"laSilliam ^mith JEasou

AMERICAN STATE PAPERS,

A COLLEC TiON
Of Original and Authentic Documents
RELATIVE TO THE WAR
SET WEEN THE
UNITED STATES
AND
GREAT BRITAIN.

Publiflied by Special Permiflion.

VOLUME THE FIRST.

'191'

OFFICIAL LETTERS
TO THE HONORABLE
AMERICAN CONGRESS,
Written, during the War between the
UNITED COLONIES and GREAT BRITAIN,
BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE
CONTINENTAL FORCES,
NOW
PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES.

Copied, by Special Permiffion, from the Original Papers preferved
in the O'ffice of the Secretary of State, Philadelphia.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR CADELL JUNIOR AND DAVIES, G. G. AND J. RO
BINSON, B. AND J. WHITE, W. OTRIDGE AND SON, J. DE-
BRETT, R. FAULDER, AND T. EGERTON.
1795-

,e.b3.4. I

ADVERTISEMENT.

"p ESPECTING the fource from which the follow-
-¦-^ ing letters have been drawn, and the grounds
on -which the reader is expefted tp reft his belief
of their authenticity, it may be fufficient to inform
him (and, for the truth of the affertion, to appeal
to His. Excellency, Thomas Pinckney, the Ameri
can Minifter Plenipotentiary), that permiffion -was
obtained from the proper authority, to tranfcribe,
from the original papers preferved in the Secretary
of State's office in Philadelphia, thefe and fundry
other authentic documents relating to the conteft
between the colonies and the mother country, viz.
Letters from the Commanders of the continental
forces, and other perfons employed in the public
fervice, — intercepted Letters frora Britiffi Officers
and other adherents to the royal caufe, — -Com
munications frora the Governors, Conventions, and
Committees of the feveral American States, — Dif-
patches from Agents and Commiffioners, — Inftruc-
.tions, — Reports of Committees of Congrefs, — parts
of the Secret Journals hitherto unpublifhed, — and
various

various other pieces elucidative of the events which
led to and finally eftabliffied American Indepen
dence. That ¦ permiffion was granted early in the year
1 792, and immediate advantage was taken oi the in
dulgence ; though, from various circumftances, of
little confequence to the reader to know, the pub
lication has been fo long delayed. Even at this
late period, the editor contents himfelf with laying
before the public but a part of the colleftion, — ^in-
tending, if thefe volumes meet with a favorable re
ception, to continue the publication, and prefent
his readers Vv-ith a variety of interefting pieces
penned by- the leaders and principal agents in the
American Revolution, and tending to throw light
on many important tranfaftions that have hitherto
been either enveloped in total darknefs, or, at
bcft, but obfcurely perceived, and imperfeftly un-
derftood. Some parts of thefe letters may perhaps appear
too full of minutise to intereft that clafs of readers,
who, nnaccuftomed to enter into the inveftigatioji
r-i caufes or confequenccs, delight only in recitals
o,f battles, fieges, and other ftriking occurrences
which conftitute the more prominent features of
liiftory. But, to the reafoning philofophic reader,
who wiilies to explore the fecret fprlngs of a£tion,
—to trace events to their remote and latent caufes,
- — to difcover and examine the fubordinate and col
lateral circumftances (oft trifling in appearance,
and generally overlooked by the vulgar eye),
V. hich, in the ftruggles of contending nations, o-ive
a pre-

[ vii ]
a preponderancy to the one or the other fcak,-- -
thofe minute details will, it is prefumed, be tar
from unacceptable, as furnifliing him with that
fpecies of information, upon which alone he can
venture to ground a decifive opinion, and which he
might elfewhere feek in vain.
The inclofures, frequently referred to in thefe
volumes, would ftill further contribute to fet every
circumftance in a Qlearer and ftronger light ; and it
was the editor's original intention that they ffiould
have accompanied the letters to which they refpec-
tively belong. Obftacles hovvever, at prefent infur-
mountable, ftand in the -way of their immediate pub
lication : but, when thefe are removed, the papers
alluded to fliall make their appearance in form of
an Appendix, — fuch parts of them at leaft, as are
of a curious and interefting nature.
Meanwhjle the reader will obferve that it was
deemed as yet premature to publifli certain paf-
fages of thefe letters : fome omiffions have of courfe
taken place, which are every where pointed out by
afteri&s, and which will be fupplied at a pro
per feafon, probably not far diftant.< — On the
Other hand, in perhaps half a dozen inftances, a
fingle word has been hazarded on conjefcture, 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 let
ters, moreover, as appears by reference made to
them in fubfequent ones, are here wanted to' com
plete the chain of correfpondence. Thefe the edi-
9 ^0^

[ viii 3
tor 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
fecretary *, are here inferted ; — a few from the ge
neral himfelf to the board of war, or committee
of Congrefs, — one to the prefident of the New-
York Convention, and one to R. Morris, efquire,
in the department of finance. Thefe it was
thought improper to omit : nol* did it feem worth
while, on account of a few exceptions, to make
any alteration in the general title of the book.
* Mr. R. H. Harrifon, refpefting whom, the reader is re-
q'nefted to correft an error in Vol. I. page 240, line 6, where,
infbead of ' aides,^ he fliould read <¦ Jecrctarlei' . — Another miftake
occurs in page 26 of the fame volume, line 32,. where ^fourth'
ihould be read inftead of '¦ fourteetdh.^

OFFICIAL LETTERS

FROM

GENERAL WASHINGTON
TO CONGRESS.

To the Honorable Members of the Continental Congrefs, at
PhUadelphia.
Gentlemen, NevJ^York, June 24, ly^^*
X HE rain on friday afternoon and faturday, — the advice
of feveral gentlemen of the Jerfeys and this city, tiy no meana
to crofs Hudfon's river at the lower ferry — and fome other
circumftances, too trivial to mention, prevented my arrival
at this place, until the afternoon of this day.
In the morning, after giving general Schuyler fuch orders*
as, from the refult of my inquiry into matters here, appear
neceffary, I fhall fet out on my journey to the camp at Bof-
ton, and fhall proceed with all the difpatch in my power.
Powder is fo effential an article, that I Cannot help again re-
.jpeating -the neceffity of a fupply. The camp at Bofton, frora
the bell account I can get from thence, is but very poorly
fupplied. At this place, they have fcarce any. How they
Vol. I. B are

2 GENERAL WASH¦INGTO^^'S
are provided at general Woofter's camp, 'I have not beeJl
able yet to learn.
' Governor Tryon is arrived, and general Schuyler directed
fo advife you Of the line. of condu6t he moves in. I fear it
will not be very favorabJe to the American caufe.
I have only to add, that I am, -with great refpeft ant}
regard, gentlemen, your nioft obedient and obliged humble
fervant, G^ Washington,

To John Hancock, Efquire, Prefident of Congrefs.
Neiu York, funday, %^th June, 1775, 5 0' cUck, P. At.
Sir, UPON my arrival here this afternoon, I was inform/
ed that an exprefs was in town, from the provincial camp
Sn Maffachufetts-Bay ; and having feen, among the papers in
his pofleffion, a letter directed to you as prefident of the
Congrefs, I have taken the liberty to open it, I was induced
*o take that liberty, by feveral gentlemen of New-York
who 'I't-ere anxious to know the particulars of the affair of
the feventeenth inftant, and agreeable to the^ orders of many
members of the Congrefs, who judged it necefTary that I
fhoufd avail myfeif of the befl jnformatjoa in the courfe oi
my journey.- '
Yoii will find, fir, by that letter, a great want of powder
in the provincial army, which I fnicercly hope the Congrefs
•will fupply as fpeedily and as efFeftually as in their power.
One thoufand pounds in weight were fent to the camp at
Cambridge, three days ago, from this city ; which has left
this place ateoft deftitute ot that necefTary article ; there be
ing at shi's time, from the beft information, not more tlwiv
four barrels of powder in the city of New- York,
I propofe to fet off for the provincial camp to-morrow,
and vill ufe all poiTible difpatch to join the forces there. ,
Pieaiu to make my complimtnts to the. gentlemen of tfie
Congrefs j

OFFICIAL L£tTE&S. 3
Congrefs ; and believe me to be, fir, your obliged friend,
and humble fervant, G. W.
[N. B. All the fubfequent letters, not otMrwife exprefsly dl^
relied, are addrefj'ed to the Prefident of Congrefs for the
time being. 1

Sir, Canip at Cambridge^ "Ji^h 'O' ^775'
I Arrived fafe at this place on the third inftant, after
a journey attended with a good deal of fatigue, d.nd retarded
by necefTary attentions to the fuccefiive civilities which ac
companied me in my whole route.
Upon my anival, I immediately vifited the feveral pofls
occupied by our troops; and^ as foon as the weather permitted,
reconnoitred thofe of the enemy. I found the latter flrongly
intrenched on Bunker*s-hill, about a mile from Charleftown*
and advanced about half a mile from the place of the late ac
tion, with their centries extended about one hundred and fifty
yards on this fide of the narrowefl part of the netk leading
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 Charlefto-wn. They
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 ad
vanced guards, till laft faturday morning, occupied Brown's
houfes, about a mile from Roxbury meeting-houfe, and
twenty roods from their lines : but, at that time, a party
from general Thomas's camp furprifed the guard, iirove
them in, and burned the houfes. 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 Boftron.
On our fide, we have thrown up intrenchments on Win-
B 2 ter

4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ter and Profpeft hills,— the enemy's camp In full view, at
the diftance of 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 intrenchmenf has been thrown up. At Roxbury, ge-
jieial Thomas has thrown up a ftrong work on the hill,
about two hundred yards above the meeting-houfe ; which,
with the brokennefs of the ground, and a great number of
rocks, has made that pafs very fecure. The troops raifed in
New-Hampfhire, with a regiment from Rhode -Jfland,- 'Oc
cupy Winter-hill : a part of thofe from Conne'6ticut, under
general Putnam, are on Profpe6t-hill. The troops in this
town are entirely of the MaiTachufetts : the remainder of tlie
Rhode-Ifland-men are at Sewal's Farm. Two regiments of
Connecticut, and nine of the MafTachufetts, are at Rox
bury. The refidue of the army, to the number of about
feven hundred, are pofted in feveral fmall towns along the
coaft, to prevent the depredations of the enemy.
Upon the whole, I think myfeif authorifed to fay, thr.t,
confidering the great extent of line and the nature of the
ground, we are as well fecured, as could be expeilcd in fo
ihort a time, and utitl.r the difadvantages we labor.... Thefe.
conhft in. a want of engineers to conftruft. proper works and:
direct the men, a waiit of tools, and . a . fufficient number of,'-
men to man the v, orJcs. in ca.fe of ari-iittack. You will ob-.
fcrve,- by the pi ocesdiags of the council .of war which T have-
the honor to indole, that it is. our unanimous opinion, t&.
hold and defend, thefe; works- as .long as poffiblc. The-dif-. .
couragement it would give, the- men, and its contj'arv -effgits
on the minifterial troops, ^lus;. to -abindon our encamp-,
ment in their face, formed with fo much labor, — added to
the certain deftruiStion of a confiderable and valuable; e-xtent
of country, and our uncertainty. of finding a place in all ix-
fpeits fo'capable of making a ftand, — are leading reafons for
this determination. At the fame time we are very fenfible
of the difficulties which attend the defence of lines ol fo
g.-_-.a

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 5
great extent, and the dangers which may enfue from fuch
a divifion of the army.
My earneft wifh to comply with the inftruflions of the
Congrefs, in making an early and complete return of the
ftate of the army, has led into an involuntary delay of ad-
dreffing you ; which has given me much concern. Having
given orders for this purpofe immediately on my arrival, —
and unapprifed of the imperiedt obedience which had been
paid to thofe of the like nature from general Ward, I was
led from day to day to expedt they would come in, and
therefore detained the mefTengcr. They are not now fo
complete as I could wifh : but much allowance is to be made
for inexperience in forms, and a liberty which had been
taken (not given) on this fubjedt. Thefe reafons, I flatter
myfeif, will no longer exift ; and, of confequence, more re
gularity and exaftnefs will in future prevail. This, with a
necefTary attention to the lines, the movements of the minif
terial troops, and our immediate fecurity, muft be my apo
logy, which I beg you to lay before Congrefs with the ut-
nioft duty and refpeft.
We labor under great difadvantages for want of tents:
for, though they have been helped opt by a collection of
now ufelefs fails from the fea-port towns, the number is far
ihort of our neceffities. The colleges and houfes of this
town are necefTarily occupied by the troops ; wdiich affords
another reafon for keeping dur prefent fituation. But I moft
fincerely wifh the whole army was properly provided to take
the field, as I am well afTured, that (befides greater Expedi
tion and aftivity in cafe of alarm) it would highly conduce
to health and difci.pline. As materials are not to be had
here, I would beg leave to recommend the procuring^ far-
tlier fupply from Philadelph-ia, as foon as poffible.
I fliould be extremely deficient in gratitude as well as juftice,
if I did not take the firft opportunity to acknowledge the
readinefs, and attention, which the provincial, Congrefs and
¦dillerent conami,ttecs have fhewn, to make every thing as
B 3 convenient

6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
convenient and agreeable as poffible. But there is a vital
and inherent principle of delay, incompatible with military
fervice, in tranfa£ling bufinefs through fuch numerous and
different channels, I efteem it therefore my duty to repre-
fent the inconvenience which muft unavoidably enfue from
a dependence on a number of perfons for fupplies ; and fub-
mit it to the confideration of Congrefs, whether the public fer
vice will not be beft promoted by appointing a commifTary-
general for thefe pnrpofes. We have a ftriking inftance of
the preference of fuch a mode, in the eftabliflimeqt of Con-
nedicut, as their troops are extremely well provided under
the direction of Mr. Trumbull, and he has at different titaes
affifted othens with various articles. Should my fentiments
happily coincide with thofe of your honors on this fubjedt,
I beg leave to recommend Mr. TrumbuU as a very proper
perfon for this department. In the arrangement of troops
colle£ted under fuch circumftances, and upon the fpur of
immediate neceffity, feveral appointments are omitted, which
appear to be indifpenfably necefTary for the good government
of the army — particularly a quarter-mafter^general, a com-
milTary of mufters, and a commifTary of artillery. Thefe I
muft earneftly recommend to the notice and provifion of the
Congrefs, I find myfeif already much embarralTed, for want of a mi
litary cheft. Thefe embarraffinents will incrpafe every day :
I muft therefore requeft tliat money may be forwarded as
foon as poffible. The want of this moft necefTary article
wiU (I fear) produce great inconveniences, if not prevented
by an early attention, I find the army in general, and the
troops raifed in MaiTachufetts in particular, very deficient
in necefTary cloathing. Upon inquiry, there appears no
probability of obtaining any fupplies in this quarter ; and, op
the befl confideration of this matter lam able to form, I am of
opinion that a number of hunting fhirts (not lefs than ten
thoufand) would in a great degree remove this difficultv,
ill the chpapeft and ^uickeft manner. I know nothing, iri ^
fpeculative

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 7
fpeculative view, more trivial, yet, if put in pradlice, would
Kave a happier tendency to unite the men, and abolifli thofe
provincial diftinftions which lead to jealotUy and difTatii-
fa6lion. In a former part of this letter, 'L mentioned the want of
engineers. I can hardly exprefs the difappointment I have
experienced' on this fubjeil, — the fkill of thofe we have be
ing very imperfeft, and confined to the mere manual cxer-
cife of cannon ; whereas the war in which we are engaged
requires a. knowledge, comprehending the duties of the field,
and fortification. If any perfons thus qualified are to be
found in the fouthern colonies, it would be of great public
fervice to forward them with all expedition.
Upon the article of ammun-ition, I muft re-echo the for-
,mer -complaints on this fubjeft. We are fo exceedingly defti
tute, that our artillery will be of little ufe, without a fuppiv
both large and feafonable. What we have muft be referved
for the fmall arms, and tli3t managed with thiB utmoft fru
gality., * *. *
The ftate of the army you' will find afcertained with toler
able precifion in the returns which accompany this letter.
Upon finding the number of men to fall fo far fliort of the
eftablifhment, and below all expectation, I immediately call
ed a council of the general officers, whofe opinion (as to the
mode of filling up the regiments, and providing for the pre
fent exigency) I have the honor of inclofing, together with
the beft judgment we arc able to form of the minifterial
troops. From the number of boys, dcferters, and negroes,
d,!^ have been enlifted in the troops of this province, I en
tertain fome doubts whether the number required can be
raifed here : and all the general officers agree that no depen
dence can be put on the militia, for a continuance in camp,
or regularity and difcipline during the fhort time they may
ftay. This unhappy and devoted province has been fo long
in a ftate of anarchy, and the yoke * * * "», .*
been laid fo heavily on it, that great allowances are to be
B 4 mad?

8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
made for troops raifed under fuch circumftances. The de
ficiency ofnumbeis, difcipline, and ftores, can only lead to
this conclufion — that their fpirlt has exceeded their ftrength.
But at the fame time I would humbly fubmit to the confider
ation of Congrefs the propriety of making fome further pro
vifion of men from the other colonies. If thefe regiments
fliould be completed to their eftablifhment, the difmiffion of
thofe unfit for duty on account of their age and character
would occafion a confiderable redu6lion ; and, at all events,
they have been enlifted upon fuch terms, that they may be
difbanded when other troops arrive. But fhould my appre-
henfions be reaUfed, and the regiments here not filled up, the
public caufe would fufFer by an abfolute dependence upon
fo doubtful' an event, linlefs fome provifion is made againft
fuch a difappointment.
It requires no military fkill, to judge of the difficulty of
introducing proper difcipline and fubordination into an army
while we have the enemy in view, and ai'e in daily expecta
tion of an attack ; but it is of fo much importance, that every
effort will be made, which time and circumftances will ad
mit. In the mean time I have a fincere pleafure in obferV-
ing that there are materials for a gqpd army^ — a great num
ber of able-bodied men, a£tive, zealous in the caufe, and of
unqueftionable 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
committee of Albany ; to all which I fliall pay due attention.
Generals Gates and Sullivan have both arrived in good
health. My beft 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 wifh a more imme
diate and frequent communication with the Congrefs. I fear
jt may oftfn happen in the courfe pf our prefent operations, that-

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 9
that I ftiall need that affiftance and direftion from them,
which time and diftance will not allow me to receive.
, Since writing the above, I have alfo to acknowledge your
favor of the fourth inftant by FefTenden, and the receipt of the
commiffions, and articles of war. The former are yet eight
hundred fhort of the number required. This deficiency you
will pleafe to fupply as foon as you conveniently can.
Among the other returns, I have alfo fent one of our killed,
¦wounded, and miffing, in the late a£tion ; but have been able
to procure no certain account of the lofs of the minifterial
troops. My beft intelligence fixes it at about five iiundred
killed, and fix or feven hundred wounded : but it is no more
than conje6ture, — the utmoft pains being -taken on their fidet
to conceal it. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Having ordered the commanding officer to give me
the earlieft intelligence of every motion of the enemy by
land or water, difcernible from the heights of his camp, I
this inftant, as I was clofing my letter, received the inclofed
from the brigade major. The defign of this rnanceuvre I
know not : — perhaps it may be to make a defcent fomewhere
along the coaft : — it may be for New-York ; or it may be
pradlifed as a deception on us. I thought it not improper
however to mention the matter to you : I have done the
fame to the commanding officer at New- York ; and I fhall
let it be known to the committee of fafefy here, fo that in
telligence -may be communicated, as they fhall think beft,
along the fca-coaft of this government.

Sir, Camp at Cambridge, July 14, 1775.
SINCE I did myfeif the honor of addreffing you on
the tenth inftant, nothing material has happened in the camp.
From fome authentic and later advices of the ftate of the
minifterial troops, and the great inconvenience of calling in
the militia in the luidft pf h^rveft, \ have been induced for t!io
pftfcnt

IO GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
prefent to wave it : — but in the mean time recruiting parties
have been fent throughout this province, to fill up the regi
ments to the eftablifhment of the provincial Congrefs- At the
fame time that I received thefe advices, I alfo obtained a
lift of the officers of the enemy killed and wounded in the
late battle at Charleftown, which I take this opportunity to
inclofe. The great fcarcity of frefh provifions in their army has
led me to take every precaution to prevent a fupply ; for this
purpofe, I have ordered all the cattle and fheep to be drawn
from the low grounds and farms within their reach. A de
tachment from general Thomas's camp, on wednefday night,
went over to Long-Illand, and brought fiom thence twenty
cattle and a number of fheep, with about fifteen laborers
who had been put on by a Mr. Ray Thomas, to cut the hav,
&c. By fome accident they omitted burning the hay, and
returned the next day at noon to complete it ; which they
efFedted, amidft the firing of the fliipping, with the lofs of
one man killed and another wounded.
Laft evening alfo a party of the Conne6ticut-men firolled
down on the marfh at Roxbury, and fired upon a centry ;
which drew on a heavy fire from the enemy's lines and
floating batteries, but attended with no other efFe6t than the
lofs of one killed by a fhot from the enemy's lines. In the
mean time, we are, on both fides, continuing our works ;
but there has been no other movement than what I have no
ticed above. I fhall endeavor to give a regular and parti
cular account of all tranfacStions, as they occur, which you
will pleafe to lay before the honorable Congrefs. I have the
honor to be, &c. q^ -y^^

Sir, Camp at Cambridge, July 21, 177c.
SINCE I did myfeif the honor of addreffing you the
fourteenth inftant, I have received advice from governor-
IVumbull,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. u
Trumbull, that the afferably of Connecticut had voted, an4
that they are now raifing, two regiments of feven hundred
men each, in confequence of an application from the pro
vincial Congrefs of Maffachufetts-Bay. The Rhode-JJland
affembly has alfo made an augmentation for this purpofe.
Thefe reinforcements, with the riflemen who are daily ex-
pefted, and fuch recruits as may come in to fill up the regi
ments here, will, I apprehend, compofe an army fijfficiently
ftrong to oppofe any force which may be brought againft us
at prefent. I am very fenfible that the heavy expenfe, ne-
ceffarily attendant upon this campaign, will call for the ut,-
moft frugality and care, and would therefore, if poffible,
avoid enlifting one unneceffary man. As this is the firft
certain account of the deftination of thefe new-raifed troops,
I thought proper to communicate my fentiments as early
as poffible, left the Congrefs fliould a6t upon my letter of the
tenth, and raife troops in the fouthern colonies, which, in
my prefent judgment, may be difpenfed with.
For thefe eight days paft, there have been no movements
in either camp, of any confequence. On our fide, we have
continued the works without any intermiffion ; and they are
now fo far advanced as to leave us Htde to apprehend on that
fcore. On the fide of the enemy, they have alfo be^n very
induftrious in finifhing their lines, bdth on Bunker's-hill an4
Roxbury-neck. In this interval alfo, their tranfports have
arrived from New-York ; and they have been einployed ia
landing and ftationing their men. I haye been able to coi
led no certain account of the numbers arrived ,: but the my
clofed letter, wrote (though not figned) by Mr. Sheriff Lee,
and delivered me by captain Darby (who went exprefs with
an account of the Lexington battle) \yill enable us to form a
pretty accurate judgment. The increafe of tents and men
in the town of Bofton is very obvious : but all my accounts
from thence agree that there is a great mortality, occafioned
by the want of vegetables and fiefh nieat ; and that their
}pfs in the late battle at Charleftown (from the few recoveries of

GENERAL WAfHIXGTON'S
ef their wounded) is greater than at firft fuppofcd. The
condition of the inhabitants detained in Bofton is very dif-
ti-fvffiiig^r they are equally deftitute of the comfort of frefh
jjrovifions; and many of them are fo reduced in their cir-
CBmftances, as to be unable to fupply flicmfelves with fait.
Such fifti as the foldiery leave is their principal fupport.
Added to all this, fuch fufpicion and jealoufy prevails, that
they can fcarcely fpeak, or even look, without expofing
themfelves to fome fpecies of military execution,
I have not been able, from any intelligence I have receiv-
"ctl, to form any certain judgment of the future operations of
the enemy. Sometimes I have fufpected an intention of de
taching a part of their army to fome part of the coaft, as
they have heen building a number of flat-bottomed boats, ca
pable of holding two hundred men each. But, from their
works, and the language held at Bofton, there is reafon to
think they expedt the attack from us, and are principally en
gaged in preparing themfelves againft it. I have ordered all
the whale-boats along the coaft to be collected : aiid fome
of them are employed every night to watch the motions of
the enemy by water, fo as to guard as much as poffible
againft any furprife. * * *
Next to the more immediate and preffmg duties of putting
our Hnes in as fecHre a ftate as poffible, attending to the
movements of the enemy, and gaining intelligence, — my
great. concern is to eftablifh order, regularity, and difcipline,
without which, our mlmbers would embarrafs us, and, in
cafe of aClion, general cpnfufion muft infallibly enfue. In
order to this, I propofe to divide the army into three divi-
fions : — at the head of each, will be a general officer : 
thefe divificns to be again fubdivided into brigades, un
der their refpciaive brigadiers. But the difficulty arifing
from the arrangement of the general 6fficers, and waiting the
fartlicr proceedings of tlie Congrefs on this fubjeft, has much
retarded my progrefs in this moft neceffary woik. I fliould be

OFFICIAL LETTERS. t-3
be very happy to receive their final commands, as any deter
mination would enable me to procecil in my plan. * * * r
In addition to the cfficsrs mentioned in mine of the tenth
inftant, I would hura,bly propofe that fome provifion fhould
be made fpr a jucjge-advocate, arod prpvoft-raarftial. The
neceffity of the firft appointment was fo great, that I w'ds
obliged to. nominate a Mr. Tudor, who Wa-s \vell recom
mended to me, and now executes the office under an expec
tation of receiving captain's pay — in allowance (in my
opinion) fcarcely adequate to the fervice, in new-raifed
troops, where there are court-martiais every day. However,
as that is the proportion in the regular army, and he is con
tented, there will be no neceffity of an addition.
I muft alio renew my requeft as to money, and the ap-
point?ment of a paymafter. I have forbore urging matters of
this nature, from my knowledge of the many important con
cerns which engage the attention of the Congrefs : but as I
find my difficulties thicken every day, I make no. doubt, fuit-
abk regard will be paid to a neceffity of this' kind. The
inconvenience of borrowing fuch fums as are conftantly le-
quiflte muft be too plain for ine to enlarge .upon; and is a
¦ttuation from which' I fhould be vcn'hai'py" to be relieved.
Upon the experience I ha\'& -hScf, and the beft confidera
tion of the aj>pcinti-j|ej*f bf the feveral offices of commiffary-
generalj.njiifl^-mafler general, quarter-.mafter-general, pay--
maflffr-general, and commiffary of artillery, I am clearly of
opinion that they not; only coudtfce to- order, difpatch, and
difcipline,' but thait-it i^ -ti' meafii're of economy. The delay,
the wafte, and unpuiiilhable negleCt of duty, arifing from-
thefe offices being in commiffion in feveral hands, evidently
ihew that the public expenfe muft be finally enhanced- I-
have expeiicnccd 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 inclofed the laft weekly return, which is
more accurate than the former; and hope in a little time
8 we

t4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
we fhall be perfectly regular in this as well as feveral othef
necefTary branches of duty.
I have made inquiry into the eftablifhment of the hofpital,
and find it in a very unfetried condition. There is no prin-
tipal director, nor any fubordination among the furgeons :
of confequence, difputes and contention have arifen, and
niuft continue until it is reduced to fome fyftem. I could
wifh it was immediately taken into confideration, as the
fives and health of both officers and men fo much depend
upon a due regulation of this department. I have been par
ticularly attentive to the leaft fymptoms of the fmall pox ;
and hitherto we have been fo fortunate as to have every per
fon removed fo foon, as not only to prevent any communica
tion, but any alarm or apprchenfion it might give in the
camp. We fhall continue the utmoft vigilance againft this
moft dangerous enemy.
In an army properly organifed, there are fundry offices
cf an inferior kind, fuch as waggon-mafter, mafter-carpen-
ter, &c : but I doubt whether my powers are fufficiently
cxtenfive for fuch appointments. If it is thought proper to
repofe fuch a truft in me, I fhall be governed, in the dif-
charge of it, by a ftriCf regard to economy and the public in
tereft. My inftruCtions from the honorable Congrefs direCt that
no troops are to be difbanded without their exprefs direction,
nor to be recruited to more than double the number of the
enemy. Upon this fubjeCt I beg leave to reprefent, that, un-
lefs the regiments in this province are more fucccfsful in re
cruiting than I have reafon to expeCt, a reduCtion of fome
of them will be highly neceffary, as the public is pot to the
whole expenfe of an eftablilfiment of officers, while the real
flrength.of the regiment (which confifts in the rank and file)
is defective. In cafe of fuch a reduction, doubtlefs fome of
the privates and all the officers would return home : but
many of the former would go into the remaining regitp.ents ;
and, -halving had fome experience, would fill them up with-
ufeful

OFFICIAL LETTERS. t^
ufeful men. I fo plainly perceive the expenfe of this campaigii
vvill exceed any calculation hitherto made, that I am parti
cularly anxious to ftrike oft' every unneceffary charge. You
will therefore, fir, be pleafed to favor me with explicit di
rections from the Congrefs, on the mode of this reduCtion
(if it fhall appear neceffary) that no time may be loft when
fuch neceffity appears.
Yefterday we had an account that the light-houfe was on
fire : — by whom, and under what orders, I have not yet
learned : but we have reafon to believe it has been done by
our irregulars.
You will pleafe to prefent me to the Congrefs, with the
utmoft duty and refpeCt ; and believe me to be, Sec. G. W.
P. S. Captain Darby's ftay in England was fo fhort, that
he brings no other information than what the inclofed letter,
and the news-papers which will accompany this, contain.
General Gage's difpatches had not arrived ; and the mi-
niftry affeCted todifbelieve the whole account, treating it as a
fiction, or, at moft, an affair of little confeijuence. — The fall,
of ftocks was very inconfiderable.

Camp at Cambridge, July 2 1, 1775, 5 o'clock, P. M.
Sir, SINCE clofing- the letters which acco,rnpany this, I
have received an account of the deftruclion of the light-
houfe ; a copy of which I have the hanor to inclofe, — and
of again affuring you that I am, with great refpeCt, &c.
G. W.
P. S. I have -alfo received a more authentic account of the
lofs of the enemy in the late battle, than any yet received.
Dr. Winfhip, who lodged in the fapie hpufe, with an officer
of the marines, affures me they had exaClIy one thoufand and
forty-three killed and wounded, — of whom three hiiridred
fell on the field, or died within a few hours. Many of the
wounded are fince dead. Sir,

t6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sir, Camp at Cambridge, July^2-], IJJS'
NOTHING material has occurred in either camp,
fince I had the honor of addreffing you on the twenty-firft in-
flanu by exprefs-: but on tuefday, three men-of-war and nine
truniport!) failed out of Bofton harbor, and ftood a ccfurfe
about E. S. E.
One Groves, who came out of Bofton the fame evening,
informed the officer at one of the out-pofts, that the tranfports
had on board fix hundred men, and were bound to Block--
Ifland, FJfher's-Ifland, and Long-Ifland, to plunder themj
and bring off what cattle they may find. The fellow return
ed again into Bofton under fuch fufpicious eircumftalices,
• that it has led me to doubt the truth of his intelligence.
A deferter, who came in afterwards, informs me that it.
was given out in their camp, that they were either gone for '
Indians or frerti provifions ; and that each tranfport had but
twenty men on board. Upon this intelligence, I immediately
wrote to governor Cooke of Rhode-Ifland, and to general
Woofter, tliat they might take proper precautions for re
moving the cattle off thofe iflands and the coafts, and to pre
vent any furprife. As we are confirmed, by every account,
in the fcarcity of fiefli provifions in the enemy's camp, and
particularly by this deferter, it is very probable this voyaige
may be only intended for a fupply : but as it may poffibly be
otherwife, I thought it beft to tranfmit the intelligence to the
honorable Congrefs, that they^ may forward it to the fouth-
ward, or take fuch other fteps as they may judge proper.
Since writing the above, three more defcrters have come
out,— -which makes four in twenty-four hours. Their ac
counts correfpoiicl with thofe of the firft who came out, and
which I have related above. I have the honor to be, &:c.
G. W.

Sir,

• OFFICIAL LETtERS. 17
Sir, Camp at Cambridge, Aug. 4, 1775'.
I AM to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the
twenty-fourth July, accompanied by two hundred and eighty-
¦four conimiffionsi which are yet much fhort of the necef
fary number. I am much honored by the confidence re-
pofed in me, of appointing the feveral officers recommended
in mine of the tenth ultimo \ and fhall endeavor to feleCt
fuch perfons as are beft qualified to fill thefe important
pofts. * * * -*
In the renewal of thefe commiffions, fome difficulties occur,
in which I fhould be glad to know the pleafure of the ho
norable Congrefs. The general officers of the Maffachu-
fetts have regiments ; thofe of Connecticut ha-ve both regi
ments and companies ; and the other field officers have com
panies each. From Rhode-lfland, the general officer has nci
regiment, but the field officers have companies i but I do not
find that they have or expeCt pay under more than one com
miffion. Should the commiffions, now to be delivered, pur-
fue thefe different eftablifhments, there will be a diftinClioii
between general and field officers of the fame rank; In or
der to put New-Hampfhire, Maffachufetts, and Rhode-Iflandj
upon a line with Connecticut, it would be neceffary to dif-
mifs a number of officers in poffeffion of commiffions, with
out any fault of theirs. On the other hand, to bring the
Connecticut generals and field officers to the fame feale 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 T would wifh the honorable Congrefs to conlider
and determine.
Colonel Gridley of this province, who is at the head of
¦' the artillery, has the rank of major-general from the provin
cial Congtefs. Will it be proper to renew his commiffion
Jiere in the fame manner .'' — It is proper here to remark, that,
, : Vol, L C iq

j« GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
in this cafe, he will take rank of all the brigadiers-general,
and even the majors-general, whofe commiffions 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 embar-
raffed with a difficulty of a fuperior kind. The eftimate, made
in Congrefs, fuppofed all the regiments to be formed upon one
eftablifhment : but they are different in different provinces,
and even vary in the fame province, in fome particulars. In
Maffachufetts, fome regiments have ten companies, others
eleven : the eftablifhment of the former is five hundred and
ninety men, officers included ; — of the latter, fix hundred and
forty-nine. The eftablifhment of Rhode-Ifland and New-
Hampfhire. is five hundred and ninety to a regiment, officers
included : — Connecticut has a thoufand men- to a regiment.
Should the Maffachufetts regiments be completed, with the
new levies from Rhode-Ifland and Connecticut, and the ri
flemen, the number will exceed twenty-two thoufand. If
they fhould not be completed, — as each regiment is fully of
ficered, there will be a heavy expenfe to the public, without
an adequate fervice. The reduCtion of fome of them feems
to be neceffary, and yet is a matter of much dehcacy, as
we are fituated. I moft earneftly requeft it may be taken
into immediate confideration, and the time and mode of
doing it pointed out by the honorable Congrefs. By an efti
mate I have made from the general return, — when the new
levies arrive, and the regiments are completed, there will be
twenty-four thoufand four hundred and fifty men on the pay
and provifion of the United Colonies. Some of the recruit
ing officers, who have been out on that fervice, have return
ed with very little fuccefs ; fo that we may fafely conclude,
the number of two thoufand and fixty-four, now wanting to
complete, will rather increafe than diminifh. TJiere are the
regiment of artillery, confifting of four hundred and ninety-
three men, and one under colonel Sergeant (who h*as not re
ceived any commiflion, although he had orders to raife a re
giment,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. ,19
giiiient, from the provincial Congrefs here) which are not
included in the above eftimate. This laft regiment confifts
of two hundred and thirty-foyr men by the laft return ; but
a company has fince joined.
By adverting to the general return, which I have the honor
of inclofing (N° i), it will be feen, what regiments are moft
deficient. If the Congrefs does not chufe to point out the particulaj
regiments, but the provinces in which the reduCtion is to be
made, the feveral Congreffes and Affemblies may be the
proper channel to conduCt this bufinefs, which I would alfo
conceive the moft advifable, from their better acquaintance
with the merits, terms, and time of fervice, of the refpeCtive
officers. Reducing fome regiments, and, with the privates
thereof, filling up others, would certainly be the beft method
of accomplifhing this work if it were practicable : but the ex
periment is dangerous, as the Maffachufetts-men, under the
privilege of chufing their own officers, do not conceive
themfelves bound, if thofe officers are difbanded.
As general Gage is making preparations for winter by
contracting for quantities of coal, it will fuggeft to us the
propriety of extending our views to that feafon. I have di
rected that fuch huts as have been lately made of boards
fhould be done in fuch a manner, that, if neceffary, they
may ferve for covering during the winter. But I need not
enlarge upon the variety of neceffities, fuch as clothing,
fuel, &c, (both exceedingly fcarce, and difficult to be pro
cured) which that feafon muft bring with it, if the army or
any confiderable part of it is to remain embodied.
From the inactivity, of the enemy fince the arrival of their
whole reinforcement, — their continual addition to their lines,
— and many other circuinftances,-r-I am inclined to think,
that, finding us fo well prepared to receive them, the plan of
operations is varied, and they mean, by regula-r approaches,
to bombard us out of our prefent line of defence, or are
waiting in expectation that the colonies muft fink under the
C 2, weight

se GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
weight of the expenfe, or the profpeCt of a winter campaign
io difcourage our troops, as to break up our army. If they
have not fome fuch expeCtafions, the iffue of which they are
determined to wait, I cannot account for the delay, when
their ftrength is leffened every day by ficknefs, defertions, and
little flcirmi flies.
Of thefe laft we have had only two worthy of notice,
Jdaving fome reafon to fufpeCt they were extending their
lines at Charleftown, I, laft faturday evening, ordered fome
of the riflemen down, to make a * ifcovery, or bring off a
prifoner. They were accidentally difcovered fooner than
they expected, by the guard coming to relieve, and obliged
to fire upon them. We have reafon to believe they kill
ed feveral. They brought in two prifoners, whofe ac
count (confirmed by fome other circumftances) removed my
fufpicions in part. Since that time, we have, on each fide,
drawn in our centries, and there have been fcattering fires
along the line. This evening we have heard of three cap
tains who have been taken off by the riflemen, and one kill
ed by a cannon-fhot from Roxbury, befides feveral privates:
but as the intelligence is not direCt, I only mention it as a
report which deferves credit.-^The Other happened at the
light-houfe. A number of workmen having been fent down
to repair it, with a guard of twenty-two marines and a fub-
altern, — major Tupper, laft monday morning about two
o'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 feveral boats ; but
he happily got through, with the lofs of one man killed, and
another wounded; The remainder of the minifterial troops
(three of whom are badly wounded) he brought off prifoners,
with ten tories, all of whom are on their way to Springfield-
,jail. The riflemen, in thefe fliirmilhes, loft one man, who
(we hear) is a prifoner in Bofton-jail. The enemy, in re
turn, endeavored to furprife our guard at Roxbury : but
they, being apprifed of it by a deferter, had time tq prepare
for it: but by fome negligence or mifconduCt in the officer of

OFFICIAL LETTERS, a-i
of the g^ard, they burned the George tavern on the neck ;
and have every day fince been canndBading us from their
lines, both at Roxbury and Charleftown, but with 130 other
«ffeCt than the lofs of two men. On our part, except ftrag-
.gling fires from the fmall arms about the lines, which we
endeavor to reftrain, we have made little or no return.
Our fituation, in the article of powder, is much more
alarming than I had the moft diftant idea of. Having dq-
iired a return to be made out (on my arrival) of the ammu
nition, I found three hundred and thfTte barrels and a half of
powder mentioned as in the flore : but on ordering a neyv
fupply of cartridges yefterday, I was informed, to my very
great aftonifhment, that there was no more than thirty-fix
barrels of the Maffachufetts ftore, which, with the ftock of
Rhode-Ifland, New-Hampfhire, and Connecticut, makes
nine thoufand n^ne hundre4 and thirty-feven pounds, — not
more than nine rounds a man. As there had been no con-
fumption of powder fince, that could in any degree account
for fuch a deficiency, I was very particular in my inquiries,,
and found that the committee of fupplies, not being fuffi-
.ciently acquainted with the nature of a return, or mifappre-
Jiending my requeft, fent in an account of all the ammu-
jnition which had been collected by the province ; fo that the
report included not only -w'hat was in hand, but what had
heen fpent.
Upon difcoyering this mift.ake, I in^mediately w,ent up tp
(Confer with the fpeaker of the houfe of reprefentatives, upon
fome rneafures to obtain a fupply from the neigliboring
townlhips, in fuch a manner a? might prevent our poverty)
being known ; as it is a fecret of too great confequence to
be divulged in the general court, fome individual of which
might perhaps indifcreetly fuffer it to efcape him, fo as to
find its way to the enemy, — the confequences of which are
terrible even in idea. I fhall alfo write to the governors c^
Rhode-Ifland and Connecticut, and the committee of fafet^
in New-Hampfhire, on this fubjeCl, urging, in the moft'
C 3 forcible

22 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
forcible terms, the neceffity of an immediate fupply, if in
their power. I nee* not enlarge on our melancholy fitua
tion : it is fufficient that the exiftence of the army and the
falvation of the country depends upoii fomething being done
for our relief, both fpeedy and effectual, and that our fitua
tion be kept a profound fecret.
In the inclofures, N° 2 and 3, I fend the allowance of
provifions, Sec, made by the provinces of Connecticut and
Maffachufetts. The mode and quantity are different from
what has fallen withii^iy experience, and, I am confident,
muft prove very wafteful and expenfive. If any alteration
can be fafely made (which I much doubt), there might be
a great faving to the public.
A gentleman of my family, affifted by a deferter who has
fome fkill in fortification, has, by my direction, fketched out
two draughts of our refpeCtive lines at Charleftown and
Roxbury, which, with the explanations, will convey fome
idea of our fituation, and, I hope, prove acceptable to the
members of the honorable Congrefs. They are tlie inclo
fures, N° 4 and 5.
Since I had the honor of addreffing 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 wiflied to have complied with
theil*requeft : 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 myfeif. The
application and my anfwer are the inclofures, N° 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 N" 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
forward it as I received it. By comparing the hand-writing
with another letter, it appears the writer is one Belcher Noyes,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 23
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 atmy is now formed into three grand divifions, under
the command of the generals Ward, Lee, and Putnam; —
each divifion into two brigades, confifting of about fix regi
ments each, commanded by generals Thomas and Spencer at
Roxbury,^ — Heath at 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. Pom-
roy's not aCting under his commiffion) which I beg may be
fiUed up as foon as poffible. I obferve the honorable Con
grefs have alfo favored me with the appointment of three
brigade-majors. I prefume they have or intend to appoint
the reft foon, as they cannot be unacquainted that one is necef
fary to each brigade ; and, in a new-raifed army, it will be
an office of great duty and fervice.
General Gage has at length liberated the people of Bofton,
who land in numbers at Chelfea every day. The terms on
which the pafles are granted, as to money, effeCls, and pro
vifions, correfpond with Mr. Noyes's letter.
We have feveral reports that general Gage is difmantling
Caftle-William, and bringing all the cannon up to town J
but, upon a very particular inquiry, accounts are fo various,
that I cannot afcertain the truth of it. * * *
On the firft inftant, a chief of the Caghnewaga tribe, who
lives about fix miles from Montreal, came in here, accom
panied by a colonel Bayley of Cohofs. His accounts of the
temper and difpofition of the Indians are very favorable.
He fays they have beeii ftrongly folicited by governor Carleton
to engage againft us ; but his nation is totally averfe ; — that
threats, as well as entreaties, have been ufed without effeCl , —
that the Canadians are well-difpofed to the Englifh colonies;
and, if any expedition is meditated againft Canada, the Indians
in that quarter wiU give ah their affiftance. I have endeavored
to cherifh thefe favorable difpofitions, and have recommended
C4 to

U GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
to him to cultivate them on his return. What I have faid,
I enforced with a prefent, which I underftood would be
agreeable to him : and as he is reprcfented to be a man of
weight and confequence in his own tribe, I flatter myfeif his
vifit will have a good etfeCl. His accounts of general Carle-
ton's force and fituation at St. John's correfpond with what
we have already had from that quarter.
The acceffion of Georgia to the rneafures of the Congrefs
is a happy event, and muft give a fincere pleafure to every
friend of America.
Auguji ^.  We have accounts this morning of two ex-
plofions at the caftle ; fo that its deftruCtion may now be
fuppofed certain. ,
I have this morning been alarmed with an information
that two gentlemen from Philadelphia (Mr. Hitchbourn and
captain White), with letters for general Lee and myfeif,
have been taken by captain Ayfcough at Rhode-Ifland, the
letters intercepted and fent forward to Bofton, — with the
bearers, as prifoners ; that the captain exulted much in the
difcoveries he had made : and my informer (who was alfo
in the boat, but releafed) underftood them to be letters of
confequence. I haye therefore difpatched the exprefs imme
diately back, though I had before refolved to detain him till
Feffenden's return. I fhall be anxious till I am relieved
from the fufpenfe I am in, as to the contents of thofe
letters. It is exceedingly unfortunate that gentlemen fliould chufe
to travel the only road on which there is danger. Let the
event of this be what it will, I hope it will ferve as a genera^
Caution againft trufting any letters that way in future.
Nothing of confequence has occurred in camp thefe two
days. — The inhabitants of Bofton continue coming out at
Chelfea, but under a new reftriCtion, that no men fhall come
out withput fpecial licence, which is refufed to all mechanics,-
fince the tory laborers were taken at the light-houfe, I have
?he honor to be, &c. G. W.
[The

- OFFICIAL LETTERS. 45
, \The fcpr.wing letter hears no date, hut appears fi have
})een written pn or abgut.. the tvjer^ty-fixth cf Augufi^
I775-]
Sir, THE inclofed letter came under fuch a direClion an4
circumftances, as led me to fuppofe it contained fpnie inter
efting advices, either refpeCling a fupply of powder, or the
clothing lately taken at PhiLidelphia, I therefore took the
liberty ot breaking the feal, for which I hope the fervice an4
my motives will apologife.
As the filling up the place of vacant brigadier-general will
probably be of the firft bufinefs of the honorable Congrefs, I
Satter myfeif it will not be deemed affuming, to mention the
names of two gentlemen, whofe former fervices, rank and
age, may be thought worthy of attention on this occafion.
The former is colonel John Arpftrong, of Pennfylvania :
he ferved during the laft war, in moft of the campaigns to
the fouthward ; was honored with the command of the Penn
fylvania forces, and his general military conduCl and fpiriji
much approved by all who ferved with hinv: befides wliich,
his character was diftinguifhed by an enterprife againft the
Indians, which he planned with great judgment, and executed
with equal courage and fuccefs. It was not till lately that
I had reafon to believe he would enter again on public fer
vice ; and it is now wholly urifolicited and unknown on his
part. The other gentleman is colonel Fry, of Maffachufetts-
Bay. He entered into the fervice as early as 1745, and rofe
through the different military ranks, in the fucceeding wars,
tp that of colonel, until lafT; June, when he was appointed a
major-general by the Congrefs of this province. From thefe
circumftances, together with the favorable report made to me
of him, I prefume he fuftained the character of a good of
ficer, though I dp not find it diftlnguiflied by any peculiar
fcrvice. Eiiher

26 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Either of thefe gentlemen, or any other whom the honor
able Congrefs fliall pleafe to favor with this appointment,
will be received by me with t!ie utmoft deference and re
fpeCt. The late adjournment having made it impracticable to
tnow the pleafure of the Congrefs as to the appointment of
brigade-majors, bevond the number of three which they
¦were pleafed to leave to me, — and the fervice not admitting of
farther delay, — I have continued the other three ; which I
hope their honors will not difapprove. Thefe latter were re
commended by the refpeCtive corps to which they belong,
as the properefl perfons for thefe offices until farther direc
tion, and have difcharged the duty ever fince. They are
tiie majors Box, Scammel, and Sarauel Brewer.
Laft faturday night we took poffeffion of a hill confider-
ably advanced beyond our former lines ; which brought on
a very heavy cannonade from Bunker's hill, and afterwards
a bombardment, which has been fince kept up with httle
fpirit on their part, or damage on ours. The work having
been continued ever fince, is now fo advanced, and the men
fo well covered, aS to leave us under no apprehenfions of
much farther lofs. In this affair, we had killed — one adju
tant, one volunteer, and two privates. The fcarcity of am
munition does not admit of our availing ourfelves of the fitua
tion, as we otherwife might do : but this evil, I hope, will
foon be remedied, as I have been informed of the arrival
of a large quantity at New-York, fome at New-London,
and more hourly expeCted at different places. I need not
add to what I have already faid on this fubjeCt. — Our late
fupply was very feafonable, but far fhort of our neceffities.
The late adjournment of the honorable Congrefs having
been made before my letter of the fourteenth inftant was re
ceived, I muft now beg leave to recall their attention to thofe
parts of it which refpeCl the provifion for the winter, the re
duction of the troops, the double cQmmi.ffions under different
eftablifl^iments, and colonel Gridley's appointment of major-
general ;

OFFICIAL Letters. a?
general ; in all which, I hope to be honored Vi^ith their com
mands as foon as poffible.
The advocate-general has fent me a memorial refpeCting
his fervice, which I have the honor to inclofe (N° i) : and
from the variety and multiplicity of duty in a new army, as
well as his rep-ular fervice and attendance, I am induced to
recommend him to the farther notice of the honorable Con-<
grefs. The treatment of our officers, prifoners at Bofton, induced
me to write to general Gage on that fubjeCt. His anfwer
and my reply I have the honor to lay before the Congrefs, in
the inclofures N° a, 3, 4 ; fince which I have heard nothing
from him.
J remain, with the greateft refpeCt and regard, &c, G. W.

To the Honorable Peter Vanerugh Livingston, £/j.
Prefident of the Provincial Convention, New-York,
Sir, Camp at Cambridge, Augujl; 30, 1775.
* * * Mr. Livingfton 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 ftand
of arms. Our fituation is fuch as requires your immediate
affiftance and fupply in that article. We have lately taken
poffeffion of a hill confiderably advanced towards the enemy;
but our poverty prevents our availing ourfelves- of any advan.-
tage of fituation. I muft therefore moft earneftly entreat
that rneafures may be taken to forward to this camp, in tho
nioft fafe and expeditious manner, whatever ammunition can
be fpared frora the iraraediate and neceffary defence -of the
province. The value of whatever may be fent in confe
quence of this requeft will be paid by order from hence
when delivered, or negotiated with the honorable continental
Congrefs at Philadelphia, as may be agreed with the propric.^
tors. I only requeft that no time may be loft through any
3 fuch

aS GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
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
expeditious. — I have the honor tp be, &c. G. W.

Sir, C'l-mf at Cambridge, Sept. 7, 1775'
I DO myfeif the honor of addreffing ypu in confe-
quence of an application from the coramiffary-general, who
is, by my direction, taking all proper precautions on the ap
proach of winter. 1 defired him to commit to writing fuch
propofals as his experience and knowledge of the country
might entitle him to make ; which he has done in the paper
which I have the honor to inclofe. The difficulty of pro
curing a fufficient quantity of fait, which I objeCled to him,,
he has fully obviated, by affuring me that there js fo much
now actually in ftore, in this and the neighboring towns, as
will remove all poffibility of a difappointment.
I, propofe to do myfeff the honor of writing, in a fgw days,
fully and particularly on feveral heads, to which I muft now
refer. In the mean tirrie, T have orjly to inform the honor
able Congrefs, that I have received a fmall fupply of feven
thoufand pounds of powder this week from Rhode-Ifland,
and in a few days expect feven tons of lead, and five hun
dred ftand of arms, a part of the fame importation ; and to
requeft that more money may be forwarded with all expedi
tion, the military cheft being nearly exhaufted.
I am, with the greactft refpeCt, &c. G- W,

Sir, Camp at Cambridge, Sept. 21, 1775,
I HAVE been in daily expectation of being favored
with the commands of the honorable Congrefs, on the fub
jeCt of my two laft letters. The feafon now advances fo
faft,

OFFICIAL letters: 29
¦laft, that I cannot any longer defer laying before thera fuch
farther rneafures as require their immediate attention, and in
which 1 wait their direCtion.
The mode in which the prefent array has been colleGed
has occafioned fome difficulty in procuring the fubfcription
of both officers and foldiers to the continental articles of war.
Their principal objeCtion has been, that it might fubjeCk
them to a longer fervice than that for which they engaged
under their feveral provincial eftablifhments. It is in vain to
attempt to reafon away the prejudices of a whole army :
¦» * * ' J have therefore forbore preffing them, as I did not
experience any fuch inconvenience frora their adherence to
their former rules, as would warrant the rifk of entering into
a conteft upon it ; more efpecially as the reftraints, neceffary
for the eftablifhment of effential difcipline and fubordination,
indifpofed their minds to every change, and made it both
duty and policy to introduce as little novelty as poffible.
With the prefent army, I fear fuch a fubfcription is impracti
cable : but the difficulty will ceafe with this arm'y.
The Connecticut and Rhode-Ifland troops ftand engaged
to the firft of December only ; and none longer than the firft
of January. A diffolution of the prefent army therefore will
take place, unlefs fome early provifion is made againft fuch
an event. Moft of the general officers are of opinion the
greater part of them may be re-enlifted for the winter, or
another campaign, with the indulgence of a' furlough to vifit
their friends, which may be regulated fo as not to endanger
the fervice. How far it may be proper to forra the new
army entirely out of the old, for another campaign, rather
than from the contingents Of the feveral provinces, is a quef-
tion which involves in it too many confiderations of pohcy
and prudence, for me to undertake to decide. It appears to
be impoffible to draw it from any other fource than the old
army, for tliis winter^ and, as the pay is ample, I hope a
fufficient number will engage in the fervice for that time at
ieaft. But there are various opinions^ of the temper of the
men

30 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
men on the fubjeCt ; and there raay be great hazard-in defer
ring the trial fo long.
In the continental eftablifhment, no provifion has been
made for the pay of artificers, diftlnCt frora that of the com
mon foldiers; whereas, under the provincial, fuch as found
their own tools, were allowed one fhilling per diem advance,
and particular artifans, more. The pay of the artillery alfo
no-vv differs from that of the province ; the men have lefs,
the officers more ; and, for fome ranks, no provifion is raade,
as the Congrefs will pleafe to obferve by the lift which I
have the honor to inclofe (N° i). Thefe particulars, though
feeraingly inconfiderable, are the fource of much complaint
and diffatisfaCtion, which I endeavor to c-ompofe in the befV
manner I am able.
By the returns of the rifle companies, and that batallion,
they appear to exceed their eftablifhment very confiderably.
I doubt my authority to pay thefe extra men without the
direction of the Congrefs : but it would be deemed a great
hardfliip, wholly to refufe them, as they have been encouraged
to come.
The neceffities of the troops having i-equired pay, I direCl--
ed that thofe pf the Maffachufetts fhould receive for one
month, upon their being muftered, and returning a proper
roll: but a claim was immediately made for pay by lunar
months ; and feveral regiments have declined taking up their
warrants on this account. As this praClice was entirely new
to me, though faid to be warranted by former ufacre, here
the matter now waits the determination of the honorable
Congrefs. I find, in Connecticut and Rhode-Ifland, this
point was fettled by calendar months: in Maffachufetts,
though mentioned in the Congrefs, it was left undetermined ;
which is alfo the cafe of New-Hainpfliire.
The inclofure, N° 2, is a petition from the fubalterns, re-
fpeCting their pay. Where there aj-e only two of thefe in
a company, I have confidered one as an enfign, and ordered
hiin pay as fuch, as in the 'Connecticut forces. I muft beg
leave

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 31
leave to recommend this petition to the favor of the Congrefs ;
as I am of opinion 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 fubordi
nation and difcipline. Many valuable officers of thofe ranks,
finding themfelves unable to fupport the charaCter and ap
pearance of officers, (I am informed) will retire as foon as
die term of fervice is expired, if there is no alteiation.
For the better regulation of duty, I found it neceffary to
fettle the rank of the officers, and to number die regiments ;
and, as I had not received the commands of the Congrefe on
the fubjeCt, and the exigence of the fervice forbade any far
ther delay, the general officers were confidered as having no
regiments, —an alteration, which, I underftand, is not pleafinp-
to foriie of them, but appeared to me and others to be proper,
when it was confidered, that, by this means, the whole army
is put upoif one footing, and all particular attachments dif-
folved. Among many other confiderations which the approach of
winter will demand, that of clothing appears to be one of
the moft important. So far as regards the prefervatlon of tlie
army from cold, they may be deemed in a ftate of nakednefs.
Many of the men have been without blankets the whole
campaign: and tliofe, 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 againft impofition and
expenfe, it feems neceffary to determine the mode of con
tinuing the army : for, fliould 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 unknov/n to the honorable Con-
gi'efs, that, in all armies, it is an eftablifhed praCtice to make
an allowance to officers, of provifions and forage, propor
tionate to their rank. As fuch an allowance formed no
part

ga GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
part of the continental eftablifbraent, I have hitherto forbori
to iffue the orders for that purpofe : but, as it is a receivefi
opinion of fuch' members of the Congrefs as I have had an
-Opportunity of confulting^ as well as throughout the army,
that it muft be deemed a matter of courfe and implied in the
eftablifhment of the army, I have direCted the following pro
portion of rations, being the farrie allowed in the American
Amiies laft war :-..; — ^^major-general, fifteen ; brigadier-genej-
ral, twelve; colonel, fix;-, lieutenant-colonel, five; major,
four ; captain, three ; fubaltern, two ; ftaff, two.
If thefe fhould not be approved by the honorable Congrcfs',
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 honor ;ble Congrefs, that, encou
raged by the repeated declarations of the C'anadians and In
dians, and urged by their requefts, I have detached colonel
Arnold with a thoufand men, to penetrate into Canada by
way of Kennebeck river, and, if poffible, to make himfelf maf-i
ter of Quebec. By this manoeuvre, 1 propofed either to divert
Carleton from St. John's, which would leave a free paiTage to
general Schuyler ; — or, if this did not take effeCt, Quebecj
in its prefent defcncclefs ftate, muft fall into his hands an
cafy prey. I made all poffible inquiry, as to the diftance,
the fafety of the route, and'the danger of the feafon being too
far advanced ; but found nothing in either, to .deter me from
proceeding, more efpecially as it met with very general ap
probation from , all whom I confulted upon it. But, that
nothing might be omitted, to enable me to judge of its pro
priety and probable confequences, I communicated it by ex
prefs to general Schuyler, who approved of it in fuch termsj
that I refolved to put it in immediate execution. They have now
left this place feven days ; and, if favored with a good wind,
I hope foon to hear of their being fafe in Kennebeck river.
For the fatisfaCtion of the Congrefs, I here inclofe a copv of
the propofed route (N° 3). I alfo do myfeif the honor of
inclofing a manifefto, which I caufed to be printed here, and of
t -

OFFICIAL LETTERS. J3
'of which colonel Arnold has taken a fuitable number with
hini. This is the inclofure, N° 4. I have alfo forwarded
ia copy of his inftruCtions (N° 5) : — from all which, I hope
the Congrefs wiU have a clear view of the motivest plan, and
intended execution of this enterprife, and that I fhall be
fo happy as to meet with their approbation in it.
I was the more induced to make this detachment, as it is
my clear opinion, from a careful oljfervation of the move
ments of the enemy, corroborated by all the intelligence we
receive by deferters and others, (of the former of whom we
have fome every day) that the enemy have no intention to
come out, until they are reinforced. .They have been wholly
employed for fome time paft in procuring materials for bar
racks, fuel, and making other preparations for winter. Thefe
circumftances, with the conftant additions to their works
which are apparently defenfive, liave led to the above con
clufion, 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 fot
fome time, by no means correfponds with my wifhes, by
fome decifive ftroke to relieve my country frora the heavy
expenfe its fubfiftence muft create. After frequently recon
noitring the fituation of tlie enemy in the town of Bofton,
collecting all poffible intelligence, and digefting the whok, a
furprife did not appear to me wholly impracticable, though
hazardous. I communicated it to the general officers fome
days before I called them to a council, that they might be
prepared with their opinions. The refult I have the honor
of inclofing (N° 6). I cannot fay that I have wholly laid it
afide : but new events may occafion new raeafures. Of
this I hope the honorable Congrefs can need no affurance,
that there is not a raan in America who more earneftly
wifhes fuch a termination of the campaign, as to make the
army no longer neceffary.
The feafon advances fo faft, that I have given orders to
prepare barracks and other accommodations for the winter.
Vol. L . D The

•^4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
/
The great fcarcity of tow-cloth in this country, I fear, will
totally difappoint us in our expectations of procuring hunt-
ing-fhirts. Governor Cooke informs me, few or none are
to be had in Rhode-Ifland ; and governor Trumbull gives me
little encouragem.ent to expeCl many frora Connecticut.
I have filled up the office of quarter-mafter-general which
the Congrefs was pleafed to leave to me, by the appointment
of major Mifflin, which 1 hope and beheve will be univer-
fally acceptable.
It gives me great pairv to be obliged to folicit the attention
of the honorable Congrefs to the ftate of this army, in terms
which imply the fhghteft apprehenfion of being negleCted.
But my fituation is inexpreffibly diftreffing, to fee the winter
faft approaching upon a naked array ; the time of their fer
vice within a few weeks of expiring ; and no provifion yet
made for fuch important events. Added to thefe, the mili
tary cheft is totally exhaufted : the paymafter has not a An
gle dollar in hand : the commiffary-general affures me he has"
ftrained his credit, for the fubfiftence of the arrny, to the ut
moft. The quarter-mafter-general is precifely in the fame
fituation ; and the greater part of the tioops are in a ftate
not far from mutiny, upon the deduction from their ftated
allowance. I know not to whom I ara to irapute this fai
lure ; but I ara of opinion, if the evil is not iramediately
remedied, and more punctuality obferved in future, the army
muft abfolutely break up. I hoped' I had fo fully expreffed
myfeif on this fubjeCt (both by letter, and to thofe members
of the Congrefs who honored the camp with a vifit), that no
difappointment could poffibly happen : I therefore hourly
expected advice from the paymafter that he had received
a freflr fupply, in addition to the hundred and feventy-
two thoufand dollars delivered him in Auguft ; and
thought myfeif warranted to affure the public creditors that
in a few days they fhould be fatisfied. But the delay has
brought matters to fuch a crifis, as admits of no farther un
certain expectation. I have therefore fent off this exprefs,
2 with

OFFICIAL LETTERS. is
with orders to make all poffible difpatch. It is my moft
earneft requeft that he may be returned with all poffible ex-
p'edition, unlefs the honorable Congrefs haVe alfeady for
warded what is fo indifpenfably neceffary.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Camp at Cambridge, Sept. 36, 1775.
THE reverend Mr. Kirkland, the bearer of this, hav
ing been introduced to the honorable Congrefs, can need no
particular recommendation from me. But as he now wifhe*
to have the affairs of his niiffion and public ernploy put upon
fome fuitable footing, I cannot but intiraate my ferife of the'
importance of his ftation, and the great advantages 'which
have and may refult to the United Colonies, from his fitua
tion being made refpeCtable.
All accounts agree that much of the faVorable difpofition,
ihewn by the Indians, may be afcribed to his' labor and in
fluence. He has accompanied a chief of the Oneidas to this
camp, which I have endeavored to make agreeable to hirri,
both by civility and fome fmall prefents. Mr. Kitkland be
ing alfo in fome neceffity for money to beat his travelling
charges and other experifes, I have fupphed him w^ith thirty-
two pounds lawful money.
.1 cannot but congratulate the honorable Congrefs on the
happy temper of the Canadians and Indians, our accounts of
which are no.w fully confirmed by fome intercepted letters
from officers in Canada, to general Gage and otliers in Bof
ton, which were found on board the veffel lately taken,
going into Bofton with a donation of cattle and other frefh
provifions for the minifterial army. ^
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

D 2 Sx^,

36 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sl^, Camp at Cambridge, Oil. 5, 1775-
I WAS honored with your favor of the twenty-fixth
ultimo, late the night befote laft ; and a meeting of the gene
ral officers having been called upon a bufinefs which vvill make
a confiderable part of this letter, I took the opportunity of lay
ing before them thofe parts of yours which refpeCt the con
tinuance and new-modelling of the array, the fuel, clothing,
and other preparations for the enfuing winter. They have
taken two or three days to confider ; and, as foon as I ara
poffeffed of their opinions, I fhall lofe no time in tranfmitting
the refuk, not only on the above fubjeCts, but the number of
troops neceffary to be kept up.
I have alfo direCted the commiffary-general and the quar
ter-mafter-general to prepare eftimates of 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 ftiall do my
feif the honor to lay before tlie Congrefs, as foon as they
are ready.
I have now a painful though a neceffary duty to perform,
refpeCting Dr. Church, direCtor-general of the hofpital.
About a v/eek ago, Mr. fecretary Ward of Providence fent
up to me one Wainwood, an inhabitant of Newport, with a
letter direCted to major Cane in Bofton, in \occult'\ charac
ters, which he faid had been left with Wainwood fome time
ago, by a woman who was kept by Dr. Church. She had
before preffed Wainwood to take her to captain W allace,
Mr. Dudley the coUeCtor, or George Rome ; which he de
clined. She then gave him the letter, with a ftriCt charge
to deliver it to either of thofe gentlemen. He, fufpeCting
fome improper correfpondence, kept the letter, and after
fome time opened it ; but, not being able to read it, laid it up,
where it remained until he received an obfcure letter from
the woman, expreffmg an anxiety after the oris,inal letter.
He then communicated the wliole matter to Mr. Ward, who fent

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 37
fent him up with the papers to me. I immediately fecured
the woman : but for a long time fhe was proof againft every
threat and perfuafion to difcover the author. However, at
length fhe was brought to a confeffion, and - named Dr;
Church. I then immediately fecured him and all his papers.
Upon his firft examination, he readily acknowledged the let
ter, faid it was defigned for his brother Fleming, and, when
deciphered, would be found to contain nothing criminal!
He acknowledged his never having communicated the cor
refpondence to any perfon here but the girl, and made many
proteftations of the purity of his intentions. Having found
a perfon capable of deciphering the letter, I in the mean
time had all his papers fearcbed, but found nothing criminal
among them : but it appeared on inquiry, that a confidant
had been among the papers before my meffenger arrived.
I then called the general officers together for their advice,
the refult of which you will find in the inclofure, N° i.
The deciphered letter is the inclofure, N° 2. The army and
country arc exceedingly irritated : and upon a free difcuffion
of the nature, circumftances, and confequence of this matter,
it has been unanimoufly agreed to lay it before the honorable
Congrefs for their fpecial advice and direction ; at the fame
time fuggefting to their confideration, whether an alteration
of the twenty-eighth article of war may not be neceffary.
As I fhall referve all farther remarks upon the ftate of the
army till my next, I fhall now beg leave to requeft th^ de
termination of Congrefs, as to the property and difpofal of
fuch veflcls and cargoes as are defigned 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, N° 3), in
which I have direCted the cargo to be brought hither for the
ufe of the armys referving the fettlemcnt of any claims of
capture to the decifion of Congrefs.
As there are many unfortunate individuals whofe property
has been confifcated by the enemy, I would humbly fuggeft
to the confideration of Congrefs the humanity of applying,
D3 in

3? GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
in part or in the whole, fuch captures to the relief of thofe
fufferers, after compenfating any expenfe of the captors, and
fpr their aftivity and fpirit. J am the more induced to re-
qj^qft this determination may be fpeedy, as I have direCte4
Jhr.ee veffels to be equipped in order to cut off the fupplies ;
and,from the number of veffels hpuriy arriving, k may become
^n pbjCiCt of fome importance. In the difpofal of thefe cap-
1:pres, for the .encouragement of the officers and men, I have
allowed thei-fi one-third of the cargoes, except military ftores,
Tyhich, with the yeffels, are to be referved for the public ufe.
J hope ray plan, as well as the execution, will be favored
¦jji'ith the approbation of Congrefs.
Gnp Mr. Fifls., an intelligent perfon, .came out of Bofton on
the third ififtant, and gives us the following advices : — tl^at a
fleet, cpi|fifting of a fixty-four, and twenty-gun fliip, twq
Hoops of eighteen guns, and two tranfports with fix hundred
men, wefe to fail from Bofton as yefterday ; that they took
pn board two mortars, four howitzers, and other artillery
f alculated for the bombardment of a town : — their defti
nation \yas kept a profoqnd fecret : — .that an exprefs floop
of -yyar, "which left England the eighth Auguft, arrived four
days agp ;— tha| general Gage is recalled, and laft funday re-
fignpd his command to general Howe ;— that lord Percy,
colonel Sraith, and other officers who were at Lexington,
are ordered hptne with Gage ; — .that fix fliips of the line
apd tvvo cutters were coming out under fir Peter Dennis ; —
fhat five regiments and a thoufand marines are ordered
out,' and may be esjpeCted in three or four weeks : — no pro-
(peiS of accommodation; but the miniftry determined to
P^fh the war to thf utmoft,
I have an exprefs from colonel Arnold, and herewith fend
a cppy of his lettpr and an inclofure, N~'4 and 5. — I am happy
in finding he meets with no difcouragement, — The claim of
the rifle officers, to be independent of all the fupferior officers
except colonel Arnold, is without any countenance or autho,
xity frpm me, as I have fignified in my laft difpatch both tp
colonel

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 39
colonel Arnold and captain Morgan  The captain of the brig
front Quebec for Bofton informs me that there is no fufpi
cion of any fuch expedition ; and that, if Carleton is not diove
frpm 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 re
gular foldier, and many of the inhabitants are moft favorably
difpofed to the American caufe ; — and that there is the largeft
ftock of araraunition ever colleCted in Araerica.
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 Cana
dians, as cannot but afford the higheft fatisfaCtion. I have
thought it beft to forward them : they are the inclofures,
N° 6 and 7.
I am, with the greateft refpeCt, &c. G. W.

Sir, Camp at Cambridge, Oil. 12, 1775.
I AM honored with your feveral favors of the twen
ty-fixth and thirtieth September, and fifth OCtober, the con
tents of which I fhall beg leave to notice in their refpeCtive
order. Previous lo the direCliop of Congrefs to confult the gene
ral officers on the beft mode of continuing and providing for
the army during the winter, I had defired thera to turn their
thoughts upon thefe fubjeCts, and to favor me with the refult,
by a particular day, in writing. In this interval, the ap
pointment of Dr, Franklin, Mr. Lynch, and colonel Harri
fon, was communicated, — an event, which has given me the
higheft fatisfaCtion, as the fubjeCt was too weighty and com
plex for a difcuffion by letter. This appointment made any
conclufion here unneceffary, as it is not probable any fuch
arrangement would be agreed on, as would not be altered in
fome refpeCts, upon a full and free conference. This good
^St€t will arife from the ftep already taken, that every p^cer
D 4 will

40 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
will be prepared to give his fentiments upon thefe important
fubjeCts. The eftimates of the commiffary and quarter-mafter-ge
neral I have now the honor of inclofing, T:ie firft is N° i,— .
the other, N° 2,
With refpeCt to the reduCtion of the pay of the men,
which may enter into the confideration of their fupport, it is
the unanimous opinion of the general officers, that it cannot
be touched with fafety at prefent. * * *
Upon the prefumptlon of there being a vacancy in the di
rection of the hofpital, lieutenant-colonel Hand, formerly
a furgeon in the eighteenth reglraent, or royal Irifh, and Dr.
Fofter, late of Charleftown, and one of the furgeons of the
hofpital under Dr, Church, are candidates for that office.* I
do not pretend to be acquainted with their refpeCtive merits,
and therefore have given them no farther expectation, than
that they fhpuld be raentjoned as candidates for the departs
ment. I tlwrefore need only to add upon this fubjeCt, that the
affairs of the hofpital require that the appointment ffiould
be made as foon as poffible.
Before I was honored with your favor of the fifth inftant, I
had given orders for the equipment of fome armed veffels, to
intercept the enemy's fupplies of provifions and amraunition.
One of them was on a cruife between Cape Anne and Cape
Cod, when the exprefs arrived. The others will be fit for
the fea in a few days, under the command of officers of the
confinental army, who are well recommended, as perfons ac
quainted with the fea, and capable of fuch a fervice. Two
of thefe will be immediately difpatched on this duty; and
every particular, mentioned in your favor of the fifth inftant,
literally complied with.
That the honorable Congrefs may have a more complete
idea of the plan on which thefe veffels' are equipped, I in
clofe a copy of the inftruCtions given to the captains now
out (N° 4), Thefe, with the additional inftruCtlon direCted,
8 will

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 41
"will be given to the captains who go into the mouth of
St. Laurence's river. As both officers and men moft cheer
fully engage In the fervice on 'the terms mentioned in ihelie
inftruCtions, I fear that the' propofed increafe wiU create
fome difficulty,' by making a difterence between men engag
ed on flmllar fervice. I have therefore not yet' communi
cated this part of the plan, but referved an extra bounty as a
reward for extraordinary aCtivity. There are no armed
veffels in this province ; and governor Cooke informs mc
the enterprife can receive no affiftance from him, as one o£
the armed veffels of Rhode-Ifland is on a long cruife, and
the other unfit for the fervice. Nothing fhall be omitted, to
fecure fuccefs. A fortunate capture of an ordnance fhip
would give new life to the camp, and an immediate turn to
the Iffue of this campaign.
Our laft accounts from colonel Arnold are very favorable:
he was proceeding 'with all expedition; and 1' flatter myfeif
(making all allowances) he will be at Quebec the twentieth
inftant, where a gentleman from Canada (Mr. '* '* *) af
fures me he will meet with no refiftance.
In the quarter-mafter's eftimate, there are fome articles
¦omitied, of which he informs me he cannot pretend to fur-
nifh a computation, — fuch as cartage, tools, &c, for which
fome general allowance muft be made.
¦¦ From the various accounts received from Europe, there
may be reafon to expeCt troops will be landed at New-
York, or fome other middle colony. I fhould be glad to
' ¦ know the pleafure of the Congrefs, whether, upon fuch an
event, it would be expeCted that a^part of this army fhould
be detached, or the internal force of fuch colony and its
neighborhood be deemed fufficient ; or whether, in fuch
o
¦cafe,I am to wait the particular direction of Congrefs. ,
The fleet, mentioned, in my laft, has been feen ftanding
N. N. E ; fo that we apprehend it is intended for fome
part of this province, or New-Hampfliire, or poffibly Que
bec, The

42 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
The lateft and beft accounts we have from the enemy,
are, that they are engaged in their new work acrofs the
fouth end of Bofton, preparing their barracks, &c, for win
ter : — that it is propofed to keep frora five hundred to a
thoufand men on Bunker's hill all winter, who are to be re
lieved once a week ; —the reft to be drawn into Bofton,
A perfon who has lately been a fervant to major Conolly
(a tool of lord Dunmore's) has given an account of a fcheme
to diftrefs the fouthern provinces, which appeared to me of
fufficient confequence to be inimeiliately tranfmitted. I have
therefore got it attefted, alid do myfeif the honor of Inclofing
it, N° 5. '
The new levies from Connecticut have lately marched in
to camp, and are a body of as good troops as any we have :
fo that we have now the fame ftrength, as before the detach
ment made under colonel Arnold.
I am, with the moft refpeClful fentiments to the honorable
Congrefs, and yourfelf, fir, your moft obedient, &c. G. W.

Sir, Camp at Cambridge, OSfob. 24, 1775.
MY conjecture of the deftination of the late fqua-
dron from Bofton, in my laft, has been unhappily verified by
an outrage, exceeding, in barbarity and cruelty, every hof-
tile aCl praCtlfed among civilifed nations. I have inclofed
the account given me by Mr. Jones, a gentleman of the
town of Falmouth, of the deftruCtion of that increafing and
flourifhing village. He is a very great fufferer, and informs
me that the time allowed for the removal of effeCts was fo
fmall, that valuable property of all kinds, and to a great
amount, lias been deftroyed. The orders fhewn by the cap
tain for this horrid procedure (by which it appears the fame
defolation is meditated upon all the towns on tlie coaft)
made it ray duty to communicate it as quickly and exten-
fively as poffible. As Portfmouth was the next place to
which he propofed to go, general Sullivan was permitted to
go

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 43
go up, and give them his affiftanpe and advice tp ward off
the blow, i flatter myfeif the like event will not happea
there, as they have a fortification of fome ftrength, and %
yeffel lias arrived at a place called Sheepfpot, with fifteen
hundred pounds of powder.
The gentlemen pf the Congrefs have nearly finifhed their
bufinefs ; but as they write by this opportunity, I muft beg
leav.e to refer you to their letter, for what concerris their
commiffion. We have had no occurrence of any confeqtience in th?
camp fince I had the honor of addreffing you laft ; but ex-^
peCt every hour to hear that Newport has fhared the fat?
pf unhappy Falmouth.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,

Sir, Camp at Cambridge, Oiiob. 30, 1 7 75.
THE information, which the gentlemen who have
lately gone from hence can give the Congrefs, pf the ftate
and fituation of the army, would have made a letter uUt
neceffary, if I did not fuppofe there would be fprtie anxiety
to know the intentions of the army on, the fubjeCt of the re-:-
cnliftraent. Agreeable to the advice of thofe gentlemen, and my owi;
opinion, I imraediately began by direCting all fuch officer?
as propofed to continue, to fignify their intentions as foon as
poffible. A great number of the returns are come in, fron^
which I find that a very great proportion of the officers
pf the rank of captains, and under, will retire;— from pre--
fent appearances, I may fay, half, — but at leaft, one-third.
It is with fome concern alfo that I obferve, that many of the
officers who retire, difcourage the continuance of the men,
^nd, I fear, will communicate the InfeCtlon to them. Sqme
have advlfed that thofe officers who decline the fervice
I fhould be immediately difmlffed : but this would be very
dangerous and inconvenient, I confefs I have great anxieties upon

44 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
upon the fubjeCt, though I ftill hope the pay and terms are
fo advantageous, that intereft, and, I hope alfo, a regard to
tiieir country, will retain a greater proportion of the privates
than their officers. In fo important a matter, I fhall efteem
it my indifpenfable duty, not only to aCt with all poffible
prudence, but to give the, moft early and conftant advice of
my progrefs.
A fupply of clothing, equal to our neceffities, would
greatly contribute to the encouragement and fatisfaCtion of
tlie 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 par
ticular manner.
A fergeant has juft come in from Bunker's hill, but brings
no important news.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. "^V.

Sir, Cambridge, Nov.. 2, 1 7 75.
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, wtiofe 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 fhews, at one view, what reliance we
have upon the officers of this army, and how deficient we
are like to be in fubaltern officers. A few days more
will enable me to inform the Congrefs what they have to ex
peCt from the foldiei-y, as I fhall iffue recruiting orders for
this purpofe, fo foon as the officers are 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-geneial, — -an officer as necef
fary to a brigade, as a colonel is to a regiment, and will be
exceedingly warned in the new arrangement. ' The

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 45
The proclamations and affociation, herewith inclofed,
came to, my hands on raonday laft. I thought it my duty to
fend them to you.  -Nothing of moment has happened fince
my laft.
With refpeCtful compliments to the merabers of Congrefs,
I have the honor to be, &cc. " G. W.

Sir, Cambridge, Nov. 8, 1775.
THE immediate occafion of my giving the Congrefs
the trouble of a letter at this time is to inform them, that, in
confsquence of their order fignified in your letter of the twen
tieth ultimo, I laid mvfelf under a fpleran tie of fecrecy to
captain M'Pherfon, and proceeded to examine his plan for the
deftruCtion of the fleet in the harbor of Bofton, with all that
care and attention which the importance of it deferved, and
my judgment could lead to. But not being happy enough
to coincide in opinion with that gentleman, and finding that
his fcheme would involve greater expenfe, than (under my
doubts of its fuccefs) I thought myfeif juftified in giving in
to, 1 prevailed upon him to communicate his plan to three
gentlemen of the artillery in this army, well acquainted in the
knowledge and piaCtice of gunnery. By them he has been
convinced, that, inafrauch as he fet out upon wrong princi
ples, the fcheme would prove abortive. Unwilling however
to relinquifh his favorite projeCt of reducing the naval force
of Great Britain, he is very defirous of building a number of
row gallies for this purpofe. But as the Congrefs alone are
competent to the adoption of this ineafure, I have advifed him
(although he offered to go on widi the building of thera at
his own expenfe, till the Congrefs fhould decide) to Tepair
immediately to Philadelphia with his propofals ; where, if
they fhould be agreed to, or veffels of fuperior force, agree
able to the wifhes of moft others, fhould be refolved on, he
may fet inftantly about them, with all the materials upon tlie

46 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the fpot .-—here, they are to. colleCt.— To him therefore I
tefer for further information on this head.
A veffel, faid to be from Philadelphia and bound to Bof
ton, with a hundred and twenty pipes of wine (a hundred
and eighteen of which are fecured) ftranded at a place call
ed Eaftham, in a gale of wind on the fecond inftant: —
another, from Bofton to Halifax, with dry goods, &c,
(amounting, per invoice, to about two hundred and forty
pounds lawful) got difabled in the fame gale, near Beverly.
Thefe cargoes, with the papers, I have ordered to this place,
— the veffels to be taken care of till further orders. 1 have
alfo an account of the taking of a wood-floop bound to Bof
ton, and carried into Portfmouth by one of our armed vef
fels ;^-particulars not yet come to hand ; — and this inftant,
of two otliers, from Nova Scotia to Bofton, with hay, wood,
live ftock, &c, by another of our armed fchooners. — Thefe
are in Plymouth.
Thefe accidents and captures point out the neceffity of
eftablifhing proper courts without lofs of time, for the de
cifion of property, and the legality of feizures ; otherwife I
may be involved in inextricable difficulties.
Our prifoners, by the reduCtion of Fort Chamblee (on
which happy event I moft fincerely congratulate the Con
grefs), being confiderably augmented, and likely to be in-
creafed, I fubmit it to the wifdora of Congrefs, whether fome
convenient inland towns, remote from the poft-roads, ought
not to be affigned them ; the manner of their treatment, fub
fiftence, &CC, defined ; and a commiffary or agent af)poin<:ed,
to fee that juftice is done both to thera and the public, pro
per accounts rendered, &c. Without a mode of this fon is
adopted, I fear there will be fad confufion hereafter, as there
are great complaints at prefent.
I reckoned without my hoft, when I informed the Congrefs
in my laft, that I fhould in a day or two be able to acquaint
them, of the difpofition of the foldiery towards a new e'nlift- ment>

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 47
ment. I have been in confultatlon with the generals of this
army ever fince thurfday laft, endeavoring to eftablifh new
Corps of officers ; but find fo many doubts and difficulties
to reconcile, that I cannot fay when they are to end, or what
may be the confequences ; as there appears to be fuch an
vnwillingnefs in the officers of one government mixing in the
fame regiment with thofe of another ; and, without it, many
muft be difmlffed who are willing to ferve, notwithftanding
we are deficient on the whole.
The council of officers are unanimoufly of opinion that
the command of the artillery fhould no longer continue
in colonel * * * ; and knowing of no perfon better
qualified to fupply his place, or whofe appointment will give
more general fatisfaCtion, have taken the liberty of recom
mending Henry ICnox, efquire, to the confideration of Con
grefs, thinking it indifpenfably neceffary at the fame time
that this regiment fliould confift of tvvo lieutenant-colonels,
two majors, and twelve companies, agreeable to the plan
and eftimate handed in ; which differing from the laft efta-
bhfl'iraent, I fhould be glad to be inftruCted on.
The commiffary-general not being returned, will' apolo
gife, I hope, for my filence refpeCting a requifition of the ex
penfe of his. clerks, &c, which I was to have obtained toge
ther with others, 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
muft be in Quebec. If any mifchance had happened to him,
he would, as direCted, have forwarded an exprefs. — No ac
count yet of the armed veffels fent to St. Laurence. — I think
they will meet the ftores inward or outward bound.
Captain Symons, in the Ceiberus lately fent from Bofton
to Falmouth, hath puhlifhed the inclofed declaration at that
place ; and it is fufpeCled he intends to make fome kind of
a lodgement there, I wrote Immediately to colonel Finnic
of this army, who went up there Upon the laft alarm, to
fpirit

48 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fpirit- up the people and oppofe it at all events.— Falmouth Is
about a hundred and thirty miles from this camp.
I have the honor to be, &cc. G. W»
P. ,S. I fend a general return of the troops, and manifefts
of the cargoes, and veffels taken at Plymouth.

Sir, Camiridge, Nov. It, l-jj^,
* * * Inclofed, you have a copy of an aCt, paffed
tills feffion, by the honorable council and houfe .of reprefen
tatives of this province. It refpeCts fuch captures as may be
made by veffels fitted OL;t by the province, or by individuals
tliereofi As the armed veffels, fitted out at the continental
expenfe, do not come under this law, I would have it fub^
mitted to the confideration of Congrefs, to point out a more
fummary way of proceeding, to determine the property and
mode of condemnation of fuch prizes as have been or her?'-'
after may be made, than is fpecified in this aCt.
Should not a court be eftablifhed by authority of Con
grefs, to take cognifance of prizes made by the continental
teffels ? Whatever the mode is which they are pleafed to
adopt, there is an abfolute neceffity of its being fpeedily de
termined on : for I cannot fpare time from mihtary affairs,
to give proper attention to thefe matters.
The inhabitants of Plymouth have taken a floop, laden
with provifions, 8cc, from Halifax, bound to Bofton ; and
the inhabitants of Beverly have, under cover of one of the
armed fchooners, taken a veffel from Ireland, laden- with
beef, pork, butter, &c, for the fame place. The latter brings
papers and letters of a very interefting nature, which are in
tire hands of the honorable council, who informed me they
will tranfmit them to you by this conveyance. To the con
tents of thefe papers and letters I muft beg leave to refer you
and the honorable Congrefs, who will now fee the abfolute
nece.ffity there is, of exerting all tiieir wifdora, to withftand
the mighty eiTorts ot our enemies.
The

OFFICIAL LETTERS- 49
The trouble I have in the arrangeriient of the army is really
inconceivable. Many of the officers fent in their names to
ferve, in expectation of promotion i others ftood aloof * * * ;
whilft a number who had declined have again fent in their
names, to ferve. So great has the confufion, arifing from
thefe and many other perplexing circumftances, been, that I
found it abfolutely impoffible to fix this very interefting bu
finefs exaftly on the plan refolved on in the conference,
though I have kept up to the fpirit, as near as the nature and
neceffity of the cafe would admit of: the difficulty with
the foldiers is as great, — indeed more fo, if poffible, than
with the officers. They will not enlift, until they know
their colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, captain, See'; fo that
it was neceffary to fix the officers the firft thing ; which is,
at laft, in fome manner done ; 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, efpe
cially at this time, when we raay expeft the eneray will be
gin to aft on the arrival of their reinforcement, part of
which Is already come, and the reraaiinder daily dropping in.
I have other diftreffes of a very alarralng nature. The
arms of our foldiery are fo exceeding bad, that I affure you,
fir, I cannot place a proper confidence in thera. Our pow
der Is wafting faft, notwithftanding the ftriCteft care, econo
my, and attention, is paid to it. The long feries of wet wea-
tlier 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 advantage of a high tide, landed at Leechmore's
point : we were alarmed, and of courfe ordered every man
to examine his cartouch-box ; when the melancholy truth
appeared ; and we were obliged to furnifh the greater part
of them with frefh ammunition.
The damage done at the point was the taking of a man
who watched a few horfes and cows : ten of the latter they
Vol. I. E carried

so GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
carried off. Colonel Thompfon marched down with his re
giment of riflemen, and was joined by colonel Woodbridge,
wifh a part of his and a part of Patterfon's regiment, who
gallantly waded through the water, and foon obliged the
enemy to embark under cover of a man-of-war, a floating
battery, and the fire of a battery on Charleftown neck. We
have two of our men dangeroufly wounded by grape-ffiot
from the man-of-war ; and, by a flag fent out this day, we
are informed the enemy loft two of their men.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Cambridge, Nov. 19, 1775.
I Received your favors of the feventh and tenth In
ftant, with the refolves of the honorable Congrefs, to which.
T will pay all due attention. — As foon as two capable per
fons can be found, I will difpatch them to Nova-Scotia, on
the fervice refolved on in Congrefs.
The refolve to raife two batallions of marines will (if
practicable in this army) entirely derange what has been
done. It is therein mentioned, " one colonel for the two ba
tallions :" —of courfe, a colonel muft be difmlffed. One of
the many difficulties, which attended the new arrangement,
was in reconciling the different interefts, and judging of the
merits of the different colonels, — In the difmiffion of this
one, the fame difficulties will occur, — The officers and men
muft be ' acquainted with maritime affairs ; to comply with
which, they muft be picked out of the whole army, — one
from this corps, one from another, — fo as to break through
the -ivhole fyftem, which has coft us fo much time, anxiety
and pains, to bring into any tolerable forra. Notwithftand
ing any difficulties which will arife, you may be affured,
fir, that I will ufe every endeavor to comply with their re
folve. I beg leave to fubmit it to the confideration of Congrefs
(if thefe two batallions can be formed out of this army) whe ther

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 5s
ther this is a time to weaken our lines, by employing any of
theforces appointed to defend thera, on any other fervicci
The gentlemen who were here from the Congrefs know
their vaft extent : they muft know that we fhall have occa
fion for our whole force for that purpofe ; more fo now
than at any paft time, as we may expeC): the enemy will
take the advantage of the firft hard weather, and attempt to
make an impreffion fomewhere. That this is their inten
tion, we have many reafons to fufpeCt-.
We have had, in the laft week, fix deferters, and took
two ftraggling prifoners. They all agree that two compa
nies, with a train of artillery and one of the regiments from
Ireland, were arrived at Bofton ; — that frefli amraunition
and flints have been ferved out ; — 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 contefl: will not
be foon decided, and of cOutfe that there muft be an aug
mentation of the continental army, would it not be eligible
tp raife two batallions of marines in New- York and Phila
delphia, where there muft- be numbers of failoi-s novf un-em-
ployed ? — This however is matter of opinion, which T men
tion with all due deference to the fuperior judgment of the
Congrefs. Inclofed, you have Copies of two letters,— -one from colo
nel Arnold,"-the other from colonel * * *. X can form no
judgment on the latter's conduCt, until I fee him. Notwith
ftanding the great defection, 1 do not defpair of colonel Ar
nold's fuccefs. 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 colleft after the furrender of the reft of Cana
da, throw himfelf into Quebec, and there make his laft ef
fort. There is no late account from captains Broughton
and Sillman, fent to the river St. Laurence. The other
cruifers have been chiefly confined to harbgr> hy the ba4-
£ a Kcfe

52 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
nefs of the weather. The fame reafon has caufqd great de
lay in building of our barracks ; which, with a moft mortify
ing fcarcity of fire-wood, difcourages the men from enlifting.
The laft, I am afraid, is an infuperable obftacle. I have ap
plied to the honorable houfe of reprefentatives of this pro-
yince, who were pleafed to appoint a coraraktee to negotiate
this bufinefs : and notwithftanding all the pains they have
and are taking, they find it impoffible to fupply our neceffi
ties. The want of a fufficient number of teams I underftand
to be the chief impediment.
I got returns this day from eleven colonels, of the num
bers enlifted In their regiments. The whole amount is
nine hundred and fixty-fix rrien. There muft be fome other
flimulus befides love for their country, to make men fond
of the fervice. It would be a great encouragement, and no
additional expenfe to the continent, were they to receive pay
for the months of Oftober and November ; alfo a month's
pay advance. The prefent ftate of the military cheft will
not admit of this. The foonei- it is enabled to do fo, the
better. The commiffary-general is dally expefted in camp. I can
not fend you the eftimate 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 pre-.
fage of the reduftion of the reft of Canada.
I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W.

Sir, Cambridge, Novem. 28, 1775.
I HAD the honor of writing to you on the nineteenth
inftant. I have now to inform you that Henry Knox, ef
quire, is gone to New- York, with orders to forward to this
place what cannon and ordnance ftores can be there pro
cured. Frora thence he will proceed to general Schuyler
th the fame bufinefs, as you will fee by the inclofed copy
of inftruftions which I have given him. It would give me
much

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 53
much fatisfaftion, that this gentleman, or any other whom
you may think qualified, was appointed to the command of
the artillery regiment. In my letter to you, of the eighth
inftant, I have expreffed myfeif fully on this fubjeft, which
I beg leave to recommend to your immediate attention ; as
the formation of that corps will be at a ftand, until I am ho-
ii^i'ed with your inftruftions thereon, * * * *
There are two perfons engaged tp go to Nova-Scotia, on the
bufinefs recommended in your laft. By the beft informafion
we have frora thence, the ftores, &c, have been withdrawn
fome time. Should this not be the cafe, it is next to an'im-
poffibility to attempt any thing there, in the prefent unfetded
and precarious ftate of the army. * * *
From what I can colleft by my inquiries amopgft the of
ficers, it will be Impoffible to get the men to enlift for the
¦continuance of the war ; which will be an infuperable ob-
flruftion to the formation of die two batallions of marines
on the plan refolved on in-C-engrefs. As it can make no
¦difference, I propofe to proceed on the new arrangement of
the army, and, when completed, inquire out fuch officers
and men as are beft qualified for that fervice, and endeavor
to form thefe two batallions out of the whole. This appears
to me the beii method, and will, I hope, meet the approba
tion of Congrefs.
As it will be very difficult for tlie men to work when the
hard froft fets in, I have thought it neceffary (though of lit-
th ufe at prefent) to take poffeffion of Coble-hill, for the be^
nefit of any future operations. It was e.ffefted, -vylthout the
leaft oppofitlon from the enemy, the twenty-third ijiftant.
Their inaftlyity on this occafion is what I cannot account
for : — it is probable they are meditating a blow fomewhere.
About three hundred men, women, and children, of the
poor inhabitants of Bofton, came out to PoIntirShirley laft
friday. They have brought their hpufehpld furniture, but are
unprovided of every othenjeceffary of life, I have recora-
E 3 jnended

54 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
mended them to the attention of the committee of the honor
able council of this province, now fitting at Watertown, '
The number enlifted fince my laft are two thoufand four
hundred arid fifty men, * * * * Our fituation is truly
alarming : and of this general Howe Is well apprifed, it be
ing 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 ara making the beft difpofition I can for our defence,
having thrown up, befides the work on Coble-hill, feveral
redoubts, half-moons, &c, along the bay : and I fear I ffiall
be under the neceffity of calling in the militia and minute-
men of the country to my affiftance : I fay, I fear it, — be-
caufe, by what I can learn from the officers in tlie army, be
longing to this colony, it will be next to an impoffibility to
keep thera under any degree of difcipline, and that it will be
very difficult to prevail on thera to reraain a moment longer
than they chufe themfelves. It is a mortifying reflexion, to
be reduced to this dilemma. There has been nothing want
ing on my part, to infufe a proper fpirit amongft the ofl^cers,
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 pre
caution of prohibklng fuch as lately came out, frora coming
near our camp. — General Burgoyne, I am informed, -vtill
foon embark for England. — .1 think the rifle too great to write
you by poft, whilft it continues to pafs through New- York.
It is certain that a poft has been intercepted the beginning
of laft month, as they fent out feveral letters frora Bofton,
with the poft-mark of Baltimore on them. This goes by
captain Jofeph Blewer, who promifes to dehver it carefully
unto you.
You, doubtlefs, will have heard, before this reaches, of
general Montgomery's having got poffeffion of Montre'al. I
congratulate^

OFFICIAL LETTERS. .55
congratulate you thereon. He has troubles with his troops,
as well as I have, — All I can learn of colonel Arnold, is, that
he is near Quebec. I hope Montgomery, will be able to
proceed to liis affiftance, I fliah be very uneafy until I hear
they are joined.
My beft refpefts attend the gentlemen in Congrefs : and
believe me, fir, your moft obedient, &c. G- W. '

Sir, Cambridge, Novem. 30, 1775'
I HAD the honor to write to you, the twenty-eighth
inftant, by captain Jofeph Blewer, Laft evening I received
the agreeable account of the fchooner Lee, commanded by
captain Manly, having taken and carried into Cape-Anne a
large brigantine, bound from London to Bofton, laden with
military ftores, the inventory of which I have the pleafure to
inclofe you. Cape-Anne is a very open harbor, and acceffi-
ble to large flilps ; which made me Iramediately fend off co
lonel Glover and Mr. Palfrey, with orders to raife the mi
nute-men and militia of that part of the co'untry, to have the
cargo landed without lofs of time, and guarded up to this
camp. This, I hope, they will be able to effeft, before it is
known to the enemy, what port^e is carried into. I fin
cerely' congratulate you on this very great acquifition ; and
am, fir, your moft humble, &c. G. W.
Manly has alfo taken a floop in the minifterial ^rvice ; and
captain Adams, in the fchooner Warren, has tak^n a fchoon
er' laden with potatoes and turnips, bound to Bofton, and
carried her Into Portfmouth,

Sir, Cambridge, Dec. 4, 1 775.
I HAD the honor of writing to you the thirtieth ulti
mo, inclofing an Inventory of the military ftores taken on
board the brig Nancy by captain Manly of the armed
fchooner Lee. J have now to inform you that he has fince
E 4 fent

56 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fent into Beveriy a fhip named the Concord, James Lowrio
mafter, from Greenock in Scotland, bound to Bofton. She
has on board dry goods and coals, to the value of three thou
fand fix hundred and fix pounds, nine fhillings and foven-
pence fteriing, fhipped by Crawford, Anderfon, and Co. and
configned to James Anderfon, merchant in Bofton. It is
mentioned in the letters found on board, that this cargo was
for the ufe of the army : but, on a ftrift examination, I find It
is really the property of the fhippers and the perfon to whom
configned. — Pray what Is to be done with this fhip and
cargo ? and what with the brigantine which brought the mih
tary ftores ? — It was agreed, in the conference laft Oftober,
*' that all veffels employed merely as tranfports, and unarmedt
with their crews, be fet at Uberty, upon giving fecurity to return
. io Europe ; but that this indulgence be not extended longer than
till the firfi of April next." In the fliippers' letter, they
mention : " you muft procure a certjficatp from the general
and admiral, of the Concord's being in the government fer
vice, fuch as the Glafgow packet brought with her, which
was of great fervice, procured 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 Lowrle will deliver you the pontraCt for the
f oals : we gave it to him, as it perhaps rnight be of ufe, as
^ certificate of his flilp being employed in the government
fervice." Every letter on board breathes nothing but en
mity to this country : Jlnd a vaft number of thera there are.
It is fome time fince I recommended to the Congrefs that
they would Inftkute a court for the trial of prizes made by
the continental armpd veffels ; which I -hope they have ere
now taken into their confideration : otherwife I fliould again
^ake the liberty of urging It in the moft preffing manner,
The conduft of a great number of the Conqeftlcut troops
has laid me under tlie neceffity of calling In a body of the
piilitia much fooner than I apprehended tliere would be an
pccafion fpr fuch a ftep, I was afraid fome tim? ago that
they

OFFICIAL LETTERS sf
they would incline to go home when the time of their enlift-
ment expired, I called upon the officers of the feveral regi--
ments, to know whether they could prevail on the men to
remain until the firft of January, or till a fufficient number
of other forces could be raifed to fupply their place. I fup
pofe they were deceived themfelves : I knov/ they deceived
me by affurances that I need be under no apprchenfion on
that fcore, for the men would not leave the lines. Laft fri
day fhewed how much they were miil:aken, as the major
part of the troops of that colony were going away with their
arms and ammunition. ' We have however, by threats, per
fuafion, and the aftivity of the people of the country who
fent back many of them that had fet out, prevailed upon
the moft part to ftay. There are aboiit eighty of them mif
fing. I have called in three thoufand men from this province ;
and general Sullivan, who lately returned from the province of
New-Hampfhire, having informed me that a number of men
were there ready at the fiiorteft notice, I have demanded two
thoufand frora that province. Thefe two bodies, I expeft,
will be in by the tenth inftant, to make up the deficiency of
the Connefticut-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
defeftion is much to be apprehended when the time of
the Maffachufetts-Bay, New-Hampfhire, and Rhode-Ifland
forces is expired, I beg the attention of Congrefs to this im
portant affair,
I ara informed that it has been the cuftom 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 fatif-
fied the men cannot be had without. This the Congrefs
will pleafe to take Into their immediate confider.ition. My fuf-
picipns on this h?,ad I fliall alfo communicate to the ,1 wernors
TrumbuU

SS GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
TrumbuU and Cooke, alfo to the New-Hampfhii e conven
tion. The number enlifted in the laft week are about thirteen
hundred men. By this you fee how flow this important
work goes on. * * *
An exprefs is juft come in from general Schuyler, with
letters from colonel Arnold and general Montgoi^ery, co
pies of which I have the honor to inclofe you. Upon the
whole, I think affairs carry a pleafing afpeft in that quarter.
The reduftion of Quebec is, an objeft of fuch great import
ance, that I doubt not the Congrefs v/ill give every affiftance
in their power for the accomplifliing it this winter.
By the laft accounts from the armed fchooners fent to the
river St. Laurence, I fear we have but little to expeft from
them: they were falling fliort of provifion,' and mendon
that d"iey would be obliged to return ; which at this time is
particularly unfortunate, as, if they chofe a proper ftation,
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 inexpreffible. I do be
lieve there is not on earth a more diforderly fet : — every
time tbey 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 Wafhington and Har
rifon have aftually deferted them ; fo that I have been under
the neceffity 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 you have herewith. I fliall fend an officer thither to
examine what can be done for its defence, though I do not
think I fhall be able to give them fuch affiftance as may be
requifite ; for I have at prefent neither men, powder, nor
cannon to fpare. The great want of powder is what the at
tention of Congrefs fhould be particulariy applied to. I
dare

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 59
daie not attempt any thing offenfive, let the temptation or
advantage be ever fo great, as I have not more of that nwiS:
effential article, than will be abfolutely neceffary to defend
our lines, fhould tl->e enemy attempt to attack them.
By recent information from Bofton, general Howe is go
ing to fend out a number of the inhabitants, in order, ii is
thought, to make more room for his expefted reinforce
ments. There is one part of the informadon I can hardly
give credit to : — a failor fays that a number of thofe com
ing out have been inoculated, with defign of fpreading the
fmall-pox though this country and camp, I have commu
nicated this to the general court ; and recommended tiieir at-
tendon thereto.
They are arming one of the tranfports in Bofton, with
which they mean to decoy fome of our armed veffels- As
we are apprifed of their defign, I hope they will be difap-
pointed. My beft refpefts wait on the gentleraen in Congrefs, and
I ara, fir, your moft humble, &c. G. W-
P. S. I was mifinformed when I mentioned that one regi
ment had arrived at Bofton : a few companies of the feven
teenth and artillery are all that are yet come. — ^Near diree
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 SiUman would not effeft any good purpofe, were too
well founded. They are returned, and brought with them
three of the principal inhabitants from the ifland of St.
John's. * * * They brought the governor's commiffion,
the province feal, &c, &c. As the captains afted without
any warrant for fuch conduft, I have thought it but juftice to
difcharge thefe gentlemen, whofe families were left in the ut
moft diftrefs. I am

6o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I am credibly informed, that James Anderfon, the con-
fignee and part owner of the fhip Concord and cargo, is not
only unfriendly to American liberty, but aftually in arms'
againft us, — being captain of the Scotch company at Bofton,"
Whether your being acquainted with this circumftance, or
not, will operate againft the veffel and cargo, I will not take
upon me to fay: but there are many articles on board, fo ab
folutely neceffary for the army, that, -ivhether file is made a
prize or not, we muft have them,
I have the honor to be, &c, G. W.

Sir, V, Cambridge, Decemb. II, I775i.
* * * 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 Connefticut and Rhode-Ifland, alfo to the convendon of
New-Hampfhire, on this fubj'eft. A copy of my letter to
them I have the honor to inclofe herewith. A letter to
fame purport I fent to the legiflaturc of this province.
The militia are coming In faft. I am much pleafed with
the alacrity which the good people of this province, as well
as thofe of Ncw-Hampfliire, have fhewn upon this occafion.
I expeft the whole will be in this day and to-morrow, when
what remains of the Connefticut \troops\, who have not
enlifted, will have liberty to go to their fire-fides.
The commiffary-general Is ftill by his indifpofidon detain-r
ed from camp. He committed an error, when making out
the radon-lift: for he was then fcrving out (and has con
tinued fo to do) fix ounces per man per week of butter,
though it is not Included in the lift approved of by Congrefs. I
do not think it would be expedient to put a ftop thereto ; as
every thing, that would have a tendency to give tlie foldiery
room for complaint, muft be avoided.
The informadon I received that the enemy intended fpread- '
inpr
t

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 61
Ing the fmall-pox amongft us, I could not fuppofe them ca
pable of. — I now muft give fome credit to it, as it has made
its appearance on feveral of thofe who laft came out of Bof
ton, — Every neceffary precaution has been taken to prevent
its being communicated to this atmy ; and the general court
will take care that it does not fpread through the country,
1 have not heard that any more troops are arrived at Bof
ton ; which is a lucky circumftance, as the Connefticut
troops, I now find, are for the moft part gone off. — The
houfes in Bofton are leffening every day : they are pulled
down, either for fire-wood, or to prevent the effefts of fire,
fliould we attempt a bombardment or an attack upon the town.
— Coble-hill is ftrongly fortified, without any interruption
from the enemy. •« * '* This is what at prefent occurs,
from., fir, your moft obedient, &e. 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
letter : but this, added to the former, makes in the whole
five thoufand two hundred and fifty-three.

Sir., Cambridge, Decemb. 14, 1,775.
I Received your favor of the fecond inftant, with
the feveral refolves of Congrefs therein inclofed, — The re
folves relative to captures made by continental armed veSels
only want a court eftabliffied for trial, to make them com
plete. This, I hope, will be foon done, as I have taken the
liberty to urge it often to the Congrefs.
I ara fomewbat at a lofs to know whether I am to raife
the two batallions of marines here, or not. As the delay can be
attended with but little inconvenience, I will wait a farther
explanation from Congrefs, before I take any fteps therein.
; I am much pleafed that the money will be forwarded with
all ppflible expedition, as it is much wanting ; alfo that
Gonolly and his affociates are taken. It has been a very for-,
tunate

il GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
tunate difcovery. I make no doubt but that the Congrefs will
take every neceffary meafure to difpoffefs lord Dunmore of
his hold in Virginia : the fooner fteps are taken for that
ptirpofe, the more probability there will be of their being
efeftual. * * * *
I will make appiicadon to general Howe, and propofe an
exchange for Mr. Ethan Allen, I am much afraid I ffiall have
a like propofal to make for captain Martindale of the armed
brigantine Waffiington, and his men, who, it is reported,
was taken a few days paft by a man-of-war, and carried into
Bofton. — We cannot expeft to be alv/ays fucccfsful.
You will doubtlefs hear of the barbarity of captain Wal
lace on Conanicut ifland, ere this reaches your hands.
About a hundred and fifty more of the poor inhabitants
are come out of Bofton. The fmall-pox rages all over the
town : fuch of the military as had it not before are now un
der inoculation. This, I apprehend, is a weapon of defence
they are ufing againft us. What confirms me in this opi
nion, is, that I have information that they are tearing up the
pavement, to be provided againft a bombardment.
I wrote you this day by Meffrs. Fennel and De Pliarne,
who will lay before the Congrefs, or a comraittee thereof,
propofals for furniffiing the continent with arms and ammu
nition, I refer you to themfelves for further particulars.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Chelfea, Decemb. i6, 1 775.
observations of the day.
LAST evening, eight men came in a boat from Bof
ton, to our guard at the ferry, — fix of them captains of vef
fels- — They brought the following account ;
Yefterday, one large mortar was carried over to Bunker's
hill:— the troops filling water, carrying it on board the
tranfports:— p«>v\^ons fcarce,~i>Dt more tlian fufficient for

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 63
fiK weeks. One regiment of foot, and three companies of the
light horfe, fail for Halifax this day.
Dorchejier, December 16, I77S'.
Sailed out of Bofton harbor this morning, eight large and
two fmall veffels, taken to be tenders ; — by their firing, ap
peared to be going a voyage out to fea.
Mr. Joffiua Pico came laft night from Bofton. He con
firms the information that the regiment of foot,' and fome
companies of light horfe, were preparing to embark for Ha
lifax. Sir, Cambridge, Decemb. 16, 1775.
THE information, contained in the above, coming fo
many different ways, corroborated by feveral vefiels having
failed this day from Bofton, — I thought it my duty to tranf
mit it to you. Though Halifax is the place given out for
their deftination, it is poffible they may be bound elfewhere.
I (hall communicate this intelligence to governors Cooke
and Trumbull, and to the convention of New- York, for
their government.
I remain, fir, your moft obedient, &c. G. W.

Sir, Cambridge., Decemb. ig, 177^
CAPTAIN Manly, of the Lee armed fchooner, took
and fent into Beverly the floop 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, I have the honor to feriH
you with this by captain James Chambers, they being of fo
much importance, 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
letters, I need not point out to the Congrefs the neceffity there
|s of a vigorous exertion being adopted by them, to difppf-
8 i4i

64 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fefs his lordfliip of the ftrong hold he has got in Virginia.—'
I do not mean to diftate : but I am fure they will par.dpn
me for giving them freely my opinion, which is, that the
fate of America a good deal depends on his being obliged to
evacuate Norfolk this winter, or not.
1 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 fhew the weaknefs
of the place ; at the fame time, of what vaft confequence it
would be for us to poflefs ourfelves of it, and the great
quantity of ammunition contained in the forts. — Indeed thefe
papers are of fo great confequence, that I think this but
little inferior to any prize our famous Manly has taken.
We now work at our cafe on Leechmore's hill. On dif-
covering our party there yefterday morning, the ffiip which
lay oppofite began a cannonade, to which Mount Floram
added fome fliells. — One of our men was wounded. — We
fired a few ffiot frora two eighteen-pounders which are
placed on Coble-hill, and foon obliged the fiiip to ffiift her
ftation. She now lies in the ferry-way : and, except a few
fhells from the mount in Bofton (which do no execution),
we have no interruption in profecuting our works, which will
in a very ffiort time be completed. When that is done,—
when we have powder to fport with, — I think, if the Con
grefs refolve on the execution of the propofal raade relative
to the town of Bofton, 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-
general Prefect as the objeft who is to fuffer Mr. Allen's
fate, is, that, by letters from general Schuyler, and copies of
letters from general Montgomery to Schuyler, I am given to
underftand that Prefect is the ciufe of Allen's fufferings.—
I thought it beft to be decifive on the occafipn, as did the
generals whom I confulted thereon. The

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 65
The returns of men enlifted fince my laft amount to about
eighteen hundred, making in the whole feven thoufand one
hundred and forty. The militia that are corae in, both
from this province and New-Hampffiire, are very fine-look
ing men, and go through their duty with great alacrity.
The difpatch made, both by the people in marching and by
the legiflative powers in complying with my requifition, has
given me infinite fatisfaftion.
Your letter of the eighth inftant, with the explanatory re
folve refpefting my calling forth the militia and minute-
men, is come to hand ; to which I ffiall pay all due atten
tion. You have reraoved all the difficulties which I labored
under, about the two batallions of marines. I ffiall obey
the orders of Congrefs in looking out for proper officers to
command that corps. — I make no doubt but, when th'c
money arrives to pay off the arrears and the month's ad-i
vance, that it wUl be a great encourageraent for the men to
enlift. Inclofed is a letter I lately received from Mr. James
Lovell. His cafe is truly pitiable. I wiffi fome mode could
be fallen upon to relieve him from the cruel fituation he is
now in. — I am fenfible of the impropriety of exchanging^
foldier for a citizen : but- there is fomething fo cruelly dif
treffing in regard' to this gentleman, that I dare fay you will
take it under your confideration.
I am, with great refpeft, &c. G. W.

Sir, Cambridge, Dec. 2^, I jj'^.
I HAD the honor to addrefs myfeif to you on the
nineteenth inftant, fince which I have received undoubted in
formation that the genuine inftruftions 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 difcernible ; that thofe which
were found upon him were intended to deceivci if he was
Vol. 1. F caught.

66 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
caught — You will moft certainly haye his faddle taken t-0
pieces, in order to difcover this deep-laid plot.
Inclofed is a copy of general Howe's letter in anfwet to
the one I wrote him the eighteenth inftant. The conduft I
am to obferve towards brigadier Prefect in confequence of
thefe letters, the Congrefs will oblige me by determining for
The gentlemen by whom you fent the money are arrived.
The fum they bro ught, '.though large, is not fufficient to an-
,lwer the demands of the army, which at this time are re
markably heavy: there is three months' pay due, one month's
advance, two dollars for each blanket, — the arms, that ar?
left by thofe who are difmlffed, to be paid for, — befides the
demands which are on the commiffary and quarter-mafter
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 gentler
men, to fend colonel Kirkland to you for examination, and
that you may difpofe of him as to you may feem proper.
A comraittee from the general court of this province call
ed on me the other day, informing me that they were in
.great want of ordnance for the defence of the colony ; 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 others : of courfe what is kept muft be paid
for. There are many of the cannon of very little ufe : fuch
of them as are good, I cannot at prefent part with ; perhaps
when 1 receive the fupply from New-York and Canada, it
may be in my power to fpare them.
Mr. Wadfworth has fent in his report refpefting Cape-
Cod harbor, a copy of which you will receive herewith ;
alfo a letter from a Mr. Jacob Bailey, put into my hands by
colonel Little. It contains fome things that may not be un-
vy'ovthythe confideration of Congrefs.
We have made good progrefs in the works on Leech
more's point. They would have been finiflied ere this, but
-'%. ' ' "for

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 6^
for the feverity of the weather, which prevents our people
from working.
, I received a letter from governor Cooke, which expreffeS
the fears of the people of Rhode-Ifland, left the fliips, which
we had information were failed with fome troops on boardj
Were deftined for Newport. I fent major-general Lee there,
to point out to them fuch defence as he may think the place
capable ofi I fincerely wiffi he may be able to do it with
effeft, as that place, in its prefent ftate, is an afylum for
fuch as are difaffefted to American liberty.
Our returns of enliftments, to this day, amount to eight
thoufand five hundred men.
' I have the honor to be, &c* G. Wi
P. S. Inclofed is an eftimate of the deihands of the army*

Silt, Cambridge, Dec. ^i, 17^5*
I WROTE to you the . tvrenty-fifth inftant ; fince
which I am not honored with any of your favors. The ef^
timate I then inclofed you was calculated to pay the troopsj
&c, up to the firft of January. That cannot be done for
¦want of funds in the paymafter-general's hands ; which
eaufes a great murmuring ampngft thofe who are going off.
— The monthly expenfes of this army amount to near two
hundred and feventy-five thoufand dollars, which I take thd
liberty of recommending to the obfervation of Congrefs^
that their future remittances may be governed thereby.
It fometimes happens that perfons would wiffi to depofit
money in the hands of the payraafter-general, for his bills oil
the treafury at Philadelphia. , He has hitherto declined fuch
offersj not having authority from Congrefs to draw. — Would
it not be proper to give this power ? — If it ffiould be ap
proved of, you will pleafe to point out the mode that thef
Congrefs would chufe to have it done in.
The clothing fent to the quarter-mafter-general is not
fufficient to put half our army into regimentals ; nor is there-
A poffibility of getting any quantity here. I have wrote to
F a g'eneraf-

68 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
general Schuyler, that I wiffi what was lodged at Albany
could be fpared 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 ; and no time
ffiould be loft in forwarding them to this camp.
In 'forming the regiments for the new eftabliffiment, I
thought it but juftice to appoint the officers, detached under
coionel Arnold, to commiffions in thera. Their abfence at
prefent is of very great detrlraent to the fervice, efpecially
in recruiting: I would therefore wiffi, if the Congrefs intend
raifing 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 commiffioned in Canada, I may
appoint officers here to replace them.
Inclofed you have a copy of a reprefentation fent me to by
the legiflative body of this province, refpefting four compa
nies ftationed at Braintree, Weymouth, and Hinghara. As
they v/ere never regimented, and were doing duty at a dif
tance rom the reft of the army, I did not know whether to
confider them as a part of it ; nor do I think rayfelf autho
rifed to direft payment for them without the approbation of
Congrefs. It has been reprefented to me that the free negroes who
have ferved in this army are very much diffatisfied at being
difcarded. As it is to be apprehended that they may feek
employ in the minifterial army, I have prefumed to depart
from the refolution refpefting them, and have given licence
for their being enlifted. If this is difapproved of by Con
grefs, I will put a ftop to it.
* * * I muft remark that the pay of the affiftant en-
gineers is fo very fmaU, that we cannot expeft men of
fcience will engage in it. Thofe gentlemen, who are in
that ftation, remained under the expeftation that an addi
tional allowance would be made them by the refpeftive pro
vinces in which they were appointed, to that allowed by the
Congrefs. Captain Freeman arrived this day at camp from Canada.
He

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 69
He left Quebec the twenty-fourth ultimo, in confequence of
general Carleton's proclamation which I have the honor to
fend you herewith. He fawc olonel Arnold, the twenty-
fixth, and fays that he was joined at Point-a-tremble by ge
neral Montgomery, the firft inftant; — that they were about
two thoufand ftrong, and were making every preparation
for attacking Quebec ; — that general Carleton had with
him about twelve hundred 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 accompany them. The two latter were taken prifoners
by lord Dunmore, who was fending them to Bofton, from
whence there is little doubt but they would be forwarded to
England, to which place I am credibly informed captain
Martindale and the crew of the Waffiington are fent ; alfo
colonel Allen, and the prifoners taken with him in Canada.
This may account for general 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-
Iflatfd : —he has pointed out the beft method the ifland would
admit of for its defence : — he has endeavored all in his power
to make friends of thofe that were our enemies- You have,
inclofed, a fpeciraen of his abilities in that way, for your
perufal. 1 am of opinion that, if the fame plan was purfued
through every province. It would have a very good effcLt.
I have long had it on my mind to mention to Congrefs
that frequent applications had been made to me refpefting
the chaplains' pay, which is too fmall to encourage men of
abilities. Some of them, who have left their flocks, are
obliged to pay the p;irfon afting fpr them more than they
receive. I need not point out -the great utility of gentlemen
whofe livesand converfation are unexceptionable, being em
ployed for that fervice in this army. There are two vv^ays
of making it worth the attention of fuch : one is an ad-
F 5 vancement

70 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
vancement of their pay; the other, that one chaplain b«
appointed to two regiments. This laft, I think, may ba
done without inconvenience, — I beg leave to recommend
this matter to Congrefs, whofe fentiments hereon I ffiall im.,
patiently expeft.
Upon a farther converfation with captain Freeman, he i%
of opinion that general Montgomery has -with him near
three thoufand men, including colonel Arnold's._ He fays
that lord Pitt had received repeated orders from his father
to return home ; in confequence of which, he had embark
ed, fome time in Oftober, with a captain Green who was
mafter of a veffel belonging to Philadelphia.
By a number of falutes in Bofton harbor yefterday, I fancy
admiral Shuldham is arrived, — Two large ffiips were feen
coming in. ,
Our enliftments now amount to nine thoufand fix hundred
and fifty.
Thofe gentlemen, who were made prifoners by lord Dun
more, being left deftitute of money and neceflaries, I have
advanced them a hundred pounds lawful money belonging
to the public, for which I have taken captain Mathews's
fraught on the treafury of Virginia, which goes inclofed.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
P. S, You have, inclofed, the returns of the army.

SiRj Cambridge^ January J^, I77^».
SINCE my laft of the thirty-firft ultimo, I have been
honored with your favor of the twenty- fecond, inclofing
fundry refolves, which ffiall, in matters they refpeft, be
made the rule of my conduft.
The refolution relative to the troops in Bofton, I beg the
favor of you, fir, to aflure Congrefs, fliah be attempted to be
put in execution the firft moment I fee a probability of fuc
cefs, and in fuch a way as a council of officers ffiall think
moft likely to produce it : but if this fliould not happen as
foon as you may ejcpeft or my wiffies prompt to, I requeft -that

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 71
that Congrefs will be pleafed to advert to my fituation, and
do me the juftice to believe, that circumftances, and not
want of inclination, are the caufe of delay.
It is not in the pages of hiftory perhaps to furniffi a cafe
like ours: — to maintain a poft within mufket-ffiot 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 Britifli regiments, — is more, prc-
bably, than ever was attempted. But if we fucceed as well
in the laft, as we have heretofore in the firft, I fhall think
it the moft fortunate event of my whole life.
By a very intelligent gentleman, a Mr. Hutchinfon from
Bofton, I learn, that It was admiral Shuldham that came
into the harbor on faturday laft ;— that two of the five regi
ments from Cork are arrived at H-alifax ; — two others have
failed for Qu^ebec; but what was become of them, could
not be told :— and the other (the fifty-fifth) has juft got
into Bofton. Certain it is alfo, that the greateft part of the
feventeenth regiment is arrived there. Whether vve are to
conclude from hence that more than five regiments have been
fent out, or that the companies of the feventeenth, arrived
at Bofton, are part of the regiments deftined for Halifax and
Quebec, I know not.
We alfo learn from this gentleman and others, that the
, troops, embarked for Plalifax (as mentioned in my letter of
the fixteenih) were really defigned for that place, but recall
ed from Nantaflset 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 Fowey
men-of-war,-— confifting of five tranfports and two bomb vef
fels, with al)out three hundred marines, and feveral flat-bot
tomed boats. It is whifpered that they are defigned for
Newport, but generally thought in Bofton that it is meant
for Long-Ifland : and it is probable it will be followed by
"* Left blank in the origindl to guard againfl the danger of
ni far riage. — Read, " without powder." '
F. 4i more

7* GENERAL WASHINGTON'S •
more troops, as the other tranfports are taking in water,
—to fie, as others fay, in Nantaflcet road, to be out of the
^ce. A large quantky of bifcuit is alfo baking, v
As the real defign cannot with certainty be known, I
fubmit it, with all due deference, to the fuperior judgment
of Congrefs, whether it would npt be confiftent with pru-
xJence to have fome of t^e Jerfey troops thrown into Newr
York, to prevent an evil, which would be almoft irremedia
ble, ffiould it happen,— I mean, the landing pf troops at
that place, or upon Long-Ifland near it.
As it is poffible you may not yet have received his ma-
jefty's " mofl grqcloui' fpeech, I do myfeif the honor to in
clofe one of ma.iy, which were fent out of Bofton yefterday,
It is fuU of * * *, and explicitly holds forth his royal wiU
to be, that vigorous meafure? muft be purfued, tp deprive
us of our * '* ^. Thefe rneafures, whatever they be, I
Tiope will be oppofed by more vigorous ones, and rendered
unavailing and fruitlefs, though fanftioned and authorifed by
the name of majefty, — a name, which ought to pjrpmote the
hleffjngs of his people, and npt their oppreffipn.
\ am, Sir, See, G. W,

Sir, Cambridge, ^aw, II, I77^^
EyERY account I have out of Bofton confirms the
embarkation of troops mentioned in my laft, which, from the
feafon of the year and other circuraftances, muft be deftined
for fome .expedition to the fouthward of this, I have there
fore .thought it prudent to fend major-general Lee to Newr
York. I have given 'him letters recommendatory to gor
vernor Trumbull, and. to the committee of fafety at New-
York, I have good hopes that in -Connefticut he will get
many volunteers, who (t have fome reafon to think) wiU ac
company him on this expedition, without more expenfe to
•the .continent than their maintenance. But ffioul.d it be
^otherwife^ and that Jthey ffiould expeft pay, I thinjc it is -^
tiifling

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 73
¦trifling confideration, when put in. competition with the im
portance pf the objeft, which is to put the city of New-
York, with fuch parts of the North river and Long-Ifland
as to him ffiall feem proper, in that ftate of defience, which
the feafon of the year and circumftances will admit of, — fo
as, if poffible, to prevent the enemy from forming a lodge
ment in that government, which, I am afraid, contains too
many perfons difaffefted to the caufe of liberty and Ame
rica. I have affo wrote to lord Stirling to give him aU the
a-ffiftance that he can with the troops under his command
in the continental fervice, provided it does not interfergjvith
jny orders he may receive from Congrefs relative tp them.
I hope the Congrefs will approve of my conduft in fend
ing general Lee upon this expedition :— I am fure Ljnean
it well ; as experience teaches us that it is much eafier to
prevent an enemy from pofting themfelves, than it is to dif-
lodge them after they have got poffeffion.
The evening of the eighth inftant, a party of our men, un
der the Gomraand of -major Knoulton, were ordered to go
¦and burn fome houfes which lay at the foot of Bunker's hill,
and at the head of Charleftown. They were alfo ordered tp
bring off the guard, which, we expefted, confifted of an of
ficer and thirty men. They croffed the mill-dam about half
after eight o'clock, and gallantly executed their bufinefs, —
having burned eight houfes, and brought with them a fer
geant and four privates of the tenth regiment. There was
but one raan more there, who making fonae refiftance, they
were obliged to difpatch- The gun that killed him was the
only one difcharged by our men, though feveral hundred
were fired by the enemy from within their works, but in fp
confufed a manner, that not one of our people was hurt.
Our enliftments go on very heavily.
J. am, with great refpeft, &c, ' G. W.

Sl;R;

74 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
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
diffoludon of the old army, I was apprehenfive that the
new would be deficient in this inftance : and, that the want
might be as( inconfiderable as poffible, I gave it out in orders,
that the arms of fuch men as did no_t re-enlift (or fuch of
them as were good) ffiould be retained at the prices whu.h
fliould be affixed by perfons appointed to infpeft and value
them : and, that we might be fure of them, I added that there
would be a floppage of pay for the months of November and
December, from thofe who ffiould carry their firelocks av/ay
without their being^firft examined. I hoped, by thefe pre
cautions, to have procured-a confiderable 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 infpeftion, — very few were collefted.
Neither are we to expeft that many will be brought in by
the new recruits, — the officers, who are out enlifting, having
reported that few men who have arms will engage in the fer
vice ; and that they are under the difagreeable alternadve of
taking men without arms, or of getting none. Unhappy
fituation, 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 necefiary ;
and that there will be a moft vigorous exertion of minifte
rial vengeance ag.iinft us, as foon as they think themfelves
in a condition for it. I hope it is in the power of Congrefs
lo afford us relief :— if It is- not, what muft, what can be
done ?
Our treafury is rJn^.oft exhaufted, and the demands againft
it very cmfiderable. A conftant fupply of money, to -anfwer
every c\v.m and exigency, would much promote the good
'S tlie rer\i',;e. In the commun affairs of life, it is ul^eful: in

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 75
in war, it is abfolutely ijeceffary and effential. I would beg
leave, too, to remind you of the tents, and of their import
ance, — hoping that if an opportunity has offered, you have
procured them, I fear that our army will not be raifed to
the new eftabliftiment in any reafonable time, if ever : the
enlifting goes on fo very flow, that it almoft feems at an
end. In my letter of the fourth Inftant, I wrote you that I had
received certain intelligence from a Mr, Hutchinfon and
others, that two of the five regiments from Cork v^-ere ar
rived at Halifax, one at Bofton, and the two others had fail
ed for Qu^ebec, and had not been heard of, I am now affured
{as a matter to be relied on) by four captains of ffiips, who
left England about the fecond of November, and who ap
pear to be men of veracity, that the whole of thefe regi
ments (except the two companies that arrived at Bofton
fome time ago), when they failed, were at Milford Haven,
where they had been obliged to put in, by a violent ftorm,
the nineteenth of Oftober ; that they would not be able to
leave it for a cpnflderable time, as they were under the ne
ceffity of repairing their veffels, and getting fome new ones
taken up, — Such is the uncertainty and contradiftlon in
what I now hear, that it is not poffible to know what to
believe or diffielleve.
1 wrote to the general court yefterday, and to the conven
tion of New-Hampffiire, immediately upon feeing the great
deficiency in our arms,— ^praying that they would intereft
themfelves in the matter, and furniffi me with all in their
power. Whether I ffiall get any, or what quantity, I can
not determine, not having received their anfwers, — The
fame application will be made to the governments of Con
nefticut and Rhode-Ifland.
I do myfeif the honor to fend you fundry nevvfpapers I
seceived from the above-mentioned captains, as they may be
later than any you have feen, and contain fome interefting
iiUelligence.— I have the honor tp be, &g, G. W.

Sir,

76 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sir, Cambridge, Jan, 19, 1776.
TAKING it for granted that general Schuyler has
not only informed you of the fall of the brave and much-
to-be-lamented general Montgomery, but of the fituation of
'OUT affairs in Canada (as related by general Woofter, colonel
Arnold, colonel Campbell, and others), I ffiall not take up
much more of your time on this fubjeft, than is neceffary to
inclofe you a copy of his letter to me, with the refult there»
on, as appears by the council of war, which I immediately
fummoned on the occafion, and at which Mr. Adams, by my
particular defire, was good enough to attend.
It may appear ftrange, fir, as I had not men to fpare from
thefe lines, that I ffiould prefume (without firft fending to
Congrefs, and obtaining an exprefs direftion) to recommend
to the governments of Maffachufetts, Connefticut, and
New-Hampffiire, to raife each a reglraent, on the continental
account, for this fervice. I wiffi moft ardently that the ur
gency of the cafe would have admitted of the delay. I wiffi
alfo that the purport of general Schuyler's letter had not,
unavoidably as it were, laid me under an indifpenfable obli
gation to do it : — for having iufprn^d 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 re
liance on my exertions. This confideration, added to my
fears of the fatal confequences of delay, — to an information
of your having defigned three thoufand men for Canada, — to a
belief, founded chiefly on general Schuyler's letters, that few
pr none of them were raifed,— and to my apprehenfions for
New-York, which kd me to think that no troops could be
fpared from that quarter, — induced me to lofe not a mo
ment's time in throwing in a force there -, being well af
fured that general Carleton will improve to the utmoft the
advantages gained, leaving no artifices untried, to fix the
Canadians and Indians (who, we find, are too well difpofed
^o take part with the ftrongeft) in his intereft.
7 If

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 77
If thefe reafons are not fufficient to juftify my conduft
in the opinion of Congrefs, — if the meafure contravenes
any refolution of theirs, — they will pleafe to countermand
the levying and marching of the regiments as foon as poffi
ble, and do me the juftice to believe that my intentions'
were good, if my judgment has erred.
The Congrefs wiU pleafe alfo to obferve, that the mea
fure of fupporting our pofts in Canada appeared of fuch ex
ceeding great importance, that the general officers (agree
ing with me in fentiment, and unwilling to lay any burden
which can poffibly be avoided, — although it may turn out
an ill-timed piece of parfimony) have refolved that the three
regiments for Canada ffiall be part of the thirteen militia re
giments which were requefted to reinforce this army, — ^as ap
pears by the minutes of another council of war, held on the
fixteenth inftant. I ffiall (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 govern
ments of Maflachufetts, Connefticut, and New-Hampffiire ;
alfo a copy of a refolution of this colony, in anfwer to aa
application of mine for arms.
Since writing the above, I have been informed by a mef>
fage from the general court of Maffachufetts, that they
have refolved 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 exprefs from
governor Trumbull, that he and his council of fafety had
agreed upon the raifing of a regiment for the fame pur
pofe i which was anticipating my application to that govern
ment. If commiffions (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 purpofe.
Sir,

78 GENERAL WASHINGTON'^
Si,k, Cambridge, Jan. 24, 1776*
THE commiffary-general being at length [^recovered']
from a long and painful illnefs, I have k in my power to
comply with the requifition of Congrefs, in forwarding an
eftimate of the expenfe attending his office, as alfo that of
the quarter-mafter-general.
You will pleafe to obferve that the commiffary, by his ac
count of the matter, has entered into no fpecial agreement
¦vi'ith any of the perfohs he has found occafion to employ
(as thofe, to whofe names fums are annexed, are of their
own fixing), but left it to Congrefs to afcertain their wages.
I fliall 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 tiie
extreme, however conformable it may be to cuftom and
ufage ; I therefore think that reafonable ftipends had better
be fixed upon. Both the quarter-mafter and commiffary ge-*
nerals a.ffure me that they do not emplciy a fingle perfon ufe-
lefsly : and as I have too good an opinion of them to thi:ik
they would deceive me, I believe them.
I ffiall take the liberty, in this place, of recommending the
expediency, indeed the abfolute neceffity, of appointing fit
and proper perfons to fettle the accounts of this army. To
do it with precifion, requires time, care, and attention : the
longer it is left undone, the more intricate they will be, the
more liable to error, and difiicult to explain and reftify ; — as
alfo the perfons in whofe hands they are -(if difpofed to take
undue advantage) wilf be lefs fubjeft to deteftlon. I have
been as attentive as the nature of my office would admit of,
in granting warrants for money on the paymafter : but it
would be abfolutely impoffible for me to go into an examin-
adon of fill the accounts incident to this army, and the
vo'achevs appertaining to them, without devoting fo large a
portion of r.iy time tp the bufinefs, as might not only proye
8 . .' .
** nijuiious^

^ OFFICIAL LETTERS.. 79
injurious, but fatal to it in other refpefts. This ought, iit
my humble opinion, to be the particular bufinefs of a feleft
committee of Congrefs, or one appointed by them, who,
once in three months at furtheft, ffiould make a fettlement
with the officers in the different departments.
Having met with no encouragement from the governments
of Maffachufetts and New-Hampffiire, from my application
for arms, and expefting no better from Connefticut and Rhode-
Ifland, I 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 ffiall
be informed as foon as they return.
Congrefs, in my laft, would difcover my motives for
ftrengthening thefe lines with the militia : but whether, — as
the weather turns out exceedingly mild, infomuch as to
promife nothing favorable from ice, — and no appearance of
powder, — I ffiall be able to attempt any thing decifive, time
only can determine. No man upon earth wiffies more ar
dently to deftroy the neft in Bofton, than I do : — no perfon
.would be willing to go greater lengths than I ffiall, to accom-
pUffi it, if it fliall be thought advifable. But if we have
neither powder to bombard with, nor ice to pafs on, we
ffiall be in no better fituation than we have been in all the
year: — we ffiall be worfc, becaufe their works are ftronger.
I have accounts frora Bofton, which I think raay be re
lied on, that general Clintou, with about four or five hun
dred men, hath left that place within thefe four days.
Whether this is part of the detachment which was making
up (as mentioned in my letter of the fourth inftant, and
then at Nantafket) or not, is not In my power to fay. If it
is defigned for New- York or Long-Ifland as fomp think,
throwing a body of troops there may prove a fortunate cir
cumftance.. If they go farther fouth agreeable to the con-
jeftures of others, I hope there will be men to receive
them. Notwithftanding the pofitive affertions of the four cap
tains

8o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
tains frora Portfmouth, noticed in my letter of the four'*
teenth, I am now convinced from feveral corroborating cir
cumftances, — the accounts of deferters, and of a lieutenant
Hill, of lord Percy's regiment, who left Ireland the fifth of
November, and was taken by a privateer from N;:wbury-
port, — that the feventeenth and fifty-fifth regiments are ar
rived at Bofton, and other troops at Halifax, agreeable to thfe
information of Hutchinfon and others. Lieutenant Hill
fays that the tranfports of two regiments only were forced
into Milford Haven.
Congrefs will think me a little remifs, I fear, when I in
form them that I have done nothing yet towards raifing the
batallion 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 expenfe, already great, in officers, to fet
two entire corps of officers on foot, when perhaps we ffiould
not add ten men a week by it to our prefent numbers. Ill
this opinion the general officers have concurred, which in
duced me to fufpend the matter a little longer. — Our enlift
ments, for the two laft weeks, have not amounted to a thou
fand men, and are dimlniffiing. 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
arrived here on a vifit. I ffiall take care that they be fo en-
tertaiaed during their ftay, that they may return impreffed
with fentiments of friendffiip for us, and alfo of our great
ftrength. One of them is colonel Louis, who honored mc
with a vifit once before.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. Si-
Sir, ' Cambridge, Jan, 30, 1776.
YOUR favors of the fixth and twentieth inftant
I received yefterday, with the feveral refolves of Congrefs
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
ftand in need of, I ffiould be happy, were it in my power to
, detach a batallion from this camp : but it cannot be done. On
the nineteenth inftant, I had the honor lo write to you, which
' will fully convey the refolutions of a council of war, and
the fentiments of the general officers here, as to the pro
priety and expediency of fending troops from thefe lines,
for tlie 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
ffiall not be wanting, to ftimulate the governments of Con
nefticut and New-Hampffiire to raife and forward rein
forcements as faft as poffible j nor in any other inftance
that will promote the expedition.
I fliall, in obedience to the order of Congrefs, though in-
terdifted by general Howe, propofe an exchange of go
vernor Skene for Mr. Lovell and family, and ffiall be happy
to have an opportunity of putting this deferving man (who
has diftinguiffied his fidelity and regard to his country to
be too great for perfecution and cruelty to overcome) in any
poft agreeable to his wiffies and inclination.
I do not know that there is any particular rank annexed
to the office of aide-de-camp. Generally they are captains,
and rank as fuch : but higher rank is often given on ac
count of particular merit and particular circumftances. —
Aides to the king have the rank of colonels. — Whether any
diftinftion ffiould be made between thofe of your command
er-in-chief and the other generals, I really know not : — I
think there ought.
You may rely that Conolly had inftruftions concealed in
, Vol. L G his

82 GENERAL WASHINGTON-*S
his faddle. Mr.,'* * * who was one of lord Dunmore's
family, and another gentleman who wiffies his name not to
be mentioned, faW them cafed in tin, put in the free, and
covered over. He probably has exchanged his faddle, or
withdrew the papers when it was mended, as you conjec
ture. Thofe that have been difcovered are fufficiently bad ;
but I doubt not of the others being worfe, 2nd containing
more diabohcal and exfenfive plans. I hope he will be taken
proper care of, and meet with rewards equal to his merits.
I ffiall appoint officers in the places of thofe who are in
Cai'nada, as I am fully perfuaded they will v.'iffi to continue
there, for making Our conqueft complete in that quarter. —
I wiffi their bravery and valor- may be attended with the
fmiles of fortune.
It gives me great pleafure to hear of the rneafures Con
grefs are taking for manufafturing powder. I hope their
endeavors will be crowned with fuccefs. I too -tvell know
and regret the want of it. It is fcarcely poffible to defcribe
the difadvantages an army muft labor under, when not pro
vided with a fufficient fupply of this neceffary. It may
feem ftrange, that, after having received about eleven tons,
added to about Uve ton? which I found here, and ne gene
ral aftion has happened, we ffiould be fo deficient in this
article, and require more But you will pleafe to confider,
that, befides its being in its nature fubjeft to wafte, and
(whilft the irien lay in bad tents) unavoidably d-amaged 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
hands) — the armed veffels, our own occafional firings, and
fome fmall fspplies I have been obliged to afford the fea-
port towns threatened with deftruftion, — to which may be
added fhe fupply to the militia, and going off pf the old
troops,^— have occafioned, and ever will, a large confump-
tion of it, and wafte, in fpite of all the care hi the world.
The king's' troops never have lefs than fixty rounds a man in

OFFICIAL LETTEig. 83
in their pcfffeffion, indeperideri't of their ftores. — To fupply
an atmy of twenty thoufand men in this manner, would take
neatf four Hundred barrels, allowing nothing for ftores, ar-
tJHefry, 5cc. ' I have been always afraid to place more than
tifrthe at fifteen rounds at a time In the hands of our men,
left, Eihy accident happening to it, we ffiottld be left defti
tute, aiid be undone.— I have been thus particular, not only
to ffiew our poverty, but to exculpate myfeif from eveft a
fufpicion of unneceffary wafte.
I ffiall inform the paymafter-ge'neral of the refolution ot
Congrefs refpefting his dratights, and the mode and account
of thera.
The companies at Chelfea and Maldert are and have al->^
•ways been regimented. — It was not my iriteniiori to replace
with coritinerifal troops the independent coriipariies at Hing
ham, Weymouth, and Btaintree. Thefe plaices are expofed,
but fiot more than Cape Ann, Beverly, Ssilem, Marbleheadj
&;c, &c, &c.
Is it the intention of Corigrefs that the officers of the army
ffiould pay poftage ?— They are not exempted by the refolvd
of the ninth inftant.
The Congrefs will be pleafed, I have no doubt, to recoU
left that the five hundred thoufand dollars, now comingj
are but little more fhari enough to bring us up to the firft
day of this month ; that tO-mof row will be the laft of it ;
and, by their refolves, the troops are to be paid monthly.
I wiffi it was in my power to furniffi Congrefs with fuch
a general as they defire, to fend to Canada, Since the un
happy reverfe of our afl^airs in that quarter, general Schuyleif
has informed me, that, though he had thoughts of declining
the fervice before, he w^ouldnowaft. Myletter of the eleventh
will inform thera of general Lee's being at New- York. He
will be ready to obey their orders, fliould they incline fo
fend him : but, if I am not greatly deceived, ha or fome
other fpirited able officer will be wanted there in the fpring,
if not fooner j as we have undoubted intelligence that genc-
G2 ral

U GENERAL WASHINGTON'^
ral Clinton has, failed with fome troops-— The reports of
their number are various, from between four and five hun
dred to nineteen companies of grenadiers and light infantry.
It is alfo imagined that the regiments, which were to fail
the firft of December, are Intended for that place or Virgi
nia.— General Putnam is a moft valuable man, and a fine
lexecutive 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 have obferved, having deter
mined to continue in the fervice, will, I expeft, repair into
Canada. — A copy of my letter to him, on this and other
fubjefts, I Inclofe you, as It will explain my motives for "not
flopping the regiments frora thefe governments.
When captain Cockran arrives, I will give him every af
fiftance in my power, in obedience to the orders of Con
grefs : but I fear it will be the means of laying up our own
yeffels, as thefe people will not bear the diftinftion. Should
this be the confequence, it will be highly prejudicial to us,
as we fometimes pick up their provifion^^veffels, and may
continue to diftrefs them in this way.
Laft week captain Manly took a ffiip and a brig bound to
Bofton from Whitehaven, with coals chiefly, and fome po
tatoes, for the army. — I have, for his great vigilance and in-
duftry, appointed hira commodore of our little fquadron;
and he now hoifts his flag on board the fchooner Hancock.
I congratulate you upon the recovery of Smith, and am
exceedingly glad to hear of the raeafures Congrefs are taking
for the general defence of the continent. The clouds thick
en faft : — where they will burft, I know not : but we ffiould
be armed at all points.
I have not fucceeded In my applications to thefe govern
ments for arms. They have returned for anfwer, that they
cannot furnifli any. — Whether I ffiall be more lucky in the
laft refource left me in this quarter, I cannot determine,
having not received returns from the officers fent out to
purchafe of the people. I greatly fear that but very few
will

OFFICIAL LETTERS., Si-
will be procured in this way, as they are exceedingly fcarce*
and but a fmall part pf what there are, fit for fervlqe.^-
When they make their report, you fliall be informed.
The qiiarter-mafter-general-has juft received froin gene
ral Schuyler clothing for the foldiery, amounting to about
feventeen hundred pound* York currency. It has come very
feafpnably, as they are in.,gr?at want, and will contribute
a little to their relief.
Since writing the above, I faw Mr. * * *, and mention
ing that nothing had been found in the tree of ConoUy's fad
dle, he told me there had been a miftake in the matter ; that
the inftruftions were artfully concealed on the two pieces
of wood which are on the mail-pillipn of his portmanteau-
faddle ; that, by order of lord Dunmore, he faw them con
trived for the purpofe, the papers put in, and firft 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. — I could wiffi them lo be
difcovered, as I think they contain fome curious and extrai-
ordinary plans.
7n my letter of the twenty-fourth inftant, I mejitioned th?
arrival of thirteen of our Caghnewaga friends, They ho
nored me with a talk to -day, as did three pf the tribes of the
St. John's and Pafmiquoddi Indians ;-!nCopies of which I
beg leave to inclofe you. — I ffiall write to general Scliuyler
refpefting the tender of fervice made by the former, and not
to call for their affiftance, unlefs he ffiall at any time want
it, or be under the neceffity of doing it to prevent their
taking the fide of our enemies,
I had the honor of writing you on the nineteenth of No
vember, and then I informed you of having engaged two
perfons to go to Nova-Scotia on the bufinefs recommended
in your letter of the tenth ; and alfo that the ftate pf the
army would not then admit pf a fufficient force being fent,
for carrying into executiori the yiews of Congrpfs refpefti
ing the dock-yards, 8fc. — r— I -vyould now beg leave to
G ¦'3 mention,

86 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
mention, that, if the perfons, f&nt for information, ffiould
report favorably of the expediency and prafticability of the
meafure, it will not be in my power IP detach a-ny.men'from
thefe lines ; the fituation of our affairs will not allow it, — I
think it would be advifable -to raife them in the eaftern
parts of this government. If it is attempted, it muft be by
people from the country. — A colonel * * * and a captain
* * ¦* have been with me ; — they think fhe men nec4ffary
may be eafily engaged there, and the meafure prafticable : —
provided there are not more than two hundred Britiffi troops
at Halifax, they are willing and ready to embark in- the matter,
upon the terms mentioned in their plan, which I inclofe
you. I would wiffi you to advert to the confiderations in
ducing them to- the expedition, as I am not without appre
henfion, ffiould it be undertaken upon their plan, that the
innocent and guilty will be involved in one common ruin. —
I prefume they do not expeft to receive more than the five
or ten thoufand pounds mentioned in their fcheme, and to
be at every expenfe. — If we had men to fpare, it might be
undertaken for lefs than either, I conceive. — Perhaps, If
Congrefs do not adopt their propofition, they will undertake
to raife men for that particular purpofe, who may be dif
banded as foon as it is effefted, and upon the fame terms
that are allowed the continental troops in general. ^-What
ever may be the determination of Congrefs upon the fubjeft,
you win pleafe to communicate it to me immediately : for
the feafon moft favorable for the enterprife is advancing
faft ; and we may expeft in the fpring, that there will be
more troops there, and the me fure be more difficult tp exe-
cut^.— I have the honor to be, &c, G. Y{,

SiRs Cgmbri.lgc, Feb. 9, 1776,
THE purport of this letter will be illrefted to a fingle
objeft :— through you, I mean to lay h before Congrpfs \
and— at the fame time that I beg their ferious attention to
the

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 87
the fubjeft,— to afk pardon for intruding an opinion, not
only unaflced, but, in fome meafure, repugnant to. their re
folves. The difadvantages attending the limited eniiftment of
troops are too apparent to thofe who are eye-witneffts of
them, to render any animadverficns neceffary : but to gen
tlemen at a diftance, whofe attention is. engroffed by a thou
fand important objefts, the cafe may be otherwife.
That this caufe precipitated the fate of the brave and
much-to-be-lamented general Montgomery, and brought on
the defeat which folloived thereupon*.. I have not the moft
diftant doubt: — for, had he not been' apprehenfive of the
troops leaving him at fo important a crifis, but continued
the blockade of Quebec, a capitulation (from the beft ac
counts I have been able to colleft) muft inevitably have fol
lowed. And that we were not at one time obliged to dif-
pute thefe lines under difadvantageous circumftances (pro
ceeding from the fame caufe, to wit, the troops diffianding
of themfelves before, the militia could be got in), is to me a
matter of wonder and aftoniffiment ; and proves that gene
ral Howe was either unacquainted with our fituation, or
rettrained by his inftruftions frora putting any thing to a
hazard till his reinforcements ffiould arrive.
The inftance cf general Montgomery — (I mention it, be
caufe it is a ftriking one ; — for a number of others might
be adduced) — proves, that, inftead of having men to take
advantage of circumftances, you are in a manner compelled,
right or wrong, to make circumftances yield to a fecondary
confideration. Since the firft of December, I have been de-
vifing every means in my power to fecure thefe encamp
ments; and, though I am fenfible that we never have, fince
that period, been able to aft upon the offenfive, and at times
not in a condition to defend, yet the coft of marching home
one fet of men, — ^bringing iir another, — the havoc and wafte
occafioned by the firft, — the repairs neceffary for the fecond,
-~with a thoufand incidental charges and inconveniences
G 4 which

88 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
which have arifen, and which it is fcarce poffible either to
recolleft or defcribe, — amount to near as much, as the keep
ing up a refpeftable body of troops the whole time, ready
for any emergency, would have done. — To this may be
added, that you never can have a well-difciplined army.
To bring mpn well acquainted with the duties of a foldier,
requires time.^ To bring them under proper difcipline and
fubordination, not only requires time, hut is a work of great
difficulty, and, in this army where there is fo little diftinc-
tion between the officers and foldiers, requires an un
common degree of attention. To expeft then the fame
fervice from raw and undlfciplined recruits as from veteran
foldiers, is to -expeft what never did and perhaps never will
happen. IVitn who are familiarifed to danger meet it with
out flirinking ; whereas thofe who have never feen 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 reward,— and fear of
punifliment. The two firft are common to the untutored
and the difciplined foldier : but the latter moft obvioufly
diftinguiffies the one from the other. A coward, v/hen
taught to believe, that, if he breaks his ranks and abandons
his colors, he will be punlffied with death by his own
party, — will take his chance againft the enemy : but a man
who thinks little of the one, and is fearful of the other, afts
from prefent feelings, regardlefs of confequences.
Again, men of a day's ftanding will not look forward :
and from experience we find, that, as the time approaches
for their difcharge, they grow carelpfs of their arms, ammu
nition, camp utenfils, &c. Nay even the barracks them
felves have felt uncommon marks of wanton depredation,
and lay us under frefli trouble and additional expenfe in
providing for every freffi fet, when we 'find it next to im
poffible fo procure fuch articles as are abfolutely neceffary
in the firft inftance. To this may be added the feafoning
which new recrufts muft have to a camp, and the lofs con-
fequent

OFFICIAL LETTERS, %
fequent thereupon. But this is not alh — Men, engaged for
a ffiort limited time only, have the officers too much in their
power: for, to obtain a degree of popularity in order to in
duce a fecond eniiftment, a kind of familiarity t-akes place,
which brings on a relaxation of difcipline, unlicenfed furr
loughs, 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 enuineration of all the evils we have expe
rienced in this late great change of the army, and the ex
penfes incidental to it, — to fay nothing of the hazard we
have run, and muft run, bet-yveen the difcharging of one
jirray and eniiftment of anothpr, unlefs an enormous ex
penfe of militia is incurred,— would greatly exceed the
bound? of a letter. What I have already taken the liberty
pf faying will fervp to convey a general idea of the matter ;
and therefore I ffiall, with all due deference, take the freer
dom to give it as my opinion, that, if the Congrefs have
any reafon to believe that there will be opcafion for trooog
another year, and confequently of another eniiftment, 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 eftabliffiment, for
and during fhe war. I will not undertake to fay that the
men can be had upon thefe terms : but I am fatisfied 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 and
perplexity of diffianding one army and raifing 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 ft.ould differ from me in fentiment upon thisi
poipt,

90 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
point, I have only to beg that they will do me the juftice to
believe, that I have nothing more in view- than what to me
-appears necefTary to advance the public weal, although in the
firft inftance it will be attended with a capital expenfe;—
and that I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Cambridge, Feb. g, 1776.
IN compliance with the refolves of Congrefs, I have
applied to general Howe for the exchange of Mr. Lovell, A
copy of my letter, and his anfwer thereto, you have in
clofed. 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 water, and forty fuits of bedding, bound from La Have
in Nova-Scotia, for Bofton. She is one of the tranfports in
the minifterial fervice. The eapt-aln fays that he was at Ha
lifax, the feventeenth of January, and that general Maffey
was arrived there with two regiments from Ireland.
The different prizes -v^cxt all libelled imraediately on the
receipt of the refolves of Congrefs pointing out the mode; but
none of them yet brought to trial, owing to a difference be
tween the law paffed in this province, and the refolutions of
Congrefs. The general court are making an amendment to
their law, by which the difficulties that now occur ivill be
removed, as I underftand it is to be made conformable to
your refolves. The unavoidable delay attending the bring
ing the captures to trial is grievoufly complained of by the
mafters of thefe veffels, as well as the captors. Many of the
former have applied for liberty to go away without waiting
the decifion, — vvhich I have granted them.
I beg leave to recall the attention of Congrefs to their ap
pointing a commiffary in thefe parts, to attend the providing
of neceffaries for the prifoners who are difperfed in thefe
provinces. Complaints are made by fome of them, that they are

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 91
are In -want of bedding and many other things. As I un
derftand that Mt. Franks has undertaken that bufinefs, I
-w'iffi he was ordered to fend a deputy immediately to fee that
the prifoners get what is aUowed them by Congrefs ; alfo to
fupply the officers with money as they may have occafion.
It would fave me much time and mu'Ji trouble.
There are 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 feafon is flipping faft away
when they may be of fervice.
The demands of the army were fb very preffing before
your laft remittance came to hand, that I was under the ne
ceffity of borrowing twenty- five thoufand pounds lawful mo
ney from this province. They very cheerfully lent it, and
paffed a vote for as much more, if required. I have not
¦repaid the fum borrowed, as I may ftand in need of it before
the arrival of another fupply, which the demands of the
commiffary-general, quartermafter-general, 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 my co'n-
duft hath met the approbation of Congrefs. I am entirely
of your opinion, that, ffiould an accommodation take place,
the terms will be fevere or favorable in proportion to our
abillfv to refift, and that we ought to be on a refpeftable
footlna; to receive their armaments in the fpring. But how
far wc fiiall be provided with the means, is a matter I prOf
fefs not to knoM', under my prefent unha-ppy want of arras,
ammunition, and, 1 may add, men, — -as our regimentsare
very incomplete. The recruiting goes on very (low, 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 rnen. They really are not to be had in thefe
governments (belonging to the public) ; and if fome method
is not fallen upon, .in the foutherii goycinments, to fupply us.

92 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
us, we fliall be in a diftreffed fituation for want of them.
There are near two thoufand men now in camp without fire
locks.— I have wrote fo the committee of New-York this
day, requefting them to fend me thofe arms which were
taken from the difaffefted in that government. The Con
grefs interefting themfelves in this requeft will doubtlefs have
a good effeft. I have fent officers into the country, with
money to purchafe arms in the different towns. Some have
Returned, and brought in a few : — many are ftill out: — what
their fuccefs will be, I cannot determine.
I was in great hopes that the expreffes, refolved to be
eftabliflied between this place and Philadelphia, would ere
now have been fixed. It would, in my opinion, rather fave
than increafe the expenfe ; as many horfes are deftroyed by
one m,an coming the whole way. It will certainly be more
expeditious, and fafer, than writing by fhe poft or private
hands, which I am often under the neceffity of doing.
I am, with great refpeft, &c. G. W,

Sir, Cambridge, Feb. 9, 1 776.
I BEG leave to inform you, at the requeft of the
committee of pay-table of the colony of Connefticut, that
1 have not advanced, fo any of the regiments from that go
vernment, any money except the fum of feven thoufand
one hundred and feventy-two dollars and one-ninth on the
twentieth of November laft fo major general Putnam, for
the thirty-fourth regiment under his command. I fliould
have paid t'ltm in the fame manner I did the reft of the
army, had I not been prevented by the colonels, who ex
preffed their inclination fp receive the whole at once upon
their return'home at the expiration pf fervice, as was cuflo-
mary in their colony. For this reafpn, I never included
them in my eftimates pf money, and have made no provifion
for their p;!yment, always im.igining that whatever payments
the colony made them, Congrefs would apply tp tiieir credit ill

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 93
in the general account againft the United Colonies, or re
fund upon application,
I have the honor to be. Sec. G, W.

Sir, Cambridge, Feb. 14, 1776.
THROUGH you, I beg leave to lay before Con
grefs the inclofed letter from lord Drummond to general Ro-
bertfon, which came to my hands a few days ago in order
to be fent into Bofton,
As I never heard of his lordffiip being vefted with power
to treat with Congrefs upon the fubjeft of our grievances,
nor of his having laid any propofitions before them for an
accommodation, I confefs if furprifed me much, and led me
to forra various conjeftures of his motives, and intended ap
plication fo general Howe and admiral Shuldham for a pafl^
port for fhe fafe-conduft of fuch deputies as Congrefs might
appoint for negotiating terms of reconciliation between Great
Britain and us.' — Whatever his intentions are, however be
nevolent his defigns may be, I confefs that his letter has em-
barraffed me much ; and I am not without fufpicion of its
meaning more than the generous purpofes it profeffes, I
ffiould fuppofe, that, if the mode for negotiation, which he
points out, ffiould be adopted (which I hope will never be
thought of), if ought to have been fixed and fettled previous
to any application of this fort; and at beft, that his conduft in
this inftance is premature and officious, and leading to con
fequences of a fatal and injurious nature to the rights of this
eountiry. His zeal and defire perhaps of an amicable ahd
conftitutional adjuftment's faking 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 fhe exprefs direftion of Congrefs for that purpofe ;
and that it was my Indifpenfable duty to tranfmit them the
original, to make fuch interpretations and inferences as they
may think right.
o Meffrs.

94 GENERAL WASHINQTOK'S
Meffi-3. Willard and Child, who were fent to Nova-Scotis
in purfuance of the refolve of Congrefs, have Juft returned,
and made their report, which I do myfeif' the honor to in
clofe you. They have not anfwered the purpofes of their
commiffion by any means, as they only went a little way into
that country, and found their intelligence upon fhe informa
tion of others. You will fee the reafons they affign in ex
cufe or jttftification of their conduft, in the report itfelf.
Laft night a party of regulars, . faid to be about five hun
dred, landed on Dorchefter neck, and burned fome of the
houfes there, which were of no value fo us ; rior would they
have been, unlefs we take poft there : they then might beof
fbme fervice. A detachment went after them as foon as the
fire was difcwvered : but, before it could arrive, they had exe
cuted tiieir plan, and made their retreat.
Inclofed is a letter for David Franks efquire, from Mr.
Chamier in Bofton, upon the fubjeft ofviftualling fuch of tire
king's troops as may be prifoners within fhe limits of his
contraft, 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 wiffi, too, that Congrefs would fall upon
fbme m.ode for fupplying the officers with fuch money as
they may really ftand in need of, and depute proper per
fons for that purpofe, and furniffiing th'c privates with fuch
clothing as may be abfolutely neceffary. I am applied to,
and wearied by their repeated requefts. In fbme inftances
I have defired the committees to give fhe prifoners within
their appointments what they ffiould judge abfolutely ne
cefiary for their fupport, — as the only means in my power of
relieving their diftrefs. But I imagine, that, if there were
perfons to fuperintend this bufinefs, their wants would be
better attended to, and many exorbitant charges prevented
and f.ived to the continent ; and the whole would then be
brought into, a proper account.
I 2m, fir, with great efteem, &c. G. W.
P is. I fend a return of the ftrength of the regiments.
8 Sir,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. ff
Sir, Cambridge, Feb, 18, J 776.'
THE late free2ing weather having formed fome
pretty ftrong ice from Dorchefter point to Bofton neck, and
from Roxbury to the Common, thereby affording a more ex
panded and confequently a lefs dangerous approach to the
town, I could not help thinking, — notwithftanding the mi
litia were not all come in, and we had little or no powder to
begin our operation by a regular cannonade or bombard
ment, — that a bold and refolute affault upon the troops in
Bofton wifh fuch men as we had (for if 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 profpeft of a fupply of
powder on the one hand, and a certain diffolution of the ice
on the other, I called the general officers together, for their
opinion, agreeably to the refolve of Congrefs, of the twenty-
fecond of December,
The refult will appear in the inclofed council of war ;
and, being almoft unanimous, I muft fuppofe it to be right ;
although, from a thorough conviftlon of the neceffity of at
tempting fomething againft the minifterial troops before a
reinforcement ffiould arrive, and ¦while we were favored
with the ice, I was not only ready, but willing, and defirous
of making the affault, under a firm hope (if the men wotild
have ftood by me) of a favorable iffue, notwithftanding the'
enemy's advantage of ground, artillery, &c.
Perhaps the irkfomenefs of my fituation may have given
different ideas to me, than thofe which influenced the gentle
men I confulted, and might have incliried me to put more
to the hazard, than was confiftent with prudence : — If it had,
I am not fenfible of it, as I endeavored to give it all the
confideration that a matter of fueh importance required.
True it is, and I cannot help acknowledging, that I have
many difagreeable fenfations on account of my fituation :
for,

g6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'^
for, to have the eyes of the whole continent fixed with anxi
ous expeftation of hearing of fome great event, — and to be
reftrained in every military operation, for want of the ne
ceffary means of carryuig it on, —is not very pleafing, efpecially
as the means, ufed to conCeal my weaknefs from the enemy,
conceal it alfo from our friends, and add to their Wondet.
I do not utter this by way of complaint. I am fenfible
that all that the Congrefs could do, they have done ; and I
ffiould feel moft powerfully the weight of confclous ingrati
tude, were I not to acknowledge this. But as We have ac
counts of the arrival of powder in captain Mafon, I would
beg to have it fent on in fhe moft expeditious manner :
otherwife we not only lofe all chance of the benefits refult-
ing from the feafon, but of fhe militia, who are brought in
at a moft enormous expenfe, upon a prefumption that -we
fliould, long ere this, have been amply fupplied with powder,
under the contrafts entered into with the committee of
Congrefs. The militia, contrary to an exprefs requifition, are come
and coming in without ammunition. To fupply them aloue
with twenty-foiir rounds (which is lefs, by three fifths
than the regulars are ferved with) will fake 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
ftore not more than about fixty barrels, befides a few rounds
of cannon cartridges ready filled for ufe. This, fir, Con
grefs may be affured, is a true ftate of our powder, and will,
I hope, bear fome teftimony of my incapacity for aftion in
fuch a way as may do any effential fervice.
February 21.  When I began this letter, I propofed to
have fent it by exprefs. But recoUefting that all my late
letters have been as expreffive of ray want of powder and
arms as I could paint them, and that Mr. Hooper was.to fet
off in a day or two, I thought it unneceffary fo run the con-
tineift fo the expenfe of an exprefs, merely to repeat what I
had

OFFICIAL LETTERS. $f
had fo often done before, when I am certain that Congrefs,
knowing our neceffities, will delay no time that can poffibly
be avoided in fupplying them.
My duty is offered to Congrefs ; and, with great refpeft
and efteem, I haye the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Hearing of the arrival of a fmall parcel of powder
in Connefticut, I have been able to obtain three thoufand
weight of it, which is in addition to the fixty barrels before
mentioned.

Sir, Cambridge, Feb. 26, 1776.
I Had the honor of addreffing you on the eighteenth
and twenty-firft inftant, by Mr. Hooper; fince which, no
thing material has occurred.
We areraaking every neceffary preparation for faking poffef
fion of Dorchefter heights as foon as poffible, with a view of
drawing the enemy out. How far our expeftations may be
anfwered, time only can determine : but I ffiould think, if any
thing will induce thera to hazard an engagement, it will be
our attempting to fortify thefe heights ; as, on that event's
taking place, we ffiall he able to command a great part of the
town and almoft, the whole harbor, and to make them ra
ther difagreeable than otherwife, provided we can get a fuf
ficient fupply of what we greatly want.
Within thefe .three or four days, I have received fundry
accounts from Bofton, of fuch movements there, — (fuch as
taking the mortars from Bunker's hill,— the putting them,
with feveral pieces of heavy ordnance, on board of ffiip,
with a quantity of bedding, — the ffiips 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 fhe town
generally believe that they are' about to remove either to
New- York or Virginia, and that every veffel in the harbor
on tuefday laft was taken up for government's fervice, and
Vol. I. H two

98 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
two months' pay advanced them. Whether they really iri'
tend to embark, or whether fhe whole is a feint, is impoffible
for me to tell. However I have thought it expedient to fend
an exprefs to general Lee, fo inform him of if — (in order
that he may not be taken by furprife, if their deftination
ffiould be againft New- York), — and continued hira on fo
you. If they do embark, I think the poffeffing* themfelves of
that place, and of fhe North river, is the objeft they havs
in view, thereby fecuring the communication with Canada,
and rendering the intercourfe between the northern and
fouthern United Colonies exceedingly precarious and diffi
cult. To prevent them from effefting their plan, is a mat
ter of the higheft importance, and will require a large and
refpeftable army, and the moft vigilant and judicious ex
ertions. Since I wrote by Mr. Hooper, fome fmall parcels of pow
der have arrived from Connefticut, which will give us a little
affiftance. On thurfday night a party of our men at Roxbury made
the enemy's out-centries, confifting of a corporal and two
privates, prifoners, without firing a gun or giving the leaft
alarm. I ffiall be as attentive to the enemy's motions as I can, and
obtain all the intelligence in my power ; and, if I find them
embark, ffiall in fhe moft expeditious manner detach a part
of the light troops fo New-York, and repair thither myfeif
if circumftances ffiall require it. I ffiall be better able fo
judge what to do, when the raatter happens. At prefent, I
can only fay that I will do every thing that ffiall appear pro
per and neceffary.
Your letter jof the twelfth inftant, by colonel Bull, came
to hand yefterday evening : and I ffiall, agreeable fo your
recomraendafion, pay proper notice to him. — The fupply
of caffi came very feafonably, as our treafury was juft ex
haufted, and nothing can be done here without it.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

OFFICIAL LETTERS.' 99
P. S. This was intended to have been fent by exprefs :
tut meeting with a private opportunity, the exprefs was
countermanded.

Sir, Cambridge, March 7, 1 776.
ON the twenty-fixth ultimo I had fhe honor of addreff
ing you, and then mentioned that we were making prepara
tions for taking poffeffion of Dorchefter heights. — I now beg
leave to inform you, that, a council of general officers hav
ing determined a previous botabardment and cannonade ex
pedient and proper, in order fo harrafs the enemy and divert
their attention from that quarter,— on faturday, funday, and'
monday nights laft, we carried thera on frora our pofts at
Coble-hill, Leechmore's- point, and Lam's-dara. Whether
they did fhe eneray any confiderable and what injury, I have
not yet heard, but have the pleafure to acquaint you that they
greatly facilitated our fcheraes, and would have been attended
with fuccefs equal to our moft fanguine expeftations, 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 attribute this misfor
tune, I know not, — whether fo any defeft in them, or to the
inexperience of the bombardiers. But to return, — on mon
day evening, as foon as our firing commenced, a confider
able detachment of our men, under the command of briga
dier-general Thomas, croffed fhe neck, and took poffeffion of
the two hills, without the leaft interruption or annoyance
from the enemy ; and by their great aftivity and induftry,
before the morning, advanced the ( works fo far as to be fe
cure againft their ffiot. They are now going on with fuch
expedition, that in a little time I hope they will be complete,
and enable our troops ftationed there to make a vigorous and
pbftinate ftand. During fhe whole cannonade, which was
inceflant the laft two nights, we were fortunate enough to
lofe but two men, — one, a lieutenant, by a cannon ball's
H 2 taking

too GENERAL WASHINGTON'S,
taking off his thigh,— the other, a private, by the explo.lon
of a ffiell, which alfo flightly wounded four or five more.
Our faking poffeffion of Dorchefter heights is only prepa
ratory to taking poft on Nuke-hill, and the points oppofite
the fouth end of Bofton. It was abfolutely neceffary that'
they ffiould be previoufly fortified, in order to cover and com
mand them. As foon as the works on fhe former are finiffi-
ed and complete, raeafures will be immediately adopted for
fecuring the latter, and making thera as ftrong and defenfi-
ble as we can. Their contiguity fo the enemy will make
them of much importance, and of great fervice to us.
As mortars are effential, and indifpenfably neceffary for
carrying on our operations, and for the profecution of our
plans, I have applied to two furnaces to have fome thirfeen-
jnch ones caft with all expedition imaginable, and am en
couraged to hope, from the accounts I have had, that they
will be able to do it. When they are done, and a proper
fupply of powder obtained, I flatter myfeif, from the pofts
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 thera in fome way that will be of advantage to us.
I think from thefe pofts they will be fo galled and annoyed,
that they muft either give us battle or quit their prefent
poffeffions. I am refolved that nothing on my part ffiall be
wanting, to effeft the one or the other.
It having been the general opinion that the enemy would
attempt to diflodge 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 ffiould be applied to, to or
der in the militia from the neighboring and adjacent towns.
I wrote to them on the fubjeft, which they moft readily com
plied with : and, ^in juftice fo the militia, I cannot but in
form you that they came in at fhe appointed time, and mani-
fefted the greateft alertnefs, and determined refolution to
have afted like men engaged in the caufe of freedom.
¦ ' When

OFFICIAL LETTERS. ¦ loi
"When the eneray firft difcovered our works in the morn
ing, they feeraed to be in great confufion, and, frora their
movements, to have intended an attack. It is much to be
wiffied that it had been made : the event, I think, muft have
been fortunate, and nothing lefs than fuccefs and viftory on
our fide, as our officers and men appeared impatient for the
appeal, and to have poffeffed the moft animated fentiments
and determined refolution.
On tuefday evening a confiderable number of their troops
embarked on board of their tranfports, and fell down to the
caftle, where part of therh 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 this embarkation and landing, I have not been abk
to learn. It would feem as if they meant an attack ; for it is
moft probable, that, if they make one on our works at Dor
chefter at this time, they will firft go to the caftle, and come
from thence. If fuch was their defign, a violent ftorm that
night, and which lafted till eight o'clock the next day, ren
dered the execution of it impraftlcable. It carried one or
two of their veffels a-ffiore, which have fince got off.
In cafe fhe minifterial troops had made an attempt to dif
lodge our men from Dorchefter hills, and the number de-?
tached upon fhe occafion had been fo great as to have afford
ed a probability of a fucccfsful attack's being made upon
Bofton, — on a fignal given from Roxbury for that purpofe,
agreeable to a fettled and concerted plan, four thoufand
chofen men, who were held in readinefs, were to have era-
barked at fhe mouth of Carabridge river, in two divifions,
the firft under the command of brigadier-general Sullivan,
the fecond under brigadier-general Greene, — fhe whole to
have been commanded by major-general Putnam. The firft
divifion was to land at the powder-houfe, and gain poffeffion
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 fhe enemy's gates and
H 3 works

102 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
works at fhe neck, for letting in fhe 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, had an oppor^
lunity offered for attempting the execution, Is impoffible for
me to fay : nothing lefs than experiment could determine
with precifion. The plan was thought to be well digefted ;
and, as far as I could judge from the cheerfulnefs and ala
crity which diftinguiffied fhe officers and men who were to
engage in fhe enterprife, I had reafon to hope for a favor^
able and happy iffue.
The militia who were ordered in from the adjacent towns
brought with them three days' provifion. They were only
called upon to aft under the idea of an attack's being im
mediately made, and were all difcharged this afternoon.
I beg leave to remind Congrefs that three major-generals
are effential and neceffary for this army; and that, by ge
neral Lee's being called from hence to the comraand in
Canada, the left divifion is without one. I hope they vvill
fill up the vacancy by the appointment of another. Gene
ral Thomas is the firft brigadier, ftands fair In point of re
putation, and is efteemed a brave and good officer. If he
is promoted, there will be a vacancy in the brigadier-gene
rals, which it will be neceffary fo fupply by fhe appoint
ment of fome other gentleraan that ffiall be agreeable fo
Congrefs : but juftice requires me to mention that William
Thompfon, efquire, of the rifle regiment, is the firft colonel
in this departnient, and, as far as 1 have had an opportunity
of judging, is a good officer and a man of courage. What I
have faid of thefe two gentlemen, I conceived to' be my duty,
at the fame time acknowledging, whatever promotions are
made will be fatisfaftory to me.
March 9.  Yefterday evening, a captain Irvine, who
efcaped from Bofton the night before with fix of his crew,
came to head quarters, and gave the following intelli
gence,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 103
gence : — " That our bombardment and cam^ionade caufed a
great deal of furprife and alarm in town, as many of the fol
diery faid they never heard or thought we had mortars or
ffiells ; — that feveral of the officers acknowledged they were
well and properly direfted ; — that they made much diftrefs
and confufion ; — that the cannon-ffiot, 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 fhe barracks on fhe
neck; — that a foldier, who came from the lines there on
tuefday morning, informed hira that twenty men had been
wpunded the night before ;^(it was reporte<jl that others
were alfo hurt, and one of the light-horfe torn to pieces by
the explofion of a ffiell : this was afterwards contradifted:)
— that, early on tuefday morning, admiral Shuldham,
difcovering the works our people were throwing up on Dor
chefter heights, immediately fent an exprefs fo general Howe,
to inform him that it was neceffary they ffiould be attacked
and diflodged from thence, or he would be under the necef
fity of withdrawing the ffiips from the harbor, which were
under his comraand ; — that preparations were direftly made
for that purpofe, as it was faid ; and, from twelve to two
o'clock, about three thoufand^ men embarked on board the
tranfports, which fell down fo tlie caftle with a defign of land
ing on that part of Dorchefter next to it, and attacking our
works on fhe heights at five o'clock next morning ;— that
lord Percy was appointed to command ; — that it was gene
rally believed the attempt would have been made, had it not
been for the violent ftorm which happened that night, as I
have mentioned before ; — that he heard feveral of the pri
vates, and one or two fergeants, fay as they were embark
ing, that it would be another Bunker's-hill affair."
He further informs  " that, fhe army is preparing to
leave Bofton, and that they will do it in a day or two ; — ¦
that the tranfports neceffary for their pmbaAatlon were
getting ready with the utmoft expedition ;— that there had
been great movements and confufion among the troops, the
H 4 nighl

104 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
night and day.preceding his coming out, in hurrying down
their cannon, artillery and other ftores, to the wharfs, with
the utmoft precipitation ; and they were putting them on
hoard fhe -ffiips In fuch hafte, that no account or memoran
dum was taken of them ; — that moft of the cannon were
removed from their works, and embarked or embarking ; —
that he heard a woman fay, whom he took to be an officer's
¦yi'ife, that ffie had feen men go under the ground at the
lines on the neck, without returning ; — that the ffiip he
commanded was taken up, places fitted, and fitting, for of-.
ficers to lodge, and feveral fliot, fliells, and cannon, already
on board ; — that fhe tories were to have the liberty of going
where they pleafe, if they can get feamen to man the veffels,
of whom there was a great fcarcity ; — that, on that ac
count, many veffels could not be carried away, and would
be burned ; — that many of the Inhabitants apprehended the
town would be deftroyed ; and that it was generally thought
their deftination is Halifax."
The account given by captain Irvine, as to the embarka»
tion, and their being about to leave the town, I believe true.
There are other circumftances corroborating ; and it feems
fully confirmed by a paper figned by four of fhe feleft- men
of the town (a copy of which 1 have the honor to inclofe
you), which was brought out yefterday evening by a flag,
and delivered to colonel Learned, by major Baffet of the
tenth regiment, ¦vvho defired it might, be delivered me as
foon as poffible. I advifed with fuch of the general officers
upon the occafion as I could immediately affemble ; and we
deterrained it right (as it was n^t addreffed to me or any
one elfe, nor authenticated by fhe fignature of general
Kov/e, or any other aft obliging him fo a perforraance of
the promife mentioned on his part) that I ffiould give it no
anfwer ; at the fame time, that a letter ffiould be returned,
as going from colonel Learned, fignifylng his having laid
it before me,— :with fhe reafons affigned for not anfwering
it. — A copy of this is fent, To-nighl;

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 105
To-night I fhall have a battery thrown up on Nuke-hill
(Dorchefter point) with a defign of afting as circuraftances
may require ; it being judged advifable to profecute our
plans of fortification, as we intended before this information
frora the feleft-men came.
It being agreed on all hands that there is no poffibility of
ftopping them in cafe they determine to go, — I ffiall order
look-outs to be kept upon all the head-lands, to difcover
their movemeiits and courfe, and u.oreover direft commo
dore Manly and his little fquadron to dog them, as well for
the farae purpofe as for picking up any of their veffels that
may chance to depart their convoy, Frora their loading
wifh fuch precipitancy, it is prefumable they will not be in
the beft condition for fea.
If the minifteria.l troops evacuate the town and leave it
ftanding, I have thoughts of taking raeafures for fortifying
the entrance into the liarbor, if it ffiall be thought proper,
and the fituation of aftairs will admit of It.
Notwithftanding the report from Bofton thtit Halifax is
the place of their deftination, I have no doubt but that they
are going fo the fouthward of this, — and, I apprehend, to
New-York. Many reafons lead fo this opinion : it is in
fbme meafure corroborated by their fending an exprefs ffiip
there, which, on wednefday week, got on ffiore and bilged
at Cape-Cod. The difpatches, if written, were deftroy
ed when ffie was boarded. She had a parcel of coal, and
about four thoufand cannon-ffiot, fix carriage-guns, a fwlvel
or two, and three barrels of powder.
I ffiall hold fhe riflemen and other parts of our troops In
readinefs 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 raay be ample, and
forwarded wifh all poffible expedition.
On the fixth inftant, a ffiip bound from London, with
ftores for the minifterial army, confifting of coal, porter,
and krout, feh in with our armed veffels, four of them in
company,

i,o6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
company, and was carried into Portfmouth, She had had a
long paffage, and of courfe brought no papers of a late date.
The only letters of importance, or in the Ieaft interefting,
that were found, I have inclofed.
I beg leave to mention to Congrefs that money is much
wanted. The militia from thefe governments, engaged till
the firft of April, are then to be paid : and, if we march
from hence, the expenfe will be very confiderable, muft be de
frayed, and cannot be accompliffied without it. The neceffity
of making the earlieft remittance for thefe purpofes is too
obvio-ns, for me to add more.
When I wrote that part of this letter which is antecedent
to this date, I fully expefted it would have gone before no-w
by colonel Bull, not deeming it of fufficient importance fo
fend a fpecial meffenger. But he deferred his return from
time to time, and never fet off fill fo-day. Thefe reafons I
hope will excufe the delay, and be received as a proper apo-p
logy for not tranfmitting it fooner.
I iiave the honor to be, &c. G. W,

Sir, Cambridge, March 13, 1 7 76.
IN my letter of the feventh and ninth inftant
¦Vfhich 1 had the honor of addreffing you, I mentioned the
intelligence I had received refpefting the embarkation of the
troops from Bofton; and fully expefted, before this, that
the town would have been entirely evacuated. Although I
have been deceived, and was rather premature in the opi
nion I had then formed, I have little, reafon to doubt but the
event will take place in a very ffiort time, as other accounts
which have come to hand fince, of the failing of a great num
ber of tranfports from the harbor to Nantaflcet road, and many
circumftances correfponding therewith, feem fo confirm and
render it unqueftionable.
Whether the town will be deftroyed, is a matter of much
uncertainty : but it would feem, from the deftruftion they

OFFICIAL LETTERS. loy
are making of fundry pieces of furniture, of many of their
waggons, carts, &c, which they cannot take with thera as it
is faid, that it will not; for, if they Intended It, the whole
might be involved in one general ruin.
Holding it of the laft importance In the prefent conteft
that we ffiould fecure New- York, and prevent the enemy
from poffeffing it, — and conjefturmg they have views of that
fort, and their embark-.ition to be for that purpofe, — I
judged it neceffary, under the fituation of things here, to call
a council of general officers to confult of fuch raeafures as
might be expedient to be taken at this interefting conjunc
ture of affairs. A copy of the proceedings I have the honor
to inclofe you.
Agreeable to the opinion of the council, I ffiall detach
the rifle regiment to-morrow, under the command of briga
dier-general Sullivan, with orders to repair to New- York
with all poffible expedition ; — yvhich 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 fliall have quitted the town. Immediately upon
their departure, I ftiall fend forward major-general Putnam,
and follow myfeif with the remainder of the army as foon as
I have it in my power, — leaving here fuch a number of meii
as circumftances rnay feem to require.
As fhe badnefs of the roads at thjs feafon will greatly re
tard fhe march of our men, I have, by advice of the general
officers, wrote to governor Trumbull by this exprefs, to ufe
his utmoft exertions for throwing a reinforcement of two
thoufand men into New-York, from the weftern parts of
Connefticut, — and to the commanding officer there, to ap
ply fo the provincial convention or comraittee of fafety of
New- Jerfey, for a thoufand more for the fame purpofe, to
pppofe the enemy and prevent their getting poffeffion in
cafe they arrive before the troops from hence can get there ;
of which there Is a probability, unlefs they are impeded by
contrary winds. This meafure, though it may be attended
, ' with

io8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S '
with confiderable expenfe, I flatter myfeif, will meet with
the approbation of Congrefs. — ^Paft experience, and fhe lines
in Bofton and on Bofton neck, point out the propriety, and
fuggeft the neceffity of keeping our enemies from gaining
poffeffion and making a lodgement.
Should their deftination be fiirfher fouthward, or for Ha
lifax (as reported in Bofton) for the purpofe of going into
Canada,— the march of our troops fo New- York will place
them nearer the fcene of aftion, and more convenient for
affording fuccours.
We have not taken poft on Nuke-hill, and fortified it,
as mentioned that we ffiould, in my laft. On hearing that
the enemy were about fo refteaf and leave the town, it was
thought imprudent and unadvifable to force thera with too
much precipitation, that, we might gain a little time, and
prepare for a march. To-morrow evening we ffiall take
poffeffion, unlefs they are gone.
As New-York is of fuch importance, — prudence and po
licy require that every precaution that can be devifed ffiould
be adopted, to fruftrate the defigns which the eneray have
cf poffeffing it. To this end I have ordered veffels fo be
provided and held ready at Norwich, for fhe embarkation
and tranfportatlon of our troops thither. This I have done
with a view not only of greatly expediting their arrival (as
it will fave feveral days' marching), but alfo that they may
be freffi and fit for intrenching and throwing up works of
defence as foon as they get there, if they do not meet the
enemy to contend with ; — for neither of which would they
be in a proper condition after a long and fatiguing march in
bad roads. If WaUace, with his ffiips, ffiould be apprifed
of the meafure, and attempt to prevent it by ftopping 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 ge--
neral officers, if the eneray abandon the town, that it will be
unneceffary to eraploy or keep any part of this army for its
~ defence ;

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 109
defence ; and that I have mentioned, on that event's happen
ing, I ffiall immediately repair to New- York with the remain
der of the army not now detached, leaving only fuch a num
ber of men here as circumftances may feem to require. What
I partly allude to, is, that, as it will take a confiderable time
for the removal of fuch a body of men, and the divifions
muft precede each other in fuch order as to allow interme
diate time fufficient for them to be covered and provided
for, and many things done previous fo the march of the
whole, for fecuring and forwarding fuch neceffaries as can
not be immediately carried, and others which it may be pro
per to keep here, — that direftions might be received from
Congrefs refpefting the fame, and as many men ordered t©
remain for that and other purpofes, as they may judge pro
per, I could wiffi to have their commands upon the fubjeft,
and in time; as I maybe under forae degree -of embarralE-
ment as to their views,
Congrefs having been pleafed to appoint colonel Thomp
fon a brigadier-general, there is a vacancy for a colonel ia
ithe regiment he commanded, to which I would beg leave to
recomraend the lieutenant-colonel Hand. I ffiall alfo take
the liberty of recommending captain Hugh Stephenfon, of
the Virginia riflemen, to fucceed colonel Hand, and to bs
appointed in his place as lieutenant-colonel, — there being
no major to the regiment fince the promotion of major Ma-
gaw to be lieutenant-colonel of one of fhe Pennfylvania ba
tallions, and who is gone from henc'e. He is, in my opinion,
the fitteft perfon in this array for if, as well as the oideft
captain in the fervice, having diftinguiffied himfelf at the
h^ad of a rifle company all the laft war, and highly merited
the approbation of his fuperior officers.
Colonel Mifflin informed me to day of his having receiv
ed tent-cloths from Mr. Barrell of Philadelphia, to fhe amount
of feven thoui'and five hundred pounds Pennfylvania cur
rency, and applied for a warrant for payment of it. But, as
vjT fund is low, and many necefiary demands againft it
9 which

no GENERAL WASHINGTON'S;
which muft be fatisfie;d, — and our calls for money are an^
will be exceedingly great,— I could not grant if, thinking it
might be convenient for payment fo be made in Philadelphia,,
by your order on the treafury there.
I have fhe honor to be, &e. G. W.

Sir, Head-Barters, Cambridge, Mai ch 19, I776.
IT is with the gieateft pleafure I Inform you, that,
on funday laft, the feventeenth inftant, about nine o'clock in
the forenoon, the minifterial army evacuated fhe town of
Bofton, and that the forces of the United Colonies are now
in aftual pofleffion thereof. I beg leave to congratulate you,
fir, and the honor.ible 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 fp imagine their flight was precipitated
hy fhe appearance of a work which I had ordered fo be
thrown up laft faturday night on an eminence at Dorchefter
which lay neareft to Bofton neck, called Nuke-hill.
The town, although it has fuffered greatly, is not in fo
bad a ftate as I expefttd to find if ; and I have a particular
pleafure in being able to inform ypu, fir, that your h-oufe
has received no damage worth mentioning. Your furniture
is in tolerable order, and the family piftures are all left en
tire and untouched. Captain Cazneau takes _charge of the
whole, until he ffiall receive further orders from you.
As foon as the minifterial troops had quitted the town,
I ordered a thoufand men (who had had the fmall-pox), un
der command of general Putnam, fo take poffeffion of the
heights, which I ftiall endeavor to fortify in fuch a manner
as to prevent their return, ffiould they attempt it. But, as
they are ftill in the harbor, I thought it not prudent to march
off with the main body of the army until I ffiould be fully
fatisfied they had quitted fhe coaft. I have therefore only
detached five regiments, befides the rifle batallion, to New-
York,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. ut
York, and ffiall keep the remainder here till all fufpicion of
their return ceafes. I
The fituation in which I found their works evidently dif
covered that their retreat was made with the greateft preci
pitation. They have left their barracks and other works of
wood at Bunker's hill, &c, all ftanding, and have deftroyed
but a fmall part of their lines. They have alfo left a num
ber of fine pieces of cannon which they firft fpiked up, alfo
a very large iron mortar ; and, as I am informed, they have
thrown another over the end of your wharf. I have employ
ed proper perfons to drill the cannon, and doubt not I ffiall
fa:ve the moft of them. — ^I am not yet able to procure an
exaft lift of all the ftores they have left. As foon as it can
be done, I ffiall take care to tranfmit it to you. — From an
eftimate of what the quarter-mafter-general has already dif^
covered, the amount will be twenty-five or thirty thoufapd
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 ffiall have no occafion for 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 private affairs ; after which, he will fet out for his
Command in Canada. — I am happy that my conduft in in
tercepting lord Drummond's letter is approved of by Con
grefs. — ^I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Cambridge, March 2^, 1776.
WHEN I had the honor to addrefs you on the nine
teenth inftant upon the evacuation of the town of Bofton by
the minifterial army, I fully expefted, as their retreat and
embarkation were hurried and precipitate, that, before now,
they would have departed fhe harbor, and been far in their
paffage to the place of deftination. But, to my furprife and
difappointment, the fleet is ftill in Nantafket road. The
purpofe

112

GENERAL WASHINGTON'S

purpofe inducing their ftay is altogether unknown ; nor can
I fuggeft any fatisfaftory reafon for it. On wednefday
night laft, before the whole of the fleet fell down to Nan
taflcet, they demoliflied the caftle and houfes belonging fo it,
by burning thera down, 'and the feveral fortifications. They
left a great number of the cannon, but have rendered all of
thera, except a very few, entirely ufelefs, by breaking off
the trunnions ; and thofe they fpiked up : but they may be
made ferviceable again : — fome are already done.
There are feveral veffels In the docks, which were taken
by the enemy (fome with and others without cargoes), which
dift'erent perfons claim as their property and right. Are
they to be reftored to their former owners on making proof
of their title, or fo belong fo the continent," as captures
made from the enemy ? — I wiffi Congrefs would direft a
mode of proceeding againft them, and eftabliffi a rule fot
decifion : they appear to me fo be highly neceffary. In like
mariner, fome of fhe cannon which are in Bofton are faid to
have come from the caftle. Suppofing them, with thofe re
maining at the caftle, fo have been purchafed by and provided
originally at the expenfe of this province, — are they now to be
confidered to belonging as it, or fo fhe public ? 1 beg leavC
to refer fhe matter to the opinion of Congrefs, and pray
their direftion how I am to conduft refpefting them.
It having been fuggefted to me that there was confider
able property, &c, belonging to perfons who had, from the
firft of the prefent unhappy conteft, manifefted an unfriendly
and inveterate difpofition, in the town of Bofton, I thought
it prudent to write to the honorable general court upon fhe
fubjeft, that if might be inquired after and fecured. A copy
of the letter I herewith fend you, and fubmit it fo Con
grefs through you, whether they will not determine how-
it is to be difpofed of, and as to the appropriation uf the mo
ney arifing from the fale of the fame.
As foon as fhe town was abandoned by the enemy, I judged
it advifable to fecure the feveral heights, left they fliould at
tempt

Official letters. 113
temptto return ; and, for this purpofe, have caufed a large and
ftrong work to be thrown up on Fort-hill , a poft of great import-i
ance, as it commands the whole harbor, and, when fortified^
if properly fupported, will greatly annoy any fleet the enemy
may fend againft the fovvn, and render the landing of their
troops exceedingly difficult, if not impraftlcable. This
work is almoft done, and jn a little time will be complete :
and, that the communication between the town and country
may be free and open, I have ordered all fhe lines upon the
neck fo be immediately deftroyed, and the other works on
the fides of the town facing the country, that the inhabit
ants from the latter may not be impeded, and afforded an
eafy entrance, in cafe the enemy ffiould gain poffeffion at
any future time, Thefe matters I conceived to be within the
line of my duty ; of which I advifed the general court, and
recommended to their attention fuch other raeafures as they
might think neceffary for fecuring the town againft the hof-
file defigns of the enemy.
I haye juft got an inventory of ftores and property be
longing to the crown, which the enemy left in Bofton, at
the caftle, and Bunker's hill, — which I have the honor to
tranfmit you ; and ffiall give ftrift orders that a careful at:-
tentlon be had to any more that may be found. I ffiall take
fuch precautions refpefting them, that they raay be fecure,
and turn to the public advantage, as much as poffible, or
circumftances will admit of.
A Mr. Bulfinch from Bofton, who afted as clerk to Mr.
 , having put into my hands a lift of rations dra^wn
the faturday before the troops evacuated the town, I have
inclofed it for your infpeftion. He fays, neither the ftaff
officers nor women are Included in the lift ; from which It
appears that their number Is greater than we had an Idea of.
Major-general Ward and brigader-general Frye are defir
ous of leaving the fervice, and, for that purpofe, have re
quefted me fo lay fhe matter before Congrefs, that they may
be allowed to refign their commiffions. The papers contain-
VoL, I, I ing

114 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ing their applications you will herewith receive. They will
give you a full and more particular information upon the
fubjeft ; and therefore I ffiall fake the liberty of -referring
you to them.
I would mention to Congrefs that the commiffary of artil
lery ftores has informed me, that whatever powder has been
fent to this camp has always come without any bill afCertain-
ing the number of cafks or quantity. This, it is probable,
has proceeded from forgetfulnefs or inattention in the per
fons 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 prevent
embezzlements (though I do not fufpeft any to have been
made), and the commiffary will know what and how much
to receive, and be enabled to difcover miftakes if any ffiould
happen, — I ffiould be glad if you will direft a bill of parcels
to be always fent in future.
There have been fo many accounts from England, all
agreeing that commiffioners are coming to America, to pro
pofe 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 Bofton (which probably will be the cafe If
they come to America at all) I ffiall be under much embar-
raffment refpefting the manner of receiving them, and the
mode of treatment that ought to be ufed, I therefore pray
that Congrefs will give me direftions, and point out fhe line
of conduft to be purfued, — whether they are to be confidered
as ambaffadors, and to have a pafs or permit for repairing
through the country to Philadelphia or to any other place, —
or whether they are to be reftrained in any and what man-'
ner. — I fliall anxiouily wait their orders, and, whatever they
are, comply with them literally,
I have the honor to be, &c, G, W.

Sir,

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 115
SiR) Cambridge, March 27, 1776.
I Received your favor of the eleventh inftant by
faturday-night's poft ; and muft beg pardon for not acknow
ledging it in my laft of the twenty-fourth. The hurry I
was then in occafibned fhe negleft, 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 minifterial fleet, befides
three or four ffiips, got under way this evening at Nantafket
road, and were ftanding out for fea ; in confequence of
which, I ffiall 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 firft ) ; which will be fucceeded by another in a day or
two ; and direftly after, I ffiall forward the remainder of the
army (except four or five regiments which will be left for tak
ing care of fhe barracks and public ftores, and fortifying the
town, and ereftlng fuch works for its defence as, the honor
able general court may think neceffary) — and follow myfeif.
Apprehending that general Thomas will ftand in need of
fome artlllerifts in Canada, I have ordered two companies of
the train to march immediately ; and two mortars, with a
quantity of ffiells and ffiot, to be fent hira. — He fet out on
the twenty-firft inftant, ,^
Inclofed you have a copy of the return of ordnance ftores
left in Bofton by the enemy. In it are not included the can
non left at the caftle, amounting fo 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 fpiking up,
I beg leave to tranfmit you the copy of a petition frora the
inhabitants of Nova-Scotia, brought me by * '* * efquire,
mentioned therein, who is now here with an Acadian, From
this if appears they are In a diftrefled fituation ; and, fro.ra
Mr. * * * 's account, are exceedingly apprehenfive that they
I 2 will

ii6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
will be reduced to the difagreeable alternative of taking up
arms and joining our enemies, or to flee their country, un
lefs they can be protefted againft their infults and oppref-
fions. He fays that their comraittees think many falutary
and valuable confetjuences would be derived from five or fix
hundred men being fent there, as it would not only quiet
the minds of the people from the anxiety and uneafincfs 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 whora thjre are a good many) from taking the fide of
government, and fhe minifterial troops from getting fuch
fupplies of provifions 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 impoffible to determine in
the prefent uncertain ftate of things. For, if the army from
Bofton is going to Halifax (as reported by them before their
departure), that or a much more confiderable force would be
of no avail: — if not, and they poffefs the friendly difpofition
to our caufe, fuggefted in the petition and declared by Mr,
***, it might be of great fervice, unlefs another body of
troops ffiould be fent thhher by adminlftratlon, too power
ful for them to oppofe. It being a raatter of fome import
ance, I judged it prudent to lay if before Congrefs for their
confideration ; and, requefting their direftion upon the fub
jeft, fliall only add, if they determine to adopt it, that they
will preferlbe the number to be fent, and whether it is to be
from the regiments which will be left here. — I ffiall v,ait
their decifion, and, -whatever it is, wIU endeavor to have it
carried Into execution.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

SiRj F[ead-S>uarters, Cambridge, April I, 1776.
THIS letter will be delivered you by * * * efquire,
the gentleman from Nova-Scotia whom I mentioned to yotJ
in mine of the twenty-feventh ultimo. He feemed defirous of

OFFIC LETTERS. 117
of waiting on the hpnorable Congrefs, In order to lay be
fore them the ftate of public affairs, and fituation of the in
habitants of that province. And, as it might be in his
power to communicate many things perfonally 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.
The Acadian accompanies him : and, as they feem to be
folid judicious men, 1 beg leave to recommend them both fo
the notice of Congrefs ; — and am moft rcfpedtfully, fir, your
pioft obedient, &c. G. W.

Sir, Head-Barters, Cambridge, April I, 1776,
AN exprefs arrived this morning with a letter from
governor Cooke of Rhode-Ifland, of which the inclofed is
a copy. In confequence of this important intelligence, I
immediately difpatched an exprefs after general Sullivan
who is on his march to Norwich wifh fix regiments, and
ordered him to file off to Providence, if he fliould be fo de
fired by governor Cooke, to whpra I have wrote on the fub
jeft. General Greene was to have marched this morning with
five more regimpnts, by way of Providence. I have ordered
him to haften his raarch for that place ; and hope to colleft
a force there, fufficient fo prevent fhe enemy frpm effefting
their purpofe.
Whether this movement be only a feint to draw our atten
tion from their principal objeft, or not, is at prefent impoffit
ble to determine. — I momently expeft further intelligence
from governor Cooke. — If fhe alarm ffiould be well grounded,
I fliall haften to Providence, and make the neceffary difpofi.;
tions for their reception. I beg you to affure the honorable
Congrefs I ffiall exert myfeif fo fhe utmoft .to fruftrate the
defigns of the enemy.
I am fir, your mpft obedient, &c,
G. W.
I 3

,i8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Si]5^ Cambridge, April 4, 1776.
I WAS honored with your favors of the twenty-firft
and twenty-fifth ultimo, on the fecond inftant,— the former
by Mr. Hanfon, &c,— fhe latter by Feffenden. I heartily
wiffi the money had arrived fooner, that the militia might
have been paid as foon as their time of fervice expired.
The difappointment has given them great uneafinefs, and
they are gone home much diffatisfied : nor have I been
without fevere complaints from fhe 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 fo make report of the deficiency of
^rms in compliance with the direftion of Congrefs at this
time, as fome of the regiments are at, and moft of the others
on their march to, New- York ; nor do I know that it would
anfwer any good purpofe. If It vvere, — having made repeated'
applications to the feveral affemblies and conventions upon the
fu'ajeft, and conftantly received for anfwer, that they could
afford no relief.
When I arrive at New- York, I ffiall, in purfuance of the
order of Congrefs, detach four batallions to Canada, if the
fituation of affairs v/ill adm.it of It ; and ffiall be extremely
happy if they and the troops already there can effeft the im
portant end of their going.
In my letter of the firft inftant, per poft, I inclofed you a
copy of a letter from governor Cooke, advifing me of the ar
rival of a ffiip cf war, &c, at and near the harbor of New
port. I have now the pleafure to inform you that fhe report
was entirely premature, and withput any foundation. You
have a copy of his letter of the firft inftant to this effeft. — I
wifli the alarm had never been given : it occafioned general
Sullivan and his brigade to make an unneceffary and incon
venient diverfion from their route.
Inclofed Is a copy of an account, prefented by the ho-
norablp general court, pf powder furniflied the continental army

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 119
army by this colony. From the account, it appears that
part of it was fupplied before fhe army was under my com
mand ; and therefore' I know nothuig of It ; but have not
the fmalleft doubt of the juftice of fhe charge. I fhall leave
about two hundred barrels of this article with major-general
Ward, out of which Congrefs will direft him to make a re
turn, if they think proper,— and alfo repayment of what may
have been furnlffied by the other governments.
A proclamation of general Howe's, iffued a few days be
fore his departure frora town, having fallen into my hands,
I have inclofed you a copy, which will probably have been
the occafion of large quantities of goods being carried away,
and the removal of many perfons, which otherwife would
not have happened.
Colonel Warren, payraafter-general, finding the army
likely to be removed from hence, informed me the other day
that the fituation of his affairs and engagements in the bufi
nefs of the colony are fuch, as to prevent him frorn per
fonally attending the army ; and offered, in cafe it ffiould be
required, to refign. This was rather embarraffmg. Ta me
it appears indifpenfably neceffary that the paymafter-general,
with his books, ffiould be at or near head-quarters. Indeed
it is ufual for the head of every department in the army,
however difperfed that army may be, to be with the com
manding general, keeping deputies in the fmaller depart
ments. On the other hand, colonel Warren's mterit and
attachment to the caufe are fuch, that I could do nothing
lefs than defire (as fome 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 fentiments upon the matter, — fending in the mean time
fome perfon in whom he could confide, with the money,
but little of which there will be to carry, though great the
demands, as nine of the regiments which have marched to
New- York have only received five hundred pounds each, to
wards their pay for the months of February and March,— -
I 4 and

E20 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
and fix others, not a farthing. I hope therefore this matter
will be confidered by Congrefs, and the refult tranfmitted
me as foon as done.
I would alfo mention to Congrefs, that the rallitia regl-r
ments which wckc laft called upon, in making up their ab-t
ftrafts, charged pay, — the officers, from the time they re
ceived orders to raife companies, — and the privates, from the
time they refpeftlvely engaged to come or were called upon,
though they did not march for a confiderable time after, — >
fome not within three, four, to twenty days, during all
which, they remained at home about their own private af
fairs, 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 juftice, that ,
the public fliould pay for a longer time than from the day of
their march to that of their return, that I ordered the ab-
ftrafts fo be made out accordingly, and refufed to give
warrants on any other terms. They fay that fhe enhfting
orders, which -went out from their governments, give them
the pay they claim. The faft may be that fomething in
thefe may feem to authorife it : but I muft fubmit it fo Con
grefs, and wifti for their decifion, whether the continent
jnuft pay it, — I am, with great efteem, &c. G, W,
P. S,, I fliall fet off to-day.

Sir, New-York, April 15, 1776.
I AM now to Inform you that oh the fourth Inftant
I fet out from Cambridge, and arrived here on faturday laft.
I came through Providence, Norwich, and New-London, In
order to fee and expedite the einb.iikation of the troops.
I'hc third brigade, under the command of general Greene,
was at New-London when I left it, where there was a fuffi
cient number of tranfports to embark them,— and moft pro
bably would have arrived here before this, had it not been
for a fevere ftorm which happened the night they failed,,
which

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 321
which difperfed them, and, I fear, has done them fome in
jury. General Spencer, with the laft brigade, marched frora
Roxbury the day I left Cambridge, and would be at New-
,London, ready to embark in the return tranfports- which
brought general Sullivan's divifion tp this place. The whole
of the troops may be reafonably expefted here in the courfe
of this week. The badnefs of the roads, and difficulty of
procuring teams for bringing fhe ftores, baggage, &c, have
greatly prolonged their arrival at this place.
I have not had time, fince I came, to look fully about
me ; but find many works of defence begun, and fome finifli
ed. The troops are much difperfed, — forae on 'Long-
Ifland, others on Staten-Ifland, &c.
I have ordered four batallions from hence to Canada, and
am taking rneafures to have them forwarded to Albany by
Water with all poffible expedition. This will greatly ex
pedite their arrival, and eafe the men of much fatigue. I
have wrote general Schuyler of their coming, that he may
have neceffary raeafures taken to hurry their march to gene
ral Thomas.
I am informed by general Putnam that the militia, tha-t
were called In for the fupport of this town in cafe the mini
fterial array had arrived before our troops, are all difcharged,
it being unneceffary to keep them, longer.
All fhe ffiips of war, befides the Afia, moved out of this
harbor on faturday, and the Afia yefterday ; fome of which
are now below the Narrows, and the reft gone to fea.
Your favor of the tenth inftant, by major Sherburne, di
refted to general Putnam or the commanding officer here,
came tp hand on faturday evening, with three boxes of money,
which I ffiall dehver the paymafter as foon as, he arrives, and
jiranfmit you his receipt for the fame.
Having received information frora hence before my de
parture from Cambridge, that thirty pieces of heavy cannon
were wanting, and eiTentinlly necefiary for the defence of
this

122 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
this place, in addition to thofe' already here, — I took the li
berty of applying to admiral Hopkins whora I faw at New-
London, for that number, with fhe mortars and ftores he
brought from Providence, — a lift of which he had tranf
mitted you. He fold me, that, as many were wanting for
the defence of Providence river and the harbor at New-
London, it was uncertain whether I could have all I wanted ;
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
came : — as foon as I do, I will fend it you.
I am, fir, with great refpeft, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, April i8, 1776.
PERMIT me, through you, to convey to the honor
able Congrefs the fentiments of gr-atitude I feel for fhe high
honor they have done me in the public mark of approbation
contained in your favor of the fecond inftant, which came
to hand laft nighti I beg you to affure them that it will
ever be my higheft ambition to approve myfeif a faithful
fervant of fhe public ; and that, to be in any degree inftru-
mental in procuring to my American brethren a reftitutlon
of their juft rights and privileges, will conftitute my chief
happinefs. Agreeable to your requeft, I have communicated, in gene
ral order?, to the officers and foldiers under my command,
the thanks of Congrefs for their good behavior in the fer
vice; and ara happy in having fuch an opportunity of doing
juftice to their merit. They were indeed, at firft, " a band
cf undijclprnied hujbandmcn :" 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 wifli
to receive, — the affeftion and efteem of my countrymen.
The medal, intended to be prefented to me by your ho
norable body, I ftiall carefully preferve as a memorial of
their reg-ard, I beg leave to return you, fir, my warmeft thanks

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 123
thanks for the polite manner in which you have been pleafed
to exprefs their fentiments of my conduft ; and am, with
fincere efteem and refpeft, fir, yours and their raoft obe
dient and moft humble fervant, G, W.

Sir, New-Tork, April 19, 1776,
I HAVE this moment received a letter from general
Schuyler, containing inclofures of a very important nature,
copies of which, I imagine, are contained in the inclofed let
ter to you, which I thought It my duty immediately to for
ward by exprefs, that they may be laid before the honorable
Congrefs, and proper rneafures purfued to prevent the fatal
effefts which are therein apprehended. For my own part,
I have done my utmoft fo forward the four regiments order
ed 'by Congrefs : but a variety of incidents have hitherto con-
fpired to prevent their embarkation. The men had fcarcely
recovered themfelves from the fatigues of their march from
Bofton, and are quite unprovided with neceffaries. The co
lonels of the regiments, though repeatedly called upon for
that purpofe, had neglefted making out the abftrafts for
their pay. All obftacles however are now removed; and I
hope to begin the embarkation 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 circumftances under which they were
raifed prevented It. By the terms of their eniiftment, they
are to ferve during the war, and at five dollars per month,
on condition (as I am informed) that they fliall not be fent
out of thofe provinces. Befides, they are very ill provided
with arm.s, fome companies not having any. It muft be a
great burden upon the continent to keep fuch a number of
ufelefs men in pay : and yet, if they ffiould be difmlffed, and
an unexpefted fupply of arras fliould arrive, it may be found
very difficult fo replace them.
The officers of the fcvera! corps that have arrived here
9 have

124 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
have been fo bufily employed in fixing their men in quarters,
that I have not yet been able to procure an exaft return of
their numbers. Some are yet behind. As foon as the whole
are collefted, I ffiall order the proper returns, and tranfmit
them fo Congrefs.
You will pleafe to notice what colonel Hazen fays of the
difpofition of the Indians. In my opinion, it will be impof
fible to keep them in a ftate of neutrality. They muft, and,
no doubt, foon will take an aftive part either for or againft
us : and I fubmit it to the confideration of Congrefs, whe
ther it would not be beft immediately to engage them on our
fide, and' to ufe our utmoft endeavors to prevent their minds
being poifotied by minifterial emiffaries, 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 poffeff.on of the garrifons of Niagara and Detroit?
This, I think, might eafily be effefted, and would anfv/er
the raoft falutary purpofes. The Seneca Indians, who have
hitherto appeared friendly to us, might be ufefully employed
in tills bufinefs.
I am In hopes moft of the difficulties mentioned in colonel
Hazen's lefter v/lU be obviated by the appearance of the re
fpeftable committee of Congrefs in Canada, and the forces
that have been and will be fent there. The fecurity of that
country is of the utmoil importance to us. This cannot be
done fo effeftually by conqueft, as by taking ftrong hold of
the affeftions and confidence of the inhabitants. It is to be
lamented that any conduft of the continental troops fliotdd
tend to alienate their affeftions from us. '
The honorable Congrefs will be able fo judge from the
papers fent them by general Schuyler, and the information
they may receive of the defigns of the enemy, whether It is
expedient, to fend a further reinforcement to Canada. If
fuch fliould be their determination, I ftand ready to execute
6 their

OFFICIAL LETTERS. ' 125
their orders ; and am, with refpeft, fir, your moft obedient,
humble fervant, . G. W.
Inclofed is a return of the four regiments ordered to Ca
nada ; befides which, there will be two rifle companies, a
company of artificers, and two artillery-men, all under the
command of brigadier-general Thompfon.

Sir, New-Tork, April 22, ijyb.
I WAS this day honored with the receipt of your fa
vor of the twentieth inftant. I have now the pleafure to ac
quaint you that fhe four regiments defigned for Canada cm-
barked yefterday with a fair wind for Albany, unoer the
command of colonels Greaton, Patterfon, Bond, and Poor;
befides, which, there was a company of riflemen, a company
of artificers, and two engineers, — the whole commanded by
brigadier-general Thompfon.
I have repeatedly mentioned to fhe honorable Congrefs
the diftrefsful fituation we are in for v/ant^of arms. —
With ranch pains and difficulty I got moft of the regiments
from the eaftward tolerably well furnlffied ; but find the
York regiments Very badly provided. Colonel Ritzema's
has fcarcely any : and yet thefe men, being enlifted during
the war, and at five dollars per month, ought not (in my
judgment) fo be difcharged ; as we find it almoft as difficult
to get men, as arms. This is a matter of fome importance,
which 1 ffiould be glad to receive the particular opinion of
Congrefs upon.
Mr. Baldwin is one of the affiftant engineers ordered to
Canada. He is indeed a very ufeful man in his depart
ment, but declined the fervice, on account cf liis pay, which
he fays is inadequate to his fupport. In order to induce
him fo continue, I "promifed fo reprefent his cafe to Con
grefs; and would recommend an increafe of his pay, and
that he ffiould have the rank of lieutenant-colonel, of which
he is very deferving. I beg leave therefore to recommend hinv

126 GENERAL WAS-HINGTON'S
him fo fhe Congrefs, and that they would make provifion
for him accordingly.
A few days ago, application was made to me by fhe com
mittee 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 ftanding
order of Congrefs that no failors or foldiers ffiall be exchan-
ged for citizens, I did not incline to comply with the requeft
without the particular direftion of Congrefs : but I have
been fince informed that the prifoners, mentioned In the
committee's letter as citizens, arc really feamen taken from
private veffels, but not 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, muft be left
to their determination.
The militia, who, on my application, were ordered to this
place to keep poffeffion until I ffiould arrive with the conti
nental 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 occafioned great uneafinefs among them, and may be
attended with very bad confequences in cafe we ffiould have
occafion for their fervice on any future emergency. I there
fore beg the Congrefs would make provifion for their pay,
aiid point out particularly, v/hether it is to be done by the
commander of the continental forces, or by the provincial
-j-ffcmblles or conventions 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
br.ive body of men wid be of great injury to the .fervice, I
would fubmit It to the confideration of Congrefs, whether it
would not be beft to adopt fome method to induce them
to continue. They are indeed a very ufeful corps : but I
need not mention this, ss their importance is already well
known to the Congrefs, It is necefl'ary they ffiould pay an
early

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 127
early attention to this matter, as we know from paft expe
rience that men are very flow In re-enlifting.
When I had the honor of feeing admiral Hopkins at New-
London, he reprefented fo me the weak ftate of his fleet, oc
cafioned by ficknefs and fhe damage he received in his en
gagement with the enemy ; and requefted I would fpare
him two hundred men tp affift him in a defign he had form
ed of attacking Vv'^allace, This I readily confented to ; and
the men are to be returned as foon as the fervice is per
formed. I wiffi it was in my power at prefent to furniffi general
Lee with the companies of artillery he defires. — I have al
ready fent two companies to Quebec ; and I have not yet
been able to procure a return of thofe that are here. I ex
peft colonel Knox every moment, and fliall then be able tp
determine whether any can be fpared from hence. Blankets
we 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
thoufand dollars brought fome time ago from Philadelphia
by major Sherburne, which you will pleafe to deliver fo the
continental treafurers.
On my arrival here, I found that Mr. Livingfton had been
appointed by the provincial Congrefs a commiffary, to fur
niffi the continental troops ftationed in this city with provi
fions; I fuppofe this was done becaufe there was no conti
nental commiflary flien on the fpot. Mr. Livingfton ftill
claims aright of furniffiing all the troops but thofe lately
arrived from Cambridge. Mr. Trumbull is now here : and,
as I confider him as the principal in that office, I ffiould be
glad fo know whether any part of the continental troops is
to be furnlffied by any other than their comralffary-general.
I muft needs fay, that fo me it appears very inconfiftent, and
muft create great confufion in the accounts as well as in the
uo-)i'r3'r:s.i— I intended to have laid before Congrefs the
amount

12^ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
amount of the rations, as fupplied by colonel Trumbull
and Mr. Livingfton ; and called upon thofe gentlemen to ^
furnifli me with a feparate eftimate for that purpofe. Colo
nel Trumbull has given me his, by which it appears he fup
plies the troops at eight pence and one third per ration. I
not have yet received any from Mr, Livingfton; but am in
formed his contraft is at ten pence half-penny. The dif-^
ference is immenfe, as it will amount to no lefs than two
hundred pounds per day, for twenty thoufand men. If is
indeed to be confidered that Mr. Llvingfton's contraft is, in
cluding every othqr charge ; and that fo Mr, Trumbull's
muft be added ftore -hire, clerks, and every other contingent
expenfe. But even then it will not amount fo fo much as
Mr, Llvingfton's, by a penny per ration, which. In the grofs,
will be fomething very confiderable, I thought it my duty,
without prejudice or partiality, to ftate fhe matter fairly fo
Congrefs, that they might take fuch order upon It as to
them fiiall feem neceffary. I cannot however, in juftice to
Mr. Trumbull, help adding that he has been Indefatigable
in fupplying the army ; and I believe, from his connexions
in Nev/-England, is able fo do it on as good terms as any
perfon in America.
The feveral matters contained in the foregoing, I muft
beg the early attention of Congrefs to ; and that I may be
favored with an anfwer as foon' as poffible.
I have the honor to be. Sec. G. W.

SiR> New-Tork, April ±2, 177^^
IN a letter which I had the honor to receive from
Congrefs fome confiderable time ago, they were pleafed to
aflcv/hat rank aides-de-camp bore iii fhe army? frora whence
1 concluded that they had adverted fo the extraordinary
trouble and confinement of thofe gentlemen, with a view to
make thera an adequate allowance. But nothing being fince
done or faid of the matter,! take the liberty,— unfoliclted by,
and

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 129
and unknown to ray aides-de-camp, — to inform your honor
able body that their pay Is not by any means equal to their
trouble and confinement.
No perfon wiffies more to fave money to the public, than
I do : and no perfon has aimed more at it. But there are
fome cafes in which parfimony may be ill placed ; and this I
take to be one. Aides-de-camp are perfons in whom entire
confidence muft be placed : It requires men of abilities to
execute fhe duties with propriety and difpatch, where there
is fuch a multiplicity of bufinefs, as muft attend fhe com
mander-in-chief of fuch an array as ours: and perfuaded I
am, that nothing but the zeal of thofe gentleraen (who live
with me, and aft in this capacity) for the great American
caufe,— and perfonal attachment to rae, — has Induced them
to undergo fhe trouble and confinement they have expe
rienced fince they have become members of my family.
I give info no kind of amufements rayfelf; and confe
quently thofe about me can have none, but are confined
from morning till eve, hearing and anfwering fhe applica
tions and letters of one and another, which will now, I ex
peft', receive a pretty confiderable addition, as the bufinefs
of the northern and eaftern departments (if I continue here)
, muft, I fuppofe, pafs through my hands. If thefe gentle
men had the fame relaxation frora duty as other officers
have in their common routine, there would not be fo much
in if. But, to have fhe raind always upon the ftretch,—
fcarce ej/er unbent, — and no hours for recreation, — makes a
material odds. Knowing this, and at fhe fame time how
inadequate the pay is, I can fcarce find inclination to impofe
the neceffary duties of their office upon them. To what I
have here faid, this further remark may be made, and is a
matter of no fmall concernment fo me, and. In its confe
quences, to the public ; — and that Is, that, while the duty is
hard and fhe pay fmall. It is not to be wondered at, if
there ffiould be found a promptnefs in them to feek prefer
ment, or in "me to do juftice to them by faclhtating their
Vol. 1. , K views j

I30 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
views ; by which means I muft lofe their aid when they
have it moft in their power to affift me. — Influenced by
thefe motives, I have taken the liberty of laying fhe mafter
fully, and with all due deference, before your honorable
body, not doubting its meeting with a patient hearing.
I am, fir, with the greateft refpeft, &c. G. W,

Sir, New-Tork, April 23, 1 776,
THAT I might be In readinefs to fake fhe field in
the fpring, and prepared for any fervice Congrefs ffiould
think proper to fend me upon, this campaign, — I defired co
lonel Reed, when he left C-ambridge In the fall, fo get me
a fet of camp equipage", tents, and a baggage-waggon', made
at Philadelphia under his own infpeftion, and fent fo me.
This, he informs me, is now done, and ready fo come on, I
have therefore to beg the favor of Congrefs, through you, to
order payment of them from the treafury, as it will fave the
expenfe and hazard of a' remittance from hence, where we
ftand much in need of every farthing we have,
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Ncw-Tork, April 2^, T]']b.
I Received by laft- evening's poft a letter frora Joffiua
Wentworth, efquire, of Portfmouth, whom I had appointed
agent for our little fleet in that province. It is dated the
fifteenth inftant ; an extraft from which I have the honor of
tranfcribing for your perufal. ,
" The third inftant, commodore Manly brought In fhe
brigantine Elizabeth, one of the third divifion which failed
from Nantaflcet, with a valuable cargo of Englifli goods, and
a few hogflieads of rum and fugar, by a Mr. J -* * *, who
was paffenger, part freighter, and a very tory. Suppofe fhe
cargo worth twenty thoufand pounds fteriing. Thofe goods
are, the greater part, owned by the late inhabitants of Bofton, and

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 131
•nd by fome that were inhabitants when the troops left If, —
the refidue by this Mr. J '* * *, and others of the fame caft.
The complicate ftate of this prize required my Immediate
fetting off for Bofton, expefting I might find fome direftions
for my government there ; when I waited on general Ward,
who was obliging enough to give me his opinion (but not
able to direft, having received no inftruftions fo fhe point)
that the veffel and cargo muft be libelled, and a dividend fo
the captors would follow, of all fuch goods as might be le
gally claimed by the friends to Araerica ; and thofe that were
the property of thera inimical, might be decreed forfeited.
Upon further inquiry, I was informed a refolve paffed in
Congrefs that all veffels and goods, retaken previous fo a
condemnation by a Britiffi court of adrairalty, 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'
confifcafion, may be neceffary for my government : therefore
ffiall be much obliged by your full direftion of this capture,
and a copy of the continental refolvefe- thereon. This brigan
tine is owned by a Mr. Richard Hart' of this town, taken on
her return frora fhe Weft Indies laft Oftober, and carried
into Bofton, not condemned. The rum on board are feven
teen hogffieads, — and four of fugar, not removed out of her
frora the time of capture. The other cargo was in ge
neral ftolen by virtue of general Howe's proclaraation
(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 fergeant and twelve privates of fhe fourth,
or king's own regiment, taken prifoners on board, with the
others, making fixty-three fouls. * * *
" There appeared, from the pillage of this cargo by many
K 2 of

132 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
of the paffengers, the property was in him who could fecret
the moft. For, when examining the chefts and bedding of
the prifoners, I found great quantity of goods that they
had collefted while on bo-ard, which were taken out of
warehoufes without packing, and hove promifcuoufly on
board the veffel. Even the failors had provided for their
difpofal at _pleafure. In faft, the deftruftion of property,
under cover of general Howe's proclamation, is unparallel
ed. * * *
" I ara now difcharging the cargo, as It is In a periffiing
fituation ; and, when felefted, and the regular courfe pur
fued through the admiralty, fnall advertife agreeable to his
excellency's inftruftions to general Ward, who was obliging
enough to give me an abftraft.
" The general court of this province, finding a difficulty
in making a code of laws for the admiralty-court, did not
complete that inftltutlon their laft feffion, when they • ad
journed to June ; which lapfe of time will not admit my
facilitating the difpofal of fhe prizes under ray care, fo early
as I could wiffi, for the fafety of part of the intereft of the
Sufaiina's cargo, viz. the porter, v.hich I fear may be fpoil-
ed by lying fo long,— it not having equal body to that- com
monly imported for fale ; — which induces me to defire your
direftion for a difpofal of that article either at private or
public fale."
That, ilr, is an exaft copy of part of Mr. Wentworth's
letter to Mr. Moylan. I now requeft you will pleafe to di
reft me, in what manner I fliall inftruft the agent refpefting
fhe complica^ted cargo, and v.diether he may be empowered
to difpofe of the porter or any other articles on board the
prizes under his care, which the delay of eftabliffiing the
court of admiralty may make liable to periffi.
I have not yet heard that there has been -any trial of the
prizes carried into Maffachufetts-Bay. This procraftlnation
is attended with very bad confequences. Some of fhe veffels I
had fitted out are now laid up, the crews being- diffatisfied that

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 133
that they cannot get their prize-money. I have tired the
Congrefs upon this fubjeft: but the importance of it makes
me again mention, that, if a fummary way of proceeding is
not refolved on, it will be impoflible to get our veffels man
ned. I muft alfo mention to you, fir, that captain Manly
and his crew are defirous to know when they may expeft
their part of the value of the ordnance ftores taken laft 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 ffiould
not be made, and the captors' dividend be remitted them as
foon as poffible. It will give them fpirit, and encourage them
to be alert In looking out for other prizes-
, Several officers belonging to fhe regiments raifed in thefe
middle colonies inform me that their men (notwithftanding
their agreement) begin to murmur at the diftinftion of pay
made between 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 make it difficult
to fupprefs. They argue that they perform the fame duty,
undergo thS fame fatigue, and receive fi.ve dollars, when the
eaftern regiments receive fix dollars and two-thirds per
month. For my ov/n part, I wifli they were all upon the
fame footing : for, if the Britiffi 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 ffiould
be any diftinftlons of regiments that are all in the pay of
the United Colonies.
The deficiency of arms (in the New- York regiments ef
pecially) is very great. If I am rightly informed, there are
fcarce as many in colonel Ritzema's regiment as will arm
one company. — Can the Congrefs remedy this evil .' If they
can, there fliould not a moment be loft in effefting It, as
our ftrength at prefent is, In reality, on paper only. Should
we think of difcharging thofe men who are without arms,
the remedy -would be v. orfe than the difeafe : for, by vigor-
K 3 ous

134 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ous exertions, I hope arms may be procured ; and I well
know that the raifing men is exceeding difficult, efpecially
to be engaged during the continuance of the war, which is
the footing on which colonel Ritzema's regiment is en
gaged. April 26.  1 had wrote thus far before I was honor
ed with your favor of the twenty-third Inftant. In obe
dience to the order i:herein contained, I have direfted fix
regiments more for Canada, which will erabark as foon as
veffels and other neceffaries can be provided. Thefe regi
ments will be commanded by general Sullivan. I ffiall give
him inftruftions to join the forces in that country under ge
neral Thomas, as foon as poffible.
With refpeft to fending more troops to that country, I
am really at a lofs what to advife, as it is impoffible at pre
fent to know the defigns of the enemy. Should they fend the
whole force under general Howe up the river St. Laurence'
to relieve Qu^ebec and recover Canada, the troops gone and
now going will be infufficient to ftop their progrefs : and
ffiould they think proper to fend that or an equal force this
way from Great Britain for the purpofe of poffeffing this
city and fecuring the navigation of Hudfon's' river, the
troops left here will not be fufficient to oppofe them : and yet,
for any thing we know, I think it not improbable they may
attempt both,— both being of the greateft importance to
to them, — if they have men.
I could wiffi indeed that the army In Canada ffiould be
more powerfully reinforced : at the fame time I am con
fclous that the trufting this important poft (which Is now
become the grand m-agazine of America) to the handful
of men remaining here, is running too great a rifk. The fe
curing this poft and Hudfon's river is to us alfo of fo great
importance, that I cannot at prefent advife the fending any
more troops from hence:— on the contrary, the general of
ficers now here, whom I thought it my duty to confult,
think it abfolutely neceffary to increafe the army at this
place

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 135
place with at leaft ten thoufand men, efpecially when it is
confidered, that, from this place only, the army in Canada -
muft draw its fupplies of ammunition, provifions, and, moft
probably, of men ; and that all reinforcements can be fent
from hence much eafier than from any other place.— By fhe
inclofed return, you will fee the ftate of the army here, and
that the number of eftcftive men is far ffiort of what the
Congrefs muft have expefted.
I have found It neceffary to order colonel Dayton's regi
ment frora New- Jerfey to march as one of the fix fo Cana
da : wherefore I muft recommend it fo 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 deftination of that regiment not taken place, it
would have been very inconvenient to have detached twp
companies from it to that place ; as the march would (ac
cording to lord Stirling's and other accounts) have been at
leaft two' hundred miles from Amboy, and they muft have
paffed within twenty miles of Philadelphia, there being no
prafticable road along the fea-coaft of New-jerfey for their
baggage to have paffed.
Dr. Potts, who Is bearer hereof, was, I underftand, ap
pointed direftor of the hofpital for thefe middle colonies :
but fhe army being removed, with the general hofpital, frora
the eaftward, does in courfe fupercede him. He is Inclined
to go fo Canada, where he may be very ufeful, if a perfon
is not already appointed for that department. —I would
humbly beg leave to afk the Congrefs whether, in all thefe '
appointments, it would not be beft to have but one chief, to
whom all the others ffiould be fubordinate.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-To >¦ k, April 30, 1776,
I MEAN, through you, to do myfeif fhe honor of
laying before Congrefs a copy of an addrefs tranfmitted
them fome time ago by the affembly of Rhode-Ifland, which
K 4 governor

136 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
governor Cooke favored me with in the month of January,
at the fame time requefting me to intereft myfeif in pro
curing a body offerees on the continental- eftablifliraent, for
the defence of that colony. I doubt not but fhe addrefs and
the fubjeft of it have had the attention and confideration of
Congrefs before now. But if they have not decided upon the
matter, I would beg leave fo mention that I have made Inquiry
into the fituation and to'ndition of fhe colony, and find it to be
as ftated in the addrefs ; and, with all deference to fhe opinion
of Congrefs, conceive it highly neceffary and expedient that
they ffiould adopt fome raeafures for relieving their diftrefs,
and granting the aid prayed for. The Importance of it in-
the chain of the union, — its exfenfive fea-coaft, affording
harbors for our ftipping and veffels, at fhe fame time ex
pofing and fubjefting the inhabitants to fhe ravages and de
predations of our enemies, — the zeal and attachment which
it has ffiewn, and which ftill aftuates it, towards the com
mon caufe, — their Incapacity to pay a fufficient number of
m.en for Its defence, ffiould they be able to furniffi them af
ter fo many engaged In other fervices ; — thefe, and many
other reafons v/hich are too obvious to be mentioned, plead
powerfully for the- notice and attention of Congrefs, and'
feem to me to claim their fupport.
Having thus ftated the matter to. Congrefs for their confi
deration, agreeable to my promife to governor Cooke whefi
I had the honor of feeing him on my way here, — I ffiall leave
it with them, not doubting but they will duly weigh its im
portance, and give fuch affiftance as they may think reafon
able and juft. — What they chiefly wiffi for is that the troops
they have raifed may be taken into continental pay, and
commanding officers appointed by Congrefs.
I have the honor to be, die.. G. W.

Sir,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 137
Sir, , . New-Tork, May 5, 1776.
I AM honored with your favor of the thirtieth ulti
mo, and obferve what Congrefs have done refpefting the
fettlement of the .paymafter's accounts. This feems expe-
pedlent, as he Is out of office, and, I am certain, will be at
tended with but little if any difficulty ; nothing more being
neceffary, than to compare the warrants -^vith his debits, and
the receipts he has given, with his credits. I wiffi every
other fettlement as eafy, and that a committee was appoint
ed fo examine and audit the accounts upon which fhe war
rants are founded, particularly thofe of the quarter-mafter
and cornmiffary generals. They are long and of high
amount, confifting of a variety of charges, — of courfe more
intricate, — and will require time and an extraordinary degree
of attention to adjuft and liquidate in a proper manner. —
Upon this fubjeft, I did myfeif the honor to write you a
confiderable tirae ago.
Having had feveral complaints frora the officers in the
eaftern regiments who have been and are engaged in recruit
ing, about fhe expenfe attending it, and for which they have
never yet been allow^ed any thing, though the officers in
thefe governments have, as I am informed, — I ffiall be glad
fo know whether fhe allowance of fen ffiiilings, granted to
the officers for every man enlifted, by the refolve of Con
grefs in [January'], is general and indiferimlnate, or con
fined to fhe middle diftrlfts. — If general, muft I have retro-
fpeft to the time of the refolve, and pay for the fervices
fince, or only for future enliftments .''
In a letter I wrote to Congrefs fhe twenty-fifth of Decem
ber, I inclofed one I had received from Jacob Bailey, efquire,
about opening a road from Newbury fo Canada. I have re
ceived another of the fifteenth ultimo : and, from his account
and the infefiigence I have from others upon Inquiry, I have
no doubt of the prafticability of fhe meafure ; and am well
informed that the diftance will be confiderably ftiortened, in
fomuch

138 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fomuch that our people going from any part of the New-
Ensland eovernments eaftward of Connefticut-river, to Ca-
nada, or returning 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 con-
dufted (as it is faid) as fo go fo the river Miffifque, from
whence the water-carriage to St. John's is good, except forty
odd miles, — or be carried fo far fo the northward, as to keep
clear of fhe lakes altogether, and afford an eafy pafs into
Canada at all feafons. The advantage refulting frora this
route being fo great and important, I have advanced colonel
Bailey two hundred and fifty pounds to begin with, and di
refted him fo execute his plan. No doubt it will require a
confiderable advance to accompliffi it : but that v/ill be foon
funk. The expenfe faved, by taking off fix days' pay and
provifions from fhe foldiers returning to the eaftern go
vernments at ihe expiration of this campaign, will be almoft
if not more than equal to fhe charge incurred in opening it.
If not,— as in all probability there will be often a neceffity
for fending detachments of our troops to Canada from thofe
governments, and for others to return, it will foon be re
paid. By a letter from general Schuyler, of the twenty-feventh
ultimo, I find general Thompfon and his brigade were at
Albany ; — general Sullivan -with fhe laft (except three or four
companies of colonel Wayne's regiment, not yet come) is
embarked and gone, and probably will be foon there. I
am apprehenfive, from general Schuyler's account, that they
will not proceed with the wiflied-for expedition, owing to a
difficulty in getting teams and provender for cattle neceffary
to carry their baggage, 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 ftopped for any
time, it will be exceedingly unfortunate, as their going from
hence has weakened us here much, and our army in Canada
win not be ftrengthened. I have

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 139
I have fent with the laft brigade fixty barrels of powder,
and other ftores and intrenching fools, a fupply being afked
for ; alfo the chain for a boom at the narrows of Richelieu,
and the three boxes of money brought by Mr, Hanfon ; and
have wrote fo general Schuyler to have fhe boom fixed as
foon as poffible. — The comraiffary too has forwarded about
eight hundred barrels of pork, and is in expeftation of a
further quantity frora Connefticut, which will go on with
out ftopping here.
As the magazine from whence the northern and eaftern
armies will occafionally receive fupplies of powder will pro
bably be here, and our ftock is low and inconfiderable, being
much reduced by the fixty barrels fent to Canada, I ffiall be
glad to have a quantity immediately forwarded. Our ftores
fliould be great : for if the enemy make an attack upon the
town, or attempt to go up the North-river, the expenditure
will be very confiderable. 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 ;
the money which was left with him for the payment of the
five regiments at Bofton and Beverly being almoft expended
by large draughts in favor of the commiffary and quarter-
mafter, and in fitting out the armed veffels,
I would here afic a queftion, to wit, whether, as Mr, War
ren's comraiffion is fuperceded by Mr, Palfrey's appointment,
it will not be neceffary fo fix upon fome perfon fo pay the
troops there : or are the payments to go through his hands ?
— He does not incline tp do any thing in the affair without
the direftion of Congrefs,
I have inclofed you a return of fhe laft brigade detached,
and alfo of the forces remaining here. And as It is a mat-
of much importance to know the whole of our ftrength from
time to time, and to fee it at one view, for regulating our
movements with propriety, I wiffi it were a direftion from
Congrefs

140 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Congrefs to fhe commanding officers in fhe different diftrifts
to make monthly returns to the commander-in-chief of the
continental army, of the ftate of the troops in their depart
ments, and alfo of the military ftores. Such direftion will ,
probably make them more attentive than they otherwife
would be. — I could not get a return of the army in Canada
all laft year.
' I beg leave fo lay before Congrefs a copy of the proceed
ings of a court-martial upon lieutenant * * * * of the fe
cond regiment, and of his defencCj^v.'hich I fliould not
have troubled them with, had I not conceived the court's
fentence, upon the fafts ftated In the proceedings, of a An
gular nature, to be by no means adequate to the enormity of
his offence, and to be of exceeding dangerous and pernicious
tendency.' Upon thefe principles I thought it my duty to
tranfmit the proceedings to them, in order that they may
form fuch a judgment upon the fafts ftated, as they may
conceive right and juft, and advancive of the public good. —
At fhe fame time I would mention to Congrefs that I think
it of material confequence that they ffiould pafs a refolve,
cutting off 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 fo have originated in a great meafure, and the extraor
dinary judgment in this inftance to be founded) — declaring
that no fucceffion or promotion can take place upon any va
cancy, without a continental commiffion giving and autho-
rifing It. If is of much confequence to check and entirely
fupprefs this opinion and claim, which is becoming too pre
valent, and has an obvious tendency to introduce mutiny
and diforder ; — ^or^ if they conceive the claim' good, and that
it ffiould take place, that they will declare it fo, that the
point may be fettled and known in future.
I have the honor to be, kc, G, W.

Sir,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 141
Sir, New-Tork, May 5, 1776.
I HAVE fo"" often and fo fully commifnicated my want
of arms to Congrefs, that I ffiould not have given them the
trouble of receiving another letter upon this fubjeft at this
time, but for the particular application of colonel Wayne of
Pennfylvania, who has po'mted out a method by which he
thinks they may be obtained.
In the hands of the committee of fafety at Philadelphia,
there are, according to colPnel Wayne's account, not lefs
than two or three thoufand ftand of arms for provincial ufe.
From hence he thinks a number might be borrowed by Con
grefs, provided they are replaced with continental arms as
they are brought into the magazine In that city. At a crifis
fo important a? this, fueh a loan might be attended with the
moft fignal advantages, — while the defencelefs ftate of the
regiments, if no relief can be had, may be produftive of
fatal confequences. ^
To give Congrefs fome idea of our fituation with refpeft
to arras — (and juftice to my own charafter requires that it
ffiould be known to them, although the world at large will
form their opinion of our ftrength from numbers, without
attending fo circumftances) — if may not be ariiifs to inclofe
a copy of a return which I received a few days ago from the
forts In the Highlands, and add, that, by a report from colo
nel Ritzema's regiment, of the twenty-ninth ultimo, there
appeared to be only ninety-feveii firelocks and feven bayonets
belonging thereto ; and that all the regiments from the eaft
ward are deficient from twenty to fifty of the former. Four
of thofe companies at the fortifications in the Highlands be
long to colonel Clinton's regiment: but in what condition
fhe refidue are on account of arras, and how colonel Wyn-
koop's men are provided, I cannot undertake to. fay, but ara
fold, moft miferably ; as colonel Dayton's, of New-Jcrfey
and colonel Wayne's of Pennfylvania alfo are. This, fir, is
a true though melancholy defcription of our fituation. The
g -. propriety

142 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
propriety therefore of keeping arms in ftore when men in
aftual pay are in want of thera, and who (it is to be pre
fumed) will, as they ought, bear the heat and burden of
the day, is fubmitted with all due deference to the fuperior
judgment of others.
I cannot, by all the inquiries^ I have been able to raake,
learn what number of arras have been taken frora the tories,
where they lie, or how they are to be got at. The com
mittee of fafety for this colony have affured me that no ex
ertions of theirs ffiall be wanthig to procure arms : but our
fuffciings in the mean while may prove fatal, as men without
are in a manner ufelefs. I have therefore thoughts of em
ploying an agent whofe fole bufinefs it fliall be to ride
through the middle and interior parts of thefe, governments,
for 1:he purpofe of buying up fuch arms as the inhabitants
may incline to fell, and are fit for ufe.
The defigns of the enemy are too much behind fhe cur
tain for me to form any accurate opinion of their plan of
operations for the fummer's campaign. We are left to wan
der therefore in the field of conjefture : and as no place (all
its confequences confidered) feemed of more importance In
the execution of their grand plan, -than poffeffing themfelves
of Hudfon's river, I thought it advifable fo remove with the
continental army to this city fo foon as the king's troops
evacuated Bofton. But if Congrefs, from their knowledge,
information, or belief, think it beft for the general good of-
the fervice that I ffiould go to the northward or elfewhere,
they are convinced, I hope, that they have nothing more fo
do than fignify their commands. — With the greateft re
fpeft, I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Nnv-2'ork, Alay 7, 1776.
AT a quarter after feven this evening, I received by
exprefs a letter from Thomas Cuffiing, efquire, chairman of
a committee of the honorable general court, covering one

ta

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 143
to them from fhe committee of Salem ; copies of which' I
do myfeif fhe honor to lay before Congrefs, that they may
judge of the intelligence contained therein, and direft fuch
rneafures to be taken upon the occafion as they may think
proper and neceffary.
I would obferve, that, fuppofing captain Lee's account to
be true in part, 1 think there muft be a miftake either in the
number of troops or the tranfport ffiips. If there are no
more fliips than what are ' mentioned, it is certain there can
not be fo many troops Of this, however, Congrefs can
judge as well as myfeif; and I fubmit to them, whether,
upon the whole of the circumftances, and the uncertainty of
their deftination (if they were feen at all), they chufe that
any forces ffiall be detached from hence, as they will fee,
from the returns tranfmitted yefterday, that the number of
men now here is but fmall and inconfiderable ; and (what is
to be regretted) no fmall part of thefe without arms. — Per
haps, by dividing and fubdividing our force too much, we
ffiall have no one poft fufficiently guarded,
I ffiall wait their direftion ; and, whatever their order is,
ffiall comply with it as foon as poffible.
I have the honor fo be, &c. G. W.
P. S. I have by fhe fame exprefs a letter from general
Ward, containing a fimilar account fo that from the Salem
committee, and by way of Captain Lee.
Should the commiffioners arrive that are mentioned, how
^re they fo be received and treafed .'' — I wiffi the direction of
Congrefs upon fhe fubjeft, by return of the bearer.

Sir, New-Tork, A-Iay ll, 1776.
1 AM now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors
of the fourth and feventh inftant with their feveral Inclo
fures, and am exceedingly glad, that, before the refolution
refpefting lieutenant-colonel Ogden came fo hand, I had
ordered him fo join his regiment, and had quelled a difa-
greeabk

144 GEN^ERAL WASHINGTON'S
greeable fpirit both of mutiny and deferfion, which had
taken place and feemed fo be rifing to a great degree in con
fequence of it. In order to effeft it, I had the regiment
iparaded, and ordered two more at the fame time under arms,
convinced them of their error and ill conduft, and obtained
a promife for their good behavior in future. To fuch of
the raen as had abfconded I gave pardons, on their affurances
to return to their duty again.
In my letter of the fifth inftant which I had fhe honor of
addreffing you, I mentioned fo Congrefs the refraftory and
mutinous conduft of lieutenant * * * '* of the fecond re
giment, and laid before them a copy of the proceedings of a
court-martial upon him, and of his defence, with a view
that fuch raeafures might be adopted as they ffiould think
adequate to his crime. — I would novv beg leave to inform
them, that, fince then, he has appeared fenfible of his mif-
conduft ; and having made a written acknowledgment of his
offence, and begged pardon for it (as by the inclofed copy
will appear), I thought if beft to releafe him from his con
finement, and have ordered him to join his regiment ; which
I hope will meet their approbation, and render any determi
nation, as to him, unneceffary; — obferving at fhe fame time
that I have endeavored, and, I flatter myfeif, not ineffec
tually, to fupport their authority, and a due fubordination in
the army, I have found it of importance and highly expe
dient to yield many points in faft, without feeming to have
done It, — and this, to avoid bringing on a too frequent dif
cuffion of matters, which, in a political view, ought to be
kept a little behind the curtain, and not be made too much
the fubjefts of difquifiticn. — Time only can eradicate and
overcome cuftoms and prejudices of long ftanding: they
muft be got the better of, by flow and gradual advances,
I would here take occafion to fuggeft to Congrefs (not
wlflilng or meaning of rayfelf fo aff'ume the fmalleft degree
of power in any inftance) the propriety and neceffity of
h'aving their fentiments refpefting the filling up die va
cancies

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 145
cancles and iffulug commiffions to officers, efpecially to thofe
Under the rank of field officers. Had I literally complied
with the direftions given upon this fubjeft when I firft en*
g-aged in the fervice, and which I conceived fo be fuperceded
by a fubfequent refolve for forming fhe army upon the pre
fent eftablifhment, I muft have employed one clerk for no
other bufinefs than iffuing warrants of appointment, and
giving information to Congrefs for their confirraafion or re-
fufal. It being evident frora the neceffity of fhe thing, that
there will be frequent changes and vacancies in office, from
death and a variety of other caufes, I now fubmit it to them,
and pray their direftion whether I ara to purfue that mode
and all the ceremonies attending it, or to be at liberty to fill
up and grant commiffions at once fo fuch as may be fit and
proper perfons to fucceed. * * *
Before I have done, with the utmoft deference and refpeft
I would beg leave fo remind Congrefs of my former letters
and applications refpefting the appointment of proper per
fons to fuperintend and take direftion of fuch prifoners as
have already fallen and will fall into our hands in the courfe
of the war, — ^belng fully convinced, that, if there were per
fons appointed who would take the whole management of
them under their care, fhe continent would fave a confider
able fum of monfey by It, and the prifoners be better treated
and provided with real neceffaries than they now are ; — and
ffiall take the liberty to add that it appears to me a matter
of much importance, and worthy of confideration, that par
ticular and proper places of fecurity fliould be fixed on and
eftabliffied In tlie interior parts of the different governments
for their reception.
Such eftabllffiraents are agreeable to the praftice and ufage
of fhe Engllffi and other nations, and are founded on prin
ciples of neceffity and pubhc utility. The advantages which
will arife frora them are obvious and many :— I fliall only
.mention two or three. — They will tend much to prevent
efcapes (which are difficult to effeft when the public is once
.Vol. I. L advertifed

146 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S'

'¦+

advertifed that the prifoners arc reftrained fo a few ft'atect
and well-known places, and not permitted to go from
thence), and the more ingenious ariiong them from diffemi-
iiatina and fpreading their artful and pernrcions intrigues
and opinions throughout the country, which, would influence
t;be weaker and wavering part of mankind, and meet with
but too favorable a bearing. Furtiier, it will be lefs in their
pov,'er to join and -.iffjft our enemies in cafes of invafion, and
will give us an oi-iportunity ai\ravs to know, frora, the re
turns of thofe appointed to fuperintend them, what number
we have in pofl"effiofj, the force fufficient to check and fup
prefs their hoftlle views in rimes of emergency, and the ex
penfes neceffary for the":r majnt:-!! !!r-.;c and fupport. Many
c'ther reafons might be •.uidu.i.'Lv; ro prove the neceffity and
expediency of the meafure: — 1 id. ill only fubjcin one more,
a-nd then have done on the )>;bici.'';-. — -.vhicli is, that many of
fhe towns where pritoners have bc.-en already fent, not fiav-
ifig convenience for or the r.-!-;an.s of keeping them, complain
they are burdenfome ; -Aid have become carelefs, inattentive,
£-nd altogetI;cr indi.Tc-.-cnt wliciiier rliey efcape or not; and,
thofe of then that K.e rcllniird to a clofer conffiieraeiit
(the limits of jail) are ns^lcL'.cd, ;ind not trotcd with that
c-:'re and regard vh'iLii Consrefs v.'ifli.
I h-.ivc not received further inrciligence of the German
troops fince my letter of the feventh inftant, coverln'^ Mr.
Cufhing's difpatciies. But, left flic account of their coming
ffiould be true, may ir not be advifable and good policy to
raife fome companies of our Germans to fend among them
when they arrive, for exciting a fpirit of difaffeftion and
defertlcn.''— If a few fenfible and trufty fellows could get
with them, I fliould think they would have great weight and
ir-lluenee with the common foldiery, who certainly have no
enmity towards us, having received no injury nor caufe of
quarrel from as. The meafure having occurred, and ap
pearing to me expedient, I thought it prudent to mention it
for the confideration of Congrefs. Having

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 147
Having received a letter from general Ward, advifing that
Congrefs have accepted his refignation, and. praying fo be
relieved, — and it being neceffary that a general officer ffiould
be fent to take the command of the troops at Bofton, efpe
cially if the army ffiould arrive which is talked of, and which
fome confider as a probable evenf,-^-I muft beg leave to re
commend to Congrefs the appointment of fome brigadier-
generals, riot having more here (nor fo many at this time)
than are effential to the government and condufting the
forces and the works that are carrying on. Generals Sul
livan and ThPmpfon being ordered to Canada, I cannot
fpare one more general officer from hence without Injuring
the fervice greatly, and leaving the army here without a fut
ficient number.
Having frequent applications from the committee of fafety
and others, about an exchange of prifoners, and not having
authority to purfue any other mode in this inftance, than
that marked out by a refolve of Congrefs fome confiderable
time ago, Lhope they will pardon me when I wiffi them to
take under confideration fuch parts of my letter of the
twenty-fecond ultimo as relate to this fubjeft ; and for
their determination upon it. I ffiall then have it in my
power to give explicit and fatisfaftory anfwers to thofe who
fhall apply.— I am, fir, &c. G. W.

Sir, Nciv-Tork, May i^, i-]'i6.
SINCE my laft of the eleventh Inftant which I had
the honor to addrefs you, nothing of moment or importance
has occurred ; and the principal defign of this Is to com
municate to Congrefs the intelligence I received laft night
from general Schuyler by a letter of the tenth, refpefting
the progrefs of our 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 fatisfaftion, I have done myfeif
L 2 the

i4« GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the pleafure to extraft the fubftance of his letter on thij
he-ad, which is as follows:—" that general Thompfon, with
the laft of his brigade, on the morning of tuefday fe'nnight,
embarked at Fort-George ; and, in the evening of the next
day, general Sullivan arrived at Albany ; — that he had order
ed an additional number of carpenters to affift in building
boats ; who, finifliing 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 em
bark;— that they would carry thirty men each, befides the
baggage, ammunition, and intrenching tools." * * *
He alfo informs, " that fhe fixty barrels of powder had ,
arrived, and would be forwarded that day ; — that the firft
regiment of general Sullivan's brigade marched that morn
ing; and that the intrenching tools and about fix hundred
barrels of pork were alfo gone on ; — that he cannot poffibly
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 paymeml, vi'hich fum he hopes will be fufficient till the
C-.iiiadianR .igree to fake our paper currency, to which they
-.ire much averfe, and of wliich ]'C is exccedi'ngly doubtful ; —
.?Irat he had got the chr-in, and "'ouid forward it that day to
;,;er.er-al Arnold, v.-ith orders to h.i. it at the rapids of Riche-'
lieu." He adds " that he had reviewed general Sullivan's
brigade in prcfcnce of abo-Tt tv.-o iiundred and fixty Indians,
v.-ho were greatly pleafed with the order r.nd regularity of
the troops, ahd furprifed at the number, which, the tories
had induftrioufly propagated, confiftec'i only of three compa
nies, and that they were kept always v.alking the ftreets, to
induce them to believe th-eh- number was much greater than
it really was."
I have inclofed a copy of general Schuyler's inftruftions
to James Price, efquire, deputy commlflary-general, for
the regulation of his conduft in that department, which I
received laft night, and whith general Schuyler requefted me

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 149
me to forward you. — I alfo beg leave to lay before Congrefs
a copy of a letter from Samuel Stringer, direftor of one of
the hofpitals, purporting an application for an increafe of
furgeons'-mates, &c, an eftimate of which is alfo inclofed ;
and fubmit it to them, what number muft be fent frora
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 fhe army : but I thought
it moft advifable fo make his requifition known to Congrefs,
and fo fake their order and direftion upon if. — As fo fhe
medicines, I fliall fpeak fo Dr. Morgan (not yet arrived) as
foon as he comes, and order him fo forward fuch as may be
neceffary and can be poffibly fpared.
I have the honor to be, &c. G, W.

Sir, New-Tork, May 17, 1776.
I THIS moment received by exprefs from general
Schuyler an account of the melancholy profpeft and reverfe of
our affairs in Canada : and prefuming that fhe letters which
accompany this will give Congrefs full information upon the
fubjeft, I ffiall only add that general Schuyler, in purfuance
of orders from the honorable commiffioners, has direfted
brigadier-general Sullivan to Ixalt his brigade ; as a further
reinforcement (on account of the fcarcity of provifions)
would not relieve, but contribute greatly to diftrefs our troops
already in Canada. Before he received thefe orders, all the
brigade, except Dayton's and Wayne's regiments, had left
Albany : but 1 fuppofe he will be able to ftop their march.
By my letter of the fifteenth, Congrefs will perceive the
quantity of pork already gone frora hence : and the com
miffary has affured me that he will forward a further fupply
as foon as it can be poffibly collefted. I had alfo direfted
five tons of lead to be fent fo general Schuyler for the Ca
nada expedition, before I received this unfortunate account ;
which was -as much as could be fpared for the prefent (cm
L 3 ftot:;

150 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ftock being Inconfiderable In proportion fo the demand we
may reafonably expeft for it) ; and ffiafl do every thing in my
power to relieve our affairs frora their prefent diftreffed and
taelancholy fituation in that quarter, which occurs to me
and appears neceffary.
I am alfo lo acknowledge the receipt of your favors cf the
tenth and thirteenth inftant, with their feveral inclofures.
The money, accompanying the latter, came fo the paymaf
ter's hands fafe.-r-I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Ncw-Tork, May 1 8, 1776.
I DO myfeif the honor to tranfmit to you the in
clofed letters and papers I received this morning in the ftate
they novvT are, which contain fundry matters of intelligence
of the moft interefting nature. As the confideration of
them may lead to important confequences and the adoption
of feveral rneafures in the military line, I have thought it
advifable for general Gates to attend Congrefs — (he will fol-.
low to-^morrow, and fatisfy, and explain to them fome points
they raay wifli to be Informed of in the courfe of their deli
berations) — not having an opportunity at this time to fubmit
my thoughts to them upon thefe Inteiefting accounts.
I have the honor fo be, &c, G. W,

Sir, Ncw-Tork, May 19, 1776,
THI-S will be delivered you by general Gates' who
fets out to-day for Congrefs, agreeable to my letter of yef-^
terday. I have committed to him the heads of fundry mat
ters to lay before Congrefs for their confideration, which',
from the interefting intelligence contained in my laft, ap
pear to me of the utmoft importance, and to demand their
moft early and ferious attention.
Senfible that I have omitted to fet down many things ne-
peffary, and which probably, when deliberating, they will
wiffi

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 151
wiffi to be acquainted, with,-; — and not conceiving myfeif at li
berty to depart frora my poft (though to attend them) with
out their previous approbation, — I have requefted general
Gates to fubjoin fuch hints of his own, as he may appre-
. hend material. His military experience and intimate ac
quaintance with the fituation of our aff'alrs will enable him
to give Congrefs the fulieft fatisfaftion about the rneafures
neceffary to be adopted at this alarming crifis ; and, with
his zeal and attachment to the caufe of America, h-.ivc a'
claim to their notice and favors.
When Con<;refs ffiall have come to a determination on
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, 2ic. G. W.

SiRj New-Tork, May 20, 1776-
YOUR favor of the fixteenth, with feveral refolu
tions of Congrefs' therein Inclofed, I had not tlie honor to re
ceive fill'.aft night. Before the receipt, I did not tliink, myfeif
at liberty ^o wait on Congrefs, although I wiffied to do it;
and therefore the more readily confented to general Gates's
attendance, as I knev/ there were many matters x-ihich'
could be better explained in a perfonal interview than in
whole volumes of letters. He accordingly fet out for Phil
adelphia yefterday morning, and muft have been too far
advanced on his journey (as he propofed expedition) to be
overtaken. I ffiail, if I can fettle fome matters which are In agitation
with the provincial Congrefs here, follow to-morrow 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 with particular thanks to you for the politenefs of your
invitation to your houfe, conclude, dear fir, your moft obe-
jdient, &c, G. W.
L4

152 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sir, Philadelphia, June 3, 1776,
I'HAVE perufed the petition preferred by fhe in
dependent corps of Bofton, and beg leave, through you,
to inform Congrefs that the five regiments there are ex
tremely deficient In arms, as are many other regiments in
continental pay ; and fubmit it fo their confideration,
whether any part of the arms lately taken, under thefe cir
curaftances, ffiould be delivered to the gentlemen applying
for them ; — determining at the farae tirae, that whatever de
cifion they come to will be agreeable to me, and be literally
complied with, by, fir, your moft obedient, &e. G, W.

Sir, New-Tork, June 7, 1776.
I DO mvfelf the honor to Inform Congrefs that I ar
rived here 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 fo believe, from fhe report of
fuch of the general and other officers as I had fhe pleafure
to fee, that they have been profecuted and forwarded with
all poffible diligence and difpatch,
I am much concerned for the fituation of our aff'alrs in Ca-»
nada, and am fearful, ere this, it is much wone than was
firft reported at Philadelphia. The intelligence from thence,
in a letter frora captain Wllkinfon of the fecond regiment,
to general 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 fhe lofs of
Montreal. — I have Inclofed a copy of the letter, which will
but too well ffiew that there is foundation for my apprehen
fions. On wednefday evening I received an exprefs from general
Schuylet, with fundry papers refpefting fir John Johnfton,
which I have not time to copy, as the poft is juft going off,
but

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 153
.but will do myfeif the honor of tranfmitting you as foon as I
poffibly can.
Before I left Philadelphia, I employed a perfon to fiiper-
intend the building of the gondolas which Congrefs had re
folved 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 ffiall be in much want of guns,
having never received any of thofe taken by commodore
Hopkins. Be pleafed to mention me to Congrefs with the utmoft re
fpeft ; and I am, fir, with every fentiment of regard and
^fteera, your and their moft obedient fervant, G. W.
P. S. I this minute received your favor of the fifth in
ftant. — -I am in need of commiffions, and beg Congrefs to
point out precifely the line 1 am to purfue in filling them
up. This I mentioned in my lefter of the eleventh ultimo.
- — ^I am much pleafed at fhe fortunate captures, and the ge
nerous conduft of the owners and mafters, for the tender of
the money to Congrefs.

Sir, June 8, 1776,
IN my letter of ^yefterday which I had the honor of
gddreffing you, and which was defigned to have gone by
poft, but was prevented by his departure before the ufual
time, I raentioned my having received by exprefs a letter and
fundry papers from general Schuyler, refpefting fir John
Johnfton, copies of which I herewith tranfmit you for your
infpeftion and perufal. They will ffiew ypu what meafures
were planned and attempted for apprehending him, and fCf
curing the Scotch Highlanders in Tryon county.
Plaving heard that the troops at Bofton are extremely un
eafy and almoft mutinous for want of pay (feveral months
being now due), I muft take the liberty to repeat 3 queftion
contained in my letter of the fifth ultimo, — " what mode
is to be purfued refpefting it ? whether is money to be fent
from

154 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
from hence by the paymafter-general, or fome perfon fubor
dinate to him to be appointed there for that purpofe ? — I ex
pefted fome direftion would have been given in this in
ftance, long ere this, from v/hat was contained in yours ac
companying (or about the time of) the laft remittance. I
prefume it has been omitted by reafon of the multiplicity of
important bufinefs before Congrefs.
In perufing the feveral refolves you honored me with when
at Philadelphia and fince my return, I find one allo\ving a
chief engineer for the army in a feparate department. The
fervice requiring many of thera, I wiffi Congrefs, if they
know any perfons fliilled in this bufinefs, v.'ould appoint
them. General Schuyler has frequently applied, and fug
gefted the neceffity of having fome in Canada. — I myfeif
know of none.
I alfo find there Is a refolve of the third of June for
taking Indians into the fervice, which, if literally conftrued,
confines them to that in Canada. — Is that fhe meaning of
Congrefs, or that the commander-in-chief may order their
fervice to any place he may think neceffary?
In refpeft to the eftablifliing expreffes between the feveral
continental pofts, — who is to do if .''—the refolve does not
fay. — Is it expefted by Congrefs that 1 ffiould.''— Whoever
the work is affigned to, I think, fliould execute it with the
utmoft difpatch. The late Iraperfeft and contradiftory acr
counts refpefting our defeat at the Cedars ftrongly point
out the neceffity there is for it. No intelligence is yet come
frora any officer in command there (and moft probably for
want of a proper channel to convey it), though this misfor
tune happened fo long ago.
When I had the honor of being In Congrefs, If I miftake
not, I heard a refolve read, or was told of one, allowing the
New- York troops the fame pay as others in the continental
fervice. This, if any fuch, I do not find ; and if there is not
fuch a one, I fhall be under fome embarraffment, how to pay
the militia tp be provided by this province. The refolve pro»

viding

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 155
viding them fays they are to be paid, while in fervice, as
other troops are. But. if thofe enlifted heretofore In this
province are to receive according to fhe firft eftabliffiment, it
is a matter of doubt, what the militia are fo have.
Before this comes to hand, a hand-bill, containing an ac
count of a viftory gained by general Arnold over the party
that had defeated colonel Biddle and major Sherburne, will
moft probably have reached you. I have inquired info the
authenticity of this fortunate report, and have found there
is no dependence to be put In It ; nor, do I believe it deferv
ing of the leaft credit. I ffiall be happy not to hear fhe re
verfe. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P, S. If Congrefs have come fo any refolution about an
allowance to induce men to re-enlift, you will pleafe to fa
vor me with it, as the time the rifle regiment is engaged for
is juft expired.
As the railitia will be coming in, and they will be in much
need of covering, pleafe to have all the tents, and cloth pro
per for making them> that can be procured, forwarded as
foon as poffible.

Sir, New-Tork, June 9, 1776.
I WAS honored yefterday with your favor of the fe
venth, with its jjiclofures. When Dr, Potts arrives, I ffiall
order hira to Canada or Lake-George, as may appear moft
pioper. It is certainly neceffary that he or Dr, Stringer
ffiould go fo the former, — The refolve refpefting general
Woofter's recall I will iraraedlately franfralt hira, with di-.
reftions to repair hither without delay.
The fituation of our affairs in Canada, as reported by the
honorable commiffioners, is truly alarming ; and I am forry
that my opinion of the III confequences refulting from the
ffiort enliftracnt of fhe array fliould be but too well con-.
firmed by the experience they have had of the want of dif-.
eipline and order in our foldiery there. This induces me
9gain

156 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
again to wifli Congrefs to determine oh a liberal allowance
to engage the, troops already in fervice to re-enlift for a
longer period, or during the continuance of the war : nor
can I forbear expreffmg my opinion of the propriety of keep.
jng the military cheft always fupplied with money, as evils
cf the moft interefting nature are often produced for want
of a regular payment of troops.— The negleft makes them
impatient and uneafy.
J am much furprifed at the fcarcity of provifions there,
particularly of flour ; as, from feveral accounts I had re
ceived from thence, I was led to expeft that confiderable
fupplies of that article could be procured there. That our
misfortunes may not become greater, I have wrote to the
comraiffary to forward more provifions, in addition to thofe
already fent.
An adjutant and quarter-mafter-general are indifpenfably
neceffary, with affiftants. The money faved 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 afted in the former capacity under
general Montgomery, is now here : but his indifpofition is
fuch as to render him unfit, at this time, for the poft : — It is
an important one, and requires vigor and aftivity fo dif
charge the duties of it. He wlfl be of much fervice to
colonel Reed, the bufinefs of whofe office will increafe con-
fiderably by fhe augmentation of the army.
It will be necefl'ary, too, that the commiffaries in Canada,
and the deputy quarter-mafter-generals, fliould have feveral
affiitants and clerks : nor do I think a precife number can
be fixed on, as a variety of circumftances may and muft oc
cur, to render the number, effential for doing the bufinefs in
thofe departments, greater or lefs at different times. It
will be better, I apprehend, to leave it indefinite, and with
power fo the commanding officer fo allow fuch as may be
wanted. 1 am ftUl in the dark, how the unfortunate affair ended at
the

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 157
the Cedars, or on what terras the furrender v/as made, as
the laft letter from the commiffioners has reference to A
former, and mentions an agreement entered into, which 1
have not feen : but I know of it more than I could wiffi,
1 have received from Providence, in confequence of Mr.
Morris's order, as chairman of the fecret committee of Con
grefs, two hundred and tLhty-four muflvcts, in part of the
tvvo hundred and forty-four direfted to be fent, 'The in
clofed copy of a letter from Mr. Brow-n will account for the
deficiency. I fiiall 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 preffing. There are alfo wanted
fome particular and neceffary medicines to complete our hof
pital chefts, of which I will get Dr. Morgan to furniffi Con
grefs with a lift, when he writes or waits on them, about
fome other matters neceffary fo be fixed in his. department.
As general Woofter, in all probability, will be here in a
little time in compliance with the refolve of Congrefs and
my order tranfmitted to him, I willi to know what I am to
do with him when he comes.
General Schuyler, in his letter of the thirty-firft ultimo
of which [ tranfmitted you a copy .yefterday, mentions that
fundry perfons had a defign to fcize him as a tory, and pro
bably ftill have; and wiflies Congrefs to give him fome
public mark of their approbation. If they are convinced of
his zeal and attachment to the caufe of his country.—-
Whetlier he intended that I ffiould communicate his defire
to them, or not, I am not certain : but, fuppofing that he
did, I mufl beg leave to requeft that you -will lay the para
graph before them, that they may do, in the inftance of his
requifition, whatever they may judge necefl'ary.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. If Congrefs have agreed to the report of the com
mittee for allowing the Indians fifty pounds for ervery pri-'
foner they ffiall take at Niagara', &c, it is material 1 ffiould be

158 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
be informed of it. This will be a favorable opportunity for
them to embrace, to gain poffeffion of Detroit and the other
pofts, whilft the, enemy are engaged towards Montreal, &c.

SlRj Ncw-Tork, June lO, 1776.
SINCE I did myfeif the honor of writing to you
yefterday, I have had the fatisfaftion of feeing, and for a
few minutes converfing with, Mr. Chafe and Mr. Carroll
from Canada. Their account of our troops and fhe fituation
of affairs in that department cannot poffibly furprife you
more than it has done me- But I need not touch upon a
fubjeft vvdiich you will b-u fo weli informed of from the foun
tain-head ; nor ffiould I have given you the trouble of a let
ter by this day's poft, but for the diftraftion which feems to
prevail in the commiffary 's department, as well as others in
that quarter, — the neceffity of h'aving it under one general di
reftion, — and the diffatisfaftion of colonel Trumbull at the-
allowance made hira by Congrefs as an equivalent for his trou
ble. With refpeft fo this particular matter, I can- only fay
that I think he is a man well [calculated] for the bufinefs,
and that, where a fliilllng is faved in the pay, a pound maybe
loft by raifmanagement in the office ; and that his refigna
tion at this time (I mea-n this campaign) may poffibly be at
tended with fatal confequences. I therefore humbly fub
mit fo Congrefs the propriety of handfomely rewarding thofe
gentlemen who hold fuch very important, troublefome, and
hazardous offices, as commiffary and quarter-mafter.
In fpeaking to the former about the fupplies neceffity for
the troops to be raifed, he informed me that the quantity of
fait provifions which was fliipping from hence might render
his attempts to do it precarious; in confequence of which,
I defired him to lay the matter before the convention of this
colony, which he will do this day, but in the mean while
defired Congrefs might be informed of the matter, which I
cannot

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 154
cannot better do than In his own words inclofed, and fub
mit the confideration of it to the wifdora of that honorable
body. To Congrefs I alfo fubmit the propriety of keeping the two
continental batallions (under the command of colonels Shee
and M' Gaw) at Philadelphia, when there is the greateft
prob-ability of a fpeedy attack upon this place, from the
king's troops. The encouragements given by governor
Tryon fo the difaff'efted, which are circulated, ho one can
well tell how, — the movements of thefe kind of people-, which
are more eafy to perceive than defcribe, — the confident
report, which is faid to have come immediately frora goven.
nor Tryon, and brought by-a frigate frora Halifax, that the
troops at that place were embarking for this, — added to a
thoufand incidental circumftances, trivial in themfelves, but
ftrong frora coraparifon, — leave not a doubt upon my mind
but that troops are hourly expefted 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-
pefted and dangerous perfons of this government before
now, and left orders for the military to give every aid fo fhe
civil power. But the fubjeft 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, Sec. G. W.

Sir, Head-B^'^^^'^h New-Tork, June 13, 1776.
I HAVE the honor of tranfmitting to Congrefs a
letter which came by exprefs laft night from general Schuyler,
inclofing a copy of a letter to him from colonel Ivlrkland. I
have lilfewife inclofed the copy of one direfted to general Put
nam or the comraanding officer at New-Tork. The repre-
fentatlons contained in thefe letters have Induced me, without
waiting the determination of Congrefs, to direft general Schuy
ler immediately to commence a treaty with the Siic-Nations, and

i6o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
and to engage them in our Intereft, upon.the beft terms he
and his colleagues In commiffion can procure : and I truft
the urgency of the occafion will juftify my proceeding to the
Congrefs :-the neceffity for decifion and difpatch in all our
meafures, in my opinion, becomes every day more and more
apparent. The exprefs,, Mr. Bennet, was overtaken at Albany by
general Schuyler, who had received Intelligence at Fort-
George that a confiderable body of Mohawk Indians were
coming down the Mohawk river under the conduft of fir
John Johnfton. The geneial's extreme hurry would not
allow him to write : but it feems his intention Is tp colleft
at Albany a fufficient force to oppofe fit John. I have given
him my opinion that colonel Dayton's regiment ffiould be
employed in that fervice, and to fecure the poft where Fort-
Stanwlx formerly ftood.
In confequence of an information that feveral merchant*
were exporting fait pork and beef from this place, I requefted
the commiffary to make application to the provincial Con
grefs for a reftraint to be laid on the exportation of thofe
articles, as I apprehended, not only that the enemy might
receive fupplies by the capture of our veffels, but that our
people might ffiortly experience a fcarcity. The provincial
Congrefs have accordingly made a refolution (a copy of
which is inclofed) to ftop the exportation for fourteen days.
They expeft Congrefs will In the mean time frame fome ge-
Oeral regulations on this head. They are unwilling (they
fay) fo fubjeft their conftituents to partial reftraints.
I once mentioned to Congrefs that I thought a war-olEce
extremely neceffary ; and they feemed inclined to inftitute
one for our army : but the affair feems to have been fince
dropped. Give me kave again to infift on fhe utility and im
portance of fuch an eftabliffiment. The more I refieft upon
the fubjeft, the more I am convinced of its neceflity, and
that affairs can never be properly condufted without it.
*Tis with pleafure I receive the refolve inclofed in your_
favor'
2

pFFiciAL Letters. I'e't
Favor of the eleventh inftant.^ One confiderable ground of
diffatisfaftion in the army is thereby removed.
I have employed perfons in building the gondolas and
taft s which the Congrefs thought neceffary for the defence of
ihls place ; and, in conjunftlon with the provincial Congrefs^
have determined to fink chcvauX-de-frife, one pf which is
already begun.
I am, with the utmoft refpeft and efteem, &c; G. W.

iSlRj New-Tork, June 14^ 1776.
I Herewith tranfmit you CPpies of a letter from gene-
iral Schuyler and its feveral inclofures, which I received fince I
had the honor of addreffing you yefterday. From thefe you
ivill learn that general Thomas died the fecond inftant ; and
the apprehenfions of our frontier friends in this colony, that
tour favage 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 tb general Putnain or the coih-
inanding officer here, inclofed in mine of the thirteenth^
where he requefts a fupply of clothing to be fent for the
array in Canada. As there is but little or no probability of
getting it here, I ffiall be glad fo know whether there will be
any chance of procuring it in Philadelphia ; ahd, if It ffibuld
be fent through the hands of the quarter-mafter here, to
what accdunt it is to be charged.
I was laft evening favored with yours of the eleventh In-i-
ftant, and hope. th6 two batallions^ which Congrefs have
brdered from Philadelphia for the defence of this place, vnli
come ptovided with arras. If they do not, they will be of
tio fervice, as there are raore ttobps here already than are
armed. Frorh general Schuyler's leftef, he has in vievv- the tak
ing poft where Fort-Stanwix fdrmerly ftood. I wrote hlm^
1 thPUght it prudent, previous to that, to fecure a ppft lower
down, about the falls below the German-'Flats, left the
You h M favages

i62 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
.favages ffiould poffefs themfc'iives of the country, and pre
vent fupplies of- men and provifions that may be neceffary
fo fend there in future. He fays he is in want of cannon
and amraunition ; but has expreffed himfelf fo ambiguoufly,
.that I am at a lofs to know whether he meant what he has
faid as an application or not,— this being the only intelli
gence on the fubjeft, and the firft mention of his want. I
h-dve defired him to explain the matter, and, in his future re-
quifitions for neceffaries, to be more certain and explicit as
to quantity and quality. In the mean time I fliall fend him
,fome intrenching tools, and inquire whether there are any
cannon that can be fpared frora hence.
I have the honor to be, &c. G, W,

Sir, Nuv-Tork, June 16, 1776,
I DO myfeif the honor to tranfm.it to Congrefs a
copy of a letter covering copies of other papers, which I re
ceived yefterday evening from general Sullivan, The intel
ligence communicated by hlin is pleafing and interefting, and
fuch as muft afford the gieateft Luisfaftion, if the conduft
the Canadians have difcovered fince his arrival among them
is ingenuous and fincere.
General Sullivan mentions his having given commiffions
to fonie of the Cimadlans as a meafure founded in neceffity,
and requ-L-ils my approbation of it. Bat not confidering
myfeif empov/ered to fay any thing upon the fubjeft, it may
not be Improper for Congrefs to gi'i/e him their opinion In
this inftance.
I have alfo inclofed copies of General Schuyler's letters
received at the fame time. They contain accounts refpeft
ing the Indians, variant ,from what was reported by Mr.
jKirkland, but amounting to the farae thing,— -the probabi
lity of the favages attacking our frontiers.
By laft-night's poft I had inforraation of a capture made
by our armed veffels, of one of the tranfports with a com pany

, OFFICIAL LETTERS. 163
pany of Highlanders on board, bound to Bofton, The In
clofed extraft from general Ward's letter to me will give
you the intelligence more particularly, — There are accounts
in the city mentioning other valuable prizes : but as general
Ward has faid nothing of thera, I fear they want authenti
city, I beg leave to raention that a further fura of money will
be wanted for our military cheft by the tirae It can be fent.
The inclofed note from the pay-mafter-general ffiews the ne
ceffity for it ; and I raay add, befides his eftlraate of draughts
to be raade, there are the claims of the eaftern troops at
Bofton for three or four months' pay, not Included, and
now due.
Colonel Magaw Is arrived wifh part of his batallion ; and
by wednefday evening the whole both of his and colonel
Slice's will be here, as I am told.
As it is and raay be of greaf iraportance fo have a com.-
munication with the Jerfeys and Long-Ifland, I have had fe
veral flat-bottoraed boats built for the purpofe, and have
thoughts of getting raore for Pofalc and Hackinfac rivers,
where they may be equally neceffary for tranfporting our
army or part of it occafionally, or fuccours coming to or
going from it, — I have the honor to be, &c. G, W.

Sir, New-Tork, June 17, 1776,
I BEG leave to Infornj Congrefs that general Woofter
has repaired to head-quarters in obedience to their refolve
tranfmitted him ; and ffiall be extremely glad If they will
give rae fuch further direftions about him as they may con
ceive neceffary. He is defirous of feeing his faraily in Con
nefticut, as I ara inforraed, having been a good while from
it.^I ffiall wait their Inftruftions as fo his future employ
ment. I am, fir, with fentiments of much efteem, &c. G. W.
M 2

i64 GENERAL WASHINGTC)^''g
Sir, New-Torkj June 20, 1776'*
I AM now to -acknowledge the receipt of yc-ar favors
of fhe fourteenth and eighteenth inftant, and the interefting
refolves contained in them, with which I have been honored.
The feveral mafters recommended to my attention fliall ber
particuT-arly regarded, and the direftions of Congrefs and
your requefts complied with in every inftance, as far as in
my power.
The inftituting a war-office is certainly an event of great
importance, and, In all probability, will be recorded as fuch
in the hi-ftoric page. The benefits derived from it, I flatter
myfeif, will be confiderable, though fhe plan upon which If
is firft formed may not be enthely psrfeft. This, like other
great works, in Its firft edition, may not be free from error :
— time will difcover Its defefts, and experience fuggeft the
remedy, and fuch further improvements as may be neceffary ;,
but it was right to give it a beginning, in my opinion.
The recomraendafion to fhe convention of New-York for
reftraining and puniffiing difaffefted perfons, I am hopeful,-
w'lU be attended wifh falutary confequences ; and fhe prohi
bition againft exporting provifions appears to have been a
raeafure founded in found policy, left proper fupplies fliould
be v/anted, wherewith t© fupply our armies.
I have tranfmitted general Schuyler the refolves about the
Indians, and the others on which he is to aft' ; and have re-
.quefted his ftrift attention and exertions in order fo their
being carried Into execution witivall poffible difpatch.
1 note your requeft refpefting Mr. Hancock. He fliall-
havc fuch direftions as m,iy be neceffary for condufting his-
office ; and I am happy he will have fo early a remittance
for payiiig the troops in his department.
The filver andpaper money defigned for Canada will be
highly ferviceable„ and I hope will be the means of re-efta-'
bliffiing our credit there in fome degree with the Canadians,-
and alfo encourage our men too, who have complained in
S thls'

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 165
this inft,ance. When it arrives, I will fend it forward under
a proper guard.
I have communicated to major-general Gates the refolv?
of Congrefs for him to repair to Canada, and direfted hini
to view Polnt-au-fer, that a fortrefs may be erefted if he
ffiall judge neceffary. He is preparing for his comraand, an4
in a few days will take his .departure for it. I would fain
hope his arrival there will give our affairs a complexion dif
ferent from what they have worn for a long time paft, and
that many effential benefits will refult from it.
The kind attention Congrefs have ffiewn fo .afford the
commander-in-chief here every affiftance, by rcfolving that
recommendatory letters be written to the conventions of
New- Jerfey, New- York, and affembly of Connecticut, to
authorife hira to call in fhe militia in cafe of exigency,
claims ray thankful acknowledgraents ; and, I truft, if carried
info execution, will produce many ^.dvantages in cafe if raay
be expedient at any time to call in early reinforcement's.
The delays incident to the ordinary mode may frequently
render their aid too late, and prove exceedingly injurious.
I this evening received intelligence of the nineteenth In
ftant from captain Pond of the armed floop Schuyler, of
his having taken, about fifty miles from this, on the fouth
fide of Long-Ifland, a ffiip and a floop bound to Sandy-
Hook. The fiiip, from Glafgow, with a company of the
/orty-fecond regiment, had been taken by one of comraodore
Hopkins's fleet, who took the foldiers out, and ordered her
to Rhode-Ifland ; after which, ffie was retaken by the Cer
berus, and put under the coijvoy of ~ihe floop. As captain
Pond informs me, there were five commiffioned officers,
two ladies, and four privates pn board. They are not yet
arrived at head-quarters. — Inclofed is an invoice of what
they have on board-
General Woofter having expreffed an inclination find wiffi
to wait on Congrefs, I have given him permi,ffion, not hav
ing any occafion fpr him here. He fet put this mprning.
M 3 I have

i66 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I have been up fo view the grounds about Kingftridge, and
find them to admit of feveral places well calculated for de
fence ; and, efteeming it a pafs of fhe utmoft importance,
have erdered works fo be laid- out, and ffiall direft part of
the fw^o batallions from Pennfylvania to fet about the ex-
-eculion immediately, and will add to their number feveral
of the militia when they come In, fo expedite them with all
poffible)dIfpatch. Their confequence, as they will keep open
the comraunication with the country, requires the moft
fpeedy completion of thera.
I have fhe honor fo be, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, June 21, 1776.
I WAS this morning honored with your favor of the
nineteenth inftant, with fundry refolves of Congrefs, which
came to hand after I had clofed mine of the twentieth. I
ffiall appoint a deputy mufter-mafter-general as foon as I can
fix upon a proper perfon for the office, and direft him im
mediately to repair to Canada.
Mr. Bennet, the bearer of this, delivered me a letter fo-
day frora general Schuyler, Inclofing the proceedings of the
commiffioners of Indian affairs at a meeting at Albany In
confequence of the refolution of Congrefs (as they fay)
which I tranfmitted, fhe feventh inftant, for engaging fhe
Indians In our fervice. The gentlemen appear to me fo
have widely miftaken the Views of Congrefs in this inftance,
and to have formed a plan for engaging fuch Indians as were
not in contemplation. I cannot account upon what princi
ples they have gone, as a part of their proceedings fliews
they are about to hold a conference with the Six-Nations.
I fuppofe they efteemed what they have done a neceffary
meafure : — a copy of which I have the honor to inclofe
you. I ffiall now beg leave fo lay before Congrefs a propofition
made to me by captain Lcary of this' city, in behalf of a
body

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 167
body of men who. are defirous of being employed in the con
tinental 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 refpefts. In a march, they may be of the utm.oft fer
vice in r.:connoitring the eneray and gaining Intelligence, and
have it in their power to render many iraportant benefits.
The terms on which they are willing to engage are inclofed,
which annear to me moderate and reafonable.-rrl am alfo in-
formed that another company might readily be made up, and
raoft probably upon the fame terms, I would therefore fub
mit the propriety and expediency of the meafure to the con
fideration of Congrefs, and wiffi their opinion whether it
will be agreeable fo them that both or either of them ffiould
be formed and incorporated in this army, in manner as has
been propofed by captain Leary, if it' can be done,
I have fhe honor to be, &c, G. W,

Sir, Head-B'^''^^^''^) fune 21, 1776,
THIS will be delivered to you by fhe chevalier de
Kirmovan and raonfieur de Vermonet, They are French
gentlemen juft arrived in this place, who have made appli
cation to me' to hi received Into the continental fervice,
They bring letters to Dr. Franklin and fome other gentle
men of the Congrefs. I fuppofe it will better appear from
thofe letters, than from any information I can give, whCthei
it v/ill be proper fo employ them In the capacity they are
defirous of,
I ara, fir, with the greateft efteem, &c. G, W.

Sir, New-Tork, June 23, 1776.
I Herewith tranfmit you an extraft of a letter frora ge
neral Ward which came to hand by laft-night's poft, con
taining fhe agreeable intelligence of their having obliged the
king's fliips to leave Nantaflcet road, and of two tranfports
M 4. more

i68 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
more beitig taken by our arnied veffels, with two hundr64
and ten Highland troops on board.
I fincerely wiffi the farae fuccefs had attended our arms in
another quarter : — but It has not. In Canada, the fituation
pf our affairs is truly alarming,,. The inclofed copies of ge
nerals Schuyler, Sullivan, and Arnold's letters will infornj
you that general Thorapfon has raet with a repulfe at Threes
Rivers, and is now a prifoner in fhe hands of general Bur
goyne, who (thefe accounts fay) is arrived with a confider-i
able array, Nor do they feem to promife an end of pur mlf-.,
fortunes here : — it is greatly fo be feared that the next ad
vices from thence will be, that our ffiaftered, divided, an4
broken army (as you will fee by the return) have been ob
liged to abandon fhe country, and retreat, to avoid a grea/ter
calamity, — that of, being cut off or becoming prifoners. — I
will have done upon the fubjeft, and leave you fo draw fuch
c'onclufions as you conceive, from the ftate of fafts, are moft
likely fo refult ; only adding my apprehenfipns that one of
the latter events, — either that 'they are cut off, or become
prifoners, — has already happened, if they did not retreat
while they had an opportunity. General Schuyler and ge
neral Ariiold feem to think it extremely probable : and if It
has taken place, it wIH not be eafy to defcribe all the fatal
confequences that may flow from if. At leaft our utmoft
exertions will be neceffary, to prevent the advantages they
have gained being turned to our greater misfortunes. — Ge
neral Gates win certainly fet out to-morrow, and would have
gone before now, had he not expefted to receive fome par
ticular inftruftions from Congrefs, which colonel Braitton
faid he imagified would be given, and tranfraifted here.
Inclofed is a copy of a lefter from general Arnold, re-;
fpefting fome of the Indian tribes, to general Schuyler, and
pf a talk had at Albany with thirteen of the One-Idas. They
feemed then tp enfertajn a friendly difpofition towards us,
which I wiffi may not be changed by the misfortunes we
have fuftained in Canada.
I have th? hpnpr to be, &c, Q, 'W,

OFFICIAL LEtT-ERS. j6g
Sir, New-Tork, June 2-] , 1776,
I THIS morning received, by exprefs, letters from
generals Schuyler raid Arnold, with a copy of one from ge
neral Sullivan to the former, and alfo of others to general
Sullivan ; of all which I do myfeif the honor to traufmis
you copies, They will give yyou a further account of tlw
melancholy fituation of our affairs in Canada, and ffiew tliat
there is nothing left to fave our army there but evacuating
the country.
I am hopeful general Sullivan would retreiit from the I3&!
aux-noix without -waiting for previous orders for that purpofe j
3S, from generals Schuyler and Arnold's letters, it is much is
be feared, by remaining there any confiderable time, his re-r
Ireat 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 fend any carpenters from hence to build the gon-
•filolas and gallies general Arnold mentions, without taking
them from a work equally necefl'ary (If not more fo) here,
of the fame kind ; — ^and fubmit it to them whether it raay
not be advifable (as jf is of great importance to us to haiye a
pvunher of thofe veffels on the lake, tp prevent the enemy's
paffmg) to withdraw the carpenters for the prefent frorn the
frigates building up the North river, and detach them imme-
{liately, with all that can be got at Philadelphia, for that
purpofe and carrying on thofe here, ,
I have the pleafure to Inform you of another capture made by
©ur armed veffels, of a tranfport, on tlie nineteenth Lnftatit, with
& company of Highland grenadiers on board. The inclofeiil
exf-raft of a letter from general Ward, by laft-night's poft,
contains the p.articulars ; to which I beg leave to refer you.
I have been honored with your favors of the twenty-fii-ft and
twenty-fifth inftant in due order, with their important inclo
fures, to v/hichi fhiil! particularly attend.- — I have tranfmitted
geiier^l Schuyler a copy of the refolve of Congrefs refpefting the

ijo GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the Mohickan and Stockbridge Indians, and direfted him to
pat an immediate ftop to the raifing the two companies.
The quarter-mafter-general has been called upon for flop
ping the tents defigned for Maffachufetts-Bay, and ordered
to forward thera iramediately. He means fo write to Con
grefs upon the fubjeft, and hopes his conduft will not ap
pear to deferve their reprehenfion. Of this they will judge
from his relation of the matter.
Being extremely defirous fo forward the intelligence from
Canada to Congrefs, well knowing their anxiety about our
affairs there, I muft defer writing upon fome other matters
I want to lay before them, until fhe next opportunity, which
lhope will be to-morrow, when I will inform them fully upon
the fubjeft of rations, having defired the commiffary-general
to furnifli me with fome things neceffary in that inftance.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, June 27, 1776.
UPON information that major * "^ * was travelling
through the country under fufpicious circumftances, I
thought it neceffary to have him fecured. I therefore fent
after him. He was taken at South-Amboy, and brought up
to New-York. Upon examination, he informed me that
he came from New-Hampffiire, the country of his ufual
abode. Where he had left his family ; and pretended he was
deftined to Philadelphia on bufinefs with Congrefs.
As by his own confeffion he had crofl'ed Hudfon's-river at
New-Windfor, and was taken fo far out of his proper and
direft route to Philadelphia, this confideration, added to the
length of time he had taken to perform his journev, — his
being found in fo fufpicious a place as Amboy, — his un-
necefl'ary ftay there on pretence of jgetting fome baggage
from New-York, and an expeftation of receiving mo
ney from a perfon here, of bad charafter, and in no cir
cumftances
9

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 171
Cumftances to furniffi hira out of his own ftock, — the ma
jor's reputation, and his being a half-pay officer, — have In-
creafed my jealoufies about him.
The bufinefs, which he informs me he has with Congrefs,
is a fecret offerof his fervices, to the end that, in cafe it ffiould
be rejefted, he might have his way left open to an employ
ment in the Eaft Indies, to which he is affigned : and in that
cafe he flatters hirafelf he will obtain leave of Congrefs to go
to Great Britain.
As he had been put upon his parole by Congrefs, I thought
it v/ould be improper to ftay his progrefs to Philadelphia,
fliould he be in faft deftined thither. I therefore fend
him forward, but (to prevent impofition) under the care of
an officer, with letters found upon hirn, which, from their
tenor, feem calculated fo recommend him to Congrefs. — I
fubmit it to their confideration, whether it would not be
dangerous fo accept of the offer of his fervices.
I am, fir, with the greateft refpeft, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, June 2%, 1776.
IN compliance with the requeft of Congrefs contained
in your favor of the twenty-fifth inftant, and my promife of
yefterday, I do myfeif the honor fo inform you that the coft
of a ration, according to the comralffary-general's eftimate,
from the firft of July to the firft of December, will be from
eight -pence to eight-pence halfpenny, York currency.'
Having difcharged the obligation I was under in this In
ftance, and finding that many applications have been made
for viftualling the flying camp, I would, with all poffible
deference, wifli Congrefs to confider the matter well before
they come to any determination upon it. Who the gentle
men are that have made offers upon this occafion, 1 kno-vv
not : confequently my objeftions fo their appointment can
not proceed frora perfonal diflike ; nor have I it in view to
ferve Mr. Trumbull the commiffary-general, by wiftiing him to

172 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
to have the direftion of fhe whole fupplies for his emolu,
ment ; becaufe whatever rations are taken from him fave
hira the trouble of fupplying provifions to the amount, with
out dimlniffiing his pay,— that being fixed and certain :—
but what influences rae is a regard to the pubhc good. I
ara morally certain. If the bufinefs is taken out of Mr, Trum
bull's hands and put into another's, that it may, and wifl in
all probability, be attended with great and many inconveni
ences. It is likely, during the continuance of fhe war be-»
tween us and Great Britain, that fhe array here, or part of
it, and the troops compofing the flying camp, will be frcT
quently joined, and under fhe neceffity of affording each
other mutual aid. If this event is probable (and moft cer
tainly it is), the fame confufion and diforder will refult fron:i
having two commiffaries, or one commiffary and one coii-
traftor in the fame army in the fame department, as did be
tween Mr. Trumbull and Mr. Livingfton on fhe coming of
the former to New-York. I cannot dlfcrimlijate fhe two cai^s j
and not forefeeing that any good confequences will flow from
the meafure, but that many bad ones will, — fuch as claffiing
of interefts, — a contention for ftores, carriages, — and many
other caufes that might be mentioned if hurry of bufinefs
would permit, — -I confefs I cannot perceive the propriety of
appointing a different perfon, or any but the comraiffary.
I would alfo add, that few armies, if any, have been better
fupplied than the troops under Mr. Trumbull's care in this
inftance ; which, I ffiould fuppofe, ought to have confidera»
ble weight, efpecially as we have ftrong reafons to believe
that a large ffiare of fhe misfortunes our arms have fuftained
in -Canada fprang from a wane of proper and neceffary fup
plies of provifions.
Mr. Trumbull too (I am Informed) has already made pro»
vifion in New- Jerfey for the flying cam-p which will be fta
tioned there, and employed proper perfons In that colpny to
tranfaft the bufinefo incident to his department, In obedience

' OFFICIAL LETTERS. 173
to my ofdets, and In full confidence that it was to come un
der his management.
My great defire fo fee the affairs of this important poft, on
which fo much depends, go on in an eafy, fmooth and un
interrupted courfe, has led me fo fay fhus much upon the
fubjeft, and will, I hope, (if I am unhappy en ough to differ
in opinion with Congrefs), plead my excufe for the liberty I
have taken.
I would alfo beg leave to mention to Congrefs the neceffity
there is of fome new regulations being entered into, refpeft
ing the chaplains of this army. They will remember that
applications were made to increafe their pay, which was con
ceived too low for their fupport ; and that it was propofed
(if it could not be done for the whole) that the number
ffiould be leffened, and one be appointed fo two regimentSj
with an additional allowance. This latter expedient was
adopted, and, while fhe army continued all together at one
encampment, anfwered well, or at leaft did not produce
many inconveniences. But the army now being differently
circumftanced from what it then was,— part here, part at
Bofton, and a third part detached to Canada, — has intro
duced much confufion and diforder in this inftance ; nor do
I know how it is poffible to remedy the evil, but by affixing
one to each regiment, with falaries competent fo their fupj
port. No ffilfting, no change frora one reglraent to another
can anfwer the purpofe ; and in many cafes it could never
be done though the regiments ffiould confent, — as where
detachraents are compofed of unequal numbers, or ordered
frora different pofts. Many more inconveniences might be
pointed out : but thefe, it Is prefumed, will fufficiently ffiew
the defeft of the prefent eftabliffiment, and the propriety of
5m alteration. What that alteration fiiall be, Congrefs will
pleafe to determine.
Congrefs, I doubt not, Will have heard of the plot that
was forming among many difaffefted perfons in this city and
government for aiding the king's troops upon their arrival.
No

174 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
No regular plan feems to have been digefted : but feveral
perfons have been enlifted, and fworn to join thera. The
matter, I am in hopes, by a timely difcovery, WiU be fup-
preffed 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 ; and fhe mayor ap
pears to have been a principal age^t, or go-between him
and the perfons concerned in If. The plot had been com
municated to fome of the army, and part of ray guard en
gaged in it. T * * '* Fl * * *, one of them, has been
tried, and, by the unanimous opinion of a court-martial, is
fentenced fo die, — having enlifted himfelf, and engaged
others.- The fentence, by the advice of fhe whole council
of general officers, will be put In execution to-day at eleven
o'clock. The others are not tried. — I ara hopeful this ex
ample will produce many falutary confequences, and deter
others from entering into the like traitorous praftices.
The inclofed copy of a refolve of the provincial Congrefs
will ffiew that fom.e of the difaffefted on Long-Ifland have
taken up arms. — I have, agreeable to their requeft, fent ,a
party after them, but have not as yet been able to apprehend
them, — having concealed tliemfelves in different woods and -
moraffes. General Gates fet out on t-.--. fday with a fine wind which
has been fair ever fince, and would foon arrive at Albany.
I this moment received a letter from lieutenant Davifon,
of the Schuyler armed floop, a copy of which I have in
clofed ; fo which I beg leave to refer you for the intelligence
communicated by him.
I could wifh general Howe and his armament not to ar
rive yet, as not more than a thoufand miiitia have yet
corae in, and our whole force (including the troops at all the
detached pofts, and on, board the armed veffels, which are
comprehended in our returns) Is but fmall and Inconfider
able, when compared with the exfenfive lines they are to de
fend, and (moft probably) the army that he brings. I have no

, OFFICIAL LETTERS. 175
no further intelligence about him than what the lieutenant
mentions : but it is extremely probable his accounts and
conjeftures are true.
I have the honor to be, &c. - G. 'W",
P, S. I have inclofed a general return:-— and it maybe
certainly depended on, that general Howe and fleet have
failed from Halifax, Some of the men, on board the prizes
mentioned in the lieutenant's letter, were on board the
Greyhound, and faw general Plowe.

Sir, Ncw-Tork, June 29, 1776.
I WAS laft night honored with your favor of the
twenty-fixth inftant, and, agreeable to your requeft, ffiall
pay proper attention to the refolves it Inclofed.
I obferve the augmentation Congrefs have refolved to
m-ake to the forces deftined for the northern department, and
the bounty to be allowed fuch foldiers as will enlift for three
years. I hope many good confequences will refult frora .
thefe raeafures ; and that, from fhe latter, a confiderable
number of men may be induced to engage in the fervice.
I ffiould efteem myfeif extremely happy fo afford the leaft
affiftance to the Canada department in compliance with the
defire of Congrefs and your requifition, were it in my power :
but it Is not. The return which I tranfmitted yefterday
will but too well convince Congrefs of my incapacity in this
inftance, and point out to them that the force I now have is
trifling, confidering the many and important pofts that are
neceffary, and muft be fupported. If poffible. But few mili
tia have yet come in, the whole being about tvvt-lve hunJrei','
including fhe two batallions of this city, and one company
frora fhe Jerfeys. I wiffi the delay raay not be attended
with difagreeable confequences, and their aid may not come
too late, or when It may not be wanted. I have wrote, —
I have done every thing I could, to call them in : but they
have

ir& GENFrAL WASHINGTON'S
haive not come, though I am told that they are genei'aii/
•willing. The accounts communicated yefterday j^roUgh lieutenant
Davifon's letter are partly confirraed, arid, I dare fay, will
turn out to be true on fhe whole. For two or|three days
Jra;ft, three or four ffiips have been dropping in ; and I juft
HOW received an exprefs frorti an officer appointed to keep
a look-out on Staten-Ifland, that forty-five arrived at the
Hook to-day : — fom.e fay more ;— and I fuppofe the whole?
feet will be in, Withirf a day dr two. I ara hopeful, before
they are prepared to attack, that I ffiall get fome reinforce^
ments. — Be that as it may, I ffiall attempt to mate the beft
difpofition I can of our troops, in order to give them a pro-
Jter reception, and to prevent the ruin and deftruftion thejf
are meditating againft us.
As foon as the exprefs arrived laft night, I fent the letters
for the notthern colonies to the quarfer-mafter-^general, with
orders to forward them imraediately.
When raonfieur Wiebert comes— (I have not feen him
'yct)*-I ffiall eraploy him as Congrefs have direfted. The
terms upon which he offers his fervice feem to proraife fome-^
tiling from him. I wiffi he may anfv/er, and' be fliilled in
the bufinefs he fays he is acquainted with.
I have the honor to be, <kc. G. Vii

Sir, Nczv-Tck, June 30, 1776;'
I HAD the pleafure of receiving your favor of the
t'Tcnty-ninth early this morning, with which you have been
pleafed to honor me, together with the refolves for a further
2-jgmentatiori of our army.
The batallion of Germans, which Congrefs have ordered
to be r.uu"d, will be a Corps of much fervice : and I am hope-'
ftil that fueh perfons will be appointed officers, as will com
plete their enliftments with all poifiblc expedition. ' Iflial!

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 'rif
1 ffiall communicate to colonel Stevenfon and one of his
field-pfficets what you have requefted, and direft them to re
pair imhiediately to Philadelphia, It is an unlucky circum-t
ftance that the term pf eniiftment of thefe three cornpanlesj
and of the rifle batallion} ffiould expire at this time, when a
hot campaign is, in all probability, aboUt to commence.
Canada, it is certain^ would have been an important ac
quifition, and well worth the expenfes incurred in fhe purfuit
of it. But as we could not reduce it to our poffeffion, the
retreat of our arrny with fo little lofs, under fuch a variety
of diftreffes, muft be efteemed a moft fortunate event. It Is'
true, the accounts we have received do not fully authorife u3
to fay that we have fuftained no lofs : but they hold forth a
probable ground for fuch concliifioiii — I am anxious to hear
it confirmed. I have the honor of tranfmiting ydu ah extraft of a letfetf
received laft night frora general Ward, — If the fcherae the
privateers had in view, and the meafures he had planned,
have been carried into execution, the Highland corps will be
tolerably well difpofed of : but I fear the fortunate event has
not taken place.
In general Ward's letter, was inclofed one frdm lieute
nant-colonel Campbell, who was made prifoner with the High
land troops. I have tranfraifted you a copy. This will give
you a full and exaft 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 Bofton by the
Britiffi troops was a matter neither known nor expefted
when he received his orders.^ Indeed fo many fafts had
concurred before to fettle the matter, that no additional
proofs were neceffary.
When I had the honor of addreffing you yefterday, 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, frora general
Greene) that a hundred and ten fail came In before night,
¦Vol. I. N that

178 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
that were counted, and that more were feen about dufk in
the offing. — I 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 one
from a gentleman upon the fubjeft of calling fhe five regi
ments from Bofton to the defence of Canada or New- York,
and to have mlHtia raifed in their lieu. — I have fent you a
copy, and ffiall only obferve, that I know the author weU:
his hand-writing is quite familiar to me : he is a member of
the general court, very fenfible, of great influence, and a
warm and zealous friend to the caufe of Araerica. — The ex
pedient propofed by hira is fubmitted to Congrefs.
1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, ' New-Terk, July 3, 1776...
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you, and oir
the fame day, feveral ffiips more arrived within the Hook,
making tire number that came in then a hundred and ten; and'
there, remains no doubt of the whole of fhe fleet from Halifax
being now here. Yefterday evening fifty of thera came up
the bay and anchored on the Staten-Ifland fide. Their views
I cannot precifely determine ; but am extremely apprehen
five, as part of thera only carae, that they mean to furround
the ifland, and fecure the ftoek upon it. I had confulted
with a committee of fhe provinciral Congrefs upon the fub
jeft, before the arrival of fhe fleet ;^ and they appointed- a
perfon to fuperintend fhe bufinefs, and fo drive fhe ftock off.
I alfo wrote to brigadier-general Heard, and direfted him to
the meafure, left it might be neglefted ; but am fearful it
has not been effefted.
Our reinforcement of militia is yet but fmall : — I cannot
afcertain the amount, not having got a return. However, I
truft, if the enemy make an attack, they will meet with a re
pulfe, as i have the pleafure to inform you that an agreeable fpirit

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 179
fpirit and willingnefs fdr aftidn feeni to aniraate and pervade
the whole of our troops.
Ai it is difficult tb deterraiilie -vvhat objefts the enefhy rhay
iiave in conteraplationi and whether they may not detach
fome part of their force to Amboy, and fo ravage that part of
the country, if rtdt extend their views farther, I fubmit it
to Congrefs whether it may not be expiedient for thera f o re
peat andprefs home their requefts to fhe different governments
that are to provide men fpr the flying carap, to furniffi thelf:
quotas with all poffible difpatch. It is a matter of great im-
i portance, and will be of ferious confequence, "to have fhe
camp eftabliffied in cafe fhe enemy ffiptild be able to pofleft
themfelves of this river, and cut off the fupplies of troops
that might be neceffary on certain eriiergencies to be fent
from hence. 1
I muft entreat your atfentiori to an application I raadd
fome time ago for flints. We are extreraely deficient in
this neceffary article, ahd ffiall be greatly diftreffed If we
cannot obtain a fupply. - Of lead we haVe a fufficient
quantity for the whole campaign, taken off the hdufes
here. Efteeming it of infinite advantage to prevent the enemy
from getting freffi provlfidris, and horfes for their waggonsj
artillery, &c, I gave orders to a party of our men on Staten-
Ifland (fince writing to general Heard) to drive fhe ftock pff
without waiting for the affiftance Pr direftion of the cora-
mlttees , there, left their flow raode of franfafting bufinefs
might produce too niuch delay; — -and haVe fent this raorn-
ing to knd<v what they have done.-^I am this morning in
formed by a gentleman, that the coramitfee of Elizabeth-
town fent their corapany of fight-horfe on raonday to eft'eft
it, and that fome of their railitia were to give their aid yef
terday. He adds that he was credibly told laft night by a
party of fhe militia coming fo this place, that yefterday they
faw a good de.il of flock driving off the ifland, and croffing
N2 to

i8o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
to the Jerfeys. — If the bufinefs is not executed before now,
it will be impoffible to do it.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,

Sir, New-Tork, July 4, ijj6.
THIS will be handed to you by colonel Stevenfon,
whora I have ordered, with the captains of the two rifle
companies frora Maryland, to wait on Congrefs. They
will point out fuch meafures as they conceive moft likely to
advance the raifing of the new rifle batallion, and the perfons
they think worthy of promotion, that have ferved in the
three companies here, agreeable to the inclofed lift. I am
not acquainted with thera rayfelf, but from their report and
recommendation which I doubt not to be juft ; and that, if
Congrefs will pleafe to inquire of them, they will mentioit
other proper perfons for officers.
Only about forty of the three old companies have re-en
lifted, whom I ffiall form into one for the prefent, and place
under an officer or two, till a further and complete arrange-.
ment is made of the v/hole batallion.
I have, fhe honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, July 4, 1776.
WHEN I had fhe honor to addrefs you on the thirtieth
Bltlnio, I tranfmitted a copy of a letter I had received from
a gentleraan, a member of fhe honorable- general court [0/
Maffachufetts], fuggefting fhe improbability of fuccours com
ing from thence in any reafonable tirae, either for the defence
©f this place, or to reinforce our troops engaged in the Ca
nada expedition. I am forry to inform you, that, frora a var
riety of intelligence, his apprehenfions appear to be juft, and
to be fully confirraed : nor have I reafon to expeft but that
the fupplies frora the other two governments, Connefticut and

OFFICIAL LETTERS. iSi
and New-Hampffiire, will be extremely flow and greatly de
ficient in number.
As' it now feems beyond queftion, and clear fo demonftra-
tion, that the enemy mean to direft their operations and
Bend their moft vigorous efforts againft this colony, and will
attempt to unite their two armies, — that under genera! Bur
goyne, and the one arrived here,-:-! cannot but think fhe ex
pedient propofed by that gentleman is exceedingly juft ; and
that the continental regiments, now in the Maffachufetts-Bay,
ffiould be imraediately called frora thence, and be employed
where there is the ftrongeft reafon fo believe their aid will
be indifpenfably neceffary. The expediency of the meafure
I ffiall fubmll to fhe confideration of Congrefs,. and will only
obferve, as rny opinion, that there is not the moft diftant
profpeft of an attempt being made, where they now are, by
the enemy ; and, if there ffiould, that the militia that can be
affembled upon fhe ffiorteft notice will be raore than equal to
.repel It. They are well armed, refolute, and determined,
and will inftantly oppofe any invafion that raay be raade in
their own colony.
I ffiall alfo take the liberty again to requeft Congrefs to
intereft therafelves in having fhe railitia raifed, and forward
ed with all poffible expedition, as faft as any confiderable
nuraber of thera can be collefted, that are to compofe fhe
flying carap. This I mentioned in ray letter yefterday, 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 ffiall be glad that fhe conventions, or com
mittees of fafety, of thoTe governraents frora whence they
corae, raay be requefted fo give rae previous notice of their
marching, that I may forra fome plan, and direft provifion
to be raade for their reception,
The difaffeftion of the people at that place and others not
far diftant is exceedingly great ; and, unlefs it is checked and
overawed, it raay become raore general, and be very alarm
ing. The arrival of the eneray will encourage it. They, or
N3 at

iSz GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
at leaft a part of them, are already landed on Staten-Iflaijd
which is quite contiguous ; and about four thoufand were
marching about it yefterday, as I have been advifed, and are
leaving no arts un-effayed to gain the Inhabitants to their
fide,' who feera but too favorably difpofed. It is not un
likely that in a litfle time they may atterapt fo crofs to fhe
Jerfey fide, and induce raany to join thera either from mo
tives of intereft or fear, unlefs there is a force to oppofe
them. As we are fully convinced that the minifterial army we
ffiall have fo oppofe this campaign will be great and numer
ous, and well know that the utmoft induftry will be ufed, as
it already has been, fo excite the favages and every body of
people to arms againft us whorn they can Influence, it cer
tainly behoves us to ftrain every nerve to counteraft their
defigns. I would therefore fubmit it fo Congrefs, whether
(efpecially as our fchemes for employing fhe weftern Indians
do not feera to be attended with any great profpeft of fucT
cefs, from general Schuyler's accounts) it may not be ad
vifable fo take meafures to engage thofe of the eaftward,
the St. John's, Nova-Scotia, Penobfcot, &c, in our favor. I
have been told that feveral might be got, perhaps five or fix
hundred or more, readily to join us. If they can, I ffiould
imagine it ought fo be done. It will prevent our enemies
from fecuring their friendffiip ; and further they will be of
infinite fervice in annoying and harraffing them, ffiould they
ever attempt to penetrate the country. Congrefs will be
pleafed to confider the meafure : and if they determine fo adopt
it, I conceive it will be neceffary to authorife and requeft '
the general court of the Maffarhufetts-Bav to carry it into
execution. Their fituatjon and advant.iges will enable them
to negotiate a treaty and an alliance better than it can be
done by any perfons elfe.
- I have been honored with your two favors of the firft
ipftant ; and, agreeable to fhe wiffies of Congrefs, fliall put
ponCeur Wiebert in the beft place I can to prove his abili ties

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 183
tics in the art he profeffes, I ffiall fend him up immediately
to the works erefting towards Kingffiridge under the direc
tion of general Mrfflin, whom I ffialbrequeft to employ him.
I this raoraent received a letter from general Greene, an
extraft of which I have inclofed. The intelligence it con
tains is of the moft important nature, and evinces the necef
fity of the moft fpirited and vigorous exertions on our part.
The expeftation of the fleet under adrairal Howe is cer
tainly the reafon the army already come have not begun
their hoftile, operations. When that arrives, we may look
for the moft interefting events, and fuch as, in all probabi
lity, will have confiderably weight in the prefent Conteft. It
behoves us fo be prepared in the beft manner : and 1 fubmit
it again fo Congrefs, whether fhe accounts given by their
prifoners do not ffiew the propriety of calling the feveral
continental regiments from the Maffachufetts governrrient,
raifing the flying camp with all poffible difpatch, and en
gaging the eaftern Indians.
July 5.  General Mercer arrived here on tuefday, and,
the next morning, was ordered to Paulus-Hook to make
fome arrangements of fhe militia as they came in, and the
beft difpofition he could to prevent the enemy croffing from
Staten-Ifland, if they ffiould have any fuch vlevvs. The
diftreffed fituation of the inhabitants of Elizabethtowrt and
Newark has fince induced me, upon their application, to give
up all the militia from the Jerfeys, except thofe engaged for
fix months. I ara hopeful they will be able to repel any m-
curfions that maybe atterapted. Generals Mercer and Liv
ingfton are concerting plans for that purpofe. By a letter
frora fhe latter laft night, I am inforraed the enemy are
throwing up fmall works at all the paffes on the north fide
of Staten-Ifland, which it is probable they mean to fecure.
None of fhe Connefticut militia are yet arrived : fo that
the reinforcement w,e have received is very inconfiderable.
A letter from general Schuyler, with fundry inclofures
(pf whiph N" I, 2, and 3, are exaft copies), thif, moment
N 4 ' c.nne:

i84 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
came to hand, and will no doubt claim, as if ought to do,
the immediate attention of Congrefs. The evils which muft
iiievltably follow a dlfputpd command are too obvious and
alarming to admit a raoraent's delay in your decifion there
upon : and, although I do not prefume fo advife in a mat
ter, now, of this delicacy, yet as it appears evident that the
northern army has retreated fo Crown-Point, and mean to aft
upon the defenfive only, I cannot help giving it as my opinioij
that one of the major-generals in that quarter would be more
ufefully employed here, or in the flying camp, than there :
for it becomes my duty fo obferve, if another experienced
officer Is taken frora hence in order to command the flying
camp, that your grand array will be entirely ftripp^d of ge
nerals who have feen fervice, — being in a raanner already
d,eftitute of fuch. My diftrefs on this account, — the ap-
pointm.ent of general Whitcorab to the eaftern regiments,—
a conviftlon in my own breaft that no troops will be fent fo
Bollon, — and the certainty of a number coming to this
place, — occafioned my poftponing, frora time fo tirhe, fend
ing any general officer frora hence to the eaftward hereto
fore : arid now I fliall wait fhe fentiments of Congrefs rela
tive to the five regiments in Maffachufetts-Bay, before I do
any thing in this mafter.
The coramiffary-general has been with me this morning,
concerning the other matter contained in general Schuyler's
letter refpefting the bufinefs of that department. He has,
I believe, (in order to reraove difficulties), recalled Mr.
Avery, but feems to think it neceffary in that cafe that Mr.
Livingfton fhould be left tp hirafelf, as he cannot be refpou-
fible for perfons not of his own appointment. — This mafter
fliould alfo be clearly defined by Congrefs. — I have already
given my opinion of fhe neceffity of thefe matters being
under one general direftion, in fo full and clear a manner,
that I ffiall not fake up the tirae of Congrefs to repeat it in
this place.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 185
Sir, New-Tork', July 8, 1776.
CONGRESS having refolved to raife a regiment of
Germans to counteraft fhe defigns of our enemies, I rauft
beg leave fo recommend to their notice John David Wilpert,
pow a firft lieutenant In colonel Shee's batallion, to the
office of captain in faid reglraent. I ara perfonally acquaint
ed with him, and know that he joined the Virginia forces
under my comraand in fhe year 1754, and continued in fer
vice fhe whole war, during which he condufted himfelf as
an aftive, vigilant, and brave officer. He is a German ; and
his merit, as a foldier, entitles him much to fhe office he
wiffies for.— I have fhe honor fo be, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, July 10, 1776.
I AM now to acknowledge the receipt of your two
favors of the fourth and fixth inftant, which came duly to
hand, with their important Inclofures.
I perceive that Congrefs have been employed in delibe
rating on meafures of fhe raoft interefting nature. It is cer
tain that it is not with us to determine in raany inftances
what confequences will flow from our councils : but yet it
behoves us to adopt fuch, as, under fhe fmiles of a gracious
and all-kind providence, will be moft likely to promote our
happinefs. I truft the late decifive part they have taken is
calculated for that end, and will fecure us that freedom and
thofe privileges, which have been and are refufed us, con
trary to the voice of nature and the Brltifti conftitu-
flon. Agreeable to fhe requeft of Congrefs, I caufed
" THE DECLARATION" to be proclaimed before all
the arniy under my Immediate command ; and have the
pleafure to inform them that the meafure feemed to have
'their moft hearty affent, — the expreffions and behavior,
both of officers and men, teftifying their warmeft approba
tion of it. I have tranfmitted a copy to General Ward at
Bofton,

i86 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Boftorr, requefting him to have it proclaimed to the conti-*
uental tioops in that department.
It is with great pleafure that I hear the militia from Mary
land, the Delaware government, and Pennfylvania, will be in
moton every day to form the flying camp. It is of great im
portance, and ffiould be accompliffied wiib all poffible dif
patch. The readinefs and alacrity, with which the commit
tee of fafety of Pennfylvania and the other conferees have
afted in order to forward the affociated militia of that ftate
ta the Jerfeys for fervice till the men to compofe the flying
camp arrive, ftrongly evidence their regard to the common
c^afe, and that nothing on their part will be wanting to fup
port It- I hope, and I doubt not, that the affociated militia,
imprefled with the expediency of the meafure, will imme-
&ztelf carry it into execution, and furniffi in this inftance
a proof of the continuance of that zeal which has fo emi-
nertiriy m.-»rke4 their conduft. I have direfted the commif
fary to make the neceffary proVifion for their reception, who
wtlJ alfo fwpply the army for fhe flying camp with rations.—
A proper officer wMl be appointed to corrimand it.
In p.arfua.nce of the power gi>'en me by Congrefs, and the
advice of my general officers, I have wrote to general Ward,
anddefjred hira forthwith to detach three of the falleft regi
ments frora the Maffachufetts-Bay to join the northern
aTTijy,— eft-eeming it a matter of the greateft Importance to
haive a fufficient force there to prevent fhe enemy paffmg
the lake and making an impreffion in that quarter. — ^The
gondobs and gallies will be of great fervice ; and I am hope..
ful the carpenters you have fent from Philadelphia, and that
will gc from the eaftward on your application, will be able
to build a fufficient number in time to anfwer every exi-r
gency. I have requefted governor Cooke, if the duck mentiooed
in Mr. Greene's letter is proper for tents, fo have it made up
as early as poffible, and forwarded here. I have ;vlfo defired
him to fend tlie Slats and fmall-aims, as I have genera} Ward

OFPICIAL LETTERS. i9j
Ward thofe of fhe latter that were taken out of the Scotch
tranfports,— our deficiency in thefe neceffary articles being
ftill great.
Obferving that Congrefs have particularly mentioned
a bounty of ten dollars to be paid to men of forae
corps direfted to be raifed in two or three inftances fince
their refolve of the twenty-fixth of June allowing fuch
hpunfy,-I have been led to doubt how that refolve is to be
ponftrued; whether it Is a general regulation, and extends to
all men that will engage for three yeais, — for inftance, the
foldiers pf the prefent array. If they will enlift for that tirae.
Jf it is, and extends fo them, it vvill be neceffary to forwar4
a large fum of money ; — many perhaps would engage.
I alfo obferve, by their refolve of the twenty-fifth of June
for raifing four regiments of militia in the e'.;rcc-rn govern^
ments to augment fhe troops in fhe northern department,
that the affembhes of thofe governraents are empowered to
appoint payraafters to the faid regiments. This appears to
pie a regulation of great ufe, and I could wiffi that it was
made general, and ope allowed to evefy regiment in the fer-
yice. Many advantages would refult frpm it
The Cpnnefticut militia begin to cpme in ; but frora every
account the batallipns will be very incomplete, — owing, tliev
fay, fo the bufy feafon of flie year. That government, left
any inconvenience might refult frora their militia not being
here in tirae, .ordered three regiments of their light-horfe to
my affifiance, part of which have arrived. But, not having
the means fo fupport them (and, if It coule) be done, the ex
penfe would be enorraous), I have thanked the gentlemen for
their zeal, and the attachment they have raanifefted upon
this occafion, and informed them that I cannot confent to
their keeping their horfCs,— at the fame time wifliing them
fo ftay themfelves. — I am told they or part of thera mean to
do fo.
General Mercer is now Jn the Jerfeys, for the purpofe of
feceiving and ordering the militia cpming for the flying
I camp :

i88 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
camp : and I have fent over our chief engineer to view the
ground within the neighborhood of Amboy, and to lay
out fome neceffary works for the encampment, and fuch as
may be proper at the diflerent paffes in Bergen-Neck, and
other places on the Jerfey ffiore oppofite Staten-Ifland, to pre.-
vent the enemy making Impreffions, and committing depre
dations on the property of the inhabitants.
The intelligence we have frora a few deferters that have
come over fo us, and frora others, is that general Howe has
between nine and ten thoufand men, who are chiefly landed
cn the ifland, pofted in different parts, and fecuring the fe^
veral communications from the Jerfeys with fmall works
and intrenchments, to prevent our people from paying them
a vifit ; — that fhe Iflanders have all joined them, feem well
difpofed to favor their caufe, and have agreed to take up
arms in their behalf. They look for adrairal Howe's arrival
every day with his fleet and a large reinforceraent ; are in
high fpirits, and talk confidently of fuccefs, and carrying all
before them when he coraes. I truft, through divine favor
and our own exertions, they will be difappointed in their
views : and, at all events, any advantages they raay gain
Will coft them very dear. If our troops will behave well
(which I hope will be the cafe, having every thing to con
tend for, that freemen hold dear), they will have fo wade
through much blood and flaughter before they can carry any
part of our works, if they carry thera at all, — and, at beft,
be in poffeflion of a melancholy and mournful viftory. —
May the facrednefs of our caufe infpire our foldiery with
fentiments of heroifm, and lead thera to the performance of
the nobieft exploits .'—With this wifli, I have the honor to
be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Ncw-Tork, July II, 1776.
I WAS honored with your favor cf the eighth inftant
by yefterday-morning's poft, with fhe feveral refolves to
which

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 1S9
which you referred my attention. I ffiall duly regard thera,
and attempt their execution as far as I am able.
By virtue of the difcretionary power that Congrefs were
pleafed to veft me with, and by advice of fuch of my gene
ral officers as I have had an opportunity of confulting, I have
ordered the two remaining continental regiments in the Maf
fachufetts-Bay fo raarch immediately for the defence of this
place, in full confidence that nothing hoftile will be atterapt
ed againft that ftate 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
Indians, entreating their good offices in this inftance, and
their exertions to have them forthwith engaged and raarched
to join this army. I have defired five or fix hundred of them
to be enlifted for two or three years, if they will confent to
it, — fubjeft to an earlier difcharge, if it ffiall be thought ne
ceffary, — 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 Connefticut fight-horfe fo affift in the defence of this
place, and my objeftion to their horfes being kept. Four
or five hundred of them are now come in : and, In juftice to
their zeal and laudable attachment to the caufe, of their
country, I am to inform you that they have confented to
ftay as long as occafion may require, though they ffiould be at
the expenfe of maintaining their horfes themfelves. They
have . paftured them out about the neighborhood of Kingf-
bridge (being unwilling to fend them away) at the rate of
half a dollar per week each, meaning to leave if entirely with
Congrefs either to allow or 'refufe it, as they ffiall judge
proper. I promifed to make this reprefentation, and thought
it my duty ; and will only obferve that the motives which
induced them at firft fo fet out were good and praife-Worthy,
and were, to afford fhe moft fpeedy and early fuccour,
which they apprehended would be wanted before the militia
arrived. Their fervices may be extremely important, — ¦
7 being

i^0 GENERAL Vi^ASHINGTO^J'S
being inoft of them, if not all, men of reputation and 6'f
property. The fubjeft of fhe inclofed copy of a letter from governor
TrumbuU I beg leave to fubmit to the confideration of Con
grefs. They will perceive frora his reprefentation the dif-
quieting apprehenfions that have feized on the minds of the
people fince the retreat of the northern army, and how ex-
pofed fhe northern frontiers of New- York and New-Hamp
ffiire are fo the ravages and incurfions of the Indians. Hovr
far it may be expedient fo raife fhe batallion he cortceivesne-
ceffary to prevent the caiamities and diftreffes he points out,
they will deterraine, upon what he has faid, and the neceffity
that raay appear f o them for fhe meafure ; — whati have done,
being only to lay the matter before thera in corapliance with
his wIAks.
I have alfo inclofed a raemorlal frora the furgeons*-mateS|
fetting forth the inadequacy of their pay to their fervices and
maintenance, and praying that It may be increafed. I ffiall
obferve that they have a long time coraplained In this in
ftance, and that forae additional allowance raay not be un-
neceij'ary. • As I am truly fenfible the tirae of Congrefs is much taken
up with a variety of Important matters, it is with unwilfing.»
nefs and pain I ever repeat a requeft after having once
made it, or take fhe liberty of enforcing any opinion of mine
after it is once given : but as the eftabliffiing of fome office
for auditing accounts is a matter of exceeding importance
to the public intereft, 1 would beg leave once raore to call
the attention of Congrefs td an appointment competent to
the purpofe. Two motives induce me to urge the matter;
firft, a conviftlon of fhe utility of the meafure ;— fecondly,
that I may ftand exculpated if hereafter if ffiould appear that
money has been iraproperiy expended, and neceffaries for
the army obtained upon unreafonable terms.
For me, whofe time is employed frora the hour of my
rifing tiU I retire to bed again, to go into an examination of
the

OFFICIAL Lett£rS. 191
the accounts of fuch an army as this with any degree of preci
fion and exaftnefsi without neglefting Other matters of equal
importance, is utterly impraftlcable. All that I have been able
to do (and that, in faft, was doing- nothing), was, when the
commiffary, and quarter-mafter, and direftor-general of the
hofpital (for it is to thefe the great advances are made) applied
for warrants, — to make them at times produce a geaeral ac
count of their expenditures. But this anfwers no valuable pur
pofe. It is the minutiae that muft be gone into, — the propriety .
of each charge examined, — the vouchers looked into 5 — and,
with refpeft to the commiffary-general, his viftualJing returns
and expenditures of provifions ffiould be compared with his
purchafes : otherwife a perfon in this department, if he -was
inclined to be knaviffi, might purchafe large quantities wkih
the public money, and fell one half of it again for private
emolument; and yet his accounts upon paper would appear
fair, and be fupported with vouchers for every charge.
i do not urge this matter from a fufpicion of any unfair
praftices in cither of the departments before-mentioned j
and forry ffiould I be If this conftruftion was put upon it, —
having a high opinion of the honor and integrity of thefe
senilemen. But there ffiould neverfhelefs be fome control
as well upon their difcrefipn as honefty :— to which may be
added, that accounts become perplexed and confufed by
long ftanding, and the errors therein not fo difcoverabie as
if they underwent an early revifion and examination. I ata
well apprifed that a treafury-office of accounts has been re
folved upon, and an auditor-general for fettling all public
accounts : but, with all deference and fubmiffion to the opi
nion of Congrefs, thefe inftitutlons are not calculated to
prevent the inconveniences I have mentioned ; nor can they
be competent to the purpofes, circuraftanced as they are.
We have intelligence from a deferter that came to us,
that, on wednefday morning, the Afia, Chatham, and Grey
hound men-of-war weighed anchor, and (it was faid) in-
Jeiided to pafs up the North-river above the city, to prevent the

ty

.192 GENERAL WASHlNGTOJ^'S
the communication with fhe Jerfeys. They did not attempt
it, nor does he know what prevented thera.— A prifoner be-^
longing to fhe tenth reglraent, taken yefterday, inforras that
they hourly expefted admiral Howe and his fleet. He adds that
a vefl^el has arrived frora thera, and the prevailing opinion iS)
tliat an attack will be raade immediately on their arrival. .
By a letter from general Ward, I ara inforraed that the
fmall-pox has broke out at Bofton, and infefted fome of the
troops. I have wrote to him fo place fhe invalids under an
officer, fo reraain till they are well ; and fo ufe every poflible,
precaution to prevent the troops frora thence bringing the
infeftion. The diftreffes and calamities we have already
fuffered by this diforder in one part of our array, I hope,.
will excite his utmoft care that they may not be increafed.
I have the honor to be, 8cc. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, July 12, 1776.
THE defign of this is to inform Congrefs, that, about
half after three o'clock this evening, two of the enemy's
ffiips of war, one of forty and the other of twenty guns,
with three fenders, weighed anchor in the bay oppofite
Staten-Ifland, and, availing themfelves of a brifk and favor
able breeze, with a flowing tide, ran paft our batteries up
the North-river, without receiving any certain damage fhat-
I could perceive, not-withftanding a heavy and inceffant can
nonade was kept Up frora our feveral batteries here, as well
as from that at Paulus-Hook. They, on their part, returned.
and contined the fire as they ran by. — ^I difpatched an ex-;
prefs fo brigadier-general Mifflin at our encarapraent towards
the upper end of the ifland ; but have not heard whether
they have got by, or received any damage.
The account tranfmitted -by this morning's poft, refpefting
the arrival of one of the fleet, feems to be confirmed. Se
veral ffiips have come In to-day : among thera, one this :
evening, with a Saint-George's flag at her fore-top-raaft- .
head

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 193
head, which we conclude to be admiral Howe frora the cit-^
tumftance of the flag, and the feveral arid general falutea
that were paid. It is probable they will all arrive In a day
or twoj and imraediately begin their operations.
As it will be extremely neceffary that the flying camp
ffiould be well provided with powder and ball, and It may
he impraftlcable to fend fupplies frora hence ' on account of
our hurry and engagements (befides, the comraunication
may be uncertain), I muft beg fhe attention of Congrefs to
this matter, and requeft that they will forward with all
poffible expedition fuch a quantity of mufket-powder and
lead (if balls of different fizes cannot be had), as will be
fufficient for the militia to compofe that camp;
By an exprefs this minute arrived frorri general Mifflin^
the ffiips have pafled his works.
I am,. in hafte, with fentiments df great rCgardj &c. G. W.
A quarter pafi eight, P. M.

Sir, New-Tork, July 14, 1776;
MY laft of friday evening, which- 1 had fhe honor of
addreffing you, advifed that two of fhe enemy's ffiips of war
and three tenders had run above our batteries here and the
works at the upper end of fhe ifland. I ani now fo inform you,
that, yefterday-forenoon, receiving intelligence from general
Mifflin that they had paffed the Tappan-Sea, and were try
ing to proceed higher up, — by advice of R. R. Livingfton,
efquire, and other gentlemen, I difpatched expreffes to
general Clinton of Ulfter, and the comraittee of fafety for
Duchefs-county, to take meafures for fecuring fhe paffes In
the Highlands, left they might have defigns of feizing
them, and have a force concealed for the purpofe, I wrote
the evening before to the commanding officer of fhe two
garrifons there fo be vigilant and prepared againft any at
tempts they or any difaffefted perfons might make againft
them, and to forward expreffes all the way to Albany, that
Vol. I. O provifion

194 CETM.ERAL WASHINGTON'S
provifion and other veffels might 'be fecured and prevented
falling into their hands.
The information given general' Mifflin v/as rather prema
ture, as to their having gone paft the Sea. — A letter from
the committee of Orange-county, Vv'hich came to h-a::d this
morning, fays tfiey were there yefterday, and that a regi
ment of their militia was under arms, to prevent their land
ing and making an incurfion. The meffenger who brought
it, and to whom it refers for particulars, adds that a party
of them, in two or three boats, hiid approached the fliore,
but were forced back by our people firing at thera. Since
the raanoeuvre of friday, there have been no other move-,
ments in the fleet.
- General Sullivan, in a letter of the fecond- inftant, in
forms me of his arrival with the army at Crowr.-rciiit,
where he is fortifying and throwing up works. He adds
that he has fecured all the- ftores except three cannon left at
Chamblee, which in part is made up by taking a fine twelve-
pounder out of t'he lake. — 1 he army Is fickly, — many v.ith
the fmall-pox ; and he is appre'ieuiive the militia, ordered
to joia th-m, will not efcape the infeftion. — An officer he
had fent to reconnoitre had reported that he favi? at Saint
John's about a hundred and fifty tents, — twenty at Saint
Roy'f, and fil teen at Chamblee ; and works at the firft were
biifily carrying on.
I liave inclo.ied a general return of tlie army hei-e, v,-hich
will ffiew the whole of our ftrength. All the detached polls
are ir.c udcd.
A letter from the eaftward, by lalt-nif bt's poft, to Mr,
Hazard, polt-mafler in this city, ai'vifts tliat t-.-.-o fliips had
been ta!;cn and carried into Cape- An.i, — one from Antigua,
coniigii^d to general flo^.e, v. iih four hundred and thirty
nine puncl-eons of rum^ — the other a J.-.nraica-man, with
four hundi-id .iioofneails t;f luyar, two l;i-.n.!;c;l zrj.nclicons of
rum, .thii'ty-nine baics of CDiton, pimento, fuilic, £zc, &c.
Each mounted two guns, fi.-i-pounders. , .-i/j
..< ._ Atout

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 195
About three o'clock this afternoon I was inforraed that a
flag frora lord Howe was coraing up, and waited with two
of our whale-boats, until direftions ffiould be given. I im-
' mediately convened fuch of the general officers as wer? not
upon other duty, who agreed in opinion that I ought not to
receive any letter direfted to me as a private gentleman :
but if otherwife, and the officer defired to come up fo de
liver the letter himfelf, as was fuggefted, he fliould corae
under a fafe-conduft. Upon this, I direfted colonel Reed
to go down and raanage the affair under fhe above general
inftruftlon. On his return, he informed rae, that, after the common
civilities, fhe officer acquainted him that he had a letter from
lord Howe to Mr, Waffiington, which he ffiewed under a
fuperfcription, " To George FP'afhington, efquire." — Colonel
Reed replied there was no fuch perfon In fhe array, and that
il letter intended for the general could not be received under
fuch a direftipn. — The officer expreffed great coticern, — faid
it was a letter rather of a civil- than railitary nature, — that
lord Howe regretted he had not arrived 'fooner, — that he
(lord Howe) had great powers. — The anxiety fo have fhe
letter received was very evident, though fhe officer difclaimed
all knowledge of Its contents. However, colonel Reed's in
ftruftions being pofitive, they parted. — After they had got
fome diftance, the officer with the flag again put about, and
afked under -what direftion Mr. Waftilngfon chofe to be ad
dreffed : — f 0 which colonel Reed anfwered, his ftation was well
known, and that certainly they could be at no lofs how to
direft fo hira.— The officer faid they knew if and lamented
it ; and again repeated his wiffi that the letter could be re
ceived. — -Colonel Reed fold him a proper direftion would
obviate all difficulties, and that this was no new matter, —
this fubjeft having been fully difcuffed in fhe courfe of the
laft year ; of which lord Howe could not be ignorant :—
upon which they parted.
I would not upon any occafion facrifipe effentlals to punc-
O 2 tilio :

196 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
tilio : but in this inftance, fhe opinion of others concurring
with my own, I deemed it a duty to my country and my ap
pointment, to infift upon that refpeft, which, in any other
than a public view, I would willingly have waved. Nor do
I doubt, but, frora the fuppofed nature of the meffage, and
the anxiety eitpreffed, they will either repeat their flag, or fall
upon fome mode 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 in
clofures. I have direfted fhe quarter-mafter fo provide him
with every thing he wants to carry his fcheme into execu
tion. If is an important one, and I wiffi it fuccefs ; but am
doubtful that it will be better in theory than praftice.
The paffage of the ffiips of war and tenders up the river
is a matter of great importance, and has excited much con
jefture and fpeculation. To me two things have occurred,
as leading them to this proceeding, — firft a defign to feize
on the narrow pafles on both fides of fhe river, giving almoft
the only land-communication with Albany, and of confe
quence with our northern army j for which purpofe they
might have troops concealed on board, which they deemed
competent. of themfelves,. as the defiles are narrow, — or that
they would be joined by many difaffefted perfons in that
quarter. Others have added a probability pf their having "
a large quantify of arms on board, fo he in readinefs to
pur into the hands of the tories imraediately on the arrival
of the fleet, or rather at fhe 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 fo the provincial congrefs of New- York,
and recommended to their ferious confideration the adoptioa
of every poffible expedient to guard againft the two firft }
and have fuggefted the propriety of their employing the mi
litia,

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 197
fitia, or fome part of them, in the counties in wliich thefe
defiles are, to keep the enemy from poffeffing them, till fur
ther provifion can be made ; an^d lo write to the feveral lead
ing perfons on our Gde in that quarter, to be attentive to all
the movements of the ffiips and the difaffefted, in order
to difcover and fruftrate whatever pernicious fchemes Aey
have in view.
In refpeft to the fecond conjefture of my o-wn, and which
feems to be generally adopted, I have the pleafure to inform
Congrefs, that, if their defign is to keep the armies from
provifion, the commiffary has fold rae upon Inquiry, he has
forwarded fupplies to Albany (now there, and above it) fuffi
cient for ten thoufand raen for four months ; — that he has
a fufficiency here for twenty thoufand men for three months,
and an abundant quantity fecured in different parts of the
Jerfeys for the flying camp, befides having about four thou
fand barrels of flour in fome neighboring part of Connefti
cut. Upon this head, there is but little occafion for any ap
prehenfions, at leaft for a confiderable time.
I have the honor fo be, &c. - G. W,'
P. S. I have fent orders to the comraanding officer of the
Pennfylvania railitia to raarch to Amboy, as their remaining
at Trenton can be of no fervice.

Sir, New-Tork, July 15, 1*776,
THIS will be handed you by Mr. Griffin, who has
3lfo taken upon him the charge and delivery of two packets
containing fundry letters which were fent to Amboy yefter
day by a flag, and forwarded to me to-day by general Mer
cer.— The letter addreffed to governor Franklin came open
to my hands.
I was this morning honored with yours of fhe thirteenth
inftant, with its important and neceffary inclofures ; and, in
obedience fo fhe coraraands of Congrefs, have tranfmitted
general Howe the refolves Intended for him. Thofe for
O 3 general

198 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
general Burgoyne I inclofed and fent to general Schuyler,
with direftions iramediately fo forward thera to him.
The inhuraan treatment of the whole, and murder of
part of our people, after their furrender and capitulation,
was certainly a flagrant violation of that faith which ought to
be he'd facred by all civilifed nations, and founded In the moft
favage barbarity. It highly deferved the fevereft reprobation;
a-id I truft the fpirited meafures Congrefs have adopted upon
the occafion will prevent the like in future : but if they ffiould
not, and the claims of humanity are difregarded, juftice and
policy will require recourfe to be had fo the la'vi^ of retalia
tion, however abhorrent and difagreeable to our natures in
cafes of torture and capital puniffiments.
I have fhe honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, July 17, 1776.
I WAS this morning honpired with yours of the
fifteenth inftant, vi'ith fundry refolves.
I perceive the meafures Congrefs have' taken to expedite
the raifing of the flying camp, and p'rb-viding It with articles
of the greateft ufe. You will fee by a poftfcript to my let
ter of the fourteenth, I had wrote to the commanding officer
of the Pennfylvania militia, ordering them to be marched from
Trenton to Amboy, as their remaining there could not anfwer
fhe leaftpublic good. For,h-<ivingconfulted with fundry gentle
men, I was informed, if the enemy mean to direft their views
towards Pennfylvania or penetrate the Jerfeys, their route will
be from near Amboy, and either by way of Brunfwic or
Boundbrook,-^the lower road from South-Amboy beinc
through a woody fandy country. Befides, they will be then
able to throw in fuccour here, and to receive It from hence
in cafes of emergency.
The Connefticut light-horfe, mentioned in my letter of
the eleventh, notwithftanding their then proraife to con
tinue here for the defence of this place, are now difcharged, and

OFFICIAL LETTERS. , 199,
and about to return horae,-; — having peremptorily refufed all,
kind of fatigue duty, or even to mount guard,, claiming an
exemption as troopers. Though their affiftance is much
needed, and might be of effentjal fervice in cafe of an at
tack, yet 1 .judged it advifable, on their application and
claim of fuch indulgences, to difcharge them ; as granting
them would fet an example .to others, and might produce
raany ill coruVquences. The number of men included in
the laft return, by this. Is leffened about five hundred.
I laft night received a letter from general Schuyler, with
feveral inclofures, copies pf .which I have herev.-ith tranfmit
ted. They -will give Coagrefs every, information I have re
fpefting our northern -army pnd the fituation of. our affairs
in that quarter ; — to which I beg leave to refer their atten
tion. — I cannot but exprefs my furprife at the fcarcity of
provifion which general Schuyler mentions, after what the
commiffary affured me, and which formed a part of my letter
of the fourteent'n. He ftill afl'ures me of the fame. — This is a
diftreffing Circumftance, as every article <pf provifion, and
every thing necefl'ary for that dtjpartment, can have no other
now than a land-conveyance, the v.Mtcr-commuijicatIon from
hence to Albany being entirely cut off.
Congrefs will pleafe to confider the inclofure, N° 6, about
raifing fix companies out of the inhabitants about the lakes,
,to prevent the Incurfions of the Indians. The general
pfficers, in tiieir minutes of council, have determined it a
matter of much importance ;— ^and their atieutiou to the
price of goods furuifaed the foldiery may be extremely ne
cefl'ary. They have complained much upon thi^ lic.id.
Tlie retrc;Lt from Crown-Point feems to be confidered in
oppofite views by the general and field oIuccys- The, for
mer (I am, fatisfied) h-ave v>'eighed the n-.atter ,w.-ell ; and yet
the reafons affigned by the latter againft it.. appear ftrong
.and forcible. — I hope whatever is done will be for the
beft. * *-,*.
By a letter frora the committee of Orange-county, received
O 4 this

200 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
this morning, the rnen-of-war and tenders were .yefterday a^
Hayerffiam-bay, about forty miles above this. A number
of men, in four barges frora the tenders, atterapted to land,
with a view (they fuppofe) of taking fome flieep and cattle,
that had been previoufly reraoved. -r-A fraall number of mi
litia that -^vere collefted obliged them fo retreat, withput thei):
doing any damage with the;r cannon. — They were founding
fhe water up 'towards the Highlands; by which it is pro
bable they will attempt to pafs with part of the fleet, if
poffible. Yefterday evening a flag came from general Howe with ^
le'tter addreffed " To George Wafhington, efquire, l^c, l^c,
isfc." — It was not received, upon the farae principle that
the one from lord Howe was refufed.
I h'4ve the honor fo be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Ncw-Tork, July 19, 1776.
I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the
fixteenth and feventeenth, with the feveral refolves they con
tained ; to the e:;ecution of which, fp far as ffiall be in my
power, I will pay proper attention.
In niy letter of the feventeenth I tranfraifted you a copy
of one frpni general Schuyler, and of its feveral inclofures. —
I confefs the determination of fhe council of general officers
on the feventh, fo retreat from Crown-Point, furprifed me
much : and the more I confider it, the more ftriking does
the impropriety appear. The reafons affigned againft it by
the field-officers, in their remonftrance, coincide greatly with
my own Ideas and thofe of the other general officers I have
had an opportunity of confulting with, and feem to be of
confiderable weight, — I may add, conclufive. — I am not fo
fully acquainted with the geography of that country and the
fituation of the different pofts, as to pronounce a peremptory
judgraent upon the matter : but, if my ideas are right, the
poffeffion

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 201
pofTefllon of Crown-Point is effential, to give us the fupe-
rjorlty ai)d maftery upon the lake.
That the eneray wil; poffefs it as foon as abandoned by us,
there can be no doubt : and if they do, whatever gallies or
force we keep on fhe lake will be unqueftionabiy in their rear,
• — How they are to be fupported there, or what fuccour can be
drawn frora thera there, is beyond my comprehenfion. — Per
haps it is only meant that they ffiall be employed on the com-
piunication between that and Ticonderoga. If this is the cafe,
I fear fhe views of Congrefs will not be -anfwered, nor the
falutary effefts be derived from them, that were intended.
I haye mentioned my furprife to general Schuyler, and
would, by the advice of the general officers here, have
direfted that that poft ffiould be maintained, had It not
been for two caufes, — an apprehenfion that the works have
been deftroyed, and that. If fhe army ffiould be ordered from
Ticonderoga, or fhe poft oppofite fo it (where I prefume
they are), to repoffefs it, they would have.neither one place
nor another fecure and in a defenfible ftate : — the other, left
it might increafe the je.iloufy and diverfity of opinions
which feera already too prevalent in that array, and efta
bliffi a precedent for the inferior officers to fet up their judg
ments whenever they would, in oppofitlon fo thofe of theii-
fuperiors, — a matter of great delicacy, and that might lead
to fatal confequences, if countenanced ; — though in the pre
fent inftance I could wiffi their reafoning had prevailed.
If the army has not reraoved, what I have faid to general
Schuyler raay perhaps bring on a reconfideration of the raat
ter ; and it raay not be too late to take meafures for main
taining that poft. But of this I have np hope.
In confequence of the refolve of Congrefs for three of thp
eaftern regiments to reinforce the northern array, I wrote
to general Ward, and, by advice of my general officers, di
refted thera to raarch fo Norwich, and there to embark for
Albany ; conceiving that two valuable purpofes might refult
therefrom,— -fiVft, -that they would fooner join the army by
purfuing

202 GE;NERAL WASHINGTON'S '
purfuing this route, and be faved frpm the diftrefs and fatigue
that muft attend every long riiarch through the country. at
this hot and uncomfortable feafon; — and fecondly, that they
might give fuccour here, in. cafe the enemy ffi,ould,make an
attack about the time, of, their paffmg. But the enemy hav-;
ing nov.-, with their fliips of war and tenders, cut off tlie
water-communication from hence to Alba-ny, I have wrote
this day and direfted thera to proceed by land acrofs. the
country. — If Congrefs difapprove the route, i or wifti to
give any orders about thera, you vi'iil pleafe to certify me
thereof, that I may fake meafures accordingly,
' Inclofed I have the honor to tranfmit: you copies of a let
ter and fundry refolutions which I received yefterday from
the convention of this ftate. By them you will perceive they
have been afting upon matters of great importance, and
are exerting therafehcs in the moft vigorous manner to de-'
feat the wicked defigns of the enemy, and fuch difaffefted
perfons as may incline to affift and faciiitate their views.— 7
In compliance v.ith their requeft, and on account of the
fcarcity of money for carrying t'hcir falutary views Into exe
cution, I have agreed to lend thera, out of the fmall ftock
now in hand (not more than fi.^ty thoufa.id dollars), twenty
thoufand dollars, in part of what they want; which "they
promife fpeedily to replace. — Had there been money fuffi
cient for paying the whole of our troops, and no more, I
could not have done it. But as it v.'as otherwife, and by
no means proper to pay a part and not the vi'hcle, I could
not forefee any inconveniences that v. r-uld attend-the loan ; —
pn the contrary, that it might contribute, in fome degree to
forward their fchemes. — I hope my conduft in this inftance
will not be difapproved.
I inclofed governor Trumbull a copy of their letter and of
their feveral refolves, to day, by colonel Broom and Mx,
Duer, two members of the convention, who are going to /
wait on hira ; but did not think myfeif at liberty to urge or;
requeft his intereft in forming the camp of fix thoufand men/

OFFICIAL- LETTERS. 203
as the levies, direfted by Congrefs to be furnlffied the third of
June, for the defence of this place, by that government, are
but little more than one-third come in.- At fhe fame tirae,
the propofition I think a good one, if it could be carried into
execution. In cafe fhe enemy ffiould atterapt to effeft a
landing above KIngffiridge,-£ind fO'Cut oft' the communication
between this city and the country, an army to hang on iheir
rear would diftrefs them exceedingly. ¦ ' ^
I have the honor to be, &c. - ' G. W.
' The inclofed paper ffiould have been fent' before, but wa'S
oinitted through hurry. • '•'
P. S.' After I had clofed my letter, I received one -from
general Ward, a copy of which is herewith tranfmitted. — I
have wrofe him to forward the two regiments riow^af Bof
ton, by the moft direft road, to Ticonderoga, as foon as they
are well, with the utmoft expedition ; and confider their
having had the fraall-pox, as a fortunate circumftance. When
the three arrive which have marched for Norwich, I ffiall
iramediately fend one of thera on, if Congrefs ffiall judge it
expedient ; — of which you will pleafe fo Inforra rae.

Sir, Nevj-Tork, July 21, '776.
I HAVE juft time to acknowledge the receipt of
your favor of the nlnetefinth. The intereiHn^i; intelligence
of the fuccefs of our arms In the fouthern departm.ent gives
rae the higheft fatisfaftion. Permit me to join my joy to
fhe congratulations of Congrefs upon this event. — To-mor
row I will write more fully.
Two 0'' clock, P. AI. I this moment h?.d report made me,
that fen ftiips weVe feen in the ofling, coming In, — I fup
pofe, part of admiral Howe's fleet.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir,

204 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sir, New-Tork, July 22, 1776.
YOUR favors of the eighteenth and nineteenth, with.
which you have been pleafed to honor me, have been duly
received, with the feveral refolves alluded fo.
When the letter and declaration, from lord Howe to Mr.
Franklin and the other late governors, come to be publifted,
I ffiould fuppofe the warmeft advocates for dependence on
the Britiffi crown muft be filent, and be convinced beyond
all poffibility of doubt, that all that has been faid about
the commiffioners was illufory, and calculated exprefsly to
deceive and unguard, not only the good people of cur own
Country, but thofe of the Engllffi nation that were averfe to
the proceedings of the king and miniftry. Hence we fee the
caufe why a fpecification of their powers was not given the
mayor and city of London, on their addrefs requefting it.
That would have been 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 in--
duftrioufly propagated, and amufed the public with. — The
uniting the civil and military offices in the farae perfons,
too, muft be conclufive fo every thinking one, that there is
to be but little negotiation of the civil kind.
I have inclofed, for the fatisfaftion of Congrefs, the fub
ftance of what paffed beween myfeif and lieutenant-colonel
Patterfon, adjutant-general, at an interview had yefterday in
confequence of a requeft from general Howe the day be
fore ; — 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 arr
tillerifts than what there now is, in cafe fhe prefent conteft
ffiould continue longer,— -and knowing the deficiency in this
inftance, and their extreme ufefulnefs,— 1 defired him to
commit his ideas upon fhe fubjeft to writing, in order that I
might franfralt them to Congrefs for their confideration.
Agreeable to my requeft, he has done it ; and the propriety of"

OFFICIAL LETTfiRg;' 205
of his plan Is now fubmitted for their decifion."' It is certain
that we have not more at this time than are fufficient for the
feveral extenfive pofts we now have,— -including fhe 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 tliat
particular purpofe.
I beg leave to remind Congrefs that fome time ago I laid
before them the propofals of fome perfons here fot forming
a company of light-horfe ; and the prefident's, anfwer, a lit
tle time after, intimated that the plan feemed -jfp. b^. approved
of. — As thofe who wanted to make up the-troop are fre
quently preffing me for an anfwer, I could jWlffi to be fa
vored with the decifion of Congrefs upon theTubjeft.
Bya letter from general Schuyler, of the fourteenth in
ftant, dated at Albany, he informs me, that, the day before,
fome defperate defigns of the tories in that quarter had beea,
difcovered, the particulars of which he could not divulge, being
under an oath of fecrecy ; — however, that fuch meafures had
been taken, as to promife a prevention of the intended mif^
chief; and that four of the confplrators (among them, a
ringleader) were apprehended about one o'clock that morn
ing, not far from the town. What the plot was, qr who
were concerned in It, is a matter I am ignorant of as yet.
With my beft regards to Congrefs, I iiave the honor to b*
your and their moft obedient fervant, G. W,
P. S. Congrefs will pleafe to obferve. what was propofed
refpefting the exchange of Mr. Lovell, and fignify their
pleafure in your next, — The laft week's return is alfo in-r
cjofed.

Sir, New-Toik, July 22, 1776.
CONGRESS having been pleafed to appoint Mr.
, Vfilperto the command of a company in the German ba»
t^lion

2o6 GENERAL V.'ASHINGTON'S
tallion now raifing, 1 have direfted- hira to repair to Phila
delphia for their orders. Frora ray acquaintance wifh him,
I am perfuaded his conduft as an officer will merit their ap
probation : and, thanking them for their kind attention to ray
recommendation of him, I have the honor fo be, with fenti
ments of the higheft refpeft', &:c. G. W,

Sir, New-Tork, July 23, 1776.
I WAS honored with your favor of fhe twentieth by
yefterday's poft, fince which, and ray letter, nothing of mo
ment has occurred.
The ffiips, mentioned in my letter of the twenty-fi-fft to
have been in the offing, got in that day, and are fuppofed to
be part of the Scotch fleet, having landed forae Highlanders
yefterday. Inclofed 1 have the honor to tranfmit you copies of a let
ter and fundry refolutions v/hich I received laft night from
the convention of this ftate. They will inform you of the
computed number of inhabitants and ftock upon Naffau-
Ifla-nd, and their fentiments on the imprafticability of re
moving the latter ; and aifo of the raeafures they think ne
ceffary and likely to fecure them
I have alfo inclofed a letter from Mr. Faeffi to lord Stir
ling upon the fubjeft of a cannon-furnace for the ufe of the
ftates. Congrefs will fee his plan and propofals, and deter
mine upon them as they ffiall judge proper.
- I am, fir, with every fentiment of refpeft, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, July 23, 1776.
SINCE I had the pleafure of writing you by this
morning's poft, I was favored with a letter frora governor
Trumbull, a copy of which is inclofed, and to which I beg
leave to refer you. — In regard to fhe ftock he mentions, I
wrote to him, requefting that they might be removed from
the iflands on which they were, as I conceived if of great
9 importance

'OFFICIAL LETTERS. 207
importance to diftrefs the enemy, as much as poffible in the
article of freffi. provifion. — I wiffi the other governments
may fcliov/ his example, and have it removed' from the
iilands belonging to thera refpeftlvely.
When-the fliips of war and tenders went up the river, it
was thou;Tbt expedient that application ffiould be made for
fhe Connefticut row-gallies and thofe belonging to Rhode-
Ifland, In order to attempt fomething for their deftruftion.
As foon as they arrive we fliall try to employ thera in fome
ufeful way, — but in what, or how fuccefsfully, I cannot at
prefent detciinine.
Congrefs vifill pisafe to obferve what Mr. Trumbull fays
refpefting the continental reglraent raifing under colonel
Ward, if they incline to give any orders about their defti
nation, 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 ftop provifion-veffels, feem to be neceffary.
We have too much reafon to believe that' fome have gone
voluntarily to the enemy, and that there are many perfons who
would continue to furniffi' them with large fupplies : and,
however upright the intentions of others may be, It will be
a matter of the utmoft difficulty, if not an impoffibility, for
any to, efcape falling into their hands now, as every part of
the coaft (it Is probable) will fwarm with their fliips of war
and tenders. I had propofed writing to the convention of
'this ftate upon the fubjeft before I received his letter ; and
am now more perfuaded of the nec-iTity of their taking
fome fteps to prevent further exportations down the Sound.
In my next I ffiall inform them of the inteiligence refcelved
from Mr. Trumbull, and recommepd the matter tO' their at-
.tention. — I have the honor to be, &c. G.'W.
P. S.'It appears abfolutely neceffary that the exportation
^of provifion fhould be ftopped. Our army is large, and
otherwife may want. Nor can individuals be injured, as
they

2o8 General Washington's
they have a ready-money market for every thing they have ta
difpofe of in that way. ,

Sir, Neiv-Tork, July i§, 1776.
disagreeable as it is fo me and unpleafing as
It may be to Congrefs to multiply officers, I find rayfelf un
der the unavoidable neceffity of afking an increafe of my
aides-de-carap. The augmentation of my comraand, — the
increafe of my correfpondence, — the orders to give, — the
inftruftions to draw, — Cut out raore bufinefs than I am able
to execute in time with propriety. The bufinefs of fo raany
different departments centring with me, and by me to be
handed on to Congrefs for their information, — added to the
iintercourfe I ara obliged to keep up with the adjacent ftates,
— and incidental occurrences, — all of which require confi
dential and not hack writers to execute, — renders it Irapofli-
hle, in the prefent ftate of things, for ray faraily to dif
charge the feveral duties expefted of rae, with that pre
cifion and difpatch that I could wiffi.— What will it be
then, when we come into a more aftive fcene, and I am
called upon frora twenty different places perhaps at the fame
inftant ?
Congrefs will do me the juftice to believe (I hope) that it
is not ray inclination or wiffi to run the continent fo any un-
necefl'ary expenfe; and thofe who better know me wiU not
fufpeft that fliew and parade can have any influence on my
mind in this inftance. A conviftlon of the neceffity of it,
for the regular difcharge Pf fhe truft repofed in me, is the
governing motive for the application ; and, as fuch, is fub
mitted to Congrefs by, fir, your moft obedient, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, July 2"], I'J'jf),
I WAS yefterday morning honored with your favor
of fhe twenty-fourth inftant with its feveral inclofures, to
which I fliall pay the ftrifteft attention.
7 In

OFFICIAL LFtTERS, 209^
The confidence Congrefs are pleafed fo repofe In my
judgment demands my warmeft acknowledgments, ani they
may reft affured it ffiall be invariably employed, fo far a;
ffiall be in niy power, td promote their views arid the public;
weal. * ¦* *
Since hiy laft, nothing ihaiteri-al has Occui'red. — Yefterday
evening ffepdrt was made that eight ffiips Were feen In the'
offing, ftanding towards the Hook. The raen-of-war and
tfindfers are ftiU up the river. They have never attempted
to pafs fhe Highland ' fortifications ; arid, a day or two ago,
quitted -their ftation, and fell down the river eight or fen
miles,' The vigilance and aftivity of the mllltfa oppofite'
where they were have prevented' their landing and doing
much injtrty,— One poor peafant's cot they plundered and
then burnt.
I woiild wiffi to know whether the allowance given £0 of
ficers, fhe feventeenth df January, of a dollar and one- third
for every raan they enlift, Congrefs raeari fo extend to the
officers who enlift for the new array for three years. At
firft it itiay appear wrong, or rather exorbitant, fuppofing
that raany will be recruited out of the regiraents now in fer
vice, and under them : but fhe allowance will be of great ufe,'
as It will intereft the officers, and Call forth their exertions
which otherwife would be faint and languid. Indeed /I am
fearful, from the inquiries I have made, that their utmoft
exertions will be attended with but little fuccefs. It is ob-
jefted that the bounty of ten ddllars is too low ; and argued,^
— " if fhe ftates, furniffiing men for five of fix months, al-
Idw cbrifiderably more, why ffiotild that be accepted when, .
the term of enllftmCnt is to be for three years .'"* — I heartily
wiffi a botmfy in land had been or could be given, as was'
ptopbfed forae time ago; I think it Would be attended with
falutary cohfecjuerices.
In confequence of iny affplicati'on to governor Trumbull,
he has fent rae two row-gallies ; and I expeft another from
him. None from governor Cooke are yet> come ; not h-a-i-e
Vol. L P ' I litard

a«o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I h«ar^ from him on the fubjeft.— One is complete here.
— The fire-ffiips are going on under Mr. Anderfon's direc
tion, but rather iSowly ; and I am preparing fome obftruc-
tlons for the channel nearly oppofite the works at the upper
end of this ifland. — ^When all things arc ready, I intend to
try, if it ffiall feem prafticable, to deftroy the ffiips and ten
ders above, and to employ the gallies, if they can be of ad
vantage. The militia for the flying camp come in but flowly. By a
returw ftom general Mercer yefterday, they are but little.
more than three thoufand. If they were 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 pofls
here wi:ll guarded, and not putting too much to the hazard,
or in any planner to the rifk.
I have tiie honor to be, &c. G- W.

Sm, Nezv-Tm-k, July 29, 1776.
YOUR favor of the twenty-fourth I received on fa
turday evening, and, agreeable to your requeft, ftiall expunge
the preamble to the refolution fubjefting the property of
fubjefts to the Britiffi crown to forfeiture and confifcation.
Our ftock of mufket-powder is entirely made up ui car
tridges. I therefore requeft that Congrefs will order four
or five tons more of that fort to be immediately forwarded;
it being not only neceffary that we ffiould have more for
that purpofe, but alfo fome ftock 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 fhall ufe every poffible precaution to
prevent the infeftion fpreading ; and, for that purpofe, -
have ordered therti to an encampment feparate and detached
from the reft.
By faturday's report from Long-Ifland Camp, five ffiips, a
brig,

OFFICIAL letters, sn
brig, and five fchooners, had got' into fhe Hook;— by yef
terday's, two ffiips more, and a floop, were ftanding In, —
' What they are, 1 have not been able fo 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 fundry prizes, which
was tranfmitted to feveral gentlemen here by faturday's poft.
The two laft prizes I did not fee mentioned in fhe letters
ffiewn me ; and I fear the report of the fecond provlfion-vef-
fel Is premature. — -I was alfo this minute informed that cap
tain Biddle had taken a ffiip with fugars for Britain, and.
In bringing her in, unfortunately loft her on FIffier's-Ifland.
I have the honor to be, Sec. ' G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, July 30, 1776.
I WAS this morning honoreil with yoUr two favors
of yefterday's date; and) agreeable fo your requeft, have
given Mr. Palfrey liberty to negotiate your claim with Mrj
Briraer, and wiffi it raay be fatisfied agreeably to you.
I laft night received a letter frora general Schuyler, a copy
of which I do myfeif the honor fo tranfmit you. You will
thereby perceive his reafons for leaving Crown-Point, and
preferring' fhe poft the council of officers determined to
take oppofite to Ticonderoga. — I am totally unacquainted
with thofe feveral pofts and the country about them," and
therefore Cannot determine on the validity of his obferva
tion s, or think rayfelf at liberty to give any direftion In the
matter. Congrefs will pleafe to obferve what he fays of their dif
trefs for money, Frora hence he can have no relief, there
being only about three of four thoufand dollars in the pay
mafter's hands according to his return this morning, — and
all but two months' pay due to the army, befides many other
demands, — I could wiffi that proper fupplies of money could
Pa be

212 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
be always kept: — the want raay occafion confequences of are
alarming nature,
' By a letter frora him, of a prior date to the copy inclofed',
he tells me that a Mr, Ryckraan, who has juft returned
through the country of the Six-Nations, reports that the
Indians who were at Philadelphia have gone home with
very favorable ideas of our ftrength and refources. This he
heard in many of their villages : — a lucky clrcuraftance, if it
will either gain their friendffiip or fecure their neutrality.
In my letter of the twenty-feventh I informed Congrefs
of my viev/s and wiffies to attempt fomething againft the
troops on Staten-Iftandi I am now to acquaint them, that,
by the advice of general Mercer and other officers at Amboy,
it will be impraftlcable fo do any thing upon a large fcale,
for want of craft, and as the enemy have the entire com
mand of the water all round the Ifland. — I have defired ge
neral Mercer to have nine or ten flat-bottomed boats built at
Newark-bay and Elizabethtown, with a defign princlpafly to
keep up the communication acrofs Hackinfac and Paffalc
rivers, which I deem a matter of great importance, and ex
tremely neceffary to be attended to.
Since I wrote you yefterday, eleven ffiips more, four
brigs, and two ftoops, haVe come into the Hook. I have not
yet received intelligence what any of the late arrivals are :
but I fuppofe we ffiall not long remain in a ftate of unceiv
taiiity, H-aylng reafon to believe that ford Howe will readily comp
into an exchange of fuch prifoners as may be more imme
diately under his command, and that fomething will be of
fered on this fubjeft within a day or two, or rather come In
anfwer to the propofitions I have m-ade general Howe, I
ffiould be glad to have Congrefs's interptetaflon of fhe re
folve of the twenty-fecond inftant, empowering the com
manders fo exchange, &c ;— whether, by the word ' fa'dor,'
they mean failors generally, as well thofe taken in the vef
fels of private adventurers by the enemy, as thofe belonging t»

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 213
to the continental cruifers, or veffels in the continent's em
ploy ; or whether they only defign to extend the exchange
to the latter, — thofe In their particular erapley.
I would alfo obferve, that, heretofore, failors belonging to
merchant ffiips that have faflen Into our hands, aiid thofe
employed merely as tranfports, have not generally been con
fidered as prifoners, — ^I fubmit It to Congrefs whether it
may not be now neceffary fo pafs a refolve declaring their
fentiraents on this fubjeft, and, in general, who are to be
treated as prifoners of war, that are taken on board vefl'els
belonging to the fubjefts of the Britiffi crown, &c.— The
refult of their opinion upon the firft queftion propofed, yotj
will be pleafed to tranfmit rae by the earlieft opportunity.
I have inclofed, for the confideration of Congrefs, a me
morial and petition by captain Holdridge, praying to be re
lieved againft the lofs of money ftolen from him, — not con
ceiving myfeif authorifed to grant his requeft. The certi
ficate which attends It proves hira a raan of charafter ; arid
his cafe is hard, on his ftate of It. — Whether making the loft
good raay not open a door to others, and give rife to appli
cations not fp juft as his may be, I cannot determine. — f hat
feeras to be the only objeftion to relieving him,
I ara inforraed by general Putnam that there are fome of
the Stockbridge Indians here (I have not feen them rayfelf)
who exprefs great uneafinefs at their not being employed by
us, and have corae to inquire into the caufe, I am fenfible
Congrefs had thera 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 expeft It, from
'what general Schuyler and fhe other commiffioners did, — as
we are under difficulties in getting raen, and there may be
danger of their (or fome of them) taking an unfavorable
paj-tj — I beg leave to fubmjt it as my opinion, under all thefe
circumftances, that they had better be employed.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

P3

214 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sir, New-Tork, Auguf 2, 1776,
YOUR favor of the thirtieth ultimo, with Its feveral
Inclofures, I was honored with by wednefday 's poft.
Congrefs having been pleafed to leave with me the direc
tion of colonel Ward's regiment, I have wrote to governor
Trumbull, and requefted hira to order their march to tliis
place, being fully fatisfied that the enemy mean fo make
their grand puffi In this quarter, and that the good of fhe
fervice requires every aid here that can be obtained. I have
alfo wrote to colonel Elmore, and direfted him to repair hither
with his regiment, — When It comes, I ffiall fill up commif
fions for fuch officers as appear with their refpeftive com
panies. Colonel Holman, with a regiment frora the Maffachufetts
ftate. Is arrived, Cplonel Cary from thence is alfo here,
waiting the arrival of his regiment which he hourly expefts.
He adds, when he left New-London he heard that the third
regiment from the Maffachufetts was almoft ready, and
would foon be in motion.
The enemy's force is daily augmenting and becoming
ftronger by new arrivals, Yefterday, general Greene re
ports that about forty fail, including tenders, came into fhe
Hook, What they are, or what thofe have brought that
have lately got in, I remain un-informed. However, I think
it probable they are part of lord Howe's fleet, with the
Heffian troops : — it is time to look for thera,
I have the honor to be, &c, G, W.
P, S. I ara extremely forry to inform Congrefs our troops
are very fickly.

Sir, New-Tork, Auguji 5, 1776,
I WAS honored with your favor of fhe thirty-firft ul
timo on friday, with its feveral inclofures; and return you
my thanks for the agreeable intelligence you were pleafed

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 215
to communicate, of the arrival of one of our ffiips with fuch
valuable articles as arms and ammunition ; alfo of the cap
ture made by a privateer.
The mode for the exchange o-f prifoners, refolved on by
Congrefs, is acceded to by general Howe, fo far as it coraes
within his command. A copy of my letter and his anfwer
upon this fubjeft I have the honor to inclofe you ; to which
I beg leave to refer Congrefs.
The inclofed copy of a letter from colonel Tapper, who
had the general command of the gallies here, will inform
Congrefs of the engagement between them and the fhips of
war up the North-river on faturday evening, and pf the da
mage we fuftained. What injury was done to the ihips, I
cannot afcertain. If is faid they were hulled feveral times
by our ffiot. All accounts agree that our officers and men,
during the whole of the affair, behaved with great fpirit and
bravery. The damage done the gallies ffiews beyond ques
tion that they had a warm time of it. — The fliips ftill re
main up the river ; and, before any thing further can be at
tempted againft them (fliould it be thought advifable), the
gallies muft be repaired.
I have alfo tranfraifted Congrefs a copy of a letter I re
ceived by faturday's poft from governor Cooke, to which I
refer them for the intelligence it contains. The feizure of
our veffels by the Portuguefe is, I fear, an event too true.
Their dependence upon the Britiffi crown for aid againft the
Spaniards muft force them to comply wifh every thing re
quired of them, — I wlfli the Morris may get fafe in with
her cargo,— > As to the ffiips captain Buchlin faw on the
twenty-fifth ultimo, they are probably arrived : for yefterday
twenty-five fail came into the Hook.
By-a letter from general Ward, of the twenty-ninth ul
timo, he informs me that two of our armed veffels, the day
before, had brought into Marblehead a ffiip bound from Ha
lifax to Staten-Ifland, She had in about fifteen hundred
snd nine pounds' worth of Britiffi goods, befides a good
P 4 many

2i6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
many belonging fo tories. A Halifax paper, found on board
hpr, I have Inclofed, as alfo an account fent me by Mr. Ha-r
zard, tranfmitted him by fome of his friends, as given by the
tories taken In her. Their intelligence, 1 dare fay. Is true re
fpefting the arrival of part of fhe Heffian troops. — General
Ward In his letter mentions, that, the day this prize was
taken, captain Burice, in another of our armed veffels, had
an engagem.ent with a ffiip and a fchooner which he
thought were tranfports, and would have taken thera, had it
not been for an unlucky accident In having his quarter-deck
.blown up. Two of his men were killed, and feveral more
were wounded.
The hulks and chevaux-de-frife, that have been preparing
to obftruft the channel,, have got up to the place theyareln-
fended for, and will be funk as foon as poffible.
I have tranfmitted Congrefs a general return of fhe army
jn and about this place on the third Inftant, by which they
'vvill perceive the amo.unt of our force,-
Before I conclude, I would beg leave to remind Congrefs
of the neceffity there Is of having forae major-generals apr
pointed for this army, the duties of which are great, exten
five, and impoffible to be difcharged as they ought and fhe
good of the fervlfe requires, vi'Ithout a cpnipetent number
pf officers of this rank. J mean to write raore fufly upon the
fubjeft.: and, as things are drawing faft tp an ifi'ue, and if Is
neceffary to nv.\ke every proper difpofitipn and arrangement:
that we poffibly can, I pray that this raatter may be taken
into confideration, and claim their early attention. — I weU
know what has prevented appointments of this fort for fome
time paft : bijt the fituation of our affairs will not juftlfv
longer delays In this inftance. — By fhe firft opportunitv, I
ffiall take the liberty of giving you ray fentiments more at
|:rge upon the propriety and neceffity of the meafure,
J, hsv? the hpnor to be, &c. Q, W,

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 217
Sj[R, New-Tork, Auguf 7, 1776.
IN my letter of fhe fifth which I had fhe honor of
addreffing you, I begged leave fo recaU the attention of
Congrefs to the abfolute neceffity there is for appointing
more general officers, — promiung at fhe fame time, by the
firft opportunity, to give my fentiments more at large upon
the fubjeft.
Confident I am that the poftponing this meaf^ire has not
proceeded frora motives of frugality : otherwife I ffiould
take the liberty pf attempting to prove that we put too m'uch
to the hazard by fuch a faving, — I ara but too well apprifed
of the difficulties that occur in fhe choice. They are, I ac
knowledge, great ; but at fhe fame tirae it rauft be allowed
they are of fuch a nature as fo prefent themfelves whenever
the fubjeft is thought of. Time on the one hand does not
remove them ; on the other, delay may be produftive of
fatal confequences
This army, though far ffiort as yet of the numbers In
tended by Congrefs, is by ra.uch too unwieldy for fhe com
mand of any one man, without feveral major-generals to
affift. For it is to be obferved that a brigadier-general at the
head of his brigade is no more than a colonel at the head of
a reglm.ent, except that he afts upon a larger fcale. Officers
of more general command are at all times wanted for the
good order and government pf an army, efpecially when the
army is compofed chiefly of raw troops : but In an aftion
they are indifpenfably neceffary. — At prefent there Is but
one major-general for this whole department and the flying
camp ; whereas, at this place alone, lefs than three cannot
difcharge fhe duties with that regularity they ought to be.
If thefe 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 depart
ment will require one. If riot two (as general Thorapfon is
a prifoner, and the barc'n Woedtke reported to be dead or in
... a ftate

2i8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
a ftate not much better), there being at prefent only one
hrigadierrgeneral (Arnold) in all that department.— For the
eaftern governments there ought to be one, or a major-gene
ral, to fuperintend the regiments there, and to prevent im-
pofifions that might otherwife be praftifed.-r- Thefe make the
number wanted to be fix or feven : and who are to be ap
pointed, Congrefs can beft judge.
To make brigadiers of fhe oldeft colonels would be the
leaft exceptionable way : but it Is much to be queftioned
whether by that mode the ableft men would be appointed tet
cffice. And I would obferve, though the rank of the colo
nels of the eaftern governments was fettled at Cambridge
laft year, it only refpeftf d therafelves, and is ftill open as fo
officers of other governments. To pick a colonel here and
a colonel there through the army according to the opinion
entertained of their abilities, would no doubt be the mean^
of making a better choice, and nominating the fitteft per
fons : but then the fenlor officers would get difgufted, and,
more than probable, with their connexions, quit the fer
vice. — ^That might prove fatal at this time. — To appoint
gentlemen as brigadiers, that had no ferved in this army (In
this part of it at leail), would not wound any one in parti
cular, but hurt the whole equally, and muft be confidered in
9 very difcouraging light by every officer of merit. — View the
matter therefore in any point of light you will, there are iii-
conveniencies on the one hand, and difficulties on the Other,
which ought to be avoided, — Would they be remedied by
appointing the oldeft colonels from each ftate .'' — If this
mode ffiouid be thought expedient, the inclofed lift gives the
names of the colonels, frora New-Hampffiire to Pennfylva
nia inclafive, fpecifying thofe who rank firft, as I am told,
in the feveral colony lifts.
I have tranfmitted a copy of a letter from Mr, John Gim-er,
fetting forth the nature and grounds of a difpute between him
and a Mr. Bradford refpefting their agency. Not conceiving
myfeif authorifed, nor having the fmalleft inclination to in-
t terferc

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 219
terfere In any degree In the matter, It is referred to Congrefs,
who will determine and give direftion upon It in fuch man
ner as they ffiall judge beft. I will only obferve that Mr,
Glover was recommended to. rae as a proper perfon for au
agent when we firft fitted out armed veffels, and was ac
cordingly appointed one; and, fo far as I know, difcharged
his office wifh fidelity and induftry.
I received yefterday evening a letter from general Schuy
ler, 'containing lieutenant M' Michael's report, who had
been fent a fcout to Ofvvego. A copy of tl:e report I have
inclofed for fhe Inforraation of Congrefs, left general Schuy
ler fliould have ora.itted It in his letter 'which a-^companies
this. He was at the German-Flats when he wrote, which was
the fecond inftant, and the treaty with the Indians not be
gun ; tior had the whole expefted then arrived. But of
thefe things he will have advifed you more fully, I make no
doubt. The paymafter informs me he received a fupply of money
yefterday. It came very feafonably : for the applications and
clamors pf the troops had become Inceflant and diftreffing
beyond meafure. — There Is now two months' pay due to
them. — -I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, SINCE clofing the letter which I had the honor to
write you this morning, two deferters have come in, who
left fhe Solebay man-of-war laft evening. One of them is
a native of New- York. Their account Is that they were in
the engagement with colonel Moultrie at Sullivan's Ifland on
the ninth of July— (the particulars they give neariy corre
fpond with fhe narrative fent by general Lee) ; — that they
left Carolina three weeks ago as a convoy to forty-five tranf
ports having on board general Clinton, lord Cornwallis, and
the whole fouthern army confifting of about three thoufand
men, all of whom were landed laft week on Staten-IOand in
tolerably health ;- that, on funday, thirteen tranfports, part of

220 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S v
of lord Howe's fleet, and having on board Pie ffi ans and
Highlanders, came to Staten-Ifland; — that the remainder ot
the fleet, v/hich was reported to have. In the whole, twelve
thoufand men, had parted with thefe troops off fhe banks of
Newfoundland, and were expefted to coriie in every mo
ment ; — that they were getting their heavy carriages and
Cvinnon on board, h-ad launched eight gondolas with flat
bottoras, and two Vafts or ftages to carry cannon.
Thefe men underftand that the attack will foon be mad?
if the other troops arrive ; — that they give out they willlay
the Jerfeys wafte 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 tranfport got
on fliore, fo that they were not able to give her relief; upon
wluch, ffie furrendered, with five companies of Highlanders,
to general Lee, who, after taking every thing valuable out of
her, burnt her; — that the admiral turned general Clinton outof
his ffiip after the engagement, v,'ith a great deal of abufe ; —
great differences between the principal naval and military
gentlemen ;— that the ffiips, left in Carolina, are now in fuch
a weakly diftreffed condition, they would fall an eafy prey.
I am, fir, with great refpeft^^ &c. G. W.
Head-Sl'H^''^'^"h Ns'iv-Tork, Augajl 7, 1 776,
one 0 clock, P. Atf.
Tlie ffiips are changing their pofition, and the men-of-war
forming into a line: butl ftill think they will wait the arrival
of the remaining Heffians before any general attack wid be'
made.- — Monday's return will ffiew our ftrength here.

Sir, Neiv-Tork, Auguf 8, 1776.
BY yefterday-morning's poft, I was honored with
your f.;vor of the fecond inftant, with fundry refolutions of
Congrefs, to wdiich I fliall pay ftrift attention.
As tiie propofition for employing the Stockbridge Indians
has been approved, I have wrote fo Mr. Edwards, one of the
ccmmiiuonerS) and who lives among thera, requefting hlii; to

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 2zi
to engage them or, fuch as are wilHng, to enter the fervice.
I have direfted him to indulge them with liberty fo join this
or the northern army, or both, as their incfination may
lead. I wiffi the falutary confequences may refult from the re
gulation refpefting feamen taken, that Congrefs have in
view. From the nature of this kind of people, and the pri
vileges granted on their entering into our fervloe, I fliould
fuppofe many of them will do It. — We want them much.
I yefterday tranfmitted the intelligence I received from the
deferters from the Solebay man-of-war. — The inclofed copy
of a letter by laft night's poft, from the honorable Mr.
Bowdoin, with fhe Information of a captain Kennedy lately
taken, corroborate their accounts refpefting the Heffian
troops. Indeed his report makes fhe fleet and armament, tp
be employed againft us, greater than v/hat we have heard they
would be. However there remains no doubt of their bein^
both large and formidable, and fuch as will require our moft
vigorous exertions to oppofe thera. Perfuaded of this, and
knowing how much Inferior our nurabers are and will be to
theirs when the whole of their troops arrive,^ — of the im
portant confequences that may and will flow frora the appeal
that will foon be made, — I have wrote to Connefticut and
New- Jerfey, for all the fuccour they can afford, and alfo to
the convention of this ftate. — What I raay receive, and in
what time, thje event muft determine. But 1 would fain
hope, the fituation and the exigency of our affairs will call
forth the moft ftrenuous efforts and early affiftance of thofe
-who are friends to the caufe.- I confefs there is but too
much occafion for their exertions. I confidently truft they
will not be withheld.
I have inclofed a copy of a letter from Mr. Bowdoin re
fpefting fhe eaftern Indians, Congrefs will thereby perceive
that they profefs themfelves to be well attached to our in-
"tereft, — and the fummary of the meafures taken fo engage
them in our fervice. I have the treaty at large between the
7 honorable

222 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
honorable council of the Maffachufetts, on behalf of the
United States, with the delegates of the Saint-John's and
Mickmac tribes. The probability of a copy's being fent
already, and its great length, prevent one coming herewith. _
If Congrefs have not had it forwarded to thera, I will fend
a copy by the firft opportunity after notice that It has not
been received.
Augujl g.— — By a report received from "general Greene
laft night, at funfet and a little after, about a hundred boats
were feen bringing troops fro.ni Staten-Ifland to the fliips,
three of which had fallen down towards the Narrows, hav- -
ing taken in foldiers frora thirty of the boats. He adds, that,
by the bcft obfervations of feveral officers, there appeared to
be a sjeneral embarkation.
I have wrote to general Mercer for two thoufand men
from the flying camp. Colonel Smallwood's batallion, as
part of them, I expeft this forenoon : but where the reft
are to come from, I know not, as, by the general's laft re
turn, 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.my under my immedia'te command : but I imagine the fol
lowing ftate will give Congrefs a raore perfeft idea, though^
not a more agreeable one, of our fituation. For the fevenil
poHs on New-York, Long and Governor's iflands, and Pau
lus-Hook, we have, fit for duty, ten thoufand five hundred
and fourteen, — fick prefent, three thoufand and thirty-nine —
fitk abfent, fix hundred and tv/enty-nine,— on command, two
thoui'and ninfe hundred and forty-fix, — on furlough, ninety-''
feven, — total, feventeen thoufand two hundred and twenty-
five. In addition to thefe, we are only Certain of colonel
Smallwood's batallion in cafe of an Immediate attack. Our
pofts too are much divided, having waters between many of
them, and fome did.iiit from others, fifteen miles. Thefe -
circuraftances, fufficiently diftreffing of themfelves, are much-'.
aggr-avated by the ficknefs that prevails through fhe army..
.Every

OFFICIAL LETTFrs. 223
Every day more or lefs are taken down; fo that the propor
tion of men that may come In cannot be confidered as a
real and ferviceable augmentarion on the whole.
Thefe things are melancholy; but they are neverthelefs
true.— I hope for better.—Under every difadvantage, my ut
moft exertions ffiall be employed to bring about the great end
we have in view: and, fo far as I can judge from tiie pro-
feffions an-d apparent difpofition of my troops, I ffiall have
iheir fupport- The fuperiorlty of the enemy And the .ex
pefted attack do not feem to have deprefled their fpirits,
Thefe confiderations lead nie to think, that, though the
appeal may not terminate fo happily in our favor as I could
wiffi, yet they will not fucceed in their views without con
fiderable lofs. Any advantage they may get, I truft, will
coft them dear-
Eight ¦e clock, A. M.
By the reverend Mr. Madifon and a Mr. Johnfon, two
gentlemen of Virginia, who came from Staten-Ifland yefter
day, where 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 ; — that there
had been a change in the French miniftry, which, many peo
ple thought, foreboded a- war;— that it feeraed to be be
lieved by many that Congrefs would attempt to buy off
the foreign troops, and that it might be effefted without
great difficulty. Their accounts from Staten Ifland nearlv
correfpond with what we liad before: they fay that every pre
paration Is making for an attack ; — -that the force now upon
the ifland Is about fifteen thoufand ; — that they appear very
impatient for the .arrival of the foreign troops, but a very
fmall part having got in. Whe-ther they would attempt any
thing before they come, they are uncertain : but they are
fure they will as foon as they arrive, if not before. — Thcv
fay, from what they could colleft from the converfation of
officers, &c, they mean to hem us In by g^'.tlng above us
and cutting off all communication with the country. That '

an GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
That this Is their plan, feems to be corroborated and con
firmed by the circumftance of fome ffiips of war going out
at different times within a few days paft, and other veffels*-
If is probable that a part are to go round and corae up the
Sound. Mr. Madifon fays lord Howe's powers were not known
when he left Erigland ; — that general Conway moved, before
his departure, that ffiey might be laid before fhe commons )¦
and had his motion- rejefted by a large majority.;
I have the honor to be, &e. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, AuguJl i2, 1776.
I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of fhe
eighth and tenth inftant, with their feveral inclofures. I
fliall pay attention to fhe refolution refpefting lieutenant
Jofiah, and attempt to relieve him frora his rigorous ufage.
— -Your letters to fuch of fhe gentlemen as were here have
been delivered. The reft will be fent by fhe firft oppor
tunity. '
Since m y laft, of the eighth and ninth, the eneray have raade
no movements of confequence. They remain nearly In the
fame ftate ; nor have we any further intelligence of their
defigns. Thev have not been yet joined by the reraaindef
of the fleet with the Heffian troops.
Colonel Smallwood and his batallion ,got in on friday ;
and colonel Miles is alfo here with two batallions more of
Pennfylvania riflem.en.
The convention of this ftate have been exerting themfelves
to call forth a portion of their militia to an encampment
forming above Kingffiridge, to reraain in fervice for the
fpace of '^jie month after their arrival there ; and alfo half of
thofe in King and Queen's counties, to reinforce the troops
on Lonv-Ifland till the firft of September, unlefs fooner dif-
cliirged. General Morris too is to take poft with his brl-
£..iJe cn th'.- Sound and Hudfon's-river for ten days, fo
annoy

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 225
ianiioy the 'pnemy- In cafe they attempt to land ; and others
of their militia arC direfted to be in readinefs, in cafe their
aid ffiould be required. Upon the whole, from the infor
mation I have from the convention, the militia ordered are
now in motion, or Vv^ift be in a fiftle time, and will amount
to about three thoufand or more. From Connefticut, I am
not certain what fuccours are coming. By one or two gentle
men who have corae frora thence, I ara told forae of the
militia were affembling, and, from fhe intefligence they had;
would march this week.
''By a letter from governor Trumbull, of fhe fifth, I am
advifed that the troops frora that ftate, deftined for the
northern array; had raarched for Skeneffiorough. — General
Ward fob,' by a letter of the fourth, informs me that the two
regiments would march from Bofton laft week, having been
cleanfed and generally recovered from fhe fraall-pox. I have
alfo counferraanded my orders to colonel Elmore, and di
refted him to join the northern army, having heard, after
my orders to Connefticut for his marching hither, that he
and moft of his reglraent were at Albany or within its vici
nity. — General Ward raentions that the council of the Maffa
chufetts ftate will have in frora two to three thoufand of
their militia to defend their lines and different pofts, in lieu
of the regiraents ordered frora thence agreeable fo fhe re-
, folutloh of Congrefs.
The inclofed copy of a refolve of this ftate, paffed the
tenth Inftant, wifl dlfcovCr the apprehenfion they are un
der of the defeftion of the Inhabitants of King's county
from the common caufe, and of the meafures they have
taken thereupon, I have direfted general Greene fo give
the committee fuch affiftance as he can, and they may re
quire, in fhe execution of their commiffion ; though at the
fame time 1 wiffi the' information the convention have re
ceived upon the fubjeft raay prove groundlefs".
I would beg leave to mention to Congrefs, that. In a letter
I received from general Lee, he mentions the valuable con-
Vol. I, Q^ fequences

226 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fequences that would refult from a number of cavalry being
employed in the fouthern deparlraent. Without them (t(^
ufe his own expreffions) he can anfwer for nothing :; — with
one thoufand, he would enfu,re the fafety of thofe ftates.-.—
I ffiould have done myfeif the honor of fubmifting this mat
ter to Congrefs before at his particular requeft, had it not
efcaped ray mind. — From his acquaintance with that coun
try, and the nature of the grounds, I doubt not he has weighed
the matter well, and prefume he has fully reprefented fhe
advantages that would arife from fhe eftabllfliment of fuch
a corps : — all I mean. Is, in compUance with his requifition,
to .mention the matter, fhat^ fuch confideration may be had
ujion It (if not already determined) as it may be deferving of.
I have tranfraifted a general return, whereby Congrefs
will perceivfc the whole of our ftrength, except fhe two batal
lions under colonel MUes, which, coming fince it was made
out, are not included.
I have Inclofed a letter juft come to hand from Martinique.
Congrefs will pleafe to confider of fhe purport, favoring me
with their anfwer and a return of fhe letter.
This moment (ten o'clock) report is made by general
Greene that a man-of-war came in yefterday, and that fixty fail
of fliips are now ftanding in. — No doubt, they are a furffier
part of the Heffian fleet.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Ncw-Tork, Augufl 12, 1776.
TIIIS will bs handed to you by colonel * * * from
the northern army, whom the inclofed letter and proceed
ings of a general court-martial will ffiew to have been in
arreft, and tried for fundry matters charged againft him.
As the court -raarfial was by order of fhe coraraander In that,
department, — fhe fafts comniltted there, — the trial there, —
I am much at a lofs to know why the proceedings were re
verted

Official letters. 227
ferred to me to approve of difapprove. As my interfering
in the matter would carry much impropriety with It, and
fliew a Want of regard to the rifles and praftice in fuch in-
ftanceSj-TT-and ^s colonel ^ * * is going to Philadelphia, — I
have fubmitted the Whole of the proceedings to the con
fideration of Congrefs for their decifion upon his cafe, —
pcifeftly convinced that fueh detetmiriation will be had
therein, as will be right and juft.
have the honor to be,' &c. G. W.'

Sir, Ne-uf-Tork, Auguft i% i']']bi
AS there is reafon to believe that but little tirae will
felapfe before the eneray make their attack, I have thought
It advifable to remove all the papers in rriy hands, refpefting
the affairs of the ftafesi fronf this place, I hope the event
¦will ffiewthe pre'caution was unneceffary : but yet prudence
required that it ffiould 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 fhe care of lieuten
ant-colonel Reed, brother of fhe adjufantrgerieral, to bei
tJellyered to Congrefs, in whofe cuftody I would beg leave
to depofit them until our affairs ffiall be fo circumftanced as
to admit of their return.
The enemy, fince my lefter of yefterday, have received
a ftirther augmentation of thirty-fix ffiips to their fleet^
making the whole that have arrived fince yefterday morn
ing, ninefy-ifix.
T have fhe honor to be, &d. G. Wi
P. S. 1 would obferve that I have fertt off fhe box pri
vately, that It might ralfe no difagreeble ideas ; and havfi
enjoined eolojiel P-eed to fecrecy*

Q^^ Sir

*

228 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sir, New-Tork, Auguft 14, 1776.
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you on mon
day, nothing of importance has occurred here, except that
the enemy have received an augmentation to their fleet, of
ninety-fix ffiips:— fome reports make them more. In a let
ter I wrote you yefterday by lieutenant-colonel Reed, I ad
vifed you of this : but prefuming if raay not reach you fo
foon as this will, I have thought proper to raention the in
telligence again.
Inclofed I have the honor fo franfralt a copy of the ex-
arainatlon of a deferter fent rae this raorning by general
Mercer, fo which I beg leave to refer Congrefs for the
lateft accounts I have from the eneray. Whether the' in
telligence he has given is literally true, I cannot determine :
but as to the attack, we daily expeft it.
Your favor of the tenth, with its inclofuresi was duly re
ceived ; and I have Inftrufted the feveral officers who were
promoted, to aft In their ftations as you requefted, though
their commiffions were not fent.
As we are in extreme want of tents and covering for this
array, — a great part of thofe at fhe out-pofts having nothing-
fo ffielter them, nor houfes fo go into, — I fubmit it to Con
grefs whether if may not be prudent to remand thofe that
were lately fent to Bofton, where there are no troPps at pre
fent ; and, if there were, the neceffity for thera would not
be great, as the town, and barracks at feveral of the pofts,
would be fufficient fo receive them.
The inclofed le'ter from lieutenant-colonel Henffiaw will
difcover to Congrefs his views and wiffies, which they will
confider and determine on, in whatever way they think right
and conducive to the public good ; — meaning only fo 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
commiffion, conceiving himfelf to be greatly injured in not
^ having

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 229
having been noticed in the late arrangement and promotion
of general officers — I reraonftrated againft the Impropriety
of fhe meafure at this rirae ^ and he has confented to ftay
till affairs wear a different afpeft from what they do at
prefent. Eleven o'clock. — By a report juft come fo hand from gene
ral Greene, twenty ffiips more are coming jn.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

SiR) New-Tork, Auguft 14, 1776.
THIS win be delivered you by captain Moeballe, a
Dutch gentleman frora Surinam, who has corae to the con
tinent with a view of entering Into the fervice of the ftates,
as you will perceive by fhe inclofed letters from Mr, Browne
of Providence, and general Greene, What other letters and
credentials he has, I know not ; but, at his requeft, have
given him this line fo Congrefs, fo whora he wiffies to be
introduced, and where he will make his pretenfions known.
I have ordered the quarter-mafter immediately to write to
Mr. Browne for the Ruffia duck he mentions, with direftions
fo have if Inftantly made into tents there, — being In ^ great
diftrefs for want of a fufficient nuraber to cover our troops.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, Auguft 15, 1776.
AS the fituation of the two arrales rauft engage the
attention of Congrefs, and lead thera to expeft that each
returning day will produce fome important events, this is
meant to inforra thera that nothing of moment has yet caft
up. In the evening of yefterday there were greit move
ments among their boats ; and, frora the number t'.jat ap-
pkred to be paffing. and repaffing about the Narrows, we
were induced to beheve they intended to land a part of
0^3 their

230 GENERAL WASHI>fGf ON'S
their force upon Long-Ifland : but, having no report froftt
general Greene,- I prefurae they have not done it.
I have the honor to be, &c. ' G. W.
P. S. Your favor of the thirteenth waS received by yefter-:
day's poft,— I wrote on nionday by the return exprefs, as you.
fappofed.

Sir, ' New-Tork, Auguft i6, 1776.
I BEG leave fo inform you, that, fince I had the
pleafure of addreffing you yefterday, nothing interefting be
tween the two armies has happened. Things remain nearly
in the fituatjon they then were.
It Is with peculiar regret and concern that I have an op
portunity of mentioning to Congrefs the fickly condition of
our troops, In fome regiraents there are not any of the
field-officers capable of doing duty : in others the duty
is extreraely difficult for want of a fufficient number, I
have been obliged fo nominate fome till Congrefs tranfmit
the appointments of thofe they wiffi to fucceed to fhe
feveral vacancies occafioned by the late promotions. This,
being a matter of fome confequence, I prefume will have
their early attention, and that they will fill up the feveral
vacancies alfo raentioned In the lift I had the honor of
tranfmitting fome few days ago to fhe board of war.
I ara, fir, with the utmoft refpeft. Sec. G, W.

Sir, Ncw-Tork, Auguft 17, 1776,
THE circumftances of the two armies having under
gone no material alteration fince I had the honor of writing
to you laft, I have nothing particular or important to com-:
municate refpefting them.
In my letter of yefterday I forgot to mention the firrival
of lord Dunmore here. By the exanllnation of a captaiin
Hunter (who efcaped frpm the enemv, and came to Amboy
' , ' o^

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 231
on the fourteenth) tranfraifted me by general Roberdeau, I
am certainly informed his lordffiip arrived on the thirteenth.
The examination does not fay any thing about the ffiips he
brought With him : it only extends to his force, which it
mentions to be weak.
I before now expefted the eneray would have made their
attack ; nor can I account for their deferring It, unlefs the In
telligence, given by captain Hunter and another perfon vvho
efcaped about the fame time, is the caufe, — to wit, that they
are waiting the arrival of another divifion of the Heffian
troops, which (they fay) is ftill out. — Whether that is the
reafon of fhe delay, I cannot undertake to determine : bat
I ffiould fuppofe things wIU not long remain in their prefent
ftate. — I have Inclofed a copy of general Roberdeau's letter,
and of fhe exaralnatlon of thofe two perfons, which will
(hew Congrefs all the information they have given upon
thefe fubjefts.
I aril juft -now advifed by Mr. Aires who carae from
Philadelphia to build fhe row-gallies, that two of our fire-
veffels attempted laft night to burn the enemy's ffiips and
tenders up the river. He fays that they burned one tendetj
and one of them boarded the Phoenix, and was grappled w; 1
her for near ten ralnutes'; but ffie cleared' herfelf. — We loft
both of the veffels. -^HIs account is not fo particular as I
Coiild wiffi ; however, I ara certain the attempt has not fuc
ceeded to our wiffies. In a little tirae if is probable the
matter vyill be more minutely reported.
I have the honor fo be, &c. G. W.

Sir, New-Tork, Auguft 18, 1776.
I HAVE been 'honored with your favor of fhe
fixteenth with the inclofure, and am forry It is not In my
power to tranfmit Congrefs a copy of the treaty as they re
quire, having fent it awiy with the other papers that were
i;i my hands, Qj}. The

232 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
The refolution they have entered into refpefting the
foreign troops, I ara pCrfuaded, would produce falutary
effefts, if it could be properly circulated among thera. I
¦fear it will be a niatter of difficulty. However I. will take
every meafure that ffiall appear probable to facilitate fhe end.
I have the honor to inclofe you, for the perufal and con
fideration of, Congrefs, fundry papers marked N° I to N^ 7
indufivf, the whole of whkh,; except -N? 2 and 7 (my
anfwers to lord Drummond and general Howe) I received
yefterday evening by a flag, and to which I beg leave fo re
fer Congrefs.
I am exceedingly at a lofs to know the motives and caufes
inducing a proceeding of fuch a nature at this time, and
-why lord Howe has not attempted fome plan of negotiation
before, as he feeras fo defirous of it. If I may be allowed
to conjefture and guefs at the caufe. It may be that part of
the Heffians have not arrived, as raentioned In the examin
ation tranfmitted yefterday, — or that general Burgoyne has
not made fuch progrefs. as was expefted, fo form a junftion
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 fuccour
will foon become, tired and return home, as Is but too ufual
with them. — Congrefs will make, their obfervatlons upon
thefe feveral matters, and favor rae with the refult as foon
as they have done.— They will obferve ray anfwer to lord
Drummond, who (I am pretty confident) has not attended
to the terms of his parole, but has violated it in feveral in
ftances. If is with the reft of the papers : but, if ray me
mory ferves me, he was not fo hold any correfpondence di
reftly or indireftly with thofe in arms againft us, or to go
into any port or harbor in rtmerica, where fhe eneray them
felves were, or had a fleet, or rn go on board their ffiips.
The treaty with the Indians is In the box which lieuten
ant-colonel Reed, I prefume, has delivered before this.. . If
Congrefs are defirous of feeing It, they will be pleafed to
have

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 233
have fhe box opened. It contains a variety of papers, and
all the affairs of the army, from my firft going, to Cam
bridge, fill It was fent away.
This morning, the Phoenix and Rofe men of-war, with
'two tenders, availing themfelves of a favorable and brift
wind, came down the river, and have joined the fleet.
Our feveral batteries fired alt thera In their paffage, but with
out any good effeft that I could perceive.
I have the honor fo be, &c. G- W.

Sir, New-Tork, Augujl 19, 1776-
I HAVE nothing of raoraent to .coraraunicate to
Congrefs, as things are In the fituation they were when I
had laft fhe honor of addreffing thera.
By a letter from general Ward, of the twelfth, I find that
Whitcomb's regiment, on fhe eighth, and Phinney's, on the
ninth, marched frora Bofton for Ticonderoga.
Governor Trumbull alfo, in a letter of the thirteenth, ad-
vifes rae that V/ard's reglraent in the fervice of the ftates
was on the raarch fo this, array, and that he and his council
of fafety had in the whole ordered fourteen railitia regiments
to reinforce us. Three of thera have arrived, and amount fo
about a thoufand and twenty men. When the whole come In,
we fliall be on a much more refpeftable footing than we have
been : but I greatly fear. If the enemy defer their attempt for
any confiderable time, they wifl be extreraely Irapatlenf to
return home ; and if they fliould, we ffiall be reduced to dif
trefs again.
He alfo adds that captain Van Buren, who had been fenf
for that 'purpofe, had procured a fufficient fupply of fail-
cloth for the veffels to be employed on the lake, and a part of
the. cordage, In that ftate; and had a profpedl of getting the
remainder. As there wifl be a difficulty In all probability fo circulate
the papers defigned for the foreign troops, and many mif-

234 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
carriages may happen before it can be effefted, it may be
proper fo furniffi me with a larger quantity than what I
already have.
Inclofed I have fhe honor fo tranfmit you a general return
of our whole force at this tirae, in which are coraprehended
the three regiments of militia above mentioned. I am forry
it ffiould be fo much weakened by ficknefs. The return will
ffiew you how it dift-re-ffes us.
I have the honor to be, &c. ' G. W.
P. S. The poft juft now arrived has brought a further
fupply of papers for the Heffians, which makes my requi
fition unneceffary.

Sir, New-Tork, Auguft 2C, 1776.
I WA.S yefterday morning favored with yours of the'
feventeenth, accompanied by feveral refolutions of Congrefs,
and commiflions for officers appointed fo fhe late vacancies
in this army.
I wrote fome days ago to general Schuyler to propofe to
generals Carleton and Burgoyne an exchange of prifoners In
confequence of a forraer refolve of Congrefs authorlfing their
coraraanders in each departraent to negofIa?te one. That of
major Meigs for major French, and captain Dearborn's for
any officer of equal rank, I fubmitted fo general Howe's
confideration, by letter, on the feventeenth, underftariding
their paroles had been fent him by general Carleton ; but
have not yet received his anfwer upon the fubjeft.
In refpeft to the exchange of the prifoners in Canada, if a
propofition on that head has not been -already made (and I
believe It has not), fhe inclofed copy of general Carleton's
orders (tranfmitted' me under feal by major Bigelow, who
was fent with a flag to general Burgoyne frora Ticondero
ga, with the proceedings of Congrefs on fhe breach of capi
tulation at the Cedars, and fhe inhuman treatment of our
people afterwards) will ffiew it is unneceffary, as he has deter
mined

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 235
piined to fend them to their own provinces, there to remain
as prifoners ; Interdifting at the fame time all kind of inter-
^courfe between us and his army, except fuch as raay be for
the purpofe pf imploring the king's raercy. — The affaffina-
tlon he mentions, of brigadierrgeneral Gordon, is a faft en
tirely new to rae, and what I never heard of before. — I fliall
, jiot trouble Congrefs with my ftrlfttires upon this '* * * per
formance, * * * only obferving that Its defign Is fomewbat
artful, and that Cac'n bdatraan with major Bigelow was fur-
piftied with a copy.
1 have alfo tranfmitted Congrefs a copy of the raajor's
'jfturnal, to which I beg leave to refer them for fhe inteHi-
gence reported by him on his return frora the truce.
By a lefter frpra general Greene yefterday evening, he in
formed rae he had received an exprefs from Hog-Iflarid in
let, advifing that five'of the enemy's fmall veffels had appear
ed at the mouth of the creek, with forae troop's on board; —
alfo that he had heard two perlaguas were ofTOyfter-bay, — ¦
the whole fuppofed to be after live ftock ;— and, to pre-
yfent their getting it, he had detached a party of horfe, and
$.^0 hundred and twenty raen, among them twenty riflemen.
I have not received further intelligence upon the fubjeft.
I am alfo advifed by the examination of a captain Button
(mafter of a veffel that had been taken) tranfmitted me by
gene'ral Mercer, that the general report among the enemy's
troops, when he came off, was, that they were to attack
LoWg-Ifland, and fo fecure our works there if poffible, at the
fame time that another part pf their army was to land above
this city. This inforraatioti is corrdborated by many other
accounts, and Is probably true : nor will it be poffible to
prevent them' landing on the ifland, as its great extent affords
a variety of places favorable fpr that purpofe, and the whole
pf our works on if are at the end oppofite to the city. How
ever, We ffiall attempt fo harrafs them as much as -poffible,
which will be all that we can do.
I have the honor tp be, &c. C W,

236 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sir, P^cw-Tork, Auguft 21, \']-jb.
INCLOSED I have the honor to tranfmit you a copy
of my letter to lord Howe (as well on fhe fubjeft of a ge
neral exchange of prifoners in the naval line, as that of
lieutenant Jofiah in particular) and of his loidffiip's anfwer,
¦which, for its mafter and manner. Is very different from ge
neral Carleton's orders which were forwarded yefterday.
The fituation of the armies being the fame as when I
had the pleafure of addreffing you laft, I have nothing fpe
cial to communicate on that head, nor more to add, than
that I am, wifh all poffible refpeft, &c. G. W.

Sir, , New-Toik, Auguft 22, I'j'jb,
I DO myfeif fhe honor to franfralt Congrefs a copy
©f a letter I received yefterday evening by exprefs frora go
vernor Livingfton, alfo copies of three reports frora colonel
Hand, Though the intelligence reported by the fpy on his return
to governor Livingfton has not been confirraed by the event
he mentions (an attack laft night), there is every reafon fo
believe that one Is ffiortly defigned. The falling down of
feveral ffiips yefterday evening to the Narrows, crowded with
men, — thofe fucceeded by raany raore this morning, — and a
great number of boats parading around thera (as I was juft
'now informed) with troops, — are all circuraftances indi
cating an attack : and it Is not Iraprobable It will be made
to-day. It could not have happened laft night, by reafon of
a raoft violent guft.
We are making every preparation to receive thera ; and I
truft, under the fmiles of providence, with our own exer
tions, that my next, if they do attack, will tranfmit an ac
count that will be pleafing to every friend of America, and
cf fhe rights of humanity.
, I have the honor to be, &c. G, W.

OFFICIAL LETTERS.

237

Sir, New-Tork, Auguft 2^, iT^t.
I BEG leave to inforra Congrefs, that, yefterday
morning and in the courfe of the preceding night, a confi
derable body of the enemy, amounting by report to eight or
nine thoufand, and thefe aU Rrltlfli, landed from the tranf-
port-ffilps raentioned In my laft, at Gravefend-bay on Long-
Ifland, and have approached within three miles of our lines,
having raarched acrofs the low cleared grounds near the
woods at Flat-buffi, v/here they are liaifed, from my laft in
telligence. I have detached frora hence fix batallions as a reinforce
ment to our troops there, which are all that I can fpare at
this tirae, not knowing but the fleet raay raove up with the
remainder of their array, and make an attack here, on the
next flood-tide. If they do not, I ffiall fend a further rein
forcement, ffiduld It be neceffary ; and have ordered five ba
tallions raore to be in readinefs-for that purpofe.
I have no doubt but a little tirae will produce fome im
portant events. I hope they wiU be happy, — The reinforce
ment detached yefterday went off in high fpirits ; and I have
' the pleafure f o Inforra you that the whole of fhe army, that
are effeftlve and capable of duty, difcover the fame, and great
cheerfulnefs, — I have been obliged to appoint major-general
Sulfivan to fhe command on the ifland, owing to general
Greene's indifpofition :— he has been extremely IU for feve
ral days, and ftill continues bad.
By wednefday evening's poft I received a letter from ge
neral Ward, inclofing a copy o.^ the invoice of fhe ordnancc-
ftores taken by captain Manly, with the appraiferaent of the
fame (made In purfuance of ray direftion, founded on the
order of CongrefsJ, which I do myfeif the honor of tranf
mitting. — You will alfo receive fhe treaty between the com
miffioners and the Indians of the Six-lNations, and others, at
the German-Flats, which general Schuyler requefted me to
forward, by his letter of fhe eighteenth iR.lanr.
I have the honor to be, &c. 'G. W,

«38 GENERAL V^^ASHIN.GTON'S
Sir, New-Tork, Auguft 24, 177&.
THE Irregularity of the poft prevents your receiv
ing the early and conftant intelligence it is my wiffi to com--
munlcate. This Is the third letter which you WiU prob^ly
¦leceive from me by the fame poft. The firft Was of little or
no confequence : but that of yefterday gave you the beft in
formation I had been able to obtain, of the enemy's landing
and raoveraents upon Long-Ifland.— Having occafion fo go
over thither yefterday, I fent ray letter to the poft-office at
the ufual hour, being informed that the rider was expefted
every moment, and would go out again direftly: but in the
-evening v/hen 1 fent fo inquire, none had come in.
I now inclofe you a report made fo me by general SullL>
van after I left Long-Ifland yefterday. I do not conceive
-that the enemy's whole force was in motion, but a detached
partyrather. I have fent over four more regiments, with boats,
to be reai|y either to reinforce the troops under general Sul
livan, or to return to this place. If the remainder of the fleet
at the watering-place fliould puffi up to the city ; which hi
therto (I raean, 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 ara theirs and your moft obedient
hum.ble fervant, G. W.

StR, Nriv-Tork, Auguft 26, 1776.
I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of fhe
twentieth and twenty-fourth, and am happy to find ray an
fwer to lord Drummond has met fhe approbation of Con-
g-refs. Whatever his views were, raoft certainly his con
duft refpefting his parole Is highly reprehenfible.
Since my letter of the twenty-fourth, almoft the whole
of the enemy's fleet have fallen down fo fhe Narrows ; and,
from this circumftance, and the ftriking of their tents at
7 their

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 259
their ifeveral encamprnents on State;n-If:aii'l ''rom ti-ne to
time previous to the departure of the fliiips from dience, wp
jre jied to think they mean to land the main Updy of hrlr
army on Long-Ifland, and to make their grand puffi there..
I have ordered over confiderable reinforcements to our trccps
there, and ffiall continue to fend more as circurritances may
require. There has been a little fkirmlffiing and irregular
firing kept up betw-een their and our advanced guards, ia
which colonel Martin of the Jerfey levies has received a
wound in his breaft, which. It is apprehended, will prove
mortal; a private has had his leg broke by a cai non-ball,
and another has received a ffiot In the groin from their muf-
fcetry. This is all the damage they have yet done us : — what
they have fuftained, is not known.
The ffilfting and changing the regiraents have undergone
of late Has prevented their making proper retUtrns, and of
courfe put it out of -my power to itranfmit a general one of
the army. However, I believe our ftrength is much the
fame as it was when the laft was made, with the addition of
nine miUtia regiments come from the ftate of Connefticut,
averaging sibout three hundred and fifty men each. Thefe
are nine of the fourteen regiments mentioned in my letter of
the nineteenth. — Our people ftiU continue to-be very fickly.
The papers defigned for the foreign troops have been put
hito feveral channels, in order that they might be conveyed
to them ; and, from the information I had yefterday, I have
reafon to believe many have fallen into their hands.
I have inclofed a copy of lord Drummond's fecond letter
(in anfwer to mine) which I received fince I tranfmitted his
firft, and which I have thought neceffary to lay before Con
grefs, that they may poffefs the whole of the correfpon
dence between us, and fee how far he has exculpated him
felf frora the charge afteged againft hira. The log-book he
mentions to have fent colonel Moylan proves nothing in
his favor. That ffiews he had beea at Bermuda, and from
thence to fome other ifland, on his paffage from which to this
y place.

240 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
place, fhe veffel he was In was boarded by a pilot who
brought her into the Hook, where he found fhe Britifli fleet,
which his lordffiip avers he did not expeft were there, hav
ing underftood their deftlnarion was fp fhe fouthward
I'have the honor to be, &c. G. 'W.

{The following letter is from one of the general's aides, whofe
ftgn'ature will alfo appear to a few of the fubfequent letters in
this volume,] '
Sir, New-Tork, Aug. 27, 1776, 8 o'clock, P. M.
I THIS minute returned from our lines on Long-
' Ifland, where I left his excellency the general. Frora him
I have it In coraraand fo inforra Congrefs," that yefterday he
went there, and continued fill evening, when, from the
enemy's having landed a confiderable part of their forces, —
and many of their raoveraents,— there was reafon fo appre
hend they would raake in a litfle tirae a general attack. — As
they would have a wood to pafs through before they could
approach fhe lines, it was thought expedient to place a num
ber of men there on the different roads leading frora where
they were ftationed, in order fo harrafs and annoy thera in
their march. — ^ThiS being done, early this morning a fmart
engagement enfued between fhe eneray and our detach-
-ments, which, being unequal to the force they had to con
tend with, have fuftained a pretty confiderable lofs : at leaft
itnany of our men are miffing. Among thofe that have not
returned, are generals Sullivan and lord Stirling. The
enemy's lofs is not known certainly : but v,'c are told by fuch
of our troops as were in the engagement and have corae in,'
that they had many killed and wounded. — Our party brought;^
off a lieutenant, fergeant, and corporal, with twenty privates,
prifoners. While thefe detachments were engaged,, a column of the
enemy dcfcended from the woods, and marched towards thc-
9 centre

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 241
Centre of our lines with a defign to make an impreffion, but
were repulfed. This evening they appeared very ntimerous
about the flcirts of the woods, where they have pitched feve-
tal tents : and his excellency inclines to think they mean to
attack and force uS from our lines by -way of regular ap
proaches, rather than in any other manner.
To-day, five fhips of fhe line came up towards the town^
where they feemed defirous of getting, as they fumed a long
time againft 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
ito filence our batteries, if poffible,
I have the honor to be, in greiat hafte, fir, your moft obe
dient, Robert H, Harrison.

Sir," Long-Ifland, Aug. 29, 177&, half after 4, A. Mi
I WAS laft night honored with your favor of the
twenty-feventh, accompanied by fundry refolutions of Ccn-
- grefs. Thpfe refpefting the officers, &c,'that may be wound-i
ed In the fervice of the ftates, are founded much in juftice,
and (I ffiould hope) may be produftive of many falutary
confequences.' As fo the encouragement fo the Heffian
officerSj I wiffi it may have the defired effeft. Perhaps it
might have been better, had the offer been fooner raade.
Before thisj you will probably have received a letter frohi
Mr. Harrifon, of the twenty-feventh, advifing of the en
gagement between a detachment of our men and the enemy
on that day.-^I am forry to inform Congrefs that I have
not yet heard either of general Sullivan or lord Stirling, who
(they would obferve) were among fhe miffing after the en
gagement : nor can I afcertain our lofs, I am hopeful, part
of our men will yet get in : feveral did yefterday morning.^
That of the enemy is alfo uncertain : the accpunts are va-
VoL, I. R rlou?..

242 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
rious. I incline fo think they fuffered a good deal. Some'
deferters fay five hundred were killed and wounded.
There was fome fkirminiing, the greateft part of yefter
day, between parties from the eneray and our people : in
the evening it was pretty fmart. 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 fufficiency 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 wifl be more
comfortably provided, though the great fcarcity of thefe ar
ticles diftrefl'es us beyond meafure, not having any thing like
a fufficient nuraber to proteft our people from the incle
mency of the weather ; — which has occafioned much fick
nefs, and the men to be almoft broken down.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Ncw-Tork, Auguft 31, 1776.
INCLINATION as well as duty would have induced
me to give Congrefs the earlieft information of my removal
And that of the troops, from. Long-Ifland and its dependen
cies, to this city, the night before lall : but the extreme fa-
tig-ae which my felt and family have undergone, as much'
from the weather fince as the engagement on the twenty-'
feventh, rendered mc and them entirely unfit to take pen in
hand. Since monday, fcavcc any of us have been out of the
lines till car paHiige acrofs the E.ift-river was effefted yefter
day morning ; and, for forty-eight hours preceding that,
1 had hardly been off my horfe, and iiLver clofed my eyes ;
fo that I vv as quite unfit to write or dictate till this morn
ing. Our retreat w.i'; made without any lofs of men or ammu
nition, and in better order than I expefted from troops in
the

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 243
ituatlon ours were. We brought off all our cannon and
s, except a few heavy pieces, which, in the condition
earth was by a long-continued rain, we found, upon
, impraftlcable. The wheels of the carriages finking up
le hobs rendered it impoffible for our whole force to
them. — We left but litfle provifions on the ifland, ex-
forae cattle which had been driven within our lines, and
:h, after many attempts to force acrofs the water, we
d impoffible to effeft, circumftanced as we were.
have inclofed a copy of the council of war held previous
le retreat, to which I beg leave to refer Congrefs for fhe
ms, or many of them, that led to the adoption of that
fhre. eftcrday evening and laft night, a party of our raen were
loyed in bringing our ftores, cannon, tents, &c, from
ernor's-Ifland, which they nearly coraplcted. Some of
heavy cannon remain there ftill, but (I expeft) wIU be
away to-day.
1 the engagement on the twenty-feventh, generals Sulll-
and Stirling were made prifoners. The former has been
nitted, on his parole, to return for a little tirae. From
lord Stirling I had a lefter by general Sullivan (a copy
vhlch I have the honor to tranfmit) that contains his lu
nation of the engageraent with his brigade. If is not fo
and certain as I could wiffi :— -he was hurried moft pto-
ly, as his letter was unfiniffied: — nor have I been yet able
ibtain an exaft account of our lofs : — we fuppofe it from
;n hundred to a thoufand killed and taken.
ieneral Sullivan fays lord Howe is extremely defirous of
ng forae of the raembers of Congrefs ; for which purpofe
was allowed to come out, and fo communicate fo them
it has paffed between him and his lordffiip. I have con-
ted to his going to Philadelphia, as I do not raean, or
icelve it right, to withhold, or prevent him from giving,
h Information as he poffeffes in this inftance.
: am much hurried and engaged in arranging and making
R 2 new

244 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
new difpofitions of our forces ; the movements of fhe cnemyf
requiring thera to be immediately had ; — ^id therefore have
only rime to add, that f am,- with my bcft regards td CoW-
grefs,, their and- your raoft obedient. See.- G. W.

Sfr, Nc-aj-l'ori, September 2, 1776*
AS my hitenigenise of late has been rather tinfavor-*
able, and would be received with anxiety and concern, pe-
cflli-arfy happy fliould I efteem rttyfelf,- were it in my power
at this time to tranfmit fuch information to Congrefs, as-
would be more pleafing arid agreeable .to their wiffies : — ^but,.
unfoffunately'for me,-— unfortunately for them,- — it is not.
Our fituation is truly diftreffing. The check our detach
ment fuftained on the twenty-feventh ultimo' has- dlfpiritci
too great a proportion of our troops,, and filled their minds-
wlth apprehenfion and defpair. The militia, inftead of- call-'.
ing forth their utmoft etlbrts to a brave and manly oppoG-
. tion in order to repair our loffes, are dlllnayed, intraftable^
and impatient to return. Great numbers of them have
gone offj — in fome Inftances, almoft by whole regiments, by
half ones, and by companies at a time. This circumftance,.
of Itfelf, independent of others, when fronted by a well-ap
pointed enemy fuperior in nuraber to our whole collefted"
force, would be fufficiently difagreeable : — but^ when their
example has infefted another part of the array, — when their
want of difcipline, and refufal of alraoft every kind- of re
ftraint and government, have produced a hke conduft but
too common to the whole, and- an entire difregard of that
Older and fubordination necefl'ary to the well doing of an army,.
¦and wliich had been inculcated before,- as well as the nafur*
of our military eftabliffiment would adrait of,, — our condition-
is ftill raore alarming : and with the deepcft concern I- am-
obliged to confefs my want of confidence in the geneiality
of the troops.
All thefe circumftances fully confirm the opinion I ever
cntertitlned,

. OFFICIAL LETTERS. 245
.entertained, and which I more than once in my letters took
, the liberty of mentioning fo Congrefs, that no dependence
could be put in a railitia,. or other troops than thofe enlifted
.and embodied for a longer period than our regulations here
tofore have prefcrlbed. I am perfuaded, and as fully con
vinced as I am of any one faft that" has happened, that our
liberties muft of neceffity be grea-tly hazarded If not entirely
loft. If their defence -is left to any but a perraanent ftanding
army, — I mean, one to exift during the war. Nor would
the expenfe, incident to the fupport of fuch a body of troops
as would be competent to alnioft every exigency, far ex
ceed that which is daily incurred by calling in fuccour, and
new enliftments, which, when effefted, tire not attended
with any good confequences. Men who have been free,
and fubjeft to no control, cannot bp reduced to order in an
inftant : and the privileges and exemptions, they claim and
¦will have, influence the conduft of others ; and the aid de
rived frora thera Is nearly cownte'rhalanced by the diforder,
jrregularlty, and confufion they occafion.
I cannot find that the bounty of ten dollars is likely fo
nroduce the defired effeft. Wheij men can get double that
fum to engage for a month or two in fhe militia, and that
militia frequently called out, jt is hardly to be expefted. — >
The addition of land might have a confiderable Influence on
a permanent eniiftment.
Our number of men at prefent fit for duty is under
twenty thoufand ; they were fb by the laft returns and
heft accounts I could get after the engagement on Long-
Ifland j fince which, numbers have deferted. I have order
ed general Mercer to fend the men Intended for fhe flying
camp fo this place, about a thoufand in number, and to try
with the rallliia, if prafticable, to majie a djverfion upojj
Staten-Ifland. Tiff of late, I had no doubt jn my ov/n raind, of defending
^his place : nor ffiould I have yet, if the men would do their
id.uty : but this | defpair of. It is painful, and extreraely
R,3 grating

246 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
grating to rae, to give fuch unfavorable accounts : but it
would be criminal to conceal the truth at fo critical a junc
ture. Every power I poffefs ffiall be exerted to ferve the
caufe ; and my firft wifh is, that, whatever raay be the
event, fhe Congrefs will do rae the juftice to think fo.
If we ffiouid be obliged fo abandon fhe town, ought it fo
ftand as winter quarters for the eneray? — They would de
rive great conveniences frora It on the one hand ; and much
property would be deftroyed on the other. — If is an impor
tant quei'tion, but will admit of but litfle tirae for delibera
tion. At prefent I dare fay the eneray raean to preferve it
if they can. If Congrefs therefore fliould refolve upon fhe
deftruftion of it, the refolution ffiould be a profound fecret,
as the knowledge of it will raake a capital change in their
plans,— I have the honor to be, &c, G. W.

Sir, New -Tork, September 4, iJjS,
SINCE I had fhe honor of addreffing you on fhe
fecond, our affairs have not undergone a change for the bet
ter, nor affumed a more agreeable afpeft than what they
then wore. The militia, under various pretences, of fick
nefs, &c, are daily diminifliing ; and in a little tirae, I am
perfuaded, their number wil! be very inconfiderable.
On monday night a forty-gun fliip paffed up the Sound be
tween Governor's and Long-Ifland, and anchored in Turtle-
bay. In her paffiigeflie received adifcharge of cannonfrom our
batteries, but without any damage ; and, having a favorable
wind and tide, foon got out of their reach. Yefterday morn-
.ing I difpatched m.,ijor Crane of the artillery, with two
twelve-pounders and a howitzer, to annoy her; who, hull
ing her feveral times, forced her from that ftarion, and to
take ffielter behind an ifland, where ffie ftill continues.
There are feveral other fliips of war ih the Sound, with a
good raany tranfports or ftore-ffiips which came round
Long-Uland, fo that that communication is entirely cut
off.

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 247
off.— The adrairal, with fhe main body of fhe fleet, Is clofe
in with Governor's-Ifland.
Judging It expedient to guard againft every contingency
as far as our peculiar fituation will adrait, and that we
may have refources left if obliged to abandon this place, I
¦have fent away and ara reraoving above Kingffiridge all our
ftores that are unneceffary, and tliaf will not be iramediately
wanted. I have inclofed feveral original letters frora fome of our
officers prifoners at Quebec, which fell into general Gates's
hands, and vvere tranfraifted by hira to general Schuyler
who fent thera fo me. General Gates adds, that the perfons
who brought thera faid general Burgoyne had fent meffages
to the inhabitants upon the lakes, inviting their continuance
on their farms, and affuring them that they fliould reraain In
fecurity. The poft-raafter having removed his office from the city
to Dobbs's-ferry, as It Is faid, makes it extremely inconve
nient, and will be the means of my not giving fuch conftant
and regular intelligence as I could wiffi. — Cannot fome
mode be devifed, by which we raay have a pretty conftant
and certain Intercourfe and coramunication kept up .'' It Is
an interefting matter, and of great iraportance ; and, as fuch,
I am perfuaded, will meet with due atfentiori from Con
grefs. I have tranfmitted fhe copy of general Gates's letter as
fent me by general Schuyler, frora which Congrefs will dif
cover all the inforraation 1 have refpefting general Bur-
goyne's meffiige, and my lateft intelligence frora Ticondero
ga, with the returns of the array there.— Thofe of fhe army
here It Is Impoffible to obtain, till fhe hurry and buftle we
are now in are a little over.
I have fhe honor to be, &c. G- W.
' P. S. Congrefs wIU perceive, by general Gates's letter, his
want of muflcet-cartrldge-paper. It is impoffible to fupply
him from hence. They will therefore be pleafed to order
R. 4 what

248 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
what he wants (If It Can be procured) to be ihimediately
fent him fro.ra Philadelphia.

Sir, ¦ Ncw-Tork, September (), I'j'jd.
I WAS laft night honored with your favor of the
third, with Tundry refolutions of Congrefs; and perceiving
it to be their opinion and determinatian that no damage
fhall be done the city In cafe we are obliged to abandon
it, I ffiall take every meafure in my power to prevent it.
Since my letter of the fourth, nothing very raaterial has
occurred, unlefs it is that the fleet feera to be drawing raore
together, and all getting clofe In with Qo-^ernox'&-l&zni,
Their defigns we cannot learn ; nor have we been able to
procure the leaft iiiformatlon of late, of any of their plans or
intended operations.
As the enemy's movements are very different from whaj:
we expefted, — and, frora their large encarapraents a confi»
derable diftance up the Sound, there is reafon fo believe they
intend to raake a landing above or belov/ Kingfbridge, and
thereby to hem in our array, and cut off the coraraunlcaflon
with the country, — I mean to call a council of general of-^
ficers to-day or to-raorrow, and endeavor to digeft and fix
upon forae regular and certain fyftem of conduft fo be pur
fued In order fo baffle their efforts and counteracft their
fchemes ; and alfo to determine of the expediency of eva
cuating or attempting fo maintain the city and fhe feveral pofts
on this ifland. The refult of their opinion and deliberations
I ffiall advife Congrefs of by the earfieft opportunity, which
will be by exprefs, having it not In my power to communli
cafe any intelligence by poft, as the office is removed to fo
great a diftance, and entirely out of the way.
¦ I have' Inclofed allft of the officers who are prifoners', and
frpm whom letters have been received by a flag. — We know
there fifrc other? npt In(;li:(ded in the lift,
". ' ' General

OFFICIAL LETTERS.
. jGeneral Sullivan having informed me that general Howc
was willing that an exchange of hjm for general Prefcot
.-fliould take place, if will be proper to fend geperal Prefcpt
immediately, that if may be effefted.
As the militia regiments in all probability will be impar
tient to ret^irn, and become preffmg fpr their pay, I fliall be
glad of the direftion of Congrefs, whether they are to re
ceive it here or frpm the conventions or affemblies of the Re
fpeftive ftates to .which they belong. On the one hand, the
fettlement of their abftrafts will' be attended with trouble
and difficulty : ^n the other, they will go away much better
fatisfied, and be more ready to give their aid in future, if
they are paid be.fore their departure?.
Before I conclude, I muft take the liberty pf menfipnin?
to Congrefs the great .diftrefs we are in for want of raoney.
Two months.' pay (and more fc^ fome batallions) Is now
due to the troops here, without any thing in the raili
tary cheft to fatisfy It. This occafions ranch diffatisfaftion,
and alraoft a general uneafinefs. Not a day pafTes withcuit
complaints and the moft ipiportunate and urgent demands
pn this head. — As it may Injure the fervice greatly, and the
want of a regular fupply of cafli produce confequences of the
moft fatal tendency, I entreat the attention of Congrefs ftj
this fubjeft, 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, propofing an exchange of
general M'Donald for lord Stirling, and fliall be extremely
happy fo obtain it, as weft as that of general Sullivan for ge
neral Prefcot,— being greatly in want of them, and under the
neceffity of appointing, pro tempore, fome pf, the colonels to
command brigades.
I have the honor to be, &c, G. W.
P. S. As two regiments frora Nprth-Caroliiia and three re
giments raore from Virginia are ordered here, — If they could
embark at Norfolk, Sec, and come up the bay with fecurity,
ft would expedite their arrival, and prevent the men from a
¦¦•¦'¦'''¦¦' ' - long

250 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
long fatiguing march. This however ffiould not be attempt
ed If the enemy have veffels In the bay, which might proba
bly intercept them.

Sir, Ncnv-Tork, September 7, 1776.
THIS will be delivered you by captain Martindale
and lieutenant Turner, who w-ere taken laft fall in the arm
ed brig Waffiington, and who, with Mr. Childs the fecond
lieutenant, have lately effefted their efcape frora Halifax.
Captain Martindale and thefe two officers have applied fo
me for pay frora the firft of January till this time : but, not
conceiving myfeif authorifed to grant it, however reafonable
It may be, as they were only engaged fill the laft of Decem
ber, — at their inftance I have mentioned the matter fo Con
grefs, and fubmit their cafe .to their confideration.
I have the honor to be, &:c. G. W.

Sir, Ncw-Tork, Head-Sfiarters, Sept. 8, 1 7 "6.
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you on the
fixth inftant, I have called a council of fhe general officers,
in order fo take a full and coraprehenfive view of our fitua
tion, and thereupon forra fuch a plan of future defence as
may be Immediately purfued, and fubjeft fo no other altera
tion than a change of operations on the enemy's fide may oc
cafion. Before the landing of the eneray on Long-Ifland, the
point of attack could not be known, or any fatisfaftory judg
ment formed of their intentions. It might be on Long-Ifland,
on Bergen, or direftly on the city. This made It necefl'ary
to be prepared for each, and has occafioned an expenfe of
labor -vidiich now feems ufelefs, and is regretted by thofe
who form a judgment from after-knowledge. But I truft,
men of difcernmcnt will think dift'erently, and fee that by
fuch works and preparations we have not only delayed the
operations
2

OFFICIAL LETTERS, ' 25*1
operations of the campaign till It Is too late to effeft any ca
pital incurfion Into the country, but have drawn the enemy's
forces to one point and obliged them to [difclofe] their plan,
fo as to enable us to forra our defence on forae certainty.
It Is now extremely obvious frora all intelligence, — frora
their raoveraents, and every other clrcuraftance, — that hav
ing landed their whole army on Long-Ifland (except abont
four thoufand on Staten-Ifland), they raean to inclofe us on
the ifland of New-York by taking poft in our rear while the
fhipping effeftually fecure fhe front ; and thus, either by
cutting off our communication with the country, oblige us
fo fight thera on their own terms, or furrender at difcretloi;,
— or by a brilliant ftroke endeavor to cut this army in
pieces, and fecure the colleftlon of arms and ftores, which
they well know we ffiall not be able foon to replace.
Having therefore their fyftem unfolded to us, ir became
-an important confideration how if could be moft fuccefsfully
oppofed. On every fide there Is a choice of difficulties; and
every meafure on our part (however painful the reflexion Is
from experience) fo be formed with fome apprehenfion that
all our troops will not do their duty. In deliberating on this
great queftion, It was impoffible to forget, that hiftory, our
own experience, the advice of our ableft friends in Europe,
the fears of the enemy, and even fhe declarations of Con- '
grefs, demonftrate, that on our fide the war ffiould be de
fenfive — (It has ever been called a war of pofts) ;-— that we
ffiould on all occafions avoid a general aftion, nor put any
thing to the rifk, unlefs corapelled by a neceffity into which
we ought never to be drawn.
The arguments on which fuch a fyftem was founded
were deemed unanfwerable ; and experience has given her
fanftion. With thefe views, and being fully perfuaded that
it would be prefumption to draw out our young troops Into
open ground againft their fuperiors both in number and
difcipline, Ihave never fpared the fpade and pickaxe. I con
fefs I have not found that readinefs to defend even ftroqg pofts

252 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
pofts at all hazards, which is neceffary to derive the greatefl
benefit from them. The honor of making a brave defence
does not feem to be a fufficient ftimulus when fuccefs Is very
jdoubtful, and the falling into the enemy's hands probable i
but I doubt not, this will be gradually .attained. — We are
now in a fttrpng poft, but not an impregnable one, nay ac
knowledged by every man pf judgment fo be untenable,
unlefs the enemy will make tlie attack upon lines when fhey
can avoid It, and their movements indicate that they rneaij
to do fo.
To draw the whole army together in order to arran^ the
.flefence 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 ftores on the hazard of making a
fucccfsful defence in the city, or the iffue of an engagement
out of it. On the other hand, to abandon a city which has
been by fome deemed defenfible, and on whofe works much
labor has been beftowed, has a tendency to dlfplrlf the troops
and enfeeble our caufe. It has alfo been confidered as fhe
key to the northern country. But as to that, f am fuhy
of opinion that fhe eftablifliing of ftrong pofts at Mount-
Waflilngton on the upper part of this Ifland, and on the Jer
fey fide oppofite to it, with the affiftance of the obftruftions
already made (and which may be improved) In tlie water,
not only the navigation of Hudfon's-river, but an eafier and
better- communication may be more effeftually fecured be
tween the northern and fouthern ftates. This, I believe,
every one actjualnted with the fituation of the country will
readily agree to ; and it will appear evident fo thofe who
have an opportunity of recurring to good maps.
Thefe and raany pthcr confequences, which will be in-
vc||ved in the determination of our next raeafure, have given
our mijids full employ, and led every one to ,forra a judg-
pienf as the various objefts prefented themfelves to his view.
The poft at Kingffiridge is naturally ftrong, and is pretty
well fortified : the heights about u are coniinanding, and
7 might

OFFICIAL LETTERS.' 25I
iiitght foon be raade more fo. Thefe are important objefts»
iffid I have attended to them accordingly. I have alfo re
moved from the city all the ftores and ammunition excCpt-
what was abfolutely neceffary for its defence, and made every
other difpofition that did not effenflally iiiterfere with that
objeft, — Carefully keeping in view, until it ffiould be abfo-t
Jutely determined on ftfll Gorffideration, ho-w far the city was'
fo be defended at all events.
In refolting pbints of fuch importance, many circumftances
peculiar to our own array alfo occur. Being only provided
for a fummer's campaign, their clothes, fhoes, and blanketsi
will foon be unfit for the change of weather which we every
day feel. At prefent we have not tents for more than two-
fhirds, many of theift' old and Worn out : but if we had a-
pl«'ntlful fupply, the feafon Will not adraVt of continuing ,IiV
them long^ — The cafe of our fich is alfo worthy of muchf
confideration. Their nuraber, by the returns, forms at leaft
one-fpurth of the array. Policy and huraanity require they
ffioftld be made as comfortable as- poffible.
With thefe and many other circumftances before theray
the whole council of general officers met yefterday in orde!?
to adopt fome general line of conduft to' be purfued at thlS":
important crifis.- I intended to have protured their feparate
opinions on each pointy but time would not adrait. I was'-
therefore obliged to colleft their fenfe mofe generally than I;
could have wiffied.— ^ All agreed the town would not be tcn-
ahle if fhe entmy refolved to bombard and cannonade it :
but the difficulty attending a removal operated fo ftrongly,.
that a courfe was taken between abandoning it totally and
concentring our whole ft-rehgth- for its defence :. nor were
fome a little influenced in their opinloni) to whom the deter
mination of Congrefs was known, againft an evacuation to
tally, as they were led fo fufpeft Congrefs wifliedj.It to be
maintained at every hazard.
It was concluded to arrange the army under three di
vifions ;-^five thoufand to remain for the defence of ths
city.

254 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
city ; — nine thoufand fo Kingffiridge and Its dependencies,
as well to poffefs and fecure thofe pofts, as to be ready tc^.
attack the enemy who are moving eaftward on Long-Ifland,
if they fliould atterapt to land on this fide; — the reraainder
to occupy the Intermediate fpace, and fupport either ; — that
the fick fliould be Immediately reraoved to Orangetown,
and barracks prepared at Kingffiridge with all expedition to
cover the troops.
There v/ere forae general officers, in whofe judgment and
cpinion much confidence is to be repofed, that were for
a total and immediate removal from the city, — urging the
great danger of one part of the array being cut off before the
ether can fupport It, the extremities being at leaft fixteen
Biiles -apart; — that our army, -when collefted, is Inferior to*
the enemy ; — that they can move with their whole force to
any point of attack, and confequently muft fucceed by
weight of numbers. If they have only a part to oppofe them ;
¦ — that, by removing from hence, we deprive the eneray of
the advantage of their ffiips, which will make at leaft one
half of the force to attack the town ; — that we fliould keep
the enemy at bay, put nothing to tlie hazard, but at all events
keep tlie army fogetlier, which may be recruited another
year ; — that the unfpent ftores will alfo be preferved ; and. In
this cafe, the heavy artillery can alfo be fecured. But they
were over-ruled by a majority, vi'ho thought for the prefent
a part of our force might be kept here, and attempt to main
tain the city a while longer.
. I am fenfible a retreating army is encircled with difficul-
ries ; that the declining an engagement fubjefts a general to '
reproach ; and that the common caufe may be aff'efted by
the difcouragement It may throw over the minds of manv.
Nor am I infenfible of the contrary eft'efts, if a brUliant
ftroke could be made with any probability of fuccefs, efpe
cially after our lofs upon Long-Ifland. But, when the fate
of America may be at ftake on the iffue, — when the wifdora
of cooler moments and experienced men have decided that we

OFFICIA'L LETTERS. 255
we ffiould protraft the war If poffible, — I cannot think it
fafe or wife to adopt a different fyftem when the feafon for
aftion draws fo near a clofe.
That the eneray mean to winter in New- York, there can
be no doubt : — that, with fuch an armament, they can drive
us out, is equally clear. — The Congrefs having refolved that
it fliould not be deftroyed, nothing feeras to remain, but to
deterraine the time of their taking poffeffion. It is our in
tereft and wiffi to prolong it as much as poffible, provided the
delay does not affeft our future meafures.
, The railitia of Connefticut is reduced, frora fix thoufand,
to lefs than two thoufand, and In a few days will be merely
nominal. The arrival of fome Maryland troops, &c, from
the flying camp, has In a great degree fupplied the lofs of
men : but fhe amraunition they have carried away will be a
lofs fenfibly felt. The irapulfe for going horae was fo ir-
refiftible, It anfwered no purpofe to oppofe It. Though I
would not difcharge, I have been obliged to acquiefce ; and
it affords one raore melancholy proof, how delufive fuch de
pendencies are.
Inclofed I have the honor to tranfmit a general return, the
firft I have been able fo procure for forae tirae ; alfo a report
of captain Newell frora our works at Horn's-hook or Hell-
gate. Their fituation Is extreraely low, and the Sound fo
very narrow^, that fhe eneray have them much within their
command. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. The inclofed Information this minute came to hand.
— I ara In hopes we fliall henceforth get regular intelligence
of the enemy's movements.

Sir, New-Tork, September 1,1, 1775,
I WAS yefterday honored with your favor of the
eighth inftan^, accompanied by fundry refolutions of Con
grefs, to which I ffiall pay the ftrifteft attenrion, and, in the
inftances required, make them the future rule of my conduft..
The

±s6 General tvASmNQTON'S
The m'ode of negotiation purfued by lord Howe I did not
approve of; but as general Sullivan ¦vvas fent out npon the
bufinefs, and with a" meffage to Congrefs, I could not conceive
myfeif at liberty l:o' interfere in the matter, as he was in the
charafter of a prifoner,- and totaUy fubjeft fo their power
and dlfeftlp'n'.
The lift of prifpners, before Ortiifted throu^" hurry, is'
now inclofed ; though It will probably have reached Congrefs
before this. — I ffiall write by the firft opportunity for majo^
Hawfackfe to repair to Philadelphia — (he is in the northern
army) j — and will alfo mentioh fhe feveral appoinfraents' iii'
ConfeqUenCe of colonel St. Glair's proVhotlon.'
As foon as generals Prefcot and M'Donald arrive, I ffiall
take meafures td advife general Howe of it, that fhe proppfed
exchange for general Sullivan and lord Stirling may be car
ried into' execution.
Since ray letter of the eighth,- nothing material has oc
curred, except that the eneray have poffeffed thenifelves' of
Montezore's-ifland, and landed a' confiderable nuraber 6f
troops upon it. This ifland Kes in the mouth of Haerlern-
tlver, which runs out of the Sound into the North-rivef,
and Will give the en'emy an eafy opportunity of landing eithter
on the low grounds 6f Mprrifaliia, if their views are to
feize and p6ffefs the paffes above Kingffiridge, or on the
plains of Haerl-em, if they defign to intercept: and Cut off the
Communication between our feveral pofts. I am' making
every difpofition and arrangement that the divided ftate of
6-at troops will admit of, arid which appear raoft likely and
the beft calculated to oppofe their attacks ; for I prefume
there will be feveral.— ^How the event will be, God only
knows : but you raay be affured that nothing in my power,
circumftanced as I ara, ffiall be wanting, to eff'eft a favorable
and happy iffue.
By my letter of tlie eighth you would perceive that feveral
of the council were for holding the town, conceiving It
prafticable for fome time. .Many of them .npwj. upon feeing our

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 257
our divided ftate, have altered their opinion, and allow the
expediency and neceffity of concentring our whole force, or
drawing it more together. Convinced of fhe propriety of
this raeafure, I ara ordering our ftores away, except fuch as
may be abfolutely neceffary to keep as long as any troops re
main ; that, if an evacuation of the city becomes Inevitable
(which certainly rauft be fhe cafe), there may be as litfle to
remove as poffible.
The inclofed packet contains feveral letters for particular
members of Congrefs and for forae gentleraen in Philadel
phia. They carae to hand yefterday, and were brought from
France by a captain Levez lately arrived at Bedford in the
Maffachufetts ftate. I rauft requeft fhe favor of you fo open
the packet, and to have fhe letters put In a proper channel of
conveyance fo the gentlemen they are addreffed to..
I have the honor fo be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Head-Barters, New-Tork, Sept. 12, 177&.
HIS excellency being called from head-quarters to
day on bufinefs of Importance which prevents his writing, 1
therefore do myfeif the honor to inform Congrefs of what
has happened fince his lefter of yefterday.
Laft evening the eneray tranfported a number of men from
Buchanan's to Montezore's ifland,^ and, by their feveral
movements, more ftrongly Indicate their intention to land
fomewhere about Haeriem or Morrifanla, — moft likely, at
both at the fame time. This morning one of the fliips that
have been for fome time In the Sound moved down towards
Hell-gate ; but, the tide leaving her, ffie could not get near
enough to bring her guns to bear upon our fortification. If
ffie means fo attack it, it is probable flie will warp In fhe
next tide. Their batteries have kept up a pretty conftant
fire againft ours at that place, but without any confiderable
effeft. This morplng they opened a new one.
VoL.L ' S I do

25S GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I do not recolleft any other material occurrence^ and ffiall
only add, that I have the honor to be, &c, R, H, Harrison.

Sir, New-Tork, September 14, 1776,
I HAVE been duly honored with your favor of the
tenth, with fhe refolution of Congrefs which accompanied
it, and thank them for the confidence they repofe in my
judgment refpefting the evacuation of the city, I could
wiffi to raaintain If, becaufe I know If to be of Iraportance :
but I ara fully convinced that It cannot be done, and that an
attempt for that purpofe. If perfevered In, might and moft
certainly would be attended with confequences the moft fatal
and alarming in their natu-re,
Senfible of this, feveral of fhe general officers, fince the
determination of fhe council mentioned in my laft, peti
tioned that a fecond council might be called fo reconfider
the propofitions which had been before ihem upon the fub
jeft. Accordingly I called one on the twelfth, when a large
majority not only determined a removal of the army pru
dent, but abfolutely neceffary,— declaring they were entirely
conviiTced from a full and rainute inquiry into our fituation,
that it was extreraely perilous ; and, from every moveraent
of fhe eneray, and the intelligence received, their plan of
operations was to get In our rear, and, by cutting off the
communication with the main, oblige us to force a paffage
through them on fhe terms they wifli, or fo become pri
foners in forae ffiort tirae for want of neceffary fupplies of
provifion. We are now faking every method in our power to re
move the ftores, &c, in which we find almoft infuperable
difficulties. They are fo great and fo numerous, that I fear
we ffiall not effeft the whole before we meet with fome
interruption, — I fully expefted that an attack foraewhere
¦w^ould have been made laft night. In that I was difap
pointed j and happy ffiall I be, if my apprehenfions of one
to-night,

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 259
to-night, or in a day or two, are not confirmed by the event.
If it is deferred a little while longer, I flatter myfeif all
will be got away, and our force be more concentred, and of
courfe more likely to refift thera with fuccefs.
Yefterday afternoon, four ffiips of war, two of forty and
two of twenty eight guns, went up the Eaft-rlver, paffing
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 con
jeftures, — fome fuppofing they are to cover fhe landing of a
party of the enemy above the city, — others that they are
to affift In deftroying our battery at Horn's-hook, that they
may have a free and un-interrupted navigation in the Sound.
It is an objeft of great importance to them, and what they
are induftrioufly trying to effeft by a pretty conftant can
nonade and borabardraent.
Before I conclude, I would beg leave to raention to Con
grefs, that fhe pay now allowed to nurfes for their aften-
• dance on the fick is by no raeans -adequate to their fervices ;
the confequence of which is, that they are extremely diffi
cult to procure : indeed they are not to be got ; and we are
under the neceffity of fubftltuting in their place a nuraber of
men frora the refpeftive regiraents, whofe fervice by that
means Is enrirely loft in the proper line of their duty, and
but litfle benefit rendered fo the fick. The officers 1 have
talked wifh upon the fubjeft aU agree that they ffiould be
allowed a dollar per week, and that for lefs they cannot
be had.
Our fick are extreraely numerous, and we find their re
moval attended with the greateft difficulty. It is a matter
that employs much of our time and care ; and what makes it
more diftreffing is the want of proper and cbnveinenf places
for their reception. — I i^ear their fufferings will be great and
many. However, nothing on my part, that humanity or
S 2 pohcy

26o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
policy can require, ffiafl be wanting fo make them comforl;-
able, fo far as fhe ftate of things will admit of.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Head -garters at Col. Roger Morris's Houfe, Sept. 16, 1 776.
Sir, ON faturday about funfet, fix more of the enemy's
ffiips, one or two of which were men-of-war, paffed between
Governor's-Ifland and Red-hook, and went up the Eaft-
rlver to fhe ftation taken by thofe raentioned in ray laft. In
half an hour I received two expreffes, — one frora colonel
Serjeant at Horn's-hook [Hell-gate] giving an account that
fhe enemy, to the araounf of three or four thoufand, had
marched to fhe river, and were erabarking for Barns's or
Montezore's ifland, where nurabers of thera were then en
camped ; — the other from general Mifflin, that uncommon
and formidable raoveraents were difcovered araong the ene
my ; which being confirraed by the fcouts I had fent out, I
proceeded to Haeriem, where It was fuppofed (or at Mor
rifanla oppofite to it) the principal atterapt to land would
be made. However, nothing remarkable happened that
night : but in the morning they began their operations.
Three ffiips of war came up the North-river as high as
Bloomlngdale, which put a total ftop to fhe removal, by
water, of any more of our provifion, &c ; and about eleven
o'clock thofe in the Eaft-rlver began a raoft fevere and heavy
cannonade, fo fcour the grounds, and cover the landing of
their troops between Turtle-bay and the city, where breaft-
Works had been thrown up fo oppofe them.
As foon as I heard fhe firing, I rode with aU poffible
difpatch towards fhe place of landing, when, to ray great
furprif^ and raortlfication, I found fhe troops that had been
pofted in the lines retreating with the utmoft preciplfadon,
and thofe ordered to fupport them (Parfons and Fellows's brigades)

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 261
brigades) flying in every direftion, and in fhe greateft con
fufion, notwithftanding the exertions of their generals to
form thera. I ufed every means in my power fo rally
and get them into fome order : but my attempts were fruit
lefs and ineffeftual ; and on the appearance of a fraall party
of the eneray, not raore than fixty or feventy, their diforder
increafed, and they ran away in fhe greateft confufion, with
out firing a fingle ffiot.
Finding that no confidence was to be placed In thefe bri
gades, and apprehending that another party of the enemy
might pafs over to Haeriem plains and cut off the retreat to
this place, I fent orders to fecure the heights in fhe beft
manner wifh fhe troops that were ftationed on and near
thera ; which being done, the retreat was effefted with but
litfle or no lofs of raen, though of a confiderable part of
our baggage, — occafioned by this difgraceful and daftardly
conduft. Moft of our heavy cannon, 'and a part of our
ftores and provifions which we were about reraoving, was
unavoidably left in the city, though every raeans (after it
had been determined In council to evacuate fhe poft) had
been ufed fo prevent if.
We are now encamped with the main body of fhe army
on fhe heights of Haeriem, where I ffiould hope the eneray
would raeet wifh a defeat in cafe of an attack, if fhe gene
rality of our troops would behave with tolerable bravery.
But experience, to my extreme affliftion, has convinced mc
that this is rather to be wiffied for than expefted. How-,
eyer, I truft that there are many who wifl aft like raen, and
ffiew therafelves worthy of the bleffmgs of freedom.
I have fent out fome reconnoitring parties to gain intel-r
ligence. If poffible, of fhe difpofition of the enemy, and ffiall
Inforra Congrefs of every raaterial event by the earfieft op-.
portunlty.— I have the honor to be, &c.

S 3

262 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Head-Barters at Col, R. Morris's Houfe, Sept, l8, 1776.
Sir, AS ray letter of the fixteenth contained intelligence
of an important nature, and fuch as might lead Congrefs
to expeft that the evacuation of New- York and retreat to
the heights of Haeriem, in the manner they were made,
would be fucceeded by forae other interefting event, I beg
leave fo Inforra them that as yet nothing has been atterapted
upon a large and general plan of attack.
About the tirae of the poft's departure with my letter,
the enemy appeared in feveral large bodies upon the plains
about two and a half miles from hence. I rode down to
our advanced pofts, to put raatters in a proper fituation If
they ffiould atterapt fo come on. Whe.n I arrived there I
heard a firing, which, I was Informed, was between a party
of our rangers under fhe command of lieutenant-colonel
Knolfon, and an advanced party of fhe enemy. Our men
came In and fold rae that the body of the eneray, who kept
therafelves concealed, confifted of about three hundred as
near as they could guefs. I iramediately ordered three com
panies of colonel Weedon's regiment frora Virginia, under
the comraand of raajor Leitch, and colonel Knolton with his
rangers compofed of volunteers frora different New-Eng
land regiments, to try fo get In their rear, while a difpofi
tion was making as if to attack thera in front, and thereby
draw their whole attention that way.
This took effeft as I wiffied on fhe part of fhe enemy.
On the appearance of our party In front, they imraediately
ran down fhe hill, took poffeffion of forae fences and buffies,
and a fraart firing began, but at too great a diftance to do rauch
execution on either fide. The parties under colonel Knol
ton and major Leitch unluckily began their attack too foon,
as it was rather In flank than In rear.— In a little tirae raa
jor Leitch was brought off wounded, having received three
balls through his fide ; and, in a ffiort time after, colonel
Knolton

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 263
Knolton got a wound which proved mortal. Their men
however perfevered, and continued the engagement with
the greateft refolution.
Finding that they wanted a fupport, I advanced part of
colonel Griffith's and colonel Richardfon's Maryland regi
ments, with fome detachraents frora the eaftern regiraents who
were neareft the place of aftion. Thefe troops charged the
enemy with great intrepidity, and drove thera frora the wood
into fhe plain, and were pufhing them frora thence (having
filenced their fire In a great raeafure) when I judged it pru
dent fo order a retreat, fearing the eneray (as I have fince
found was really the cafe) were fending a large body to fup
port their party.
Major Leitch, I ara 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 nura
ber of flain is not yet afcertalned : but It Is very incon
fiderable. By a fergeant who deferted frora the enemy and carae in
this raorning, I find that their party was greater than I iraa-
glned. It confifted of the fecond batallion of light Infantry,
a batallion of the royal Highlanders, and three companies of
Heffian riflemen, under the command of brigadier-general
Leflie. The deferter reports that their lofs in wounded and
miffing 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 at
tended with many falutary confequences, as if feems to have
greatly infpirlted the whole of our troops. — The fergeant
further adds that a confiderable body of men are now en
camped frora fhe Eaft to the North-river, between the feven
and elght-ralle ftones, under fhe coraraand of general Clin-
ton.— General Howe, he beheves, has his quarters at Mr.
Apthorp's houfe.— I have the honor fo be, &c. G. W.
P. S. I ffiould have wrote to Congrefs by exprefs before
now, had I not expefted the poft every minute ; which, I
S 4 flatter

264 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
flatter myfeif, will be a fufficient apology for my delaying
jf. — The late loffes we have fuftained in our baggage and
carap neceffaries have added rauch fo our diftrefs which was
very great before. I muft therefore fake the liberty of re
quefting Congrefs to have forwarded as foon as poffible fuch
a fupply of tents, blankets, camp-kettles, and other articles,
as'can be collefted.— We cannot be overftocked.

i7iiW-^«i7r/«-j at Col. R. Morris's Houfe, Sept. 19, 1776,
Sir, SINCE I had fhe honor of addreffing you yefterday,
nothing material has occurred. However, it Is probable in
a little time the enemy will attempt fo force us frora hence,
as we are informed they are bringing many of their heavy
cannon towards fhe heights and the works we have thrown
up. They have alfo eight or nine ffiips of war in fhe North.,
river, which (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 affured tliat I ffiall do every thing in my power to
maintain the poft fo long as it ftiall appear prafticable, and
coiidacive to the general good.
I have fhe honor to be, &c. G. W.

Head-Sluc>'^"'h Heights of Haeriem, Sept. ao, 1776.
Sir, I HAVE been honored with your favor of the fix
teenth with Its Inclofures. — To prevent the injury and abufes
which would arife frora the railitia and other troops carrying
away amraunition and continental property, I have publiffied
the fubftance of the refolves upon the fubjeft In general
orders. Since my letter of yefterday, nothing"of importance has
caft up.— The enemy are forming a Lirge and extenfive en-
pampment In the plains mentioned in my laft, and are bufily
employed

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 265
employed in tranfporting their cannon and ftores from
Long-Ifland. As they advance thera this way, we raay
reafonably expeft' their operations will not long be deferred.
Inclofed are fundry letters, &c, fo which Congrefs will
be pleafed to pay fuch regard as they may think them deferv
ing of. — The letter from raonfieur  came opeh under
cover of one to me. — Thofe frora colonel Hand and colonel
Ward contain a lift of vacancies in their regiments, and of
the perfons they efteem proper to fill them. The forraer, I
believe, returned no lift before : the latter fi".ys he never got
any c-imralffions. — Generals Howe and Erlklne's proclama
tions fliew the meafures that have been purfued, to force and
feduce the inhabitants of Long-Ifland from their allegiance
to the ftates, and to affift in their deftruftion.
As fhe period will foon arrive, when the troops corapofing
the prefent array (a few excepted) -will be diffianded ac
cording to the tenor of their enliftments, and the moft fatal
¦confequences raay enfue if a fuitable and tiraely provifion
is not made In this inftance, I take the liberty of fuggefting
to Congrefs not only the expediency but the abfolute ne
ceffity there is that their eariieft attention ffiould be had
to this fubjeft. In refpeft to the time that troops ffiould be
engaged for, I have frequently given ray fentiments; nor
have I omitted to exprefs ray opinion of the difficulties
that will attend raifing them, nor of the imprafticability of
effefting It without the allowance of a large and extraor
dinary bounty.
It Is a melancholy and painful confideration to thofe who
are concerned In tlie work and have the coraraand, to be
forming armies conftantly, and to be left by troops juft
when they begin to deferve the name, or perhaps at a mo
ment when an important blow Is expefted. This, I ara in
formed, will be the cafe at Ticonderoga vi'ith part of the
troops there, unlefs forae fyftem is Iraraedlately corae into,
by which they can be induced to ftay. General Schuyler
^ells me in a letter received yefterday, that De Haas's, Max
well's,

266 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
well's, and Wind's regiments ftand engaged only till the be
ginning of next raonth, and that the men, he Is fearful,
will not remain longer than the time cf their eiiliftraent.
I would alfo beg leave to raention to Congrefs, that the
feafon is faft approaching when clothes of every kind will be
wanted^for the army. Their diftrefs is already great, and
will be increafed as the weather becomes more fevere. Our
fituatioii is now bad, but is rauch better than that of the
miiitia that are coraing to join us frora the ftates of the Maf
fachufetts-Bay and Connefticut In confequence of the requi
fition of Congrefs. They, I ara Inforraed, have not a fingle
tent or a neceffary of any kind ; nor can I conceive how It
will be poffible to fupport them. Thefe circumftances are
extremely alarming, and oblige me fo wiffi Congrefs fo have
all fhe tents, clothing of every kind, and camp neceffaries,
provided and forv/arded, that are to be procured. Thefe
eaftern relnforceraentc have not a fingle neceffary, not a pan
or a kettle, — in which we are nowgreatly deficient. — It Is with
reluftance that I trouble Congrefs with thefe raatters : but
to whom can I refort for relief unlefs to thera .' The ne-
ceffity therefore, which urges the applicadon, wifl excufe it,
I am perfuaded.
I have not been able to tranfmit Congrefs a general re
turn of the army this week, owing to the peculiar fituation
of our affairs, and the great ffilfting and changing among
the troops. As foon as I can procure one, a copy ffiafl be
forwarded to Coiigrefs.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
¦'Pis,— September 21, 1776.— Things wifh us reraain In
the fituation they were yefterdav.

Sir, Head-B^i't<:rs, Haeriem Heights, Sept. 22, 1 776.
I HAVE nothing in particular to communicate to
Congrefs refpefting the fituation of our affiiirs : if is rauch
the fame as when I had fhe honor of addreffing you laft.
On

OFFICIAL LETTERS. . 267
On friday night, about eleven or twelve o'clock, a fire
broke out in fhe city of New-York, near the new or Saint
Paul's church, as it Is faid, which continued fo burn pretty
rapidly fill after funrife the next morning. I h.-ive not been
informed how the accident happened, nor received any cer
tain "account of fhe damage. Report fays many of the
houfes between the Broadway and the river were confumed.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Head-B^orters, Haeriem Heights, Sept. 24, 1776.
THE poft being about fo depart, I have only time to
add that no event of importance has taken place on this
fide Hudfon's-river fince ray laft of the twenty-fecond inftant.
The inclofed letter, received laft night frora general
Greene who now comraarids In the Jerfeys, will give Con
grefs all fhe Information I have refpefting the evacuation of
Paulus-Hook and the landing of fhe enemy to pofl'efs It.
I this minute obtained a copy of the general return of our
force, fhe firft I have been able fo procure for fome tirae paft,
which I do myfeif fhe honor of franfraitting for the fafif-
faftlon of Congrefs.
lam, fir, with the greateft refpeft, &c. G. W.
P. S. The thirteen militia regiments frora Connefticut
being reduced to a little more than feven hundred men rank
and file fit for duty, I have thought proper fo difcharge the
whole, to fave the ftates fhe Immenfe charge that would arife
for officers' pay. There are many miliria, too, that have
juft come In, and on their way frora that ftate, none of whom
are provided with a tent, or a fingle camp utenfil. This
diftreffes me beyond meafure.

Colonel Morris's on the Heights of Haeriem, Sept. 24, 1776.
Sir, FROM fhe hours allotted to fleep I will borrow a
few moments to convey my thoughts on fundry Important matters

268 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
matters to Congrefs. I ffiall offer them with the fincerlty
¦which ought fo charafterlfe a raan of candor, and with fhe
freedom which may be ufed In giving ufeful inforraation
without Incurring the imputation of prefumption.
We are now, as It were, upon the eve of another dlflb-
lutlon of our army. The remembrance of the difficulties
which happened upon the occafion laft year, — the confe
quences which might have followed fhe change if proper ad
vantages had been taken by the eneray, — added fo a know
ledge of fhe prefent feraper and fituation of the troops, —
refieft but a very gloomy profpeft upon the appearances of
things now, and fatisfy rae beyond the poffibility of doubt,
that, unlefs fome fpeedy and effeftual meafures are adopted
hy Congrefs, our caufe will be loft.
It is in vain to expeft that any or more than a trifling part
of this army will again engage in the fervice on fhe en
couragement offered by Congrefs. When raen find that
their townfmen and corapanions are receiving twenty, thirty,
and more dollars, for a few months' fervice (which is truly
the cafe), it cannot be e.xpefted, without ufing compulfion :
and to force them into the fervice would anfwer no valu'able
purpofe. Wlien men are Irritated, and the paffions inflamed,
they fly haftily and cheerfully to arms : but after the firft
emotions are over * '* *, a foldier, reafoned with upon fhe
goodnefs of the caufe he is engaged in and the Ineftlmable
rights he is contending for, hears you with patience, and
acknowledges the truth of your obfervatlons, but adds that
it is of no raore iraportance to hira than others. The officer
makes you the fame reply, with this further reraark, that his
pay will not fupport hira, and he cannot ruin himfelf and
faraily to ferve his country, when every member of the
eoraraunity is equally interelled, 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 fhe war rauft be
carried on fyfteraatically, — and to do it ypu muft have good
officers.

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 269
officers, — there are, in my judgraent, no other poffihk
mean^ to obtain them but by eftablifliing your army upon
a permanent footing, and giving your officers good pay.
This wfll induce gentlemen and men of charafter fo en
gage : and, fill fhe bulk of your officers are compofed of
fuch perfons as are aftuated by principles of honor and a
fpirit of enterprife, you have little to expeft from them.
They ought to have fuch allowances as will enable them to
live Hke and fupport fhe charafters of gentleraen. * * *
Befides, fomething Is due to the man who puts his life In
{your] hands, hazards his health, and forfakes the fweets of
domeftic enjoyment. — Why a captain in the continental
fervice fliould receive no mpre than five flii'fliiigs currency
per day for performing the fame duties that an officer of the
fame rank in the Britiffi fervice receives ten ffiiilings fterlin-g
for, I never could conceive, efpecially when the latter is pro-
rided with every neceffary he requires upon the beft terms,
and the former can fcarce procure them at any rate. — The-re
Is nothing that gives a man confequence and renders hira fir
for coraraand, like a fupport that renders him independent
of every body but the ftate he ferves.
With refpeft to the raen, nothing but a good bounty can ob
tain thera upon a perraanent eftabliffiment : and for no fliorter
time than the contlni^ance of fhe war, ought they to be en
gaged ; as fafts inconteftably prove that the difficulty and coft;
of enliftments increafe with time. — When the army was firft
raifed at Cambridge, I am perfuaded fhe men might have been
g-ot, without a bounty, for the war. After this, they began to
fee that the conteft was not likely to end fo fpeedily as was
imagined, and to feel their confequence by remarking, that,
to get In the railitia In fhe courfe of the laft year, many
towns were induced fo give thera a bounty.
Forefeeing the evils refulting from this, and the deftruftive
confequences which unavoidably would follov.' Ihort enlift
ments, I took the liberty In a long letter (date not now re-
coUefted, as my 'ctter-book Is not here) to recom.mend the
-enliftmeuis

270 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
enliftments for and during the war, affigning fuch reafons
for it as experience has fince convinced me were weli found
ed. At that tirag, twenty dollars would, I am perfuaded,
have engaged the men for this terra. But it will not do fo
look back : and, if the prefent opportunity is flipped, I am
perfuaded that, twelve months more will increafe our diffi
culties four-fold. I ffiall therefore fake fhe freedom of giv
ing it as my opinion, that a good bounty be immediately
offered, aided by fhe proffer of at leaft a hundred or a
hundred and fifty acres of land, and a fuit of clothes and
blanket fo each non-coniralffioned officer and foldier ; as I
have good authority for faying, that, however high fhe men's
pay raay appear, if is barely fufficient. In fhe prefent fcarcity
and dearhefs of all kinds of goods, to keep thera in clothes,
much lefs afford fupport to their faraflles.
If this encouragement then is given to the raen, and fuch
pay allowed the officers as wiO induce gentleraen of cha
rafter and liberal fentiraents to engage, and proper care
and precaution ufed in the nomination (having more regard
to the charafters of perfons than fhe number of men they
can enlift), we ffiould in a little time have an army able fo
cope with any that can be oppofed to It, as there are
excellent materials to form one out of. But while the only
merit an officer poffefl'es Is his ability to raife men, — while
thofe men confider and treat hira as an equal, and (in the
charafter of an officer) regard hira no raore than a broora-
ftick, being mixed together as one common herd,— no order
nor difcipfine c-an prevafl ; nor will fhe officer ever meet
with that refpeft which is effentially neceffary to due fub
ordination. ¦•
To place any dependence upon mflltla Is affuredly refting
upon a broken ftaff, — men juft dragged from fhe fender
fcenes of domeftic life, — unaccuftoraed to the din of arms,
— totally unacquainted with every kind of military flciU ;
which being followed by a want of confidence in themfelves,
when oppofed to troops regularly trained, difciplined, and
- appointed,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 271
appointed, fuperior in knowledge and fuperior in arms,
makes them tunid and ready to fly from their own ffiadows.
Befides, the fudden change in their manner of living (par
ticulariy in the lodging) brings on ficknefs In many, im
patience in all, and fuch an unconquerable defire of return
ing to their refpeftive homes, that it not only produces
(hameful and fcandalous defertions among themfelves, but
infufes the like fpirit Info others.
Again, men accuftomed to unbounded freedom and no
control, cannot brook the reftraint which is indifpenfably
neceffary to the good order and government of an army ;
without which, licenrioufnefs and every kind of diforder
triumphantly reign. — To bring men to a proper degree of
fubordination is not fhe work of a day, a month, or even a
year : and, unhappily for us and the caufe we are engaged
in, the little difcipline 1 have been laboring to eftabliffi in the
army under my imraedlate command is In a manner done
away by having fuch a raixture of troops as have been called
together within thefe few months.
Relaxed and unfit as our rules and regulations of war are
for the governraent of an array, the railitia (thofe properly
fo called ; for of thefe we have two forts, fhe fix-months-
men, and thofe fent in as a teraporary aid) do not think
themfelves fubjeft to them, and therefore take liberties which
the foldier is punlffied for. This creates jealoufy : jealoufy
begets diflatlsfaftions ; and thefe by degrees ripen into mu
tiny, keeping the whole army in a confufed and difordered
ftate, — rendering fhe tirae of thpfe who wiffi to fee regula
rity and good order prevail, raore unhappy than words can
defcribe. Befides this, fuch repeated changes fake place,
that all arrangeraent is fet at nought, and the conftant fluc
tuation of things deranges every plan as faft as adopted.
Thefe, fir, Congrefs may be affured, are but a fmall part
of the inconveniences which might be enumerated, and at
tributed to militia : but there is one that merits particular at-
tentionj and that Is fhe expenfe. Certain I am, that It would
9 be

272 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
be cheaper to keep fifty or a hundred thoufand in conftant
pay, than to depend upon half the nuraber and fupply the
other half occafionally by militia. The time the latter are
in pay before and after they are in camp, affembling and
marching, — the wafte of araraunition, the confumption of
ftores, which, in fpite of every refolution or requifition of Con
grefs, they rauft be furnlffied with, or fent horae, — added to
Other incidental expenfes confequent upon their coraing and
conduft in camp, — furpaffes all idea, and deftroys every
kind of regularity and econoray which you could eftabliffi
among fixed and fettled troops, and will, in my opinion,
prove (if the fcherae Is adhered to) the ruin of our caufe.
The jealoufies of a ftanding army, and the evfls to be ap
prehended from one, are remote, and, in my judgraent,
fituated and circuraftanced as we are, not at all to be dread
ed : but the confequence of wanting one, according to my
ideas fprmed from the prefent view of things, is certain and
inevitable ruin. For, if I was called upon to declare upon
oath, whether the militia have been moft ferviceable or hurt
ful upon the whole, I lliouid fubfcribe to the latter. I do not
mean by this, however, fo arraign the conduft of Congrefs:
in fo doing I fliould equally condemn ray own meafures, if
I did not my judgment: but experience, which is fhe beft
criterion to work by, fo fully, clearly and declfively repra-
bates fhe praftice of trufting fo militia, that no man who re
gards order, regularity and economy, or who has any regard
for his own honor, charafter, or peace of mind, will rifk
tliera upon this ifl'ue. , * * *
An. army formed of good officers moves like clock-work :
but there is no fituation upon eartli lefs enviable nor more
diftreffing than that perfon's who Is at the head of troops
vho are regardlefs of order and difcipline, and who are unpro
vided with almoft every neceffary. In a word, the difficul
ties which have for ever furrounded me fince I have been In
the fervice, and kept ray mind conftantly upon the ftretch, —
the wounds which my feelings (as an officer) have received by

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 273
by a thoufand things which have happened contrary to my
expeftation and wiffies, * * * — added fo a confcloufnefs of
my inability to govern an army compofed of fuch difcordant
parts, and under fuch a variety of intricate and perplexing
circumftances, — induce not only a belief, but a thorough
conviftlon in my mind, that it will be impoffible (unlefs there
is a thorough change in our military fyftem) for me to conduft:
matters in fuch a rnanner as to give fatisfaftion to fhe pub-
lie, which is all the recompenfe I aira at, or ever wiffied for.
Before I conclude, I muft apologife for fhe liberties taken
in this letter, and for the blots and fcratchings therein, not
having time to give it more correftly. — ^With truth I can
add, that, with every fentiment of refpeft and efteem, I am
ypurs and the Congrefs's moft obedient, &c. G. W.,

iJi?«^-^««rf^ri, Haeriem Heights, September 25, 1776.
Sir, HAVING wrote you fully on fundry important fub- •
jefts this morning as you will perceive by the letter which ac-
(fompanies this, I mean princlpafly now fo 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
belonging to the army iramediately under his comraand,—
9nd of my anfwer, which were omitted to be put in the other.
ills letter win difcover to Congrefs his refufal to exchange
lord Stirling for Mr, M'Donald, confidering the latter only
as a major. They will be pleafed fo determine how he is
to be ranked in future.
The number of prifoners according fo thefe returns is
greater than what we expefted. However, I am inclined
to. beheve, that, araong thofe in fhe lift from Long-
Ifland, are feveral militia of general Woodhull's party, who
were never arranged In this army. —As to thofe taken on
the fifteenth, they greatly exceed the number that I fup
pofed fefl into their hands in the retreat from the city. At
Vol. I. T the

274 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the time that I franfraltfed an account of that affair, 1 had
not obtained returns, and took the raatter upon fhe officers'
reports. They are difficult to get with certainty at any time.
— In the fklrralffi of raonday fe'nnight, they could have taken
but very few.
Before I conclude, I ffiall fake occafion fo mention that
thofe returns made with fuch precifion, and the difficulty
that wfll attend fhe propofed exchange on account of the
difperfed and fcattered ftate of the prifoners in our hands,
will clearly evince fhe neceffity of appointing commiffaries
and proper perfons fo fuperintend and conduft in fuch in
ftances. This I took the liberty of urging more than once,
as well on account of the propriety of fhe meafure and the
faving that would have refulted from it, as that the prifoners
might be treated with humanity, and have their wants parti
cularly attended fo.
I would alfo obferve (as I efteem It my duty) that this
army is in want of alraoft every neceffary, — tents, carap kettles,
blankets, and clothes of all kinds. But what Is to be done
With refpeft fo the two laft articles, I know not, as the term
of enliftraenf will be nearly expired by fhe tirae they caii be
provided. This raay be exhibited as a further proof of the
difadvantages attending the levying of an array upon fuch a
footing as never fo know how fo keep thera without Injuring
the pubhc or Incoraraoding fhe raen,— I have direfted the
colonel or coramanding officer of each corps fo ufe his en
deavors to procure fuch clothing as is abfolutely neceffary :
but at the farae time I confefs, that I do not know how they
are to be got. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,

Plead-B"^'''^^'^' Heights of Haeriem, September 27, 1776.
Sir, I HAVE nothing in particular to communicate to
Congrefs by this day's poft, as our fituation is the fame as
when i laft wrote.
We

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 275
We are now fitting on fhe bufinefs the committee carae
upon, which, it is probable, will be finiflied this evening.
The refult they will duly report upon their return,
I received yefterday fhe inclofed declaration by a gentle
man frora Elizabethtown who told rae raany copies were
found In fhe poffeffion of fhe foldiers frora Canada, that
were landed there a day or two ago by general Howe's per
miffion, I ffiall not coraraent upon it. It feeras fo be
founded on the plan that has been artfully purfued for fome
time paft, — I have the honor fo be, &c, G, W,
P, S, The account of the troops, &c. In Canada, coraes
from a perfon who Is among the prifoners fent frora Cana
da, It was anonyraous, nor do I know the intelligencer.
According to hira, the eneray in that quarter are ftronger
than we fuppofed, and their naval force much greater on the
lakes than we had any idea of. I truft he has taken the
matter up on fhe enemy's report.

Head'B^^'^^h Heights of Haeriem, September 2^, 1776,
Sir, BEING about to crofs the North-river this morning
in oi;der to view the poft oppofite, and the grounds between
that and Paulus-Hook, I ffiall not add much raore than that
I have been honored with your favor of the twenty-fourth
and its feveral inclofures ; and that, fince my letter of yef
terday, no important event has taken place.
As colonel Hugh Stephenfon, of the rifle regiment order
ed lately to be raifed, is dead according fo the inforraation I
have received, I would beg leave to recoramend to the [lartlcu-
lar notice of Congrefs captain Daniel Morgan juft returned
among the prifoners frora Canada, as a fit and proper perfon
to fucceed to the vacancy occafioned by his death. The
prefent field-officers of fhe regiment cannot claim any right
in preference to him, becaufe he ranked above them, and
as a captain, when he firft entered the fervice- His conduft
T 2 as

276 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
as an officer, on fhe expedition with general Arnold laft fall-^
— his intrepid behavior in the affault upon Quebec, when the
brave Montgomery fell, — the inflexible attachment he pro-
feffed to our caufe during his iraprifonraent, and which he
perfeveres in, — added to thefe, his refidence in the place
colonel Stephenfon carae from, and his intereft and influence
in the fame circle, and with fuch men as are to compofs
fuch a regiment, — all. In my opinion, entitle him fo the fa
vor of Congrefs, and lead me fo believe that In his promo
tion the ftates will gain a good and valuable officer for the
fort of troops he is particularly recommended to command.
» * * — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Head-B^''^^''^} Heights of Haeriem, September 30, 1 776.
Sir, SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you laft, no
thing of Importance has franfpired ; though, from fome
movements yefterday on fhe part of the enemy, it would
feera as if foraething was intended.
The Inclofed raemorlal, frora lieutenant-colonel Shephard
of the fourth regiment, I beg leave fo fubmit to the confider
ation of Congrefs, and ffiall only add that I could wiffi they
v/ould promote him to the comraand of the reglraent and
fend hira a coramlffion, being a good and valuable officer,
and efpeciafly as the vacancy is of a pretty long ftanding,
and I have not had (nor has he) any intelligence frora colo
nel Learned hirafelf (who had fhe command, and who ob
tained a difcharge on account of his Indifpofition), of his de
fign to return.— I have alfo inclofed a letter from captain
Ballard, which Congrefs wfll pleafe to determine on, the
fubjeft being new and not within my authority.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. A comraiffion .was fent for colonel Learned, which
is now in my hands, having received no application, or heard
from him fiacc it came.

OFFICIAL LETTERS. ^f^
Sir, Head-B""'^'f^> Haeriem Heights, Oil, 2, 1776.
I DO myfeif the honor of tranfmitting fo you the in
clofed letter from lieutenant-colonel Livingfton, with fundry
copies of general Delancey's orders, which difcover the
meafures fhe enemy are purfuing on Long-Ifland for raifing
recruits and obtaining fupplies of provifions. In confequence
of fhe intelligence they contain, and authentic advices
through other channels refpefting 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 Maflachufetts aflembly, to con<:ert with hira
and others an expedition acrofs the Sound with thofe
troops, three companies under colonel Livingfton, and
fuch further aid as governor Trumbull can afford. In order
to prevent if poffible their effefting thofe important objefts,
and to affift the inhabitants In the removal of their ftock,
grain, &c, or in deftroying them, that the enemy raay not
derive any advantage or benefit frora thera.
The recruiting fcherae they are profecuting with uncom
mon induftry ; nor Is it confined to Long-Ifland alone.
Having juft now received a letter from the committee of
Weft-Chefter-county, advifing that there are feveral compa.»
nies of men In that and Duchpfs-county preparing to go off
and join the king's array, I have given direftions to our
guard-boats and the centries at our v/orks at Mount- Waffi
ington to keep a ftrift look-out In cafe they atterapt to come
down the North -river; alfo to general Heath at Kingffiridge,
that the utraoft vigilance raay be obferved by fhe regiraents
and troops ftationed above there and down towards the Eaft*
river, that they raay intercept thera, ffiould they take thaf
route with a view of croffing to LongJfland. — I wifl ufe
every precaution in my power fo prevent thofe parricides
from accompliffiing their defigns ; but I have but llftlp hopes
of fuccefs, as it wfll be no difficult matter for them to pro-
evir^ a paffage pver fome part or pther of the Sound-
T 3 I h^n

iji GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I have been applied to lately by colonel Weedon of Virgi
nia, for perraiffion to recruit fhe deficiency of men In his re
giment out of the troops compofing the flying carap, — in
forming me at the farae tirae that forae of thofe frora Mary
land had offered fo engage. Colonel Hand of the rifle ba-
taflion raade a fimilar application to-day. If fhe enliftments
could be made, they would have this good confequence,—
the fecuring of fo raany in the fervice. However, as the
meafure might occafion fome uneafinefs In their own corps,
and be confidered. as a hardffiip by the ftates fo which they
belong, and the means of their furniffiing raore than the
quota exafted frora thera in the general arrangeraent, and
¦would make It raore difficult for thera to complete their
own levies, I did not conceive myfeif at~liberfy to authorife
it without fubmitiing the propriety of it fo the confideration
of Congrefs, and obtaining their opinion whether it ffiould
be allowed or not,
1 have inclofed a lift of warrants granted from the fecond
to the thirtieth ultimo Inclufive, the only return of fhe fort
fh:;t I have been able to ra.ake fince the refolution for that
purpofe,— owing to the unfettled ftate of our affairs, and
my having fent my papers away, — You will alfo receive
fundry letters, &c, from general Schuyler, which carae un
der cover to rae, and which I have the honor of forward
ing. By a letter juft received from fhe committee of fafety of
the ftate of New-Hampffiire, I find a thoufand of their mi
litia were about to march on the twenty-fourth ultimo to re
inforce this army in confequence of the requifition of Con-
gref;,. Previous fo their march, general Ward writes me
he was oblig.::d to furnifli thera with five hundred pounds of
powder and a thoufand poiinds of muflcet-ball ; and I have
little reafon to expeft that they are better provided with
other articles than they were with ammunition. In fuch cafe
they will only add to our prefent diftrefs which is already
far too great, and become difgufted with the fervice, though the

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 279
the time they are engaged for is only fill the firft of Decem
ber. — This will injure their enlifting for a longer term, if
not wholly prevent it.
By three deferters who came frora fhe Galatea raan-of-
war about five days ago, we are Informed that feveral tranf
ports had failed, before they left her, for England, as it was
generafly reported, in order to return with a fupply of pro-
vifioijs, of which they fay there is a want, — General Mercer,
in a letter, informed me that general Thompfon faid he
had heard they were going to difraifs about a hundred of the
ffiips from the fervice. — I ara alfo advifed by a letter from
Mr, Derby at Bofton, of the twenty-fixth ultirao, that, the
day before, a tranfport fnow had been taken and fent into
Pifcatawa by a privateer, in her paffage frora New- York to
the Weft-Indies. She failed with five more under fhe con
voy pf a man-of-war, in order fo bring frora thence the
troops that are there, to join general Howe. — They were all
vlftuafled for four raonths.— Frora this intelligence it would
feem as If they did not apprehend any thing fo be meditating
againft thera by the court of France,
Oilober 3,  1 have nothing in particular to communi
cate refpefting our fituation, if being much the fame as when
I wrote laft, — We had an alarm this morning a little before
four o'clock, frora forae of our out-centries, who reported
that a large body of the eneray was advancing towards our
lines. This put us in motion : however if turned out en
tirely premature ; or at leaft we faw nothing of thera.
I have the honor to be, &c. G, W.

Sir, Haeriem, Oilober 4, 1776.
BEFORE I knew of fhe late refolutions of Congrefs
which you did rae the honor to inclofe in your letter of the
twenty-fourth, and before^ I was favored with fhe vifit of
your comraittee, I took the liberty of giving you my fenti
ments on feveral points which feemed to be of Importance. —
T 4 I have

a8o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
1 have no doubt but that the committee will make fuch re
port of fhe ftate and condition of the army, as wfll induce
Congrefs to belleye that nothing but the raoft vigorous exer
tions can put raatters upon fuch a footing as to give this
continent a fair profpeft of fuccefs. Give me leave to fay,
flr,— I fay it with due deference and refpeft (and my know
ledge of the fafts, added to the importance of fhe caufe, and
the ftake I hold in it, rauft juftify the freedom), — that your
affairs are in a raore unproraifing way than you feem to, ap
prehend. Your army, as I mentioned In my laft, is on the eve
of Its political diffolution. True it is, you have voted
a larger one in lieu of It : . but fhe feafon is late ; and there
is a material difference between voting of batallions and
raifing of men. In the latter there are more difficulties
than Congrefs are aware of; which makes If my duty (as I
have been 'inforraed of the prevailing fentiraents of this
army) to inforra them, that, unlefs the pay of the officers,
efpeciafly that of the field-officers, is raifed, the chief part of
thofe that are worth retaining wfll leave fhe fervice at fhe
expiration of the prefent terra, as the foldiers wfll alfo, If
forae greater encourageraent is not offered thera than twenty
dollars and a hundred acres of land.
Nothing lefs, in my opinion, than a fuit of clothes annuaUy
given to each non-coraraiffioned officer and foldier, in addi- .
tion fo fhe pay and bounty, will avail ; and I queftion whe
ther that wfll do, as the enemy (from the Inforraation of one
John Maffi, who, with fix others, was taken by our guards)
are giving fen pounds bounty for recruits, and have got a
batallion under raajor Rogers nearly completed upon Long-
Ifland. Nor will lefs pay, according fo my judgment, than I have
taken the liberty of mentioning in the inclofed eftimate, re
tain fuch officers as we could wiffi to have continued. The
difference per month in each batallion will amount fo better
than a hundred pounds. To this may be added the pay of
the

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 281
the ftafP-officera ; for it is prefumable they will alfo require
an augmentation : but, being few in number, fhe fum wfll
not be greatly increafed by them, and confequently is a mat
ter of no great moment : but It is a matter of no fmall Im
portance to make the feveral offices defirable. When the
pay and eftablifhment of an officer once become objefts of
interefted attention, the floth, negligence, and even difobe
dience of orders, which at this time but too generally prevail,
will be purged off. But while the fervice Is viewed with in
difference, — while the officer conceives that he is rather con
ferring than receiving an obligation, — there wfll be a total
relaxation of all order and difcipline, and every thing will
move heavily on, to the great detriment of the fervice, and
inexpreffible trouble and vexation of the general.
The critical fituation of our affairs at this time will juftify
my faying that no tirae Is to be loft in raaking of fruitlefs
experiments. An unavailing trial of a month to get an array
upon the terras propofed raay render It impraftlcable to do
it at all, and prove fatal to our caufe ; as I ara not fure whe
ther any rubs in fhe way of our enllftraenfs, or unfavorable
turn in our affairs, raay not prove fhe raeans of the enemy
recruiting men fafter than we do. To this may be added
the inextricable difficulty of forming one corps out of an
other, and arranging m-itters with any degree of prder, in
the face of an enemy who are watching for advantages.
At Cambridge, laft year, where the officers (and more
than a fufficiency of thera) were all upon fhe fpot, we found
it a work of fuch extrerae difficulty fo know their fentiments
(each having fome terms to propofe), that I defpaired onpe
pf getting the arrangements completed : and I do fuppofe,
that at leaft a hundred alterations took place before matters
were finally adjufted. What muft it be then under the
prefent regulation, where the officer is to negotiate ttils mat
ter wifh fhe ftate he comes from, diftant perhaps two or
three hundred miles ? — fome of whom, without leave pr li
cence from me, fet out to make perfonal application, the
moment

282 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
moment the refolve got to their hands. What kind of of
ficers thefe are, I leave Congrefs fo judge.
If an officer of reputation (for none other ffiould be ap
plied fo) is afked to ftay, what anfwer can he give, but in the
firft place, that he does not know whether it Is at his option
to do fo, no provifion being made in the refolution of Con
grefs, even recommendatory of this meafure ; confequently,
that it refts whh the ftate he coraes frora (furrounded per
haps with a variety of applications, and influenced probably
by local attachments) to determine whether he can be pro
vided for or not ? In the next place, if he Is an officer of me
rit, and knows that the ftate he. comes from Is fo furniffi
more batallions than it at prefent has in the fervice, he will
fcarcely, after two years' faithful fervices, think of continu
ing in the rank he now bears, when new creations are to
be made, and men appointed to offices (nowlfe fuperior in
merit, and Ignorant perhaps of fervice) over his head. A
committee, fent to the army frora each ftate, raay upon the
fpot fix things v.'ith a degree of propriety and certainty, and
is the only method I can fee of bringing mafters to a deci
fion with refpeft to the officers of the array. But what can
be done in the raean whfle towards the arrangeraent in fhe
country, 1 know not. In the one cafe you run fhe hazard
of lofing your officers; in the other, of encountering delay,
unlefs foine method could be devifed of forwarding both at
the fame i'.iftant.
Upon the prefent plan, I plainly forefee an intervention of
time between the old and new army, which muft be fifled up
with militii (if to be had), with w-hora no raan who has any
regard for his own reputation can undertake to be anfWer-
able for confequences. I fliall aUo be miftaken in my con
jeftures, if we do not lofe the moft valuable officers in this
army, under fhe prefent raode of appointing thera : confe
quently, if we have an army at all, it will be corapofed of
materials not only entirely raw, but (if uncommon pains are
not taken) entirely ufTfit ; and I fee fuch a diftruft and jea
loufy

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 2S3
loufy of railitary power, that the commander-in-chief has
riot an opportunity^ even by recommendation, to give fhe
leaft affurances of reward for the moft effential fervices. In
a word, fuch a cloud of perplexing circumftances appear be
fore rae, without one flattering hope, that I ara thoroughly
convinced, unlefs the moft vigorous and decifive exertions
are immediately adopted to remedy thefe evils, that the cer
tain and abfolute lofs of our liberties will be the inevitable
confequence ; as one unhappy ftroke will throw a powerful
weight info fhe fcale againft us, enabling general Howe fo
recruit his army as faft as -we ffiall curs, —numbers being
difpofed [to join him], and matiy aftuafly doing fo alre-ady-
Some of fhe moft probable remedies, and fuch as experience
has brought fo ray raore intimate knowledge, I have taken
the liberty to point out: the reft I beg leave to fubmit to the
confideration of Congrefs,
I aflc pardon fpr taking up fo much of their time with my
bplnions. But I ffiould betray that truft which they and my
country have repofed in me, were I to be filent upon a mat
ter fo extremely: Interefting. — With the raoft perfeft efteem,
I have the honor fo be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Hedd-B'^'''^'^^) Haeriem Heights, Oil, 5, 1 776.
, I WAS laft night honored with your favor of the fe
cond with fundry refolutions of Congrefs. * * *
- In refpeft to fhe exchange of prifoners, I fear it will be a
work of great difficulty, owing to their difperfed and fcat
tered fituation throughout the ftates. In order to effeft it,
I have wrote to the eaftern governments to have thera col-
le^ed, and to tranfrait rae an account of their number, dif-
tlngulffiing the names and ranks of the field and commiffion
ed officers, and fhe corps they belong to, I have alfo wrote
to governor Livingfton of the Jerfeys upon the fubjeft, and
muft take the liberty of requefting Congrefs to give direc
tions that a fimilar return may be made of thofe in Pennfyl vania

2?4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
vania and Maryland, and for their being brought to Brunf
wic, that they may be ready to be exchanged for an equal
number of thofe of the farae rank.
I obferve, by fhe refolve of fhe twenty-fixth ultimo, that
the exchange is particularly direfted to be made of the of
ficers and foldiers taken on Long-Ifland. But ffiould not
that follow the exchange of thofe oflicers and men who have
lately returned from Quebec, whofe iraprifonraent has been
much longer, and whofe fervice has not been lefs fevere, and,
in many inftances, condufted 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
circumftances of their rank will allow, and which I thought it
my duty fo mention, that I may obtain fome direftion upon
the fubjeft.
You wfll obferve by a paragraph of a letter received yef
terday from general Howe, a copy of which you have at
length, that the non-perforraance of fhe agreement between
captain Forfter and general Arnold, by which fhe latter fti-
pulated for the return of an equal number of officers and
prifoners in our hands for thofe delivered him, is confidered
in an unfavorable light, and entirely imputed fo rae, as hav
ing the chief command of fhe armies of the ftates, and a
controlling power over general Arnold. — The pointed man
ner in which Mr- Howe is pleafed to exprefs himfelf could
pot perfonafly affeft rae, fuppofing there had been no good
grounds fpr fhe ti-eaty not being ratified, having been nothing
more than an Inftrument of conveying to hira the refolutions
formed upon the fubjeft. * * *
Plowever J would beg leave to obferve, frora the letters
frora the hoftages,-r-from what has been reported by others
refpefting captain Forfter'? having ufed his endeavors to re
ftrain fhe favages from exercifing their wonted barbariries,
though In fome inftances they did,— his purchafing fome pf
the prifoners for a pretty confiderable premium,— but, above
all, from the delicate nafure of fijch treaties, and becauftj th?i

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 28$
the non-obfervance of them rauft damp fhe fpirits of the
officers who make them, and add affliftion fo the misfortunes
of thofe whom neceffity and the nature of the cafe force into
captivity to give them a fanftion by a long and irkfome con
finement, — for thefe reafons and raany more that will readily
occur, I could wiffi Congrefs to reconfider the matter, and
to carry it into execution.
I ara fenfible the wrong was originally in their employing
favages, and that whatever cruelties were committed by them
ffiould be efteemed their own afts : yet perhaps, in point of
policy, it may not be improper to overlook thefe infraftions
on their part, and to purfue that mode which will be the
moft likely to render the hardftiips incident to war moft
tolerable, and the greateft benefits to the ftate,
I have ventured to fay thus much upon the fubjeft from a
regard to the fervice, and becaufe fuch gentlemen of the
army as I have heard raention It feem to v/iffi fhe treaty liajl
b?en ratified rather than difallowed.
Inclofed is a lift of vacancies In fhe third regiment of Vir
ginia troops, in part occafioned by the death of ms^or Leitch
who died of his wounds on tuefday morning, — and of the
gentlemen who ftand next in reglraental order, and who are
recommended to fucceed to thera. — You will obferve that
captain John Fitzgerald is faid fo be appointed to the duty
of major. This I have done in order, being the oldeft
captain in the reglraent, and, I believe, an officer of un-
, exceptionable merit, and as It was highly neceffary at this
time fo have the corps as well and fufly officered as poffihk.
'  ^There is alfo a vacancy in fhe firft continental batallion
by the promotion of lleutet>ant Clarke to a majority In the
flying camp, to> which colonel Hand has recommended Wil
liam Patten to fucceed, as you will perceive by his letter
inclofed. I have taken the liberty to tranfnilt a plan for eftablifli
ing a corps of engineers, artificers, &c, flcetched out by
colonel Putnam, and which is propofed for the confideration of

386 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S"
of Congrefs. How far they may incline fo adopt it, or
whether they may chufe fo proceed upon fuch an extenfive
fcale, they will be pleafed fo determine. However, I con
ceive it a matter well worthy of their confideration, being
convinced frora experience, and frora the reafons fuggefted
by colonel Putnara vvho has afted with great diligence and
reputation in fhe bufinefs, that fome eftabliffiraent of the
fort Is highly neceffary, and wifl be produftive of the moft
beneficial confequences.
If fhe propofition 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 Ger
many, whofe abilities in this way are by no means Inconfi
derable. I am told he was an engineer In fhe army under
general Stanwix, and is reputed fo be of fkifl and ingenuity
in fhe profeffion. In this capacity I do not know hira ray
felf, but ara intimately acquainted with hira in his private
charafter, as a raan of underftanding and of good behavior.
I would fubmit his merit fo the Inquiry of Congrefs; and If
he ffiould anfwer the report I have had of hira, • I raake no
doubt but he will be fultably provided for.
The convention of this ftate have lately feized and had
appraifed two new ffiips, valued at fix thoufand two hundred
and twenty-nine pounds York currency, which they have fent
down for fhe purpofe of finking, and obftrufting the channel
oppofite Mount-Waffiington. The price being high, and the
opinions various as fo the neceffity of the meafure, forae
conceiving the obftruftion nearly fufficient already, and
others that they would render if fecure, 1 would wifli to have
the direftion of Congrefs upon the fubjeft by the earlieft
opportunity, thinking rayfelf, that, if the enemy fliould at--
tempt to corae up, they ffiould be ufed, fooner than to hazard
their paffing, — I muft be governed by circumftances, yet
hope for their fentiments before any thing Is neceffary to be
done. Sundry difputes having arifen of late between officers of
different

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 287
Afferent regiments and of the fame rank, refpefting the
right of fucceffion to fuch vacancies as happen from death
ur other caufes, — fome fuggefting tliat if ffiould be in a colo
nial line and governed bv the priority of their comraiffions, —
others, that it fliould be regimentally,' — and there being an
inftance now before rae, between the officers of the Vir
ginia regiments, occafioned by fhe death of major Leitch, —
it has becorae abfolutely neceffary that Congrefs ffiould de
termine the mode by which promotions are to be regubted,
—•whether coloniafly and by priority of commiffions, or
regimentally, referving a right out of fhe general rule they
adopt, fo reward for particular merit, or of with-holding
from office fuch as may not be worthy to fucceed.
I have only propofed two modes for their confideration,
being fatisfied that promotions through the line (as they are
called) can never fake place without producing difcord, jea
loufy, diftruft, and the moft fatal confequences. In fome of
my letters upon fhe fubjeft of promotions, and one which
I had the honor of addreffing fo the board of war on the
thirtieth uldrao, I advifed that the mode ffiould be rather
praftlfed than refolved on : but I am fully convinced now of
the neceffity there is of fettling it In one of the two ways 1
have taken the liberty to point out, and under the reftric-
tions I have mentioned ; or the difputes and appfications will
be endlefs, and attended with great inconveniences.
I have fhe honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Head-Barters, Heights of Haeriem, Oil. 7, 1776.
I DO myfeif the honor of tranfmitting to you a copy
-of a letter frora the comte D'Emcry, governor-general of the
French part of Saint-Domingo, which I received yefterday,
and alfo my anfwer, which I have inclofed and left open for
the confiderarion of Congrefs, wiffiing that It may be fealed
if they approve of the fieur De Charabcau's -releafemerit,
which I think may be attended with many valuable cotife-

288 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
quences. If Congrefs conCur in fentlraent with rae, they
wifl be pleafed to give direftion for his paffage by the firft
opportunity to the French iflands : if they do not, I ffiall be
obliged by your returning ray letter.
I have alfo fhe pleafure of inclofing a copy of a letter from
morrfieur P. Fennel, which carae to hand laft night, and
which contains Intelligence of an agreeable and interefting
nature, for which I beg leave fo refer you fo the copy.
The polite manner In which raonfieur Pennel has requefted
to be one of ray aldes-de-carap demands my acknowledg
ments. As the appointment will not be attended with any
expenfe, and wfll ffiew a proper regard for his coraplaifance
and the aftachraent he is pleafed to exprefs for the fervice of
fhe American ftates, I ffiall fake fhe liberty of coraplying
with his requifition, and tranfrait him a brevet comraiffion,
provided fhe fame ffiall be agreeable to Congrefs. — Their
fentiraents upon this fubjeft you will be kind enough fo
favor rae with by the firft opportunity. — The inclofed letter
for the fieur De Chambeau you will pleafe to forward fo hira
(if he Is fo be enlarged) after clofing it.
Before I conclude, I rauft take the liberty to obferve that I
ara under no fraall difficulties on account of the French
gentleraen that are here In confequence of fhe coraraiffions
they have received, — having no raeans to eraploy them, or
to afford them an opportunity of rendering that fervice
they themfelves wiffi fo give, or which perhaps is expefted
by fhe pubhc. Their want of our language is an objeftion
to their being joined fo any of the regiments here at this
time, were there vacancies, and not other obftacles. Thefe
confiderations induce rae to wiffi that Congrefs would adopt
and point out forae particular raode to be obferved refpefting
thera. What it ffiould be, they wlfl be beft able to deter
mine. But to rae 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 vefted in
the conventions^&c, of the feveral ftates, it v.ill be neccA'ary for

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 289
for Congrefs to direft them to be provided for in the regi
ments to be raifed, according to the ranks they would wifti
them to bear— r( or I am convinced they will never be taken
in, let their merit be what it may) ; — or to form them into a
diftinft corps which may be increafed in time. They feem
to be genteel, fenfible men ; and I have no doubt of their
making good officers as foon as they can learn as much of our
language as to make themfelves well underftood: but, unlefs
Congrefs interfere by their particular direftion to the ftates,
they will never be incorporated in any of the regiments to be
raifed : and, without they are, they will be entirely at a lofs,
and in the moft irkfome fituation, for fomething to do, as
they now are. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Head-B^'^^^^h Haeriem Heights, Oil, 8, 1776.
SINCE I had the honor of writing you yefterday, I
have been favored wifh a letter from the honorable council
of Maffachufetts-Bay, covering one from Richard Derby,
efquire, a copy of which is herewith tranfmitted, as it con
tains intelligence of an important and interefting nature.
As an exchange of prifoners is about to take place, I am
induced, from a queftion ftated in a letter I received from
governor Trumbull this morning, to aflc the opinion of
Congrefs, in what manner the ftates that have had the care
of them are to be relmburfed the expenfes Incurred on their
account. My want of inforraation In this inftance, or
whether any account is to be fent in with the prifoners,
would not allow me to give hira an anfwer, as nothing that
I recolleft has ever been faid upon the fubjeft. — He alfo
mentions another matter, viz. whether fuch privates as are
mechanics, and others who may defire to remain with us,
fliould be obliged to return. — In refpeft fo the latter, I
conceive there can be no doubt of our being under a neceffity
of returning the whole, a propofition having been raade on
our part for a general exchange, and th-at agreed to : be-
VoL, I. U fides.

200 GENERAL V/ASHINGTON'S
fides, the balance of prifoners is greatly againft us; and I
am informed it was paiticiilar'y 'ftipulated by general Moiit-
gonjery,' that all thofe t^i^t were taken In Canada fhould be
exchanaed whenever a cartel was fettled for the purpofe.
U.nder/thefe circumftances, I .Ciould fuppofe the feveral
committees having the cai;e of them ffiould be inftrufted, to
make fhe moft exaft returns of the whole, how-ever wifling
a part ftbijld be to continue with us. At the fame time I
fliould think it not Improper tp inform them of the reafons lead
ing to the meafure^ and that they ffiould be Invited tp, efcape
afterwards, which, in all' probability, they raay effeft ynth-
out much diff.cuhy If they are attached to us, extending their
Influence tP many more, and bringing therfi away alfo, ^^
The fituation of oiir affairs and the prefent eftabliffiment
of the army requiring ourmofbvigorous exertions fo engage
a new one, I prefume It will be neceffiry to furniffi the pay
mafter-general as early as poffible with money to pay the
bounty, lately refolvedoii, to fuch. men as will enlift. Prompt,
p-iy perhaps may have a happy effeft, and induce, the con
tinuance of fome who are here : but, without it, I am cer
tain that nothing can be done ; nor have we time to lofe in
making the experiment. But then it may be aftced, \^-ho is
to recruit ? or who can confider themfelves as officers for
that purpofe, till the conventions of the different ftates have
made the appointments ?
Yefterday afternoon the exchange between lord Stirling
and governor Browne was carried Into execution ;" and his
lordfliip is now here, Plcxconfirms the intelligence men
tioned by captain Souther, about the tranfports he met, by
the arrival of-the Daphne man-of-war (a twcntv-gun ffiip) a
few days ago, with tv/elve fliips under her convov, having
light-horfe on board. They faikd with about twenty in
each, and loft about eighty in their pafi'age, befides thofe in
the veffel' taken by captain Souther,— He furtheraddsthathe
had heard it acknowledged more than once, that, in the aftion
of the fixteenth ultimo, the enemy had a hundred men killed,
2 —about

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 391
*about fixty Highlanders of fhe forty-fecorid regiment, and
irty of the light Infantry. This confeffion coming from
lemfelves, we may reafonably concliide, did not exaggerate
le number. * ' » *
Oilober 9,  About eight' o'clock this iporning, two
lips, of forty-four guns each (fuppofed to be fhe Roebuck
ad Phoenix), arid a frigate of twenty guns, with three or
)ur tenders, got under way frora about Blooraingdale where
ley had been lying forae time, and ftood with an eafy
lutherly breeze towards our chevaux-de-frife, which we
oped would have intercepted their paffage while our bat-
;ries played upon them : but, to our furprife and raortifica-
on, they ran through without the leaft difficulty, arid with-
ut receiving any apparenf" damage frora our forts, though
ley kept up a heavy fire frora both fides of the river. Their
sftlnatlon or views cannot be known with certainty : but
10ft probably they are fent to ftop the Havigatlon, and cut
ffthe fupplies of boards, &c, which we ffiould have re-
:ived, and pf which we are in .great need. They are ftand-
ig up, and I have difpatched an exprefs to the convention'
f this ftate, that notice may be Imraediately coraraunlcated"
) general Clinton at the Highland fortifications, to put him
n his guard in cafe they ffiould have ariy defigns againft
lem, and that precautions may be taken fo prevent fh»
¦aft belonging to the river falling into their hands.
I have fhe honor to be, &c. G, W.

Sir, .Head-Bi''''ters, Haeriem Heights, 08. 15, 1776.
I BEG leave to inform you, that, fince ray letter of
.'e eighth and ninth inftant which I had the honor of ad-
¦effmg you, nothing of Iraportance has occurred, except
at the ffiips of war which I then mentioned. In their
iffage up the river,' took a floop that was at anchor off the
Duth of Spitendevll, and two of dur row-gallies which
ley out-failed; The crews, finding that they could not pre-
U 2 ' vent

29* GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
vent them fafling info fhe enemy's hands, ran them near the
ffiore, and effefted their own efcape. From the intelligence
I have received, the ffiips are now lying at Tarrytown, with
out having landed any men (which feeraed to be apprehended
by fome), or attempted any thing elfe. Their principal views,
in all probability, are, to Interrupt our navigation, and to re
ceive fuch difaffefted perfons as inchne fo take part againft
us. The former they will effeft beyond all queftion ; and
I fear that their expeftations refpefting the latter wifl be but
too fully anfwered.
Oilober 12,  The inclofed copy of a letter received laft
night from the convention of this ftate will ffiew you the
apprehenfions they are under on account of the difaffefted
among them. — I have ordered up a part of the militia from
the Maffachufetts under general Lincoln, to prevent, if
poffible, the confequences which they fuggeft may happen,
and which there is reafon to believe the confplrators have In
contemplation, I am perfuaded that they are upon the eve
of breaking out, and that they will leave nothing un-effayed
that will cflftrefs us and favor fhe defigns of the enemy, as
foon as their- fchemes are ripe for if,
Oilober 13,  Yefterday fhe enemy landed at Frog's*
Point, about nine miles from hence, further up the Sound.
Their number we cannot afcertain, as they have not ad
vanced frora the point, — which is a kind of ifland, — but the
water that furrounds it is fordable at low tide. I have or-
^dered works to be thrown up at the paffes from fhe point to
the main. From the great number of floops, fchooners, and
nine ffiips, that went up the Sound in the evening, full of
men, and from the inforraation of two deferters who came
over laft night, I have reafon to believe that the greateft part
of their array has moved upwards or is about to do it, pur
fuing their original plan of getting in our rear, and cutting
off our coraraunication with tlie country.
The grounds from Frog's-Point are ftrong and defenfible,
being full of ftone fences, both aUjng the road and acrofs the

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 293
the adjacent fields, which will render it difficult for artiflery,
or indeed a large body of foot, to advance in any regular
order, except through the raain road, — Our raen who are
pofted on the paffes feeraed to be in great fpirits when I left
them laft night, — Lhave the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Head-B'>^ters, Haeriem Heights, Oil. 14, 1776.
HIS exceflency having gone this morning to vifit our
pofts beyond Kingffiridge and the feveral paffes leading from
Frog's-Point and the necks adjacent, I have the honor to in
form you by his command, that no interefting event has
taken' place fince his letter by yefterday's poft.
¦ Every day's intelligence from the convention of this ftate
^holds forth difcoveries of new plots and of new confpiracies.
•Some of the members feem to apprehend that infurreftlons
•zxe. upon the eve of breaking out, and have fuggefted the
neceffity of feizing and fecuring the paffes through the
Highlands, left fhe diffafFefted ffiould do It. Their prefer
vatlon being a matter of the greateft iraportance, his excel
lency, notwithftanding the fituation we are in with refpeft
to troops, has detached colonel Taffi with his regiment,
lately frora New-Harapffiire, in addition to the militia men
tioned in his laft, with direftions to receive orders frora the
convention, as fo the ftation and pofts he is to occupy.
There are now in our poffeffion feveral perfons, inhabitants
of this ftate, who had engaged to join the enemy, and were
intercepted in going to them. There are alfo two who con
fefs they have been with them, and that they had aftually
engaged in their fervice ; but, finding the terms (the bounty,
pay, &c,) not fo advantageous as they expefted from the in
formation they had received, they were induced to return. — •
As fhe affairs of this government, are in a precarious fituadon,
and fuch as, the convention themfelves feem to think, forbid
their interpofition farther than taking meafures to apprehenU
them, his excellency would wiffi to obtain the fentiments of
U 3 Congrefs,

294 GENER-AL- WASHINGTON'S
Congrefs, and their direftion upon a fubjeft fo estremely
critical and delicate, and which. In the confideration of It,
involves many important confequences.
Your favor of the ninth, with Its feveral inclofures, his
-exceflency received yefterday morning by the exprefs, who
proceeded imraediately on his journey.
Oilober 17.  1 a'ra direfted by his excellency to ac
quaint you that we are again obliged to change our difpofi
tion, fo counteraft the operations of the enemy. Declining
an attack upon our front, they have drawn the main body
of their army fo Frog's-Point, with a defign of hemming us
in, and drawing a line in our rear. To prevent the- confe
quences which would but too probably follow the execution
of their fcherae, fhe general officers determined yefterday
that our forces muft be taken from hence, and extended
towards Eaft and Weft Chefter, fo as to out-flank them.
General Lee, who arrived on raonday, has ftrongly urged
the abfolute neceffity of the raeafure. It Is propofed to leave
a garrifon at Fort- Waffiington, and to maintain It if poffible,
in order to preferve the comraunication with the Jerfeys. — ¦
They are landing their artillery and waggons upon the
point ; and there are now feveral boats paffing up the Sound,
full of raen.
I have the honor to be, &c. R. H. FIarrison.
P. S. The poft having not corae in fince funday, till to
day, has been the occafion of not writing to you fince that
time. He was expefted as ufual ; which prevented an es-
prefs being fent.

Sir, Haeriem Heights, Oilober 1^, 1776,
i WAS yefterday morning honored with your fayor
of the fifteenth, with fhe refolutions of the eleventh and four
teenth. The latter, by which Congrefs have authorifed me
to appoint raonfieur Pennel a brevet aide-de-carap, claims 3
return of my acknowledgments, £»ft

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 295
Laft night I received a letter from Mr. Varick, fecretary
to general Schuyler, inclofing a copy of one fiom general
Arnold to general Gates. The intelligence tranfmitted by'
general Arnold being of an extremely interefting and im
portant nature, I thought it advifable to forward the fame
immediately by exprefs. You have a copy herewith, which
contains the particulars, and to which I beg leave to refer
you. The accounts tranfraifted yefterday by poft Will inform
youof the raoveraents of the enemy, aridof the raeafures"
judged, necefTary to be purfued by us, to counteraft their
defigns. I have nothing to add on this head, except that fen
or eleven fhips, which have been prevented paffiiig Hell-gate
for two or three days for want of wind, are now under way,
and proceeding up fhe Sound. Amongft them there appear
to be two frigates : the reft probably have in ftores, &c.
Inclofed is a copy of the laft general return I have been
able to obtain. It only comes down fo the fifth inftant : the-
fituation of our affairs, and the alraoft c6nftant neceffity of
fending detachraents frora one place to another to watch the
enemy's motions, have prevented the officers from making
them with regularity.
I have fhe honor to be, &c. G. W.

K'mgjbridge, Oilober 20, 1776, half after one o'clock, P. AI.
Sir, I HAVE It In command frora his excellency to tranf
mit you the inclofed copies of difpatches wdiich juft now
came to hand, and which contain intelligence of the raoft
interefting and important nature refpefting our affairs in the
northern department. His excellency would have wrote him
felf, but was going fo our feveral pofts, when the exprefs
arrived. The enemy are purfuing with great Induftry their plan of
penetrating, the country from fhe Sound, -and of ftirralng a'
U 4 lice

296 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
line in our rear. They are now extended from Frog's-Point
to New-Rochellc, from whence it is generally conjeftured
they mean to fake their route by way of the White-Plains,
and from thence to draw a line to fhe North-river, We on
our part have drawn our whole force, except fhe regiments
intended to garrifon Fort- Waffiington, from the ifland of
New- York, and have poffeffed ourfelves of fhe 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 effeft their purpofe
by moving higher up. If they do, our forces wfll move ac
cordingly, it being a principal objeft to prevent their out
flanking us. -/
On friday, one of their advanced parties, near Eaft- Chefter,
fell in with p^rf of colonel Glover's brigade, and a fraart and
clofe fklrralffi enfued. In which, I have the pleafure fo in
forra you, our raen behaved wifh great coolnefs and intre
pidity, and drove fhe enemy back to their main body.
I have the honof fo be, &c. R. H. Harrison.

Sir, Head-B'^^^^'^h Valentine' s Hill, Oil. 21, 1776.
HIS exceflency being abfent on a vifit to the feveral
pofts on the left of our lines and at the White-Plains, I have
the honor to inform you, by the favor of colonel Whipple,
that, fince my letter of yefterday, no event of importance
has occurred,
I have the honor fo be, &c. R, H, Harrison.

To the Board of PVar.
Gentlemen, Camp on Valentine's Hill, Oil. 22, 1776,
I AM direfted by his excellency whofe bufinefs has
cafled him from hence, fo acknowledge his receipt of your
favors of the twelfth and fifteenth Inftant, and fo inform you
in anfwer to the firft, that he wfll mention the cafe of the,
French

t)FFICIAL LETTERS, 197
French gentlemen to general Lee, and obtain his opinion
as to fhe beft mode of providing for them In a ufeful way.
The horfes belonging to the light dragoons who were taken,
he thinks, wifl be very ferviceable; and he will write to
general Ward or one of the agents to purchafe them.
In refpeft to your requifition for an immediate return of
ordnance ftores, his excellency fays it cannot poffibly be
complied with in fhe prefent unfettled ftate of fhe army.
In order to effeft the good purpofes you have in view, he
would take fhe liberty to recommend the eftabliffiing of
magazines of, ammunition and other ordnance ftores in pro
per places of fecurity, from whence fupplies could be oc
cafionally drawn. As large quantities are conftantly In de»
mand in time of war, he does not conceive your provifion in
thefe inftances can be too great.
He will direft the regimental returns In future to Include
arms and accoutrpraenfs, and the coramiflary-general to
tranfmit monthly lifts of rations. He thinks the regulation
extremely proper, though he apprehends fhe information to
be premature refpefting the over-quantity fuggefted to have
been drawn, haying heard no fufpicion of the fort in this
army of late.
I have the honor to be, &c. R.H.Harrison.

Sir, Head-B"'^^''^! fVhiie-Plains, Oil. 25, 1776.
THE whole of our army Is now here and on the
neighboring heights, except the troops left at Mount-Waffi
ington and Kingffiridge (about fourteen hundred at the for
mer, and fix hundred at the latter), and general Lee's divi
fion which now forms fhe rear, and which 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 diffi
culty of procuring waggons. However, they are nearly
effefted, and without any lofs. — The general officers are
now-

293 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
now reconnoitring the feveral paffes leading from the enemy,
that the moft important raay be immediately fecured. — .-
The fituation of their array remains nearly the fame as when
I had the honor of addreffing you on the tv/enty-firft inftant.'
It differs in nothing unlefs it Is that their main body is more
collefted about New-Rochelle, A few of their troops ire
extended as far as Momarioneck,
On raonday night a detachraent of our raen, under fhe
command of colonel Hazlet, was fent out to furprife and^
cut off raajor Rogers, if poffible, with his reglraent which
was pofted there. By forae accident or other the expedition-
did not fucceed fo well as I could have wiffi.ed. Hov/ever our,
advanced party, led on by major Greene of the firft Virginia-
regiment, fell in with their out-guard, and brought off
thirty-fix prifoners, fixty mufkets, and fome blankets. The-
number killed is not certainly known : but it is reported by
iri officer who was there, that he counted about twenty-five.
— Our lofs, two killed, and ten or twelve wounded ; among
the latter, raajor Greene, whofe recovery is very doubtful.
On wednefday there was alfo a fraart fklrralffi between a
party of colonel Hand's riflemen, — about twc hundred and
forty, — and nearly the fame number of Heffian chaffeurs,
in which the latter were put to the rout. Our men buried
ten of thera on the field, and took two prifoners, one i badly
wounded. We fuftained no other lofs than having one lad
wounded, fuppofed m.ort'.dly.
The fliips of war that are In the North-river fell down,
yefterday morning or the evening before, to Dobbs's ferry,
to prevent our bringing ftores from below by water, and the
reraoval of thofe that are landed there. As foon as the
waggons, employed In bringing the baggage and ftores of
general Lee's divifion, are difengaged, they wifl be Imme-*
diately fent to affift thofe already there to remove them.
On faturday night we had fhe misfortune to lofe one of
the new ffiips intended to be funk for obftrufting fhe chan-.
nd- She parted her cables In a fevere fquall, when properly
ballafted,

OFFICIAL LETTERS., '299
ballafted, and bilged as foon as ffie ftruck fhe fliore. The
other ffiip was funk well; and yefterday morning two brigs,
both ready, were fent down for the fame purpofe.
About two o'clock this afternoon, Intefligence was brought
to head-quarters that three or four detachments of the ene
my were on their raarch, and had advanced within about
four miles of this place. It has been fully confirmed fines
by a variety of perfons who have been out to reconnoitre.-—
Their number cannot be afcertalned: but it is generafly
conjeftured that the detachments are or will be fucceeded
byas many columns compofing their raain body. — Our drums
have beat to arms, and the men are ordered to their feveral
pofts.-^Moft probably fome Important event is upon the eve
of taking place : I hope it will be viftory In favor of our arras.
— General Lee, with his divifion, has not got up ; but I hear
he Is on his march.
Experiment having proved It difficult, if not impoffible,
to prevent the enemy frora poffeffing the navigation of the
North-river, and rendering the coramunication and inter-.,
courfe between fhe ftates divided by it extremely hazardous
and precarious by raeans of their ffiips of war, it has be
come a raatter of iraportant confideration how to remedy
the evil, and to guard againft the confequences which may
refult from it. I ara charged by his excellency to mention
it to Congrefs as a raatter that has eraployed rauch of his
thought, and that feems worthy of their raoft ferious atten
tion. He has coraraunlcated It to feveral of the general and
other officers, and to raany gentlemen of fenfe and difcern-
ment, who all agree with hira, not only upon the propriety
but the abfolute neceffity that two diftinft armies ftiould be
formed,— one to aft particularly In the ftates which lie on the
eaft, the other in thofe that are on the fouth of the river ;— •
the whole however to be raifed on a general plan, and not
to be confined fo any particular place by the terras of enlift^
ment, Thefe raatters,— fhe apparent difficulty and perhaps
imprafticability of fuccours being thrown acrofs the river
' whflq

jop GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
while the enemy can command it,— -have induced his excel
lency to fubmit the meafure to their confideration, not know
ing how their operations may be direfted, and forefeeing
that innumerable evils may arife if a refpeftable force is not
appointed to oppofe their arms wherefoever they are car
ried. — I have the honor to be, in great hafte, &c.
R H. Harrison.

Sir, PVhite-Plains, Oilober 29, 1776.
THE fituation of our affairs not permitting his ex
cellency to write himfelf, I have it in charge to inform you,
that, on yefterday morning about ten o'clock, the enemy ap
peared in feveral large columns in our front, and, from their
firft movements, feemed as if they meant an attack there.
However, halting for a litfle time, their main body filed off
to our left, and prefently began a moft fevere and inceffant
cannonade at a part of our troops who had taken poft on a
hill, with a view of throwing up fome lines. At the fame
time they advanced in two divifions, and, after a fraart en
gagement for about a quarter of an hour, obliged our men
to give way.
Our lofs is not certainly known ; but, frora conjefture, is
between four and five hundred in killed, wounded, and ralft-
ing. — What theirs was, we have not heard.
After gaining the hill (upon which they are intrenching),
and leaving a fufficient nuraber of men and artillery to pre
vent our repoffeffing It, they proceeded fo advance by our
left ; and, as far as I can difcover, their pofts or encamp
ments now form nearly a feralcircle. It is evident their de
fign is to get in our rear according to their original plan. —
Every meafure Is taking to prevent thera : but the reraoval
of our baggage, &c, is attended with infinite difficulty and
delays. Our poft, from its fituation, is not fo advantageous as
could be wiflied, and was only intended as temporary and
occafional, till the ftores belonging to the army, which had
been
9

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 301
been depofited here, could be removed. The enemy com
ing on fo fuddenly has diftreffed us much. They are novir
clofe at hand, and moft probably will in a little time com
mence their fecond attack : we expeft it every hour : — per
haps it is beginning : I'have juft heard the report of fome
cannon. — I have the honor to be, &c. R. H. Harriso'n.

Sir, pnite- Plains, Oilober 31, 1776.
SINCE I had fhe honor of addreffing you on the
twenty-ninth inftant, no event of Iraportance has occurred.'
The enemy are throwing up fome lines and redoubts In our
front, wifh a view of cannonading as foon as they are ready ;
and at the fame time are extending their wings farther by our
right and left. It is fuppofed that one of their objefts is to
advance a part of their troops, and feize on the bridge over
Croton river, that the coraraunication may be cut off with
the upper country. To prevent this, a parf-tsf our force is
detached, with orders to proceed with the utraoft expedition,
and to fecure fhe pafs if poffible.
We are trying fo reraove, fo guard againft their defigns,
but are greatly Impeded by reafon of fhe fcarcity of waggons
in proportion fo our baggage and ftores. Every exertion
has been employed fo obtain a fufficiency ; but they can
not be had In this part of fhe country. The quarter-mafter
has fent to Connefticut tp get a fupply if poffible.
Our army Is decreafing faft. Several gentlemen, who
have come fo camp within a few days, have obferved large
numbers ;of mflltia returning home on the different roads :
nor are any meafures taken as yet to raife the new army,
no commiffions having come from the ftates to appoint or
fignify the nomination of their officers. If this was done,
perhaps many who are now here might be Induced to en
gage : but at prefent there are none authorifed to recruit.
His excellency would have wrote himfelf by the perfon
who carries this (to the care of general Gre?rc) ; but his at-
tent! on

3&2 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S ¦
tention is totally engaged In ordering the affairs of the army,
»nd the beft mode for Its removal, -^ -j-
I have the honor to be, &c. R. H. HarrisoM.

SiRj ¦; PFhite- Plains, November i, J776.
I AM direfted by his excellency to acknowledge his
receipt 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 eneray, provided if
fliould come to their hands : but there were othet s from his
excellency, of 2 verv interefting nature, the mifcarriage of
which gives him much concern. As the bundle was taken
away in fo fudden and fecret a manner, I fear there. is but
little hope of ff covering it, — being dpne moft probably for
the exprefs purpofe of furniffiing the enemy with intelligence,
and a ftate of our army. Befides his ex~cellency's letters, t.he
mpft material of which was to Mr. Rutledge, there were five
or fix raore 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 ac
count of our fituation, and of every matter refpefting this
array antecedent to this date, I only omitted to raention
that we have taken thirteen of the Waldeckersi, and that, for
feveral days paft, our fcouting parties have brought in one,
two, or three prifoners. In -addition to thefe, v.-e have every
day a deferter or two.
About fix o'clock this morning, a meffenger arrived from
lord Stirling (who Is with his brigade between two and three
miles frora White-Plains, on our right, and rather nearer
the North-river) with intelligence that the eneray were ad
vancing towards him in two columns. This informatiori
has carried his excellency and aides out. The refult of their
movement

_. 0 F F I C I A L L E T T E R S, 303
movement I have not heard : but moft likely they are pur
fuing their original defign of getting by our flanks and feiz
ing the heights above us. Every precaution is taking to
prevent thera, and to hurry away our ftores to a more inte-
ripr parlj of the country.
I have the honpr.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 me;i who had been ordered to rein-t
force him, whp were fuppofed tp be the enemy. His excellen
cy Is very apprehenfive that fhe army will be greatly diftreffed
fpr want of provifion, particularly In the article of flour,
owing to the wat.er- conveyance, both In the North and Eaft
river, being in the enemy's poffeffion. He has wrote to the
convention of this ftate, and direfted Mr. Trurabull, that
their utraoft exertions in this inftance may be ufed. There
is a good deal of floiir on the Jerfey fide : but there is no
other Way to get it, but by carting and ferrying, it over to
Peekfkill. This I have wrote fo general Greene to have
done, by his excellency's direftion.

i^lR, White-Plains, November 3, 1776.
BY command of his excellency, I have fhe honor fo
Inform vou that our fituation Is nearly the fame as when I
had the pleafure of writing you laft. It Is altered In no in
ftance, unlefs in fhe number of our troops, which is every
day decreafing by their raoft fcandalous deferrion and re
turn horae. The Inclofed letter fro.-n general Parfons, who
is ftationed near the Saw-pits, and which his excellency di-
redled me to tranfmit, will Inforra you of the prevalency of ,
this difgraceful praftice.
I have the honor to be, &c. R- H. Harrison.

304 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
To the Board of War,
Gentlemen, White-Plains, November 4, 1776.
BY coraraand of his exceflency, I have the honor to
acknowledge his receipt of your favor of the twenty-fourth ul»
timo, and to inforra you that he efteeras the plan you pro
pofe to lay before Congrefs, for preventing raore rations be
ing drawn than raay be due, well calculated to anfwer the
end. That refpefting the fick feems fo him not entirely
perfeft. The captains or commanders of companies are
prohibited frora drawing pay for fuch fick as may be dif
charged from fhe hofpitals as unfit for fervice. If, during
their ftay, and before it can be known whether their cafe
will or will not admit of their return, it ffiould become ne
ceffary to make up a regimental pay-abftraft, in what man
ner arc the officers to make up their rolls ? are they to in
clude the fick, or not ?
As this is a cafe -which may and rauft of neceffity fre
quently happen, it appears to his excellency that the intend
ed regulations ffiould be more general, and reftrain the of--
ficers from including in their pay-abftrafts or rolls all the
fick they fend to fhe hofpitals, and the pay due 'em previ
ous fo their going. In fuch cafe, thofe who are difcharged
as unfit for fervice may receive their pay as intended ;'
^nd thofe who return to duty can obtain what was due to
them when the regiment was paid, by applying to the pay
mafter with the officer and furgeon's certificates, or be in
cluded in a fubfequent abftraft. The inconveniences and
abufes which are defigned to be reraedled by thefe regula
tions, his excellency does not apprehend to arife fo much
from neceffity (as incident to the nature of armies), as from
the iraperfeft inftltution of the prefent, and fhe great mix
ture and diverfity of troops compofing it, and alfo from fhe
inattention of the officers. * * *
The defencelefs ftate of Pennfylvania, as communicated by

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 305
by the corpmittee of fafety to your honorable body. Is a mat
ter of rauch concern to his excellency, which is not a little
aggravated by fhe part too many feem ready to take In fa
vor of the enemy. He trufts, however, the defeftion will be
loo Inconfiderable to threaten any alarralng confequences.
Before the receipt of your letter, his excellency had wrote
to the com.raanding officer of the Virginia regiments at Tren
ton, direfting him fo raarch them forward towards general
Greene's poft, and there remain under his comraand till fur
ther orders, unlefs fpecial Inftruftions had been or ffiould be
given to the contrary by Congrefs, or for their particular
deftination. Agreeable to your requeft, his excellency has confulted
with general Lee upon fhe beft mode for employing the
French gentlemen, and making them ferviceable. The re
fult Is that they fliould be appointed to regiraents by Con
grefs according fo fhe ranks they have been pleafed to give
them, and with the farae pay as is allowed other officers in
fuch cafes. Their want of our language is rather an objec
tion : but it is hoped they will attain a fufficient know
ledge of it, ere if be long, fo be of great fervice ; and that,
in the interim, their advice and affiftance in direfting of
works may be of ufe where they raay be ftationed.
With great refpeft, I have the honor to be, &c.
R. H. Harrison.

Sir, White-Plainsy November 6, 1776.
I HAVE the honor fo Inform you that on yefterday
-morning fhe enemy macje a fudden and unexpefted raove-
ment frora the.feveral pofts they had taken in our front.
They broke up their whole encampments the preceding
night, . and have advanced towards Kingffiridge and fhe
North-river. The defign of. this manoeuvre is a matter of
much conjefture and fpeculation, and cannot be accounted
for wifh any degree of certainty. The grounds v/e had taken
Vol. I. ' X poffeffion

3o6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
vpoffeffion of were ftrong and advantageous, and fuch as they
could not have gained without much lofs of blood in cafe an
attempt had been made. I had taken every poffible precau
tion fo prevent their outflanking us ; — which may have led
to the prefent meafure. They raay ftill have in view their
original plan, and, by a fudden wheel, try to accompliffi it.
Detachments are conftantly out to obferve their motions, and
to harrafs them as much as poffible.
In confequence of this moveraent I called a council of ge
neral officers to-day, to confult of fuch raeafures as ffiould
¦be adopted in cafe they purfued their retreat to New- York ;
the refult of which is herewith tranfraifted. In refpeft to
myfeif, I cannot indulge an idea that general Howe, fup
pofing he is going fo New- York, means to clofe the cam
paign, and to fit down without attempting fomething more.
I think, it highly probable, and almoft certain, that he will
make a defcent wifh a part of his troops into Jerfey : and,
as foon as I am fatisfied that the prefent manoeuvre is real
and not a feint, I ffiall ufe every means in my power to for
ward a part of our force to counteraft his defigns : nor ffiall
I be difappointed if he fends a detachment to the fouthward
for the purpofe of raaking a winter carapaign.
From the Information I have received, there is now a
number of tranfports at Red-Hook, with about three thou
fand troops on board. Their deftination, as given out, is to
Rhode-Ifland : but tills feeras altogether improbable for va
rious reafons ; among others, the feafon is much againft it.
In the fouthern ftates they wfll find It milder, and much
more favorable for their purpofes. I fliall take the liberty
of mentioning that it may not be improper to fuggeft the
probability of fuch a meafure to the affemblies and conven
tions in thofe ftates, that they raay be on their guard, — and
the propriety of their eftablifhing and laying up magazines of
provifions and other neceffaries in fuitable places. This is ^
matter of exceeding importance, and what cannot be too
much attended to. From

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 307
ftorii the approaching diffolution of the army, and the de*
parture of the hew levies which is on the eve of taking place,
and the httle profpeft of levying a new one in time, I have
wrote to the eaftern ftates by fhe unaniraous advice of the
general officers, to forward fupplies of militia in the room of
thofe that are now here, and who, it is feared, Will not be
prevailed on to ftay any longer than the time they are en
gaged for. The propriety of "this application, I truft, wIH
appear, when it is known that not a fingle officer is yet com
miffioned to recruit, and when it is confidered how effential
it is to keep up fome ffiew of force and ffiadow of an army.
I expeft the enemy wifl bend their force againft Fort-
"W^affiington, and inveft it immediately. From fome advicesj
it is an objeft that will attraft their earlieft attention.
I am happy to inform you, that, in the engagement on
nionday fe'nnight, I have reafon to believe our lofs was by
no means fo confiderable as was conjeftured at firft. By
fome deferters and prifoners we are told, that of the enemy
was tolerably great : fome accounts make it about four hun
dred in kflled and wounded : all agree that among the former
there was a colonel 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, accord
ing to my prefent opinion, will make it neceffary for me to
go with them, to put things in a proper channel, and fuch a
way of defence as ffiall feem moft probable to check the pro
grefs of fhe enemy, in cafe they ffiould attempt a defcent
there, or a move toward Philadelphia.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

To the Board of War, ,
GENTLEME^f, White-Plains, November 8, 1776,
I HAVE been favored with yours of the thirty-firft
ultimo, by monfieur Laytaniac, and muft take the liberty of
X 2 referring

3o8 GENERAl. WASIIIN' GTOK'5
referring you to my former letters upon the fubjeft of prc-
vldlng for the French gentlemen who ffiall incline to enter ¦
the fervice of the ftates. To rae it appears that one of two
modes muft be adopted : they muft either be appointed to -'
places in fome of the regiments, or formed into a diftinft '
corps. The former was aidvlfed as the moft eligible in re
fpeft to the gentlemen who were here before. Ir requires i
time to forra an accurate opinion of the merits of an ollicer; '
and the prefent fituation of the army will not -allow me to
pay a paTtlcular attention to monfieur Laytaniac, or fuch- no-' '
tice as he may wiffi to receive, or I to give : nor is there any
wiry of making his ftay here agreeable.
I have the honor to be, &c, G. W. -

Sir, While-Plains, November 9, 1 7 76, :
1 HAVE the honor to tranfmit you a copy of a lettef
fro"m gen-entl Gates to general Schuyler, and of another
paper containing intefligence refpefting the northern army
-a'nd the, fituation of the enemy in that department. I'hey
this minnte.came to hand j a-nd to thera I beg leave to refer
you for.particu'lars.
By every information I can obtain-, and the accounts I had.
laft. night by two deferters who were very Intelligent and
particular, genxsral. Howe ftill has in view an expedition to
the' Jerfeys, and Is preparing for it with the greateft induftry.
1 have, detached the firft divifion of our troops which was
thought iieceflary to be fent, and which I hope will crofs
the river at Peeklkill to-day. The fecond, I expeft, will
-.ill march -this evening ; and to-morrow morning I piopofe
to follow myfeif, in order to put things in the beft train I
can, and to give hira every poffible oppofitlcn. — I hope'
(when the two divifions arrive, and are joined to fuch other
force as I e'<:p<;ft 10 colleft:) to check his progrefs and pre-
vriu him from 'penetrating any diftance iroui the river, if '
» net

OFFICIAL LETTERS. -309
rot to oblige him to return Iraraedlately with fome lofs.
lA'^iatever Is In my power to eft'eft, fliall be done.
I have the honor fo be. Sec, C. W.

Sir, Peekfkill, November 1 1, 1776.
I HAVE only time to acknowledge the honor of your
:tter of the fifth Inftant, and its feveral inclofures, and to
nform you, that, agreeable to the refolves of Congrefs, I
liall ufe every meafure in my power that the moving and
irefent confufed ftate of fhe army will admit of, to appoint
fficers for Tecrulting,
You -will have been advifed, before this, of the arrival of
emmlffioners from the Maflachufetts, Others have corae
rom Connefticut : but, frora the prefent appearance of
lings, we feera but little if any nearer to levying an army.
had anticipated fhe refolve refpefting the railitia, by writ-
ig'to the eaftern ftates and fo the Jerfey, by the advice of
ly general officers, and frora a confcloufnefs of the necef-
ty of getting in a nuraber of raen if-poffible, fo keep up the
ppearance of an array. How ray applications will fucceed,
le event rauft determine. I have little or no reafon to ex-
sft that the militia now here will remain a day longer fh;in
le time they firft engaged for. I have recommended their
ay, and requefted if in general orders. General Lincoln
id the Maflachufetts coramlffioners are ufing their intereft
ith thofe frora that ft.Ue t but, 3s far as I can judge, we
innot rely on their ftaying.
I left White-Plains about eleven o'clock yefterday ;— iall
:ace then. The enemy appeared to be preparing for their
:pedItion to Jerfey according to every inforraation. What
eir defigns are, or whetlier riieir prefent conduft Is not a
hit, I cannot determine.
The Maryland and Virginia troops under lord Stirling
ive crpflcid the river, as have part of thofe from the Jerfey :
e remainder are now embarking. The troops, judged ne-
^ 3 ccffaiy

JIO GENERAL WASHINGTON'^
ceffary to fecure the feveral pofts through the Highlafldsj
have alfo got up. I ara going to examine the pafles, anjl
direft fuph works as raay appear jieceffary ; after which,
and raaking the beft difpofition I can of things ii| this quar^
ter, I intend to proceed to Jerfey, which I expeft to do to^
morrow. The affembUes of Maffachufetts and Connefticut, to inr
duce their men mpre readily to engage in fhe fervl.ce, have
voted an advance pay of twenty ffifllings per mpnth, in adr
ditlon to that allowed by the Congrefs to privates. If may
perhaps be the raeans of their levying the quotas exafted
from them fooner than they could otherwife have been ralf^
ed : but I am of opinion, a more fatal and mjftaken policy
could not have entered their councils, or one more detri
mental to fhe general caufe. The influence pf the vote
will become cpntinental, and paterjally affeft the other
ftates in making up their levies. If they could do if, I an?
certain, when the troops come to aft together, that jealoufy,
impatience and mutiny, would nepeffarily arife. A differ
ent pay cannot exift jn the fanfie army. The fpafons are ob-^
vious, arid pjperience has proved their force in the cafe of
the eaftern and fouthern troops laft fpring, Senfible of this,
and of the pernicious confequences that wpuld Inevitably re
fult from the adyance, I have prevented fhe commiffioners
from proceeding or p^bllffiing their terms fill they coulcj
obtain the fenfe of Cpngrefs upon the fubjeft, ^nd reraon
ftrated againft it in a letter to governor Trumbufl. I an^
pot fingular in opinion : I have the concurrence of all thp
general officers, of its fatal tendency.
I congratulate ypu and Cpngrefs upon fhe news fron>
Ticonderoga, and that general Carleton and his army have
bepn obliged tp return to Canada without attempting any
^hlng. l havp the honor to be, &c. G. W,

OFFICIAL LETTERS. ^ii
Sra, General Greene's B*"^^"'h Nov. 14, 1776.
I HAVE the honor to inform you of my arrival here
yefterday, and that the whole of the troops belonging to the
ftates, which lay fouth of Hudfon's-river, and which were in
New- York government, have paffed over to this fide, except,
the regiment, lately colonel Smallwood's, which I expeft is
now on their march.
That they may be ready to check any incurfions tlie.
«nemy may attempt in this neighborhood, I intend tp^
quarter them at Bnanfwic, Amboy, Elizabethtown, Newark,
affld about this place, unlefs Congrefs ffiould conceive it ne
cefiary for any of them to be ftationed at or more contigu
ous fo 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 approaching. The difpofition I have
mentioned feems to me well calculated £m the end propofed,
and alfo for their accommodation.
The movements and defigns of fhe enemy are not yet un
derftood. Various are the opinions and reports on this head.
From every information, the whole have reraoved from
Dobbs's ferry towards King&rldge ; and it feeras to be gene
rafly believed on all hands, that the invefting of Fort- Waffi
ington is one dbjeft they have in view : but that can era
ploy but a fmall part of their force. Whether they intend a
fouthern expedition, muft be determined by lime : to mc
there appears aprobability of it, which feems to be favored
by the advices we have that many tranfports are wooding
and watering. General Creene's letter would give you the
fubftance of the jnteUigence brought by Mr. Merfereau
from Staten-Ifland in this inftance, whidi he received before
it came to me..
Inclofed you tave copies of two letters from general
Howe, and of my anfwer to the firft of them. The letter
,?dli^ded Jtp, and returned in his laft, was one from myfeif to

312 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Mrs, Waffiington, of the twenty-fifth ultimo, frora whence
I conclude that all the letters which went by the Bofton ex
prefs have corae to his poffeffion. You will alfo perceive
that general Flowe has requefted 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 war. This fervant having been fent fo Philadel
phia with the Waldeckers and other prifoners, I rauft requeft
the favor of you to have hira conveyed to general Greene by
the earlieft opportunity. In order that, he may be returned to
his mafter.
Before I conclude, I beg leave npt only to fuggeft but to
urge the neceffity of increafing our field artillery very confider
ably. Experience has convinced nie, as It has every gen
tleman of difcernment In this array, that, while we remain
fo much Inferior to the eneray in this inftance, we muft
carry on the war under infinite difadvantages, and without
the fmalleft probability of fuccefs. It Iws been peculiarly
Owing to the fituatiori of the country where their operations
iiave been condufted, and to the rough and ftrong grounds
¦we poffeffed ourfelves of, and over which they had to pafs,
that they have not carried their arras, by means of their ar
tillery, to a much greater extent. When thefe difficulties
ceafe by changing the fcene of aftlpn to a level champaign
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 fubjeft, fubmit fo the confi
deration of Congrefs whether immediate meafures ought not
to be taken for procuring a refpeftable train,
It is agreed on all hands that eaqh batallion ffiould be fur
nlffied at leaft with two pieces, and that a fmaUer number
than a hundred of three pounds, fifty of fix pounds, and
fifty of twelve pounds, ffiould not be provided, ii:\ addition
to thofe we now have. Befides thefe. If fome eighteen
and twenty-four-poundcrs are prdtjred, the train will be more
fctviceable and complete. The whole fliould be of brafs, for

OF.FICIAL LETTERS, 313
for the moft obvious reafons : they will he much more port
able, not h-alf fo liable to burft ; and, when they do, no da
mage is occafioned by It, and they may be caft over again.
The fizes before defcribed ffiould be particularly attended
to : If they are not, there will be great reafon to expeft nilf-
takcs and confufion In the charges in time of aftion, as it
has frequently happened In the beft-reguhited armies. The
difparity between thofe I have mentioned and fuch a^ are of
an intermediate fize is difficult to difcern.
It Is alfo agreed that a regiment of artlllerifts, with ap
proved and experienced officers, fliould be obtained if poffi
ble, and fome engineers of known reputation and -abilities. I
am forry to fay, too ready an Indulgence has been had fo fe
veral appointments in .the latter inftance, and that raen have
been proraoted, who feera to me to know but little if any
thing of the bufinefs.
Perhaps this train, &c, maybe looked upon by fome as large
and expenfive. True, it will be fo : but when if is confider
ed that the eneray, having effefted but little in the courfe of
the prefent carapaign, will ufe their utraoft efforts fo fubju-
gate us In the next, every confideration of that fort ffiould be
difregarded, and every poflible preparation raade fo fruftrate
their * * * atteraptii. How they are to be procured. Is to
be Inquired into. — That we cannot provide thera araong-
ourfelves, or more than a very fraafl proportion, fo trifling as
not to deferve our notice. Is evident. Therefore I would ad
vife, with all imaginable deference, that, without any abate
ment of our own internal exertions, application ffiould be im
mediately raade to fuch powers as can and raay be wflling to
fupply thera. They cannot be obtained too eariy, if foon
enough : and I ara told they may be eafily had frora France
and Holland,
Mr. Trumbull the commiffary-general has frequently men
tioned to rae of late the Inadequacy of his pay to his trouble
and the gre-af rifk he is fubjeft to on account of the large
fums of money which pafs through his hands. He has
ftated

314 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ftated his cafe wifh a view of laying it before Congrefs and
obtaining a more adequate compenfation. My fentiments
upon the fubjeft are already known t but yet I ffiall take th«
liberty to add that I think his complaint to be well founded^
and his pay, confidering the important duties and rlfks of his
pffice, by no raeans fufficient, and that the footing he feems
to think it ffiould be upon, hirafelf, appears juft and reafon-
sble, A propofition having been made long fince to general
Howe and agreed to by him, for an exchange of prifoners
in confequence of the refolutions of Congrefs to that effeft,
I ffiall be extreraely happy if you will give direftions to ths
«ommittees and thofe having the, charge of prifoners in fhe
feveral ftates fouth of Jerfey, to tranfrait me proper lifts of
the names of all fhe commiffioned officers, and of their
ranks and the corps they belong to ; alfo the number of noni-
commiffioned and privates, and their refpeftive regiments.
You wil! perceive by his letter, he fuppofes me to have af.-
fefted fome delay, or to hgve heen unmindful of thp propofi
tion I had made.
I propofe to ftay 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 inveftiture of Fort-Waffiing,fon, if -they are intended,
I have the honor to be, &c, G- W.

To the Board of War.
General Greene's B""'^''^h November 15> 1776.
GiNTLEMEN, ON wednefday evening I received the favor of you?
letter of the eighth inftant, in confequence of which I ftopped
the flag that was going in -with the ladies you Tnention,
pointing out to them the neceffity of the meafure, and rer
commending them to write to their hufbands and conr
ne^iions

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 315
nexions to obtain general Howe's affurances for the releafe
of Mrs. Lewis, and Mrs. Robinfon aiid her childnen, with
their baggage, as the conditipn on which they will be perr
mitted to go In themfelves. Thefe terms I can pnly extend
10 Mrs, Barrow and Mrs. Kemp who had never obtained my
leave : Mrs. Watts had, and my promife that fl-^e fliould go
in. The whole however were prepared to go, when the
Jetter reached Newark. — The mode I have adopted feems
moft likely, and the only proper one, to procujre the enlarge-
pient ef our ladles, which I wiffi for much.
I am, gentlemen, with great refpeft, &c. O. W.

^0 the Board of War.
Gentlemen, Hackinfac, November 15, 1776,
HAVING g,iycn my promife to general Howe, on
hi? application, that Peter Jack, a fervant of major Stewart,
who was fent to Philadelphia with the Waldeckers and other
prifoners and who has nothing to do In the military line,
ffiould be returned to his mafter agreeable fo the ufage of
war in fuph cafes, — ^I muft take the liberty to requeft the
favor of you tp have him conveyed to general Greene by the
jearlieft opportunity, that he may be forwarded to his mafter
in compliance with my promife.
I alfo wifti that you would have all the Britiffi prifoners
collefted that you ponvenienriy can, and fent to rae as foon
as poffible with the Heffian prifoners, that I raay exchange
them. The return of the latter I think will be attended
with many falutary ^jpnfequences : but, ffiould it be made
without that of a large proportion of other troops, it will
carry the marks of defign, and occafion precautions to be
)taken fo prevent the ends we have in view.
I hav^ the honor to be, ^p. G, W.

3i6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sir, General Greene's .^«a;-/o->, Nov. i6, 1776.
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you laft, an
important event has taken place, of which I wiffi to give you
the earlieft Intelligence.
The prefervatlon of the paffage pf the North-river was an
objeft of fo rauch confequence that'I thought no pains or
expenfe too great for that purpofe : and therefore, after
. fending off all the valuable ftores except fuch as were necef
fary for its defence, I determined, agreeable fo fhe advice of
moft of the general officers, to rifk foraething fo defend the
poft on the eaft fide, called Mount- Waflilngton.
When the army moved up In confequence of general
Howe's landing at Frog-point, colonel Magaw was left on
that command, with about twelve hundred raen, and orders
given to defend if fo the laft. Afterwards, reflefting upon
the fraallnefs of the garrifon, and the difficulty of their hold-
, ing it if general Howe ffiould fall down upon it with his
whole force, I wrote to general Greene who had the com
mand on the Jerfey ffiore, direfting him to govern himfelf
by circumftances, and fo retain or evacuate the poft as he
ffiould think beft, and revoking the abfolute order fo colonel
Magaw to defend fhe poft to the laft extremity. — General
Greene, ftruck with the Iraportance of the poft, and fhe dif
couragement which our evacuation of pofts rauft neceffarily
have given, reinforced colonel Magaw with detachraents
from feveral regiments of the flying carap, but chiefly of
Pennfylvania, fo as to make up the number about two thou
fand. In this fituation things were yefterday, when general
Howe demanded the furrendry of the garrifon, to which co
lonel Magaw returned a fpirited refufal. Immediately
upon receiving an account of this franfadlion, I carae from
Jiackinfac to this place, and had partly croffed the North-
river when I met general Putnam and general Greene, who
were juft returning from thence, and informed rae that the
troops

OFFICIAL LETTER5. 3,7
troops were In high fpirits, artd Would make a good defence:
and It being late at night, I returned.
Early this raorning colonel Magaw pofted his troops partly
in fhe lines thrown up by our army on our firft coming thi
ther from New-York, and pardy on a commanding hfll lying
north of Mount-Waflilngton,— the lines being afl to the
fouthward. In this pofition fhe attack began about ten
o'clock, which our troops flood, and returned the fire In
fuch a manner as gave rae great hopes the enemy was en
tirely repulfed. But at this time a body of troops croffed
Haerlera-f Iver in boats, and landed Irifide of the fecond lines,
our troops being then engaged In the firft.
Celonel Cadwallader, who coramanded in the llnes,^ fent
oft- a detachment to oppofe them : but they, being over
powered by numbers, gave way ; upon which, colonel Cad
wallader ordered his troops to retreat in order to gain die
fort. It was done with much confufion ; and the enemy
croffing over came In upon thera in fuch a manner, that a
nuraber of thera furrendered.
At this time the Heffians advanced on fhe north fide of
the fort in very large bodies. They were received by the
troops pofted there, with proper fpirit, and kept back a con
fiderable time : but at length tliey were alfo obliged to fub
mit to a fuperiorlty of numbers, and retire under the can
non of the fort-.
The enemy, having advanced thus far, halted ; and imme
diately a flag went in, -i.vith a repetition of the demand of the
fortrefs, as I fuppofe. At this time I fent a billet to colonel
Magaw, direfting him to hold out, -and I would endeavor
this evening fo bring off the garrifon, if the fortre.'s could
not be maintained, as I did not expeft it could, the enemy
being poffeffed of the adjacent ground. But, before this '
reached him, he had, entered too far into a treaty, to retraft:""
after which, colonel Cadwallader told another meffenger
-wlio went ever, that they had been able to obtain no other'
terms than to furrender as prifoners of war. In this fitfuS- tion

3i8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
tion matters now ftand. I have ftopped general Beall's and
general Heard's brigades, to preferve the poft and ftores here j
which, with the other troops, I hope we ffiaU be able to
effeft. I do not yet know the numbers killed or wounded on
either fide : but, frora fhe heavinefs and continuance of the
fire in forae places, I iraagine there muft have been confider
able execution.
The lofs of fuch a number of officers and toen, many of
whora have been trained with more than common attention,
will, I fear, be feverely felt ; but, when that of fhe arms and
accoutrements is added, much raore fo; and rauft be a fur
ther incentive to procure as confiderable a fupply as poffible
for the new troops, as foon as it can be done.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Hackinfac, November 19, 1776.
I HAVE not been yet able fo obtain a particular ac
count of fhe unhappy affair of fhe fixteenth, nor of the
terms on which the garrifon furrendered. The intelligence
that has come to hand is not fo full and accurate as I could
wiffi. One of the artfllery, whofe Information is raoft direft,
and who efcaped on funday night, fays the eneray's lofs was
very confiderable, efpecially ih the attack raade above the
fort by the divifion of Heffians that marched frora Kmgf-
brldge, and where lieutenant-colonel Rawlins, of the late
colonel Stephenfon's regiment, was pofted.
They burned yefterday one or two houfes on the heights,
and contiguous to fhe fort, and appeared, by advices from
general Greene, to be moving in the evening their raain
body down towards the city. Whether they will clofe the
campaign without atterapting fomething raore, or raake an in
curfion into Jerfey, muft be determined by fhe events them
felves. As Fort-Lee was always confidered as only neceffary In
7 conjunftion

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 319
«onjunft Ion with that on theeaftfideof the river, to pre
ferve the cpmmunication acrofs, and to prevent the ene
my from a free navigation, it has become of no importance
by the lofs of the other, or not fo material as to employ a
force for its defence. Being viewed in this light, and ap
prehending that the ftores there would be precarioufty fitu
ated, their removal has been determined on to Boundbrook
above Brunfwic, Princeton, Springfield, and Acquackenunk
bridge, as places that will not be fubjeft to fudden danger in
cafe the enemy ffiould pafs the river, and which have been
thought proper as repofitories for fome of our ftores of pro
vifion and forage.
The troops belonging to the flying camp under generals
Heard and Beall, with what remains of general Ewing's
brigade, are now at Fort-Lee, where they will continue tfll
the ftores are got away. By the time that is eSefted, their
term of eniiftment will be near expiring; and, if the enemy
fliould make a puffi in this quarter, the only troops that
there will be to oppofe them, will be Hand's, Hazlett's,
the regiments from Virginia, and that, lately Smallwood's,
— the latter greatly reduced by the lofles it fuftained on
Long-Ifland, &c, and ficknefs ; nor are the reft by any
means complete. In addition to thefe, I am told there are a
few of the mflltia of this ftate, who have been called in
by governor Livingfton. I ffiall make fuch a difpofition of
the whole at Brunfwic and at the intermediate pofts, as ffiall
feem moft likely to guard againft the defigns of the enemy,
and to prevent them making an irruption or foraging with
detached parties. '
The inclofed letter from colonels Miles and Atlee will
ffiew Congrefs the diftreffed fituation of our prifoners in New-
York ; and their diftrefs will become greater every day by
the cold inclement feafon that is approaching. It wifl be
happy if fome expedient can be adopted, by which they
may be furnlffied with neceffary blankets and clothing.
Humanity

320 GENERAL WASHiNGTOxV'S
Humanity and fhe good of the fervice require It. — I think
fhe raode fuggefted by thefe gentlemen, for eftablifliing a
credit, appears as likely to fucceed, and as eligible, as any
that occurs to rae. It is probable many articles that may
he wanted can be obtained there, and upon better terras
than elfewhere. In refpeft to .provifion, their aflowance
perhaps is as good as the fituation pf general Howe's ftores
will admit of : it has been faid of late by deferters and
others that they were rather fcant.
15y a letter from the paymafter-general, of the feventeenth,
he fays there will be a neceflity that large and early remit-
t'Ances fliould be raade him. The demands, when the troops
nov/ In fervice are difmifled, will be extreraely great. Be
fides, the bounty fo recruits will require a hirgc fupply; and.
he adds that the commiffary-general has inforraed him, that,
hetw*een this and the laft of December, he fliall have-oc-
cafiori for a million of dollars.
November 21 .  -The unhappy aff.iir of fhe fixteenth
has been fucceeded by further misfortunes. Yefterday
morning a large body of the enemy landed between Dobbs's
ferry and Fort-Lee. Their objeft was, evidently, to Inclofe
tlie whole of our troops and ftores that lay between fhe"
North and Hackinfac rivers, which form a very narrow neck
of land. For this purpofe, they formed and marched as
loon as they had afcended the high grounds towards the fort.
ITpon the firll Information of their having landed, and of
their movements, our men were ordered to meet them : but
finding their numbers greatly fuperior, and that diey were
extending themlelvcs fo feize on the paffes over the river, it
was thought prudent to withdraw our men ; which was
effefted, and their retreat fecured. We loft the whole of
the cannon diat was at the fort (except two twelve-pounders)
and a great deal of baggage, between two and three hun
dred tents, about a thoufand barrels of flour, and other ftores
in the qiiartcrmafter's department. This lofs was Inevitable.
2 As

OFFICIAL LETTERS. sat
As many of the ftoreS had been renfoved as clrcuinftances
and time would admit of. The ammunition had been hap
pily got awayi
Our prefent fituation between Hacklnfdc ahd Paffaic rivers
being exaftly fimilar to our late one, and our force here by
no raeans adequate fp ail dppofitldn that will proraife the
fmafleft probability of fuccefs, we are taking rneafures to
retire over the waters of the latter, when the beft difpofitloil
will be formed that circuraftances Will admit of.
By colonel Cadwallader, Who has been permitted by ge
neral Howe to return to his friends, I ara inforraed the fur- '
render of the garrifon on the fixteenth was on fhe coraraon
terras as prifoners of war ; the lofs of the Heffians, about
three hundred privates and tWenfy-fCven officers kflled and
wounded ; about forty of the Britiffi troops, and two or
three officers 5 the lofs on our fide but inconfiderable. I beg
leave fo refer you to hira for a taore particular account, and
alfo for his relation of the diftreffes of our, prifoners.-^—
Colonels Miles and Atlee's letter, mentioned above, upon
this fubjeft, was through miftake fent from hence yefterday '
morning. The mode of relief propofed by them was a
credit or fupply of caffi through the means of Mr. Franks.
This feems fo be doubtful, as he Is faid to be In confine
ment by colonel Cadwallader, — provided it Would have been
otherwife prafticable.
I have the honor to be, &Ci G. W,
P. S. Your favor of the fixteenth waS duly received. — My
letter to fhe board of war, on the fubjeft of fhe return of
the Waldeckers, I prefume you wfll have feen.

Sir, Newark; November 23, I776,
I HAVE not yet heard that any provifion is making
tb fupply the place of fhe troops compofing the flying camp,
whofe departure Is now at hand. The fituation of our
affairs is truly crirical, and fuchas requires uncommon exer-
VoL. I. Y dons

32a GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
tions on our part. From the movements of the enemy, and
the inforraation we have received, they certainly will make
a puffi fo poffefs themfelves of this part of the Jerfey. — In
order that you may be fully apprifed of our weaknefs, arid
of the neceffity there is of our obtaining early fuccours, I
have, by fhe advice of the general officers here, direfted
general Mifflin to wait on you. He is intimately acquainted
with our circuraftances, and wifl reprefent them better than
my hurried ftate will allow.
I have wrote to general Lee to come over with the conti
nental regiraents immediately under his coraraand : thofe
with general Heath I have ordered to fecure the paffes
through the Highlands. I have alfo wrote to governor
Livingfton requefting of him fuch aid as raay be in his
power ; and would fubraic it fo the confideration of Con
grefs whether application ffiould not be raade for part of the
Pennfylvania railitia to ftep forth af this preffing tirae.
Before I conclude, I would raention, -If an early and Im
mediate fupply of raoney could be fent to Mr. Dalham to
pay the flying-camp troops, it raight have a happy effeft.
They would fubfift therafelves corafortably on their return,
provide raany neceffaries of which they are in great want ;
and raoreover it might be the raeans of inducing many, after
feeing their friends, to engage again.
I expefted, on coming here, to have raet with many of
the mflltia, but find from Inquiry that there , are not more
than from four to five hundred at the different pofts.
: 1 have the honor fo be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Newark, Novemb'cr 27, 1776.
I DO myfeif the honor fo acknowledge the receipt of
your favors of the twenty-firft and twenty-fourth, with their
feveral inclofures. The execution of fhe refolves has been
and wfll be attended to as far as in my power.
I have wrote to general Schuyler to fend down as early as

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 323
as poffible the troops in the northern department from this
and the ftate of Pennfylvania. The propofition for exchang
ing Mr. Franklin for general Thompfon I ffiall fubmit to
general Howe, as foon as circumftances wfll allow me.
I have nothing in particular to advife you of, refpefting
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 pro
grefs 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 poffible, intelligence of their defigns.
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 ne
ceffity, of effefting their exchange as far as we have prifoners
to give in return.
By a letter from the board of -w^ar on the fubjeft of an
exchange, they mention that feveral of the prifoners in our
hands have enlifted. It is a meafure, I think, that cannot
he juftified, though the precedent is furnlffied on fhe fide of
the enemy : nor do I conceive it good in point of policy.
But, as it has been done, I ffiall leave it with Congrefs to
order them to be returned or not, as they ffiall judge fit.
' I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Brunfwic, November 30, 1776.
I HAVE been honored with your favor of the twen
ty-fixth, and with its inclofures, by which I perceive the
meafures that have been adopted for forwarding a rein
forcement of mlhtia. Their arrival is much to be wiffied,
the fituation of our affairs being truly alarming, and. fuch as
demands the earlieft aids. As general Mifflin's prefence
>nay have a happy influence on the difpofition and temper of
Y 2 many

3^4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Aiany of the affoclafors, I ffiall not direft his refuril fo long
as he can be done without, and till it becomes indifpenfably
neceffary. On thurfday morning I left Newark, and arrived here yef
terday with the troops that were there. It was the opinion
of allthe generals who were with me, that a retreat to this
place was requifite, and fouht^ed in neceffity, as our force
was by no- means fufficient to make a ftand, with. the leaft
'probabfllty of fuccefs, 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 wiffi of all to
have remained there longer, and to have halted before we
came thus fai":' but, upon doe confideration of our ftrength,
"the circuraftances attending the eniiftment of a great part of
Our little force, and the frequent advices that the enemy
were embarking or about tP embark another detachment for
Staten-Ifland with a view of landing at Araboy to co-ope
rate with this, which feeraed to be confirmed by the infor
mation of forae perfons who came from the ifland, that they
'tvere coflefting and Irapreffing all the waggons they could
find, — ^if was judged neceffary fo proceed till we eame here,
not only to prevent their bringing a force to aft upon oar
front and rear, but alfo that we might be more convenient
to oppofe any troops they might land at South-Amboy,
which many conjeftured to be an objeft they had in view.
This conjefture too had probability and fome advices to
fupport it.
I hoped we ffiould have met with large and early fuccours
by this time : but as yet np great number of the mflltia of
this ft.^te has come in ; nor have I much reafon to expeft
that any confiderable aid will be derived from the counties
which lie beyond this river, and in which the enemy are|C
Their fituation wifl prevent it in a great raeafure from thofe
parts where they are, provided the Inclinations of the people
were good. Added to this, I have no affurances that more
than -a very few of the troops compofing the flying camp will
2 remain

OFFICIAL LETTERS., 325
remain after the tirae of their engageraent is out: fo far
frora 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 expires this day, our force
wifl be reduced to a mere handful.
From intefligence received this morning, one divifion of
the enemy was advanced laft night as far as Elizabethtown
and fome of their quarter-mafters had proceeded about four
or five miles on this fide, to provide barnS, &c, for their acr '
coramodafion. Other accounts fay another divifion, com
pofed of Heffians, arc on fhe road through Springfield, and
are reported to have reached that place laft 'night. I do not
knaw hpw far their views extend : but I doubt not, they
mean to pufli every advantage refulting from the fmall nurar-
ber and ftate of our troops.
I eariy began to forward part of the ftores frora this place
towards. Philadelphia. Many are gone : the reft we are re
moving, and hope to fecure.
I ara, fir, very refpeftfully, &?. Q. W.
p. S. I have wrote to governor Livingfton, who is exert
ing hirafelf to throw in every affiftance, and to haye guards
placed at fhe ferries to prevent the return of ,the foldiers who
ijrp not difcharged.

To the Board of JVar,
Head-B'^*^^^h Brunfwic, November 30, 1776,
Gentlemen, -
I AM to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of
the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twenty-third inftant, which,
frora the unfettled fituation of our affairs, I have not been
able fo anfwer bpfore. That of the eighteenth inclofes a lift
pf ftores [imported] in the Hanpock-andrAdams continental
fhip, and carried into Dartmouth in New-England, — with a
refolvp of .Cpngrefs to deliver the rhuflsets, powder, lead, and
Y 3 flp<^s,

326 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fUjits, to my order. As the other articles of the cargo wfll
he full as ufeful fo the array as thofe included In the refolve,
I would advife that direftions be given to have the whole
cargo removed frora Dartraouth to forae fecure place in the
neighborhood of Philadelphia, and there depofited till call
ed for. If Is by no raeans proper that fo grt;at a quantity of
mflitary ftor-cs ffiould be lodged with the array, efpecially at
prefent, as we know not torday where we ffiall be obliged fo
remove to-morrow : and that will in afl probabflify be fhe
cafe while the eneray continue with a light airay on this fide
the North-river. '
In anfwer to that part of yours of fhe nineteenth in which
you afk ray advice as to the propriety of enhfting prifoners
of war, I would juft obferve, that, in my opinion, it is nei
ther confiftent with the rules of war, nor politic : nor can
I think, that, becaufe our enemies have committed an unjuf-
tifiable aftion, by enticing, and, in forae Inftances, intimi
dating our raen into their fervice, we ought to follow their
example. Before I had fhe honor of yours on this fubjeft,
I had determined to remonftrate fo general Howe on this
head. As to thofe few who have already enlifted, I would
not have them again withdrawn and fent in, becaufe they
might be fubjefted fo punlffiment : but I would have the
praftice difcontlnued in future. If you will revert to the
capitulation of St. John's and Chamblee, you will find an-
exprefs ftlpulatlon againft fhe enlifting fhe prifoners taken
there. I reraarked that the eniiftment of prifoners was not a po
litic ftep :— ray reafon Is this, that in tirae of danger I have
always obferved fuch perfons raoft backward, for fear (I fup
pofe) of falling into fhe hands of their forraer mafters, from
whora they expeft no mercy : and this fear they are apt fo
coraraunicate to their feflow-foldiers. They are alfo moft
ready to defert when any aftion is expefted, hoping, by
carrying iBtelllgence, to fecure their peace.
1 met captain Fleflieth on the road ; and, as th? fituadon of

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 3*7
of his family did not admit of delay, I permitted him to go
immediately to New-York, not having the leaft doubt but
general Howe will raake a return of any officer of equal rank
who ftiall be required.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Brunfwic, December 1, I'jjS.
I YESTERDAY had the honor of writing you, and
to advife you of our arrival here. I ara now to inforra you
that the eneray are ftill advancing, and that their van-guard
had proceeded as far as Bonem, a fraall town about four
miles this fide of Woodbridge, according fo ray laft Intel
ligence. As to their nuraber, reports are various. Some
fay they were joined yefterday by a confiderable reinforce
ment from Staten-Ifland, How far this faft may be true,
I cannot determine : but, from every inforraation, before,
they were between fix and feven thoufand ftrong,
I have for fOrae tirae paft fuppofed Philadelphia to be the
-objeft of their raoveraent, and have every reafon to believe
my opinion well founded, — the advices of fundry perfons,
who h-ave had an opportunity of mixing and converfing with
them on the raarch, agreeing that fuch is the report, I have
¦wrote to governor Livingfton upon the fubjeft, requefting
his utraoft exertions to forward on every fuccour In his
power. The farae, I truft, will be attended to In Pennfyl
vania, Without a fufficient number of raen and arras, their
progrefs cannot be checked : — at prefent our force in totally
inadequate to any atterapt,
' Several officers belonging to the eneray, who were pri
foners, have obtained perraiffion to return, I have not yet
fent In fhe names of thofe belonging to us, that are to be
exchanged for thera. By a Virginia paper, I perceive that
captain Morgan and lieutenant Heath, who were taken pri
soners at Quebec, and now on parole, are proraoted in the
iate arrangement of officers in that ftate,— the former fo 3
Y 4 regiment.

328 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
regiraent, the latter to a majority. It would be well if; they
were releafed : but, being Virglriians, and- not knowing that
any gentlemen who were taken af fhe fame time are fo clr,
curaftanced, I have declined claiming their return without
the opinion of Congrefs, left I ffiould incur the charge of
partiality. I have fent forward colonel Humpton to colleft propey
boats and craft at the ferry for tranfporting our troops : and
it will be of infinite importance to have every other craft,
befides what he takes for the above purpofe, fecured on fhe
weft fide of Delaware: otherwife they may fall into the
eneray's hands and facilitate their views,
I have the honpr fo be, 5^c. G. "W.
p. S. Half after one o'clock, P, yi/.— The enemy are faft
advancing ; forae of thera are now In fight, All the men pf
the Jerfey flying carap under general Heard, being applied
to, have refufed to continue longer in feryice.

Sir, December i, 1776, half after fv en, P, AI.
IN a little time after I wrote you this evening, the
eneray appeared in feveral parties on the heights oppofite
brunfwic, and were advancing in a large body towards fhe
proffing-pl^ce. We had a fraart cannonade whilft we were
parading our raen, hut vrithout any or but little lofs on either
-fide. It being Impoffible to oppofe thfem with our prefent
force with the leaft profpeft of fuccefs, we ffiall retreat to
the weft fide of Delaware (and have advanced about eight
miles) where it Is hoped we ffiall meet a reinforceraent fuffip
pient to check their progrefs. I have fent colonel Hurapfor^
¦forward to colleft the neceffary boats for our tranfpovfatlon,
and conceive It proper that the railitia from Pennfylvania
fliould be ordered towards Trenton, that they may b,e ready
to join us, and aft as occafion may require,
I am, fir, your moft obedient fervant, G. W.
P. S. Fwlffi rny letters of yefterday \n^y arrive fafe, being
informed

OFFICIAL LETTERS.

329

Informed that the return exprefs who had them was idling
hjs time, and ffiewing them on the road.

Sir, Princeton, December 2, ly^fi-
I ARRIVED here this morning with our troops be
tween eight and nine o'clock, when I received the honor of
your letter of the firft with its inclofure.
When the enemy firft landed on this fide the North-rivev,
I apprehended that they meant to make a puffi this way ; and
knowing that the force which I had was not fufficient to op^
pofe them, I wrote to general Lee to crofs with the feveral
continental regiraents in his divifion, and hoped he wotfld
have arrived before now.r— By fome means or other he has
been delayed.-^r-I fuppofe he has paffed the river,. as his let
ter of the twenty-fixth ultirao raentioned that he had march-.
ed a brigade the day before, and ffiould follow the next him--
felf. The remainder of the troops I conceived neceffary to
guard thp feveral paffes through the Highlands ; nor do I
think they can be cafled frora thence. Their number is
very fmall, being reduced to very few by the departure of the
troops who ftood engaged till the thirtieth ultimo,
I underftand there are now at Briftol feveral prifoners.
As their exchange at this time cannot be effefted with pro-.
prlefy, I think if will be neceffary, under the prefent fituation
pf affairs, fo have them reraoved iramediately to fome raore
interior place, upon their paroles. If they remain, they may
he of infinite difadvantage.
I have the honor fo be, &c. G. W,
[On the outftde of the foregoing letter, which is, as ufual,
addreffed to the preftdent of Congrefs, appears the follow
ing line, to Mr. Peters, fecretary to the board of war,']
Sir, difpatch an exprefs immediately, to have the prlfonersi
^t Briftol removed, R- H. Harrison,

330 GENERAL WASHINGTOlV*S
Sii^, //ra^- ^Kari^rr,, TrirKfcw, Z>i-(r. 3, 1776.
I ARRIVED here myfeif yefterday raorning with
the main body of the army, having left lord Stirling with
t-wo brigades at Princeton and that neighborhood, fo watch-
the motions of the eneray, and give notice of their approach.
lam Informed that they had not entered Brunfwic yefterday
Bnorning at nine o'clock, but were on fhe oppofite fide of the
'JRariton. Immediately on my arrival here, I ordered the reraoval of
all the mflitary and other ftores and baggage over the Dela
ware :, a great quantity are already got over ; and as foon as
tSie boats come up from Philadelphia, we ffiall load thera ; by
¦which means I hope to have every thing fecured this nighir
and to-morrow, if we are not difturbed. After being dif-
«ncumbered of my baggage and ftores, my future fituadon
wifl depend entirely upon circumftances.
1 have not heard a word frora general Lee fince the twen
ty-fixth of laft month ; which furprifes me not a little, as I
have difpatched daily expreffes to him, dcfiriiig to know
when I might look for him. This makes rae fearful that
my letters have not reached hina. I am inforraed by report
that general St. Clair has joined hira with three or four regi
ments from the northward. To kno-w the truth of this, and
alfo when I raay expeft hira, and with what nu-rabers, I have
this rainute difpatched colonel Steward (general Gates's
aide-de-camp) to meet general Lee and bring me an ac
count, I look out earneftly for the relnfprcement from Philadel
phia, I am in hopes, that, if we can draw a good head of
men together, it will give fpirits to the militia of this ftate,
who. have as yet afforded me litfle or no affiftance ; nor can
1 find they are likely to do rauch.
General Heard juft Informs me that a perfon, on whofe
veracity he can depend, has reported to him that on funday
laft he counted a hundred and feventeen fafl of ffiips going oitt

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 331
out of fhe Hook, — You raay depend upon being advifed in
ftantly of any further movement in the enemy's army or
mine. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Trenton, December 4, 1776.
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you yefterday,
Lreceived a letter from general Lee. On the thirtieth ulti
mo he was at Peekfkill, and expefted fo pafs the river with
his divifion two days after. Frora this intefligence you wifl
readily conclude that he will not be able to aftbrd us any
aid for feveral days. The report of general St. Clair's having
joined hira with three or four regiments, I believe to be al
together prematuie, as he mentions nothing of It. It has
arifen, as I am informed, frora the return of fome of the
Jerfey and Pennfylvania troops frora Ticonderoga, whofe
time of fervice 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 laft
night frora major Clark, to which I beg leave to refer you
for the intelligence it contains. — The number of the enemy
faid to be embarked is fuppofed fo be rather exaggerated.
That there has been an embarkation, is liot to be doubted, it
being confirraed through various channels. By colonel Grif
fin, who went frora Brunfwic on funday morning with a
captain Sims, fo pafs hira by our guards, and who was de
tained by lord Cornwallis fill raonday evening on account of
his fituation, the amount of general Clinton's force, from
what he could colleft from the officers, was about fix thou-
ianc\: as to their deftination, he could not obtain the leaft.
inforraation. By hira I alfo learn fhe eneray were in Brunf
wic, and that forae of their advanced parties had proceeded
two rafles on this fide. The heavy rain that has fallen has
probably checked their progrefs, and may prevent their fur
ther movement for fome time.
I have the honor to be, &c. G, W.

.332 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
To Richard Peters, Efquire, Secretary to the Board of JJ'ar,
Sir, Head-B'^^^^'^'^y Trenton, Dec. 4, \']'j6,
YOURS of the twentieth of laft month was deliver
ed to me by the brigadier La Roche de Fermoy, who Is now
here, but unable to render me that fervice, which, I dare
fay, frora his charafter, he would, were he better acquainted
with our language.
I yefterday received a letter from you without a date,
mentioning that the prifoners frora York-town were direft
ed to halt at Newtown for ray orders. On hearing they were
there, I fent colonel Moylan to, conduft thera, and the pri
foners frora Reading who arrived nearly at the fame tirae,
over towards Brunfwic, and deliver fhera In.
I hope you have not fent captain Price, lieutenant Pea
cock, and major Carapbefl, on to this place, as it is highly
improper they ffiould fee and know the fituation pf our army
here and at Princeton. They had better be fent up, under
the care of forae perfon, fo Newtown or that neighborhood,
and there wait fhe arrival pf forae larger party, who, I Ima
gine, will be foon forwarded from Lancafter, and go In with
them. Lieutenant Symes came over fo me at Brunfwic from
Bethlehem without fhe leaft guard pr efcorf ; and a fieufe.-
nant of the feventh regiment wgnt through our whole army,
and was at laft difcovered by a mere accident. He had a
pals from the council of fafety, and that was all. Such an
irregular mode of fuffering prifoners to go In alone muft be
put a ftop to, or the enemy wfll be as well acquainted with
our fituation as we are ourfelves. If they are left at liberty
to chufe their own route, they wifl always take that through
pur array, for reafons too obvious fo meption.
I ara, fir, your moft obedient fervant, G, W,
I have been obliged to fend down a number of our fick to
Philadelphia, to make room for the troops, and to reraove them

6FFfClAL LETTERS. .-j^j
them out o^ the way* Be pleafed to . have forae care taken
to have them properly accommodated, I .ffiould think paft
of the HoUfe-of-employment might be procured for that
purpofe, I have ordered down an officer frOra each regiraent,
and a, furgeon's raate, if they can be fpared : but I hope they
wfll not want the affiftance of the vifiting phyfielans of the
hofpItaL

Sir, Trenton, December 5, I 776
AS nothing but neceffity obliged me to retire before
the enemy and leave fo much of the Jerfeys unprofefted, I
conceive It my duty, and it correfponds with my inclination,
to make head againft them fo foon as there ffiall be the leafft
probabflity of doing it with propriety. That the country might
in fome meafure be covered, I left two brigades confifting o£
the five Virginia regiraents and that of Delaware, containing
in the whole about twelve hundred raen fit for duty, under
the command of lord Stirling and general Stephen, at Prince
ton, till the baggage' and ftores could crofs the Delaware, or
the troops under their refpeftive commands ffiould be forced
from thence, I ffiall now, having reraoved fhe greateft part
of the above articles, face about v,?Lth fuch troops as are here
fit for fervice, and march back to Princeton, and there go
vern myfeif by circuraftances and the raoveraents of general
Lee, At any event, the enemy's progrefs may be retarded
by this raeans if they intend to corae on, and the people's
feats in fome meafure quieted, if they do not. Sorry I am
to obferve, however, that the frequent calls upon the railitia
of this ftate, the want of exertion in the principal gentlemen
of the country, or a fatal fupinenefs and infenfibllity of dan
ger tfll it is too late to prevent an evil that was not only
fprefeen but foretold, have been the caufes of our late dif-
graces. ' If the milida of this ftate had ftepped forth in feafon (and
timely notice they had), we might have prevented the enemy's croffing

334 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
croffing the Hackinfac, although without fome previous nodcc
of the time and place it was impoffible to have done this at
the North-river. We might with equal probabflity of fuc
cefs have made a ftand af Brunfwic on the Rariton. But
as both thefe rivers were fordable in a variety of places (knee-
deep only), it required many men fo defend fhe paffes ; and
thefe we had not. At Hackinfac our force was infufficient,
becaufe a part was at Elizabethtown, Araboy, and Brunf
wic, guarding a coaft which I thought raoft expofed to dan
ger ; and af Brunfwic, becaufe I was difappointed in my ex
peftation of railitia, and becaufe on fhe day of fhe enemy's
approach (and probably fhe occafion of it) the term of fhe
Jerfey and Maryland brigades' fervice expired j neither of
which would confent fo ftay an hour longer.
Thefe, araong ten thoufand other Inftances, might be ad
duced to ffiew the difadvantages of ffiort enliftments, and the
little dependence upon militia In times of real danger. But, as
yefterday cannot be recalled, I will not dwell upon a fubjeft
which, no doubt, has given riiuch uneafinefs to Congrefs, as
well as extrerae pain and anxiety to myfeif. My firft wiffi
Is that Congrefs may be convinced of the impropriety of re
lying upon the militia, and of the neceffity of raifing a larger
ftanding army than what they have voted.y The faving in the
article of ftores, provifions, and in a thoufand other things,
by having nothing to do with militia unlefs in cafes of extra
ordinary exigency, and fuch as could not be expefted in the
coraraon courfe of events, would amply fupport a large army,
which, well officered, would be daily improving, inftead of
continuing a deftruftive, expenfive, and diforderly mob.
I am clear in opinion, that, if forty thoufand men had beea
kept in conftant pay fince the firft comraencement of hofti-
lities, and fhe militia had been excufed doing duty during
that period, the continent would have faved money. When
I refieft on the loffes we have fuftained for want of good
troops, the certainty of this Is placed beyond a doubt in ray
.mind. In fuch cafe, the militia, who have been harraffed and

OFFICIAL LETTERS. " 33S
1
and tilled by repeated calls upon them (and farming and ma-
nufafturesin a manner fufpended), would, upon any preff
ing emergency, have run with alacrity to arms ; whereas the
cry now is, " they may be as wefl ruined in one way as an
other;" and with difficulty they are obtaln-ed.
I mention thefe things, to ffiew, that, in my opinion, if
any dependen-ce i^ placed in fhe mflltia another year, Con
grefs will be deceived. When danger is a little rem-ovcsl
from them, they wifl not turn out at all. When it comes
home to thera, the weU-affefted, Inftead of flying to anns to
defend therafelves, are bufily eraployed In removing tiieir
families and effefts, — whilft the difaffefted are concerting
meafures to make their fubmiffion, and fpread terror and
difmay all around, to induce others to follow fhe example-
— Daily experience and abundant proofs warrant tliis infor
mation. I ffiall this day reinforce lord Srirfing with about twelve
hundred men, which will make his number about two thou
fand four hundred. To-morrow I mean to repair fo Prince
ton myfeif, and ffiall order the Pensfylvania troops (who arc
not yet arrived, except part of the German bataUion and a
company of light Infantry) to the farae place.
By my laft advices, the eneray are ftill at Brunfwic ", and
the account adds that general Howe was expefted at Eiiza-
bcthtown with a reinforceraent, to ereft the king's ftandard,
and demand a fubmiffion of this ftate* I can only give this as
a report brought from the enemy's camp bv 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 yefterday. From every infor
mation, they ftill remain at Brunfwic, except fome of their
parties who are advanced a fmafl diftance on this fide. To day
9

3:J& GENERAL XVASHINGTON^S
day I ffiall fet out for Princeton myfeif, unlefs fomething
ffiould occur fo prevent me, which 1 do not expeft.
By a letter of the fourteenth ultimo from a Mr. Caldwell, a
elergyman, and a ftaunch friend to the caufe, who has fled
Hom Elizabethtown, and taken refuge in the raountains
about ten miles from hentCi I am informed that general or
lord HoWe was expefted in that town to publifli pardon
and peace. Ills words are, " I have not feen his proclataa-
fecn, but can only fay he gives fixty days of grace, and par-*
dons frora the Congrefs' down to the comraittee. No
one man in the continent is to be denied his mercy." — In
the language of this good man, the lord deliver us froin his
mercy 1
Your letter pf the third, by major Livingfton, was duly
Kceived. Before It came fo hand, I had wi'ote fo general
Howe about governor Franklin's exchange, but ara not cer
tain whether the letter could not be recovered. I difpatch-
cti a meffenger inftantly for that purpofe.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

IS

Sir, Mr. Berkle/s Summer Seat, Dec. 8. 1776.
COLONEL Reed would inform you of the Intelli-
o-ence which I firft raet v.'Ith on fhe road from Trenton to
Princeton yefterday. Before I got to the latter, I received '
a fecond exprefs informing rae, that, as the enemy were ad
vancing by different routes, and atterapting by one to get In
the rear of our troops which were there (and whofe num-*
bers were fmall, and the place by no raeans defenfible), they
had judged It prudent to retreat to Trenton. The retrea-fe
¦Was accordingly raade, and fince to this fide of fhe river.
This information I thought It my duty to canirafinicatc
as foon as poflible, as there Is not a raoffient's time to be;
loft in affembling fuch force as can be Collefted ; and as
the objeft of the eneray cannot now be doubted in th^
fmalleft

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 337
fmalleft degree. Indeed I ffiall be out in my conjefture (for
it Is only conjefture) if the late embarkation at New- York
is not for Delaware river, td co-operate with the array under
the immediate comraand of general How'C, Who, I ara in
formed from good authority, is with the Britiffi troops and
his whole force upon this route.
I have no certain intelligence of general Lee, although I
have fent frequent expreffes to him, and lately a colonel
Hiimpton to bring me Ibrae accurate accounts of his fituation.
I laft night difpatched another gentleman to hira (major
Hoops) defiring he would haften his march to fh^ Delaware,
in which I would provide boats near a place called Alexan
dria, for the tranfportatlon of his troops. — I cannot account
for the flownefs 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 -batallion arrived : —
they amount to about two thoufand.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.

Sir, Head-B^'^^^'^h Trenton Falls, Dec. 9, 1776.
I DID myfeif the honor of writing to you yefterday,
and informing yon that I had removed the troops to this fide
of the Delaware, Soon after, the eneray raade their appear
ance, and their van entered juft as our rear guard quitted.
We had reraoved all our ftores, except a few boards. — From
the beft information, they are in two bodies, one at and near
Trenton, the other forae rafles higher up, and Inclining to
wards Delaware ; but whether with intent to crofs dieie, or
throw themfelves between general Lee and me, is yet un
certain. I have this morning detached lord Sdrling wifh his bri
gade, to fake poft at the different landing-places, and prevent
them from ftealing a march upon us from above ; for I am
Vol. I. - Z informed,

338 GENERAL WASHING.TON'S
informed. If they crofs at Coryel's ferry or thereabouts, they
are as near to Philadelphia, as yve are here, Frora feveral
accounts I am led fo think that the eneray are bringing boats
.with thera : if fo, it will be impoffible for our fmall force to
:give them any confiderable oppofitlon in the paffage of fhe
river, {as they may] make a feint at one place, and, by a fud
den removal, carry their boats higher or lower before we can
bring our cannon to play upon thera.
Under thefe circuraftances, fhe fecurity of Phfladelphia
-fliould be our next objeft. — ^Frora ray own. reraerabrance,
but more frora Information (for I never viewed fhe ground),
I fliould think that a coraraunication of lines and. redoubts
-might foon be forraed frora the Delawa'ce to Schuylkill on
the north entrance of the city, the lines fo begin on the
Schuylkill fide, about the heights of Springatebury, and.run
eaftward to Delaware, upon the raoft advantageous and
comraanding grounds, if fomething of this kind is' not
done, the eiieiny might. In cafe any misfortune ffiould befall
us, march direftly In, and take poffeffion. We have ever
found that lines, however flight, are very forraldable to
them : they would at leaft give a check fill people could re
cover of the fright and confternation that naturally attends
the firft appearance of an enemy-
In thq mean time every ftep ffiould be taken to cofleft
force, not only from Pennfylvania, but frora fhe raoft neigh
borly ftates. If we can keep fhe enemy frora entering Phila
delphia, and keep the coramunication by water open for fup
plies. we may yet raake a ftand. If the country wifl corae to
our affiftance till our new levies can be collefted.
If the meafure of fortifying the city fliould be adopted,
fome ikilful perfon fliould immediately yiew fhe grounds,-
and begin to trace out the lines and works, I ara informed
there is a French engineer of eminence In Phfladelphia at
this time : if fo, he will be the raoft proper.
. I have the honor to be, &c, G. W,
P.S. I ha -/e juft received the Inclofed from g.eneral Heath.'
— General

6FFICIAL LETTERS. 339
•^General Mifflin is this raoraent come up, and fells rae that
ill fhe military ftores yet remain in Phfladelphia. This makes
the immediate fortifying of the city fp neceffary, that 1 have
defired genetal Mifflift to return to take charge of the ftotes^
and have ordered major-general Putnam imraediately down
to fuperintend the works and give the neceffary direftions.

Sir, Head-B^'^^^'^h P^Hi ofDelazuare, Dec. lo,- 1776.'
SINCE I had fhe honor of aiddreffrag you yefterday,
hothlng of iraportance has occurred. — In refpeft to the
eneray's movements, I have obtained no other Inforrhatlon
than that they have a nuraber of parties patroling up and
down the river, particularly abo-ve. As yet they have iiot
attempted to pafs ; not do any of their patroles, though
fome are exceedingly frriall, meet with the leaft iriterruptlon
frora the inhabitants of Jerfey,
By a letter received laft night fr'om general Lee, of the
eighth inftant, he was then at Morriftown, where he en--
terfained thoughts of eftabliffiing a poft '. but, on receiving
my'difpatches by raajor Hoops, I ffiould fuppofe he would be'
Convinced of t'he neceffity of his procee'dlrig this Way with all
fhe force he can bring.
I have the honor fo be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Nine o'clock, A. Mi — I this minute received In^
fOT'raatibn' that fhe enerhy were repairing the bridges three
Or four miles below Trenton; which feeras to indicate an
iiitentlon of their paffing lower doWn, and fug-gefts to me
the ileCeffity that forae attention ffiould be had to the fort at
Bifllngfport, left they ffiould poffefs themfelves of it ; the
Confideration of which I beg leave to fubmit to Congrefs* —
I'have wrote to thecouncfl of fafety on the fubjeft.

7. 2

340 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Sir, Head-B'"'^^''^' -^"^^¦^ of Delaware, Dec. 1 1, I'JI^.
AFTER I had wrote you yefterday, I received cer
tain informadon that fhe enemy, after repairing Crpfwix's
bridge, had advanced a party of about five hundred fo Bor
denfown, By their taking this route, if 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 direfted commodore Seymour to ftation all his
gallies between Bordenfown and Philadelphia, to give the
earlieft intefligence of any appearance of the enemy on the
Jerfey ffiore.
I yefterday rode up the river about eleven miles, to lord
Stirling's poft, where I found a prifoner of the forty-fecond
regiment who had been juft brought in. He informed rae
that lord Cornwallis was at Penny town with two batalfions
of grenadiers, and three of light infantry, afl Britiffi, the
Heffian grenadiers, the forty-fecond Highland regiment, and
two other batallions, the names of which he did not remember.
He knew nothing of the reafons of their being affembled
there, nor what were their future Intentions. But I laft
night iccelved Information from my lord Stirling, which had
been brought in by his fcouts, which In fome raeafure ac
counted for their being there. They had made a forced march
from Trenton on funday night, to Coryel's ferry, in hopes
of furprifing a fufficient number of boats to -tranfport them ;
but, finding themfelves difappointed, had raarched back to
Pennyfown, where they remained yefterday. From their
feveral attempts to feize boats, it does not look as if they
had brought any with thern, as I was at one time Informed.
I laft night fent a perfon over to Trenton, to learn whether
there wj.s any appearance of building any : but he could not
perceive any preparations for a work of that kind ; fo that I
am in hopes, if proper care is taken to keep all the craft out of

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 341
of their way, they wfll find the croffing Delaware a matter
of confiderable difliculty.
I received another letter from general Lee laft evening ;
it was dated at Chatham (which I take to be near Morrif
town) the eighth of this month. He had then received
my letter fent by major Hoops, but feemed ftill inclined to
hang upon the enemy's rear, to which I ffiould have no ob
jeftion, had I a fufficient force to oppofe them in front : but
as I have not at prefent, nor do I fee much probability of
further reinforcement, I have wrote to him iti the moft preff
ing terms, to join me with afl expedition.
Major Sheldon, who coraraands the volunteer horfe from
Connefticut, waits upon Congrefs to eftabliffi forae raode of
pay. I can only fay that fhe fervice of hirafelf and his troop
has been fuch as merits fhe warmeft thanks of the public,
and deferves a handfome compenfation for their trouble.
Whatever is fettled now, wfll ferve for a precedent in fu
ture. — Frora the experience I have had, this campaign, of
the utflity of horfe, I am convinced there is no carrying on
the war without them ; and I would therefore recomraend
the eftabliffiment of one or more corps (In propordon to the
number of foot) in addition to thofe already raifed in Vir
ginia. If major Sheldon would undertake the command
of a reglraent of horfe on the continental eftabliffiment, I
believe he could very foon raife them ; and I can recomraend
him as a man of aftivity and fpirit, from what I have feen of
him, — I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W.

Sir, Trenton Falls, December I2, 1776.
I LAST night received the favor of Mr. Thompfon's
letter inclofing fhe proceedings of Congrefs, of the eleventh
inftant. — As the publication of their refolve, in ray opinion,
will not lead to any good end, but, on the contrary, may be at
tended with forae bad confequences, I ffiall take fhe hberty
to decline inferting it in this day's orders. I am perfuaded,
Z3 if

34? ' GENERAL WASHINGTON'S ,
if the fubjeft is taken up and reconfidered, that Congrefs
will concur with me In fentiment. I doubt not but there are
fome who have propagated the report: but what if they
have? Their remaining In pr leaving Philadelphia muft be
governed by circumftances and events. If their departure
fliould become neceffary, it will be right ; on the other hand,
if there fliould not be a neceffity for It, they wfll reraajn, and
their continuance will ffiew the report fp be the produftion
of calumny and falfehood. In a word, fir, I conceive it a
raatter that may be as well difregarded ; and that the re
moval or ftaying of Congrefs, depending entirely upon
events, ffiould not have been the fubjeft of a refolve.
The intelligence we obtain refpefting the raoveraents and
fituatiori pf the enemy is far from being fo certain and fatif-
faftory as I could wifli, though every probable means in my
power, and that I can devife, are adopted for that purpofe.
The lateft I have received was frora lord Stirling laft night.
He fays that two grenadiers of the Innifkiflen reglraent,
who were taken and brought In by forae countrymen. In
form that generals Howe, Cornwallis, Vaughan, &c, with
about fix thoufand of tlie flying army, were af Pennytov/n,
Malting for jDontoons to come up, with which they raean fo
pafs the river near the Blue Mounts, or at Coryel's ferry, —
they believe, the latter; — that the (two batallions of guards
were at Brunfwic, and the Heffian grenadiers, chaffeurs, and
¦A regiment or two of Britifti troops, are at Trenton.
Captain Miller of colonel Haiid's regiment alfo informs
jne, that a body of the enemy were, marching to Burlington
yefterday morning. He had been fent over yi'yth a flrong
fcouting' party, and, at day-break, fell in with their advanced
guards cpnfilUflg of about four hundred Heffian troops, who
fired upon him before they were difcovered, but withput sjiy.
Ipfs, and obliged him to retreat wjth his party and to take
boat. The number pf the wliole he could not afcertain ;
but it appeared to be confiderable. Captain Miller's ac
count is, partly confirmed by commodore Seymour who re
ports

OFFICIAL LETTERS,. •* 343
ports that four or five hundred of the eneray had entered fhe
town. Upon the whole, there can be no doubt but that
Phfladelphia Is their objeft, and that they will pafs the De.-
laware as foon as poffible. Happy ffiould I be if I could fee
the raeans of preventing them : at prefent, I confefs, I do
not. Afl raflifary writers agree that it is a work of great
difficulty, nay irapraftlcablc, where there is any extent of
coaft to guard. This is the cafe with -us; and we have to
do It wifh a force, fmall and Inconfiderable, and much infe
rior to that of the eneray. Perhaps Congrefs have forae
hope and profpeft of reinforcements : I have no Intelligence
of the -fort, and wiffi to be informed on fhe fubjeft. Our
, little handful is daily decreafing by ficknefs and other caufes :
and, without aid, without confiderable fuccours and exertion's
on fhe part of fhe people, what can we reafonably look for
or expeft, but an event that will be feverely felt by tlie com
mon caufe,, and that will wound the heart of every virtuous
American, — the lofs of Philadelphia ?- The fubjeft Is dif
agreeable ; but yet it is true, I will leave It, wifliing that
cur fituation may bec&rae fuch as to do away the apprehen
fions which at this time feera to fill the rainds of too raany,
and with too rauch juftice.
By a defter frora general Heath, dated at Peekfkill, the
eighth, I ara advifed that lieutenant-colonel Vofe was then
there with Greaton's, Bond's, and Porter's regiments,
amounting in the whole to b,etwe;en five and fix hundred
men, who were coraing this way. He adds that general?
Gates and Arnold would be at Gofhen that night, with
Stark's, Poor's, and Read's regiraents ; but fpr what pur-i
pofe, he does not mention.
The Inclofed extraft of a letter which I received laft
, night contains intelligence of an agreeable nature. I wiffi tp
hear Its confirmation by the arrival of the feveral prizes :
diat with clotliing. and arras will be an invaluable acqtiifir
tion. I,ffialljbe glad to be .^dvlfed of the mode I am tp obferve
..3 ' % 4 in

344 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
in paying the officers ; whether they are to be allowed to
draw the pay lately eftabliffied, and from what tirae, or how
long they are to be paid under the old eftabliffiment. A pay»
foU which was prefented yefterday, being made up for the
new, has given rife to thefe propofitions. Upon my pbjeft-
jng fo it, I was told that Congrefs or the board of war had
eftabllflipd the precedent, by paying the fixth regiment of
Virginia troops comraanded by colonel Buckner, agreeably
to the latter, as they came through Phfladelphia,
I have the honor fo be, &c. G. W,

Sir, Head-B"^^^^^' Trenton Falls, Dec, 13, 1776.
THE apparent defigns pf the eneray being to avoid
this ferry, and land their troops above and below us, have
induced me reraove from this place the greater part of the
troops, and throw them into a different difpofition on the
river, whereby I hope not only to be more able to impede
their paffage, but alfo to avoid t'ne danger of being inclofed
in this angle of the river. And notwithftanding the extend-*-
ed appearances of the enemy on the other fide, raade, at
leaft in part, to divert our attention from any particular
point as well as to harrafs us by fatigue, I cannot divcft my
feif of the opinion that their principal defign is fo ford the
river fomewhere ahovp Trenton ; to which defign I have had
particular refpeft In the new arrangement, wherem I am fo
far happy as to have the concurrence of the general officers
at this place.
Four brigades of the army, under generals lord Sdrilng,
Mercer, Stephen and De Fermoy, extend from Yardley's up
to Coryel's ferry, pofted m fuch a manner as to guard every
fufpicious part of the river, and fo afford affiftance to each
pther in pale of attack. General Ewing, with the flying
pamp pf Pennfylvania, and a few Jerfey troops under general
Pjckinfon, a^e pofted from Yardley's ferry down to fhe
fcTry opppfite Bordenfown. Colonel Cadwallader, with thp
fennfylyf^nia militia, occupies the grpundl above and below the

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 345
the mouth of Neffiaralny river as far down as Dunk's ferry, at
which place colonel Nixon is pofted with the third batallioii
of [Pennfylvania], A proper quantity cf artillery is appointed
to each brigade ; and I have ordered fmall redoubts to be
thrown up oppofite every place where there is a poffibility
of fording.^-I ffiall reraove further up the river to be near
the raain body of ray fmall army, with which every poffible
oppofitlon fliall be given to any further approach of the
enemy towards Phfladelphia.
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 dian to repair to the
counties where his intereft lies, to animate the people, pro
mote fhe recruiting fervice, and encourage the militia to
come in. He will alfo be able fo forra a proper judgraent
pf the places fuitable for magazines of provifion to be col
lefted. I have requefted hira to wait upon Congrefs on this
fubjeft : >and If general Sraallwood fliould go to Maryland
on the farae bufinefs, I think It would have a happy effeft :
he is popular and of great Influence, and, I am perfuaded,
would contribute gready fo that ftate's furnifliing her quota
pf men in a little time. He is now in Philadelphia.
I hpve the honor to be, &c. G. 'S\.

Sir, Head- B^"^^'^''^^ f^ Keith's, Dec. 15, 1776,
ABOUT one o'clock to-day I received a letter from'
general Sullivan, a copy of which you have inclofed. I will
not comment on the melancholy intelligence which it con
tains, only adding that I fincerely regret general Lee's un
happy fate, and feci much for the lofs of my country ui his
captivity. In refpeft to the eneray, they have -been induftrious In
their atterapts to procure boats and fraall craft : but as yet
their efforts have not fucceeded. Frora the lateft advices
Jh.3t I haye of their movements by fome prifoners and others,. ti.ey

346 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
they appear to be leaving Trenton, and to be filing off to..
wards Princeton and AHentown. What their defigns are,
whether they mean to retreat, or only a feint, cannot be de
termined. 1 have parties out fo watch their motions, and to
form, if poffible, an accurate opinion of their plans.
Our force, fince ray laft, has received no augmentation, —
of courfe, by ficknefs and other caufes, has dirainiffied : but
I am advifed by a letter from the council of fafety, which
juft came to hand, that colonels Burd and Gilbreath are
marcliing-with their batafllons of militia, and alfo that fome
fruall parties are affembling in Cumberland county. * * *
I have the lionor to be, &c, G. W,

Sir, Hcad-B'"^"'^ at Keith's, Dec. l6, 1776,
IN a late letter which I had fhe honor of addreffing
you, I took the liberty fo recommend that raore batallions
fhould be raifed for the new army than what had been
voted. Having fully confidered the raatter, I arri more and
more convinced not only of the propriety but of the necef-^
fity of the raeafure. That the eneray will leave nothing
un-effayed in the courfe of the next campaign to reduce
thefe ftates to the rule of a raoft «¦ * *^ muft be obvious
to every one ; and that the railitia Is not to be depended on,
or aid expefted frora thera but in cafes of the moft preffing
emergency, is not to be doubted. The firft of thefe propofi
tions is unqueftionkble, and fatal experience has given her
fanftion to the truth of the latter • indeed their lethargy of
late, and backwardnefs to turn out at this alarming crifis,
feem to juftify an apprehenfion that nothing can bring them
from their homes. For want of their affiftance, a large part
of Jerfey has been expofed fo ravage and to plunder ; nor
do I know that Pennfylvania would ffiare a better fate, could
general Howe effeft a paflnge acrofs the Delaware with a
refpeftable force, Thefe confiderations have induced me to
wiffi that no reliance, except fuch as may arife from neceffity, ffiould

OFFICIAL LETTERS, 347
fiiould ever be had In thera again ; an,d to" make further meiir
tion tp .Congrefs of fhe expediency of increafing their array,
— I truft the meafure will meet their earlieft attention.
Had I leifure and were It necefiary, I could fay much
upon this head : but, as I have not, and the matter Is well
underftood, I will not add much. By augmenting the
number of your batallions, ypu wfll augment your force : the
officers of each will have their intereft and Influence ; and,
upon the whole, their numbers will be much greater, though
they ffiould not be complete. Added to this, from the pre
fent confufed ftate of Jerfey, and the Improper appointment
of officers in raany inftances, I have little or no expeftation
that ffie will be able fp raife all fhe troops exafted frora her,
though I think It might be done, were fuitable fpirited
gentlemen coraralffioned, who would exert therafelves, and
encourage the people, raany of whora (for a faflure in this
inftance, and who are well difpofed) are raaking their fub-
miffions,— In a word, fhe next will be a trying campaign :
and as all that is dear and valuable raay depend upon fhe
iffue of it, I would advife that nothing ffiould be omitted,
that fliall feem neceffary to our fuccefs. Let us have a re
fpeftable a^my, and fuch as will be competent to eVery exi
gency. I will alfo add that fhe critical fituatlpn of our affairs, and
the diffolution of our prefent force (now at hand), require
that every tjerve and exertion be employed for recruiting the
ijew bata}llpr}s. One part of general Howe's raoveraents at
this tirae, I belleye, Is with a defign to diftraft us and pre
vent this bufinefs. If the inclemency of the weather ffiould
force hira into winter-quarters, he will not remain there
Ipnger than neceffity ftiall oblige hjin : he will commence his
Qperatipns Iii a fliort fpacg of time; and in that time our
levies muft be made up, tq pppofp him, pr I fear the moft
pelancholy of all events rauft fake place.
The Inclofed extraft of a letter from the comraiffary-ge-
i|eral wfll {hew hjs demands fof money, and his plans for
.;..„  - procuring

30 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ptocurmg falted provifions and a quantity cf flour from the
fouthward. The whole is fubmitted to the confideration of
Congrefs ; and I wiffi the refult of their opinion to be tranf
mitted him, with fuch fupplies of money as may be neceffary
for himfelf and the departments he mentions.
The clothing of the troops is a matter of infinite import
ance, and, if it could be accompllflied, would have a happy
effeft. Their diftreffes are extremely great, many of them
being entirely naked, and moft fo thinly clad as to be unfit
for fervice. I muft entreat Congrefs to write fo the agents
and contraftors upon this fubjeft, that every poffible fupply
may be procured and forwarded with the utmoft expedition.
I cannot attend to the bufinefs myfeif. having more than I
can poffibly do befides.
1 have the honor to be, &c. G, W.

Sir, Camp, above Trentsn Falls, Decs, 3.0, 177^'
I HAVE waited with much Impatience to know the
determinations of Congrefs on fhe propofitions made fome
time in Oftober laft for augmenting our corps of artillery and
eftabliffiing a corps of engineers. The time is now come-^when
the firft cannot be delayed without the greatefl injury to the
fafety of thefe ftates ; and therefore, under the refolution of
Congrefs bearing date the twelfth inftant, at the repeated
inilgnces of colonel Knox, and by the- preffing advice of all
the general officers now here, I have ventured to order three
b-'.tallions of ardllery to be imraediately recruited. Thefe
jre two leis than colonel Knox recommends, as you will fee
bv his plan inclofed : but then this fcheme comprehends all
the United States, whereas fome of the ftates have corps
already eftabiifiied, and thefe three batallions are indifpenfa-
blv necefiary for the operations in this quarter. Including the
northern department.
The pay of our artlllerifts bearing no proportion with
that in die FngHfo or French fervice, — the raurmuring and
diff.itisfaftioa

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 349
diffatisfaftion thereby occafioned, and the abfolute irapoiri-
bllify (as I am told) of getting them upon the old terms, —
and the unavoidable neceffity of obtaining them at all events,
— liave-iiiduced me (alfo by advice) to proraife officers and
men that their pay ffiould be augmented twenty-five per
cent, or that their engagements fliall becorae null and void.
This may appear to Congrefs premature and uii^warrant.'ibk-
Buf, fir, If they view our fituation In the light it ftrikes their
officers, they will be convinced of the utility of the raeafure,
and that the execution could not be delayed till after their
meeting at Baltimore. In ffiort, the prefent exigency of our
affairs will not admit of delay either in council or the field :
for well convinced I ara, that, if the eneray go into quarters
atall< it will be for a fliorf feafon. But I rather think the
defign of general Howe Is to poflefs himfelf of Philadelphia
this winter, If poflible ; and In truth I do not let what is to
prevent him, as ten days more will put an end to the exifl-
eiice of our army. That one great point is to keep us as
much harraffed as poffible, with a view to Injure the recruit
ing fervice and hinder a colleftlon of ftores and other ne-
ceffarles for the next campaign, I am as clear in, as I am of
my exiftence. If therefore,— {ivhen] we have to provide in
this ffiort Interval, and make thefe great and arduous prepa
rations, — 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
are too dangerous to be entrufted. 1 can only add that de
fperate difeafes require defperate remedies ; and with truth
declare that I have no luft after power, but wifli with as
much fervency as any man upon this wide-extended conti
nent for an opportunity of turning the fword into a plough-
ftiare. But my feelings, as an officer and a man, have been
fuch as to force rae to fay that no perfon ever had a greater
choice of difficulties to contend with than I have. — It Is
needlefs

*^o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
needlefs to add that ffiort enliftments, and a miftaken de*
pendence upon mflida, have been the origin of afl our mlf-
fortunes and the great accuraulafion of our debt.
We find, fir, that fhe eneray are daily gathering ftrength
from the difaffefted. This ftrength, like i fnow-ball, by
rolling, win iftcreafcj tmlefs forae raeans cari be devifed to
check effeftually fhe progrefs of the enemy's arras. Mflltia
may poflibly do it for a Htde while : bfit in a little while alfo,
the militia of thofe ftates which have been frequendy called
Upon will not turn out at afl ; or, if they do, it Will be with
fo much reluftance and floth, as to amount to the fame
thing :— inftance, Ne w- Jerfey F—wIf nefs, Pennfylvania!—
Could any thing but the river Delaware have faved Phlla-
dephia ? — Can any thing (the exigency of fhe calfe Indeed may
juftify it) be more deftruftive to the recruiting fervice, than
giving ten dollars bounty for fix weeks' fervice of the mili
tia, who come In, you cannot tefl how, — go, you cannot tell
when, — 'and aft, you cannot fell where, — confurae your pro-
vifion.s, exhauft your ftores, and leave you ac laft af a cri
tical raoraent .''
Thefe, fir, are the men I ara fo depend upon, fen days
hence : this Is the bafis on which your caufe will and muft
forever depend, till you get a large ftanding army fufficient
of itfelf to oppofe the enemy. I therefore beg leave to give
it as my humble opinion, that eighty-eight batallions are
by no means equal fo the oppofitlon you are to make, and
that a moment's time is not to be loft in raifing a greater num
ber, — not lefs, in ray opinion and the opinion of ray officers,
than a hundred and fen. It may be urged that it will be
found difficult enough to coraplete fhe firft nuraber. This
nTay be true, and yet the officers of a hundred and fen ba
tallions will recruit many more men, than thofe of eighty-
eight. In ray judgraent this Is not a tirae fo ftand upon
expenfe : our funds are the only objeft of confideration.
The ftate of New-York have added one batallion (I wifli
they had made it two) to their quota.^f any good officers offer

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 35/
©ffer to raife men upon contlnenfal pay and eftabliffiment in
this quarter,,! ffiall encourage them to do fo, and regiment
them when they have done it. If Congrefs difapprove of
this proceeding, they wfll pleafe to fignify It, as I rtiean it for
the beft.
It may be thought that I ara going a good deal out of tlie
line of ray duty, to adopt thefe raeafures, or to advife thus
freely. A charafter to lofe, — an eftate to forfeit, — fhe In-
eftlraable bleffings of liberty at ftake, — and a life devoted,—
muft be my excufe.
I have heard nothing of fhe light-horfe from Virginia,
nor the regiment frora fhe Eaftern-Shore. I wifli to know
what troops are to aft In the different departraents, and to
have thofe frora the fouthward (defigned for this place) or-r
dered on as faft as they ffiall be raifed. The route ffiould
be pointed out by which they are to march ; affiftant-cora-
niiilaries and quarter- raafters upon fhe coraraunication, to
fupply their wants ; the firft or fecond officer of each batal
lion to forward thera, and the other to come on, receive and
form them at their place of deftination. Unlefs this is imrae
diately fet about, the carapaign. If It ffiould 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 fliould be appointed without lofs of time for
fupplying the array with every article in that way : — he
ffiould be a man of bufinefs and abilities. A comrailTary of
prifoners muft be appointed to attend the army : — for want
of an officer of this kind, the exchange of prifoners has been
condufted In a moft fliaraeful and injurious raanner. We
have had thera frora all quarters puflied into our caraps at
the moft critical junftures, and without the leaft previous
hodce. We have had fhera travelling through the different:
ftates In all direftions by certificates frora coraraltfees, with
out any kind of control ; and have had inftances of fome
'going into the enemy's carap without ray privity or know-
7 iei^ge*

3S2 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ledge, after paffing In fhe manner before raentioned. -^Thcre
may be other officers neceffary which I do not recolleft at
this time, and which, when thought of, rauft be provided:
for this, fir, you raay rely on, that flie commanding officer,
under the prefent eftabliffiraent, is obUged to attend to fhe
bufinefs of fo many different departments, as fo render it
impoffible to conduft that of his own with the attention ne
ceffary; — than which, nothing can be more injurious.
In a forraer letter, I intiraated my opinion of the neceffity
cf having a brigadier for every three regiments, and a raajor-
general to every three brigades, at moft. I think no time is
to be loft in making the appointments, that the arrangements
may be confequent. This will not only aid the recfulting
fervice, but will be the readleft means of forming and dif-
cipilnlng fhe army afterwards, which, in the ffiort time we
fiave to do it, is of amazing confequence. I have labored,
ever fince I have been In fhe fervice, fo difcourage afl kinds
of local attachments and diftinftlons of country, denomi
nating the whole- by he greatert name of 'American:' but
I found it impoffible fo over come prejudices ; and, under fhe
jnew eftabllfliment, I conceive if beft fo ftir up an emula
tion ; In order fo do which, would it not be better for each
ftate to furniffi (though not to appoint) their own briga
diers 1 — This, if known to be part of fhe eftabllfliment,
might prevent a good deal of contention and jealoufy; and
Would, I believe, be the means of promotions going forward
With more fatisfa6lion, and quiet the higher officers.
Whflft I am fpeaking of promotions, I cannot help giving
it as my opinion, that, if Congrefs think proper to confirm
what lhave done with . refpett to the corps of artillery, co
lonel Knox (at prefent at the head of that departnient, 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 mention, that, for want of fome eftabliffiment
in the department of engineers agreeable to the plan laid be
fore Congrefs in Oftober laft, colonel Putr.am, who was at
8 the

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 353
the head of it, has quilted, and taken a regiment in the
ftate of Maffachufetts. I know of no other man tolerably
well qualified for the condufting of that bufiftefs. None of
the French gentlemen whora I have feen with appoinfraents
in that way appear to me to -know any thing of the matter.
There Is one in Philadelphia) who, I am told, is clever : but
him I have never feen.
I muft alfo once more beg leave tb mention to Congrefs
the expediency of letting promotions be in a regimental Hne.
T-he want of this has already driven fome of the beft officers
Jthat were in your army, out of the fervice. From repeated
and ftrift inquiry I am convinced you can adopt no mode of
promotion that will be better received, or that wIU give
¦more general fatisfaftion. I wiffi therefore to have if afl-
nounced. The caftlng of cannon is a matter that ought not to be
one raoraent delayed : and therefore I ffiall fend colonel Knox
to put this in a train, as alfo to have travelling carriages and-
ffiot provided, — elaboratories fo be eftabliffied, one in Hart
ford, and another in York. Magazines of provifions ffiould
alfo be laid in. Thefe I ffiall fix with the coramiffary. As
our great lofs laft year proceeded from a want of teams, I
fhall direft the quarter-mafter-general to furniffi a certain
number to each regiment fo anfwer the coraraon purpofes
thereof, that fhe array raay be enabled fo reraove from place
to place differently from what we have done, or could do,
this campaign. Ammunition carts, and proper carts for
intrenching tools, ffiould alfo be provided, and I ffiall direft
about them accordingly. Above afl, a ftore of fmall arms
fliould be provided, or men wfll be" of little ufe. The con
fumption and wafte of thefe, this year, has been great :-—
inilitla, flying-camp men, &c, coming in without, were ob
liged to be furnlffied, or become ufelefs. Many of thefe
threw their arms away : forae loft thera, whilft others de
ferted, and took them away. In a word, although I ufed
Vol. I. A a every

354 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
every precaution to pre&rvc them, the io& has been great ;
and this will forever he the cafe ia fuch z. mixed and ir
regular army as otzrs has been.
If no part of the troops already embarked at New- York
• has appeared in 'Virginia, their deiiinalion doubtlefe maft
- be lo feme other quarter ; and that ftate muft, I fliould
diink, be freed from any invafion, if general Howe can Be
' effeftually oppofed in this. I therefoax inclofe a- memo-
• random given mc by brigadier Stephen of Virginia, which
Congrefs will pleafe to adopt ia the whole, — in part,— or
' rejeft, — as may be confiftent with their plans and intelligence.
The divifien of the army, late under the command of ge
neral Lee, now general Suliiv^i, is juft upon the point of
- joining us. 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, -witK four eaftern-'
regiments, is alfo near at hand: three others from thofe
- ftates were coming on, by his order, by the way of Peekfkill,
- and had joined general lieadi whom I had ordered on with
' Ka.rf6ns's brigade, to join me, leaving Clinton-'s brigade and
feme miiitia (that were at Forts Montgomery and Confli-
tm'tion) to guard thofe important pafles of the Highlands. -
'Bu£ the convention of the ftate of New- York feeming to
be iliuch alapnedat He-ath's coming away, — a fleetappear-
-Itig off New- London, — ^aud forae p-art'of the enemy's troops
iTCtlring towrards Brunfwic, — induced mc to countermand the
v.i-det fof the march of Parfons's brigade, and to direft thfc
-three rtegtments from Ticonderoga to halt at Morriftown In
¦Jerfey (where I underftand about eight hundred militia had
•collefted), in order to infpult the inhabitants, and, as far
"aS poffible, cover that part of the country. I .ffiall fend ge-
•Heral Maxwell this day to take the command of fhem,'and,
if Eo be done, to harrafs and annoy the enemy In their quar
ters* and' cut off their convoys.
The c%re and vigilance, which were ufed in fecuring the
i - ./ . boats

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 355
boats on this river, have hitherto baffled every attempt of the
enemy to crofs : but, from concurring reports and appear
ances, they are waiting for ice to afford them a paffage.
Since writing fhe foregoing I have received a letter from
governor Cooke of Rhode-Ifland, of which the inclofed Is a
copy. Previous to this, and iraraedlately upon the firft In
telligence obtained of a fleet's going through the Sound, I dif
patched orders f o generals Spencer and Arnold to proceed with
out the leaft delay to the eaftward. The firft, I prefume, is
gone : the latter, not getting my letter till he came to a place
called Eafton, was, by advice of general Gates who alfo met
my letter at the farae place, induced to come on hither before
he proceeded to the eaftward. — Moft of our brigadiers are laid
up : ns)t one has come on with the divifion under general Sul
livan, but they are left fick at different places on the road. ;
By accounts from fhe eaftward, a large body of men had
affembled in Rhode-Ifland from fhe ftates of Maffachufetts
and Connefticut. I prefume (but I have no advice of it)
that the liiilitia ordered from fhe firft, to rendez-vous at
Danbury (fix thoufand in number) under fhe comraand of
major-general Lincoln, for fupplying the. place of the dif
banded men of that ftate in the continental army, will now
be ordered fo Rhode-Ifland;
In fpeaking of general Lincoln, I ffiould not do him
juftice, were I not to add that he is a gentleraan well worthy
of notice in the raflifary line. He coraraanded the mflltia
from Maffachufetts laft fummer, or fall rather, and much
to my fatisfaftIon,-^having proved himfelf on all occafibns;
an aftive, fpirited, fenfible raan. I do not know whether it ,
is his wiffi fo reraain in the military fine, or whether, if he
fiiould, any thing under the rank he now holds in the' ftate -
he comes from would fatisfy him. . How far an appoint
ment of this kind might offend the continental brigadiers,-
I canhot undertake to fay : — many there are, over whbni he:
6ught not fo be placed ; but I know of no way to dlfcrl-
mlnate.^Brigadier Reed of New-Hampffiire does not,, I.
• - ' : Aaa prefume,

356 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
prefume, mean to continue in fervice : he ought not, — as I
am told, by the feverity of fhe fmall-pox, he is become both
bhnd 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 regiraentSx coraing on with them, and that there is
very little reafon to expeft that thefe regiments will be pre-
vafled upon to continue after their term of fervice expires.
If militia then do not come in, the confequences are but
too evident.

Sir, Camp above Trenton Falls, Decem. 24, 177^-
THAT I ffiould dwell upon the fubjeft of our dif
treffes, cannot be more difagreeable to Congrefs than If is
painful to rayfelf. The alarralng fituation to which our
affairs are reduced Irapels me to the meafure. Inquiry and
inveftlgation, — ^which in moft cafes ferve fo develop and point
out a remedy,— in ours, prefent raore and greater difficulties.
Till of late, I was led to hope from report that no inconfi
derable part of the troops compofing fhe regiments that
were with general Lee, and thofe from Ticonderoga under
general Gates, had enlifted again. This intelligence, I con
fefs, gave me reafon to expeft that I ffiould have, at the ex
piration of the prefent year, a force fomewbat more re
fpeftable than what I find will be the cafe.
Having examined into fhe ftate of thofe regiments, I am
authorifed to fay from the inforraation of their officers, that
but very few of the men have enhfted. Thofe who have
are of the troops from Ticonderoga, and were permitted to
vifit their friends and homes, as part of the terms on which
they would re-engage. In refpeft to thofe who raarched
with general Lee, I cannot learn that any have. Their re
fufal, I am told, has not proceeded more from an averfion
to the fervice, or any fixed determination not fo engage
again, than from their wiflies to return home,— the non-ap-
2 polntment

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 357
polntment of officers in fome inftances, — the turning out of
good, and appointing of bad, — in others, and the incomplete or
rather no arrangement of them, — a work unhappily commir-
ted to the management of their ftates : nor have I the moft
diftant profpeft of retaining them a moment longer than
the laft of this inftant, notwithftanding the rhoft preffmg
follcltatipns and fhe obvious neceffity for it.
By the departure of thefe regiraents I fliall be left with
five frora Virginia, Sraallwood's frora Maryland, a fmall
part of Rawlins's, Hand's from Pennfylvania, a part of
'Ward's from Connefticut, and the German batallion,
amounting in the whole at this time from fourteen to fifteen
hundred eft'eftlve men. This handful, and fuch militia as
may chufe to join me, will then compofe our army.
When I refieft upon thefe things they fill me with much
concern, knowing that general Howe has a number of troops
cantoned in the towns bordering on and near fhe Delaware,
"—his Intentions to pafs, as foon as fhe ice is fufficiently
formed, to invade Pennfylvania and to poffefs himfelf of
Philadelphia if poffible. To guard againft his defigns and
the execution of them, ffiall employ my every exertion ; but
how is this fo be done ? As yet but few militia have gone
to Philadelphia, and they are fo be our fupport at this alarm
ing crifis. Had I entertained a doubt of general Howe's
intentions to pafs fhe Delaware on the diffolution of our
army, and as foon as the ice is made, it would now be done
away. An intercepted lefter from a gentleman of Phfla
delphia (who has joined fhe eneray), to his friend and part
ner In the city declares that to be their defign, — that the
army would be there in ten or twenty days from the fix
teenth inftant, the time of his writing, if the Ice ffiould be
made ;— -advifes hira by no means to remove their ftores, —
that they would be fafe.
The obftacles which have arifen to the rai-lng of the new
army, from the mode of appointing fhe officers. Induce me
to hope, if Congrefs refolve on an additional nuraber of
A a 3 batallions

3S8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
batallions to thofe already voted, that they will devife fome
other rule by which the officers, efpeciafly the field-officers^
ffiould be appointed. In cafe an augmentation ffiould be
made to, fhe eaftern regiments, a deviation from the former
mode wfll operate more ftrongly as to them than to other
batallions, bpcaufe there have been many raore officers in
fervice frora thofe ftates, than fhe regiments voted to be
raifed would admit of; by which means feveral deferving
men could not have been provided for, had the utmoft pains
been ufed for the- purpofe ; and raany others of merit have
been neglefted in the late appointments, and thofe of little
worth and lefs experience put in their places or promoted
pver their heads. This has been the cafe with many of the
beft officers.
The inclofed lefter from the paymafter-general wifl ffiew
the ftate of the military cheft, and fhe neceffity of a large
snd imraedlate fupply pf caffi. The advances fo fhe officers,
for bounty and the recruiting fervice, are great : befides, fhe
regiraents, at the expiration pf this month, wifl require pay
of their claims, * * * .
I have fhe honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S, If the public papers have been reraoved from Phila
delphia, I hope thpfe which I fent by lieutenant-colonel
Reed before we left Nevy-York have not been forgot. If
they have not, I<beg the favor of you to break open the
'cheft, and fend ifie the feveral kf ter-books fealed up, having
frequent occafion tp refer to fhera.

To Robert Morris Efquire.^
Pear Si^, Hea.d-Barters, December 25, 1776,
I HAVE your obliging favors of fhe twentyrfirft and
twenty-third. The blankets are come fo hand; but 1 would
not have any of the other goods fent on tfll yoy hear again
frora me.
f agree with you that it is in vain tq ruminate upon, of
eveq

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 359
even refieft upon the authors or caufes of, our prefent mif-
fprf unes : we ffiould rather exert ourfelves, and look forward
with hopes that fome lucky chance may yet turn up in our
favor. Bad as our profpefts are, I ffiould not have the
leaft doubt of fuccefsin fhe end, did npt the late treachery and
defeftion of thofe, who ftood fpremoft in fhe oppofitlon while
fortune frailed upon us, raake rae fearful that many more will
foflow -their example, who, by ufing their influence with fome
and working upon the fears of others, may extend the cir
cle fo as to take in whole towns, counties, nay provinces.
Of this we have a recent Inftance in Jerfey ; and I wiffi many.
parts pf Pennfylvania raay not be ready to receive the yoke.i-
The fecurity of thecontlnental ffiips of war in Delaware is
certainly a capital objeft; and yet fo draught the many hands,
neceffary fo fit them out, from fhe militia, might be dan
gerous juft now : perhaps in a litfle time hence their places
may be fupplied with country militia ; and then, if the exi
gency of affairs requires it, they certainly ought to be fpared.
— I will juft hint to you a propofition that was made, or
rather talked of, 3 few days ago by the officers of two New-?
England regiments whofe time of fervice wfll expire on the
firft of January. They are moft of them wafer raen: and
they faid their raen would willingly go on board the frigates,
and navigate fhera round to any of the ports in New-Eng
land, if it was thought they would be fafer there than in
Delaware. You raay think of this, and let me hear froni
you on the fubjeft, If fhe propofition pleafes you.
Lieutenant Boger of the navy is already gone in, and I
have raade a deraand of lieutenant Jofiah in exchange ; but
I have not heard whether lord Howe accedes to It. I will
procure fhe releafe of doftor Hodge as foon as it can be done
withput injuring others by giving hira the preference, as I
h^ve always made it a rule to deraand thofe firft who have
been longeft iri captivity. I will fake fhe farae fteps in re
gard fo Mr. Jones, commaiider of the floop taken by the
Andrew Doria. Ifiiall

360 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I ffiall take the earlieft opportunity of fending in your
tetter to general Lee, vi'ith the bill drawn upon major Small.
From an Intercepted letter from a perfon In the fecrets of
the enemy, I find their Intentions are to crofs Delaware as
fopn as the ice Is fufficiently ftrong. I raention this, that
you may take the neceffary fteps for the fecurity of fuch pub
lic and private property as ought not to fall Info their hands
Ihould they make therafelves raafters of Phfladelphia, of
which they do not feera to entertain the leaft doubt.
I hope fhe next chriftraas wfll prove happier than the'
prefent, to you,, and to, dear fir, your fincere friend and
hurable fervant, G. W.
P. S. I would juft afk whether you think Chriftlana a fafe
place for our ftores. Do not you think they would be fafer
at Lancafter, or foraewhere raore inland i

Sir, Hcad-B^>''^''h Morriftown, Dec. 2'J, 1 776.
I HAVE the pleafure of congratulating you upon
the fuccefs of an enterprife which I had forraed againft a
detachraent of the eneray lying in Trenton, and which was
executed yefterday raorning.
The evening of the twenty-fifth I ordered the troops in
tended for this fervice fo parade back of M' Konkey's ferry,
that they might begin fo pafs as foon as It grew dark. Ima
gining we ffiould be able to throw them all over, with fhe
neceffary artiflery, by twelve o'clock, and that we might
eafily arrive af Trenton by five In the morning, the diftance
being about nine rafles. But the quantify of Ice, raade that
night, irapeded the paffage of fhe boats fo much, that it was
three o'clock before the artillery could all be got over 5 and
near four, before fhe 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 difcovered, and harraffed on repaffing the river, I de
termined

OFFICIAL LETTERS. 361
termlned to puffi on at all events. I formed ray detachment
into two dlylfions, one to march by the lower or river road,
the other by the upper or Pennington road. As the divi
fions had nearly the fame diftance to raarch, I ordered each
of them, imraediately upon forcing the out guards, to pufh
direftly into the town, that they might charge the enemy
before they -had time fo form.
The upper divifion arrived at the enemy's advanced poft
exaftly at eight o'clock ; and In three minutes after, I found,
frora the fire on the lower road, that that divifion had alfo
got up. The out -guards made but fmall oppofitlon, though,
for their nurabers, they behaved very well, keeping up a
conftant recreating fire frora behind houfes. We prefently
faw their main body forraed : but, from their motions, they
feemed undetermined how to aft.
Being hard preffed by our troops who had already got
poffeffion of their artfliery, they atterapted to file off by a
road on their right, leading fo Princeton. But, perceiving
their intention, I threw a body of troops In their way;
which imraediately checked them. Finding frora our difpo
fition, .that they were furrounded, and that they muft in
evitably be cut to pieces if they raade any further refiftance,
they -agreed to lay down their arms. The nuraber that fub
mitted in this manner was twenty-three oflicers and eight
hundred and eighty-fix raen. Colonel Rahl the coramand
ing officer, and feven others, were found wounded in the
town. I do not exaftly know how many they had killed ;
but I fancy, not above twenty or thirty, as they never raade
any regular ftand. Our lofs is very trifling indeed, — only
two officers and one or two privates wounded.
I find that the detachraent of fhe eneray confifted of the
three Heffian regiraents of Lanfpach, Kniphaufcn, and
Rahl, amounting to about fifteen hundred men, and a
troop of Britiffi light-horfe : but, immediately upon the be-
glnnin-T of the attack, all thofe who were not killed or taken
puffied direftly down the road to^w'ards Bordentown. Thefe would

36« GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
would llkewife have fallen into our hands, could my phrl
Iiave been completely carried into execution. General
Ewing was to have croffed before day at Trenton ferry,
and taken poffeffion of the bridge leading out of town : but
the quantity of ice was fo great, that, though he did every
tiling in his power to effeft it, he could not get over. This
difficulty alfo hindered general Cadwallader from croffing
¦with the Pennfylvania mflltia from Briftol. He got part of
his foot over : but finding it impoffible to embark his artil
lery, he was obliged to defift.
I ara fully confident, that, could fhe troops under generals
Ewing and Cadwallader have paffed fhe river, I ffiould have
been able with their affiftance fo have driven the eneray
frora all their pofts below Trenton. But fhe nurabers I had
with rae being inferior to theirs below rae, and a ftrong
batallion of light infantry being at Princeton above me, I
thought it raoft prudent fo return fhe fame evening wifh
the prifoners and fhe 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
behavior upon this occafion reflefts fhe higheft honor upon
them. The difficulty of paffing the river in a very fevere
night, and their raarch through a violent ftorra of fnow and
hail, did not in fhe leaft abate their ardor: but, when they
carae to the charge, each feemed fo vie with the other in
preffing forward : and were I to give a preference fo any
particular corps, I fliould do great Injuftlce to fhe others.
Colonel Baylor, my firft aide-de-camp, wifl have the
honor of delivering this to you ; and frora hira you raay be
made acquainted with many other parflciilars. His fpirited
behavior upon every occafion requires me fo recoraraend
hira fo your particular notice.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
Inclofed you have a particular lift of fhe prifoners, artillery
and other ftores.

OFFICIAL LETTEElS. 363
- J , .. -.
• ¦ ',' f.' ' -
SiR', ¦' Newtiwn, Dscemher 29, 1776.
I AM juft fetting out to attempt a fecond paffage
©ver the. Delaware with the troops that were with mc On
the moijni-ng'of the twenty-fixth. I am determined to effeft;
it if poffible- i' but know that it will be attended with much
fatigue and difficulty on account of the ice, which will
neither allow .-us to crofs on foot, nor give us an eafy
paffage -wjth boats. General Cadwallader croffed from
Briflol on the twenty-feventh, and, by his letter of yefter
day, was at Bordentown with about eighteen hundred men.
In addition to thefe, general Mifflin- fent over five hundred
from Philadelphia on friday, three hundred yefterday even
ing from Burlington, and will follow to-day with feven oc
^ight hundred more. I have taken every precaution in my
power for fubfifting the troops, and ffiafl, without lofs <^
lime, and as foon as circumftances will admit of it, purfue
the 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 juftify.
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 fucceeded to our warmeft expeftations. What was done
occafioned the eneray to leave their feveral pofts on the Dela
ware with great precipitation. The peculiar diftreffes to
which the troops who were with me were reduced by the
feverities of cold, rain, fnow, and ftorra, — fhe charge of fhe
prifoners they had taken, — and another reafon that might
be mentioned, — and the httle profpeft of receiving fuccours
on account of the feafon and fituation, of the river,— would
not authorife a further purfuit at that time.
Since tranfmitting the lift of prifoners, a few more have
been difcovered and taken in Trenton, — among them a
6 lieutenant-

364 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S, &c.
lieutenant-colonel, and adeputy-adjufant-general, — the whole
araounting to about a thoufand.
I have been hpnored with your letter pif the twenty-third
?nd its feveral inclofures, to which I ffiall pay due attention.
— A -flag goes in this nvprning with a letter to general Howe,
and anotlier to general Lee. For the latter, Robert Morris
efquire has trunfmitjt-ed a bill of exchange, drawn by two
'Britiffi oflicers, -for a -hundred and fixteen pounds, nine
ffiiilings, and three pence, on major Sraall, for raoney fur-
-rlffi6<l them in South-Carolina, which I truft will be paid.
This fupply is exclufive of tlie fura you have refolved to be
fent him, and -wjiich Mr. A^orris will procure In tirae.
I have the honor to be, &o. G. W.
P. S. I am under great apprehenfions about obtaining pro
per fivj>p'lies of provlfian -for our troops : I fear it will be
extremely difficult. If not impraftlcable, as the enemy, from
-every account, have taken and collefted every thing they
could find.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Gift of

WILLIAM SMITH MASON, Y 1888S

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