo as to out-flank them. General Lee, who arrived on monday, 
 has ftrongly urged the abfolute neceffity of the meafure. It is 
 propofed to leave a garrifon at Fort-Wafhington, and to main- 
 tain it if poilible, in order to preferve the communication with 
 the Jerfeys. They are landing their artillery and waggons up- 
 on the point ; and there are now feveral boats pafling up the 
 Sound, full of men. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON. 
 
 P. S. The port having not come in fmce funday, till to-day, 
 
 has been the occafion of not writing to you lince that time. 
 
 He was expected as ufual ; which prevented an exprefs being 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 241 
 
 SIR, Haer/em Heights, October 1 8, 1776. 
 
 I WAS yefterday morning honored with your favor of 
 the fifteenth, with the refolutibns of the eleventh and four- 
 teenth. The latter, by which Congrefs have authorifed me to 
 appoint moniieur Fennel a brevet aid-de-camp, claims a return 
 of my acknowledgments. 
 
 Laft night I received a letter from Mr. Varick, fecretary to- 
 general Schuyler inclofing a copy of one from general Arnold 
 to general Gates. The intelligence tranfmitted by general Ar- 
 nold being of an extremely, interefting and important nature, I 
 thought it advifable to forward the fame immediately by ex- 
 prefs. You have a copy herewith, which contains the particu- 
 lars, and to which I beg leave to refer you. 
 
 The accounts tranfmitted you yefterday by poft will inform 
 you of the movements of the enemy, and of the meafures judg- 
 ed neceffary to-be purfued by us, to counteract their deligns. 
 I have nothing to add on this head,, except that ten or eleven 
 Ihips, which have been prevented paffing Hell-gate for two or 
 three days for want of wind, are now under way, and proceed- 
 ing up the Sound. Amongft them there appear to be two fri- 
 gates : the reft probably have in ftores, &c. 
 
 Inclofed is a copy of the lart general return I have been able 
 to obtain. It only comes down to the fifth inftant : the fitua- 
 tion of our affairs, and the almoft conftant neceflity of fending 
 detachments from one place to another to watch the enemy's 
 motions, have prevented the officers from making them with 
 regularity. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c G. W. 
 
 Kingjbridge, OBober 20, 1776, half after one o 1 clock y P. 
 SIR.. 
 
 I HAVE it in command from his excellency to tranfmit you 
 the inclofed copies of difpatches which juft now came to hand, 
 and which contain intelligence of the moft interefting and im- 
 portant nature refpe&ing our affairs in the northern deparment. 
 His excellency would have wrote himfelf, but was going to our 
 feveral pofts, when the exprefs-arrived. 
 
 The enemy are purfuing with great induftry their plan of 
 penetrating the country from the Sound, and of forming a line 
 in our rear. They are now extended frera frogVPoint to New- 
 
 H h Rochelle, 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 Rochelle, from whence it is generally conjectured they mean to 
 take their route by way of the White-Plain*, and from thence 
 to draw a line . to the North-river. We on our- part have 
 drawn our whole force, except the regiments intended to garri- 
 fon Fort-Wafhington, from theifland of New- York, and have pof- 
 feffed ourfelves of the heights, paffes, and advantageous grounds 
 between New-Rochelle, where the van of their army now lies, 
 and the North-river. They will in all probability attempt to 
 effect their purpofe by moving higher up. If they do, our 
 forces will move accordingly, it being a principal object to 
 prevent their oat-flanking us. 
 
 On friday, one of their advanced parties, near Eaft-Chefter, 
 fell in with part of colonel Glover's brigade, and a fmart and 
 clofe fkirmifh enfued, in which, I have the pleafure to inform 
 you, our men behaved with great coolnefs and intrepidity, and 
 drove the enemy back to their main body. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON* 
 
 . SIR, Head-^uarters, Valentine's Hi/!, Oft. 21, 1776. 
 
 HIS excellency being abfent on a vifit to the fereral pofts 
 <on the left of our lines and at White-Plains, I have the honor 
 to inform you, by the favor of colonel Whipple, that, fmce my 
 letter of yefterday, no event of importance has occured. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. R, H. HARRISON 
 
 To the Board of War. 
 
 GJSNTLEMEN, Camp at Valentine^* Hill, Oft. 22, 1776. 
 
 I AM directed by his excellency, whofe bufinefs has called 
 him from hence, to acknowledge his receipt of your favors of 
 the twelfth and fifteenth inftant, and to inform you in anftver 
 to the firft, that he will mention the cafe of th French gentle- 
 men to general Lee, and obtain his opinion as to the beft mode 
 of providing for them in a ufeful way. The horfes belonging 
 to the light dragoons who were taken, he thinks, will be very 
 ferviceable ; and he will write to general Ward or one of the 
 agents to purchafe them. 
 
 * In refpect to your requifition for an immediate return o 
 ordnance itores, his excellency fays'it cannot poflibly be com- 
 plied with in the prefent vuifettled Hate, of the army. Jn order 
 
 to 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 
 
 to effect the good purpofes you have in view, he would take 
 the liberty to recommend the eftabliming of magazines of am- 
 munition and other ordnance flores in proper places of fecu- 
 rity, from whence fupplies could be occalionally drawn. As- 
 large quantities are conftantly in demand in time of war, he; 
 does not conceive your provifion in thcfe inftances can be too 
 gjeat. 
 
 He will direct the regimental returns in future to include 
 arms and accoutrements, and the commiffary-general to tranf- 
 mit monthly lifts of rations. He thinks the regulation extreme- 
 ly proper, though he apprehends the information to be prema- 
 ture refpe&ing the over-quantity fuggefted to have been drawn, 
 Kaving heard no fufpicion of the fort ui this army of late. 
 
 J have the honor to be., &c. R. H. HARRISON. 
 
 SIR, Head-Quarters ; White-Plains, OB. 25, 1776, 
 
 THE whole of our army is* now here and on the neigh- 
 boring heights, except the troops left at Mount-Wafhington 
 and K,ing(bridge (about fourteen hundred at the former, and fix 
 hundred at the latter), and general Lee's divifion which now 
 forms the rear, and \vhich is on their march. Our removal, 
 and that of the ftores, have been attended with a great deal of 
 trouble, owing to the fcarcity and difficulty of procuring wag- 
 gons. However, they ar* nearly effected, and without any 
 lofs. The general officers are now reconnoitring the feveral 
 paiTes leading from the enemy, that the moft important may 
 be immediately fecured. The fituation of their army remain? 
 nearly the fame as when I had the honor of addrefling you en 
 the twenty-firft inftant. It differs in nothing unlefs it is that 
 their main body is more collected about New-Rochelle. A 
 few of their troops are extended as far as Momarioneck. 
 
 On monday night a detachment of our men, under the com* 
 Eland of colonel Hazlet, was fent out to furprife and cut off 
 major Rogers, if pofliblf, with his regiment which was pofted 
 there. By fome accident or other the expedition did not fuc- 
 ceed fo well as I could have wifhed. However, our advanced 
 party, led on by major Greene of the firft Virginia regimenty 
 fell in with their out-guard, and brought off thirty-fix prifon- 
 ers, fixty mulkets, and fome blankets. The number killed is 
 not certainly known : but is is reported by an officer who was 
 the>e, that he counted about twenty-five,- Our lofs, two kill- 
 
244 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 ed, and ten or twelve wounded j among the latter, major 
 Greene, whofc recovery is very doubtful. 
 
 On wednefday there was alfo a fmart fkirmifti between a 
 party of colonel Hand's riflemen, about two hundred and for- 
 ty, and nearly the fame number of Heflian chaffeurs, in which 
 the latter were put to the rout. Our men buried ten of them 
 on the field, and took two prifoners, one badly wounded. We 
 fuftained no other Ipfs than having one lad wounded, fuppofed 
 mortally. 
 
 The {hips of war that are In the North-river, fell down yef- 
 terday morning or the evening before, to Dobbs's ferry, to* 
 prevent our bringing itores from below by water, and the re- 
 moval of thofe that are landed there. As foon as the waggons, 
 employed in bringing the baggage and ftqres of general Lee's 
 divifion, are ciifengaged, they will be immediately fent to aflilt 
 thofe already there to remove them, 
 
 On faturday night we had the misfortune to, lofe one of the 
 new mips intended to be funk for obilrufting the channel. She 
 parted her cables in a fevere fquall, when properly ballafted, 
 and bilged aa foon as ihe ftruck the more. The other {hip was 
 funk well 5 and yefterday morn-ing two brigs, both ready, were 
 fent down for the fame purpofe. 
 
 About two o'clock this afternoon, intelligence was brought 
 to head-quarters that three or four detachments of the enemy 
 were on their march, and had advanced within about four miles 
 of this place. It has been fully confirmed fince by a variety 
 of perfons who have been out to reconnoitre. Their number 
 cannot be afcertained ; but it i? generally conjectured that the 
 detachments are or will be fucceeded by as many columns conu 
 pofing their main body. Our drums have beat to arms, and 
 the men are ordered to their feveral pods. Moft probably 
 jbme important event is upon the eve pf taking plaice j I hope 
 Jt will be victory in favor of pur arms. r General Lee, with his 
 diviiion, has not got up \ but 1 hear he is on his march. 
 
 Experiment having proved it difficult, if not impoffible, to 
 prevent the enemy from poiTefTmg the navigation of the North- 
 xiver, and rendering the communication and intercourfe be- 
 tween the flates divided by it extremely hazardous and preca- 
 jious by means of their fhips of war, it has become a matter of 
 important consideration fyow to remedy the evil, and to guard 
 againfi the confequences which may refult from it. I am 
 charged hy his excellency to mention it to Congrefs as a mat- 
 je.i that has employed much of his thought, and that feems 
 Yfprthy of the moft ferious attention, He has communicated 
 
 it 
 
CI AL I,ETTRR$. -\ 
 
 it. to feveral, of the general and other officers, and to many gen.* 
 tlemen of fenfe and difcernment, who all agree with him, not 
 only.. upon tta: propriety, but the abiolute neceffity that two 
 diftint armies mould be formed, one to ad particularly in the 
 vtates which lie on the eaft, the other in thofe that are on the : 
 fouth of the river j the whole however to be raifed on a ge- 
 neral plan, and not to be confined to any particular place by 
 the terms of enliftment. Thefe matters, the apparent difficul- 
 ty and perhaps impracticability of fuccours being thrown acrois 
 the river xvhile the enemy can command it, have induced his 
 excellency to fubmit the meafures to their confideration, not 
 knowing. how their operations may be directed, and forefeeing 
 that innumerable evils may arife if a refpeclable force is not, 
 appointed to oppofe their arms, wherever they are carried. 
 ; J have the honor to be, in great hafte, &c. 
 
 R. H. HARE.ISCNT. 
 
 * * - 4 " ' " '" 
 
 . . 
 
 SIR, White-Plains, October 29, 1776,' 
 
 r<5; ^J'.*JTS ..j^:' . ^-. t :\ ^v^-,,';' ; ., .. , ". t 
 THE fituation of our affairs not permitting his excellency 
 to write himfelf, I have it in charge to inform you, that, on 
 yeiterday morning about ten o'clock, the enemy appeared ia 
 levcral large columns in our front, and, from their firft move- 
 -ments, feemed as if they meant, an attack there. However, 
 halting for a littl^ t>me, . their main body filed off to the left, 
 <iipd prefently began a inoft fevere and inceiTant cannonade, at a 
 part of our troops who had taken pod on a hill, with a view of 
 throwing up iome lines. At the fame time they advanced in 
 two diviiions, and, after a fmart engagement for about a quar- 
 ter of an hour, obliged our men to give way. 
 y[ ,Our lofs is not certainly known ; but, from conje&ure, is be- 
 tween four and five hundred in killed, wounded, and milling, 
 What theirs was, we have not heard. 
 
 , After gaining the hill (upon which they are intrenching) and 
 leaving a fufficient number of men and artillery to prevent our 
 jrepoffeffing it, they proceeded to advance' by our left j and, as 
 far as I can difcover, |;heir pofts or 'emcampments noxv form 
 nearly a femicircle. It is evident their ciellgri is to get in our 
 rear according to their original plan. Every meafure is taking 
 to prevent them if but the removal of our baggage, &c. is at- 
 tended with infinite difficulty an(T delays. 
 
 Our poft, from its fituation, is not fo advantageous as could 
 be wiihed, and was only intended as temporary and occafional, 
 
 till 
 
GENERAL WASHINGGN< S 
 
 till the ftores belonging to the army, which had been depofitedf 
 here, could be removed. The enemy coining on fo fuddenly 
 has diilreffed us much. They are now clofe at hand, and moft 
 probably will in a little time commence their fecond attack : 
 xve expecl: it every hour : perhaps it is beginning : I have juft 
 heard the report of fome cannon. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. R. H, HARRISON, 
 
 SIR, jfflite-P&int} October 31, 1776, 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addreiling you on the twenty* 
 ninth inftant, no event of importance has occurred. The ene- 
 my are throwing up fome lines and redoubts in our front, with 
 a view of cannonading as foon as they are ready \ and at the 
 fame time are extending their wings farther by our right aiul 
 left. It is fuppofed that one of their objects is to advance a 
 part of their troops, and feize on the bridge over Croton river, 
 that the communication may be cut off with the upper country. 
 To prevent this, a part of our force is detached, with orders to 
 proceed with the utmoil expedition, a,nd to fecu.re the pafs if 
 poffible. 
 
 We are trying to remove, to guard againft their defigns, but 
 are greatly impeded by reafon of the fcarcity of waggons iu 
 proportion to our baggage and ftores. Every exertion has 
 been employed to obtain a furHciency 5 but they cannot be had 
 an this part of the country. The quai'ter-malter has fent to. 
 Connecticut to get a fupply if poffible. 
 
 Our army is decrealing fa ft. Several gentlemen, who havd 
 come to camp within a few days, have obferved large num.ber* 
 of militia returning home on the different roads : nor are a'ny 
 meafures taken as yet to raife the new army, no commiflions. 
 liaving come from the ilates to appoint or fignify the nominati- 
 on of their officers,. If this was done, perhaps many who are 
 now here might be induced to engage : but at prefent there arc 
 none authorifed to recruit. 
 
 His excellency would have wrote himfelf by the perfon who, 
 carries this (to the care of general Greene) j but hi> atttention 
 is totally engaged in ordering the affairs of the army, and the 
 mode for its removal. 
 
 J have the honor to be, &c, R. H. HARRISON* 
 
 White- 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 247 
 
 Si*, White-Plains, November j, 1776*. 
 
 I AM directed by his excellency to acknowledge his re- 
 ceipt of your favor of the twenty-eighth ultimo, which came 
 to hand yefterday evening, and to tranfmit you a copy of the 
 letter I had the honor of writing you by the Bofton exprefs, 
 by his command. Had the exprefs been charged with no other 
 letter, the lofs would not have been attended with any material 
 injury to us, or advantage to the enemy, provided it (hould 
 come to their hands : but there were others from his excel- 
 lency, of a very interefting nature, the mifcarriage of 'which 
 gives him much concern. As the bundle was taken away info 
 fudden and fecret a manner, I fear there is but little hope of 
 recovering it, being done moft probably for the exprefs pur- 
 pofe of furnifhing the enemy with intelligence, and a Hate o 
 our army. Befides his excellency's letters, the moil material 
 of which was to Mr. Rutledge, there were five or fix more from 
 the gentlemen of his family. 
 
 My letters of the twenty-ninth and of yefterday, which I 
 had the honor of addreffing you, will give a pretty full account 
 of our fituation, and of every matter refpe&ing this army, an- 
 tecedent to this date. I only omitted to mention that we have 
 taken thirteen of the Waldeckers, and that, for feveral days 
 paft, our fcouting parties have brought in one, two, or three 
 prifoners. In addition to thefe, we have every day a deferter 
 or txvo. 
 
 About fix o'clock this morning, a meffenger arrived from lord 
 Stirling (who is with his brigade betv/een two and three miles 
 from White-Plains, on our right, and rather nearer the NortV 
 liver) with intelligence that the enemy were advancing towards 
 him in two columns. This information has carried his excel- 
 lency and aids out. The refult of their movement I have not; 
 heard : but moft likely they are purfuing their original aefiga 
 of getting by our flanks and feizing the heights above us. E~ 
 very precaution is taking to prevent them, and to hurry away 
 our ftores to a more interior part of the country, 
 
 J have the honor to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON.: 
 
 P. S. His excellency has juft returned, and fays the alarm, 
 was premature. It arofe from fome of lord Stirling's advanced 
 guards feeing a body of our men who had been ordered to rein-" 
 force him, who were fuppofed to be the enemy. His excel- 
 lency is very apprehenlive that the army will be greatly dif- 
 treffed for want of provifion, particularly in the article of flour, 
 to the water-conveyance, both in the Noith and Eaft-. 
 
 rives 
 
48 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 xiver, being in the enemy's ppflfefiion. He has wrote to the 
 convention of this ftate, and directed Mr. Tfubull, that their 
 iitmoft exertions in this inrtance may be ufed. There is a good 
 deal of hour on the Jerfey iide : but there is no other way to 
 tje-t it, but by carting and ferrying it over to Peeklkill. This 
 i have wrote to general Greene to have done, by his excel- 
 lency's direction. 
 
 SIR, White-Plains, November 3, 1776. 
 
 BY command of his excellency, I have the honor to in- 
 form you that our iituation is nearly the lame as when I had 
 the pleafure of writing you laft. It is altered in no inftance, 
 unlefs in the number of our troops,, which is every day decreaf- 
 ing by their moft fcandalous dcfertion and return home. The 
 inclofed letter from general Parfons, who is ftationed near the 
 Saw-pits, and. which his excellency directed me to tranfmit, 
 will inform you of the prevalency of this difgraceful practice. 
 . 1 have the honor to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON. 
 
 To the Board cf War. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, White-Plains, Nov. 4, 1776. 
 
 BY command of his excellency, I have the honor to ac- 
 knowledge his receipt of your favor of the twenty-fourth ulti- 
 1*0, and to inform you that he efteems the plan you propofe to 
 lay before Congrefs, for preventing more rations being drawn 
 than may be due, well calculated to anfwer the end. That 
 refpecting the rick feems to him not entirely perfect. The cap- 
 tains or commanders of companies are prohibited from drawing 
 pay for fuch rick as may be difcharged from the hofpitals as un- 
 fit for fervice. If, during their ftay, and before it can be 
 known whether their cafe will or will not admit of their return, 
 it fliould become neceflary to make up a regimental pay-abilracl, 
 in what manner are the officers to make up theii rolls ? are 
 they to include the fick, or not ? 
 
 As this is a cafe which may and muft of neceflity frequently 
 happen, it appears to his excellency that the intended regula- 
 tions fliould be more general, and reft rain the officers from in- 
 cluding in their pay-abftracts or rolls all the fick they fend to 
 the hofpitals, and the pay due 'em previous to their going. In 
 
 fuch 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 249 
 
 fuch cafe, thofe who are difcliarged as unfit for fervice may receive 
 their pay as Intended j and thofe who return to duty can ob- 
 tain what was due to them when the regiment was paid, by ap- 
 plying to the paymafter with the officer and furgeon's certifi- 
 cates, or be included in a fubfequent abflra'61. The inconvenien- 
 ces and abufes which are dellgned to be remedied by thefe re- 
 gulations, his excellency does not apprehend to arife fo much, 
 from neceflity (as incident to the nature of armies), as from the, 
 imperfect inflitution of the prefent, and the great mixture and 
 diverfity of troops compofmg it, and alfo from the inattention 
 of the officers. * * * 
 
 The defencelefs ftate of Pennfylvania, as communicated by 
 the committee of fafety to your honorable body, is a matter of 
 much concern to his excellency, who is not a little aggravat- 
 ed by the part too many feem ready to take in favor of the e- 
 nemy. He trufts, however, the defection will be too incoml- 
 tlerable to threaten any alarming confequences. 
 
 ' Before the receipt of your letter, his excellency had wrote 
 to the commanding officer of the Virginia regiments at Tren- 
 ton, directing him to march them forward towards general 
 Greene's poft, and there remain under his command till fur- 
 ther orders, unleft fpecial mftru&ions had been or mould be 
 given to the contrary by Congrefi, or for their particular deftl- 
 nation. 
 
 Agreeable to your requeft, his excellency has confulted with 
 general Lee upon the beft raode for employing the French gen- 
 tlemen, and making them ferviceable. The refult is that they 
 (hould be appointed to regiments by Congrefs according to the 
 ranks they have been pleafed to give them, and with the fame 
 pay as is allowed other officers in fuch cafes. Their want of 
 our language is rather an objection : but it is hoped they will 
 attain a fufficient knowledge of it, ere it be long, to be of great 
 fervice j and that, in the interim, their advice and afliftance 
 in directing of works may be of ufe where they may be flation- 
 cd. With great refpec~t, I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
 R. H. HARRIS aw. 
 
 SIR, Whits-Plains, November 6, 1776', 
 
 I HAVE the honor to inform you that on yeflerday 
 morning the enemy made a fudden and unexpected movement 
 from the fevtraL pofts they had taken in our front. They 
 
 .,_ broke 
 I i 
 
250 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 broke up their whole encampments the preceding night, and 
 have advanced towards Kingfbridge and the North-river. The 
 defign of this manoeuvre is a matter of much conjecture and 
 and fpeculation, and cannot be accounted for with any degree 
 of certainty. The grounds we had taken poffeflion of were 
 ftrong and advantageous, and fuch as they could not have gain- 
 ed without much lofs of blood in cafe an attempt had been 
 made. I had taken every precaution to prevent their out- 
 flanking us j which may have led to the prefent meafure. 
 They may Hill have in view their original plan, and, by a fud- 
 den wheel, try to accomplim it. Detachments are conftantly 
 out to obferve their motions, and to harrafs them as much as 
 poflible. 
 
 In confequence of this movement I called a council of gene- 
 ral officers to-day, to confult of fuch meafures as mould be a^ 
 dopted in cafe they purfued their retreat to New- York j the 
 refult of which is herewith tranfmitted. In refpecl to myfelf, 
 I cannot indulge an idea that general Howe, fuppofing he is go- 
 ing to New-York, means to clofe the campaign, and to fit 
 down attempting fomething more. I think it highly probable, 
 and almoft certain, that he will make a defcent with a part of 
 his troops into Jerfey j and, as foon as I am fatisfied that the 
 prefent manoeuvre is real and not a feint, I mall ufe every 
 means in my power to forward a part of our force to counter- 
 act his defigns : nor fhall I be difappointed if he fends a detach- 
 ment to the fouthward for the purpofe of making a winter cam- 
 paign. 
 
 From the information I have received, there is now a num- 
 ber of tranfports at Red-Hook, with about three thoufand 
 troops on board. Their deftination, as given out, is to Rhode- 
 Ifland - 7 but this feems altogether improbable for various rea- 
 fons : among others, the feafon is much againil it. In the 
 fouthern ftates they will find it milder, and much more favora- 
 ble for their purpo'fes. I fhall take the liberty of mentioning 
 that it may not be improper to fuggeft the probability of fuch 
 a meafure to the affemblies and conventions in thofe flates, that 
 they may be on their guard, and the propriety of their efta- 
 blifhing and laying up magazines of provifions and other neceffa- 
 ries in iuitable places. This is a matter of exceeding import- 
 ance, and what cannot be too much attended to. 
 
 From the approaching diflblution of the army, and the de- 
 parture of the new levies which is on the eve of taking place, 
 and the little profpeft of levying a new one in time, I have 
 wrote to the eaftern ftates by the unanimous advice of the ge- 
 neral 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 251 
 
 fieral officers, to forward fupplies of militia in the room of thofe 
 that are now here, and who, it is feared, will not be prevailed 
 c*i to ftay any longer than the time they are engaged for. The 
 propriety of this application, I truft, will appear, when it is 
 known that not a fingle officer is yet commiffioned to recruit, 
 and when it is confidered how effential it is to keep up forae 
 ftiew of force and ihadow of an army. 
 
 I expect the enemy will bend their force againft Fort-Wam- 
 ington, and inveft it immediately. From fome advices it is ari 
 object that will attracl their earlieft attention. 
 
 I am happy to inform you, that, in the engagement on mon- 
 day fe'nnight, I have reafon to believe our lofs was by no 
 means fo considerable as was conjectured at firft. By fome de* 
 ferters and prifoners we are told, that of the enemy was tolera- 
 bly great ; fome accounts make it about four hundred in killed 
 and wounded : all agree that among the former there was a co- 
 lonel Carr of the thirty-fifth regiment. 
 
 The force that will be fent to Jerfey after I am fatisfied of 
 Mr. Howe's retreat, in addition to thofe now there, according 
 to my prefent opinion, will make it neceflary for me to go with 
 them, to put things in a proper channel, and fuch a way of de- 
 fence as mall feem mod probable to check the progrefs of the 
 enemy, in cafe they fliould attempt a defcent there, or a move 
 toward Philadelphia. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.' 
 
 To the Board of War. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, Whitv-P lams , November 8, 1776, 
 
 I HAVE been favored with yours of the thirty-firft ul- 
 timo, by rnoniieur Laytaniac, and mufl take the liberty of re- 
 ferring you to my former letters upon the fubjecl of providing 
 for the French gentlemen who (hall incline to enter the fervice 
 of the flates. To me it appears that one or two modes muft be 
 adopted ; they muft either be appointed to places in fome of 
 the regiments, or formed into a diftincl: corps. The former 
 was advifed as the moil eligible in refpecl to the gentlemen 
 who were here before. It requires time to form an accurate 
 opinion of the merits of an officer j and the prefent fituation of 
 the army will not allow me to pay a particular attention to 
 raonfieur Laytaniac, or fuch notice as he may wifh to receive, 
 
 or 
 
253 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 or I to give : nor is there any way of making his flay here a 
 greeable. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c, G. W\ 
 
 SIR, While-Plains ', November 9, 1776, 
 
 I HAVE the honor to tranfmit you a copy of a letter from 
 general Gates to general Schuyler, an I of another paper con-, 
 taining intelligence refpecting the northren army and the iitua- 
 tion of the enemy in that department. They this minute came 
 to hand 5 and to them I beg leave to refer you for particulars. 
 
 By every information 1 can obtain, and the accounts I had 
 laft night by two deferters who were very intelligent and parti - 
 r'ular, general Howe ftill has in view an expedition to the Jer- 
 leys, and is preparing for it with the greateil induftry. I have 
 detached the firil divifion of our troops which was thought ne- 
 ceffary to be fent ? and which I hope will crofs the river at 
 Peekikill to-day. The fecond, I expect, will all march this e- 
 vening ; and to-morrow morning I propofe to follow myfelf, in, 
 order to put things in the beft train I can, ana 1 to give him eve- 
 ry poffible oppofition. I hope (when the two diviiions arrive, 
 and are joined to fuch other force as I expect to collect) to 
 check his progrefs and prevent him from penetrating any dift- 
 ance from the river, if not to oblige him to return immediately 
 with fome lofs. Whatever is in my power to effect, mall be 
 clone. 
 
 .1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W 
 
 Sia, peek/kill, November 11, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE only time to acknowledge the honor of yourlet- 
 ter of the fifth inflant, and its feyeral inclofures, and to inform 
 you, that, agreeable to the refolves of Congrefs, I (hall ufe e- 
 very meafure in my power that the moving and prefent coniuf- 
 ed flate of the army will admit of, to appoint officers for re- 
 cruiting. 
 
 You will have been advifed, before this, of the arrival of 
 pommiffioners from the MaiTachuTetts. Others have come from 
 Connecticut : but, from the prefent appearance of things, we 
 feem but little if any nearer to levying an army. I had antici- 
 pated the refolve refpecti.ng the militia, by writing to the eaft- 
 $rr\ ftatcs and to the Jerfey, by the advife of my general offi- 
 cers, 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 cers, and from a confcioufnefs of the neceiTity of getting in a 
 number of men if poflible, to keep up the appearance of an ar- 
 my. How my applications will fucceed, the event muft deter- 
 mine. I have little or no reafon to expect that the militia now 1 
 here will remain a day longer than the" time they firfl engaged 
 for. I have recommended their ftay, and requeited it in gene- 
 ral orders. General Lincoln and the Msffachufetts commiffi- 
 oners are ufing their intereit with thofe from that ftate : but, 
 as far as I can judge, we cannot rely on their flaying. 
 
 I left White-Plains about eleven o'clock yefterday j all 
 peace then. The enemy appeared to be preparing for their 
 expedition to Jerfcy accoiding to every information. What 
 their defigns are, or whether their prefent concjucl is not a feint, 
 I cannot determine. 
 
 The Maryland and Virginia troops under lord Sterling have 
 croffed the river, as have pait of thofe from the Jerfey : the re 
 mainder are now embarking. The troops, judged neceffary to 
 fecure the feveral pofts through the Highlands, have alfo got 
 up. I am going to examine the paffes, and direct fuch works 
 as may appear neceffary j after which, and making the beft dif- 
 pofition I can of things in this quarter, I intend to proceed to 
 Jerfey, which I expert to do to-morrow. 
 
 The affemblies of Maffachufetts and Connecticut, to indues 
 their men more readily to engage in the fervice, have voted an 
 advance pay of twenty millings per month, in addition to that 
 allowed by the Congrefs to privates. It may perhaps be the 
 means of their levying the quotas exacted from them foonec 
 than they could othei wife have been raifed : but I am of opini-> 
 on, a more fatal and miftaken policy could not have entered 
 their councils, or one more detrimental to the general caufe* 
 The influence of the vote will become continental, and materi- 
 ally affect the other ftates in making up their levies. If they 
 could do it, I am certain, when the troops come to act toge- 
 ther, that jealouiy, impatience and mutiny. w T ould nec^fl'arily a* 
 rife. A different pay cannot exift in the fame army. The rear 
 ions are obvious, and experience has proved their force in the 
 cafe of the eailera and fouthern troops laft fpring. Senfi- 
 ble of this, and of the pernicious confequences that would in* 
 evitably refult from the advance, I have prevented the com- 
 miffioners from proceeding or publishing their terms till tbey 
 could obtain the fenfe of Congrefs upon the fubject, and remon- 
 ilratcd againit it in a letter to governor Trumbull. I am net 
 lingular in opinion : I have tlie concurrence of all the general 
 , of its fatal tendency. 
 
 I congra- 
 
254 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 I congratulate you and Congrefs upon the news from Ticon- 
 deroga, and that general Carleton and his army have been obli- 
 ged to return to Canada without attempting any thing. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, General Greeners Quarters, Nov. 14, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE the honor to inform you of my arrival here yef- 
 terday, and that the whole of the troops belonging to the ftates, 
 which lay fouth of Hudfon's river, and tvhich were in New- 
 York government, have paffed over to this fide, except the re- 
 giment, lately colonel Smallwood's, which I expect is now on 
 their march. 
 
 That they may be ready to check any incurfions the enemy 
 may attempt in this neighborhood, I intend to quarter them at 
 Erunfwic, Amboy, Elizabeth-town, Newark, and about this 
 place, unlefs Congrefs mould conceive it neceffary for any of 
 them to be llationed at or more contiguous to Philadelphia. 
 In fuch cafe they will be pleafed to fignify their pleafure. 
 There will be very few of them after the departure of thofe 
 who were engaged for the flying camp, which is faft approach- 
 ing. The difpofition I have mentioned feems to me well cal- 
 culated for the end propofed, and alfo for their accommoda- 
 tion. 
 
 The movements and defigns of the enemy are not yet under- 
 ftood. Various are the opinions and reports on this head. From 
 every information, the whole have removed from Dobbs's fer- 
 ry towards Kingfbridge ; and it feems to be generally believed 
 on -all hands, that the inverting of Fort-Wafhington is one ob- 
 ject they have in view : but that can employ but a fmall part of 
 their force. Whether they intend a fcuthren expedition, muft 
 be determined by time : to me there appears a probability of 
 it, which feems to be favored by the advices we have that ma- 
 ny tranfports are wooding and watering. General Greene's 
 letter would give you the fubftance of the intelligence brought 
 by Mr. Merfereau from Sfaten-Iiland in this inftance, which he 
 received before it came to me. 
 
 Inclofed you have copies of two letters from general Howe, 
 and of my anfwer to the firft of them. The letter alluded to, 
 and returned in his laft, was one from myfelf to Mrs. "Wafhing- 
 ton, of the twenty fifth ultimo, from whence I conclude that all 
 the letters vrhich went by the Botlon exprefs have come to his 
 pofisffion. You will alfo porceive that general Howe has re- 
 
 queiled 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 255 
 
 quefted the return of Peter Jack, a fervant to major Stewart, 
 to which I have confented, as he was not in the military line, 
 and the requifition agreeable to the cuftom of xvar. This fer- 
 vant having been fent to Philadelphia with the Waldeckers and 
 other prifoners, I muft xequelt the favor of you to have him con- 
 veyed to general Greene by the earlieft opportunity, in order 
 that he may be returned to his matter. 
 
 Before I conclude, I beg leave not only to fuggeft but to 
 urge the neceffity of increafingour field artillery very confider- 
 ably. Experience has convinced me, as it has every gentleman 
 of difcernment in this army, that, while we remain fo much in- 
 ferior to the enemy in this inftance, we muft carry on the war 
 under infinite difadvantages, and without the fmallefl probabili- 
 ty of fuccefs. It has been peculiarly owing to the Situation of 
 the country where their operations have been conducted, and 
 to the rough and Itrong grounds we poiTeffed ourfelves of, and 
 over which they had to pafs, that they have not carried their 
 arms, by means of their artillery, to a much greater extent. 
 When thefe difficulties ceafe by changing the fcene of action to 
 a level campaign country, the worft of confequences are to be 
 apprehended. I would therefore, with the concurrence of all 
 the officers whom I have fpoken to upon the fubject, fubmit tor 
 the confideration of Congrefs whether immediate meafures. 
 ought not to be taken for procuring a refpectable train. 
 
 It is agreed on all hands that each battalion mould be fur- 
 nifhed at leaft with two pieces, and that a fmaller number than a 
 hundred of three pounds, fifty of fix pounds, and fifty of twelve 
 pounds, mould not be provided, in addition to thofe we now. 
 have. BefideS thefe, if fome eighteen and twenty-four-pound- 
 ers are ordered, the train will be more ferviceable and complete. 
 The w r hole (hould be of brafs, for the molt obvious reafons : 
 they \vill be much more portable, not half fo liable to burft ; 
 and, when they do, no damage is occafioned by it, and they may 
 be cait over again. The fizes before defcribed mould be parti- 
 cularly attended to : if they are not, there will be great reafou 
 to expect miftakes and contufion in the charges in time of acti- 
 on, as it has frequently happened in the belt-regulated armies. 
 T he difparity between thofe I have mentioned and iuch as are 
 of an intermediate iize is difficult to difcern. 
 
 It is alfo agreed that a regiment of artillerifts, with approved 
 and experienced officers, ihould be obtained if pofliblc, and fome 
 engineers of known reputation and abilities. I am forry to fay, 
 too ready an indulgence has been had to fcveral appointments ia 
 
256 GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 the latter mftarlce, and that men have been promoted, who' feerri 
 to me to know but little if any thing of the buiinefs. 
 
 Pe rhaps this train, &c. may be looked upon by fome as large 
 and expensive. True, it will be fo : but when it is confideied 
 that the enemy, having effected but little in the courfe of the 
 prefent campaign, will ufe their utmoil efforts to fubjucate us 
 in the next, every coniiderationof that fort ihould be difregard- 
 ed, and every poffible preparation made to fruftrate their * * * 
 attempts. How they are to be procured, is to be inquired into. 
 That we cannot provide them among ourfelves, or more than 
 a very fmall proportion, fo trifling as not to deferve our notice, 
 is evident. Therefore I would advife, with all imaginable de- 
 ference, that, without any abatement of our own internal ex- 
 ertions, application fhould be immediately made to flicli pow- 
 ers as can and may be willing to fupply them. They cannot 
 be obtained too early, if foon enough : and I am told they may 
 be ealily had from France ana Holland. 
 
 Mr. Trumbull the commiiTary-general has frequently menti- 
 oned to me of late the inadequacy of his pay to his trouble and 
 the great rifk he is fubjecl to on account of the large fums of 
 money which pafs through his hands. He has flated his cafe 
 with a view of laying it before Congrefs and obtaining a more 
 adequate compensation. My fentiments upon the fubjecl are 
 already known : but yet I mall take tjie liberty to add that I 
 think his complaint to be well founded, and hi pay, confider- 
 ing the important duties and rilks of his office, by no means 
 fufficient, and that the footing he feems to think it. Ihould be 
 upon, himfelf, appears juft and reasonable. 
 
 A propofition having been made long iince to general Howe 
 ana agreed to by him, for an exchange of prifoners in coufe- 
 quence of the refolutions of Congrefs to that effecl, I (hall be 
 extremely happy if you will give directions to the committees 
 and thofe having. the charge of prifoners in the feveral flates 
 fbuth of Jerfey, to tranfmit me proper lifts of the names of all 
 the commiflioned officers, and of their ranks and the corps they 
 belong to j alfo the number of non-commirTioned and privates, 
 and their refpedHve regiments. You will perceive by his let- 
 ter, he fuppofes me to have affecled fome delay, or to have 
 been unmindful of the proposition I had made. 
 
 I propofe to (lay in this neighborhood a few days, in which 
 time I expeft the defigns of the enemy will be more difclofed, 
 and their incurfions be made in this quarter, or their invefti- 
 ture of Fort-Waihington, if they are intended. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 Tt 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 257 
 
 ro the Board of War. 
 General Greeners Quarter S, November 15, 1776. 
 
 GENTLEMEN,, 
 
 ON wednefday evening I received the favor of your letter 
 of the eighth inftant, in confequence 'of which I Hopped the 
 flag that was going in with the ladies you mention, pointing 
 out to them the neceffity of the meafure, and recommending 
 them to write to their hufbands and connections to obtain ge- 
 neral Howe's aflurances for the releafe of Mrs. Lewis, and Mr?. 
 Robinfou and her children, with their baggage, as the condition 
 on which they will be permitted to go in themfelves. Thefe 
 terms I can only extend to Mrs. Barrow and Mrs. Kemp who 
 had never obtained my leave : Mrs. Watts had, and my pro- 
 mife that (lie ihould go in. The whole however were prepared 
 to go, when the letter reached Newark. The mode 1 have 
 adopted feems mod likely, and the only proper ore, to procure 
 the enlargement 'of our ladies, which I wiih for much. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with great refpecl, &:c. G. W. 
 
 To the Board of War. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, Hccki?ifac, November 15, 1776. 
 
 HAVING given my promife to general Howe, on his ap- 
 plication, that Peter Jack, a fervant of major Stewart, who 
 wasfent to Philadelphia with the Waldeckers and ether prifoners 
 and who has nothing to do in the military line, iliould be return- 
 ed to his mafler agreable to the ufage of war in iuch cafes, I 
 mult take the liberty to requeft the favor of you to have him 
 conveyed to general Greene by the earlieft opportunity, that 
 he may be forwarded to his mailer in compliance with my pro- 
 inife. 
 
 I alfo wifli that you would have all the Britifh prifoners col- 
 lected that you conveniently can, and fent to me as foon as 
 poflible with the Hedian prifoners, that I may exchange them. 
 The return of the letter I think will be attended with m?.ny fglu- 
 tary confequences : but, (Lould it be made without that of a 
 large proportion of other troops, it will carry the marks of de- 
 iign, and occafion precautions to be taken to prevent the ends 
 we have in view. I feaVs the honor to be, Sec. G. Vv r . 
 
2 5 S GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 Sin, General Greeners Quarters, Nov. 16, 1776. 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addreffing yon laft, an impor- 
 tant event has taken place, of which I wifli to give you the ear- 
 lieft intelligence. 
 
 The preservation of the paffage of the North-river was an 
 objeft of fo much confequence that I thought no pains or ex- 
 penfe too great for that purpofe : and therefore, after fending 
 off all the valuable ftores except fuch as were neceffary for its 
 defence, I determined, agreeable to the advice of moft of the 
 general officers, to rifk fomething to defend the pofl on the eaft 
 fide, called Mount-Wafhington. 
 
 When the array moved up in jconfequence of general Howe's 
 landing at Frog-point, colonol Magaw was left on that com~ 
 mand, with about twelve hundred men, and orders given to de- 
 fend it to the lad. Afterwards, reflecting upon the fmallnefs 
 of the garrifon, and the difficulty of their holding it if general 
 Howe ihould fall down upon it with his whole force, I wrote 
 to general Greene who had the command on the Jerfey (hore, 
 directing him to govern himfelf by circumftrmces, and to retain 
 or evacuate the pofl as he mould think beft, and revoking the 
 abfolute order to colonel Magaw to defend the pod to the laft 
 extremity. General Greene, ftruck with the importance of 
 the poft, and the difengagement which our evacuation of pofts 
 muft necelTariiy have given, reinforced colonel Magaw with de- 
 tachments from feveral regiments of the flying camp, but cbdef- 
 ly of Pennfylvania, fo as to make up the number about two 
 thoufand. 
 
 In this fituation things were yefterday, "when general HoWe 
 demanded the furrendry of the garrifoa, to which colonel Ma- 
 gaw returned a fpirited refufal. Immediately upon receiving 
 an account of this tranfaclion, I came from Hackinfac to this 
 place, and had partly croffed the North-river when I met ge- 
 neral Putnam and, general Greene, who were juft returning 
 from thence, and informed me that the troops were in high 
 fpirits, and would make a good defence : and it being late at 
 night, I returned. 
 
 Early this morning colonel Magaw pofted his troops partly 
 in the lines thrown up by our army on our firil coming thither 
 from New-York, and partly on a commanding hill lying north 
 of Mount-Wathington, the lines being all to the ibutrr.vard. 
 In this pofition the attack began about ten o'clock, which our 
 troops itood, and returned the fire in fuch a manner as gave 
 me great hopes the enemy was entirely repulfed. But at this 
 
 time 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS 259 
 
 iime a body of troops crofted Haerlem-river in boats, and land- 
 ed infide of the fecond lines, our troops being then engaged in 
 the firft. 
 
 Colonel Cadwallader, who commanded in the lines, fent off 
 a detachment to oppofe them : but they, being overpowered 
 br numbers, gave way ; upon which, colonel Cadwallader or- 
 dered his troops to retreat in order to gain the fort. It was 
 done with much confufion ; and the enemy crofting over came 
 in upon them in fuch a manner, that a number of them iurren- 
 dered. 
 
 At this time the Heffians advanced on the north fide of the 
 fort in very large bodies. They were received by the troops 
 ported there, with proper fpirit, and kept back a coniiderable 
 time : but at length they were alfo- obliged to fubmit to a fu- 
 periority of numbers, and retire under the cannon of the fort. 
 
 The enemy, having advanced thus far, halted j and immedi- 
 ately a flag went in, with a repetition of the demand of the 
 fortrefs, as I fuppafe. At this time I fent a billet to colonel 
 Magaw, diiecling him to hold out, and I would endeavor this 
 evening to bring off the garrifon, if the fortrefs could not be 
 maintained, as I did not expect it could, the enemy being pof- 
 feffed of the adjacent ground. But, before tins reached him, 
 he Lad entered too far into a treaty, to retrad : after which, 
 colonel Cadwallader told another meffenger who went over, 
 that they had been able to obtain no other terms than to fur- 
 render as prifoners of war. In this fituation matters now Hand. 
 I have Hopped general Beall's and geneal Heard's brigades, to 
 preferve the port and (lores here ; which, with the other troops, 
 I hope we mall be able to erFecl. 
 
 I do not yet know the numbers killed or wounded on either 
 tide : but, from the heavinefs and continuance of the fire in 
 ibme places, I imagine there inult have been confiderable exe- ' 
 cation. . , i 
 
 The lofs of fuch a number of officers and men, many of 
 whom have been trained with more than .common attention, 
 will, I fear, be feverely felt j but, when that of the arms and 
 accoutrements is added, much more fo j and muft be a further 
 incentive to procure as confiderable a fupply as poflible for the 
 ECW troops, as foon as it can be done. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W* 
 
 Hackinfac, 
 
26o GENERAL WASHINGTON^ 
 
 . i 
 SIR, Hackinfcc, November it;, 1^76". 
 
 I HAVE, not yet been able to obtain a particular account 
 of the unhappy aflair of the fixteenth, nor of the terms on 
 which the garrifon furrendered. The intelligence that has 
 come to hand is not fa full and accurate as I could wiih. One 
 of the artillery, whofe information is moft direct, and who ef- 
 caped on funday night, fays the enemy's lof's was very confi- 
 derahie, efpecially in the attack made above the fort by the 
 divifion of Heffians that marched from Kingfbridge, and where 
 lieutenant-colonel Rawlins, of the late colonel bttphenfon's 
 regiment, was ported. 
 
 They burned yefterday one or two houfes on the heights, and 
 contiguous to the fort, and- appeared, by advices from general 
 Greene, tq be moving in the evening their main body down 
 towards the city. Whether they will dole the campaign with- 
 out attempting fomething more, or make an incurflon into Jer- 
 fey, miifi. be determined by the events themfelves. 
 
 As Fort Lee was always ccniidered as only neceiTary in con- 
 iundion with that on the eaft fide of the river, to preierve the 
 communication acrofs, and to prevent the enemy from a free 
 navigation, it has become of no importance by the lofs of the 
 other, or not fo material as to employ force for its defence. 
 Being viewed in this light, and apprehending that the itores 
 there would be pjecarioufiy fituated, their removal has been 
 determined on to Boundbrock above Brunfvvic, Princeton, 
 Springfield, and Aquacker.unk-biidge, as places that will not 
 be fubjecl to fudden danger in caft the enemy mould pafs the 
 river, and which have been .thought proper as repofitories for 
 fome of our ftores of provifion find forage. 
 
 The troops belonging to the flying camp under generals 
 Heard and Beall, with what remains of general Swing's bri- 
 rade, are now at Fort-Lee, where they will continue till the 
 itores are got away- By the time that is effeded, their term 
 of enliftment will b near expiring ; and, if the enemy fhould 
 inake a pufh in this quarter, the only troops that there will be 
 to oppole them, will be Hand's, Hazlett's, the regiment from 
 Virginia, and that, lately Smallwoocl's, the latter greatly re- 
 duced by the lo,ffes it fuftained on Long-! Hand, &c. and fick- 
 nefs : nor are the reft by any means complete. In addition to 
 tfiefe, I am told there are a few of the milita of this Itate, who 
 have been called in by governor Livir.gilon. I mall make 
 fuch. a difpofition of the whole at Brunfw'ic and at the interme- 
 Dof;s, as fiiall feem moil likely to gu^rd ugainft the de- 
 
O FFI C I A L L ET T E R S. 161 
 
 figns of the enemy, and to prevent them making an irruption 
 or foraging with detached parties. 
 
 The inclofed letter from colonel Miles and Atlee will {hew 
 Congrefs the diilrtiTed iituation of our prifoners in New-York 5 
 and their difircfs will become greater every day by the cold 
 inclement feafon that is approaching. It will be happy if fome 
 expedient can be adopted, by which they may be furniihed 
 with neceiTary blankets and clothing. Humanity and the good 
 of the fervice require it. I think the mode iuggeited. by thefc 
 gentlemen, for eftahliihing a credit, appears as likely to fuc- 
 ceed, and as eligible, as any that occurs to me. It is probable 
 many articles that may be wanted can be obtained there, and 
 upon better terms than elfevvhere. In refpecl to provificn,* 
 their allowance perhaps is as good as the fituation of general 
 Howe's ilores will admit of: it has been faid of late by defert- 
 ers and others that they were rather fcant. 
 
 By a letter from the pay-mafter-general, of the feventeenth, 
 he fays there will be a neceffity that large and early remittan- 
 ces mould be made. The demands, when the troops now in 
 fervice are difmirTed, will be extremely great. Beiides, the 
 bounty recruits will require a large fupply j and he adds that 
 the commiffary-general has informed him, that, between this 
 and the laft of December, he ihall have occafion for a minion 
 of dollars. 
 
 November 21. The unhappy affair of the ilxteenth has 
 
 been fucceeded by further misfortunes. "Veiierdny morning 
 a large body of the enemy landed between Dobbs's ferry and 
 Fort-Lee. Their object was, evidently, to inclofe the whole 
 of our troops and ftores that lay between the North and Hack- 
 infac rivers, which form a very narrow neck of land. For this 
 purpofe, they formed and marched as foon as they had 
 afcended the high grounds towards the fort. Upon the firft 
 information of their having landed, and of their movements, 
 our men were ordered to meet them : but finding their num- 
 bers greatly fuperior, and that they were extending thenifelve'? 
 to feize on the paffes over the river, it was thought puident 
 to withdraw our men j which was effected, and their retreat 
 fecured. We. loll the whole of the cannon that was at the fort 
 (except two twelve-pounders) and a great deal of baggage,* 
 between two and three hundred tents, about a thcufand barrels 
 of flour, and other ftores in the quarter-matter's department. 
 This lofs was inevitable. As many of the ftores had been 
 removed as circum (lances and time would admit of. The am- 
 munition had been happily got away. 
 
 Our 
 
2-02 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 Our prefent fituation between Hackinfac and Pafiaic rivers 
 being exadlly fimilar to our late one, and our force here by no 
 means adequate to an oppofition that will promife the fmalleit 
 probability of fuccefs, we are taking mcafures to retire over 
 the waters of the latttr, when the belt difpolition will be form- 
 ed that circumilances will admit of. 
 
 By colonel Cadwallader, who has been permitted by general 
 Howe to return to his friends, I am informed the Surrender of 
 the garrifon on the iixteenth was on the common terms as pri- 
 foners of war j the lofs cf the Heffians, about thiee hundfed 
 privates and twehty-feven officers killed and wounded ; about 
 iorty of the Britim troops, and two or three officers : the lofs 
 on, our fide but inconfiderable. I beg leave to refer you to him 
 for a more particular account, and alfo for his relation of the 
 diftreiTes of our prifoners. Colonels Miles and Atlee's letter, 
 mentioned above upon this fubjeci, was through miilake fent 
 from hence yefterday morning. The mode of relief propofed 
 by them was a credit or fupply of cam through the means of 
 Mr. Franks. This Teems to be doubtful, as he is faid to be in 
 confinement by colonel Cadwallader, provided it would have 
 been otherwise practicable. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. Your favor of the fixteenth was duly received. My 
 'letter to the beard of war, on the fubjeci of the return of the 
 Waldeckers, I prefume you will have feen. 
 
 SfR, Newark, November 23, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE not yet heard that any provifion is making to 
 fupply the place of the troops competing the flying camp, whofe 
 departure is now at hand. The fituation of our affairs is truly 
 critical, and fuch as requires uncommon exertions on our part. 
 From the movements of the enemy, and the information we 
 Have received, they certainly will make a pu(h to poflefs them- 
 ftlves of this part of the Jerfey. In order that you may be ful- 
 ly apprifed of our weakncfs, and of the neceffity there is of our 
 obtaining early fnccours, 1 have by the advice of the general 
 officers here, directed general Mifflin to wait on you. He is 
 intimately acquainted with our circumitances, and will repre- 
 fcnt them better than my hurried (late will allow. 
 
 I have wrote to general Lee to coine over with the conti- 
 Bental regimtnis immediately under his command : thofe with 
 general Heath 1 have ordered to fecurt the pafTes through the 
 
 Highlands. 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 263 
 
 Highland-?. I have alfo wrote to governor Livingflon requefting 
 of him fuch aid as may be in his power j and would fubmit it 
 to the confideration of Congrefs whether application fhould not 
 be made for part of Pennfylvania militia to Hep forth at this 
 prefling time. 
 
 Before I conclude, I would mention, if an early and imme- 
 diate fupply of money could be fent to Mr. Dalham to pay the 
 flying-camp troops, it might have a happy effect. They would 
 fubfill themfelves comfortably on their return, provide many 
 neceffaries of which they are are in great want ; and moreover 
 it might be the means of inducing many, after feeing their 
 friends, to engage again. 
 
 I expected, on coming here, to have met with many of the 
 militia, but find from inquiry that there are not more than from 
 four to five hundred at the different pofts. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W* 
 
 Sm, Newark, November 27, 1776. 
 
 I DO myfelf the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your favors of the twenty-firft and twenty-fourth, with their fe- 
 veral inclofures. The execution of the refolves has been and 
 will be attended to as far as in my power. 
 
 I have wiote to general Schuyler to fend down as early as 
 poirible the troops in the northern department from this and the 
 ftate of Pennfylvania. The proportion for exchanging Mr. 
 Franklin for general Thompfon I (hall fubmit to general Howe, 
 as foon as circumftnnces will allow me. 
 
 I have nothing in particular to advife you of, refpecling the 
 enemy, more than that they are advancing this way. Part of 
 them have paffed the Paffaic , and I fuppofe the main body that 
 they have on this fide the North-river would have done the fame 
 before now (as they are coming on), had their progrefs not 
 been retarded by the weather which has been rainy for feveral 
 days paft. I have fcouts and detachments conftantly out to 
 harrafs them and watch their motions, and to gain, if poilible, 
 intelligence of their deilgns. 
 
 Colonel Miles, who has been permitted to go to Philadel- 
 phia for a few days by general Howe, will deliver.you this, and 
 inform you of the diftreffes of our prifoners, and the neceiTity 
 of effecting their exchange as far as we have prifoners to give 
 in return. 
 
 By a letter from the board of war on the fubject of an ex- 
 change, 
 
*6 4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 change, they mention that feveral of the prifoners in our nands 
 have enlilted. It Is a meafure, I think, that cannot be juitifted 
 though the precedent is furniihed on the lide of the enemy : nor 
 Ho I conceive it good in point. of policy. But, as it has been 
 done, I (hall leave it with Congrefs to order them to be retuni- 
 cd or not, as they (hall judge fit. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 . SIR, JSninfwic, November 30, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE been honored with your favor of the twenty- 
 fixth, and with its 'inclbfures, by which I perceive the meafures 
 ' that have been adopted for forwarding a reinforcement of malitid. 
 Their arrival is much to be wifhed, the fituation of our affairs 
 being truly alarming, and fuch as demands the earlieft aids. As 
 general MifBin's prefence may have a happy influence on the 
 difpofition and temper of many of the aifociators, I fhall not 
 direct his return fo lon^ as he can be done without, and till it 
 becomes indifpenfably neceffary. 
 
 On thurfday morning I left Newark, arid arrived here yelter- 
 day with the troops that were there. It was the opinion of all 
 the generals who were with me, that a retreat to this place was 
 requifite, and founded in neceffity, as our force was by no means 
 Sufficient to make a itand, with the lead probability of fucceis, 
 againft an enemy much fuperior in number, and whofe advanced 
 guards were entering the town by the time our rear got out. 
 It was the wiih of all to have remained there longer, and to 
 have halted before we came thus far : but, upon due confidera- 
 tion of our flrength, the circumftances attending the enliilment 
 of a great part of our little force, and the frequent advices that 
 the enemy were embarking or about to embark another detach- 
 ment for Staten-Ifland with a view of landing at Amboy to co- 
 operate with this,- which feemed to be confirmed by the infor- 
 mation of forne perfons wlio came from the ifland, that they 
 were collecting and impre fling all the waggons they could find, 
 - it was judged neceifary to proceed till we came here, not only 
 to prevent their bringing a farce to act upon our front and rear, 
 but alfo that we might be more convenient to oppofe any troops 
 they might land at South-Amboy, which many conjectured to 
 he an object they had in view. This conjecture too had pro- 
 bability and fome advices to iupport it. 
 
 I hoped we mould have met with large and early fuccours by 
 .line y but as yet no great number of the militia oi this 
 
 it ate 
 
O F F I C I A L L E T T E R 3. 265 
 
 ftate has come in j nor have I much, reafon to expect that any 
 confiderable aid will be derived from the counties which lie be- 
 yond this riverj and in which the enemy are. Their lituation. 
 will prevent it in a great meafure from thofe parts where they 
 are, provided the inclinations of the people were good. Add- 
 ed to this, I have no afiurances that more than a very few of 
 the troops composing the flying camp will remain after the time 
 of their engagement is out : fo far from it, I am told that fome 
 of general Ewing's brigade, who ftand engaged to the firft of 
 January, are now going away. If thofe go whofe fervice ex- 
 pires this day, our force will be reduced to a mere handful. 
 
 From intelligence received this morning, one divifion of the 
 enemy was advanced laft night as far as Elizabeth-town, and 
 fome of their quarter-mailers had proceeded about four or five 
 miles on this fide, to provide barns, &.c. for their accommoda- 
 tion. Other accounts fay another divinon, compofed of Medi- 
 ans, are on the road through Springfield, and are reported to 
 have reached that place laft night. I do not know how far 
 their views extend j but I doubt notj they mean to pu(h every 
 advantage refulting from the fmall number and Hate of our 
 troops. 
 
 I early began to forward part of the ftores from this place 
 towards Philadelphia. Many are gone : the reft we are re- 
 moving, and hope to fecure. 
 
 I am, iir, very refpeclfully, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. I have wrote to governor Livingfton, who is exerthig 
 
 himfelf to throw in every affiftance, and to have guards placed 
 
 at the ferries to prevent the return of the foldiers who are not 
 
 difcharged. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, 
 
 To the Board of War. 
 Head-quarters, Brunfwic, November 30, '1776, 
 
 I AM to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 
 eighteenth, nineteenth, and twenty-third inftant, which, from 
 the unfettled iituation of our affairs, I have not been able to a- 
 fvver before. That of the eighteenth inclofes a lift of ftores 
 [imported] in the Hancock-and- Adams continental (hip, and car- 
 ried into Dartmouth in New-England, with a refolve of Con- 
 grefs to deliver the mufkets, powder, lead, amd rlints, to my or- 
 der. As the other articles of the cargo will be full as ufeful 
 
 LI to 
 
265 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 to the army as thofe included in the refolve, I would advife 
 that dire&ions be given to have the whole cargo removed flora 
 ^Dartmouth to ibme fecure place in the neighborhood of Phi- 
 ladelphia, and there depcfited till called for. It is by no means 
 proper that fo great a quantity of military {lores Jhould be 
 lodged with the army, efpecially at prefent, as we know not 
 to-day where we fhall be obliged to remove to-morrow : and 
 that will in all probability be the cafe while the enemy conti- 
 nue with a light army on this fide the North-river. 
 
 In anfwer to that part of yours of the nineteenth in which 
 you afk my advitc as to the propriety of enliiling prifoners of 
 war, I would juft obferve, that, in my opinion, it Is neither con- 
 fident with the rules of war, nor politic : nor can I think, that 
 becaufe our enemies have committed an unjuftifiable action, by 
 enticing, and, in fome inflances, intimidating our men in their 
 i'ervice, we ought to follow their example. Before I had the 
 honor of yours on this fubjecl, I had determined to renaonflrate 
 to general Howe on this head. As to thofe few who have al- 
 ready enliiled, I would not have them again withdrawn and fent 
 in, becaufe they might be iubje6ted to punifhment : but 1 would 
 have the practice difcontinued in future. If you will revert to 
 the capitulation of St. John's and Chamblee, you will find an 
 exprefs flipulation againft the enlifting the prifoners taken 
 there. 
 
 I remarked that the enliftment of prifoners was not a politic 
 jftep : my reafon is this, that in time cf danger I have always 
 obferved fuch perfons molt backward, for fear (I fuppofe) of 
 failing into the hands of their former matters, from whom they 
 expeft no mercy : and this fear they are apt to communi- 
 cate to their fellow-foldiers. They are alfo moil read^ r to de- 
 fert when any action is expected, hoping, by carrying intelli- 
 gence, to fecure their peace. 
 
 I met captain Heiketh on the road -, and, as the fituation of 
 his family did not admit of delay, I permitted him to go imme- 
 diately to New-York, not having the leaft doubt but general 
 Howe will make a retuin of any officer of equal rank who (hall 
 be required. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. \V r 
 
 
 SIR, Brunfwic December i, 1776. 
 
 I YESTERDAY had the honor of writing you, and to 
 advife you of our arrival here. I am now to inform you that 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 
 
 the enemy are ftill advancing, and that their van-guard had 
 proceeded as far as Bonem, a imall town about four miles this 
 fide of Woodbridge, according to my laft intelligence. As to 
 their number, reports are various. Some fay they were joined 
 yefterday by a confiderable reinforcement from Statcn-Ifland. 
 How far this fact may be true, I cannot determine : but, from 
 every information, before, they were between fix and feven 
 thoufand ftrong. 
 
 I have for fome time pail fuppofed Philadelphia to be the ob- 
 ject of their movement, and have every reafon to believe my 
 opinion well founded, the advices of fundry pcrfons, who have 
 had an opportunity of mixing and convening with them on the 
 march, agreeing that fuch is the report. I have wrote to go- 
 vernor Livingilon upon the fubjeft, requeuing his utmoft exer^. 
 tions to forward on every fuccour in his power. The fame, I 
 truft, will be attended to in Pennfylvania. Without a fufficient 
 number of men and arms, their progrefs cannot be checked : 
 at prefent our force is totally inadequate to any attempt. 
 
 Several officers .belonging to the enemy, who were prifcners, 
 have obtained permiffion to return. I have not yet fent in the 
 names of thofe belonging to us, that are to be exchanged for 
 them. By a Virginia paper, I perceive that captain Morgan 
 and lieutenant Heath, who were taken prifoners at Quebec, 
 and now on parole, are promoted in the late arrangement of 
 oiBcers in that itate, the former to a regiment, the latter to a 
 majority. It would be well if they were releafed : but, bein^ 
 Virginians, and not knowing that any gentlemen who were taken 
 at the fame time are fo circumflanced, I have declined claimin^ 
 their return without the opinion of Congrefs, -left I fliould incur 
 the charge cf partiality. 
 
 I have fent forward colonel Humpton to collect proper boats 
 and crafts at the ferry, for tranfporting our troops: and it will 
 be of infinite importance to have every other craft, beiides what 
 he takes for the above purpofe, fecured on the wed fide of De- 
 laware : othenvife they may fall into the enemy's hands and fa- 
 cilitate their views. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. Half after one o^clock, P. M. The enemy are faft 
 advancing: fome of them are now in fight. All the men of the 
 Jerfey flying camp under general Heard, being applied to, hav 
 refufed to continue longer in fervice. 
 
268 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 * 
 SIR, December I, 1776, half after feven, P. M. 
 
 IN a little time after I wrote you this evening, the enemy 
 appeared in feveral parties on the heights oppofite Brunfwic, 
 and were advancing in a large body towards the croffing-place. 
 We had a fmart cannonade whilft we were parading our men, 
 but without any or but little lofs on either fide. It being im- 
 poflible to oppcfe them with our prefent force with the Jeaft 
 profpeft of fuccefs, we fhall retreat to the weft fide of Dela- 
 ware (and have advanced about eight miles) where it is hoped 
 we fhall meet a reinforcement fufficient to check their progress. 
 I have fent colonel Humpton forward to collect the necelFary 
 boats for our tranfpoitation, and conceive it proper that the 
 militia from Pennfylvania fhould be ordered towards Trenton, 
 that they may be ready to join us, and act as occafion may re- 
 quire. 
 
 I am, fir, your moft obedient fervant, G. W. 
 
 P. S. 1 wifh my letters of yeiterday may arrive fafe, being 
 informed that the return expreis who had them was idling his 
 time, and (hewing them, on the road. 
 
 SIR, Princeton, December 2, 1776. 
 
 I ARRIVED here this morning with our troops between 
 eight and nine o'clock, when I received the honor of your let- 
 ter of the firit, with its inclofures. 
 
 When the enemy firfl landed on this fide the North-river, I 
 apprehended that they meant to make a pufh this way -, and 
 knowing that the force which I had was not fufficient to oppofe 
 them, I wrote to general Lee to crofs with the feveial conti- 
 nental regiments in his divifion, and hoped he would have ar- 
 rived before now. By fome means or other he has been delay- 
 ed. I fuppofe he has paffed the river, as his letter of the 
 twenty- fixth 1 ultimo mentioned that he had marched a brigade 
 the day before, and fhould follow the next himfelf. The re- 
 mainder of the troops I conceived neceffary to guard the ieve- 
 xal paffes through the Highlands ; nor do I think they can be 
 called from thence. Their number is very fmall, being reduced 
 to very few by the departure of the troops who flood engaged 
 till the thirtieth ultimo. 
 
 I underltand there are now at Briflol feveral prifoners. As 
 their exchange at this time cannot be effected with propriety, 
 J thinK, it will be neceffary, under the prefent fituatior. of af- 
 fairs, 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 269 
 
 fairs, f!b have them removed immediately to fome more interior 
 place, upon their paroles. li they remain, they may be of in- 
 finite difadvantage. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 \0n the outjide of the foregoing letter, which is, as ufual, ad- 
 dre/fedto the prejident of Congrefe, apppears the following line, 
 to Mr. Peters, Jecretary to the board of 
 
 SIR, difpatch an exprefs immediately, to have the prifoners 
 at Briilol removed. R. H. HARRISON. 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters, Trenton, Dec. 3, 1776. 
 
 I ARRIVED here myfelf yefterday morning with the 
 main body of the army, having left lord Stirling with two bri- 
 gades at Princeton and that neighborhood, to watch the moti- 
 ons of the enemy, and give notice of their approach. I am in- 
 formed that they had not entered Brunfwio yeiterday morning 
 at nine o'clock, but were on the oppcfite fide of the Rariton. 
 
 Immediately on my arrival here, 1 ordered the removal of* 
 all the military and other itores and baggage over the Dela- 
 ware : a great quantity are already got ovei j and as foon as 
 boats come up from Philadelphia, we iliall load them j by which 
 means J hope to have every thing lecured this night and to- 
 morrow, if we are not diiturbed. After being difencumbered 
 (if my baggage and itores, my future lituation will depend en- 
 tirely upon circumiiances. 
 
 I have not heard a word from general Lee iince the twenty- 
 fixth of latt month 5 which lurpriies me not a little, as 1 have 
 difpatched daily expreffes to him, deihing to know when I 
 might look for him.. This makes me fearful that my letters 
 have not reached him. I am informed by report that general 
 St. Clair has joined him with three or four regiments from the 
 northward. To know the truth of this, and alib when I may 
 expect him, and with what numbers, I have this minute dif- 
 patched colonel Steward (general Oates's aid-de-camp) to meet 
 general Lee and bring me an account. 
 
 I look out earnefcly for the reinforcement from Philadelphia. 
 I arn in hopes, that, if we can draw a good head of men toge- 
 ther, it will give fpirits to the militia of this Hate, wiio have 
 as yet afforded me little or no afliilance j nor can I find they 
 are likely to do much. 
 
 General 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 General Heard jufl informs me that a perfon, on whofe ve- 
 racity he can depend, has reported to him that on funday lafi 
 lie counted a hundred and. feventeen fail of (hips going out of 
 the Hook. You may depend upon being advifed inftantly of 
 any further movement in the enemy's army or mine. 
 
 J have the honor to be, &:c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Trenton, December 4, 1776. 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you yefterday, I 
 received a letter from general Lee. On the thirtieth ultimo 
 he was at Peeklkill, and expe&ed to pafs the river with his di- 
 viiion two days after. From this intelligence you will readily 
 conclude that he will not be able to afford us any aid for feve- 
 ral days. The report of general St. Glair's having joined them 
 with three or four regiments, I believe to be altogether prema- 
 ture, as he mentions nothing of it. It has arifen, as I am in- 
 formed, from the return of forae of the Jerfey and Pennfylvania 
 troops from Tyconderoga, whofe time of lervice is expired. 
 They have reached Pluckemin where I have wrote to have 
 them halted and kept together, if they can be prevailed on, 
 till further orders. 
 
 The inclofed is a copy of a letter which came to hand lad 
 night from major Clark, to which I beg leave to refer you for 
 the intelligence it contains. The number of the enemy (aid to 
 b-j embarked is fuppofed to be rather exaggerated, i hat there 
 has been an embarkation, is not to be doubted, it being con- 
 firmed through various channels. By colonel GiifBn, who went 
 from Brunfwic on funday morning with a captain Sims, to pafs 
 I;.im by our guards, and who was detained by lord Cornwallis 
 till monday evening, on account of his lituation, the amount of 
 general Clinton's force, from what he could coilecl: from the 
 officers, was about fix thoufand : as to their deftination, he 
 could not obtain' the leaft information. By him I alfo learn the 
 enemy were in Brunfwic, and that fome of their advanced par- 
 ties had proceeded two miles on this iide. The heavy rain that 
 has fallen has probably checked their progrefs, and may prevent 
 their further movement for fome time. 
 
 I have the honor to be &c. G. W. 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 2-t 
 
 To Richard Peters, Efquire, Secretary to the Board of War. 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters^ Trenton, Dec. 4, 1776. 
 
 YOURS of the twentieth of laft month was delivered to- 
 me by the brigadier La Roche de Fermoy, who is now here, 
 but unable to render me that fervice, which, I dare fay, from 
 his character, he would, were he better acquainted with our 
 language. 
 
 I yefterday received a letter from you without a date, men- 
 tioning that the prifoners from York-town were directed to halt 
 at Newtown for my orders. On hearing they were there, I 
 fent colonel Moylan to conduft them, and the prifoners from 
 Reading, who arrived nearly at the fame time, over towards 
 Brunfwic, and deliver them in. 
 
 I hope you have not fent captain Price, lieutenant Peacock, 
 and- major Campbell, on to this place, as- it is highly Improper 
 they ihould fee and know the fituation of our array here and at 
 Princeton. They had better be fent up, under the care of fome 
 perfon, to Newtown or that neighborhood, and there wait ther 
 arrival of fome larger party, who, I imagine, will be foon for- 
 warded from Lancafter, and go in with theln. 
 
 Lieutenant Symes came over to me at Brunfwic from Beth- 
 lehem without the leaft guard or efcort , and a lieutenant of the 
 feventh regiment went through our whole army, and wtis at laft 
 difcovered by a mere accident. He had a pais from the coun- 
 cil of fafety, and that was all. Such an irregular mode of fuf- 
 fering prifoners to go in alone muft be put a itop to, or the ene- 
 my will be as well acquainted with our fit nation as we are our- 
 felves. If they are left at liberty to chufe their own route, 
 they will always take that through our army, for reafons t(3o 
 obvious to mention. 
 
 I am, fir, your moft obedient fervant, G. W. 
 
 I have been obliged to fend down a number of our iick to 
 Philadelphia, to make room for the troops, and to remove 
 them out of the way. Be pleafed to have fome care taken to 
 have them properly accommodated. I mould think part of the 
 Houfe-of-employment might be procured for that purpofe. I 
 have fent down an officer from each regiment, and a furgeon's 
 mate, if they can be fpared : but I hope they will not want the 
 afliftance of the vifiting phylicians of the hofpital. 
 
27* GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 SIR, Trenton, December 5, 1776. 
 
 AS nothing but necefiity obliged me to retire before the ' 
 enemy and leave fo much of the jerfeys unprotected, I conceive 
 k my duty, and it correfponds with my inclination, to make 
 head againft them fo foon as there (hall be the leal! probability 
 of doing it with propriety. That the country might in fome 
 meafure be covered, I left two brigades confiding o the five 
 Virginia regiments and that of Delaware, containing in the 
 J.e about twelve hundred men fit for duty, under the com- 
 mand of lord Stirling and general Stephen, at Princeton, till 
 the baggage and ftores could crofs the Delaware, or the troops 
 undet their refpeclive commands fhould be forced from thence. 
 I (hall now, having removed the gieateil part of the above ar- 
 ticles, face about with fuch troops as are here fit for fervice, 
 and march back to Princeton, and there govern myfelf by cir- 
 .cumilances and the movements of general Lee. At any event, 
 .the enemy's progrefs may be retarded by this means, if they 
 intend to come on, and the people's fears in fome meafure qui- 
 eted, if they do not. Sorry I am to obferve, how r ever, that 
 .the frequent calls upon the militia of this (late, the want of ex- 
 ertion in the principal gentlemen of the country, or a fatal fu- 
 pinenefs and infenfibility of danger till it is too late to prevent 
 an evil that was not only foreieen but foretold, have been the 
 caufes of our late difgraces. 
 
 If the militia of this flate had ftepped forth in feafon (and 
 timely notice they had), we might have prevented the enemy's 
 eroding the Hackinfac, although without fome previous notice 
 of the time and place it was impoiiible to have done tliis^at the 
 North-river. We might with equal probability of fuccefs hare 
 made a ftand at Brunfwic on the Rnriton. But as both thefe 
 rivers were fordable in a variety of places (knee-deep only), it 
 required many men to defend the paiTes -, and thefe we had not. 
 At Hackinfac our force was infufficient, becaufe a part was at 
 Elizabeth-town, Amboy, and Brunfwic, guarding a coalt which 
 I thought moft expofed to danger -, and at Brunfwic, becaufe I 
 was difappointed in my expectation of militia, and becaufe on 
 the day of the enemy's approach (and probably the occafion of 
 it) the term of the Jerfey and Maryland brigades' fervice 
 expired; neither of which would confent to flay an hour lou- 
 
 *^\ 
 
 Theft, among ten thoufand other inftances, might be adduced 
 
 to ihew the difadvantages of fhort enlifiments, and the little de- 
 pendence upon militia in times of real danger. But, as yefter- 
 
 day 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 273 
 
 day cannot be recalled, I will not dwell upon a fubject which, 
 no doubt, has given much uneafinefs to Congrefs, as well as ex- 
 treme pain and anxiety to myfelf. My fit-It wifh is that Con- 
 grsfsmay be convinced of the impropriety of relying upon the 
 militia, and of the neceffity of raifing a larger Handing army* 
 than what they have voted. The faving in the articles of {lores, 
 proviiions, and in a thoufand other things, by having nothing to 
 do with the militia unlefs in cafe of extraordinary exigency, 
 and fuch as could not' be expected in the common courfe of 
 events, would amply fupport a large army, which, well officered, 
 would be daily improving, inftead of continuing a deilructive, 
 expenflve, and diforderly mob. 
 
 I am clear in opinion, that, if forty thoufand men had been 
 kept in conftant pay fince the firft commencement of hoftilities, 
 and the militia had been excufed doing duty daring that period, 
 the continent would have faved money. When I reflect on the 
 loffes we have fuftained for want of good troops, the certainty 
 of this is placed beyond a doubt of my mind. In fuch cafe, 
 the militia, who have been harraffed and tired by repeated calls 
 upon them (and farming and manufactures in a manner fufpend- 
 ed), would, uppn any prerTmg emergency, have ran with ala- 
 crity to arms j whereas the cry now is, " they may be as well 
 ruined one way as another j" and with difficulty they are ob- 
 tained. 
 
 I mention thefe things, to ihew, that, in my opinion, if any 
 dependence is placed in the militia another year, Congrefs will 
 be deceived. When danger is a little removed from them, 
 they will not turn out at all. When it comes home to them, 
 the well-affected, inilead of flying to arms to defend themfelves, 
 are bufily employed in removing their families and effects, 
 v/hilll the difaffected are concerting meafures to make their fub- 
 miiTion, and fpread terror and difmay all around, to induce 
 others to follow the example. Daily experience and abundant 
 proofs warrant this information. 
 
 I (hall this day reinforce lord Stirling with about twelve hun- 
 dred men, which will make his number about two thoufand four 
 hundred. To-morrow I mean to repair to Princeton myfelf, 
 and (hall order the Pennfylvania troops (who are not yet arriv- 
 ed, except part of the German battalion and a company of 
 light infantry) to the fame place. 
 
 By my lail advices, the enemy are (till at Bruiifwic ; and the 
 account .adds that general Howe was expected at Elizabeth- 
 town with a reinforcement, to erect the king's ftaadarid,' and 
 demand a labmiiTion of this fiate. I can only give this as a re- 
 
 M ra port 
 
274 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 port brought from the enemy's camp by fome of the country 
 people. i have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Trenton , December 6, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE not received any intelligence of the enemy's 
 movements fince my letter of yeflerday. From every informa- 
 tion, they ftill remain at Brunfwic, except fome of their par 
 ties who are advanced a fmall diftance on this fide. To-day 
 I ihall fet out for Princeton myfelf, unlefs fomething fhculd cc- 
 cur to prevent me, which I do not expert. 
 
 By a letter of the fourteenth ultimo from a Mr. Caldwall, a. 
 clergyman, and a ftaunch friend to the caufe, who has fi-ed from 
 Elizabeth-town, and taken refuge in the mountains about ten 
 miles from hence, I am informed that general or lord Howe 
 was expected in that town to publifh pardon and peace. His 
 words are, *' I have not feen his proclamation, but can only fay 
 he gives fixty days of grace, and pardons from the Congrefs 
 down to the committee. No one man in the continent is to be 
 denied his mercy. In the language of this good man, the lord 
 deliver us from his mercy ! 
 
 Your letter, of the third, by mojor Livingfton, was duly re- 
 ceived. Before it came to hand, 1 had wrote to general Howe 
 abcrut governor Franklin's exchange, but am not certain whe- 
 ther the letter could not be recovered. 1 difpatched a meflen- 
 ger inftantly for that purpofe. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, &.c. G. W, 
 
 SIR, Mr. Berkley' 1 s Summer Scat, Dec. 8, 1776, 
 
 COLONEL Reed would inform you of the intelligence 
 which I firft met with on the road from Trenton to Piincetcn 
 yefterday. Before I got to the latter, I received a fecond ex- 
 jirefs informing me, that as the enemy w r ere advancing by dif- 
 ferent routes, and attempting by one to get in the rear of our 
 troops \vhich were there (and whofe numbers were fmall, and 
 the place by no means defeniible), they had judged it prudent 
 to retreat to Trenton. The retreat was accordingly made, and 
 fince to this fide of the liver. 
 
 This information I thought it my duty to communicate as 
 foon as poflible, as there is not a moment's time to be loft in 
 affembling fuch force as can be collected j and as the object of 
 
 llic 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 275 
 
 the enemy cannot now be doubted in the fmalleft degree. In- 
 deed I mall be out in my conjecture (for it is only conjecture) 
 If the late embar cation at New- York is not for Delaware river, 
 to co-operate with the army under the immediate command of 
 general Howe, who I am informed from good authority, is with 
 the Britifh troops and his xvhole force upon this route. 
 
 I have no certain intelligence of general Lee, although I 
 have fent frequent exprefies to him, and lately a colonel Hump- 
 ton to bring me fome accurate accounts of his fituation. I laft 
 night difpatched another gentleman to him (major Hoops) de- 
 firing he would haften his march to the Delaware, in which I 
 would provide boats near a place called Alexandria, for the tranf- 
 portation of his troops. I cannot account for the ilownefs of 
 his march. 
 
 In the difordered and moving ftate of the army, I cannot get 
 returns : but, from the beft accounts, we had between three 
 thoufand and three thoufand five hundred men, before the 
 Philadelphia militia and German battalion arrived : they 
 amount to about two thoufand. 
 
 I have the honor to be r &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Head-Quarters, Trenton Tails, Dec. 9, 1776". 
 
 I DID myfclf the honor of writing to you yefterday, and 
 Informing you that I had removed the troops to this fide of the 
 Delaware. Soon after, the enemy made their appearance, and 
 their van entered juft as our rear guard quitted. We had re- 
 moved all our ilores, except a few boards. From the bell in- 
 formation, they are in two bodies, one at and near Trenton, the 
 other fome miles higher up, and inclining towards Delaware ; 
 but whether jvith intent to crofs the're, or throw themfelves 
 between general Lee and me, is yet uncertain. 
 
 I have this morning detached lord Stirling with his brigade, 
 to take pod at the different landing-places, and prevent them 
 from ftealing a march upon us from above j for I am informed, 
 if they crofs at Coryel's ferry or thereabouts, they are as near 
 to Philadelphia, as we are here. From feveral accounts I am 
 led to think that the enemy are bringing boats with them : if 
 fo, it will be impoflible for our fmali force to give them any 
 confiderable oppofition in the paffage of the river, [as they 
 may] make a feint at one place, and, by a fudden removal, car- 
 ry their boats higher or lower before we can bring our cannon 
 to play upon them. 
 
 Under 
 
2*6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 Under tliefe circnmftances, the feeurity of Philadelphia mould 
 be our next object. From my own remembrance, but more 
 .from information (for I. never viewed the groun^l), I ihould 
 think that a communication of lines and redoubts might foon be 
 formed from the Delaware to Schuylkill on the north entrance 
 of the city, the lin.es to'begin on the Schuylkill fide, about the 
 heights of Springatebury, and run eaftward to Delaware, upon 
 the^mofi; advantageous and commanding grounds. If fomething 
 of this kind is not done, the enemy might, in cafe any misfortune 
 fhould befal us, march directly in, and take poffeiTion. We 
 have ever found that lines, however flight, ate very formidable 
 to them : they would at lead give a check till people could re- 
 cover of the fright and conrlernation that naturally attends the 
 firft appearance of an enemy, 
 
 In the mean time every ftep ihould be taken to collecl force, 
 liot only from Pennfylvania, but from the mod neighborly 
 ftates. If we can keep the enemy from entering Philadelphia, 
 and keep the communication by water open for fupplies, \ve 
 may yet make a iland, if the country will come to our afliftance 
 till our new levies can be collected. 
 
 If the meafure of fortifying the city ihould be adopted, fome 
 fkilful perfon fhould immediately view the grounds, and begin 
 to trace out the lines and works. I am informed there is a 
 French engineer of eminence in Philadelphia at this time : if 
 fo, he will be the moil proper. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. I have jufl received the inclofed from general Heath. 
 General Miffiin is this moment come up, and tells me that 
 all the military {lores yet remain, in Philadelphia. This makes 
 the immediate fortifying of the city fo ntceffary, that I have 
 ciefired general Mifflin to return to take charge of the (lores, 
 and have ordered major-general Putnam immediately down to 
 fuperintencl the works and give the neceiTary diredi< 
 
 tions. 
 
 SIR, Hftidi^nartirs, Falls of Delaware, Dec. jo, 1776. 
 
 SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you yefterday, no- 
 thing of importance lias occurred. In refpecl to the enemy's 
 movements, I have obtained no other information than that 
 they have a number of parties patrolling up and down the river, 
 particularly above. As yet they have "not attempted to pafs ; 
 nor do any of their patrolcs, though fome are exceeding fmall, 
 
 with the kaft interruption from the inhabitants of fcrfey. 
 
 Py 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 477- 
 
 By a letter received laft night from general Lee, of the 
 eighth inftant, he was then at Morriftown, where he entertained 
 thoughts of eilabliming a poft : bat, on receiving my difpatches 
 by major Hoops, I mould fuppofe he would be convinced of 
 the neceility of his proceeding this way with all the force he 
 can bring. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. Nine o^clocl', A. M. I this minute received informa- 
 tion that the enemy were preparing the bridges three or four 
 miles below Trenton j which ieems to indicate an intention of 
 their palling lower down, and fuggefts to me the neceffity that 
 fome attention mould be had to the fort at Billingfport, leil 
 they mould poflefs themfelves of it $ the confideration of which 
 I beg leave to fubmit to Congrefs. I have wrote to the coun- 
 cil of fafety on the fubje<5t. 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters^ Falls of D elaware, Dec. ir, 1776. 
 
 AFTER I had wrote you yefterday, I received cirtain in- 
 formation that the enemy, after repairing Crofwix's bridge, had 
 advanced a party of about five hundred to Bordentown. By 
 their taking this route, it confirms me in my opinion, that they 
 have an intention to land between this and Philadelphia, as well 
 as above, if they can procure boats for that purpofe. 
 
 I laft night directed commodore Seymour to ftation all his 
 gallies between Bordentown and Philadelphia, to give the ear- 
 lieft intelligence of any appearance of the enemy on the Jerfey 
 more. 
 
 I yefterday rode up the river about eleven miles, to lord 
 Stirling's poft, where I found a prifoner of the forty-fecond re- 
 giment who had been juft brought in. He informed me that 
 lord Cornwallis was at Pennytown with two battalions of gre- 
 nadiers, and three of light infantry, all Britiih, the Heffian 
 grenadiers, the foity-fecond Higland regiment, and two other 
 battalions, the names-of w^hich he did not remember. He knew 
 nothing of the rcafons of their being affembled there, nor what 
 were their future intentions. But I laft night received informa- 
 tion from lord Stirling, which had been brought in by his 
 fcouts, which in fome meafure accounted for their being there. 
 They had made a forced march from Tienton onfunday night, 
 to Coryel's ferry, in hopes of furprifmg a fufficient number of 
 boats to tranfport them ; but, finding themfelves difappointed, 
 had marched back to Pennytown, where they remained yefter- 
 
 day. 
 
2 7 3 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 dUy. From their feveral attempts to feize boats, it does not 
 look as if they had brought any with them, as I was at one 
 time informed. I laft night 1 ' Tent a perfon over to Trenton, to 
 learn whether there was any appearance of building any : but 
 k.i could not perceive any preparations for a work of that kind; 
 To that I am in hopes, if proper care is taken to keep all the 
 craft out of their way, they will find the crofTing Delaware a 
 matter of conliderable difficulty. 
 
 I received another letter from general Lee lad evening : it 
 was dated at Chatham (which 1 take to be near Morriftown) 
 the eighth of this month. He had then received my letter 
 fant by major Hoops, but feemed Hill inclined to hang upon 
 the enemy's rear, to which I mould have no objection, had I a 
 {ufficient force to oppofs them in front : but as i have not at 
 prefent, nor do I fee much probability of further reinforcement, 
 I have wrote to him in the moft preffing terms, to join me with 
 all expedition. 
 
 Major Shelden, who commands the volunteer horfe from 
 Connecticut, waits upon Congrefs to eftablim fome mode of 
 pay. I can only fay that the fervice of himfelf and his troop 
 has been fuch as merits the warmeft thanks of the public, and 
 deferves a handfome corapenfation for their trouble. Whate- 
 ver is fettled now, will fetve for a precedent in future. From 
 the experience I have had, this campaign, of the utility of 
 horfe, I am convinced there is no carrying on the war without 
 them ; and 1 would therefore recommend the eftabliihment of 
 one or more corps (in proportion to the number of foot) in ad- 
 dition to thofe already raifed in Virginia. If major Shelden 
 would undertake the command of a regiment of horfe on the 
 continental eftablilhment, I believe he could very foon raife 
 them -, and 1 can recommend him as a man of activity and fpi- 
 rit, from what I have feen of him. 
 
 f have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Trenton Fal/s, December 12, 1776. 
 
 I LAST night received the favor of Mr. Thompfon's 
 letter incloiing the proceedings of Congrefs, of the eleventh 
 inftant. As the publication of their refolve, in my opinion, 
 will not lead to any good end, but, on the contrary, may be at- 
 tended with fome bad confequences, I (hall take the liberty to 
 decline inferring it in this day's orders. I am perfuaded, if 
 t!ie fubjecl is taken up and reconlidered, that Congrefs will 
 
 concur 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 27^ 
 
 concur with me in fentiment. I doubt not but there are feme 
 who have propagated the report, but what if they have r 
 Their remaining in or leaving Philadelphia muft be governed 
 by circumilances and events. If their departure ihould become 
 neceflary, it will be right : on the oth^er hand, if there ihould 
 not be a neceffity for it, they will remain, and their continue 
 ance will (hew the report to be the production of calumny and 
 falfehood. In, a word, fir, I conceive it a matter that may be 
 as well difregarded , and that the removal or flaying of Con- 
 grefs, depending entirely upon events, mould not have been the 
 fabject of a.refolve. 
 
 The intelligence we obtain refpecling the movements and - 
 tuation of the enemy is far from being fo certain and fatisfac- 
 tory as I could wifh, though every probable means in my pow- 
 er, and that I can devife, are adopted for that purpofe. The 
 lateft I have received was from lord Stirling lail night. He 
 fays that two grenadiers of the Inniikillen regiment, who were 
 taken and brought in by fome countrymen, inform that gene- 
 rals Howe, Corn wallis, Vaughan, &c. with about fix thoufand 
 of the flying army, were at Pennytown, writing for pontoons to 
 come up, with which they mean to pafs the river near the Blue 
 Mounts, or at Coryel's ferry, they believe, the latter; that 
 the two battalions of guards were at Brunfwic, and the Hef- 
 lian grenadiers, chaffeurs, and a regiment or two of the Britiih, 
 troops, are at Trenton. 
 
 Captain Miller of colonel Hand's regiment alfo informs me, 
 that a body of the enemy were marching to Burlington yefter- 
 day morning. He had been fent over with a ftrong fronting < 
 party, and, at day-break, fell in with their advanced guards ' 
 contorting of about four hundred HefTian troops, who fired upon 
 him before they were dilcovered, but without any loL, and ob- 
 liged him to retreat with his party and to take boat. The 
 number of the whole he could not afcertain : but it appeared 
 to be confiderable. Captain Miller''* account is partly con- 
 firmed by commodore Seymour, who reports that four or five 
 hundred of the enemy had entered the town. Upon the whole, 
 there can be no doubt but that Philadelphia is their object, and 
 that they will pafs the Delaware as foon as poflible. Happy 
 mould I be if I could fee the means of preventing them : at 
 prefent, I confefs, 1 do not. All military writers agree that 
 it is a work of great difficulty, nay, impracticable, where there 
 is any extent of coalt to guard. This is the cafe with us 5 anti 
 we have to do it with a force, fmall and inconfiderabk, and 
 much inferior to that of the enemy. Perhaps Congrefs have 
 
 fome 
 
*8o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 fome hope and profpecl: of reinforcements : I have no intelli- 
 gence of the fort, and wiih to be informed on the fubje6l. Our 
 little handful is daily decreailng by licknefs and other caufes : 
 and, without aid, without coniiderable fuccours and exertions 
 on the part of the people, what can we reafonably look for 
 or expect, but an event that will be feverely felt by the com- 
 mon canie, and that will wound the heart of every virtuous 
 American, the lofs of Philadelphia ? The fubjecl is difa- 
 greeable , but yet it is true. I leave it, withing that our fitu- 
 aiion may become fuch as to do away the appreheniions which 
 at this time ieeni to fill the minds of too many, and with too 
 b juftice. 
 
 liy a letter from general Heath, dated at Peekikill, the eighth, 
 I am adviied that lieutenant-colonel Vofe was then there with 
 Greaton's, Bond's, and Porter's regiments, amounting in the 
 whole to between five and fix hundred men, who were coining 
 this way. He adds that generals Gates and Arnold would be 
 at Goihen that night, with Stark's, Poor's, and Read's regi- 
 ments j but for what purpofe, he does not mention. 
 
 The inclofed extracl of a letter which I received lail night 
 contains intelligence of an agreeable nature, I wi(h to hear 
 its confirmation by the arrrival of the feveral prizes : that with 
 clothing and arms will be an invaluable acquifition. 
 
 I {hail be glad to be adviied of the mode I am to obferve in 
 paying the officers ; whether they are to be allowed to draw the 
 pay lately eltablimed, and from what time, or how long they 
 are to be paid under the old eftablilhment. A pay-roll which 
 was prefented yefterday, being made up for the new, has given 
 rife to theie propofitions. Upon my objecting to it, I was told 
 that Congrefs or the board of war had eitabiimed the prece- 
 dent, by paying the fixth regiment of Virginia troops command- 
 ed by colonel Buckner, agreeable to the latter, as they came 
 through Philadelphia. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters, Trenton Vails, Dec. 13, 1776. 
 
 THE apparent defigns of the enemy being to avoid this 
 ferry, and land their troops above and below us, have induced 
 me to remove from this place the greater part of the troops, 
 sr.d throw them into a different difpofition on the river, where- 
 by I hope not only to be more able to impede their paffage, 
 but alfo to avoid the danger of being inclofed iu this angle of 
 
 the 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 281 
 
 -the river. And notwithftanding the extended appearances of 
 the enemy on the other fide, made, at leaft in part, to divert 
 our attention from any particular point as well as to harrafs us 
 by fatigue, I cannot divefi myfelf of the opinion that their 
 principal delign is to ford the river fomewhere above Trenton j 
 to which defigrL-I have had particular refpecl: in the new ar- 
 rangement, wherein I am fo far happy as to have the concur- 
 rence of the general officers at this place. 
 
 Four brigades of the array, under generals lord Sterling, 
 Mercer, Stephen and De Fermoy, extend from Vardley's up 
 to CoryeFs ferry, polled in fuch a manner as to guard every 
 fufpicious part of the river, and to afford afliftance to each o- 
 ther in cafe of attack. General Ewing, with the flying camp o 
 Pennfylvania and a few Jerfey troops under general Dickinfon, 
 are polled from Yardley's ferry down to the ferry oppoiite 
 Bordentown. Colonel Cadwalladar, with the Pennfylvania 
 malitia, occupies the ground above and below the mouth o 
 Nemarniny river as far down as Dunk's ferry, at which place 
 colonel Nixon if polled with the third battalion of {Pennfyfoa- 
 nia\. A proper quantity of artillery is appointed to each bri- 
 gade j and I have ordered fmall redoubts to be thrown up oppo- 
 iite every place where there is a poflioility of fording. I iliail 
 remove further up the river to be near the main body of my 
 fmall army, with which every pbffible oppofition (hall be given 
 to any further approach of the enemy towards Philadelphia. 
 
 As general Armftrong has a good deal of influence in -this 
 ftate, and our prefent force is fmall and inconfiderable, I think 
 he cannot be better employed than to repair to the counties 
 where his intereft lies, tu animate the people, promote the re- 
 cruiting fervice, and encourage the militia to come in. He will 
 alfo be able to form a proper judgment of the places fuit- 
 able, for magazines of provifion to be collected. I have requefl- 
 ed him to wait upon Congrefs on this fubje^l , and if general 
 Smallwood mould go to Maryland on the fame bufmefs, I think 
 it will have a happy efFecl : he is popular and of great influence 
 and, I am perfuaded, would contribute greatly to that flate's 
 iurnuhing her quota of men in a little time. He is now in Phi- 
 ladelphia. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, &.c, G. W. 
 
 N n 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'* 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters at Keitfrs, Dec. 15, 1776, 
 
 ABOUT one o'clock to-day 1 received a letter from 
 general Sullivan, a copy of which you have inclofed. I will 
 not comment on the melancholy intelligence which it contains, 
 only adding that I fincerely regret general Lee's unhappy fate, 
 and feel much for the lofs of my country in his captivity. 
 
 In refpecl to the enemy, they have been indutirious in their 
 attempts to procure boats and fmall craft : but as yet their ef- 
 forts have not fucceeded. From the lateft adviles that I have 
 of their 1 movements by fome prifoners and others, they appeal- 
 to be leaving Trenton, and to be filing off towards Princeton 
 and Allentown. What their defigns are, whether they mean 
 to retreat, or only a feint, cannot be determined. I have par- 
 ties out to watch their motions, and to form if poffible, an ac- 
 curate opinion of their plans. 
 
 Our force, fince my laft, has received no augmentation, of 
 courfe, by ficknefs and other caufes, has diminished : but I am 
 advifed by a letter from the council of fafety, which jurt came 
 to hand, that colonels Burd and GUbrcath are marching with 
 their battalions of malitia, and alfo that feme fmall parties are 
 affembling in Cumberland county. * * * 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 .Sis., Head-quarters at Keith's, Dec. 16, 1776, 
 
 IN a late letter which I had the honor of addreffing you, I 
 took the liberty to recommend that more battalions (hould be 
 railed for the new army than what had been voted. Having 
 fully confidered the matter, I am more and more convinced not 
 only of the propriety but of the neceflity of the meafure. That 
 the enemy will leave nothing uneflfayed in the courfe of the 
 next campaign to reduce thefe ftates to the rule of the molt 
 ' * *, mull be obvious to every one j and that the militia i 
 not to be depended on, or aid expefted from them but in cafes 
 of the moit preiiing emergency, is not to be doubted. The Hril 
 of thefe proportions is unqueftionable, and fatal experibnce has 
 given her fan6lion to the truth of the latter : indeed their le- 
 thargy of late, and backwardn-efs to turn out at this alarming 
 crifis, feem to juilify an apprehension that nothing can bring 
 them from their homes. For want of their afliftance, a large 
 part of Jerfey has been expofed to ravage and to plunder ; nor do 
 I know that Penfylvania would (hare a better fate, could general 
 
 Howe 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 2% 
 
 Howe effeft a paffage acrofs the Delaware with a refpe&able 
 force. Thcfe confederations have induced ine to wifti that no 
 reliance, except fuch as may arife from neceflity, ihould ever 
 be had in them again; and to make farther mention to Con- 
 grefs of the expediency of increaiing their army. I trull the 
 Eieafures will meet the earlieil attention. 
 
 Had I 'leifure and were it neceffary, I could fay much upon 
 this head : but, as I have not, and the matter is well uuderftood 
 I will not add much. By augmenting the number of your battali- 
 ons, you will augment your force : the officers of each will 
 liave their intereft and influence j and, upon the whole, their 
 numbers will be much greater, though they fhould riot be com- 
 plete. Added to this, from the prefent confufed (bite of Jer~ 
 fey, and the improper appointment of officers in many inftan- 
 ces, I have little or no expectation that me will be able to raife 
 all the troops exacted front her, though I think it might be 
 done, were fukable fpirited gentlemen commiflioned, who would 
 exert themfelves, and encourage the people, many of whom (for 
 a failure in this inftance, and who are well difpofed) are mak- 
 ing their fubmiflions. In a woid, the next will be a trying 
 campaign : and as all that is dear and valuable may depend up- 
 on the iiTue of it, I would advife that nothing ihould be omit- 
 ted, that fhall feem neceffary to our fuccefs. Let us have a re- 
 ipe&able army, and fuch as will be competent to every exigency. 
 
 I will alfo add that the critical fituation of our affairs, and 
 the diffolution of our prefent force (now at hand), require that 
 every nerve and exertion be employed for recruiting the new 
 battalions. One part of general Howe's movements at this 
 t'lme, I believe, is with a delign to diftracl: us and prevent this 
 bufmefs. If the inclemency of the weather ihould force him 
 into winter quarters, he will not remain there longer than ne . 
 ceffity (hall oblige him : he will commence his operations in a. 
 rhort fpace of time : and in that time our levies mud be made 
 up, to oppofe him, or I fear the moft melancholy of all events 
 muft take place. 
 
 The inclofed extraft of a letter from the commiffary-general 
 will Ihew his demands for money, and his plans for procuring 
 falted provifions and a quantity of flour from the fouthward. 
 The whole is lubmitted to the comlderation of Congrcfs : and 
 I wifli the refalt of their opinion to be tranfmitted him, with 
 luch fupplies of money as may be neceffary for himfelf and the 
 departments he mentions. 
 
 The clothing of the troops is a matter of infinite importance 
 and, if it could be ; accomplifhed, would have a happy effect. 
 
 Their 
 
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 Their diit.reiics are extremely great, many of them being en- 
 tirely naked, and moft fo thinly clad as to be unfit for fervice. 
 1 rauft entreat Congrefs to write to the agents and contractors 
 upon this luhjecl, that every poffible fupply may be procured 
 and forwarded with the utraoft expedition. I cannot attend to 
 the bufniefs myfelf, having more than I can poflibly do beiides. 
 I have the honor to be, &c. ' G. W. 
 
 SIR, Camp, above Trenton Faf/r, Dec. 20, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE waited with much impatience to know the de- 
 terminations of Congrefs on the propofiticns made fome time 
 in Odlober lafi for augmenting our corps of artillery and eftab- 
 liming a corps of engineers. The time is come when the firil 
 cannot be delayed without the greV.eit injury to the fafety of 
 thefe ftates j and therefoie, under the resolution of Congieis 
 bearing date the twelfth infiaat, at the repeated iniiances of colo- 
 nel Knox, and by the prefiiag advice of all the general officers 
 row here, I have ventured to order three battalions of artillery 
 to be immediately recruited. Thefe are two lels than colonel 
 Knox recommends, as you will fee by his plan inclofcd : but 
 then this fche.nie comprehends all the United States, whereas 
 forae of the Hates have corps already eftablifhed, and thefe three 
 battalions are indilpenfably neceiTary for the operations in this 
 rukfter, including the northem department. 
 
 The pay of our artilleries bearing no proportion with thatin 
 the Engliih or Fiench fervice, the murmuring and diilatisfac- 
 tion thereby occauoned, and the abiolute impofliDJlity (as I am 
 told) of getting them upon the old terms, and the unaVoid; 
 uecefiity of obtaining them at all events, have induced me 
 Calfo by advice 1 ) to promife officers and men that their pay 
 fhould be augmented twenty-five per cent, or 'that their engage- 
 ments mould become null and void. This may appear to Con- 
 grefs premature and unwarrantable. But, fir, if they view our 
 frtuation in the light it Ttrikes their officers, they will be con- 
 vinced of the utility of the meafure, and that the execution 
 could not be delayed till after their meeting at Baltimore. In 
 ihort, the pitfent exigency of our affairs will not admit of de- 
 lay either in council or the field : for well convinced I am, that 
 if the enemy go into quarters at all, it will be for a ihort feafon. 
 But I rather think the defign of general Howe is to polTtis him- 
 feif of Philadelphia this winter if porTible j and in truth I do 
 not fee what is to prevent hirn ; as ten days more will put an end 
 
 to 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 285 
 
 to the exiftertce of our army. That one great point is to keep 
 us as much harrafied as poffible, with a view to injure the re- 
 cruiting fervice and hinder a colle6Hon of ftores and other ne- 
 ceffaries for the next campaign, 1 am as clear in, as I am of my 
 exiftence. If therefore, [when~\ we have to provide this 
 ihort interval, and make thefe great and ardent preparations,- 
 every matter that in its nature is felf-evident is to be referred 
 to Congrefs at the diftance of a hundred and thirty or forty: 
 miles, fo much time muft neceffarily elapfe, as to defeat the end 
 in view. 
 
 It may be faid that this is an application for powers that ar$ 
 too dangerous to be entrufted. I can only add that defperate 
 difeafes require defperate remedies j and with truth declare 
 that I have no luft after power, but wifh with as much fervency 
 as any man upon this wide-extended continent, for an opportu- 
 nity of turning the fword into a plough-mare. But my feelings, 
 as an officer and a man, have been fuch as to force me to fay 
 that no perfon ever had a greater choice of difficulties to con- 
 tend with than I have. It is needlefs to add that ihort enlifU 
 ments, and a miftaken dependence upon militia, have been the 
 origin of all our misfortunes and the great accumulation of our 
 debt. 
 
 - We find, fir, that the enemy are daily gathering ftrength 
 from the difaffected. This ilrength, like, a fnow-ball, by rol- 
 ling, will increafe, unlefs feme means can be deviled to check 
 effectually the progrels of the enemy's arms. Militia may pof- 
 fibly do it for a little while : but in a little while alfo', the miii- 
 tia of thofe Hates which have been frequently called upon will 
 no,t turn out at all j or, if they do, it will be with fo much re- 
 luctance awd lloth, as to amount to the fame thing : inftance, 
 New-Jerfey! witneis, Pcnnfylvania ! Could any thing but the 
 river Delaware have faved Philadelphia ? Can any thing (the 
 exigency of the cafe indeed may juftify it) be more deftruftive 
 to the recruiting fervice, than giving ten dollars bounty for 
 fix weeks' fervice of the militia, who come in, you cannot tell 
 how, go, you cannot tell when, and act, you cannot tell 
 where confume your provifions, exhaufl your ftores, and^ leave 
 you at laft at a critical moment ? 
 
 Thefe, fir, are the men I am to depend upon, ten days hence ; 
 this is the bafis on which your cauie will and muft forever de- 
 pend, till you get a large {landing army fufficient of itfelf to op- 
 pofe the enemy. I therefore beg leave to give it as my hum- 
 ble opinion, that eighty-eight battalions are by no means equal 
 U> the oppofition you can make, and that a moment's time is not 
 
 to 
 
286 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 to be loft in raifing a greater number, not lefs, in my opinion 
 and the opinion of my officers, than a hundred and ten. It may 
 be urged that it will be found difficult enough to complete the 
 firft number. This may be true, and yet the officers of a hun- 
 dred and ten battalions will recruit a great many more men, 
 than thofe of eighty-eight. In my judgment this is not a time 
 to ftand upon expenfe : our funds are the only object of conil- 
 tleration. The flate of New-York have added one battalion (I 
 Trim they had made it two) to their quota. If any good offi- 
 cers offer to raife men upon continental pay and eftablimment 
 rn this quarter, I mall encourage them to do fo, and regiment 
 them when they have done it. If Congrefs difapprove of this 
 proceeding, they will pleafe to fignify it, as I mean it for the 
 b-ft. 
 
 It may be thought that I am going a good deal out of the 
 line of my duty, to adopt thefe meafares, or to advife thus free- 
 ly. A character to lofe,- -an eftate to forfeit, the ineftimable 
 bkrflings of liberty at flake, and a life devoted, mud be my 
 excufe. 
 
 I have heard nothing of the light-hoife from Virginia, nor 
 the regiment from the Eailern-Shore. I wifh to know what 
 troops are to act in the different departments, and to have thofe 
 from the fouthward (defigned for this place) ordered on as faft 
 as they mall be raifed. The route fhould be pointed out by 
 which they are to march ; aflluant-commiffaries and quarter- 
 mailers upon the communication, to iupply their wants : the 
 rlrfl or fecond officer of each battalion to forward them, 
 and the other to come on, receive and form them at their place 
 of defti nation. Unlefs this is immediately fet about, the cam- 
 paign, if it mould be clofed, will be opened in the fpring before 
 we have any men in the field. 
 
 Every exertion fliould be ufed to procure tents : a clothier- 
 general fhould be appointed without lofs of time, forfupplying 
 the army with every article in that way : he fltould be a man 
 of buiinefs and abilities. A commifiary of prifoners muft be 
 appointed to attend the army: for want of an officer of this 
 kind, the exchange of prifoners has been conducted in a mame- 
 ful and injurious manner. We have had them from all quarters 
 pulhed into our camps at the mofl critical junctures, and with- 
 out the lead previous notice. We have had them travelling 
 through the different itates in all directions by certificates from 
 committees, without any kind of controul j and have had inftan- 
 ces of fomc going into the enemy's camp without my privity or 
 knowledge, after palling in the manner before mentioned. 
 
 There 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 287 
 
 There may be other officers neceffary which I do not recoiled 
 at this time, and which, when thought of, muft be provided : 
 for this, fir, you may rely en, that the commanding officer, un- 
 der the prefent eftablifhment, is obliged to attend to the buii- 
 nefs of fo many different departments, as to render it impoflible 
 to A conducl:,that of his own with the attention neceffary j-^-than 
 which, nothing can be more injurious. 
 
 In a former letter, I intimated my opinion >of the neceflity of 
 having a brigadier for eveiy three regiments, and a major-gene- 
 ral to every three brigades, at moft. I think no time is to be 
 loll in making the appointments, that the arrangements may be 
 confequent. This will not aid the recruiting fervice, but 
 will be the readiest means of forming and difciplining the arm^ 
 afterwards, which, in the (hort time we have to do it, is of a- 
 mazing confequence. I have labored, ever iince I have been in 
 the fervice, to difcourage all kinds of local attachments and dif- 
 tinc~licns of country, denominating the whole by the greater 
 name of * American ;' but I found it impoflible to overcome 
 prejudices; and, under the new eftabliihment, I conceive it belt 
 to ftir up an emulation ; in order to do which, would it not be 
 better for each ftate to furnifh (though not to appoint) their 
 awn brigadiers ? This, if known to be part of the eftabliih- 
 ment, might prevent a good deal of contention and jealoufy ; and 
 would, I believe, be the means of promotions going forward 
 with more fatisfa&ion, and quiet the higher officers. - 
 
 Whilft I am fpeaking of promotions*, I cannot help giving it 
 as my opinion, that, if Congrefs think proper to confirm what I 
 have done with refpecl: to the corps of artillery, colonel Knox 
 (at prefent at the head of that department, but who, without 
 promotion, will refign) ought to be appointed to the command 
 of it, with the rank and pay of brigadier. I have alfo to men- 
 tion, that, for want of lome eftablifhment in the department of 
 engineers agreeable to the plan laid before Congrefs in October 
 laft, colonel Putnam, who w r as at the head of it, has quitted, 
 and taken a regiment in the ftate of Maffachufetts. I know of 
 no other man tolerable well qualified for the conducing of that 
 bufinefs. None of the French gentlemen whom I have feen 
 with appointments in that way appear to me to know any thing 
 of the matter. r l here is one in Philadelphia, who I am told, 
 is clever : but him I have never feen. 
 
 I muft alfo once more beg leave to mention to Congrefs the 
 expediency of letting promotions be in a regimental line. The 
 want of this has already driven fome of the belt officers that 
 were in your army, out of the fervice. From repeated -artel 
 
288 GENERAL WASHINGTON^- 
 
 ft lift enquiry I am convinced you can ado'pt no mode of pro- 
 motion that will be better received, or that will give more gene- 
 ~ral fatisfaclion. I wifh therefore to have it announced. 
 
 The calling of cannon is a matter that ought not to be one 
 moment delayed : and therefore I (hall fend colonel Kno^ to 
 put this in a trainj as alfo to have travelling carriages and 
 ihot provided, elaboratories to be eftabliftied, one in Hart- 
 ford, and another in York. Magazines of provisions iliould al- 
 fo be laid in. Thefe I fhall fix with the commilTary. As our 
 great lofs laft year proceeded from a want of teams, I fhall di- 
 rect the quarter-mafter-general to furnifli a certain number to 
 each regiment to anfvver the common purpofes thereof, that the 
 army may be enabled to remove from place to place different- 
 ly from what we have done, or could do, this campaign. Am- 
 munition carts, and proper carts tor intrenching tools, fhould al- 
 fo be provided, and I ihall direct about them accordingly. A- 
 bdve all, a ftore of fmall arms iliould be provided, or men will 
 be of little ufe. '1 he confumption and wafte of thefe, this year, 
 has been great; militia, flying-camp men, &c. coming in 
 \vithout, were obliged to be furniflied, or become ufekfs. Ma- 
 ny of thefe threw their arms away : fome loft them, whilft o- 
 thers deferted, and took "them away. In a word, although I 
 ufed every precaution to preferve the m, the lofs has been great j 
 and this will forever be the cafe in fuch a mixed and irregular 
 army as ours has been. 
 
 If no part of the troops already embaiked at New- York has 
 appeared in Virginia, their deftination doubtlefs mufl be to fome 
 other quarter j and that ftate muft, I iliould think be freed from 
 any invalion, if general Howe can be effectually oppofed in this. 
 I therefore inclofe a memorandum given me by brigadier Ste- 
 phen of Virginia, which Congrefs will pleafe to adopt in the 
 whole, in part, or reject, as may be confident with their 
 plans and intelligence. 
 
 The dirifion of the army, late under the command of general 
 Lee, now general Sullivan, is juft upon the point of joining usJ 
 A ftrange kind of fatality has attended it. They had orders? 
 on the feventeenth of November to join, now more than a] 
 month. General Gates, with four eaftern regiments, is alfoj 
 near at hand : three others from thofe itates were coming on, 
 by his order, by the way of Peekfkill, and had joined general! 
 Heath whom 1 had ordered on with Parfon's brigade, to join* 
 me, leaving Clinton's brigade and fome militia (that were at - 
 l'Y>rts Ivlongomery and Conflitution) to guard thofe important 
 paffes of the Highlands, Eut the convention of the (late of 
 
 Jt O ,, T 
 
 New- i 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 289 
 
 New-York feeming to be much alarmed at Heath's coming a- 
 way, a fleet appearing off New- London, and fome part of 
 the enemy's troops retiring towards Brunfwic, induced me to 
 countermand the order for the march of Parfons's brigade, and 
 to direct the three regiments from Tyconderoga to halt at 
 Morriitown in Jerfey (where I underftaud about eight hundred 
 tailitia had collected), in order to infpirit the inhabitants, and, 
 as far as po&ble, cover that part of the country. I mall fend 
 general Maxwell this day to take the command of them, and, 
 if to be done, to harrafs <md annoy the enemy in their quarters, 
 and cat off their convoys. 
 
 The care and vigilance, which were ufed in fecuring the 
 boats on this river, have hitherto baffled every attempt of the 
 enemy to crofs : but, from concurring reports and appearances, 
 they are waiting for ice to afford them a paffage. 
 
 Since writing the foregoing, I have received a letter from 
 governor Cooke of Rhode-Iflarid, of which the inclofed is a 
 copy. Previous to this, and immediately upon the firft intelli- 
 gence obtained of a fleet's going through the Sound, I dif- 
 patched orders to generals Spencer and Arnold to proceed 
 without the leaft delay to the eastward. The firft. I prefume, 
 is gone : the latter, not getting m'y letter till he came to a place 
 called Eafton, was, by advice of general Gaffes, who alfo met 
 my letter at the fame place, induced, to come on hither before 
 he proceeded to the eaftward. Mod of our brigadiers are laid 
 up : not one has come on with the divifion under general Sul- 
 livan, but they are left iick at different places 'on the road. 
 
 By accounts from the eaftward, a large body of men had af- 
 fembled in Rhode-lfland, from the itates of iYlaffachufetts an-d 
 Connecticut. I prefume (but I have no advice of it) that the 
 militia ordered from the firftj to reridezvdus at Danbury (fix 
 thoufand in number) under the command of major-general 
 Lincoln, for fupplying the place of the difbanded mtn of that 
 ftate in the continental army, will now be ordeied to Rhodc- 
 liland. 
 
 In fpeaking of general Lincoln, I mould not do him juflice, 
 were I not to add that he is a gentleman well worthy of notice 
 in the military line. He commanded the militia from MaiTa- 
 chufetts lad dimmer, or fall rather, and much to my fatisfac- 
 tion, having proved himfclf on all occaiions an aiiive, fpirit- 
 ed, fenfible man. I do not know whether it is his wiih to re- 
 main in the military line, or whether, if he (hould, any thing 
 tinder the rank he now holds in the itate he comes* from would 
 fatisfy hira. How far an ap.poiritrncnt of this kind miglit offend 
 
 O o the 
 
290 GENERAL WASHINGTON^* 
 
 the continental brigadiers, I cannot undertake to fay ; manr 
 there are, over whom he ought not to be placed > but I know 
 of no way to difcriminate. Brigadier Reed of New-Hampfhire 
 does not, I prefurne, mean to continue in fervice : he ought 
 not, as I am told, by the feverity of the fmall-pox, he is be- 
 come both blind and deaf. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. Generals Gates and Sullivan have this inftant come 
 in. By them I learn that few or no men are recruited out 
 of the regiments coming on with them, and that there is very 
 little reafon to expet that thefe regiments will be prevailed 
 tipon to continue after their term of fervice expires. If mili- 
 tia then do not come in, the confequtnces are but too evident. 
 
 SIR, Camp above Trenton Falls, December 24, 1776.. 
 
 THAT I {hould dwell upon the fubjed of our diftrerTes^ 
 cannot be more difagreeable to Congrefs than it is painful to 
 myfelf. The alarming fituation to which our affairs are reduc- 
 ed, impels me to the meafure. Inquiry and invefligation,- 
 which in mofl cafes ferve to develope and point out a remedy, 
 in ours, prefent more and greater difficulties. Till of late 
 I was led to hope from report that no inconfiderable part of 
 the troops; compoflng the regiments that were with general 
 Lee, and thofe from Tyconderoga under general Gates, had 
 enUfted again. This intelligence, I confefs, gave me reafon to 
 expect that I {hould have, at the expiration of the prefent 
 year, a force fomewhat more refpeclable than what I find will 
 be the cafe. 
 
 Having examined into the ftate of thofe regiments, I am au^ 
 thorifed to fay, from the information of their officers, that but 
 very few of the men have enliited. Thofe who have, are of 
 the troops from Tyconderoga, a-nd were permitted to vifit their 
 friends and homes, as part of the terms on which they would 
 re-engage. In refpecl to thofe who marched with general Lee, 
 I cannot learn that any have. Their refufal, I am told, hai 
 not proceeded more from an averfion to the fervice, or any 
 fixed determination not to engage again, than from their wimes 
 to return home, the non-appointment of officers in fome in-. 
 Itances, the turning out of good, and appointing of bad, ia 
 others, and the incomplete or rather no arrangement of them, 
 a work unhappily committted to the management of theii 
 slates : nor haye I the moil diitant prpfpect of retaining them- 
 
 a mo- 
 
O-FFrCl A L L ETTER S. 
 
 & moment longer than the lafl of this inftant, notwhhftariding 
 the moft preffing felicitations and the obvious neceflity for it. 
 
 By the departure of thefe regiments I (hall be left with five 
 frorp Virginia, Smallwood's from Maryland, a fmall part of 
 Rawlin's, Hand's from Pennfylvania, a part of Ward's from 
 Conne6licut, and the German battalion, amounting in the 
 whole at -this time from fourteen to fiftteen hundred eiFc&ive 
 men.. This handful, and fuch militia as may chufe to join me'^ 
 will then compofe our army, 
 
 When 1 reflect upon thefe things they fill me with much 
 -concern, knowing that general Howe has a nunaber of troops 
 cantoned in the towns bordering on and near the Delaware, 
 his intentions to pafs, as foon as the ice is fufficiently formed, 
 to invade Pennfylvania and to poSfcfs himfelf of Philadelphia, if 
 poffible. To guard againft his defigns and the execution of 
 -them, ihall employ my every exertion : but how is this to be 
 <done ? As yet but few militia have gone to Philadelphia, and 
 they are to be our fup'port at this alarming crifis. Had I en- 
 tertained a doubt of general Howe's intentions to pafs the De- 
 laware on the diifolution of our army, and as foon as the ice is? 
 made, it would now be done away. An intercepted letter from 
 a gentleman of Philadelphia (who has joined the enemy), to 
 his friend and partner in the city, declares that to be their de- 
 jGgn, -that the army would be there in ten or twenty day* 
 from the iixteenth inftant, the time of his writing, if the ice- 
 fnould be matte ; advifes him by no means to remove their 
 iiores, -that they would be fafe. 
 
 The o-bftacles which have arifen to the raifmg of the new 
 army, from the mode of appointing the officers, induce me to 
 hope, if Congrefs refolve on an additional number of battalions 
 to thofe already voted, that they will devife fome other rule 
 by which the officers, efpecially the field-officers, (hould be ap- 
 pointed. In cafe an augmentation mould be made to the eail- 
 erri regiments, a deviation from the former mode will operate 
 more llrongly as to them than to other battalions, b-scaufe 
 there have been many more officers in fervice from thofe ftates, 
 than the regiments voted to be raifed would admit of 5 by which 
 means fereral deferving men could not have been provided 
 for, had the utmoft paias been ufed for the purpofe } and many 
 others of merit have been negle&ed in the late appointments, 
 and thofe of little worth and lefs experience put in their places 
 or promoted over their heads. This has been the cafe with 
 many of the beft officers. 
 
 The inclofed letter from the paymafter- general will (hew 
 
 the 
 
292 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S ' 
 
 the'ftate of the military cntft, and the neceflity of a large anil 
 immediate fupply of cafh. 'The advances to the officers, for 
 bounty and the recruiting fervice, aie great : beiides, the regi- 
 ments, at the expiration of this month, will require pay of their 
 claims. * * '* 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. If the public papers have been removed frm Phila- 
 delphia, I hope thofe which 1 fcnt by lieutenant-colonel Reed 
 before we left New-York, have not been forgot. If they have 
 not, I beg the favor of you to break open the chert, ar.d fend 
 me the feveral letter-books, fealed up, having frequent ccca- 
 iion to refer to them. 
 
 To ROBERT MORRIS, efcuire. 
 
 DEAR SIR, Head-quarters^ December 25, 1776. 
 
 I HAVE your obliging favors of the twenty-firft and 
 twenty-third. The blankets are come to hand j but I would 
 not have any of the other goods fent on till you hear again 
 from me. 
 
 I agree with you that it is vain to ruminate upon, or even 
 reflect upon the authors or caufes cf, our prefent misfortunes : 
 we mould rather exert ourfelves, and look forward with hopes 
 that fome lucky chance may^yet turn up in our favor. Bad as 
 our profpedls are, I fhould not have the lean 1 doubt of fucceis 
 ifi the end, did not the late treachery and defection of thcfe, 
 who flood foremoft in the oppoiition while fortune Irniled upon 
 us, make me fearfal that many more will follow their example, 
 who, by uiing their influence with fome and working upon the 
 fears of others, may extend the circle fo as to take in whole 
 towns, counties, nay, provinces. Of this xve have a recent in- 
 itance in |erfey;,and I wilh many parts in Pennfylvania may 
 not be ready to receive the yoke. 
 
 1 he fecurity of the continental mips of war in Delaware is 
 certainly a capital object j and yet to draught the many hands, 
 neceilary to fit them out, for the militia, might be dangerous 
 juft now : perhaps in a little time hence their places may be 
 fupplied with country militia ; and then, if the exigency of af- 
 fairs requires it, they certainly ought to be fpared. 1 will juit 
 hint to you a proportion that was made, or rather talked of, a 
 few days ago by the officers of two New-England regiments 
 v/hofe time t:f fervice will expire en the firft of January. They 
 
 are 
 
O F F I C I A L L T T E R & 293 
 
 '.kre mo ft of them water- men : and they faid their men would 
 willingly go on board the frigates, and navigate them round to 
 any of the ports in New-England, if it was thought they would 
 be fafer there than in Delaware. You may think of this, and 
 let me hear from, you on the fubjecl:, if the propofition pleafes 
 you 
 
 Lieutenant Roger of the navy is already gone in, and I have 
 made a demand of lieutenant Jofiah in exchange; but I have 
 not heard whether lord Howe accedes to it. I will procure the 
 releafe of doctor Hodge as foon as it can be done without injur- 
 ing others by giving him the preference, as I have always made 
 it a rule to demand thofe fiift who have been longp.ft in capti- 
 vity. I will take the fame fleps in regard to Mr. Jones, com- 
 mander of the (loop taken by the Andrew^ Doria. 
 
 I (hall take the earlieft opportunity of fending in your letter 
 to general Lee, with the bill drawn upon major Small. 
 
 From an intercepted letter from a perfon in the fecrets of the 
 enemy, T find their intentions are to crofs Delaware as foon as j 
 the ice is fufficiently ftrong. I mention this, that you may- 
 take the neceffary fteps for the fecurity of fuch public and pri- 
 vate property as ought not to fall into their hands, mould they 
 make themielves mailers of Philadelphia, of which they do not 
 &em to entertain the lead doubt. 
 
 I hope the next chriilmas will prove happier than tte.pre- 
 to you, and to, dear fir,, your iincere friend and humble 
 fervant, G. W. 
 
 P. S. I would juft afk whether you think Chriftia.na a fafe 
 place for our ftoies. Do not you think they would be fafer at 
 Lancafter, or fomewhere more inland ? 
 
 SIR, Head-quarters , Morriftown, Dec. 27, 1776,, 
 
 I HAVE- the pleafure of congratulating you upon th,e (uc- 
 cefs of an enterprife which I had formed againft a detachment 
 of the enemy lying in Trenton, and which was executed yefter- 
 day morning. 
 
 The evening of the twenty-fifth I ordered the troops intend- 
 ed for this purpofe to parade ba*ck of M'Konkey's ferry, - that 
 they might be^in to pals as foon as it-grew dark, irnaginiug rftii't 
 we fiiould be abk to throw them all over, with the neceilary 
 anilkry,. by -twelve o'clock, and that we might eafily arrive at 
 Ttrnton by five in the morning, the. diftance being about nine 
 miles. . .BiU-.tk^ quantity of ice, m^ade that.night, impeded the 
 
 paffage 
 
;.94 GENERAL WASHINGTON 5 * 
 
 paiTage of tKe boats fo much, that it was three o'clock before 
 the artillery could all be got over; and near four, before the 
 troops took up their line of march. 
 
 This made me defpair of furprifing the town, as I well knew 
 we could not reach it before the day was fairly broke. But as 
 I was certain there was no making a retreat without being dif- 
 covered, and harraffed on repaffing the river, I deterrgined to 
 pufh on at all events. I formed my detachment in two divifi- 
 ons, one to march by the lower or river road, the other by the 
 upper or Pennington road. As the divifions had nearly the 
 fame diitance to march, I ordered each of them, immediately 
 upon forcing the out guards, to puih dire&ly into the town, 
 that they might charge the enemy before they had time to 
 form. 
 
 The upper dlviiion arived at the enemy's advanced poft ex- 
 ally at eight o'clock ; and in three minutes after, I found, 
 from the fire on the lower road, that that divilion had alfo got 
 up. The out guards made but fmall oppofition, though, for 
 their numbers, they behaved very well, keeping up a conftant 
 retreating fire from behind houfes. We prefently faw their 
 main body formed ; but, from their motions, they feemed unde- 
 termined how to act. 
 
 Being hard preffed by our troops who had already got pof- 
 feflion of their artillery, they attempted to file oif by a road on 
 their right, leading to Princeton. But, perceiving their inten- 
 tion, I threw a body of troops in their way , which immediate- 
 ly checked them. Finding from our difpoiition, that they were 
 furrouaded, and that they muft inevitably be cut to pieces if 
 they made any farther refiftance, they agreed to lay down their 
 arms. The number that fubmitted in this manner was twenty- 
 three officers and eight hundred and eighty-fix men. Colonel 
 Rahl the commanding officer, and feven others, were found 
 wounded in the town. I do not exactly know how many they 
 had killed ; but I fancy, not above twenty or thirty, as they 
 never made any regular Hand. Our lois is very trilling indeed, 
 only two officers and one or two privates wounded. 
 
 I find that the detachment of the. enemy confifted of the three 
 Heffian regiments of Lanfpach, Kniphaufen, and Rhal, amount- 
 ing to about fifteen hundred men, and a troop ef Britifh light- 
 Itorfe : but, immediately upon the beginning of the attack, all 
 thofe who were not killed or taken, pulhed dire&ly down the 
 road towards Bordentown. Thefe would like wife have fallen 
 iato our hands, could my plan have been completely carried in- 
 to execution. General Ewing was to have crolTed before day 
 
 at 
 
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 2$$ 
 
 at Trenton ferry, and taken poffeflion of the bridge leading out 
 of town : but the quantity of ice was fo great, that, though he 
 did every thing in his power to efFecl: it, he co-uld not get over. 
 This difficulty alfo hindered general Cadwallader from crowing- 
 with the Pennfylvania militia from Briftol. He got part of his 
 foot over : but finding it impoflible to embark his artillery, he 
 fTas obliged to defift. 
 
 I am iully confident, that, could the troops under generals 
 Ewing and Cadwallader have palled the riyer, I ihould have 
 been able with their ailiftance to have driven the enemy from 
 all their polls below Trenton. .But the numbers I had with 
 me being inferior to theirs below me, and a ftrong battalion of 
 light infantry being at Princeton above me, I thought it molt 
 prudent to return the fame evening with the prifoners and the 
 artillery we had taken. We found no ftores of any confequence 
 in the town. 
 
 In juftice to the officers and men, I muft add that their be- 
 havior upon this occalion, reflects the higheft honor upon them. 
 The difficulty in pafling the river in a very fevere night, and 
 their march through a violent ftorm of fnow and hail, did not 
 iri the leail abate their ardor : but when they came to the charge, 
 each feemed to vie with the other in pr effing forward : and 
 ^were I to give a preference to any particular corps, I mould do 
 j^great injuftice to the others. 
 
 Colonel Baylor, my firil aid- de-camp, will have the honor of 
 
 .delivering this to- you j and from him you may be made ac^ 
 
 quainted with many other particulars. His fpirited behavior 
 
 upon every occafion requites me to recommend him to your par r 
 
 iticular notice. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &,c. C. W. 
 
 Inclofed you have a particular lift of the prifoners, artillery 
 and other ftores. 
 
 SIR, Newtown, December 29, 1776. 
 
 I AM juft fetting out to attempt a fecond paffage over 
 the Delaware with the troops that were with me on the morn- 
 ing of the twenty-fixth. I am determined to effe it if pofilble , 
 but know that it will be attended with much fatigue and diffi- 
 culty on account of the ic*r, which will neither allow us to 
 crols on foot, nor give us an eafy paffage with boats. General 
 Cadwallader crofled from Briftol on the twenty-feventh, and, 
 by las letter of yeiterday,, was at Bordento\vn with, about .eigh- 
 teen 
 
276 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 
 
 teen hundred men. In addition to tlicfe, general Mifil' 
 over five hundred from Philadelphia on friday, three hu 
 yeftr.rday evening from Burlington, and will follow to-day with 
 feven or eight hundred more. I have taken every precaution 
 in my power for fubiifting the troops, and lhall, without lofs of 
 time, and as foon as circumitances will admit of it, purfue thgj 
 enemy in their retreat, try to beat up more of their quarters, 
 and, in a word, in every inftance, adopt fuch meafures as the 
 exigency of our affairs requires, and our fituation will jurtify. 
 
 Had it not been for the unhappy failure of generals Ewing 
 and Cadwallader in their attempts to pafs on the night of the 
 twenty-fifth, and if the feveral concerted attacks could have 
 been made, I have no doubt but that our views would have 
 iucceeded to our warmeft expectations. What was done >ccafi- 
 ont-d the enemy to leave their feveral polls on the Delaware 
 with ineat precipitation. The peculiar diilreifes to which the 
 troops who were with me were leduced by the Severities of cold,; 
 rain, fnow, and ftorm, the charge of the prifoners they had 
 taken, -and another reafon that might be mentioned, and the 
 little profpecl of receiving fuccours on account of the feafoi 
 r;nd fituation of the river, would not authorise a further pur- 
 fuit at that time. 
 
 Since transmitting the lift of prifoners, a few more have bee:: 
 difcovered and taken in Trenton, among them a lieutenant- 
 colonel, and a deputy-adjutant-general, the whole amounting 
 to about a thoufand. 
 
 t have been honored with your letter of the twenty-third ar 
 its feveral inclohires, to which I (hall pay due attention. 
 flag goes in this morning with a letter to general Howe, an.j 
 another to general Lee. For the latter, Robert Morris, e r - 
 q ui re, has transmitted a bill of exchange, drawn by two Britiih. 
 officers, for a hundred and iixteen pounds, niae millings, and' 
 three pence, on major Small, for money furnimed them in 
 South-Carolina, which I trait will be paid. This fupply is ex- 
 clufive of the furh you have refolved to be fent him, and which 
 "Mr. Morris will procure in time. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, &.c. G. W. 
 
 P. S. I am under great apprehenfions about obtaining pro- 
 per Supplies of proviilon for our troops: I fear it will ! . 
 tremely difficult, if not impracticable, as the enemy, fro,; 
 ry account, have taken and collected every thing they couil 
 
 END OF THE F1R.ST VOLUME,