/ir-~7^ I THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, Princeton, N. J. 1^— ■■-• - CV/.S<% Di vision. !Sw.W...|j. • >S7~ f ««.> AMERICAN STATE PAPERS, A COLLECTION Of Original and Authentic Documents RELATIVE TO THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES A T^ D GREAT BRITAIN. Publiflied by Special Permiffion, VOLUME THE SECOND. I79J OFFICIAL LETTERS TO THE HONORAELE AMERICAN CONGRESS, Written, during the War between the UNITED COLONIES axd GREAT BRITAW, 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 Office of the Secretary of State, Philadelphia. VOL. IL LONDON: ?RINTED FOR CADELL JUNIOR AND DAVIES, G. G. AND J. R0« EINSON, B. AND J. WHITE, W. OTRIDGfi AND £0N, J. DE' BRETT, R. FAULDER, AND T. EGERTON. ,;^/f->i795- /f^vhich are already ere6lcd, and, though not fuch as are im- Ijiediately fit for the ufes they are intended, may be eafilv converted to them. — General Knox, and others whom I have confulted upon the occafion, alfo think that Yorktown will be full as hio,, and more convenient than Carlifle. — If thcfe two alterations fliould, upon a reronfideration, appear to ypu in the fame light, and no {leps fliould have been taken towards lo GENERAL Vv ASHI?\ CxTON'S towards carrying matters into execution, I iliould be glad that voii would, bv a new refolve, permit me to direct the works to be carried on at the places lail: mentioned. Since I began this 'ertcr, yonr favor of die te]ilh was deli- vered to me, inclofmg fundrv refoives of CongrcTs to which 1 Ihall pay due attention, and ihali inform * * * and * * ^' of their difmiffion from the fervice of the ftates. I have the lienor to be, o:c. G. Wi Sir, Head-Quarters, Morr]Jiov:v, Jan. 19, 1777. TFIE fluclinting ftate of an army con-ipofcd chiefly of militia bids fair to reduce us to the fituation in which we were fome little time.ago,— that is, of fcarce having any army at all, — except reinforcements fpeediiy arrive. One of the batailions from t]ie city of Pliiladclptiia goes home t^^-day, and the other two only remain a few days longer upon courtefy. The time for which a country brigade under general Mif- flin camiC out is expired, and they ifay from day to day by dint of foiicitation, — their numbers muclr reduced by defer- tions. — We have about eight hundred of theeallern continen- tal troops remaining of twelve or fourteen hundred who at firfl agreed to llav,— part engaged to tlie lafr of this month, and part to the middle of next. Tlie live Virginia regiments are reduced to a handful of men, as are colonel Hand's, Smallwood's, and the German batallion. — A few davs ago general Warner arrived with about feven hundred AlalTachu- fcfts militia engaged to the fifteenth of March. Thus you have a {ketch of our prefent army, with which 'we are obliged to keep uj) appearances before an enemy al- ready double to us iii numbers, and who from every account are withdrawing their troops from Rhode-Illand, to form a juncLion of their whole army, and m.ake another attempt ei- ther to break up ours, or penetrate towards Philadelphia,— a thing by no m.eans diflicult now, as the ice alfurds an ^afy paiTage over the Delaware. I do OFFICIAL LETTERS. ii T do not yet know what etFcft general Heatli^s moving down towards New-York will have.— Yefterday morning a confiderable firincr was heard, wliicli feemed to be about Kingroridge. I am in hopes that his appearance on that quarter with a pretty large lorce will oblige them to withdraw part of theirs from Jerfey, to lecure the city of New- York, which, by late accounts, is weakly garrifoned. — General Heath has all the eaftern and York militia with him, except the fmall brigade undet* general Warner that I mentioned be- fore, one regiment of Connediicut, (lopped at Providence in Rhode-Ifland, and a number (how many I do not know) re- quefied by general Schuyler to be fent to Ticonderoga. — If it iliould appear that they are regardlcfs of the diverfion made by general Heath, and perfift in their plan of drawing their whole army together in Jerfey, I mufl: order him over with all his troops, except as many as are necelfary to garriion the forts and guard the pafles in the Highlands. I have ordered away every officer that could be fpared, — fome to recruit, and fom.e to colleft the fcattered men of the different regiments, who are difperfed almoft over the conti- nent : for, of the vafl numbers lent to the hofpitals at dif- ferent times, few ever returned after they got well. As militia mufl be our dependence till we can get the new armv raifed and properly arranged, I muft entreat you to continue vour endeavors with the ftates of Pennfylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, to turn out every man tliey poffibly can, and for fome longer time than they generally have fli- pulated for. If they agree for a month or any^ limited time, it fhould commence from the time they adlually join the ar- my? "int-^- not from the time they leave their homes : other^ wife the marching backwards and forwards confiimcs tiie term of engagement. I think theie demands of aid fliOuld be made as quietly ai^ the nature of the cafe will admit of, efpecially at this time when we are deceiving our enemies with falfe opinions of our numbers : for, to boafl of our fupeiiority in that refpecl on 12 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S on one hand, and to call publicly on the people for afllflarice on the other, is an impropriety too glaring : — indeed it has been already noticed in fome publications that I have (e^n from New- York, I have the honor to be, &,c. G. W. Sir, Head-Quarters, Aforrifioum, 'Jan. 20, 1777. I AM favored with yours of the fifteenth inftant, ivith the fundiy refolves inclofed in it. If that refpefling the continental currency is carried {l:ri6^ly into execution, it cannot fail of fully re-edablifhing its credit. I have no objei'^ion to the three gentlemen who arereconi' mended for iield-officers in the New-Hampihire regiment: they feem fully entitled to it, as they have raifed the regi- ment. I will furiijlli them with commiffions from the date of their appointment, when applied to for that purpofe. There is fomething particular in the application of colonel Dubois and his officers for the fum of five hundred and thir- teen dollars and two-thirds. They were to have been commif- fioned provided they could raife the men ; but, from their own pay-abilradl, it a})pears diat fourteen officers only brought tweiUy-five men into the field. As rhcv certainly did not comply with their agreement, I would, afterdating the mat- ter as it really was, fubmit it to Congrefs who have the dif- pofal of tlie public money. I liave perufed the petition of monfieur Faneuil ami other French gentlemen. If thev ccniid raife fuch a regiment as they propofe, it would certainly be ufefiil • bul I have no con- ception that there are Canadians enough to be found even for a regirrufnf of the common number, muchlcfs of two thoufand hrce hundred and forty-feven, which is the number pro~ ^ipofed. 1 know, neither colonel Livingfton nor colonel Ha- zen could ever complete dieir Canadian regiments when they had the coimtry open to them. As I would give encourage- nyer^t to foreigners of real merit, I would put the thing upon thij* OFFICIAL LETTERS. t^ this footing : — if monfieur Faneuil can procure a fufficient number of officers to fill a regiment of the common fize, and they can give any alTurances of being able to raife the men, I would grant them commilTrons. I would beg leave to remark here, that, except we can throw the many foreigners who have commifTions in our army into a corps together, they will be entirely ufelefs, as they can iieirther converfe with ofEcers nor men in any other kind of reginient. I am fo well aflured that you would not recommend dof^or Potts to fucceed da6tor Stringer in the northern department except you had fufficient proof of his abilicles in the medical line, that I readily concur with you in tli;e appojntment. I have received a piece of information which I am afraid is true, — and that is, that the Britilli cruifers have taken a French veflel with a large parcel of cannon and mortars on board. I know fuch a one was expe6l:ed, and tlierefore more readily credit the account. I am, fir, with refpe£l and efleem, Sec, G. W* 3l R , Head- Quarters, Morrijiozvny Ja?:, 22, 1777. MY laft to you was on tlie twentieth inftant. Since that, I have the pleafure ta inform yon that genera! Dickinfon, with about four hundred militia, has. defeated a foraging party of the enemy of an equal number, and has taken forty waggons, and upwards of a hundred horfes, mofl of them of the Englifh draft breed, and a number of ilieep and cattle which they had colle6i;ed. The enemy retreated, with {o much precipitation that general Dickinfon had only an opportunity of making nine prifoners. They were ob- ferved to carry ofF a good many dead and wounded in light waggons. —This adllon happened near Sonierfet court-houfe oiv Millftone river. General Dicki-nfon's behavior refletSts die hlghefl: honor upon himr for, though his troops were all raw, he led them througli die river middle-deep, and gave 14 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S the enemy fo fevere a charge, th:it, akhongh fiipported by three tieid-picces, they gave way, and left their convoy. I have not heard from general Heath fince tlie hring near Kingfbridge lad faturday ; which 1 cannot account for^unlefs the I^orti:i-river fl;iould have been rendered impaiTable by the ice. But tlie account of his having furprifed and j:aken Fort-Inde- pendence on friday-night laft comes fo well authenticated by (lifFerent ways, that I cannot doubt it. It is faid that he took four hundred prifoners in that fort, and that he invefied Fort- Wafhington on faturday, which occafioned the hring. 7"his is brought cut by three of our officers who made their eicape from New- York on funday, and is confirmed by a fpy who went into Amboy, who fays an exprefs had arrived at Am- boy from New- York, with an account of the lofs of Fort- Independence, and caUing for a reinforcement to prote6t the city ; in confequence of which, a number of troops had gone over. -—I have fent in fpies to Brunfvvic and Amboy to know the truth of tliis : and if it appears that thcv have weakened themfelves to reinforce New- York, I fliah proba- bly make fonie attempt upon them, if we have men enough left to do it. I fliaii be glad to know what ftock of fmall-arm.s you at prefent have, and what are your expectations lliortly. The neceffity tliat we iiave been and are now under, of calling in and arming the militia, fcatters our armory all over the world in a manner : their officers are fo irregular that they generally fuiTcr their men to carry home every thing that is put into their hands, which is forever loil: to the public. The new-niifed regiments will call for a oreat number of aj'ms ; and I do not at preient fee how they are to be fup- plied. I would again beg leave to recall the attention of Congrefs to the appointment of general officers. I will not fuppofe the nomination of them is poftponed upon a faving princi- ple, becaufe the advantage in having proper officers to ex- 2 amine OFFICIAL LETTERS 15 amine the pay-rolls ol tlicir Icveral reg^iments, and compare them with the returns of their brigades, — to fee that tlic re- giments are provided with what is proper, and that no more than a fnifioiency is allowed, — to keep oiFiCers to their duty, and^not, wliile the fpirited ofReer is encountering all the fatigues and hardiiiips ot a rigorous campaign, lutfer a num- ber of others, under various frivolous pretences and imaginary fickneiTes', to enjoy themfelves at the puhlic expenfe at their own firefides:- — 1 fay, it the appointments are with-held upon parfimonious principles, tlic Congrefs are miftaken : for I am convinced, that, by the corrctVion of many abufcs which it is impoffible for me to attend to, the public will be benefit- ted in a great degree in the article of expenfe. — But this is not all. — We have a very iitilc time to do a very great work in. The arranging, providing tor, and difciplininga hundred and odd batailions is noi to be accompli ihed in a day ; nor is it to be done at all with any degree of propriety, when wehave once entered upon the a6iive part of a campaign. Thefe duties mud be branched out, or they will be neglefted, and the public injured. Befides, w^ere the brigadiers appointed, they might be tacilitating the recruiting fervice ; thev would have time to get a little acquainted with their brigades, the wants of them, and eafe me of the great weight and burden which I at prefent feel. On whom the choice will or ought to light, I cannot un- dertake to fay. In a former letter I took the liberty of fubmit- ting to the confideration of Congrefs the propriety of ap- pointing, out of each (late, brigadiers to command the troops, of that (late, — thinking, as a dillindlion is now fixed, a fpirit of emulation mi^^ht arife by this means. At any rate I ihall take the liberty of recommending general Cadwailader as one of the tiril: for the new appointments. I have found him a man of ability, a good difciplinarian, firm in his principles, and of intrepid bravery. I /iiall aifo beg leave to recom- mend colonel Reed to the command of tho horfe, as a pSrfon, iu uiy opinion, every wuy qualified ; for he is extremely ac- tive 16 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S tlve and enterprlfing ; many llgnal proofs of which he has given this campaign. For the reft, the members of Congrefs can judge better than I can : I can only fay, that, as the army will probably be dh'ided in the courfe of the next campaign^ ther^ ought, in my opinion, to be three h'eutenant-generals^ nine major-generals, and twenty-feven brigadiers :-~in other words, there ought, at lead, to be a brigadier to every four regiments, and a major-general to every three brigades.^ The lieutenant-generals will, I prefume, be appointed out of the oldefl: major-generals, and the major-generals from the oldeil: brigadiers. Nine brigadiers will then be to no- mlnate. I forgot before this to inform Congrefs, that, including the regiment of light dragoons from Virginia, and colonel Shel- don's to be raifed in Connecticut, I hav^e only commiffionedi officers for four regiments. I was willing to try how thefe could be equipped before I p'jt more officers into commiflion. It is apprehended we ihall find difficulty in providing ne- ceflaries or even horfes for thefe four regiments : if we fliould nor, I (hall immediately fet about the refidue. Colo- nel Baylor, colonel Moylan (who, as volunteer, has remain- ed conftantly witli the army fince his difcontinuance in the quarter-mafter's department), and colonel Sheldon, com* mand the three new i-egiments of light dragoons. The treafury has been for fome time empty, and the army has labored under the greateft inconvenience for want of mo- ney. The recruiting fervice is particularly injured by tin's, as many officers are now waiting only for bounty-money. I have alfo complaints from the eaftward, of the want of money to carry on their recruiringfervice. — If we are not fupplied with that neceflary article, all matters muft be at a ftand. I mufl therefore beg, that, if Mr. Palfrey has not been already fup- plied with a large fum, it may be done with the utmofl ex- pedition, and that you will endeavor to keep tip the fupply by conflantly fending on fmaller parcels. I have the houor to be, &c. G. W. 7 ' i OFFICIAL LETTERS. 17 B. S. Idid not recollea major-general Lir/coln in the pro- vincial lervice of MalTachufetts. He k an excellent ofncer, and worthy of your notice in the continental line. Sir, Head-Quarters, McrriJiGivn, Jan. 26, -777» I WAS lail: night honored with yours of the eighteenth inftant, incloilng a letter from the flate of New-York to Con^fs. From the particular fituation of their ftate in re- gard to their being totally deprived of commerce, they cer- tainly muil iiand in need of the affiflance of the otlier flates to provide them with clothing and every thing necefTary for the equipment of their forces ; and it ever was my intention to allow them a full proportion of the clothing purchafed to the eaftward, whenever it came to Iiand. Little or none of it has yet reached this army, though in the greateft want, and expofed to the feverities of a winter campaign. -The convention have in one inftance already provided for themfeives out of the public ftockj by ftopping and making life of twenty-fix bales of clothing coming on from the eaft- ward to tliie army here. As this was done without confult- iiig me, I took the liberty of dehring them not to do the uke in future j — not that I meant to deprive them of their Ihare, but becaufe it difappoiuted me of many articles which I ftood in immediate want of,. and had not provided from other quar- tors. But you may be afTured, that, whenever returns are made of the whole flock of clothing, they ihall have their proportion, and more than that, — allowance for their pecu- liar fituation. ,1 am amazed to hear complaints of the hofpital on the eaft fide of Hiidion's-river. Doclor Morgan, with moll; of his mates, has been conftauitiy there fince I \(ih it with tlic main body of the army. It is in vain however to look back upon pafi: misfortunes. I will not pretend to point out the caufes; but I know matters have been ftrangely condudled in the.iTicdfcal line. I hope your new appointment, w'hen it is made, will make the ncceflary refarm in the hofpital, and Vol. II. C that i8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S that I fhall not, the next campaign, have my ears, and eyes too, ihocked with the complaints and looks of poor creatures perilhing for want of proper care cither in the regimental or hofpital fnrgeons. I agree with the convention in the expediency of obfl;ru6i- ing the paflage of the North-river in fome place between die mouth and the Highlands. We have found that our labor and cxpcnfehas been thrown away in endeavoring to do it below, where the channel is amazingly wide and deep ; but, from the flight view I have had of the river above, T think the paflage- may be eafily obftrudled, and defended by proper fortifica- tions, as the river is fo narrow that no vcffel going up could poffihly efcape the fire. I am no judge of what can be done towards fitting out the frigates at Poughkeepiie : — that muil be left to the gentlemen of the marine committee. The hint given by the convention of New-York, of thc- neceffitv and utility of a commilTarv of forage, had ftruck me befoie, and had been mentioned by general ?\IifBin,whofe de- partment of quarter-mafler-gencr::! muil be eufed of part of the load vv-liich is at prefent thrown upon it. He is obliged in many inftances to acl entirely out of his proper line ; and, inftead of being confined to the duty of quarter-mafrcr-gene- ral, is alfo waggon-maiter, and forage-mafter-gcneral. — I have wrote to two perfon.s that I think qualilied to fill the ofnce of w-aggon-mafier \ and I hope or^e of them will ac- cent. — That of com.mid^iFv of forare fhall be attended to. I'he want of accurate maps of die coiintrv wliicii has hi- tlierto been ths fceiic of v/ar has been of great difadvantage to ir.c. I liavc in vain endeavored to procure them, and h'Avc been oliligcd tom.iikc ihifi: with fuch Iketches as I could trace or.t ^Yoiri my ov;n oblervation and tliat of gendemen around me. 1 really think, if gentlemen of known charac- ter arid piobity could be employed in making maps (from n-fiual furvev) of x}c,z roads,— the rivers, and bridges and fords over i\y:A\\^ — th:: mouniains, and pafies ihroagh tlicm, — it waulc be of t.'ic greateft advantage. ' " 1 had, previous fo tlie receipt of your letter^ wrote to general Huwe,. OFFICIAL LETTERS. tg Howe, and propofed the fixing an agent for prifoners at New-York. I have not received an anfwer : but if he ac- cedes to the propofal, I fliali appoint Mr. Lewis Pintard. I am forry that I am obliged to contradidl the report of the taking of Fort-Independence as mentioned in my laft. I believe the evacuation of fome detached redoubts gave rife to the report. — I have not heard from general Heath fince the fourteenth inftant, which I am amazed ah I am quite in the dark as to his numbers, and what progrefs he has made. On the twenty-third, a party of four hundred of our men, under colonel * * *, fell in with two regiments of the enemy, convoying a number of waggons from Brunfwic to Amboy. Our advanced party under colonel Parker engaged them with great bravery upwards of twenty minutes, during which time the colonel-commandant was killed, and the fe- cond in command m.ortally wounded. The people living fiear the field of a6lion fay their killed and w^ounded were confiderable. We loft only two men, who were made pri- foners. Had colonel * * * come np with the main body* colonel Parker and the other officers think we fhould have put them to tlie rout, as their confufion was very great, and their ground difadvantageous. I have ordered * * * under arrell, and fliall bring him to trial to anfwer for (o ex* traordinary a piece of conduct. Reinforcements come up fo extremely flow, that I am afraid I fhall be left without any men before they arrive. The enemy muft be ignorant of our numbers, or they have not horfes to move their artillery, or they would not fuffer us to remain undifturbed. I have repeatedly wrote to all the re-, cruiting officers, to forward on their m^cn as fall as they could arm and clothe them : but they are fo extremely averfe to turning out of comfortable quarters, that I cannot get a man to come near me, though I hear from all parts that the re- cruiting fervice goes on with great liiccefs. It would be well if the board of war, in whofe department It is, v,-Quld iffue C 2 orders 20 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S orders for all officers to equip and forward their recruits to head-quarters with the greateft expedition. By a refolve of Congrefs pafled fonie time ago, general Schuyler is diredled to apply to me for ninety- four tons of powder, — a quantity whi-ch it is impOiTihle I ihould have by me, and for which I do not know where to dire6f. him to ap- ply. I could willi that returns were made to me of the quantity of powder on hand, and where it is to be found, that I may.ilot be at a lofs at aiiy time of emergency. Since the reiignation of colonel Reed, the important office of adjutant-general has been left unfilled (I mean as to a principal), and I am much at a lofs how or where to find a perfon in every way capable and proper to execute the office. My inclinations lead me to confer the appointment upon a major Morris : but ample teflimonials ihould be produced, and full proof of fidelity ought to be made, before an office of fo high truft (liould be conferred upon a perfon in a man- ntr a ilranger to me. I only know major Morris from a ihoit perfunai acquaintance, and from report: he never even brought a letter of recommendation to me. From his conver- fation and from the accounts I have received from others, he is a man of coniiderabie military ahiiiiics ; and, from his behavior in two infiances, he is a man of braverv and condud:. His fiory is fimpiy this, — that lie left the Briiirti lervice in difgufl upon not receiving a promotion to which he was juitly entitled. Perhaps fome gentlemen of Congrefs niav know more about him, or may be able to make fuch in- quiries as might fatisfy them as to the fafety and propriety of appointing him. I have no other motive for wiihing liim a preference dian tliat I tliink him the propcrcfii perfon that has come under my notice, provided ail matters before mention- ed were cleared up. — I Ihall wait the refult of a determina- tion oi Corigrefs before I proceed iurther in this appoint- ment : aiid I wiHi to be lavorcd with their advice as fpcedily as poiTd^de; for the rem.ains of the old army is much difar- ranged for v/ant of a good adjutant-genei^al, and tlie forma- tion OFFICIAL Letters. 21 tlon of the new in a great meafure depends upon an able of- iicer in that line. — I have the honor to be, Z-<:c. G. W. Sir, Ucad-Quaricis, MGvy'ifi^vjn^ 'Jan. 31, 1777. ] Have none of your favors iin-ahfwered alprefent, — There is fuch a demand upon mc from all quarters for money, which I am unable to ajifwer, that I cannot help again preffing you to fend on a fupply^ The recruiting fervice isal- mod: at a ftop here for want of money ; and governor Trumbull writes me word that it is totally fo in Connedlicut. He adds that their loan-officers cannot proceed in their bufincfs for want of proper check-books and notes ; but that, if thev were furniflied with them, they could foon take in a fufS- cient quantity to anfwer their purnofes. I fiiall be glad (o be informed whether I have a right to draw warrants upon the loan-officers in the different ftates. — The ftate of Conne61icut advanced colonel Siieldon, at my requeft, ten thoufand pounds lawful, to raife his regiment of horfe. For their reimburfement they defired me to give them a draught upon the loan-office : but, not knowing whether I had a right to draw upon that fund, I deferred it till I heard from you- I mufl: beg you to write to the alTcmblics of the d-,ifferent ilates, and inhil: upon their paffing a law to iniiicl a fevere and heavy penalty upon thofe who harbor deierters, know- ing tiiem to be fuch. Our army is rnamefuijy reduced by defertion; and, except the people in the country can be forced to give information when deferters return to their old neighborhoods, we fliall be obliged to detach one half of the army to bring back the other. I have a letter from general Heath, of the twenty-fourth inflant. He was at and near Kingfbridge with his army- I do not find that he is likely to do more than to draw the at- tention of the enemy that way, and to cut them oirFfrom fo- rage, of which tliey arc in great want. — -The troops had not C 3 returned 22 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S returned from Rhode-Ifland, by the lail: accounts, but were daily expedcd.— I hav? the honor to be, 6cc. G. W. Sir, Head-Quarters^ Morriflo'wn^ Feb. 5, 1777. I AM honored with yours of the twenty-fourth of January, with fundry refolves of Congrefs, and a petition of monfieur Pellifier's inclofed, I am not the proper [per/on'] to re- ' fer the petition to, as I am no judge of his merit as an engineer, having never had an opportunity of feeing any of his perform- ances. At any rate I do not fee the neccffity of appointing him or any other perfon principal engineer at Ticonderoga : for that w^ould exclude any other, though of fuperior abilities, from being fent there, Befides, as a corps of engineers will in all probability be foon eftabliftied, monfieur Pellifier's rank can then be fettled with more propriety. I forgot to mention in any of my former letters that I had appointed captain Nathaniel Gueft of Virginia to the com- mand of a regiment to be raifed upon the frontiers of Virgi- Tiia and Carolina ; and I have directed him, if poffible, to bring a com^pany or two of Cherokee Indians. If they can be procured, they will arifwertwo valuable purpofes,— one, as exce'knt fcouts, — the other that they will be in facl hof- tages, and will fecure the good behavior of their nation. Major Bland, commandant of the Virginia horfe, has de- fired to know whether there is not a neceffity of giving a bounty and re-enliAing his regiment as continental troops. They were enlilled to ferve in the colony ; and tlie men were with fome difficulty prevailed upon to march hither : but the major thinks they would be entirely reconciled upoa receiv- ing the bounty. I received a letter from Mr, Chafe, defn'ing I v/ould ap- point proper perfons to make inquiry into and take depofi- iions concerning the behavior of the Britifli and foreign troops in jerley, This ^youid be an endlefs tafk, as their line of murcii is marked with devaftation, and is a thing of fuch public notorictv that it deipauds no fiu'ther proof. I remoa] OFFICIAL LETTERS. 23 I remonflratcd with general Howe lipon the treatment of our wounded at Prhiceton. You will fee by the inclofcd letter from him, that he diiavows and dstefts the proceed- ing: but I fear that too niuch encouragement is given to fuch barbarous behavior by the Britifti oinc<;r<; ; for, in a late ikirrniih in wdjich fir WiUiam Erikine commanded, lieutenant Kelly of the fifth Virginia regiment was fliglitly wounded in the thigh ; but, before he could get off the field, he was overtaken and murdered in a mofl cruel manner. General Stephen informed me that he would write to fir William, and inform him, that, unlefs fuch pradlices were put a flop to, our foldiers would notbe reftrained from making retaliatioji. By a letter from general Heath, of the thirtieth of lall month, I find that he had decamped from the neighbor- hood of Kingforidge, and removed back towards the White- Plains. His reafons for doing fo ^vere diat the troops could not ll:and the inclemency of the weather, and that he feared the troops expe6led from .Rhode-Ifland would land upon his back. I have however direfted him to leave a body of light troops under an active officer, in order to harrafs their foraging parries, and to cover our own who are to re- move as much of the forage from Weft-Chefler county as they can ; and, after leaving as many men as will fecure the palfes in the Highlands, the remainder are to be lent over here to join me ; for I am apprehenlive that the enemy are reinforcing themfelvee at Brunfwic. I flrall to-morrow fend out parties from every quarter, to remove all the wuggons, horfes, catdc and fliecp, or as ma- ny as pofilblc, from the neighborhood of the enemy's lines. They are to attend particularly to the horfes : for if we can reduce thofe that they at prefent have, and can hinder them from gettitig frefh ones from the adjacent country, it will be impoiTible tor them to move their a; tiiiery and w^aggons for- ward, {h(Hild tliey incline to make another puih towards Philadelphia, C 4 I obierve 24 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S I obferve by your iad refolves that the militia of Baltimore, Harfoid, and Cecil counties in Maryland, are ordered out and to march this way. Lei" me entreat vou to iufler none to go forward to Philadelphia but what are equipped with arms, accoutrements and blankets : thev hurt the fervice much by tak-ing thofe things only for a Oiort time from the continental troops, many of whom would otherwife be ena- bled to take the field. The fecretary of the board of war has tranfmitted me ex- tradls of general Schuyler's letters in which he calls pref- fmgly for fome general officers to be fent to In's alii Pi a nee. This will fliew you the necefTity of immediately making the promotions recomm.ended in mine of the tVv-enty-fecond of January ; for at prefent I cannot fpare a general officer from this quarter without injuring the fervice. Nothing of confequence has happened fmce I wrote to you laft, except a fK.irmdih on the iirft of this month, five or fix miles from Brunfwic-landing, between our advanced parlies (about feven hundred in the wi'iole) and upwards of twothoufand of the enemy, under fir William Erfidne. The heat of the engagement was [borne by~\ colonel Scott of the fifth Virginia regiment, who, with about a hundred men, beat back two liundred of the Britiih grenadiers. Several ether officers behaved with great fpirit ; but there is fome reafon to fufpedl that colonel * * *, who commanded our main body, did not behave altogether as he ought. I have ordered a court upon him, that the matter may be fairly canvaffed, and that he may ftand condemned or acquitted by the evidence of thofe who were prefent. Colonel ''^ * *, who was under arrefl: upon a charge of cowardice, broke his parole and went over to Bucks-coun* ty, I fuppofe with an intent to make his efcapc: but I dif- patched a troop of light-horfe after him, who brought him back yefterday ; and he is to take his trial on friday. The fmall-pox has made fuch head In every quarter, that I find it im.poffi.ble to keei^^ It from fpreading through the whole OFFICIAL LETTERS. 25. -^vhole army In the natural way. I have therefore Jctermiried, not only to Inoculate all tl}e troops now here that have not had it, but iliail order docPcor Shippen to inocuhile the re- cruits as faft as they come in to Philadelphia. They vv'ill lofe no time, hecanfe they will go through the diforder while their clothinQ-, arms and accoutrements are .oettino- ready. From the hril inftitution of civil government, it has beqa the national policy of every precedent fiate to endeavor to engage its members to the difchargc of their public duty by tl^e obligation of fome oath : its force and harpy inHuCiice has been hit in too many inftances, to need any arguments to fupport the policy or prove its utility. I have ofte.i tliought the ftates have been too negligent in tiiis particular, and am more fully convinced of it from tlie effc£l general Howe^s excurfion has produced in Nev/-Jerley. — An oath is the only fubflitute that can be adopted, to fupply the defect of principle. — By our inattention in this aiticle, we lofe a coa- fiderablc cement to our own force, and give the enemy an opportunity to make the firft tender of the oath of allegiance to the king. Its baneful influence is but too feverely felt at this time. The people generally confefs they were compelled to take protection, and fubfcribe the Declaration : yet it fur- nlflies many vv^ith arguments to refufe taking any active part: and further they allege themfeives bound to a neutralitv at leaiT-. Many confcientious people who v/ere well-v/iihers to the caufe, had they been bound to the llates by an oath, would have fufFered any puniihment rather than have taken tJre oath of allegiance to tlie king ; and are now IoPl to dur intereil for want of this nccelTary tie. — Notwithftandinp- the obligation of the Jffociation, they do not conpeive it to have the iame e(Fe61: as an oath. — The more united the inhabitants appear, tlie greater diiticulty general Hovv^e will have in re- conciling them to regal government, • and coniequently tlie lefs hope of conquering them. — For tht'k reafons and many more that might be urged, I Ihould ftrongly recommend every fiate to fix upon fome oath or affirmation of allegiance 2 to 26 GENEPvAL WASHINGTON'S to be tendered to all the inhabitants without exteption, and to outlaw thofe tiiat refufe it. I have the honor to be, £cc. G. W. Sir, Head-Quarters, Morrifiown, Feb. II, 1777. I was yefrerday waited upon by two French gentle- men, monfieur Romand de Lille, and Robillard. The hrll produced a commiflion figned by you in November lad, ap- pointing him a major of artillery : but, by the inclofed letter from him to me, he claims much higher rank under the promife of Congrefs, — that of commandant of the continen- tal artillery. — Whether any fuch promife was made, I leave you to determine. Robillard claims a captaincy of artillery : but, upon what he grounds his pretenfions, I do not know. I never faw him but once before ; and that was upon his way from Bof- ton to Philadelphia. You cannot conceive what a weight thefe kind of people are upon the lervice, and upon me in particular. Few of them have any knowledge of the branches which they pro- f'efs to underftand ; and thofe that have are entirely ufelefs as officers, from their ignorance of the Englifli language, —I wifli it were pofTible to make them underftand, when commiffions are granted to them, that they are to make themfelv^s mailers of the Englifh language in fome degree before they can be attached to any particular corps. I am, lir, with tlie greateft refpecl, 6cc. G. W. Sir, Herd 'Quarters, Morri/lown, Feb. 14, 1777. SINCE I had the honor of addrefiing you on the fifth inftant, no event of an important and interefting nature has occurred, unlefs the fucceffes of our parties in foraging and bringing off fcverai horfcs, waggons, and fome fat cat- tle OFFICIAL LETTEPvS. 27 tie and ihecp, which were contiguous to and around the enemy's lines, arc confidcrcd as {uch, I then meacioned that I had fucii a Icheine in contemplation, wliich was imp- pily accompli ihed the next day without any loi's. The ene- my in turn have made frequent efforts in that way, but with little fuccefs. Whenever they made iliQ attempt, it never failed to produce a fkirmilh. The-/ have been common of late, but v/ith little damage to either fide. We have certain intelligence that they have drawn the greatell part of their troops from Rhode-Ifland, and are told that part of them have landed on Staren-Iiland and at Am- boy, with a view of augmenting their force at Brunfwic. Colonel * * *, agreeable to the information contained in my iafl, has been tried by a court-martial, and caihiered. The proceedings and fentence I dire6led to be tranfmitted to the fecretary of the war-office, and to the printers of this ftate and Virginia, to be publifhed. General Lincoln is juil: arrived with a regiment of MafTa- chufetts militia, about two hundred and fifty. This, he fays, is fucceeded by three more, which will make in the v/hole near eighteen hundred: but in this I think he mufl: be mlf- taken, unlefs thofe on tlie march arc much fuller and larger than what they ufually are. The vvhole are of the troops that were with general Heath. General Knox, bv a letter of the firft indant, informs mc» that, on mature inquiry and examination, he linds Spring- field to be more convenient and much better calculated for anelabor?tory and cannon-foundery, than any other part of the New-England ftates. Le adds that a (quantity of copper, tin, and other ufeful materials, can be hud there ; and that the nccefTary v^'orks and preparations, from thefe and other advantages, can be accompliihed at leaH: three or four months focner there than any where elfe. In confequence of his opinion, which I citeem of weight, particularly in this in- flance, — and knowing the importance of, and how eflential thcfc eltabliihments are,— I have ventured to order the works to 28 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S to be begun there, without regard to what had been done at Brookiield, which was cf but hide coiifequence. Tiie for- mer, befides the many advantages mcnti jned by general Knox flands on Conne61icuL-river, and has a good navigation : vet is endreiy fecure againfi: any attempts of tlie ^enemy, being twenty niiles above Hartford, where the river is narrow? and too ilioal to admit vcnels that can give tiie leaf!: annoy- ance. — As nothing but the gocd of the fervice could have led to this meafure, I trufr it will l:.e approved.. I have wrote to the air:frably of Maffachufctts flate and the convention of New-Hampfhire, recjueffing their good of- fices and exertions to promote the raifmg of their regiments as expeditioufly as poffible, and to forward the whole of the quotas firfl exa6led from them, to Ticonderoga. Their contipuity to that poll; more than to anv other, — the import- ance of it, and general Scliuyki's apprelienllons that the enemy may attempt to pafs the lake (if not on the ice) ss foon as it is open, — added to the great trouble, expenfe, and lofs of time it will fave in marching them elfewhere, and others there who are much more diuant and remote, — induced me to determine fo. I find the council of the former, on p-e- neral Schuyler's earnefl: application, before my letter reached them, had determined to fend lour regiments as foon as they could be completed. I only wiili the whole may be made up in a fircrt time, and that their arrival may be earlv e- nough to prevent thofe inconveniences and fatal confequences which the want of a fufficient force in that quarter would fubjecl us to, were the enemy to pafs the lakes at this time. . Mr. James Ivleafe is now here in confequence of being ap- pointed clothier-general. He is adjufting a plan for aniwer- jng tlic end i>f iiis appointment, and making an efti:nate, to be laid before Congrefs oi^ dieir fxjiet committee, of fach clothes as may be necciTary to nivpcwmov the army. It is wit:"! much concern that .tlic fituation of our aiTairs obliges me to mention fo frKquenrly the want of money, ^f- pccially OFFICIAL LETTERS. 29 peciaily when I am perfuadcd every means are ivfcd to fur- nlfh It. Our diilrefs on this account is great indeed • and the injury the lervice receives, ahiioii inconceivable : — not a day, an hour, or fcarceiy a miiii^te pafies, without complaints Tiud .applications on this head. Tiie recruieing the regiments is nioft materially retarded by it. Tc^n o'clock^ P. M. — j ail: now a flag returned, that went to Eruniwic to-day, who brought the Inclofed letters from general Lee, which I do myieif the honor to tranfmit yoV, with a copy of one to myfelf. I have the honor to be, ccc. G. W. Sir, Hcad-Quaytcrs^ jMorr[fIoivn, Feb. 14, 1777. I DO myieif the honor to iiiclofe you a plan drawn np by do6lor Shippen in concert with do£lor Cochran, for the arrangement arnd future regulation of the general hofpi- tal. As this plan is very extenhve, the appointments nume- rous, and the falaries affixed to them at prefent, large, I did not think myfelf at liberty to adopt any part ofit before I laid it before Congrefs for their approbation. I will juft re- mark, that, though the expenfe attending an hofnital upon the inciofcd plan will be very great, it will in the end not only be a faving to the public, but the only poffible method of keeping an army a-foot. We are now, at an enormous bounty, and with no fmall dimculty, recruiting an army of upwards of a hundred ba- tallions. The enfuing campaign may, from tlie fame caufes, prove as hckly as the laft : and if the hofpitals are in no better condition for the reception of the Tick, our Vegim.ents ^vill be reduced to companies by the end of the campaign ; and tliofe poor wn-etches who cfcape with life will be either fcattered up and down the country," and not to be found, or, if found, totally enervated and unfit for further duty. By thefe means not only the bounty Is loft, but the man is loft alfo : and I leave you ta judge whether we hav.e men enough to allow of fucb 30 GENEP.AL WASHINGTON'S fuch a confumptlon of lives and condltutions as "have been lod the iaft campaign. For my own part I am certain, that, if the army which I hope we lliall have in the field this year is fuftered to moulder away by ficknefs as it did the laO, we mull look for reinforcements to fome odier places than our own ftates. The number of officers mentioned in the inclofed plan I prefume are necefTary for us, becaufe they are found fo in the Britiih hofpitals : and, as they are eflablitiied upon the fur- eft bafis, — that of long experience under the ahlcfl phyficians and furo-eons, — we Ihould not hefitate a moment in adopting their regulations, when they fo plainly tend to corre6l and improve our former want of method and knowledge in this important department. The pay affixed to the difFcrent appointments is, as I faid before, great, and perhaps more than you may think adequate to the fervice. In determining upon the fum that is to be allowed to each, you ought to conhder that it fhould be fuch as will induce gentlemen of character and fkiil in their profefiion to flep forth, and in fome manner adequate to the praciice which they have at home : for, unlefs fuch gentlemen are induced to undertake the care and manage- ment of our hofpitals, we had better truft to the force of na- ture and confiitution, than fuffer perfons entirely ignorant of medicine to dcftroy us by ill-directed applications. 1 hear from every quarter that the dread of undergoing the fame iniferies for want of proper care and attention wliea i:ck has much retarded the new enlillm.enrs, particularly tio the fouthward. This is another rcafon for eftablifhing our hofpitals upon a large and generous plan : tor we ought to make the fervice as agreeable and enticing as poffible to the foldiery, many of whom (efpjcially wlien we call forth the militia) not only quit the cornforts but the luxuries of life. A few days ago doctor '* * '-'^ fent me the inclofed ma- ryicripr, which is a vindication of his conducl, upon which he dcfires a CQurt of inquiry may be held, I tranfmit it to you . OFFICIAL LETTERS. 31 you hy his diredlion. As I do not know what particular charges were alleged agalnft him, 1 can fay nothing to it or about it. You will find a plan of his alfo inclofcd, for the better regulation of the hofpital : but I think all his hints are included in doulor Shippen's plan. As no time is to be lofl: in appointing the necefTary officers, fixing upon the proper places for hofpitals, and many other preparations, I could wifii that Congrefs would take this matter under their immediate ccnllderation, and favor ii>e with their fentiments thereon as foon as poffible. I have the honor to be, &c. G. "^V. Sir, Head-Quarters, MorriJlGVjn, Feb. 20, 1777. THE principal defign of this is to inform you that we have ftrong reafons to believe that the enemy are on the point of making fome pufh. What their obje61: is, — whether to beat up our quarters and to extend their own, to make a large forage and coUeiSlion of provender of which they are in great want, or to turn their views towards the Dela- ware, — is a matter of uncertainty : but it fecms probable that one of thefe things they have in contemplation. Such of their troops as have returned from Rhode-lfland liave landed at Amboy, and, with them, feveral pieces of heavy artillery. General Howe is come over too, and, it is faid, lord Percy, Their number at Brunfwic and the landing-place, before tlie arrival of this laft reinforcement, was eftimated from feven to eight thoufand. I have ordered the utmofl: vigilance and attention to be ol>- ferved at our feveral polls, to guard againfl: furprifes, and every preparation to be made that the weak and feeble (late of our little army will admit of. At this time we are only about four thoufand ftrong, — a force, you will fuppofe, un- equal to a fuccefsful oppofition, if they were not militia, and far too fmall for the exigencies of our affairs. It is impo/K- bje to- obtain ej^aCl returns, though they are daily called 8 tor. ^ GENERAL V/ASHI?^^GTOt\ .^S for, — owing to the frequent and almofl: conPaint departure of fomc of the corj)S. Colonel Nielfon of Brunfwic, with a detachment,of mih'tiat on the morning of the eighteenth, furprifcd major Stockdon, ■Vv'uom lie took with fifty-nine privaccs of general Skinner's corps, killing four, and bringing away tlie arms of the whole, with fome blankets. This about b-alances the lofs of a n.ilitia guard -whicii a party of British troops took lail week in Monmouth, near the Hook. I with to be informed how the regiments that are raifing arc to be arixicd, and of the provlfion that has been made for the fame. I have reafon to fear, indeed I am convinced, that there is a great dcficiejicy m many, if not in the wdiole of the ilates, in tliis article : every letter that 1 receive from therii jLvientions their want, and calls lor fupplies. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir,, Hcad-Quaricrs, Aiory'iftoiim, Feb. 20, 1777. MONSIEUR Faneuil, who fome time ago laid a plan before vou for raifmg and officering a corps of French- men, waited upon me yeflerday. His fucccfs, as I cxpe61:ed, hr.s been fmall in enlilling or rather engaging Canadians. 1 cannot lind r!iat he has met with more than thirty or forty who would be willing to ferve with him. He is now upon another fcheme, — that c^i raifmg, arming, and clothing ;i number of men in the French ifiands. — To grant a commif- lion of that kind is without the extent of my powers, and I have therefore defircd liiin to go forward, and lay his propo- fals before Congrefs. li they appear fcafible, they may be adopted : but I would beg leave to obfcrve that one precau- tion will be neceifury, that is, that the commiif^ons of mon- fieur Faneuil and his ofncers (hould depend upon the per- formance of their agreement for raifing any certain number of men. 1 have often mentioned to you the diflrefs I am every now and OFFICIAL LETTERS. 33 and then laid under by the application of French ofRcers for commiflions in our fervice. This evil, if I may call it fo, is a growing one • for, from what I learn, they are coming in fwarnis from old France and the iflands. There will there- fore be a necelTity of providing for them or difcountenancing them. To do the firft is difficult ; and the laft, difagreeable, and perhaps impolitic if they are men of merit : — and il is impofiible to dlftinguifli thefe from mere adventurers, of whom, I am convinced, there are the greatefl number. They feldom bring more than a commlffion and pafTport, which, wc know, may belong to a bad as well as a good officer. Their ignorance of our language, and their inability to re- cruit men, are unfurmountable obftacles to their being in- grafted into our continental batallions : for our officers, who have raifed their men, and have ferved through the war upon pay that has hitherto not borne their expenfes, would be dif- gufted if foreigners were put over their heads : — and I aflure you, few or none of thefe gentlemen look lower than held- officers' commiffions. To give them all brevets, by which they have rank and draw pay without doing any fervice, is faddling the continent with a vail: expenfe : and to form them into corps, would be only eflablifhing corps of officers ; for, as I faid before, they cannot poffibly raife any men. Some general mode of difpofing of them mufl: be adopted ; for it is ungenerous to keep them in fufpcnfe, and at great charge to themfelves : but I am at a lofs how to point out tins mode. — Suppofe they were told in general, that no man could obtain a commlffion, except he could raife a num- ber of men in proportion to his rank. This would eifedlu- ally flop the mouths of common appliers, and would leave us at liberty to make provifion for gentlemen of undoubted military chara6ler and merit, who would be very ufeful to us as foon as they acquired our language. If you approve of tins, or can think of any better method, be pleafed to inform mc as fuon as you poffibl^v tan : for, if Vol. il D I had 34 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S I liad a decifive anfwcr to give them, it would not only fave me much trouble but much time, which I am now obliged to beftow in hearing their different pretenfions to merit, and tlicir expecflations thereupon. I inclole you the papers which monfieur Faneuii original- ly laid before the council of Maflachufetts r they may be of ufe if ycHi enter into a negotiation with hina. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W^ Sjr, Head-Quarters, MorrijTown, Feh, 23, 1777. CONGRESS having refolved that feveral regiments of cavalry {hould be raifed to form a part of their army, f beo- leave, through vou, to lav before them the inclofed lift of officers which appear neceiTary to be appointed to each corps, and which they will- be plea fed to eflablifli. At the fame time I fliould fuppofe it highly expedient to fix their pay and that of the privates. There is now one regiment in fervice, and three more recruiting : this makes it indifpenfably necef- lary that it (liouid be done. Applications are eonflantly making, to know what the pay is, and objedlions raifed acraind: tlie fervice for want of due ' iformation, ) have tranfmilted a lift of fuch pay as feemed to be thought reafonal)le for part of xht omcers to receive when colonel Sheldon's regiment was directed to be levied, and a copy of the memorandum m/ade at that time. This, colonel Sheldon conceived, woiild not be more than adecjuate to their fervices, trouble, and expenfe, and which in fame degree was founded on tlie opinions of other gentlemen of whom mquiry was made upon the fubjed. I did not fix it in the inftances where it is i^t down with certainty, as the memorandum will ftiew. A criterion, by which I was alfo governed upon that occafion, was the refolve appointing Mr. Sheldon lieu- tenant-coionel-com.mandant with the rank and pay of coloneL FVom thence I attempted to proportion that of fome other of- ficers* OFFICIAL LETTERS. ^^ ficers;— Upon die whole I think it fliould be fettled without further lofs of time, and Ivilh the eaiiieft attention of Con- grefs to be had to it. Our delicate and truly critical fituatlon, for want of a fuf- ncient force to oppofe the enemy who are now rtadv, andj before many days elapfe, will take the field, induced me to expe6t that the troops railing in the fouthern dates, and in- tended for this army, would march in companies or half com- panies as they were made up, without waiting for their regi- ments to be complete. Policy ftrongly fuggeftcJ the proprie- ty of the meafure, and I requefted it : but, to my great anxiety and furprlfe, I am told that this line of condu6t is totally neg- le6led, though a great number of recruits are auch to be wifhed that they may not fucceed to their warm- CjR: expe6lations. On recurring to the late promotions of brigadiers, t find the number appointed to be i]"iort,of what I took the li- bertv to recommend, and not competent to the exigencies of t\ic fervice, fupnofmg the whole in office before, and thofe lately created, confent to aft, which I have reafon to believe will not be the cafe. I (hall only beg leave to refer you to 7 *^n' OFFICIAL LETTERS 43 mv former letters upon this fubje^l, and to afTure you that many difadvantages will refult from not having a fufficient number of officers of this rank. We have alvyays been de- ficient in this inftance ; and certain I am that the fervice has been greatly injured by it. The proportion I mentioned was full fmall, and, in my opinion, fhould not be difpenfed with. I would alfo take the liberty of mentioning again (having received no anfwer upon the fubje6i) that fettling the hofpitaj plan and eftablifhment becomes more and more necefTary. It is an objecSl of infinite importance ; and the difficulties of doing it on a proper foundation will be great, if not almofl jnfiMmountable, ihould it be deferred till the campaign opens, and the enemy begin their operations. The bene- fits of the inftitution will foon be known : — 'the want wa§ feverely felt in the cour{e of the lafl: year. There is one thing more which claims, in my opinion, the earlieft attention of Congrefs, — I mean the pay of the re- gimental furgeons, and that of the mates. Thefe appoint- ments are fo eflential, that they cannot be done without- The pay, in the firft inftance, is fo low% fo inadequate to the fer- vices which lliould be performed, that no man iuflainingthe .characSler of a gentleman, and who has iliQ lead: medical a- bilitiesor fkill in the profeflion, can think of accepting it: that in the latter is fo paltry and trifling, that none, of the leafl generofity of fentiment or pretenfions to merit, can confent to act for it. In a word, thefe are inconveniences of an intercfling nature : — they amount to an exclufion of per- sons who could difcharge the duties of thofe offices ; and, if not redrefTed, there is not the fmalleft probability that any fan be prevailed on to enter them again. There are feveral matters alfo which I referred to Congrefs feme time fince, and upon which I have not received the re- fult of their deliberations,— One inquiry, about the ftate of arms and ammunition, I am peculiarly anxious to be latis- ^ed in. From the inconveniences and injuries to the fervice of late for 44 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S for want of money, T am induced to requefi: that the fln£^eil regard flioiiM be had to furnifhing the paymafter with con- ilant and fufficient fupplies. On funday he received live hun- dred thoufand dollars, half of which is already expended, and the balance in a day or two will be entirely fwept away, without difcharging the feveral claims. By his report, the commiiTary here requires an immediate draught for a hun- dred tlioufand ; and the militia returning and about to leave camp, a hundred and twenty thoufand more. The expenfe incurred by calling on them fo frequently is almofl: incredi- ble. Befules thefe, there are feveral arrears ^ue to the old troops, and to mofl: of the general and ftaff officers. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. I fully intended to tranfmit you a general return, but am not able to make it out with precifion. However, from the mo{b accurate eilimate that I can foiin, the whole of our numbers in Jerfev, fit for duty at this time, is under three thoyfand. Thefe (nine hundred and eighty-one excepted) are militia, and ftand engaged onlv till the lall: of this month. The troops under inoculation, including their attendants, amount to about one thoufand. Sir, Head-Quarters, Mor rift own, March i8, 1777. THE difficulty if not impoffibility of giving Congrefs a jufl idea of our Situation (and of feveral other important matters requiring their earliefl: attention) by letter, has in- duced me to prevail on major-general Greene to wait upon them for that purpofe. This gentleman is fo much in my confidence, fo intimately acquainted with my ideas, — with our flrcngth and our weakneffi;S, — with every tiling refpedl:- ing the army,^-that I have thought it unneceflary to parti- cularife or prefcribe any certain line of duty or inquiries for him. I iliall only fay, from the rank he holds as an able and good officer in the efiimation of all who know him, he defervc:; the greatcfl rcfpcct ; and much regard is due to hia opinions OFFICIAL LETTERS. 45 opinions in the line of his profefTion. He has upon his mind fuch matters as appear to me moft material to be immediate- ly confidered of ; and many more will probably arifc during, the intercourfe you may think proper to honor him with ; — on all which I wiih to have the fenfe of Congrefs, and the refult of fuch deliberations as may be formed thereupon. I have inclofed an extradl of a letter received yefterday from governor Trumbull, with a copy of one intercepted, going from the late governor Wentworth to his fifler. The information contained in the latter, if true, is important and interefting : how far it is to be relied on, I cannot deter- mine : but there can be no doubt of the Britifli court's drain- iag every nerve and interefl at home and abroad, to bend us to their * * ^' yoke. I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W- SlR, Morrijiowny March 2i, 1777* I WAS lafl night honored with your letter oi the feventeenth inftant, covering fundry refolutions of Congrefs, v»'hich iliall have my attention. Having charged major-general Greene, who will probably be in Philadelphia to-day, with fuch matters as I wiilied to refer to the confuleration of Congrefs, I have nothing to trouble them with at this time, or material to inform them oL 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W. SlR^ Hcaa-Quarters^JidGrrlJiown, March 23, 1777. COLONEL Palfrey, having exprelTed a defire to fettle the accounts of his office to this' time, has obtained my permiffion to repair to Philadeljihia, and now waits on Con- grefs with his books and vouchers, hoping that a committee . will be appointed to examine and adjud the fame. The difadvanta^es which have arifen to the fervice, and whidj have been feveiely felt, ioi wawr of cu.nllant fupplies in. the 4$ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S the military cheft, are almoft incredible, and are not to he iefcribed but with great difficulty to thofe who are not im^ mediately in the armyj and privy to the frequent and impor- tunate applications that are made. To prevent inconveni- cnciesof the like nature in future, I have thought it proper that an eftimate of the monthly advances Ihoukl be formed and laid before Congrefs. This colonel Palfrey will do ; and, though it cannot be efFe6led Vv'ith a degree of fcrupulous ex- adlnefs and precifion, yet from his intimate knowledge of the incidental charges and expenfcs in the common courfe of things, the calculation, I apprehend, will be attended with many benefits. It will fhew Congrefs the necelTary provi- iions of money to be made for ordinary contingencies, and enable them to form a rule for their government in the in- flance of fupplies for the army. I have the honor to be, &c. G. Wc Sir, A/orri/iown, March 26, 1777* YESTERDAY a letter, of which the inclofed is a copy, came to my hands. The account is confirmed by a countryman who is fmce come in : but nothing diftin6l has yet been received. The aid required of me in colonel Hay's letter cannot be given '.• — I have no men to oppofe the enemy's defigns in any one quarter, although called upon from every quarter. All that was poffible for me to do tov/ards colle6ling a force at Peekfkill, I had attempted before : — I had in peremptory- terms called upon the officers of Rhode-Ifland and Connec- ticut to forward on their recruits under proper officers as faft as poffible to that place r I haddirc6>cd fuch of the New- York regiments as had been ordered to Ticonderoga, to repair thither : I had requeftcd eight of the MafTachufetis regiments to be marched to that poll : and, Icfb thefe Ihould not arrive in time, 1 urged governor Trumbull, in a letter of the lixth inftant, to fend two thoufand of his militia to the fame place. OFFICIAL LETTERS. 47 ^lace. But forry I am to obferve, the militia have got tired ; and the colonels of the continental regiments hr.ve been great- ly deceived themfelves, — have greatly deceived me, — or the moft unheard-of dcfertions '^ * '^' have prevailed * * * : for regiments, reported two or three months ago to be half com- pleted, are, upon the colonels being called upon in pofitive terms for a jull: flate of them, found to contain lefy than one hundred men ; and this not the cafe of a hngle regiment only, but of many. In Connecticut alone, by a letter from ge- Meral Parfons, of the fixth inftant, four regiments are men- tioned as not having more than eighty rank and hie, each. Thefe, iir, are melancholy truths : but fads they arc, and necelTary to be known to Congrels, however prudent it may be to conceal them from the obfervation of others. To fuperintend the bullnefs of recruiting, — to fee that the officers were diligent, — to prevent imp-ofitions if poirible,— to appoint tit places of rendez-vous, — to fee that the recruits were a6lually brought to thofe places, and there equipped and trained for the fieldy— were among the great objecls which early and repeatedly induced me to preft; the appoint- ment of general officers: but unfortunately the delay of ap- pointing, being followed by the rehgnation o^ forne ofHccrs and non-acceptance of others, will involve the army in a mere chaos of confuilon at a time when the utmoft order and regularity fnould prevail, and when all our arrange- ments ought to be completely cflablifhed. — The medical de- partment will, it is much to be feared, be in the fame fitua- tion :■— not an officer yet appointed to it. For wFiVA of proper and coercive powers, — 'from difaflec- tion and other caufes, — the militia of this llate are not to be depended upon. They are drawn out with difficulty, and at a moil enormous expenfe, as their accounts will (hew : th^y come, you can fcarce tell how ; they go, you hardly know when. In tlie fame predicament are thoie of Pennfylvania. Numbers from this flate have joined the enemy ; and ma- ny m.gre are difpofed to do fo, as the letter from Mr. Hufr (a copy 4S GENERAL WASHINGTON'S (a copy of which is inclofecl, corrcfponding with fevcral others of the fame tenor) fufficiently evinces. I have the honor to be, 5-:c. G. W. P. S. Small as cur prefent force is, it will be reduced in a few day*^ by the going off of the Jerfey three-months-men, the Cecil-cciinty militia, and the Virginia volunteers, all of whom ciai-.i discharges the firfr of next month. I have fent an officer c\'])refs towards Pcekfkill to inquire into the cir- cumflances and cc 'equence of the enemy's defcent upon that place, — not being able to account for general M'Dougal's (who comm.ands there) and general Clinton's (who is at the forts in tire Highlands) their filence upon this occailon.' Sir, Mo n ifto^jc 71, Afarch 29, 1777. I LAST night had the honor to receive your letter of '^\Q twenty-fixth inftant, accompanied by fundry refolves oi Oongrefsj and fome other papers. The arrival of the arms, locks, and flints, you have been pleafed to mention, is a moil: fortunate and happy event. I join you mod fmcerely in congratulations upon the occafion. I have not yet obtained a certain account of the expedition againfr and deflruciion of PeckfidlL Information of diofe events has not been yet tranfmitted by oenerals IM^Doucral or Clinton, or the convention of the fl-ate. There is no doubt but that the town is dellroyed, and, with it, fome fiores : — neither the quality nor am.ount of them is known. It is faid that it was done in part by our own people when they found that they could not prevent them falling into the cnciny*s hands, — The Ihips and troops have gone down the river again. Mr. Kirkland, the Oneida miffionary, arrived here this week Vv'ith a chief warrior and five other Indians of that na- tion. They had been to Bolton, and came from thence to this place to inquire into the true flare of maiLc:s, that they OFFICIAL LETTERS. 49 might report them to a grand council to be fliortly held. They faid things were fo falfely and varioufly reprefented by our enemies through their agents, that they did not know what to depend on. I invited them to go toPhiladelphia ; but they declined it, declaring they were well fatisfied with what they had feen, and that they were authorifed to tell their nation, all they had heard from the enemy was falfe. Being told that France was afiilling us, and about to join in the war, they feemed highly pleaied ; and Mr. Kirkland faid he was perfuaded it would have a confiderable etFe6l on the minds of feveral of the nations, and fecure to us their neutra- lity, if not a declaration and commencement of hoftilities in our favor. I fhewed them every civility in my power, and every thing that I thought material to excite in them an idea of our ftrength and independence. After (laying two days, they fet off. for their nation, exprefling their defire of the mod fpeedy return to the council, and profelling the moft friendly fentiments towards us. I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W. Sir, Aforrijiowti, March 29, 1777. SINCE I had the honor of addreiHng you this m.orn- ing by the return exprefs, the eaflern poft arrived. The in- telligence he brought is agreeable and interefting, as you will perceive by the inclofed letter from Mr. Hazard, which I do myfelf die pleafure of tranfmitting you. I am happy to fay the- arrival of the fliip at Portfmouth and the capture of the two prizes is confirmed by other letters from gentlemen of note in and abaut Soflon. Upon thefe events 1 give you my mofl: hearty congratulations. Some of the letters add that a French general, colonel, and major, came pafTengers in the fliip, who are highly recommended by do6lor Franklin. The affair of Pcckflvill has not been tranfmitted me with certainty : but I am informed the relation of it, in Loudon's paper which I have inclofed, is nearly as it iiappened. I have the honor to be, 6cc. G. W, Vol. II. E so GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Sir, Head-Quarters^ Morrifiown, March 31, 1777* CAPTAIN Delhieids, oi Mr. Buchanan's Ihip from Baltimore, who was taken by the enemy and carried into York, made his efcape from thence on fatiirday evening. He informs thiat three thoufanJ troops, Bricifli and Heffian, em- barked about X.zn days ago from the city and Staten-Ifland, on board tranfports which were lying at the latter when he came away. He adds that the enemy have burlt and arc building a number of light ftat-bottomed boats, about feventy of which were finifhed. Captain Delhields fays It feemed to be the general opinion and converfatlon that this embarkation was for Qiefapeak- bay, with a view of making a defcait on the Eaftern-Shore* or that the troops were to proeeed to the Head of Elk, tak- ing Annapolis and Baltimore in their way. There were fome who thought it probable they mean to go up the North-river and attempt the Highland fortitications. — I have written to generals M'Dougal and Clinton, defiring them to make the befl: preparation that circumftances will admit oi^ for their reception, in cafe the latter ihoukl be their obje6l. Captain Defliiclds being in company with the captain of the packet, but unknown to him, heard him fay that a war with. France was much expedled when he left England, w^hicll was about the beginning of February. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. • Sir, Head- Quarters, ATonl/lc-jun, April 2^ 1 7 7 7 ^ SINCE I had the honor of v/rit:ag to you laft, I have received the inclofed from general M'Dougal, which Contains a full account of the late affair at Peekfkill. Every prudential jftep appears to have been taken by the general, and as good a difpofition made as his fmall number of men would admit'of. I have heard nothing further rcfpe6^ing the embarkation ©f troop:', which I mentioned in my latt.— I am in hopes the Conne\Sticut OFFICIAL LETTERS. sf ConneQ:lcut militia will arrive at Peekfl^ill before another expedition is made up the North-river. I have wrote to haften them as much as pofiible, left I'uch another defign fhould be really in agitation. — Limy opinion, Delaware-bay is their objedl, and Chefapeak only thrown out by way of blind : their late attempt to procure Delaware pilots feems to confirm it. I obferve by your late promotions that a foreign gentle* man is appointed to the command of the German batallioni I could wifli that he was ordered to join immediately, as that regiment much wants an officer of experience at the head of it. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. I have ordered the deputy quaf-ter-itlafler- general to eflablilti proper relays of exprejGTes between this and Philadel- phia, that intelligence may be occafionally conveyed in the moft expeditious manner. If there (liould be aiiy appearance of a fleet in Delaware-bay, it will be known in a very few hours in Philadelphia, by hoifting the fignals ; and I beg I may have the earlieft notice of it. — The quarter-mafter will inform you who his rider in Philadelphia is^ that you may' know where to apply^ Sir* Hcad-Qunrters, MorriJ}dwn, Jprli g, ^777* 1 AM honored with yours of the fourth, indofmg fun- dry refolves of Congrefs from the twenty-ninth of March to the fifth inftant.-^I am extremely glad to fee the refdlve for the immediate removal of military flores from Baltimore and Annapolis : for, although I do not imagine that the enemy intend an expedition of any great confequence in Chefapeak- bay, yet while the flores lay at the above-mentioned places, they were always fubje6t to be deflroyed by a fudden attack of a fhip of war with a few land forces. The regulations for the paymafter-generars department are very falutary, and, if carried iT:ri(5lly into execution, will make a vaft faving to the public. It may be eafilv done E 2t when 52 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S when the army is put upon a regular footing: but, while vvc are obliged to make ufe of militia, we muft fubmit to all the irregularities that naturally attend them, and muft not there- fore expedl to have the rule as fcrupuloufly complied with by them as could be wifhed. * * * The mufter-mafter-general complained that the duty re- quired of him was more than he could perform : but by the late refolves there is an ample allowance for deputies ; and therefore no further excufe can be made upon that liead. I moft ardently wiili to fee the hoipital e(l:abli(hed. I am afraid too much time has been loft in the confideration of the plan : but the gentlemen who ftiall be appointed to the fu- perintendence muft endeavor to make up for loft time by their diligence. By the lateft accounts from Brunfwic, it looks as if the enemy were projedling an embarkation. They have been ftripping the buildings of boards, and cutting fmall timber, and tranfporting them from Brunfwic to Amboy. It is ima- gined this is to build births in their tranfports. — 1 ftiall keep a conftant look-out upon the motions of their veflels, and fhall endeavor to obtain every intelligence by fending j)eople into their quarters. — I think Delaware-bay muft be their def- > tinatioii if they move by water. I. have the honor to be, ccc. G. W, Sir, AloniJJown, Jpr/I lO, 1777. I WAS juft now honored with your lettei of the ninth inftant, covering fundry refoln.cions of Congrefs. Thofc for regulating the hofpital and medical department, I truft, will prove of the moft falutary confequences. It is only to be regretted that this iieceflary and liberal inftitution had not been gone into and completed at an earlier period. The honors Congrefs have decreed to the memory of ge- nerals Warren and Mercer afford me the higheft pleafure : their chara6l:er and merit had a juft claim to every mark of refpedl j OFFICIAL LETTERS. 53 refpe6l ; and I heartily wiili that every officer of the United States, emulating their virtues, may by their alliens fecure to tiiemfelves the fame right to the grateful tributes of their country. Since writing to you yefterday I have received further in- telligence of the enemy's preparations in York, indicating a movement before long. It is contained in the inclofed letter, N^ I, and corroborates the opinion I have long entertained that they would make a pufli againil Philadelphia. The tory regiments mentioned, we are told, are at Hackinfac, and are about £ve hundred ftrong, exclufivc of a company of Highlanders which is with tiiem. The inclofed letter froiii le chevalier count De Vrecourt came to hand this morninn, — which 1 have thought proper to tranfmit to Congrefs, that they may coulider his cafe, and udopt fucli meafures refpe£ling him as his character and tef- timonials deferve. I never heard of him before: but if he is a flvilful engineer, he will be extremely ufcful, and ihould be employed, though he may nor underi"l:and our language. At this time we have not one with the army, nor one to join it, pf t!ie ieafl reputation or pretenfions to fkill. If this gentle- man came in confequcnce ot an agreement with do6ior Franklin, and brought credentials from him, I ihould fuppofe him to be acquainted with what he was recommended for. The CLuLel, propofed to be fettled, and fo long in agita- tion, is not accompllfhed yet : the lafl: meeting on that bufi- Hef« was the iccond inftant, v/hen nothing was done ; nor is a further interview appointed refpedling it. I have tranfmitT* t.ed a copy of lord Cornwallis's letter which came out the next day, with that of the paper alluded to by him, which Mr. Harrifon refufed to receive from colonel Walcot, and of my anfwer to the latter in a letter to general Howe. The objedlions or articles mentioned by colonel Waicoc were tjiofe general Greene had with him, and which he left when he came from Philadelphia : the origmal I have by me, Thofe points were iuUiled on again, auJ rejected, and a tcn-^ E 3 der 54 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S der made of the paper by colonel Walcot, which he brought with him prepfered. I have appointed John Wilkens, John Steel, Mathew Irvine, and Samuel Kerfley, efquires, captains of companies to be raifed by them, in confequence of the recommendation of general Armftrong. As the intereil of thofe gentlemen lies in Pennfylvania chiefly, and it would be drawing money from the paymafter here to carry to Philadelphia (fuppohng there wa3 a fupply in the cheft, which is not the cafe), I fhall be oblicred bv Conerefs's ordering lix hundred dollars to be advanced to each of them on account of the recruiting fer- vlce ; the iirft of whom I imagine is in Philadelphia. If this requifition can be complied v/ith, he, I prefume, will give notice to the refl: ; or, if general Armftrong is informed of it, he will do it. I have the honor to be, ^c, G. W, Sir, Head-Quarters, Morrijiown, April 12, 1777, HAVING feen a letter from do6lor Franklin, and many other credentials in favor of monfieur le chevalier Du Plcllis, he appears to me to be a perfon worthy of the notice and encouragement of Congrefs. He has ferved in the French artillery ; and both his inclination and qualifications make it proper he ihould have an appointment in ours. There are fome vacancies in the artiilerv for captains, one of which may be offered him as a beginning. The fuperior ranks are all completed. 1 am., lir, your moH: Ivvimble fervant, G. W. Sir, Head-Quarters, Morrifiown, Apr] I 12, 1777, I AM honored with yours of the tenth, accompanied with one from tlic committee of Cgngrefs to whom I have wrote very fully upon the fubje61: of the refolve for forming an army upgn the weft fide of Delaware, and to which 1 refer OFFICIAL LETTERS, 55 refer you. — I vvifh I could fee any profpeil of an army, fit to make proper oppofition, formed any vvliere. You will perhaps be furprifed at this after the public reports of the great fuccefs of recruiting in all the ftates ; but, to convince you that thefe are but bare reports, I will give you the heft information I have been able to colle(9: from aciual returns and other accounts. New-Hampfhire. — No returns : but a letter from general Heath fays they are tolerably forward. — All their regiments go to the northward. Maflachufetts. — About four hundred men raifed to a regi- ment ; many of thefe yet to undergo inoculation. Seven of their regiments go to the northward, and eight aie to come to Peekfkili for the prefent. Rhode-Ifland. — Only three hundred and fixty men en- lifted in both regiments the firft of April. Two hundred of thefe are yet to be inoculated. — General Varnum writes me that he defpairs of filling up the regiments. Connecticut- — -By a return from general Parfons, of the fourth of April, about eighteen hundred men were recruited through the whole ftate, — they, much difperfed ; — many to have the fmall-pox ; and recruiting at a ftand. New- York — About two hundred men to a regiment: and, from the peculiar fituation of that province, it will be almolt iinpoflible for them to fill up their regiments though they ex- ert themfelves very much. New Jerfey. — Between two and three hundred to a regi- ment. They alfo lie under many difficullies on account of the difafFe(Slion of their ftate : but their officers are adive and diligent, Pennfj/lvanla, — Moft of her regiments are very backward, — thofc moft fo, who have been iongeft recruiting. Delav^^are ftate. — No return of their regiment. Maryland. — I have only the return of one reoiment, which confifts of two hundred men ; but I do not believe the othei^ ^fiC in more forwardnefs. The difputes about the rank of E 4 officer^ 56 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S officers have prevailed fo much, that the recruiting fervice has been in a manner neglected. Virginia. — The nine old regiments will not exceed eigh- teen hundred eiFe6live jpTiCn : and governor Henrv, in a letter which I received yeilcrda}-, informs me that he did not think that more than four of die hx new ones would be filled. He propofes the expediency of raifnig volunteer companies to ferve feven or eight months, to make up the deficiency . but this I fhali obje£l to on^iany accounts, particularly that it would be introducing a body of men who would look upon themfelves at liberty to do what they pleafed, and, the mo- ment their time expired, would leave us, though at the moil critical juntSlure. If the men that are raifed, few as they are, could be got into the held, it would be a matter of fome confolation : but every method that I have been able to devife has proved inef- fectual. If I fend an officer to colle6l the fick and fcattered of his regiment, it is ten to one but he negleds his duty, goes home on pleafure or buhnefs, and the next that I hear of him is that he has refigned : — furloughs are no more attended to than if there was no hmitation of tiine: — and in ihort, in; there is fuch a total depreffion of that military ardor which I hoped would hr- ve infpired every officer when he found his pay genteelly aU;;;;menred and the army put upon a refpe(5l- able footing, that it feemiS to me as if all public fpirit was funk -^ * * I fhall as foon as poffible tranfmit to the board of w^ar a lift of the appointments I have made in confequence of the powers vefted in me. If the appointments In the hofpital are not niled up before the receipt of this, I would take the liberty of mentioning a gentleman whom I think highly deferving of notice, not only on account of his abilities, but for the very great affiftance which he has afforded in the courfe of this winter, merely in the nature of a volunteer. The gentleman is do6tor John Cochran, well known to all the faculty, and particularly to 9 dodor ' OFFICIAL LETTERS. 57 tlo<5lor Slilppen, who, I fuppofe, has mentioned hini among tlie candidates. The place for which the dodlor is well fit- ted, and which would he niofl: agreeable to him, is furpeon- general to the middle departcxnt. In this line he ierved all the laft war in the British fervice, and has diftingiiiihed him- feif this winter, particularly in his attention to the fmall-pox patients and the wounded, who, but tor him and doftor Bond, in nil: have fuileied much, if not been totally neglected, as there were no other medical gentlemen to be found — If the appointment of furgeon-general is filled up, that of dcputy- direv5lor of the middle department would be acccprabie. I have been thus full in my recommendation becaufe doctor Cochran in a manner had my promife of one of the capital appointments in the hoipital, upon a profuniption tiiat I fhould have had fome hand in the nomination by die relolu- tion of Congrefs empowering me to hi] all commiiTions under the rank of brigadiers-general. y^pril 13. — I have this moment received a line from p-ei>e- ral Lincoln, informing me that the enemy attempted to fur- •prife him early this morning at his poft at Boundbrook-.; but he made good his retreat to the pafs of the mountains jufl: in his rear, with triflinp- lofs. I have the honor to be, &:c, G. W. SiPv, Head-Quarters^ Morr'ifiown^ Jpr'd I C, 1 777. THE inclofed from monfieur le chevalier De Dreud- homme de Bone, with the papers annexed to it, were receiv- ed this day by the eaftcrn mail. It appears that by an agree- ment with Mr. Deane he is to have the rank and pay of a bfigadier-general in our fervice. I imagine by this that he is a man of real merit. If you think proper to confirm Mr. Deane's appointment, be pleafed to inform me of it and re- turn the letter, that I m.ay give a fuitable anfwer. If, as I imagine, he does not underftand Englifh, it will be fome time before he can be of any ufe at the head of a brigade. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. J^ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Sir, Head-Quarters, Morr'ijlown^ April, i^S, 1 777. I HAVE nothing of importance to tranfmit Congrefa, «o event in tl>e military line having happened fince my laft, excep? ifhe fDrprifing a fmall picquet guard of the enemy on raonday night at Bonemtown, and bringing off thirteen pri- jToners, by one of our parties. An enterprife of a fimilar na- ture was farmed againfl that at Amboy, in which the party i^\xt to efietSl it did not fucceed fo well, though the mofl: ad- vanced of them feized and fecured three of their out-centries Witbcut giving an alarm. By a letter from general M'Dongal, of yefterday, I am informed that he had received accounts of thirty-fix fail of tranrports having left Newport on friday lafl, with troops on board. Other reports he had were that a number of fhips were coming up the Sound, fo that we may reafonably con- clude general Hov»-e is drawing his forces from the eaflward; General Arnold, in a letter of the fixth, mentioned, that, from the preparati'on of tranfports, and other circumflances, he thought it probable an embarkation was about to take place-. There are grounds to fufpeft from information received, that fome imfair practices have been and are meant to be ufed jn certain exiX)rts from Philadelphia. It is faid that a veiTel iiavigated by Frenchmen loaded there, belonging to * * * of New-Yor]:, wliich carried her cargo to general Howe ; alfo that ^^ ''■'■ * and * * * of Monmouth-county intend to load one cr more for fhe fame purpofe, under the idea of fending them to foreign markets. I have written to th? board of war for Pcnnfylvania upon the fubjecl, and doubt not but thefc hints will be properly improved, and fuch frauds guarded againft as well as circumftances will admit. I have inclofed a copy of an advertifement publiflied in Gainers paper of the fourteentli, which Ihews that no arti-r iices are left untried by the enemy to injure us. Before the appearance of this unparalleled piece, I had heard that a perfon was gone from York to RUode-Iil^nd with a (quantity of counterfeit monev. There OFFICIAL LETTERS. 59 There is one thing which I hcg leave to mention to Con- grefs, and which I think highly deferving their attention, that is, that fupphes of hard money, or bills of exchange to procure it, fliould, if poflihle, be fent to our prifoners in the hands of the enemy, at leaft to the officers, to relieve their wants. By letters which I h^ve received from them of late, I find they are in great difireis, and fuch as. ourlit to be removed, if it can be done. — No inconvenience will refult to the public from fiich fupplies, if they can be furnifhed, as proper ftoppages and dedudtions can be made from their pay, ^pril 19. . !.I was honored with your letter of the fixteenth between twelve and one o'clock yellerday, accom- panied by fundry refolutions, I hope the meafures Congrefs have adopted will produce thefalutary confequences they had in view : but I fear that the Ifates, unlefs they are delicate in exercifmg the powers they are invefted with for hliing vacan- cies in inftances of removal from oince, and pay flri6l at- tention to a proper line of fucceffion where there are no ca- pital obje6lions, will renew much of that confulion and dif- order we have been endeavoring to extricate ourfelves from. Nor will this be of fmall difficulty if they difplacc many officers : for, fuppofmg them to have kept the moil ac- curate lifts of their original appointments, changes have taken place in feveral inftances from various caufes unknown to them, and of which they cannot be apprifed. I can aft\ire Congrefs the appellation given to the repi^ ments officered by me was without my confent or priviiy. As foon as I heard it, I wrote to feveral of the officers in terms of fevere reprehenilon, and exprefsly charged them to fupprefs the diftinftion, adding that all the batallions were on the fame footing, and ail under the general name of Continental. An attack upon the king^s troops at Rhode-:Ifland was certainly a dciirable event, could it have been condu6led with fuccefs, or upon equal terms. It being an objedl of great i-noment,, and iuvolving ii:^ its iiTue many important confe- quences, I um led to believe the practicability of it has had rnucl\ 6o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S much confideration, and the nicalure was found to be unad- vjfable under the circumflances of the troops collected for the purpofe. If the enemy have not evacuated the illand, I fuppofe the matter will be further weighed. I do not find in the medical arrangement any mention of regimental furgeons'-mates, or provifion n-.ade for their pav- ment. Whether Congrefs mean to difpenfe with fuch of- ficers or not, I cannot tell : I have heard that they do : but they appear to me to be abiolutely neceflary. We are often obliged to divide regiments and fend a part to a diiiant poft : when this is the cafe, it is ciTential that there (liould be fome perfon with them to take ciiarge of the fick or wounded, if fuch there fhould be. — I have only mentioned this of many reafons that might be urged to ihew the expediency of fuch appointments. Notwidiflanding the many ciscumftdnces inducing a be- lief that Philadelphia will be tl.c firii. obje6t of the enemy's attention, — yet, as the Itracagcms of war are various, and they may be eafdy changed, cip-jciaily wiicn they have the entire command or the water, — I camiot but conhder tlie de- tention of the troops at Philadel|)hia, farther than mentioned in my letter in anfwerto tiiat Irom the board oi war, as inexpedi- ent, and fubje6l to great inconvenience and injury, in the prefent divided, feparated ftate of the army, we aie weak at all points, and not able to make the leaft oppofition promif- ing fuccefs. Suppofing they were colle6ted hcie, they would be ready to act as neceffity and ciicumftances nught ret^uiie- If the enemy pulhed for Philadelphia, we Ihouid have notice of it, and could hang upon their flank and rear : nor is it like- ly they would undertake fuch an expedition without attempt- ing the dertru61:ion or difperfion of the army firfl. If they embarked and fhould go by fta, we (liould have information of it, and could be there in time. On the other band, fhould all they have done prove a feint, and they Ihould turn their views to the North-river, wc Ihould be in a much better li- tuation to countera6l their defigns, and to check the progrefs of their arms in that quarter. Added to this, feveral o{ the OFFICIAL LETTERS. 6i regiments, cfpecially thofe which came lirfl from Virginia and Pennfylvania, are fo broken that it is impofTible to do any thing with the parts that are here ; and that fpirit which is always derived from a corps being full, or as much fo as circumftances of number will admit of, is entirely done away. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Morr?J}ozvn, April 21, 1777. I was this morning honored with your favor of the twentieth, inclohng fundry proceedings of Congrefs. — The removal of provifions, &c, from the communication be- tween Brunfwic and Trenton has been pretty well eiFedled already. It was an object early attended to, and w^hat I re- commended to the afTembly of this ftate as deferving their in- terpolitlon and aid: but, finding that it had not their imme- diate conlideration, and that they fecmed to decline interfer- ing in the niatter, I directed the quarter-mafters and com- miflaries to purchafe their firft fupplies of thofe necefTaries from fuch places as appeared to be moil expofed to the ene- my's Incurfions, and through which it Is mod probable th(^v will take their route towards the Delaware, in cafe anenter- prife that way fhould be in contemplation, f have tranfmit- ted copies o^-' the reiblve upon this iubjed to general Putnam and colonel Forman (che latter of whom is in Monmouth- county), with orders to execute the fame agreeable to the di- reftions therein prefcribed, vvhere it may be neceflary on the road leading from South- Amboy acrofs the country. I have nothing of Importance to communicate to Congrefs, The advices they will receive to-day, which pafTed through this town yeilerday, will tell diem that 'Ax^ enemy remained at Rhode-Wand on the fifteenth inftant, rifjtvvithftandino- the accounts we had received of their embiirkalion before. I have the honor ro he, ^c. G. W. 62 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Si R , Head- Quarters, Aforr'iflo-jun, April 23, 1777* I HAVE the honor to tranfmit you the inclofed pieces of intelligence which I received this day from general Ste-^ phens, who hy my defire employed perfons to go into New-^ York and Brunfwic. I do not put entire contidence in the whole : but the principal reafon of fending the intelligence forward is that proper meafures may be fallen upon to tind out and apprehend Thomas * * * mentioned in general Stephens*s letter of this date. If the enemy fhould move, I have taken fl:cps to make as good an oppoiltion as my fmall force is capable of. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W* Sir, Morrijiown^ Jpril 26, 1777* I WAS laft night honored with your letter of the twenty-fifth, with fundry refolves of Congrefs. Such of them as are necefiary for my government and conduct I ihall Uridly attend to. The money and bills for our prifoners had better be tranf^ mitted to Elias Boudinot, efquire, to whom I fhall give direc- tions to adopt ways and means for fending tlie fame, and for a proper appropriation and diftribution of the monev amongft them. Bills, 1 think, will be moft eligible, provided they are dulv paid. As to procuring clothes in New- York, I have reafon to believe that it will not be allowed, and that the pri- foners will obtain no fupplies but what we fend thciu* I heard of Mr. Franklin's pradiccs fome time ago, and nd- vifed governor Trumbuil of the fame, that his condu6t mighr be properly attended to. It is very unhappy for us, that^ through tlie intrigues of fuch men, the enemy have fouiul means to raife a fpirit of dilaffedion but too generally in ma- ny of the fbatcs. In this, I have flrong afTuranccs that it has ariien to a great height; and I ihali not be difappointcd if a l.irs-e number of the inhabitants in fome of the counties iliouici OFFICiAL LETTERS. 63 Sioiiicl openly appear in arms as foon as the enemy begin their operations. I have taken every meafure in my power to fupprefs it ; but neverthelefs feveral from SulTex and Ber- gen have joined their army, and the fpirit becomes more and more daring every day. You will be pleafed to direct general Mifflin to remain in Philadelphia as long asCongrefs fhall think his prefence there eflential. I have inclofed a copy of general Howe*s letter which I received laft night in anfwer to mine of the ninth infiant. Nothing of an interefting nature has occurred fnice my laft ; which leaves me only to add, that I have the honor to be, with fentimenls of the greatefl refpcd, &ic. G. W. Sir, Monijioivn, Jpnl 2E^ I777« I LAST night received the favor of your letter of the twenty-fixth, with the refolves to which it alludes. The views of Congrefs, in fending general officers to the eaftwajd to haften on the troops, have been long anticipated . general Poor is in New-Hampfliire for the purpofe, — general Heath in Maflachufetts-Bay, with the brigadiers Nixon, Glo- ver and Patterfon, — general Vainum in Rhode-Ifland, and general Parfons in Connecticut. Generals Spencer ancj Ar- nold too have been defired to attend to the bufinefs.'^' To thefe gentlemen 1 have wrote repeatedly in the moil: prefling terms upon the fubjedt, and I have no reafon to doubt but every exertion on their part has been employed to promote the end. The delay of thofe who have enlifted has arifen from the late period when they engaged, and from their being inoculated fmce, which could not be difpenfed with, without fubje(^ing them to the calamities and ravage of the' fmall-pox in the na* rural way. A-t three o'clock this morning I received a letter from ge- neral M'Dougal inclofjng three from colonel Huntington, €X)p'es of the whole of which I have tranfmitted. By thele: 64 ' GENERAL W ASHINGTOxN'S you will perceive the impreflion which a part of genera! Howe*s aimy has made into Conne6licut, and the profpe6l they had of deftroving fuch of our ftores as were depofited in Danbury, which unfortunately were but too large and con- fiderable, if the event has taken place. A circumflance, per- haps more to be regretted, is that the enemy marclied through a ftsrong and rough country, and were near that piace^ with- out the fnmlleil: oppofition. I have no other information up- on the fubje6l than what thefe papers contain : but we have little ground to expe6l that they have not accomplilhed their purpofe. Further intelligence will be probably received to- day or to-morrow, when I ihall be happy to hear that they have paid for their enterprife. Of this, I confefs however, I am not very fanguine in my expe6lations. This pou had been confidered as a proper depofitory for (lores, by gentlemen acquainted with it ; and its fecurity not thouglit queftionabie whiilt troops were paiTmg through it. I had alfo diredled that as many of the draughts in Connedticut as the place was capable of accommodating, Hiould be colledl- cd there and inoculated, to anfwer the purpofe of a guard, hoping, by the time of their recovery, that thefituation of the army would be fuch as to admit a flrong one to be. fla- tioned there and continued : but, unhapuilv for us, fuch Ian-- guor-andfnpinenefs prevails everywhere, that we feem una- ble to effect any point we wifli, though never fo important and intcrefting. So early as the fixth of March, I wrote to governor Trumbull, earneflly requefting two tlioufand mili- tia to be fent to general M'Dougal to be employed at Peeks- kill and on tlie commamication in Wefl-Chefler county for tjx -weeks. Wilh this requifition he moft readily complied fo far as his orders were neceflary, and (I ani certain) his in- fluence would extend. This I have repeated, and this fup- ply he has exerted himfelf to furnhh : yetfo intireiflual have has endeavors been, that not more than eight hundred had comQ ont, by general M'Dougal's return on the feveateenth jurtant ; nor Jid he expert more, from the accounts he had^ In OFFiclAL LETTERS. 65 In aworcl, fir, no expedient or pains have been un-attempted by rne to bring on troops, and to keep our adirs on a fa- vorable footing. I would again mention the cafe of our prifoners with the enemy, and pray that the fecret committee would fend to Mr. Eoudinot fupplies of money for them as early as poilible. Thev are in great diflrefs, and many officers have lately ef- caped, contrary to the tenor of their parole ; fome of wh.om are now here, urging that neceffity compelled them to the nieafure. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Monijlovon^ April 30, 1777, half after- 8 o'clock^ P. III. Sir, I HAVE been waiting with much anxiety to hear (he refult of the expedition againfl Daijibury, which I never was informed of till this minute. The inclofed copy of a letter from general M^Dougal, and of feveral othei s which he tranfmitted, will give Congrefs all the intelligence I have iipon the fubjedl. I haye only to add and to lament that t\\\9 enterprife has been attended with but too muchfuccefs on the part of the enemy. — I have the honor to be, Scc^ G. W« Sir, Morrljioivn, May 3, 1777, I WAS yerterday honored with your letter of the twenty-ninth ultimo, inclofing fuhdry refolves. — Agreeahlc to the diredions of Congrefs, f have written to tht^ fbtes of New-Hampfliire and MafTaclimetts, and urged theiii to cOm* plete and forward their troops defthied for Ticonderoga, with all poflfible expedition- The brigadiers gone there for the prefent are Fermoy, Poor, Parterfon, and Learned. Nixoa and Glover were alfo intended for that pofi under my firft plan, which was, that all the regimeri'S^ to be raiifei in thof® flates by the refolve in September, iliould compofe that army. But having by the advice of my officers dired^ed the route of Vol. II. F eighl- 66 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S 6ight regfmc?its from the latter to Pcekil;il], to wait till the defigns of general Hr)we were unrokled, rl^efe two officers were to follow theni*—! did not panic ularifc tiie brigadiers who were to go firll:, or the regimei^ts ; Init left the matter to major-general Heath, who was inftni6Vcd in general terms to purfue fuch mcafures- as feemed moft likely to promote the fervice. The colonels appointed to the Nevv-Hampfhire regiments- f never knew* Thofe ordered to Ticondcroga from Mafla- chufetts by general Heath, and who I prefiime have march- ed, were Bailey, Wefibn, Jackfon, iMarfliall, Brewer, Brad- ford, and Francis. What proportions of their regiments have marched, I cannot afcertain : but I am perfuaded they tvere detached as fail as thev were raifed, and circumllances would admit. FVuncis*s, tlie firft of April, was returned five hundred ftrong •, and, by a letter from colonel Marshall about the fifteenth of laft month, he expelled to march in a day of two with tiie laft divifion of his regiment that was readv, which would make about four hundred, including thofe who had gone. The remainder (about fixty) were to follow with the proper officers as foon as they were fit, — they hav- ihg been inoculated. I have written to generals M'Dougal and Clinton to have the pTOvilion removed from Derby, &c, and dire6ted that they (hould point out proper places for its reception in Ul- fter ; alfa that fmail works and guards of militia will be ef- fentlal for its proteclion. * * * The damage we fuftained at Danbilrv, nor the enemv^s lofs, have not l)cen tranfmktcd with an-y accuracy r but, from the lateil accounts from therice, the former was not fo • "gfcat, and thfe latter more confiderable, than was apprehend- ed at finl:. I congratulate Congreis upon the forturrate arrival of the Amphiri'ite with military and ordnance ftores : — it is an im}K)rtani event. That of the French (hip at Boflon, and of U^e iloop froni Maj-tinic|ue, added to the capture of the two proviljoii OFFICIAL LETTERS. 67 piOvifion fliips, are to be regarded as interefting too. I would here take the liberty to mention that I think all the military and ordnance fiores ihould be moved without a moment's delay to Springfield or fome interior part of the country. Springfield Ihoiild be the place, becaufe the elaboratory Is there, and they will be more convenient to ufe as exigencies require. In their prefent fituation their fecurity is queltionable ; and, if an attack fliould be made in the eaftern quarter, their lofs is much to be apprehended. Before I quit this fubje6l, I would beg leave tb obferve alfo that the difpofal and diredlion of military fiores fliould be only with one body or with one perfon. At prefent this power is exercifed through fo many channels, that much Confufion is introduced ; and it cannot be avoided : nor will it be pofTible that matters in this line fhould be condu(5led with any degree of propriety, unlefs Congrefs come into fome regulations refpecfling them. The inclofed extra6l of a letter from general Heath will prove the expediency. Many other inftances miglit be mentioned, were it necefTary. The defertions from our army of late have been very con- fiderable. General Howe's proclamation, and the bounty allowed to thofe who carry in their arms, have had an unhap- py influence on too many of the foldiery ; in a particular manner on thofe who are not natives. * * * I could wifli fome means could be devifed to caufe more frequent defertions of [t/ie enemfs] troops. Congrefs may think of fome expedient : a larger bounty might have fome efFe6t, and money to the foreigners in lieu of land. The bounty, given by general Howe to thofe who carry in arms, is fixteen dollars as we are told, though his proclamation only cxpreffes that they fhall have the full value. To the inhabit- ants who will take up arms and join him, he promifes land. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. F a Sir, 68 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Si 11, Morrlfiown, May ^, i"]"]"!* I WAS this morning honored with your letter of the third iuftant, with its inclofiires. — General Arnold's promo- tion gives me much plealure. He has certainly difcovered, in every intlance where he has had an opportunity, much bravery, a6livity, and enterprife. But what will be done about his rank ? — he will not acl mofl probably under thofe he commanded but a few weeks ago. I truft the appointment of Mr. Ludwick as fuperlntendant of bakers will have the falutary confequcnces you mention : I have been long aflured that many abufes have been com- mitted for want of fome proper regulations in that depart- ment. By major Troop, one of general Gates's aides, and who left Albany on tuefday laft, I am informed the accounts of general Carleton's approach towards Ticonderoga were pre- mature. He fays general Gates received a letter before he came away, from brigadier-general Wayne, of the twenty- fourth ultimo, in which he mentioned nothing of it ; — that three thoufand troops had arrived there, all in high fpirits and health, except nine ; — and that that poft could never be carried without the lofs of much blood. The proceedings of Congrefs and your letter of the twenty-ninth ultimo were the hrd and only information I had of Mr. Carleton's being on the lake, having heard nothing upon the fubjedt from gene- ral Gates or any other perfon. . ,In my lafi: I mentioned that fixteen dollars bounty were given by general Howe to deferters with arms. I have rea- foa to believe from information received fmce, and which jGbcms tp be generally credited, that he has advanced the boun- ty to twenty-four dollars. It ismnch to be wifhed that our printers were more difcreet hi many of their publications. We fee, almoft in every paper, ptoclamations or accounts tranfnUtted by the enemy, of an injurious OFFICIAL LETTERS. 69 injurious nature. If fome hint or caiition could be given them on the fubjedl, it might be of nvterial fervice. By a perfon who has juft arrived {:icre, it is reported that general Woofter is dead of his wounds. I would mention to Congrefs that in a day or two our military cheft will be exhaufted. I beg that a fupply may be forwarded as foon as poffible : if there ihould be a failure, we /hall have many things to apprehend. T have the honor to be, &:c. G. W. I have inclofed a lift of ftores loft at Danbury. You will alfo receive a New-York paper, by which you will fee the enemy's account of that affair, and how little they have re- garded a true ftate. We are told certainly they had forty- feven men killed : and, from the accounts that have been re- ceived, I think it may be fairly concluded that their lofs was much more confiderable than they make it. Sir, Alorrijlovjn^ May 9, 1 77 7. THIS will be delivered you by colonel Conwa.y, an Irifh gentleman in the fervice of France, who came paf- fenger in the Amphitrite, and was introduced to me yefter- day by a letter from Mr. Deane and one from general Heath, copies of which are tranfmitted. This gentleman waits on Congrefs to obtain an appoint- ment in the army of the ftates, and, from Mr. Deane's re- commendation, is an officer of merit. He fays no particular command was agreed on between him and Mr, Deane ; nor does he wilh otlierwife than that Congrefs ihould exercife ^heir own difcretion ; at the fame time he obferves that it will be mortifying to him to hold a rank under that of meffieurs De Fermoy and De Borre, who were inferior officers in tlieir own fervice, and fubje6l to his command. — fie can give the characSler of feveral of the officers who were paflen- gers with him. I cannot pretend to fpeak of colonel Conway's merits or P' 3 abilitiesj 70 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S abilities, of iny own knowledge, having had" but little opportu- nity to be acquainted with him. From what I can difcover, he appears to be a man of candor ; and if he has been in fervice as long as he fays he has, I Ihould fuppofe him infinitely better qualified to ferve us, than many who have been promoted, as he fpeaks our language. He feems extremely anxious to return to camp, as the campaign may be expecled to become adlive every day ; and wifhes Congrefs to determine what- ever command they may think proper to honor him with, as foon as they fliall think it expedient. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-Quarters, M^orrijimvn^ May 9, 1777. THE inclofcd is copy of a letter which was hand- ed to me by monfieur Mottin de la Baime, from Silas Deane, efquire. For a more particular account of his merit and fervices, I muft refer you to himfelf, I have founded him as to his expectations, and find that nothing under a lieu- tenant-colonelcy of horfe will content him. If you fhould, from his own account, or from what you can colle(5i: from others, think proper to confer this rank upon him, there is no vacancy in any other corps except that of colonel Sheldon. I am afraid we fliall never be able to find places vacai:it, equal to the expe6lations of the French gentlemen who are now here, much lefs for thofe that will follow. The high rank conferred upon thofe who firfl came over, many of whom had no prctenfions either from their fervices or me- rit, has naturally raifed the expedations of thofe who come properly recommended, to fuch a pitch, that I know not what will fatlsfy them. Indeed it is not to be imagined that a gentleman and an old foldier can fubmit to be com- manded by a perfon in this country, whom he remembers to have been his inferior in France. I know not how w^e can remedy this evil, or put a ^o^^ to the growth of it, but by OFFICIAL LETTERS. 71 T^y being very circumfpecl for the future, on whom we confer taiik above that of a fubaitern. I have the honor to be, 6cc. 1 G. W. Sir, Mornjlrrjijn^ May 10, 1 777. SLVCE I had the honor of addreiTing you on the fiftli hiflant, nothing niatcriai has occurred. Jnclofed you will be pleated to receive a general return of our forces in Jerfey, the fjxth inftant, which is the iirft I have been able to obtain with any degree of accuracy. 1 have not heard from general De Haas hnce his promo- tion. As foon as I was informed of it, I wrote and requeft- cd him to repair to camp : but, having received no anfwer, I am apprehenfive my letter mifcarried. I wiili Congrefs to give him notice of his appointment, and directions to join the army, if he accepts his commifhon and is not prevented by indifpofition. Through the board of war \ have been favored with a copy of general Gates's letter of the tw^enty-ninth ultimo, Hudfon's-river and the pafTes in the Highlands I alwavscon- fidered as objects of great importance, and accordingly have provided for their fecurity in the beil: manner my judgment could direct, and the circumftances of the army admit. If they are lefs fecure than we wilh them to be, it is owing to our inability and not to inattention. I have written to general M'Dougal, and will do it again, to employ much of his care upon this fubje61:. War, in theory, and tiic modes of de- fence, are obvious and eafy; but, in practice, thcv arc more difficult. Unhappily for us, the means in our power do not always accord with our wi/hes or what would be our intereit to purfue As yet none of the eaftem troops have paffed the North- river, except two fmall detachments from Connedticut and Rhode-Illand, amounting to about two hundred and feventy, which mifled my orders till they had g.ot over. Thefe I ihail Y 4 feud 72 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S fend back after we are more reinforced, unlefs the move- ments of the enemy in this quarter make their detention ne- cefTary. The reft of the eaftern troops which have marched (except the feven regiments from Maflachufetts and three fyom New-Hampilijre, ordered immediately to Ticondgro- ga) are at and on their way to Peekfls.ili, as mentioned in my letter of the third, — where they are to remain with all the York troops except Vanfchaick's and Ganfevoort's now at the northward, till general Howe*s defigns and intended oper- ations are better underftood. This difpofition appearing to me and my general officers the beft that could be made in our ftate of uncertainty, was adopted. The two troops of horfe, recommended by Congrefs to be fent to general Gates, fhall goasfoon ascircumftances will : dmit. Atprefent we have not more than are conftamly employed at the different pofts. General Heath, in a letter of the thirtieth ultimo, mentions that the military cheft at the eaftward is exhaufted, and that a fupply will be wanted much to defray the expenfes which wiU'arife on the removal of the military and ordnance ftores to Springfield. He fays Mr. Hancock was to write upon the fubjecj:, and requeiled I would alfo mention it to Con- grefs In my fir ft letter. Accounts have been frequently exhibited of late by the of- ficers, refpecling fubfiftence whilft recrniting and on their march. As I do not recolleft the provifion Congrefs have made in fuch cafes, I wilh to be informed, and to be favor-- ed with a copy of their fcveral refolves upon thpfubje6l. A confideration of the return tranfmitted, and of the fe-^ veral detachmiCnts that have joined, and which form it, w^ill fhew Congrefs \yhat our fituation has been. i have the honor to be, uic. G. W. Sir, Morrijiovjn, May 12, 1777. THIS will be delivered you by general Arnold who arrived here to-day in his way to Philadelphia. He feems to OFFICIAL LETTERS, ^3 lo hs anxious to fettle hk public ^ccoiva's wliicli are of con- fiderabie amount, and waits on Congrefs, hoping thev will appoint a comniittee of ihcir body, or .of fuch genrleirr-n a5 they fliall judge proper, to take tiie matter into confideration. This he confiders the more neceirary, as he ha^ heard fome reports have "been propagated, injurious to his character as a man of integrity* If any fuch afperlions he againft hiai, it is but reafonable that he fliould have an opportunity of vindi- cating himfelf and evincing his innocence;. I hnd he does not conhder the promotion Congrefs have fceen pleafed to confer upon him fufficient to obviate the neglect arihng from their having omiftcd him in their late appoint- pients of major-generals. He obferves it does not give him the rank he had a claim to from fcniority in the line of bri- gadiers, and that he is fubjedt to be commanded by tholb who had been inferior to him. He further adds, that Con- grefs, in their lad refolve refpedling him, have acknowledg- ed him competent to the fiation of major-general, and there- fore have done away every objection implied by their former omiffion. Thefe conhderations are not widiout their weight, though I pretend not to judge what motives may have influenced theconducl: of Congrefs upon this occafion. It is needlefs to fay any thing of this gentleman's m.iiitary character : it is uni- verfallv known that he has alwcys diftinguiflied himfelf as a judicious, brave officer, of great adlivity, enterprife and perfeverance. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, PiR, Axorrljlown^ Afay 12, 1 77 7, I WAS this morning honored with your letter of the tenth inftant, accompanied by the proceedings of Congrefs of the day before. The condudl of too many officers in withliolding the pay of their foidiers, I am pcrfuaded, is reprelicnhble, and jias been the caufe of uneahncls and of m.any delertions. Every pieafure in my j^ower will be exerted to prevent fuch abufes m 74 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S In future, and every aid given to punifli the offcixlers in sit exemplary manner. But Congrels will excufc me v/hen I tell them it v.ill be impoffible to comply with their recom- mendation upon this fubjed, unlefs the general officers withdraw their attention from matters of the utniofl: impor- tance, and fuch as require their conftant care. Were this not the cafe, the difperfed fituaticn of the officers at this time through the different (lates on the recruiting fervice w'ould prohibit the inquiry. Nor do I apprehend the regulations empowering and enjoining the regimental paymaflcrs to bring them to an account will be found competent to the end. Such officers will be proper to Rate the accounts in the firfl: in- flance, and to receive vouchers, 6cc, but will not do to fettle them hnaliy, as tlicir connexions with tlic regiments will fub- jec5l them much to the influence of the officers. I fliouid fuppofe, if two or three gentlemen of integrity, and of ability in accounts, were appointed auditors to attend the army till the bufmefs is hiVifhcd, it would bq the bert ex- . pedient that could be fallen on. They would be a clieck on the pavmafters, and, I am perfuaded, will be the means of the accounts being fairly and jiillly liquidated. 1{ a fetde- ment can be once obtained, I trufl: the fame confufion will liever take place again, as tlie paymatlers will receive and pay all money due to the regiments, and account for it, and as the army is on a more permanent footing than it ever was before : for this, like mofl other inconveniences and diffi~ culties whicli we have experienced, is to be imputed in a great meafure to ihort enlifrments and the frequent diirulu- tion of our troops. A return of the army in Jerfey, as late as the fixth inftant, I tranfmitted yeflerday morning in a letter by Mr, Randolph of Chefnut-ftreet, which you will probably receive to-dav» and from which Congrefs will be able to determine tiie expe- diency of calling out the militia from Delaware and Pennfyl- vania. Though it gives me pain that we Ihould be under the i;eceffity ot recurring to fuch a aieafurc, yet 1 ihatdd fup- pofe 2 OFFICIAL LETTERS, 75 pofe it to be adviliible. Our army is weak, and by no means equal to that of the enemy ; and, till their defigns are known and we are more reinforced with regular troops, we ihould be prepared in tlie beft inanner we can. I would ob-» ferve, if the militia are called out, it fhould be for a lixecl determinate time : for, though they will certainly return when that expires, yet that is more tolerable than for them to go off in parties every day as their whim and caprice fug^ gell, — which lias always been the cafe when the time was not flawed. I would alfo obferve, if it is poffible, they {hould be engaged to march out of their ftates if ordered. If their fervice is located, they will move with great relu6lance, if they do at all. On faturday a fmart Ikirmifli happened with a detachment of our troops who attacked a number of the enemy near Pifcatawa, in which our men behaved well, and obliged the enemy to give way twice (as reported to me) with lofs. The enemy receiving a flrong reinforcement, our people retreated to their poft. — I cannot give the particulars, as they have no.C been fufficiently afcertained. Their piquets were alfo attack* ed yefterday by fome of our parties from Boundbrook, and forced within their lines. I have the honor to be, &c, G. "VV, Sir, Morriffown, May 16, 1777,. YOUR letter of the fifteenth I had the honor to receive lafl: night at eleven o'clock. — The commilTion inclofed for monfieur Armand I Ihall deliver him as foon as I fee him. . Agreeable to your requefl, I will give commiffions to the brigadiers, and will afcertain their rank by their orio-inal commiffions when I obtain them. — The inquiry direded, re- fpeding major Campbell, Ihall be made, and that be done which fliall appear right. I fear it will be hardly poffible to fatisfy the views and claims of fome of the French gentlemen. The late promo- tion ^6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S tlon of monfieur Malmady, though highly honorable, and fuch as {liould be conGdered fully if not more than adequate to his pretenfions taken upon any principle, does not come up to his demands. He arrived here yeftcrday morning, and has been writing to me upon the fubje£i:. From the high marks of diflincftion but too readily conferred upon thefe men in many indances, they feem to have loft fight of what is juft and reafonablj. It would have been happy for us, par- ticularly for me and for the gentlemen themfelves, if a too eafy grant of favors had not induced them to contemn all rank in our army under that of field-officers : — nor is it in my power to give commands to every appointment. I fliall inform monfieur Arm.and (and reconcile him to it in the bed manner I can) that there is no vacancy for him at prcfent : and I would beg leave to fuggeft, that, where promotions ere made in future from political and honorary motives, it would be well for Congrefs to explain to the gentlemen that it may be fome time before they can be put in a6tual com- mand. This might prevent their entertaining fufpicions of negle6l on my part, which the fituation of the army will not allow m.e to obviate. There is no vacancy for monfieur M'^hnady, of the rank he now holds, unlefs the merits of manv other officers, who have ferved with reputation and much longer here, are to be overlooked to make way for him. — Such a meafure will neither be pra6ticable, nor pru- dent to attempt. By a letter from general Heard who is at Pompton, I am informed that colonels Barton and Bufkirk with three hun- dred tory levies from Bergen, on the morning of the thir- teenlli, attempted to furprife and cut off about feventy of his militia, ftationed at Pyram.us. The officer happily had no- tice of their defign, and eluded it by moving his poft. It happened that the morning was foggy ; and the enemy enter- ing at dirterent places, their parties engaged. General Heard fays their lofs could not be afcertaincd : but, from the reports of OFFICIAL LETTERS. 77. •f the inhabitants, ten of their men were killed and carried away at one time, and feveral wounded. 1 have the honor to be^ &c. G. W. Sir, Morrijiown^ May 21, 1777. INCLOSED I have tlie honor to tranfmit you a general return of the forces in Jerfey. It it reglmentally di- gefted, and will fliew the flrength of each corps. I ihould not have fent it fo particularly made our, had I not conceiv- ed the convevance by which it goes from hence entirely fe- cure. — I have notliing material to add refpe6nng tlie enemy. I have tiie honor to be, &c. G. W, P. S. I need not fuggefl: to Congrefs the neceffity of keep- ing our numbers concealed from the knowledge of the public. Nothing but a good face and falfe appearances has enabled us hitherto to deceive the enemy refpecting our ftrength. Sir, MoniJIozvfif Afay 2^, i']']'j. I BEG leave to inform Congrefs, that, immediately after the receipt of their refolve of the twenty-fixth of March, recommending the office of adjutant -general to be tilled by the appointment of a perfon of abilities and unfufpe61:ed attachment to our caufe, I wrote to colonel Timothy Pickering of Salem, offering him the poft in the firil inftance, and tranfmitting at the fame time a letter for colonel William Lee whom Congrefs had been pleafed to mention, to be delivered him in cafe my offer could not be accepted. This condud', in preference of colonel Pickering, I was induced to adopt from the high 'chara6ter I had of him, both as a great rnili* tary genius cultivated by an indullrious attention to the fludy of war, and as a gentleman of liberal education, dif- litiguiflied zeal, and great method and adivlry in bufinefs. This charader of him I had from gentlemen of diftindioor and iXiCiit^ and on whofc judgment I could rely. -When ^S GENERAL WASHI>?GTON'S When my letter reached colonel Pickering, at iirll vlcW he thought his fituation in refpe£^ to public affairs would not permit him to accept the poft. That for colonel Lee he fent immediately to him, who, in confcquence of it^ re-" paired to head-quarters. By colonel Lee 1 received a letter from colonel Pickerings dating more particularly the caufes \v4iich prevented him accepting the office when it was offer- ed, and aiTuring me that he would in a little time accommo* ^ate his affairs in fiich a manner as to come into any mi* litary pofl in which he might be ferviceable, and thought equal to* Here I am to mark with peculiar fatisili6lion, m judice to colonel Lee who has dcfervecllv ntquired the reputation of a good officer, that he expreffed a diflrufi of liis abilities to fiU the appointment intended for liim ; and, on hearing that colo= nel Pickering would accept itj he not only offered but wiflied to relinquifli his claim to it in favor of him, whom he declar- ed he confidcrcd, from a very intimate and friendly acqudint-' ance, as a firft military character; and that he knew no gen- tleman better or fo well qualified for the pofl among iis.— Matters being thus circumftanced, and colonel Lee pleafed ^ith the command he was in, I wrote to colonel Pickering on his return, who accepted the ofRce, and i$ daily ex- peded* In this bufmefs i beg Congrefs to be affured, though colo- nel Lee was poflponed in the firjl: inftance, their recom- mendation had its due weight ; and that no motive, other than a reg-.ird to the fervice, induccJ me to prefer colonel Pickering. His acknowledged abilities and equal .zeal^ — without derogating from the merits of co^.onel Lee who holds a high place in my efteem, — gave him a preference : and 1 flatter myfelf the caufe will be promoted in his ap- pointment, efpccially as we ihall liave two good oflicers in lieu of one, who, I am perfuadcd, will do honor to them* fclves in the line in which thcv move. Cuniidering the paiTcs throui^h the Highlands of the ut- moil OFFICIAL LETTERS. 79 ftioft importance to fecure, I fent generals Greene and Knox about a fortnight ago to lee Vvl^.at had been done for their defence, and to confuit witli the general officers they fhould meet, upon Inch furth.cr nicaiiires as might be deemed necef- fary for their greater fafety. The inclofed copy of their re- port will fully convey their fentiments upon the fubje6i ; to which I beg- leave to refer Congrefs. — I have fent general Putnam to command in that quarter, and have inftrudled him to ufe every poffihle means in his power for expediting and eiFeCling the works and oh{l:ru61:ions mentioned in the report. Fearing that the cables might not be procured in time, 1 have directed his particular and immediate attention to fix- ing the boom. However, as the cables would render that more fecure, and will be extremely ferviceable in the opinion, of the officers, — if they are to be had in Philadelphia, I would advife Congrefs to order them to be purchafed and forwarded without lofs of time : — they cannot be got elfe- where. They muft be proportioned to the width of the river, which is about live hundred and forty yards ; and, as they will be of moll: ufe if diagonally laid, the gentlemen think they lliould not be lefs than four hundred and fifty fa- thoms long, and of the largeft fjze that can be had. Unlefs they are large and fubltantial, they will anfwer no purpofe, and will not fuftain their weidit when ftretchcd. o 1 Ihould be glad to know whether it be the intention of Gongrcfs that one of the already-appointed general officers may be affigned to the command of the light-horfe, or whether they have in contemplation the appointing of one for this purpofe > — if the fiifl, I fliall immediately name one to that duty ; — it the fecond, they will be pleafed to chule one, as it is time we fhould have our arrangements complete. I have nothing of importance to communicate, unlefs it is that feventeen fliips are faid to have arrived at New-York on the twenty-fecond, and that others were in the offing. A report has alfo prevailed, and has come througli two or tiiree channels, that governor Tryon (that was) is dead of the Wound he received in the Danbury expedition : and one ac- ■2 count 8o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S count is that lieutenant-colonel Walcot fell in the engage- ment at Ridgeheld. 1 do not know how far the fafts arc to be depended on : — it feems certain that Mr. Tryon was ■wounded.— i Iiave tlie honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. As I do not know what particular purpofes Con- grefs had in view when they ordered colonel Harrifon's re- giment of artillery to be raifed, I do not think myfelf at li- berty to give any directions about it : but if they have no certain employment for it in view, I could wiih them to order the whole, or fuch part of it as they fhall judge proper, to join this army, as we are in great want of more artillery-men than we have. — It will not be neceffary that the artilleiiy iliould come. Sir, Morrif.ovjn, May 28, 1777. THE incIofcJ IS a cop^ of a letter, received yefterday from. genev:ii Howe. Gongrefs will perceive, by referring to the copy of his letter of tlie twenty-firil: of April- tranfmitted in mine of the cwenty-fixth. that he peiievered in his demand fcr an e^ual ncmber of prifoners to be returned for thofe fent out by bim ; which has been the fuhje6l of contioverfy between us. As ;:enerai He .ve has called upon me again for my final dreiiion upon tlie fubjecl, and Congrefs are fully poiTefTed of it, having received tranfcripts of every paper rejptding it,-— I willi them to take the matter under .tiieir carlieft conhderarion, and to inform me as foon as they can, whether the grounds on which it has been conducted by mfe are agreeable to their ideas, arid whether my objections are or are not to be departed from. The aiTair is particularly ftated in my letter of the ninth ultimo to geiK^ral Howe, in anfwcr to the paper addrelTed to me by lieutenant-colonel •"VValcot ; copies of which were inclofed in my letter to the prefident on the tenth -of the fame month. The difpute, fo far as Teneral Lee is concerned, refts at prefent on their de- claring him exchangeable, as other prifohers are, on the principle of equality' of rank ; to enfure which, or hrs fafety, -7 • • lieutenant- OFFICIAL LETTERS. §i llcutcnant-colonel Campbell and the Heiiian field-officers are detained. The other objecljoil to returning their prifoaers is, that a great proportion of tliofc lent out by them were not fit fubje6ls of exchange when releafcd, and were made fo by the feverity ol their treatment and confinement, and there- fore a dedu6tion (hoUld be made from the lift. Good faith feems to require that we Ihould return as many of theirs at leaft as we received efFedlires from them, — I meaii fiich as Could be confidered capable of being exchanged ; and perhaps found policy, that the agreement fubfifting for ex- clianges ihould continue. On the other hand it may be faid that our prifoners in general, in the enemy's hands at prefcnr, will have greater fecurity by our retaining them, and that ge- neral Howe will be lefs apt to relinquiih any part of hisclaimj the more the number in our hands is diminiihed by an ex- change^ Icolifefs I am under great difHcUlty ill this bufinefs. But what is more particularly the caufe of this application is the latter part of the firlt paragraph of the inclofed copy, — ^^a?id for your determination refpc^i?Tg the prifoners now here, that I may make my arrangements accordingly ^ — This is couched in terms of great ambiguity ; and I am really at a lofs what interpretation to give it, — whether he intends that his con- du61: refpecling them fliall be as I advife — -(this appears mor^ favorable than can we'll be expeQed), — or that, if the previ- ous demand is not anfwered in a fatisfa£lory manner, \\t be attempted without great lofs — (as to bringing on an attack, they ef- fed^ually fecured themfelves againft one by the poft they took) — or if paflingthe Delaware was their objedl, that, from the temper of the people, the profecution of it (if not imprac- ticable) would meet with much greater oppofition than what they expedled ; for 1 mufl: obferve, — and with peculiar fatis- fadtion I do it, — that, on the firft notice of the enemy's move- ments, the militia affembled in the mod fpirited manner, firmly determined to give them every annoyance in their power, and to atFord us every polTible aid. This I thought it my duty to mention in juftice to their condudt ; and I am inclined to believe tliat general Howe's return, thus fuddenly , made, muft have been in confequence of the information he jeceived that the people were in and flying to arms in every quarter to oppofe him. I (hall not reafon upon this event : l)ut I cannot but confider it as a moft fortunate and happy one to us, and the moft diftrefling Mr. Howe has yet ex.- perienced, unlefs he has fchemes in contemplation beyond the reach of my conjefture. I ftiould have written to Congrefs more frequently refpedl- nw the enemy after they came from Brunfwic, had I not been almoft conftantly on horfe-back, and had their defigns been clear : but as they were not, I did not wifli to puzzle them with conjedures, more efpecially as I wrote general Arnold (with whom I was obliged to correfpond, that he jnight co-operate with me as circumftances Ihould require) to tianfmit them copies of my letters. Inclofed you will be pleafed to receive an extra£^ of a let- ter froni colonel Jackfon of Bofton to general Knox. The intelligence it contains is interefting ; and I (hall be happy to hcarthatthe two brigs mentioned have captured the remainder of the Heffians, and more particularly fo if the capture fhould not be far from the Britifli coaft, provided they arrive fafe. Twelve eV/(7ri.— I juft now received a letter from genera^ Schuvler, a copy qF vv^hich, and of its inclofures, is here- ^ n ^vitil OFFICIAL LETTERS, loi with tranfmltted. — The enemy, from appearances, having changed their views for the prefent, or at leaft rendered them dark and myfterious, I have fent exprefles tu brigadiers M*Dougal and Glover to halt their divifions, if they have proceeded any conhderable diflance from Peek{kill,-tili fur- ther orders, ^ — otherwife to return. I have alfo written to ge- neral Putnam to hold four regiments in readinefs to embark for general Schuyler's aid, (hould further intelligence from Canada refpe6ling the enemy's movements make it ne.:r?,tl'iry. The uncertainty of general Howe's operations v/ill not pei - mit more to be done at this time. General Parfons arrived here this morning, and his divlfion is marching to their ground towards the left of the lines. I omitted to mention in my laft, that, in confultation with my general officers, it was agreed that promotions fhould be regimental in the army for all officers under the rank of field- officers, — and for all of that raaik, in the line of their ftate. This is now fettled as a general rule ; a right being referved however, that it may be made for particular merit out of this line, or refuied for demerit or any fubflantial obje6lIon. I have the honor to be, 6cc. G. W. Sir, Head- Quarters, Afiddlebro oh, June 21, 1 7 7 ,7 p I WAS laft night honored with yours of yefterday morning, with its inclofures, the contents of which 1 fliall duly attend to. Having written fully yefterday, and nothing new occur- ing fmce, 1 have only to requeft that you will forward the papers refpedting the commifTary's department as foon a$ poljible. For want of fome certain and fixed line of duty in this inftance, the commiflary fays it is impoffible to €ondu6l matters with any propriety. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, loa GENERAL \VA$HINGTON*S JJcad-QuartcrsyMlddlelrdok^Junc 22, 1777, U o'clock, F. AT* Sir, 1 HAVE the honor and pleafure t<:) inform yon that the enemy evacuated Brunfwic t;his morning and retired ta Amboy, burning many houfes as they went along. Some of them, from the appearance of the flam.es> were confiderable buildings. From feveral pieces of information and from a variety of circumftances, it was evident that a movement was in agi- tationj and it was the general opinion that it was intended this morning, I therefore detached three brigades under the command of maJQr-general. Greene to fall upon their rear, and kept the main body of the army paraded upon tho' heights, to fupport them if there fliould be occafion. A partv of colonel Morgan's regiment of light infantry attack- ed and drove the Heflian piquet about fun-rife : and„ upon the appearance of general Wayne's brigade and. Morgan's regiment (who got firfl to the ground) oppoute Brunfwicy tlie- cnemy immediately croiTed the bridge to the eaft fide of the liver, and threw themfel.ves into redoubts which they had before conftrucled, ^Our troops advanced brifkly upon them i upon which they quitted the redoubts without making any oppofition, and retired by the Amboy road. Aa all our troops, from the difference of their flations: in camp, had not come up when the enemy began to. moyQ plF,. it was impoffible to check them, as their numbers were far greater then we had any reafon to expe£l. — b^ing, as we were informed afterwards, between foiir and five thou- fand men. Our men purfued them as far as Pifcatawa : ^^t finding it impoflible to overtake them, and fearing they might be led on too far from the main body, they return^ ^d to Brunfvvic. By information of the inhabi-tants, general Howe, lord Cornwallls, and general Grant, were in the town when the ^larrri was fiirft given : but they quitted it very foon after. OFFICIAL LETTERS. 103 In the purfuit, colonel Morgan's liHemen exchanged feve- ral lliarp fires with the enemy, which, it is imagined, did conliderable execution.— I am in hopes that they afterwards fell in with general Maxwell, who was detached laft night with a ilrong party, to lie between Brunrwic and Amboy to intercept any convoys or pirtlcs thit might be paffing : but I have yet heard nothing from him. General Greene defires me to make mention of the con- duct and bravery of general Wayne and colonel Morgan, and of their officers and men, upon this occafion, as they conftant- ly advanced upon an enemy far fuperior to them in numbers, and well fecured behind ftrong redoubts. General Sullivan advanced from Rocky-Hill to Brunfwic with his divifion ; but, as he did not receive his order of inarch till very late at night, he did not arrive till the enemy had been gone fome time. I have fent down lord Stirling's divifion to reinforce gene- ral Maxwell ; and in the morning I fhall move the main body of the army to fome fecure poll nearer Amboy, from whence we can with more eafe annoy the enemy, than from this diflance. — I am inclined to think they mean to crofs to Staten-Ifland : if tliey do, we may perhaps find an opportu- . nity of making a fa'cke upon tlieir rear : at any rate wc Ihall have a cliance of oblicrin? them to make a total evacu- ation of the ilate of Jerley. — I have the honor to be, &c. Sir, Camp at Quibblctozun^ June 25, 1777. WHEN I had the honor to addrefs you lad:, it was on the fubjecl of the enemy's retreat from Brunfwic to Am- boy, and of the meafures purfued to annoy them. At the time of writing, the information I had received refpe6ling their lofs w^as rather vague and uncertain : but we have rea- fon to believe, from intelligence through various channels fince, that it was pretty confiderable, and fell chiefly on the grenadiers and lig]"kt infantry who formed their covering 1 H 4 p^^^y- 104 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S paity. The inclofed copy of a letter, containing the in- formation of a peiibn juft from New-York, correfponds ■with other accounts on this head, and with the declarations of fome deferters. Some of the accounts are, that officers were heard to fay they had not fufFered fo feverely fince the afFair at Princeton. After the evacuation of Brunfwjc, I determined, with the advice of my general officers, to move the whole army the next morning to this poft, where they would be nearer the enemv, and mio:ht act according to circumilances. In this I was prevented by rain, and they only moved yetlerday morning. 1 have advanced lord Stirling's divifion and fome other troops lower down in the neighborhood of Metuchin meeting-houfe, and intended to have polled more there ; but found, on reconnoitring the ground, that it was low and dif- advantageous, and ftill more unfavorable through a fcarcity of water. Thefe reafons, added to that of there not being the fmallefl profpe6t of attacking the enemy in Amboy with a probability of fuccefs, — fecured on their flanks by water, and in their front by flrong redoubts acrofs the Neck,— Avould not permit me, either in my own opinion or that of my general officers, to keep any greater body of men in that quarter, where they would have been difperfed, and of con- fequence extremely infecure. I have light parties lying clofe on the enemy's lines, to watch their motions, and who will be ready to a6l in conjunct tion with lord Siirling's divifion and fuch other troops as it may be neceffary to detach j though I think, — and fo do the reft of the officers, — that no event is likely to take place that will require more, fjnce the idea of forcing their lines, pr bringing on a general engagement on their own ground, is univerfally held incompatible with our jntereft, and that that number is fufficient to avail us of any advantages we can expe£l to arife from their retreating from Amboy, fuppoling notice of the fa6l ihould be obtained. Their contiguity to the ^ound, aiid the fmall diftance acrofs it (having boats prepar- ed OFFICIAL LETTERS. 105 ed to pafs in), will enable them to get off (fnould they fo incline) againft every prudent and juftifiable exertion on our part. Whether fuch is their delign, is more than I can po- fitively determine : but there is every reafon to believe that they have been and are tranfporting their baggage to Staten- Ifland, and making every preparation to embark on board their tranfports for fome new expedition. Your favor of the twenty-fourth 1 juil now received, and am extremely obliged by your cordial congratulations on the enemy's retreat from Brunfwic, and favorable interpretation of the event to my condu6l. — The refolution you did me the honor to tranfmit fhall have my attention. It is much to be regretted, that an exprefs fent off to gene- ral Maxwell on faturday night, to inform him of general Greene's movement towards Brunfwic that he might con- du6b himfelf accordingly, did not reach him. Whether the exprefs went defignedly to the enemy, or was taken, is not known : but there is reafon to believe he fell into their hands. If general Maxwell had received the order, there is no doubt but their whole rear-guard would have been cut off. This the enemy confeffed themfelves, as we are well informed by perfons in Boncmtown. By a reconnoitring party juft returned, it is reported as a matter of doubt whether any of the enemy have removed from Amboy ; though it is almoft certain they have tranf- ported a great deal of their baggage. I have the honor to be, &;c. G. W. Sir, Camp at Middlehrook, June 28, 1777* ON thurfday morning general Howe advanced with his whole army in feveral columns, from Amboy, as far as Weft field. We are certainly informed that the troops fent to Staten-Ifland returned the preceding evening, and, it is faid, with an augmentation of marines, fo that carrying them there was a feint with intention to deceive us. His deiign in io6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S in this Ajdclen movement was either to bring on a general engagement upon difadvantageous terms, confidering mat- ters in any point of view, — or to cut o/F our light parties, and lord Stirling's divifion which v/as fent down to fupport them, — or to poffcis himfelf of tlic heights and paiTes in the mountains on our left. The two lait fecaied to be the £rft obje6ls of his attention, as his march was rapid againd' thefe parties, and indicated a flrong difpolition to gain thofe pafles. In this fituation oT affairs it was thought abfolutely necef- fary tiiat we fnould move our force from the low grounds, to occupy the heights before them ; which was effedled. As they advanced, they fell in with fome of our light parties and part of lord Stirh'ng's divifion, with which they had fome pret- ty fmart fl^irmilhing, witli but very L'ttic lofs I believe on our fide, except in three field-pieces v.hich unfortunately fell intc> tlie enemy's hands : but, not having obtained returns yet, I cannot determine it with certainty ; nor can we afccrtaiii what the enemy's lofs was. As foon as we had gained the pafTes, I detached a body of light troops under brigadier-general Scott, to hang on their flank, and to watch their motions ; and ordered Morgan's corps of riflemen to join him hnce. — The enemy remained at Weftheld till yefterday afternoon, when, about three o'clock, they moved towards Spanktown, with our light troops in their rear and purfuing. The enemy have plun- dered all befoie them, and, it is faid, burned fome houfes. I have the honor to be> &c. . G. W- Hcad-Qiiavtcrs, Mlddhbrook, June 29, 1777, 9 o'clack, P. jlL Sir, I HAVE not been able to afcertain yet with any de- gree of precifion the lofs fuftaincd by the enemy in the feve- ral fkirmi flies on thurfday, though we have many reafons to believe it was much more confiderablc than what it was appre- 8 headed OFFICIAL LETTERS. 107 "hended to be Vv'hen I had the honor of addrefliiig you upon the fubjedl. The hiclofed copy of a letter from lord Stirling; contains tlie fuibfl and moH: particular information that I have received : and the accounts given hy fundry inhabitants to perfons who I\ave been in the neigh.boiliood where the fkirmifhes were, and where the enemy were encamped, couu-' tcnancc this intelligence. As to our lofs, as reported by the enemy, I am perfuad- ed it is exaggerated beyond all bounds of truth or pro- bability, being afTure^ by lord Stirling tliat it was trifling,-— and by fuch deferters as have come in, that they'faw but very few prifoners taken. It would have been certainly known before this (that is, the number not yet returned), had not fome of the parties, and I believe the moft which were then out, joined the corps fmce detached. In refpe6l to the enemy's defigns or intended movements, they are not to be determined. It is certain they got into Amboy yefrerday evening : and, from advices this morning from officers fent to South-Amboy to obferve their motions^ there were ftrong reafons to conclude they were evacuating the town, as their horfe had gone over to Staten-Ifland, and fis feveral boats were alfo paffing with baggage, and others with troops. There were further circumftances favoring this opinion, fuch as apparent breaches in fome of their lines : yet general Sullivan informs me by a letter juft now received, that, from all the intelligence he has been able to obtain to-dav, he does not think they have any ferious intention of quitting It, and that all their movements are a feint, calculated merely to deceive, and to cover fome plans they have in view. I have two brigades, — Scott's and Conway's, — now lying at and near Woodbridge, as corps of obfervaiion, and to a6l as circijmdances may require. General Sullivan was down in fhe fame neighborhood with his divifion, till this evening, Vihcn he returned, it appearing to him unneceflary to remain longer, and that tlie brigades I have mentioned would be fuf.. iicient for any event likely to take place, I have the honor to bcj 6cc. G. W. ^o8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S P. S. June 30. — From intelligence received lafl: night, the opinion that the enemy are evacuating Amboy feems to be more confirmed. As the fads in lord Stirling's letter are rather taken up on report than from any certain knowledge of their having hap- pened, I cannot confider them fufficiently authentic for pub- lication ; nor are they tranfmitted for that purpofe, though I am well perfuaded the enemy's lofs was much more confider- able than it was at firft imagined to be, — It has been report- ed to me to-day that the enemy took fixty-four prifoners in the whole. Whether they were all of our army, or in part countrymen, I cannot decide ; for, having detached at that time a number of light parties, and many of them having fail- en in with the corps ordered out fince, returns could not be made with accuracy. The prifoners taken by us were thir- teen, two of whom are light dragoons, the reft infantry. — Generals Scott and Conway intended to move towards Amboy this morning : but it is probable the rain has prevented them. Sir, Head-Quarters^ Middlehrool, July I, 1777. YESTERDAY afternoon the enemy totally evacu- ated Amboy, and encamped oppofite to it on Staten-Ifiand, General Scott entered dire^lly after ; and porting guards to iccure any (lores thev might have left, he withdrew his bri- gade, and halted about four miles from thence. This it was expedient to do, it being night when he entered, and his re- maining there might have induced the enemy, whofe boats were ready, to throw over a fupcrior force in his rear. He wrote me, he fliould return this morning, and bring ofF whatever ftores he may find ; though there is little reafon to cxpe61: that they have left any thing valuable behind. — When I am more particularly informed upon the fubjeCl:, I fliall take the liberty of addreffing you on the fame. 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W,. OFFICIAL LETTERS. 109 Sir, Camp at Middlebrookj July 2, ^777- THE inclofed copies of general St. Clair's letters, tranf- mitted yefterday afternoon and lad night by general Schuy- ler, I have thought It my duty to fend you. The intelligence they contain is important and interelling ; nor are there cir- cumftanccs v^anting beiides thefe, to induce a belief, or at leaft to raife a ftrong prefuraption, that the enemy have ia contemplation a jun6lion of their two armies by way of the lakes and the North-river. If they have their whole Canada force on the former, it is certainly their objedl. On receiving thefe accounts, I wrote immediately to gene- ral Putnam to embark Nixon's brigade for reinforcing the nortliern army, — to wait however the arrival or near ap- proach of generals Parfons and Varnum*s brigades from this place, who march this morning, — or the coming in of aa equal number of militia to fupply their place before they fail. This I have done by the advice of my general officers, and is all that Is thought praiSiicable in the prefent uncertain inde- terminate fituation of things. The reft of the army here will be held m readinefs to move according to information and circumftances. As I have obferved, if we v/ere certain general Bur- goyne was approaching Ticonderoga with his whole arrav, I fliould not hefitate a moment in concluding that it isiacoa- fequence of a preconcerted plan with general Howe, and that the latter is to co-operate with him, by puOiL'ig his whole force up the North-river, and aiming a ftroke in the fivil inftance and immediately againft the Highland palTes. But as the appearance of the enemy on the lake may be a t^int, calculated to amufe anddiflraift: (though it may feem like a real attack) » to draw this army to Peekfkill and more to the northward, tliat general Howe may with more facility tura his arms againft Philadelphia, — it has been determined unad- vifabie for us to move till we have further proofs of his ia- taitionsj and that our condud mud be governed by his. Our no GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Our lltuation is truly delicate and embarrafUng. Should wfi ra arch to Peekfivill, leaving general Howe on Staten-Iiland, there will be nothing to prevent him paffing to South-Am- boy, and pufliing from thence to Philadelphia, or in fhort bv any other route ; though the marching fuch of iiis troops from the point oppofite Amboy as were encamped there, and the failing of the ihips from Prlncefs-bay yefterday morning, are circumftances indicating that an embarkation has or will take place. On the other hand, if the North-river and the poiTeffion of the Highlands are his objects, our remaining here cillhis views are certainly known may fubjecl: us to a nik. dial we wifli to avoid. Thus, let us examine matters as we will, difhculties ftare us in the face. We ihall attempt to confult, and to do the belt we can. — I have VvTitten to generals Putnam and George Clinton fuUv upon the fubjecl, urging tJiem to put forth eve- ry exertion in their power, and inftantly to call In a refpedl- ablebodv of militia to aid In the defence of thofe important pods at this critical conjun6ture. I truft they wIU come out • their fervlces In all probability will not be wanted but for a Ycry ihort time. ] mull: earnefdv reqiieil that you will fend Mr. Stewart, the iffuing ccmmllTary-geiaeral, to camp imniediately. There is reafon to apprehend the army will be in great diftrefs and ccnfuuon for want of iffuing com.nilfTarles in three or four days. On faturday, thofe with !^Ir. Trumbull declare they will leave him, without they are put on a different footing from what they now are. I need not mention the ccnfe- cucncesthat will refult from fuch an event, if there are not Others here to fupply their places. There is one thing more I would add, which is, that there are not more than forty thoufand dollars ia the milita- ry cheft, and two months' pay due to all the army, except two or three regiments which have jufl obtained warrants A hundred and tifty-fix thoufand, out of the lad: fupply feiit the paymafter, I was obliged to order to Peekfr^Ill for the OFFICIAL LETTERS. ni the troops in that quarter, whofe demands are great and preffing alfo. I muft carneftly entreat that you will forward a i^upply diredllv to the paymafter : — fhould we be obliged to move before the troops are paid, much uneafniefs and mur- muring will be the certain attendants, and, I fear, fomething worfe. As the enemy will adopt every fcratagein and device to de- ceive and diilraft us, — notwithllanding the prefect appear- ance in favor of their making an expedition up tl:ie North- river, I doubt not but you will have the moil vigilant look- outs kept along Delaware -bay, and proper exprcfTes and fig- nals for communicating the earlieft intelligence. I think it %vouid be highly expedient that fome fenfible judicious men Should be employed in that bufmefs at this time, w^ho would view things as they ought to be, and from whofe accounts certain inferences and conclufions may be drawn, fo as to form a proper line for our conduct. The moil fatal confe- quences may ilow from falfe information at this period : tilings {hould be examined with all pofTible certainty. I iliall not be furprifed to hear of feveral fliips appearing in or off Dela- ware, though general Howe's defiination ihould be elfe- whe^re. Their fleet give them the mofl: fignal advantages, and an opportunity of prad^Lifing a thoufand feints. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W S I R, Head' Quarters, MorriJIoiJun, July 7 , 1777.. I WAS this morning honored with yours of the fifth, with fundry refolves of Congrefs to which I ihall pay due at- tention. '^o change has taken place in the fjtuation of the enemy upon Stat€n-Ii].and fmce I wrote to you on the fifth : but 1 have this morning received an account from Elizabethtown, which mentions that a perfon had jufr come from the illand, v/ho informs that fmall craft are conftandy plying between \^evv-YorJi and tJie fieet, laden with officers' ba2:2a^e and lloics ttt GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Itores put up in packages, and marked with their names and: regiments; and tliat tranfports are fitted up with flails over their main decks for the reception of horfes. This looks as if a longer voyage was intended than up the North-river. I have given notice to all, the eaflern ftates to be upon tlieir guard, fhould the fleet put to fea and fleer that way : and I think the works upon and obftru6lions in the Dela- ware fhould be carried on with fpirit, and completed as far as pofTible, left they fhould vifit that quarter. I think the fouthern ftates fliould alfo be advifed of the uncertainty of the Jiext operation of the enemy, that they may alfo be making {uch preparations as they may judge necefTary, I fhall make inquiry into the number of arms at prefent at Springfield : and if any can poffibly be fpared to the ftate of Conne£licut, they fhall have all or part of thofe requefted by governor Trumbull. General Knox experts the return on faturday from Springfield ; and I can then determine the matter. I am pleafed to hear that a fupply of money is upon the road, as there is two months* pay due to the troops. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. The inclofed piece of information is juft fent to me by general Forman, which is confirmed in feveral particu- lars by two deferters from the fleet, who left it yefterday morning. ■ Sir, Head-Quarter?, AlorrlJJown, July (^, l"!^-], THE inclofed copy, of a letter from the commifTary- general of provifions, and the information you will receive from major Hoops, will convince Congrefs of the diftrefs, and confufion prevailing in that department. Without fome- thing is done in aid of Mr. Trumbull immediately, this army mufl be difbanded : if the prefent difficulties continue, it is ImpofTible it can exift. lentreat Congrefs to take the mat- ter under their moft early confideratign, and to make fuch provifioa OFFICIAL LETTERS. 113 provlfiori as (he exigency and importance of the cafe de- mands. I know not but we fhall be obliged to move in the courfe of a few hours ; when, from the fituation of things in this Hne we ihall have more to dread, than from' the ene- my. — I have the honor to be, Sec- G. W. SlR^ Morr'ijlown, July 10, 1 777. I THIS morning received a letter of the feventh in- flant from general Schuyler, a copy of which, and of its in- Clofure, I herewith fend you. Tlie intelligence which they Contain is truly intereftirig, fuppofing it jull : but it differs fo widely from what we had reafon to expe£l frorh tlie ac- counts mentioned in general St. Clair's letters to general Schuyler (copies of which you would receive in his letter tranfmitted from hence lafi: night by major Hoops) that I would fain flatter myfelf It is riot true. I am the more en- couraged to hope this, aS captain Farmam's letter from Fort- Ann to brigadier Learned feems to be the foundation of the whole, and does not authorife the unfavorable and unhappy conclufions built upon it. I fliould rather fuppofe, if any ac- cident has befallen Us, it muft have happened to the detach- ment of men from the Grants, under colonel Warner : for we find from general St. Clair's letters; he expected fome- thing from him. — The whole account is fo confufed that we cannot eflablifli any certain dedudion from it ; and I Ihall be happy if it proves premature and groundlefs. I am told by a gendeman whc» came to camp yefterday evening, that Nixon's brigade would certainly arrive at Al- bany on tuefday morning, as he faw the veflels, in which it was embarked, ftanding up the evening before with a fair wind. If the event mentioned by general Schuyler fliould not have happened, we cannot doubt but general Burgoyne has come up the lake, determined, if poflible, to carry his point, — I mean, to pofTefs himfelf of our pofts in that quarter, and to Vol. ir. I puih 114 GENERAL WASHlNGrON'S pufti his arms further. Suppoling this not to have happened, as our continental levies are fo deticient in their number, our fecurity and fafety will require that aids from the militia fliould be called forth in cafes of emergency: if it has, there h now an abfolute ncceffity for their turning out to check general Burgoync's progrefs ; or the mo»ft difagreeable confe- quences may be appreheiTtded. Upon this occaiion I would take the liberty to fuggeft to Congrefs the propriety of fend- ing an aclive, fpirited officer, to eondB6\: and lead them on. If general Arnold has fettled his a^airs, and can be fpared from Fliiladelphia, I would recommend him for this bufmefs, and that he Ihould immediately fet out for the northern de-. partment : Ke is active, judicious, and brave, and an officer in wham the militia will repofe great confidence. Befides ' ^thls, he is well acquainted with that country, and with the routes and moil important paffes and defiles in it. I do not think he can render more fignal fervices, or be more ufe- ' fully employed at this time, than in this way. I am perfuad- ed his prefence and activity will animate the militia greatly, and fpur them on to a becoming condu61:. I could wifhhim So be engaged in a more agreeable fervice, — to be with bet- ter troops : but circumftances call for his exertions in this way, and I hare no doubt of his adding much to the honors he has already acquired. In confequence of the advices from general St. Clair, and the flrong probability there is that general Howe will pufli againft the Highland pafTes to co-operate with general Bur- goyne, I Ihall, by the advice of my officers, move the ar- my from hence to-morrow morning towards the North-river, If fuch fhould be his intention, we iliall not be too early, as a favorable w^ind and tide will carry him up in a few hours. On the other hand, if Philadelphia is his ohjed, he cannot get round before we can arrive there; nor can he well de- bark his troops, Sec, and proceed acrofs the land, before we ctn oppofe him. — 1 have the honor to be, &:c. G. W, OFFICIAL LETTERS. tis SfR, Pompton Plains, July 12, 1777. WHEN" I had the honor of addreffing you laft, I hoped the intelligence received refpedling our affairs in the northern department was not true, or at leaft that they were hot fo unfavorable as they were then reprefented* But the inclofed copy of a letter from general Schuyler, which came to hand yefterday evenings confirms it, moft Unhappily for us, In its fulled latitude. This event (the evacuation of our pofts on the lake), — among the moil unfortunate that could have befallen usj — ^4s rendered more intferefting by the manner in which it iook place. I have no further information upon the fubjedl: than what the copy contains, ami iliall be happy to hear by my next advices, that the main body of tlie army, of whofe fituation general Schuyler knev/ nothing with cer- tainty, have not become prifoners : for I fear, from the dif- pofition they difcovered on this diftrefTing occafion, they would have furrendered to the enemy, in cafe they fell in with them, though inferior in number. In refpe6l: to general Schuyler's demands, it is not in my power to comply with the whole of thsm. Not a fmgle tent can be furnifhed : the kettles will be, and are ordered on ; and an exprefs is going to Springfield for all the mulket-car- tridges, fixty barrels of powder, and a proportionable quantltv- of lead and cartridge-paper for his u{c. Ten pieces of artil- lery, with harnefs, are alfo ordered, with proper officers, from Peeklkill. I have written to him to procure horfcs and drivers himfelf, as they are to be obtained with much more cafe where he is, than here : nor can he be fupplied with the heavy cannon which he requefts, fuppofing them necef- fary, — not having oneto fpare from a more important ufe, — • the defence of the Highlands. Colonel Putnam, I imagine, will be with him before this, as his regiment is part of Nixon's brigade, — who will anfwer every purpofe he can poflibly have for ail engineer at this criHs. A fupply of in- I 2 trentbing ii6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S trenching tools was fent him four or five days ago, in confi?- quence of an application then made. I /hould be extremely happy if our fituation would allow me to afford him a large reinforcement of men : but I can- not with any degree of propriety, in the opinion of my gene- ral officers, fend more to his aid at this time than a number of recruits on the march from Maffachufetts llate, belonging to fome of the regiments under his command, who amount to fix hundred at leail, and are now, I expe6l, pretty well ad- vanced towards PeekrKill. With this augmentation to what he already has, — fuppofing general St. Clair and his force to have come in, and any number of militia to have turned out, — • he will have an army, equal if not fuperior to general Bur- goyne's, from the only accounts we have obtained. — Bcfides tliis confidcration, it is moH: probable that general Burgoyne will fufpend his operations till general Howe makes a move- ment and an effort on his part. His defigns, I think, are moft unqucftior.ably againfl: the Highlands, and that he will at- tempt the execution as foon as pofTible. We have been prevented marching to-day by the rain ; but, as foon as the weather permits, (hall proceed as expe- ditioufly as we can towards the North-river, and crofs, or not, as (hail appear neceffary from circumftances. In my laft I took the liberty of fuggefling the propriety of fending an active ofFiCer to animate the militia that may af- femble for checking general Burgoyne's progrefs, and men- tioned general Arnold for that purpofe. Being more and more convinced of the important advantages that will refult from his prefence and conduit, I have thought it my duty to repeat my wifhes on the fubjecl, and that he may, with- out a moment's iofs of time, fet out fjom Philadelphia for that purpofe. . ' When this arrives, it is likely general Howe's intention will be well underftood : but whether it is or not, as there are flrong rcafons to believe his operations will be up the Nortl;- rivcr and on the eaft ddc of it, I Ihall take the liberty to re-. commend OFFICIAL LETTERS. 117 commend the fending on the North-Carolina and other con- tinental troops at Philadelphia, to join tliis army, nnlefs Congrefs have fome information that a Ibuthern expedition is intended, of which I am not apprifed. If Congrefs have taken colonel Prodler and his corps into the fervice of the ftates, it will be expedient for them to come on with all the field-artillery which colonel Flowers the commiiTary may have ready. This I have been induced to mention, having heard Congrefs were abo'.it to adopt them, and as our demand for artillerifts is great. I would alfo oh- ferve that the fituation of our affairs has become fo delicate and embarrafTmg by the late misfortune we have experien- ced, that it is much to be wiihed fome expedient could be come into, if there be any more efficacious than what has been already recommended, for filling and completing the feveral regiments. At prefent they only count in num.ber, but not in force, being moil: fhamefuUy deficient in their juft complements. Your letter of the eighth was duly received ; and, agree- able to your requeft, I communicated to generals Greene and Knox the refolution of Congrefs refpecling them and gencr ral SulUvan, the lal1: of whom I have nor feen fmce it came to hand. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. Hal/' after eighty P. AT. — Ithis minute received a let- ter of the ninth from general Schuyler, a copy of wiiich, and of the proclamation alluded to, you have inclofed. I fear more and more that general St. Clair and his army are pri- soners. Vanaulers, eight miles from Pompto?! Plains, July 14, 1777. Sir, I ARRIVED here this afternoon with the army, af- ter a very fatiguing march, owing to the roads, w'licli h-i'e become extremely deep and miry from the late rains. I iii- icad to proceed in the morning towards the North-river if the I 3 weather Ii8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S weather permits: at prefcnt It is cloudy ;.nd heavy, and thejrejj is an appearance of more rain. By the exprei's who will deliver this, I juft now receiv- ed a letter from general Schuyler, advifmg for the firft time that general St. Glair is not in the hands of the enemy. As the exprefs has a large packet for Congrefs from general Schuyler, I prefume they will be informed of all the intelli- gence he waspofTefTed of refpedting our affairs in his depart- rnent, and therefore fliall not trouble diem with a copy of his letter to myfelf upon the fubje6l. I fhouid be happy if they had a more agreeable afpedl: than they feem to have. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sllf, Camp near the Clove^ July 1.6, 1777. ] WAS vefterday evening honored with yours of the founeenth. — 1 have heard nothing from the northward fmce my lafl. — I this day received advice fiom Staten-Ifland, that, on funday, feventy fail of the enemy's fhips fell down from the watering-place to the Hook : but whether they have fince gone out to fea, I have not heard. Till I have more certain information of the (late of our affairs to the north- ward, and of general Howe's real intentions, I have conclude ed to halt the army at this place, from whence I can either march forv/arcj or return as circumftances may require. If general Nafh ihould not have begun his march before this reaches you, be pleafed to order him to proceed as far as Trenton only, and there wait my further orders. In cafe he should have marched, be pleafed to difpatch an exprefs after him, with orders to halt at Trenton. J am pleafed to hear that you have taken colonel Prowler's corps of artillery into continental feryice. You will be kind enough to order them to join the army immediately: for I expert the light artillery in a few days from the ea(l- ward ; and artillery-men will be wanted to man them. I 4ave no doubt but the militia from the wetlern parts of New- ,e^OFFICIAL LETTERS. 119 N«w-England -will turn out to general Schuyler's afliftance, a-s I hope thofe of this ftat^ and Jerfey will to mine, ihould they be wanted* I fhall be very happy if the committee of Congrefs cai^ arrange the commi{rary''s department in fuch a manner as will fatlsfy the officers concerned in the bufmcfs, and at the, fame time ferve to fupply the army with more regularity than has been done for fome time paft. I can afTure you the com- plaints have been many of late, and not without foundation. I have the honor to be, &c. G- W. SlR<, Camp at the Clov-e, July 16, J 777:. I BEG leave to congratulate Congrefs on the captivi-. ty of major general Prefcot and one of his aides. 7^he ^ar^ ticulars of this fortunate event you will find in the inclofed extract of a letter this minute received from general Spencer, which, I prefume, are at large in the packet Mr. Greenjea,f will deliver. Lieutenant-colonel Barton who condudled the enterprife, and the fmall handful under his command, have great merit. I fliall immediately propofe to general Howe his exchang-e for that of major-general Lee, which, if acced- ed to, will not only do away one ground of controverfy be- tween general Howe and myfelf, but will releafe lieutenant- colonel Campbell and the Heflian field-officers, and procure the enlargement of an equal number of ours in his hands.. In mine of this morning I defired that colonel Pro6l:er*s regiment (hould join thi« army withowt lois of time. Upoi> confulting geijieral Knox, we are of opinion they had better halt at Trenton with generaj M^fh till further orders, as the operations of general Howe ar^ not yet perfedly underftood. — I have nothing new from the northern department, — and only to add, that I have the honor to be, with great refpe(5t, ^i your moft vphedient fervant, G,. W. 14 120 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Sir, Camp at the Clove, July 1 8, 1 777, I JUST now received a letter from general Schuyler, of the fourteenth infrant, incloling the proceedings of the council of war which he alludes to, a copy of which, and of his letter, I herev/ith tranfmit. He reprefents matters in a diitrcfTing point of view : — I believe they are bad ; but I hops they are not fo alarming as they are painted by him. My letter of the twelfth would advife Congrefs how far his demand of necefTaries had or would be complied with. In addition to the fupplies then ordered, I dircded, a day or l^yo after, fix tons of mufket-ball to be forwarded to him from Peekfkill with all polfible expedition, which, I doubt not, have arrived at Albany. As io fending him more troops than thofe mentioned in my letter above referred to, it is not in my power ; and I am perfuaded the force he now has, with fuch fuccour as may be had from the militia, if well conducted, would greatly if not efFedlually ftop general Bur- goyne's progrefs. General Arnold ajrived here laft night, and will fet out this evening for Albany. From his adlivity and difpofitioii for enterprife, I flatter myfelf his prefence and affiflancc in that quarter will be attended with happy confequences : I am well alfured his utmoft exertions will be employed to ba.iBe the enemy's views : and, wifliing that they may fuc- cecd, I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. To the Committee of Congrefs^ on a vijit to the Camp, pE N T L E M E N, Camp at the Clove, July 19, 1777. THE little notice I had of your coming to the army, and the fliortnefs of your {lay in camp, will more than pro- bably occafion the omifTicn of many matters which of right oudit to be laid before you ; and the interruption, which my thoughts conftantly meet by a variety of occurrences, muft • ' apologife OFFICIAL LETTERS. lai apologife for the crude and indlgefted manricr in which they are otFered. The completion of the continental regiments is a matter of fuch infniite importanccj that T tliink no means fhould be left uneiTayed to accomphfh it. Draughting, where the powers of government are adequate, would be the fpeedieft'and mod effe6luiii -: but if it lliould be thought unadvifable to attempt this mode, — next to it I w^ould recommend that the bulinefs of recruiting fhould be taken entirely out of the hands of the officers of the army, and that eacii flate Ihould appoint fome perfon of known adivity (one, for jnftance, who has, been a good under- flierift) in each county or townihip, not only to recruit, but to apprehend deferters ; — thcfe perfons to be liberally revvarded for each recruit and deierter whom they fliall deliver, at flated periods and ])laces, to officers ap- pointed to receive, diiciphne, and march them to the anr.y ; •—none of thefe recruiters to have the fmalieil: power to a6t out of their own diflridts, but to be ahfoluteiy fixed to them. A mode of this kind would, in my hi;mble opinion, be lefs burdenfome to the public than the {)rerent,— prevent the idle habits which recruiting officers coDtra6t, not only injurious to themfelves, but to others,^rhe moll efi:c6Lual means which can be devifed for the recovery of deferters,— the furcil: way of keeping your regiments of equal flrength, and 'jf making the duty more equal in the detail of it : in a word, many valu- able advantages would refult from it, whilft I c^.n fu2;o^eft but one reafon againfl it, — and that (fully fatished 1 am), when "Weighed in the fcale of interefl, will not opeiate, — I mean, the keeping fo many officers in camp, who might be fpared from the duties of the field till the regiments are ftronger than at prefent. The fixteen additional legiments labor under fuch difadvantages in fome Hates, as to render the interpofition of Congrefs, in fome ihape or other, indifpenfably necciTury. With refpe6l to food, confidering we are in fuch an ex- tenfive and abundant countiy, no army was ever worfe fup- plied than ours witii m"any e{]*ential articles of it. Our foL diers, the greateft part of laft campaign and the whole of this, 122 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S tMs^ have fcarcelv tafted any kind of vegetables, — had but lit- tie fait ; — an J vinegar, which would have been a tolerable fubftitute for vegetables, they have been in a great meafurc' Grangers to. Neither have they been provided with proper drink : beer or cider feldora comes within the verge of die camp, and rum in much too fmall quantities. Thus, to de- vouring large quantities of animal food imtempered by veget- ables or vinegar, or by any kind of drink but water, — and eating indifferent bread (but for this laft a remedy is provid- ed), — are to be afcribed the many putrid difeafes incident to the army, and die lamentable mortality that attended us laft campaign. If thcfe evils can be remedied, the expenfe and trouble ought not to be obftacles : though fome kinds of ve- getables are not to be liad, others are, which, together widi four krout and vinegar, might eafily be had, if proper perfons acquainted with the bufinefs were employed therein. Soap is another article in great demand. The continental allowance is too frnall: and, dear as every neceflary of life is now got, a foldier's pay will not enable him to purchafe ; by which means his confequent dirtinefs adds not a little to the difeafes of the army. I have no reafon to accufe the clothier-general of inatten- tion to his department ; and dierefore, as his fupplies are in- competent to tb>c wants o( the army, I am to fuppofe his re- fourccs are unequal. Ought not each ftate then to be call- ed upon to draw fuch fupplies from the country manufac- tories, a$ can be afforded r particularly of flioes, Aockings, /hirts, and blankets, — articles indifpeniably ncceffary, and of which fcarce too many can be provided : — in the mean while, every proviUon to be making, for clothing the troops uni- formly and warm in the winter. It is a maxim which needs no illuftration, that nothing can be of more importance in ;in army, than the clothing and feeding it well. On thcfe the health, comfort, and fpirits of tlie foldiers effentially de- pend ; and it is a meJancholy (aSiy that the American army aie miferubly defedive in both thefe refpecls. The dilkefs 7 i^^ft OFFICIAL LETTERS. 123 mofl: of them are in for want of clothing is painful to huma- nity, difpirlting to themfelves, anddifcouraging to every officer. It makes every pretenfion to the prefervation of cleanlinefs impoffible, expofes them to a variety of diforders, and abates or deftroys that military pride, without which nothing can be expe£led from any army. The confequence of giving rank indifcriminately is much to be dicaded : great diflatlsfadlion has already arifcn on ac- count of beftowing this on officers in the civil departments of the army, on the inferior ftaff, waggon-m after, &c, who, by cuftom, propriety, and every other motive, are excluded from it in aH well-regulated armies- The too great liberality prailifed in this refpe6l will deftroy the pride of rank where it ought to exift, and will not only render it cheap, but contemptible. It is the policy of all armies to make it valued and rcfpe£ied, as a ftimulus to emulation, and an in- citement to bold and gallant undertakings : it muft be very unadvifable therefore, in our infant ftate of war, to adopt novel cuftoms to bring it into difcredit,— which muft and will be the confequence of making it too common, befides the difguft it creates in others. An auditor of accounts, to he conftantly with the army, is abfolutelyrequifite. It is impoftlble for me, crowded as I am with other bufinefs, to examine and adjuft the numerous complex accounts of the army with that corre6lnefs the pub- lic have a right to expedl, before warrants pafs for payment ; and, without doing it, great impofjtions may follow. The ' provifion for making regimental paymafters regulate all re- gimental accounts is altogether incompetent to the end pro- pofed from it: for thefe m.en being appointed generallv agree- able to the recommendation of the held-officers of the regi- ments they belong to, — aftociating conftantly with the officers of their corps, and in a great meafure under their control,-* cannot be confidered as fufficiently uninfluenced :.nor are au- ditors at a diftance from the army of much ufe, as it would require a delay not admiffible, to fend accounts to them to au- (iit 124 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S dit before tlicy were pafTed and paid in confcquence of war- rants from the commander-in-chief of the army. A good geographer, to furvey the roads and take Iketchcs of rl.e country v. here the army is to a6l, would be extremely iifcful, and might be attepJed with exceeding valuable confe-^ quences. Fie might with propriety have rhe chief dire6lioii of the guides, and mufl: have a head to procure, govern, and pay them. If fuch a perfon fhould be approved of, I would beg leave to recommend Mr. Robert Erlkine, who is tho- roughly {killed in this bufmefs, has already affiftcd us in mak- ing maps of the country, and has (as I am informed) uniformly fapported the character of a fait friend to America, A fmall travelling prefs, to follow head-quarters, would be produ6live of many eminent advantages. It would ena- ble us to give fpcedy and exact information of any military tranfaclions that take place, w^ith proper comments upon them, and thereby fruftrate the pernicious tendency of falfe- hoodand mifreprefentation, which, in my opinion, — of what- ever complexion they may be, — are, in the main, detrimen- t il to our caufe. If the people had a channel of intelligence, that, from its ufual authenticity, they could look up to with confidence, they might often be preferved from that defpon- dencv wliich they are apt to fall into from the exaggerated piduies our enemies and their emilTaries among us com- monly draw of any misfortunes we meet with, — and from that diffidence of truths favorable to us, which they mufb naturally feel from the frequent deception they are cxpofed to by the extravagant colorings our friends often give to our fuccefTcs. It would alfo be very ufeful to difpatch bufinefs m camp, being the moft expeditious means of taking copies of orders or other matters that require to be difperled, and would favc a good deal in returns and otlicr papers we are often ol^ligcd to get printed in Philadelphia. An ingenious man, to accoinpany this prefs and be employed wholly hi writing for it, might render It fmgularly beneficial. I am exceedingly embarra fifed how to difpofe of the French officers OFFICIAL LETTERS. 125 officers In general, but more efpeclally the artillery officers who are come out under the fanftion of a compact:. I can think of no other way than that of forming a fepara'e corps of them, and draughting men from the whole line to com- pofe that corps : but even this will be attended with many difagreeable efFe6ls : — among others this is not the leaft, that officers will think themfelves much injured to have the men they have had the trouble of raifing, taken from them :im{ given to others. There is fomethinrr in this which is dif- couraging, and breaks the fpirit of a good officer who prides himfelf in having a full and complete corps. A doubt has arlfen, whether a perion who belongs to any of the United States of America, and who owed allegiance to any of the faid fiates, — tliat went to the enemy fome time paft, and ilnce that time has been lurking about any of the fortifi- cations, or about any of the encampments of the armies of the United States, — plundering and driving off cattle to the ene- my, recruiting for them, or committing any other atrocious crime, — or who is appointed an officer in the enemy's army,-— can be tried by a general court-martial, under the rcfolutioa of Congrefs of the twenty-firft of Augull:, 1776, and punifli- cd as a fpy. — I have the honor to be, 6cc. G. W. Sir, Camp^ eleven miles in the Clove ^ y^b ^2> ^777* WE have been under great embarralTments refpe£t- ing the intended operations of general Howe, and flill are, notwithflanding the utmofl pains to obtain intelHgence of the fame. At prefent it would appear that he is going out to fea. By authentic Information, there are only forty On'ps at New-York ; the reft are gone elfewhere, ^and have fallen down between the Narrows and the Hook: between thefe two places, the number, from the moft accurate obfervLUion, was about one hundred and twenty vefierday. As. I obferved before, their deftination is uncertain and unknown : but I ^^■dyc thought it my duty to inform Congrefs oi tliefe fad's, that lift GENERAL WASHtNOrON'S that they may give orders to the militia to hold themfelves in readinefs to march on the fhorteft notice, in cafe PhiladeU phia (hould be their objedt. At the fame time I am to re- ^ueft that they will have a fufficient number of proper look- outs fixed at the capes of Delaware (to whofe accounts im- plicit confidence may be given), to make the earlieft reports of the arrival of any fleet, — which Congrefs will tranfmit me by the fpeedieft conveyance. As the enemy will probably make many feints, and have It unhappily but too much in their power from their ihipping, I would advife that the look-outs fhould be cautioned to be extremely accurate in their obfervations and reports, men- tioning, with as much preclfion as poffible, the number of fhips that may appear.— Our fituation is already critical, and juay be rendered Hill more fo by inaccurate and ill-grounded intelligence. From the advices received on faturday; of the movements of part of the enemy's fhips, and the ftrong reafons there were to fuppofe general Howe would pufh up the North- river to co-operate with general Burgoyne, I detached lord Stirling with his dlvihon to Peeklkill on funday morning:— d\ey crofTed the river that evening and the next morning. 'J'his movement will prove unneceflary, fliould his dcftina- tion be to the fouthward. — I have alfo ordered general Nixon s brigade from Peekfkill to reinforce general Schuy- ler, from his reprefentations of the inadequacy of his force to oppofe general Burgovne, and of the feeming backward- nefs of the people in tliat quarter to afford him aid. I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W. P. S. I tliink the works at Bllllngfport well worthy of at- tention ; and it is expedient to efFecl their completion as foon as pofTible. Sir, Head-Quartersy Ramapaughs July 25, 1777. I HAVE the honor to inglofe you a couple of letters wlilch monfieurDavour, the bearer of -this, deliveted me in his behalf. OFFICIAL LETTERS. ts^ behalf. You will perceive by them that he is defirous of entering into oiir fervice, and what his pretenfions have been in his own country. I have referred him to Congrefs to de- termine on what footing he is to ftand with us. — -He requefts me to mention that he would be glad of a decilion, and to be informed at once what can be done, whether he can be em- ployed or not, and in what capacity. I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W. Silt, Half -after ei^ht. A, M. July 25, 1 777* I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit you the inclofed letter from governor Franklin, which came this minute by exprefs. — As Mr. Franklin was confined by order of Congrefs, I could not think myfelf at liberty to anfwer him on the fub- jedi: of his requeft, and therefore have referred it to their con- fideration. At the fame time I would obferve his fituatlon is diflreffing, and muft interefl all our feelings, as I have no doubt of the great indifpofiiion of his lady. — I Ihould fuppofe, after his folemn afTurances, and being laid under fuch fur- ther rcflridlions as Congrefs may judge necefTary to impofe upon him, that he might be indulged to fee her. Humanity and generofity plead powerfully in favor of his application, and I am certain it will be duly confidered. If it is g^ranted, he fhould have the earlieft notice, or the end and the views of Congrefs may be difappointed in the death of Mrs. Franklin before his arrival. — I have the honor to be, &;c. G. W. Camp at 'k.amdpaugh^ three miles from the Clove, July 25, 1777. Sir, I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit you a copy of my letter to general Howe, of the fixteenth inftant, propofing an exchange between generals Lee and Prefcot, I difpatched 128 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S it early tlie next morning, and prefume it got to liand on ther eighteenth. As vet I have not received his anfwen The amazing advantage the enemy derive from their fliips and the command of the water keeps us in a ftate .of conftant perplexity and the moll anxious conjecture. We are not yet informed of their defiination, nor can any plaufible con- clufions be drawn refpcdling it, at leait not fuch as appear fatisfadtory. What renders the matter flill more difficult and confufed, is their extreme inadtivity and delay : for it is certain they began tc embark immediately after the eva- cuation of Amboy, and now remain between the Narrows and the Hook, or were there wlien I was laft advifed upon the fubjedl, I have two acSiiive omcers, with an cfcort, now out, for the purpofe of intelligence, and for reconnoitring their fituation from Fort-Lee and along the river in that neighborhood. Things being thus circumilanced, and various opinions^ as to Weir real objccl, prevailing among us, — fome fuppofmg it to be Philadelphia, others the Nortli-rivcr, and otliers an expedition more eafierly, — I would fubmit it to Congrefs whether the militia of the ncigliborlng counties fliould not be immediately called to the iivfl:, or at Chciler, — the lower counties,.at Wilmingt(;n. This meafure appears to me highly expedient, and no objeiSllon can lie againft it, of fufficient validity to prevent it, as a few days muft certainly determin« their real defigns. Should they be againll: Philadelphia, and they have favorable winds, their voyage will be made in a ihorr time, when it may be too late to obtain their aid, and to arrange them properly for defence, fuppofing them to come in. I am the more induced to recommend this meafure, a.s tlic fcveral objedis we have to attend to neceflarily oblige this army to continue at a conuderable diftance from that j^lace till tiieir intentions are better underfi:ood; and as they might by a fudden and rapid puih attempt to etFech fome ma- terial, capital ftroke, before we could get there, unlefs there is a refpeclable force to oppofe them: for, though no great depewdence OFFICIAL LETTERS. 129 dependence can be put in a militia a6ling alone, nor a vigo- rous oppofition expe.it of Fort- Illaiid, there is from four to four and a half fathoms c'epth oi watjiv 144 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Water* Aceording to this reprefentation, there would hs room for three frigates to lie hetween thofe banks in fuch a pofition as to enliUde the works at Fort-Ifland, and make it difficult to maintain them. There are but two ways of remedying tliis inconvenience j —one by having a fuilicient number of chevaux-de-frife funk at the entrance between the two banks ; — and the other, by having the left flank of Fort-Ifland fortification fupponed by a good battery capable of refifling the cannon of the fhips^ and obliging them to quit their ftation. The firft is evidently preferable, becaufe the efficacy of it will be more certain. A few chevaux-de-frife properly placed might effectually bar all accefs to the fhips : but there is a pofTibiiity that any bat- tery we can conftrucSt might be overpowered by the fire of the Ihipping : and as we have few cannon, and Fort-Ifland is itfelf a marfliv fpot, incapable of aflbrding earth for the' batteries necefTarv to be raifed upon it, which mufk be brought from the oppoflte fhore, — it would not be prudent to multiply works there more than cannot be avoided. It would alfo be il great advantage gained, to fecure the ifland tronx annoyance except in one point, and that in front, from only three fliips at a time,— which would be efFe6^ed by flopping up the paflagc between the two banks with chevaux-de-frife. I fliould therefore think it of importance to have this mca- fure immediately adopted and carried into execution. With great refpedt, I have the honor to be, &:c. G. ^V^ SiRj ISicJltamhiy Camp, Augi'Ji i6, 1777. I DO myfclf the honor of audrefllng a few lines to Con- grefs on a fubjedl which appears to me of infinite importance, and to have a claim to their ferious attention. The matter I allude to is the exorbitant price exacted by merchants and venders of goods for every ncceirary they difpofc of. I am fenfible the trouble and rilk in importing give the adventurers a right to a generous price, and that, fuch, from motives of policy. OFFICIAL LETTERS. 145 policy, fhould be paid : but yet I cannot conceive t]i;it tliey, indire6t violation of every principle of generofity, ofreafon^ and of juftice, Ihould be allowed (if it is pofTible to rcftrain- them) to avail thcmfelves of the difficulties of the times, and to amafs fortunes upon the public ruin* This grievance is now an obje6l of tniverfal complainf, and of univerfal apprehenfion : and the confequences that are likely to refult from a continuance of it excite in every well-afFecled mind the mofl difagrfeeable feelings. The in- clofed copy of a memorial from a part of the Pennfylvania officers ihews their fentiments upon the fubje6l ; and I am perfuaded thofe of the whole army are rimilar, as they havfe and do experience the grofs abufes they complain of. I know that ways and means, for preventing this evil wholly, av(^ difficult (if pra6licable) to find out: but I ihould hope that Congrefs themfelves, or the fuprenie powers in the refpedtive flates, through their recommendation, may devife fom^ mode by which it maybe redreiTed in part. I think there are two meafures,- which, if adopted and put Tinder proper regulations, would be of conliderable favi'ng to the public, and to the army, at the fame time that they would contribute a good deal to do away part of the uneaiinefs of the latter, arifmg from the enormous prices they are com- pelled to pay for necelTaries. The lirfl: is the eftabliihment of public tanneries in three or four of the ftates, under care of a judicious commifTary or director, to which all the hides of thecatule killed for the army Ihould be carried, and tanned.- There fliould be alfo deputies to attend the army to colledt the hides: and it appears to me that eftablifliinjrthe tanneries in different ftates, — for infiance one in this, and another in Conne6licut, — will be much more advifable than fixing on- ly one in either of them j as the bufincls may he carried oai more extenfively^ with more convenience, an-dat lefs ex- penfe, than if the raw hides were to be tranfported to one place only, from which probably there would be a neceffitv cf carrying them the whole diilance bac^k again after they Vol. IL L were 146 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S were drefled. — This fubje6l was under conlideration of Con- greis once before, and a commifTary (if I recolied, a Mr. Philips) appointed, who declined the office. Leather is of fuch elTenrial ufe, and fo indiipcnfably neceffary for (hoes and other purpofes in the army, that too much care nor too ef- fectual means cannot be taken to procure it. What I have ventured to mention, if gone into, will add much to our fupplies, and, I am certain, will prevent the high and unjuftifiable prices demanded for this article when in the hands of private owners. Beiides, at thofe tanneries, a num- ber of artifts, fuch as Ihoe and harnefs makers, m.Ight be em- ployed to work the leather up. In like manner, fmce our imports of fplrit have become fo precarious, nay impra6licable, on account of the enemy's fleet which infefts our whole coaft, — I would beg leave to fugged the propriety of erecting public difllllerles in dif^ ferent flates. — The benefits arifmg from, the moderate ufe of ftrong liquor have been experienced in all armies, and are not to be difputed. -In the prefent fituation of affairs, our foldiery cannot obtain fuch fupplies as are abfolutely necef- fary ; and if thev arc fortunate enough to get any, it Is from the futlers at mod extravagant rates, and at fuch as are In- ci-edible to tell of. This is a fource of much complaint, and, I ihould hope, may be removed by appointing proper per- fons to buy grain and dlilil It for the army, — large quantities of which may be eafily procured, and on reafonable terms, in many of the flates. In refpedl to the obfervation in tlie memorial about rations, it Is certain the prefent allowed value is by no means fuf- liclent ; nor does it anfwer the purpofe intended. Since that was fixed, provifions, like every other article, tliough not from the fame caufes, have become extremely dear ; and what at that time was a juft equivalent, is totally inadequate now. 7'hls matter, I doubt not, v/Ill have the attention of Congrefs, and fuch regulations be made refpedling it, as may be J-ight and equitable. It OFFICIAL LETTERS. 147 It appears to me from the Information I have received, that two companies — each to confift of fixty men at Icaft — under proper officers, of unfufpe6ted attachment, fpirit and adivity, — (hould be immediately raifed, to guard the laboratory and ftorcs at Carhfle. Their fecurity is of confiderable import- ance, and ought to be attended to. Thefe companies, befides ferving as a guard, will be frequently of ufe as efcorts and con- voys to (lores. — If Congrefs fhould deem them nccefTary, and order them to be enlifted, yet I would recommend that thev (hould not be raifed as merelv ftationary or local, — hav- ing found from experience that regiments or companies form- ed upon fuch a footing enter upon other fervlces with great difcontent and reluctance, though the occafion ihouid be. never fo prefling. In a letter of the thirteenth of June, I fubmltted to Con- grefs an application from the officers of cavalry refpeftlng their horfes, — whether they were to be provided at their own or the pubHc expenfe. I alfo laid before them, in a letter of the fifth of July, captain Sullivan's requlfition for pay. — I ihall be glad to be honored with their determination upon thefe fubjedls, and alfo in general refpeding the line of conduiil I fhould purfue as to the pay of officers taken prifoncrs at any time before the clofe of the laft campaign, who have been permitted to be on parole ; — and whether there is to be any diflindion between fuch of them as are continued by new appointments, and thofe who are not. I have frequent ap- plications in thefe inflances, and wllh to know how to a6l. Since the exprefs from general Schuyler left this, I receiv- ed a letter from governor Clinton, a copy of which, and of its inclofures, I herev/ith tranfmit, as they give a much more favorable account of the affair at Forr-Schuyler, than was contained in his letter. I have -he honor to be, 2cc, G. V^. L 2 148 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Sir, NcJJiamlny Camp, Auguft 17, 1777.^ THE unfavorable fituation of our aiFaIrs in the. northern department, and the preffing appHcatlons of general Schuyler tor aid, induced me to write fome time ago to gene- ral Putnam to hold Vancortlandt and Livingfton's regiments in readinefs to embark for Albany, in cafe I Ihould find it neceiTary, arnl the fuccours he received of militia would juf- tify the meafure. Thave the honor to acquaint you, that, by a letter from him, of the fixteenth, which came to hand yef- terday, he informed me, that, without waiting for further direc- tions, he had ordered' them to proceed with all pofTible expe- ditioi>, as the late advices from that quarter fecmed to make a furtlier augmentation of the army requifite. Befides thel'e, I have, contrary to my wiihes, but from the Keceflity of the cafe, ordered colonel JMorgan to marcli im- mediately with his corps as an additional fupport. I hope they will' be of material fervice, particularly in oppofmg the favage ptvrt of general Burgoyne's force, which, from every account, fpreads a general alarm among the inhabitants, and aiFedfs the minds of the mihtia not a little, wiio have net been much accuilromed to their mode of warfare. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Htad-Cluarlerny Camp at Crop- Roads, Augujl 17, 1777. Sir, COLONEE Portail, for himfelf and in behalf of the gentlemen with him, has made different applications to me for horfes and fervants ; and I have been in a manner under the ncceflity of furnilhing them by way of loan, till they can be othervvife provided. They expert thefe things to be found them at the public expenfe ; and inform me thaf the matter is now before Congrefs, whofe determination they look for every moment. I have taken the liberty to men- tion this, becaufe I iliould bo glad, if any thing of ijie kind is OFFICIAL LETTERS. 149 is Intendecj, that it might be done as foon as convenient ; or, if it IS not, that they may be informed their expecflations are not well founded. This will put them upon providing fr^r themfelves, and prevent their repeating their applications to me on a fubjed which T am not autborifed to do any thing in.. — I have the honor to be, &c. . G. W. Sir, Nt^y/mminy Camp, Auguft 18, 1777. I LAST night had the honor of your favor of the fevente^nth, with its inclofure. You will perceive by my let- ter of yefterday, tranfmitted by favor of the marquis De la Fayette, that I had been lb happy as to anticipate the views of Congrefs by ordering colonel Morgan to march with his corps to the northern army. I have the hvonor to be, Sic. G. W. Sir, Campi Bucks County^ ^'•'^^^ft 20, 1777. I DO myfelf the honor to forward you a packet which ynft came to my hands from general Schuyler. In his letter to me he communicates an agreeable account of the face of aiFairs at Fort-Schuyler : I therefore do myfelf the pleafure of incloling you an extra6l. I haye the honor to be, &c, G. W. Sir, Camp at Nefluwilny, Augnji 21, 1 777. SINCE I wrote to you on the twelfth inftant on the fubjeit of the militia under x!\-\5: command of general New- comb, I have receiv^ed another letter from him, which you have inelofed.—By this it appears that the men were not em- ployed in any way w^ile they were at Red-bank, and that they are now anxious to get home to their farms, as they fee no immediate occafion for their fervices. As I had in fome jneafure put thern under the direction of mpnfieur Du I' J Coudray, 150 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Coudray, I did not chufe to give them a difcharge without confulting yon, though in my opinion thev had beicer be fuf- fcred to go home than be kept dilcontented, as ihey will turn out with more fpirit when they are wanted again. 'I he beaier waits upon you for your determination. . 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W, Sir, Heari-Quariers, Bucks County, ^ug. 21, 1777. I DO myfelf the honor to indole you a copy of do6lor Frankhn's letter in favor of count Puhiiki, of Poland, by whom this will be handed to you. I fome time ago had a letter from Mr. Dcane, couched in terms equally favorable to the cliaracSler and military abilities of this gentleman. — How he can with propriety be provided for, you will be befl able to determine. — He takes this from me as an introductory letter, at his own requefl. ^ I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir., Nr/hanihiy Camp, Augv.Jl 21, 1777- FROiVI the time wliich has elapfed {\w<:c general Howe departed from the capes of Dclaw,ire, there is the ftronp-ell reafon to conclude that he is Pone far either to the cafiward or fouthward, and with a defign to execute fome cleterniined plan. Tlie danger of the lea, — the injury his troops mufl: fudain from being fo long confined, — the lofs of time, fo late in the campaign, — will fcarcely admit a fuppofi- tion that he is merely making a feint, and ilill intends to re- turn either to Delaware or the North-river without perform- ing fome enterprife firft in another quarter. The probability is in favor of a fouthern expedition, becaufe he has been feen, fince his departure from the capes, olF Siriapuxent, fteering a fouthern couri'e, — and becaufe, had his deflination been to the eallward, his arrival there, from the general ftate of the winds, OFFICIAL LETTERS. 151 winds, nnift have announced it befoie this, or his fleet would have been difcovered by fome of the cruifers on that coaft. If he is gone to the fouthward, he rnuft be gone far tliat way : (ov, had Chefapeak-bay been his objedl, he would have been there long fince, and the fa6l well eftabliflied. Beyond that, there is no place (liort of Charlefton, of fufficient im- portance to engage his attention. The extenfive commerce, — the vail: accumulation of military and other ftores in that town and its dependencies, — with the eclat it would give his arms if he fliould unfortunately take it, — afford him fironger inducements to dire6l his operations there, than he could pof- fibly have elfewhere. Matters being thus circumflanced, an important queflion arlfes, — how this army is to be employed ? — If his intentions are fuch as I have fuppofed them, it appears to me that an attempt to follow him would not only be fruitlefs, but would be attended with the moil: ruinous confequences. The dif- tance is fo immenfe that general Howe might accompiifh every purpofe he had in view, before we could pofTibly ar- rive to oppofe him ; and fo long a niarch throuoh an un- healthy climate at this feafon would debilitate and wafte a principal part of our force. Added to this, — after we had made a confiderable progrefs, he might eafily reimbark his troops and turn his arms againft Philadelphia or elfewhere, as he iliould tliink proper, without our being in a condition to give the leaft aid. As thefe, and many other reafons which will readily oc- cur to Congrefs, will ihew the impraclicability of our coun teradling general Howe in that quarter with any good effect, we have no other alternative left than to remain heie idle and ina6five, on the remote probability of his returning this way, —or to proceed towards Hudfon's-rivcr, with a view of oppof- ing general Burgoyne, or making an attempt on York-Illand, as the fituation of affairs fliall point out. A fuccefsful firoke with rerpe<5i to either would be attended with the mofc fignal advantages, and would be thebefl compenfation we could makS L 4 for 152 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S for any loffes we may fuftain to the foiithward. Befides thefe coniidei atioiivS, — if, after all our conje6lures and reafon- ing upon the fubjedt, general Howe Ihould be gone to the eallward to co-operate with Mr Burgoyne, the army will be, by the movement propofed, fo far on its way, to prevent, 1 hope, the fuccefs of his enterprife. The above reafons led me to call a council of general of- ficers this morning, to take the fubjetl of removing the troops from hence into conhderation ; and I am happy to inform Congrefs they were in fentiment with me upon the occafion, as they will perceive by a copy of the proceedings then had, which T do myfelt the honor of laying before them. Neverthelefs, as it is a movement which may involve the moft important confequenccs, I have thought proper to fubmit it to Congrefs for tlieir deliberation and decifion. If it is deem- ed expedient, we have perhaps not a moment to lofe in car- rying it into execution ; and, under this perfuafion, I have fent colonel Hamilton, one of my aides, (wdio will have the honor of delivering this) to bring me the refuit of their opinion. As the northern department has been all along confidered feparate, and in fome meaiurc di Hindi:, and there are fpecial reiolves vefiing the command in particular perlons, — in cafe it Hiould hereafter appear eligible to unite the two armies, it niay pcrlraps be necefTary that Congrefs (liould place the mat- ter upcn fuch a footing as to remove all fcruples or difficul- ties about the command, that could poffibly arife on my ar- rival there. This I requeft, from a difpofition to harmony, and from my knowing the ill and fatal confequences that have often arifcn from fuch controverfies, and not from the moft diilant apprehenfion that one would take place upon fuch an event. — The thing however is pollible ; and to guard againii it, can do no injury. I have tlie honor to be, &c. Q- W. P. S. That I may not appear inconfiftent, to advife, and to j,(5l before J obtain an opinion, — 1 beg leave to mention that lihall OFFICIAL LETTERS. 153 i iliaW move the army to the Delaware to-morrow morning, to change their ground at any rate, as their prefent encamp- ment begins to be difagreeable, and would injure their health In a Ihojt time. Our forage al{o begins to gr.ow fcarcc here. Sir, Nc/iaminy Camp^ ^"^^EHfi 21, 1777. I AM this moment honored with yours of this morn- jag, containing leveral pieces of intelligence of the fleet's hav- ing been feen ofF the capes of Virginia on the fifteenth in- fiant. I fhall, in confcquence of thi.s information, halt upon my prefent ground till I hear fomethjng further. Colonel Pinckney of South-CaroHna paid me a vifit two days ago. — He informed me that the military ftores in Charles- ton and the neighborhood were nnmenfc, and that he did not believe that the governor or commanding officer there had had the leaft intimation of the fleet's haying ftood to the fouthward ; and he feemed very apprehenfive, that, if Charles- ton was their ohjecl:, they would find them lulled into fecu- rity, and quite unprepared for an attacki — As I cannot yet think that general Howe fcrioully inlcnds to go into Chefa- peak, I would by all means advifc that an exprefs be imme- diately difpatched (if one has not already gone) to warn them of their danger, to let them prepare in the befl; manner for defence, and to advife them to remove all fupernumicrary flores. I (hall immediately call upon governor Livmgflon to fur- niOi the number of militia from the (late of Jerfey, demanded by requifition of Congrefs, to garrifon the forts in the High- lands, while the New -York militia march to reinforce the jvorthern army. — I have the honor to be, &c. - G. W, 154 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Head- Quarters, Camp at Crofs-Roads, Aiignji 22, 1777* Sir, I AM honored with your favor containing the intel- ligence of the enemy's arrival in Chefapeak-bay, and the rc~ folution of Congrefs thereupon. — 1 have, in confequence of this account, fent orders to general Naili immediately to eni- kirk his brigade and colonel Profter^s corps of artillery, if Teffels can be procured for the purpofe, and to proceed to Chefter, — or, if vefTcls cannot? be provided, to haften towards that place by land with all the difpatch he can. I have alfo ^ireded general Sullivan to join this army with his divifioii as fpeedily as poiTible , and I have iiTued orders tor all the trooi>s here to be in motion to-morrow morning very early, ■with intention to march them towards Philadelphia^ and on- wards. I am happy <"o find Congrefs have ordered the removal of the ftores from Lancaftcr and York, to places of greater lafe- tv, which is, without doubt, a very proper and neceffary mea- fiixe. — With much refpeft and efteem, I have the honor to be, lir, your mod obedient fervant, G. W. Sir, ^^'■g^tfi'^Z. 1177' I BEG leave to inform you that the army marched early this morning, and will encamp, I expecl, this evening witliin five or fix miles of Philadelphia. To-morrow morn- ing it will move again, and 1 think to march it through the city, but v;ithout halting. I am induced to do this, from the opinion of feveral of my officers and many friends in Phila- delphia, that it may have fome influence on the minds of the difaiFe61ed there, and thofe who are dupes to their artifices and opinions. The march will be down Front and up Chcf- nut-ftreet, and, I prefume, about feven o'clock. Notwithftanding the arrival of the enemy's fleet in Chefii- peak-bay, and the feeming probability that general Howe wiil OFFICIAL LETTERS. 155 will debark his troops and attempt fomething, yet I would take the hberty to mention that I thiiik the ieveral works for the defence of the city lliould be carried on with the ufual in- duftry, and that no pains flioukl be omitted to complete them. I would alfo advife that the fame look-outs for intelligence flioidd be continued at the capes, and the earliell: information communicated of any thing material ; for. though the fleet is in Chefapeak-bay, the enemy may pufh in a number of vef- fels with troops, and make an cftort to eitedt fome ftroke againft - Philadelphia by furprife. Such an event does not feem probable while they have a larger fnew of force in a neighboring itate : but it will be prudent to guard againft it. — I have the honor to be, Sec. G, W. P. S.I think fome diredlions fhculd be aiven [reneral Arm- ilrong refpeding the militia. Sir, Chcjier, Augujl 25, 1777, eight o'clock, I LAST night had the honor of your favor of the twenty-fourth, with its inclofures. — No letters came for you from general Schuyler ; and therefore, agreeable to vour re- queft, T tranfmit you a copy of one I received from him, and of the material papers which it covered. Among iht copies, you will find general Burgoyne's inflrudlious ot larpe to lieu- tenant-colonel Baum, pointing out the objedls of his com- mand when he was firR detached. What v\e had before was after he marched, and was an anfwer to a report he had received fro m him. — There was alfo a miftake in his name before, licing called Bem in the copies fent by ge- neral Lincoln. * I fhail be happy if the account refpc6ling Stalen-Ifland fliouid prove true :—I hope it will. Two divifions of the army moved this morning, and will proceed after a fliort halt near tliis place to refrefli them- felves ; the remainder will continue on tlieir ground to day, ■ill order to reft and recover from the fatigue of the march yefterday J5^ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S yeflerday and the day before. After breakfall 1 intend to fct out for Wilmington with the light-horfe, to reconnoitre the country, and to obtain the befl: information I can refpedling the enemy. — I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W» P. S. The pubhcation of general Burgoyne's in{l:ru6tions, xvith a few comments, I think might be attended with many advantages. Sir, Wzhningtonj Augiijli^, I777» .A* clock, P. M. THE inclofed intelligence has jufl: come to my hands. General Greeners and general Stephen's divifions are within a few miles of this place. I fhall order them to march imme- diately here. The two other divjfions haired tliis djy at Derby to refrefii rhemfelves ; but they will come on as expc- ditioufly as pofTible. — There are about five hundred Pennfyl- vania militia at Chcfler and Marcus-Hook, that are armed : there are a number more unarmed. — I have ordered all the armed immediately down. I do not know what number of militia of this flate are yet colle61ed : but I am told they turn out with great alacrity. There are a quantity of public and private ll:ores at thp Head-of-Elk, which I am afraid will fall into the enemy's hands if they advance quickly : among others, tliere is a con- fiderable parcel of fait. Every attempt- will be made to fave that. — When I get my force colle6led, I fliall dlfpofe of it in the moft advantageous manner ia my power. To this end, I purpofe to view the grounds towards the enemy in the morn- ing : I am yet a ftranger to them. J have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, ly'ilmingtsn, Augv.fi 27, 1777. I THIS morning returned from tlie Head-of-Elk, which I left laft night. — In iefpc6l to the enemy, } have no- 7 thin^ OFFICIAL LETTERS. J57 thing new to communicate : — they remain where they de- barked lirfl:. I could not find out from Inquiry what num- ber is landed, nor tbrni an eftimate of it from the diflant view I had of their encampment. But few tents were to be feen from Iron-hill and Gray's-hill, which are the only emi- nences about Elk.— I am happy to inform you that all the public ftores are removed from thence, except about feven thoufand bufhels of corn. This I urged the commiiTary there to get ofFas foon as poflible, and Itope it will be effedled la the courfeof a few days, if the enemy fliould not prevent,— ■ "which their fituation gives them but too eafy an opportunity of doing. The fcarcity of teams in proportion to the demand will render the removal rather tedious, though I have dl- redted the quarter-mafter to fend fome from hence to expe- dite the meafure. A part of the Delaware militia are Rationed there ; and about nine hundred more from Pennfylvania are now on the march that way. I alfo intended to move part of the army that way to-day, but am under the necelTity of deferring k till their arms are put in order, and they are furnlfhed with ammunition, — both having been greatly injured by the heavy rains that fell yellerday and laft night. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-Quarters, ^Vilmlngtony Ju^ufi iZ, fj']'], HAVING endeavored, at the folicitation of the count De Pulalki, to think of fome mode for employing him in our fervice, there is none occurs to me, liable to fo few in- conveniences and exceptions as the giving him the command of the horfe. This department is dill without a head, as I have not, in the prefent deficiency of brigadiers with the army, thought it advifable to take one from th^ foot for that command. The nature of the horfe fervice with us be- ing fuch that they commonly a6l in detachments, a general ©fiiccr with them is lefs necefTary than at the head of the brigades 158 GENERxiL WASHINGTON'S brigades of infantry. In the abfence of general Smallvvood who is ordered to put himfelf at the head of the Maryland militia, we (liall have two brigades without general officers. But though the horfe will fafFer lefs from the want of a general officer than the foot, a man of real capacity, expe- rience, and knowledge in that ferv ice, might be extremely ufeful. The count appears, by his recommendations, to have fuftained no inconfiderable military chara6ler in his own country : and as the prin'^ipal attention in Poland has been for fome time part: paid to the cavalry, it is to be prefumed this gentleman is not unacquainted witli it. — I fubmit it to Congrefs how far it may be eligible to confer the appoint- ment I have mentioned upon him: they will be fenfible of all the objections attending the meafure, without my parti- cularifing them, and can determine accordingly. This gentleman, we are told, has been, like us, engaged in defending the libertv and independence of his country, and has facrificed his fortune to his zeal for tliofe objefe. He derives from hence a title to our refpe61:, that ought to ope- rate in his favor, as far as the good of the fervice will per- mit : but it can never be expected v/e iliould lofe fight of tills. —I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, Sir, Head-Quarters, IVilmington, ^'iguji 29, T777. ON my return to this place lall evening from Wliite- Clay creek, I v/as honored with yours of the twenty-feventh, with fur. dry refolves of Congrefs, to which I Ihall pay due attention. The enemy advanced a part of their army yefterday to Grav's-Hlll about two mi'js on this fide of Elk,— whether- with intent to take poft there, or to cover while they remove what fcores they found in the town, 1 cannot yet determine. — 1 do not know waat quantity of private property remained : but of the public there were feveral thoufand bufhels of coni and oats, which might have been removed alio, hadnotmoft 9 of OFFICIAL LETTERS. 159 of the teams in the country heen employed by private per- fons in bringing off very valuable goods. Our light parties yefterday took between thirty and forty prifoners : twelve deferters from the navy and eight from the array have already come In ; but they are able to give us very little intelligence. They generally agree that their troops are healthy, but that their horfes fuffered very much by the voyage. By a letter from general Gates which you were pleafed to tranfmit me yefterday, he requefts that commiffions may be fent to brigadiers Glover, Poor, and Patterfon, which I beg the favor of you to do by the return exprefs. The two lafr loll theirs with their baggage at Ticonderoga, and general Glo- ver had none. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, PP^ihnlngton, Augi^fi 30, 1777. SINCE I had the honor of addrefiing you yefter- day, nothing of importance has occurred, and the enemy remain as they then were. — I was reconnoitring the country and diiFerent roads all yefterday, and am now fetting out oi> the fame buftnefs again. Senfible of the advantages of light troops, I have formci a corps under the command of a brigadier, by draughting a. hundred from each brigade, which is to be conftantly near xh^ enemy, and to give them every poflible annovance. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W; Ten 0^ clock. — This miimte twenty-four Britifli prifoners ar- rived, taken yefterday bv captain Lee of the light-horfe. Sm, TVilmington^ September i, 1777, THE lateft and moft material intelligence which I have obtained refpedling the enemy, yoa vvi!l iind in the in- clofed papers which I do myfelf the honor of tranfmitting ro you. How far the enemy have it in view to extend themfelves in i6o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S in a line from bay to bay, I cannot determine:, but the idea has taken place with many ; and it is laid to be founded on their hints to ,fome perfons, who, — from accident in fome inftances, and perhaps choice in others, — have had a more familiar intercourfe with them. I cannot fuppofe they have any fuch defign, or, if they have, that it can be more than temporary for procuring fupplies of provifions. General Howe's declaration is agreeable to his conftant ufage, and is what we might reafonably expect. The only difference is, the prefent exhibition is ftyled a ' declaration.'' It is another effort to feduce the peopk to give up tlieir rights, and to encourage our foldiery to defert. The fa6i:s contained in the depolitlon of Francis Alexander, which you have alfo inclofed, feem to be oppofed to that regularity and difcipllne which are promifed by the declaration. Yelterday there was fome iklrmifliing between one of our advanced parties and one of the enemy's, in which they were obli2;€d to retreat with the lofs of an officer and three men killed, according to report.— We had one private wounded. I have received no particular accounts refpedling the Mary- land Eaftern-Shore militia : from the beft infofmation I have, a great many are well difpofcd to turn out, but are prevented giving their aid thro»»gh the want of arms. — Apprehending that the militia there would ftand in need of an officer to ar- range them, I wrote to general Cadwallader, requeuing his good offices, which I am told have been exerted. — Colonel Gift is now gone down, and I expe61: will move on as foon as poffible, with fuch as are armed, towards the enemy. — * General Smallwood is gone to take the command of thofc on the Weftern-Shore, of whom I hear many are coiie>£i:ing :-^ but I have no authentic advices on the fubjedl. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Will it not be advifable to order colonel Richardfon's re- giment from their prefent ftation, to march and join the Eaftern-Shore mihtia ? OFFICIAL LETTERS. i6i Sir, Wilmhigton^, September i, 1777. AT half after twelve o'clock I was honored with yours of this morning, with its feveral inclofures. — I fhall make in- quiry refpe 1777. I ARRIVED here lafl night with the army, and am t;ow {o far advanced as to he in a pofition \o meet the ene- my on the route to Swedes' Ford if they Ihould direcfl their courfe that way. — Their fi tuation I beheve, from the heft in- fo?mation I have been able to obtain, is nearly the fame as it TVtis yeflerdav evening when f \\'rote to you. I have ordered all th^ troops to be refrclhcd this morning, as they were late in getting to their ground tafl night, and they are now cooking their provifion. In the mean time I intend TO fee my general officers, and to collecl: dieir fentiments upon the fubjeft of our next movement and operations. General SmalKvood was at Oxford meetlng-houfe yefler- dav. He has with him about ele\'en hundred and fifty rank and file fit for duty ; but not more than eigjit hundred and iixty or feventy are well armed, — fome are without any : they want ammunition too and many neccfTarics. The for- mer I ordered on funday. — Colonel Gill: is atChrifliana with about feven hundred incri, who v/ill form a jun£lion with 5:cneral Small wood, i have the honor to be, &;c. G. \V'« Sir, Ycllozu-Spri-'^gi, September 17, 1777. I HAVE been honored with your two favors of ycf- t:rday, and their inclofures, to \\hich due attention ihall be paid. The enemy feem now to be draining every nerve to ac- cdmpiifli their purpofe : but I trufl:, whatever prefent fuc- cefs they may have, they will, ere long, experience a reverfc of fortune. — If they have four thoufand men in the Jerfeys, jt is probable they have fomething more ferious in view than a mere diverfion: but I am in hopes, when general jVI'Dou- gal OFFICIAL LETTERS. 173 gal comes to unite his force with the militia, general Dic- kinfon will be ftrong enougli cffe^Ttually to make head againft them. Yeftcrday the enemy moved from Concord, by the Ed^c- mont towards the Lancat\er road, with evident defign to gain our right iiank. This obliged us to alter our polition ;incl march to this place, from whence we intend Immediately to proceed to Warwick. — We fuffered much from the feverc weather yefterday and lafl: night, being unavoidably feparat- cd from our tents and baggage, — which not only endanoers the healtli of the men, but has been very Injurious to our arms and ammunition. Thefe, when we arrive at Warwick, we fliali endeavor, as foon as poffible, to put again into a proper condition, — to do which, and to refre/h the men, ar» two principal motives for going there. I have the honor to be, &c. Q. \\r_^ Sir, Camp near Pottos-Grove^ September 2'^, 17TT, i HAVE not had the honor of addrefiing you ilncr your adjournment to Lancafter, and I fiucerely wifli that my firft letter was upon a more agreeable fiibjecl:. — The enemy, by a variety of perplexing manoeuvres tlirough a countrr from wliich I could not derive the leafl intelligence (bein^ ro a man difalFe61:ed), contrived to pafs the Schuylkill lall night at the Flat-land and other fords in the neighborhood of It. They marched immediately towards Philadelphia, and I imagine their advanced parties will be near that city to- night. They had fo far got the flart before I received certain in- telligence that any confiderable number had crolled, that I found it In vain to think of overtaking their rear, with troops liarrafTcd as ours had been with conPtant marching ficce the battle of Brandlwinc ; and therefore concludecf, by the advice of all the general officers, to march from this place to-niorrow morning towards Philadelphia, and on the way endei'ivor to 9 ' fcnr. iJ4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S form a jundlion with the continental troops under general M'Dougal from Peekfkill, arid the Jerfey militia under gene- ral Dickinfon, both of whom are, I hope, on this fide the Delaware. — I am alfo obliged to wait for general Wayne and general Sraallwood, who were left upon the other fide of Schuylkill, in hopes of falling upon the enemy's rear : — but they have eluded them as well as us. When I laft recrofled the Schuylkill, it was with a firm intent of giving the enemy battle wherever I Ihould meet them, and accordingly advanced as far as the Warren tavern upon the Lancafler road, near which place the two armies were upon the point of coming to a general engagement, but were prevented by a mofl violent flood of rain, which con- tinued all the day and following night. When it held up, we had the mortification to find that our ammunition, which had been completed to forty rounds a man, was entirely ru- ined ; and in that fituation we had nothing left for it but to find out a flrong piece of ground which we could eafiiy maintain till we could get the arms put into order, and a re- cruit of ammunition. Before this could be fully efTe6led, the enemy marched from their pofition near the White-horfe tavern, down the road leading to the Swedes' Ford.-^I immediately crofled the Schuylkill above them, and threw myielf full in their front, hoping to meet them in their palTage, or foon after they had palTed the river. — The day before yeflerday they w^ere again in motion, and marched rapidly up the road leading towards Re:!ding.— This induced me to believe that they had two ob- je£ls In view, — one to get round tlie right of th^ army, — the other perhaps to detach parties to Reading where we had con- fiderable quantities of military ftores. To frurtrate thofe inlentions, 1 moved the army up on this fide the river to this place, determined to keep p-ice with them ; but early this morning I received intelligence that they had crofled the fords below. — Wliy I did not tVilow immediately, I have mer.'iioned in the former pi rt of my letter : but the flron^eft OFFICIAL LETTERS. 175 fliongeft reafon againft being able to make a forced mardi is £he want of {hoes. Meffieurs Carroll, Chafe, and Penn, who were fome days with the army, can inform Congrefs in how deplorable a fituation the troops are, for want of that necef- fary article. At lead one thoufand men are bare-footed, and have performed the marches in that condition. — I was told of a great number of llioes in the hands of private people in Philadelphia, and fent down to fecure them : but I doubt the approach of the enemy will prevent it. I have planned a method of throwing a garrlfon into Fort Mifflin. — If it fucceeds, and they, with the afliftance of the ihips and gallies, fhould keep the obftrudlions in the river, general Howe's fituation in Philadelphia will not be the moil agreeable : for if his fupplies can be flopped by water, it may be eafily done by land. To do both {IvdW be my utmofl: endeavor ; and I am not yet without hope that the acquifi- tion of Philadelphia may, inHead of his good fortune, prove his ruin. General St, Clair, who has been conftantly with the army for fome time paft, can give you many pieces of information which may have efcaped me, and therefore I refer you to him for many particulars. If there are any ilioes and blankets to be had in Lancafler or that part of the country, I earneflly entreat you to have them taken up for the ufe of the army. I have been inform- ed that there are large parcels of flioes in particular there. Finding that the inclofed came from colonel Gibfon, I took the liberty of opening it, as I wanted much to know what rouce he was taking. 1 have ordered all the Virginia i-nilliia who are tolerably- armed to come forward and join the army. Thofe who have no arms are to wait at Frederlctow^n in Maryland till they hear whether any can be provided for them at Lancafrer : you will therefore be pleafed to make inquiry what number can be procured there, and fend an expreis to Frederic with orders for as many men to come forward- uj there are arms. I have the honor to bs, 2cc. G. W. 170 GEKERAL WASHINGTON'S Campy tzvc7ity miles from Philadelphia, O^ober 3, 17 7 7. Sir, YESTERDAY afternoon I had the honor to receive your favors of the thirtietli ultimo ^vith tlieir inclofures.— I was much obliged bv the accounts from tlie northern army, though in general thev had reached me before ; and I flatter myfelf we fliall foon hear that they have been fucceeded by other fortunate and interelling events, as the two armies, by general Gates's letter, were encamped near each other. I fliall pay due attention to the refolution you refer me to ; and no exertions on my part (hall be wanting, to collecSt what neceffaries 1 can for the army. This, I am perfuaded, will be equally attended to by the honorable board of war ; and I hope, by care and induftry, many fupplies may be obtained to relieve our diftrcfles, which, in the articles of Ihoes, {lock- ings, and blankets, are extremely great. Since my letter of the twenty-ninth, no favorable change has taken place in our affairs: — on the contrary, we have fuflaincd an additional lofs in the capture of the Delaware. She fell into the enemy's hands in a day or two after they were in poffefTion of the city, and in a manner not yet well imderftood. — Some have fuppofed the crew mutinied, — while another report is, that Ihe was difabled in her rudder by a (hot, and drove on /liore — This misfortune takes off the fuccefs of captain Biddlc'scruifc. — I will not dwell longer on the fubje6l. - Congrcis may reft afTured, ail the means in my power fliall be employed to put our affairs in a more agreeable train, and to accomplifh the end they fo earneflly wilh.— I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. Inclolcd is a copy of general Howe's proclamaiion ifTued the tv/enty-eighth ultimo. m OFFICIAL LETTERS. 177 Sir, Camp near Fennib acker's Mill, O^oher 5, 1777. . HAVING reqeived intelligence through two inter- cepted letters, that general Howe had detached a part of his force for the purpofe of reducing Billingfport and the forts on Delaware, I communicated the accounts to my general of- ficers, who \yere unanimoufly of opinion that a favorable opportunity oiFeredto make an attack upon the troops which were at and near Germantown. It was accordingly agreed that it fliould take, place yeil:erday morning, and the follow- ing difpofitions were made. The divifions of Sullivan and Wayne, flanked by Con- way's brigade, were to enter the town by the way of Chef- nut-liill, while general Armflrong with the Pennfylvania mili- tia fhould fall down the Manatawny road by Vandeering's mill, and get upon the enemy's left and rear. — The divifions of Greene and Stephen, flanked by M'DougaFs brigade, were to enter, by taking a circuit by way of the lime-kiln road, at the market-houfe, and to attack their right wing ; and the militia of Maryland and Jerfey, under generals Small- wood and Forman, were to march by the old York road, and fall upon the rear of their right. — Lord- Stirling, with Nalh and Maxwell's brigades, was to forna.. a corps-de-re- ferve We marched about feven o'clock the preceding evening, and general Sullivan's advanced party, drawn from Con- way's brigade, attacked their piquet at Mount Airy or Mr, Allen's houfe about fun-rife the next morning, which pre- fently gave Way ; and his main body, confifling of the right w ing, following foon, engage^ the light infantry and other troops encamped near the piquet, wdiich they forced from their ground. — Leaving their baggage, they retreated a confi- derable diftance, having prcvioufly thrown a party into Mr. Chew's houfe, who where in a fituation not to be eafily for- ■ ted, and had it in their power, from the windows, to give us ■ V'M,. II. N. ne if8 GElSreRAL WASHmGTON'S no fmall annoyance, and in a great meafure to obftrucl ouf advance. The attack from our left column under general Greene hegan about three-quarters of an hour after that from the fight, and was for fome time equally fuccefsful. But Icimnot enter upon the particulars of what happened in that quarter, as I am not yet informed of them with fufficient certainty and precifion. The mornm'g was extremely foggy, v/bich prevented our improving the advantages we gained, fo' well as- we ihould otherwife have done. This circumftanc?, by concealing from us' the true fituation of the enemy, obliged" us to a6l with more caution and lefs expedition than we could have wifhed, and gave the enemy time to recover from the efFedls of our firft impreflion: and, what wasftill more unfortunate, it fenced to keep our different parties in ignorance of each orhcr*s movements, and hindered their aiding in concert. Itaffooccarfioned them tamrftake one another for the enemy, •^^which, I believe, more than any thing elfe, contributed to the misfortune which cnfued. — In the midfl of the mod: pro- mifing appearances, when every thing gave the moft flatter- ing hopes of vidory, the troops began fuddenly to retreat, and entirely left the field, rn fpite of every eiFort that could be made to rally them. Upon the whole, it may be hid thcday was rather unfor- tunate than in/urious. — We fuftained no material lofs of men, and brought oiF all our artillery, except one piece which was difmounted. — The enemy are nothing the better by the event ; and our troops, who are not in the leafl di- fpirited by it, have gained what all young troops gain by be- ing in a6tions. We have had however fcveral valuable of- ficers killed and wounded, particularly the latter. General Naft'i is among the wounded, and his life is defpaired of. — As foon as it is poflible to obtain a retiwn of i>ur lols,I will traof- mil i<. In }uftice to general Sullivan a-nd the whole right wing of the OFFICIAL LETTERS. > 179 the army, whofe coridudl I Had an opportunity of obferving, as they adted immediately under my eye, — I have the pleafure to inform you that both officers and men behaved with a de- gree of gallantry that did them the higheft honor. I have thq honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. As I have obfcrved, I have hot received a return of our lofs : but, from what I have juft now learned from gene- ral Greene, I fear it is more confiderable than I at iiift ap- prehended — in men. The cannon, mentioned abovb, h fald to have been brought off iii a waggon. Sir, Camp near Pennibachr^s Mill, OHoler 7, 1777. SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you on the fifth, i have obtained a return of our lofs in the a6lion on fatur- day; by which it appears to be much more confiderable than I at firft apprehended, though I ^Kvays imagined myfelf that it was greater than it was generally fuppofed to be. Tlie copy of the return inclofed will ilievv the amount as it now flands ; but I hope hiaiiy of thofe who are miffing will yet come in : I fear however there are feveral under that deno- mination to be added to the nuihber of the {lain, as the a6lion was warm in every quarter, from the information of the of- ficers who commanded the different attacks. What lofs the enemy fuftained, I am not able precifely to afcertain : but from a variety of ccrrefponding. aecdunts of perfons who left the city fmcej and thofe of a deferter, it was tery confiderable. The deferter, vvho is intelligent, fays general Agnew was killed, fir William Erfkiiie vi^ound- ed in the head and leg, and that their general lofs, in killed and wounded, amounted to near eight hundred. Seveial re- putable perfons from the city corroborate this, partitularly with refpe£t- to general Agnew's death : feme fay iipwards of tv/o hundred waggons with wounded were carried in after the action, and before they came out ; and that it was the com- mon belief there, the enemy had been feverely handled, N 2 It i8o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S It: is with much chagrin and mortification I add thai every account confirms -the opinion I at fird entertained, that oilr troops retreated at the inflant when vi6^ory was declaring herfelf in our favor. — The tumult, diforder, and even de- fpair, which, it feems, had taken place in the Britifh army, were fcarcely to be paralleled : and it is faid, fo ftrongly did the ideas of a retreat prevail, that Chefler was fixed oir* as their rendez-vous. — I can difcover no other caufe far not improving this happy opportunity, than the extreme hazi- nefs of the weather. My intention is to encamp the army at fome fuitable place to reft and refreili the m.en, and recover thena from the ftili remaining efFecfls of that diforder naturally attendant on a re- treat. We fliall here wait for the reinforcements coming on, and {hall then act accordhig ro' circumflances. — General Varuum, with the detachment from Peekfkill amounting to about tv.-elve hundred, including officers, would be lall night at Coryel's ferry. About live hundred militia from Vir- ginia, and two hundred from Maryland, together with colo- nel Gibfon's flate regiment condfling of two hundred and twenty-fix efte£iives, have already joined the army. — Since the adlion, general Forman's brigade of Jerfey militia has quitted us.' The men began to be uneafy at their fitiiation, anddehrous to return home : and as, by fome intelligence re- ceived from general Dickinfon, there was reafon to imagine there might be a call for their fervices in the Jerfeys, it was thought expedient to gratify their defire. Th(2 ftate of our water defence on the Delaware is far from beinr as flattering as could be Vvifhed. After fome fiipht op- ppfition from the jerfey militia under general Newcomb, a detachment of the enemy rook pofTefiion of Billihgfport. This perhaps is an event of rib material confequence : but It is to be 'lamented that many of the officers and feamen on board the gallies have mahifeded a difpofition that docs them little honor. Looking upon their fjtuation a-s defpcrate, or pro- bably from worfe 'motives, they have been guilty of the moft alarming OFFICIAL LETTERS, i8i ?i]arming deferrions : two whole crews, including the offi- cers, have deferted to the en<^my. I learn however by cap- tain Brewer who is this moment arrived here from the fleet, that the accounts they have received from the city, of our late attack, were fuch as to have produced a favorable change, and to have iufpired them with more confidence. — I would here obferve that the charge of bad conduct was by no means applicable to the whole : — far from it. — He fur- ther adds that four of the enemy's fliips m'ade an attempt yef- terday morning to weigh the chevaux-de-frife oppofite to BillingfporL, but were repulfed by our gallies, — which has al- fo contributed to raife the fpirits of the feamen. — Our garri- fon on Fort-Ifiand, confifting of little more than two hundred continental troops under lieutenant-colonel Smith, appear de- termined to maintain their pofr to the laft extremity. I beg leave to mention to Congrefs that there is a great deficiency of general officers in this army. When the de- tachment com.ing from Peekfliill joins us, we fhall have thirteen brigades. Thefe require as many brigadiers, and fiX major-generals : — inftead of thefe, we fhall have only four major-generals and eleven brigadiers ; and the deficiency will be flill increafed by the death of general Nafh, which, froin every appearance, is momently to be expecSted. General Woodford's abience, occafioned by his wound, adds to our embarraffments, though it will be but for a time. Under thefe circumftances, Congrefs will be fenfible that the go- vernment of the army cannot go on with that energy which is eflential to its well-being and fuccefs. Neither officersHor men will transfer the refpecl and obedience they pay to a ge- neral officer, to a colonel who ha])pens to be appointed to the tempoiary command of a brigade ; nor will he, knowins; his authority to be only temporary, be as folicitous to inforce it, as one who is confcious he is to continue in the ftation he fills. Want of leifure prevents my being more particular at this time : but I fhall take the liberty, in a day or two, to N 3 point m GENERAL WASHINGTON'S point out the troops that are in want of general officers, with mv obfervations on the fub^edi. I cannot however pmit this opportunity of recommending general M'Dougal to their notice. This gentleman, from the time of his appointment as brigadier,— from his abilities, military knowledge, and approved bravery, — has every claim to promotion. If I miftake not, he was pa fled over in the lafl appointments of major-generals, and younger officers pre- ferred before him : but his difinterefted attachment to the fer- vicc prevented his a6ting in the manner that is cuftomary in like circumftances. This, I think, gives him a pecu-. liar tide to efteem, and concurs with the opinion I have of his value as an officer, to make me wifh it may appear ad- vifable to Congrefs to promote him to one of the vacancies. It would be well if the intended inquiry into the condu(5l of general St. Clair could be brought to a fpeedy iflue ; and, if he is acquitted to the fatisfa^lion of Congrefs, that, as his general charader as an officer is good, he may be again re- Itored to the fervice. By a letter this evening received from colonel Hawkes. Hay of Haverftrawv dated the fifth at four o'clock P. M. four fliips of war, a confiderable number of armed veflels, eight tranfports, and forty flat-bottomed boats, arrived that morning in the bay oppofite that place, and were landing troops at Verplank's Point. — Their number and defjgn were not known. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. Inclofed you will find a copy of a letter from colO"- ncl Mifflin, containing an account of the adion of the fourth, -as mentioned by the Britifh officers in Philadelphia. — -I would Ipeg leave to obferve that I think mifs * * *'s name fliould not be mentioned. Sir, J^ennibacher*^ Mill, 0/fohcrS, 1777. AS general. Howe's operations are in this quartei-, and his objed in all probability fixed for this campaign, I am OFFICIAL LETTERS, igj am induced to fubmit it to the confideration of Congrefsif the whole or a part of the regiment of artillery commanded by colonel Hairifou fbould not be immediately ordered to joii^ this army. In the late a6iions, the corps under general Knox has fufFered fevcrdy ; and it is fo reduced by the number of killed, wounded, &c, that we are obliged to make draughts from the other batallions to fupply their places. The mpa- fure I have vejitured to fubmit will not, from prcfent apr pearances, he attended with any ill confe.qucnccs, if carried into execution, — and the lefs fo, as the ftate of Virginia, ac- cording to my inforinatioj3, is raifing another regiment. Should it be thought advifable, Congrefs will tranfmit their orders to colonel Harrifon.— If the regiment comes, they ijeed not bring their artillery. J havp the honor to be, 6cc, G. W. Campi twin$y-Jts<: miles from Philadelphia, Odoher lo, iJJJf Sir, ON wednefday evening I received the honor of your letter of the feventh with its feveral inclofures. — The providing of fuitable quarters for the troops during the wjnter demands our attention : but I confefs it is difficult to fay where they will be. Sundry circumftances may occur in the courfe of the campaign, to render any provilion, which might now be thought of, altogether improper. In refpe6t to general Putnam's letter, thougri the accounts tranfmitted by colonel Hawkes Hay indicate that the enemy had fome attack in contemplation, yet I cannot but think the force the general mentions to have been at New-York vya§ greatly exaggerated. The higheft number of the reinforce- ments, faid to have arrived, is three ttpufand ; and thefe are mentioned to be half boys. Other reports make it n»uch lefs,— and fome as low as live or fix hundred. — However, be it what it may, jt is not in my power to grant him aid. — Ha-d the re~ N 4 inforcemenj; i84 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S inforcement arrived before the troops marched from Peekf- kill, fo many might not have been ordered from thence. But the cafe was otherwife, or at leaft I was not apprifed of their arrival ; and the detachments from thence were dire6ted by the advice of my general officers, who had under confidera- tion the flate of the whole force at that poft and its dependen- cies, according to a general return. At tlie fame time I urged general Putnam to call in all his out-pofls, and to write in prefTing terms to governor Trumbull to affift him with feme militia. I have not heard a fingle fyllable more of the troops or fleet, mentioned by colonel Hawkes Hay, except a vague report to- day that a number, fuppofed to be about fifteen hundred, had landed on this fide the river at Haverftraw. — If the faft is fa, it is probable they mean to pafs through the Clove and invert: the forts. — I have great confidence in the activity and bravery of governor Clinton ; and I trufl:, if fuch is their view, they >vill meet atleaft with a fpirited if not a fuccefsful oppofition. — I have fent up lieutenant-colonel Radiere, one of the engi- neers, with orders to dired?c fuch other works as may appear neceffary. There was a very fevere cannonade on wednefday night; it began about twelve o'clock, and continued till yeflerday morning between feven and eight. I have not learned the occafion ; but, from the direction, fuppofe it was at Fortr Mifflin, or an engagement between our armed vefTels and the enemy's fhips, which probably were making a fecond at- tempt againll: the chevaux-de-frife. — I have determined to maintain the poft at Red-bank, if it can be done, and have detached colonel Greene there with his regiment of Rhode- Ifland troops, confifting of about two hundred and twelve .effedtive privates. 1 have alio written to general Newcomb of Jerfey, preffing him to give all the aid he can from the militia. Since my letter of the feventh we have been joined by more ci OFFICIAL LETTERS. 185 of the Virginia militia.— The whole number now in camp amounts to about eleven hundred. Many of their arms are indifferent, and almoft the whole are deftitute of pouches and other neceflary accoutrements. On funday the enemy evacuated Billingrport. — They left all our cannon, but burned the platforms and carriages. Inclofed you will receive a letter addreffed to me by colo- nel Portail. Congrefs will judge of the contents, and decide upon them as they may think they merit. The military chell is nearly exhauftcd, not having more than ten thoufand dollars in it ; and a large part of the array is to pay for the month of Auguft. Befules their claims, large fums are wanted by the quarter-mafter-general, and for other purpofes. — Congrefs, I hope, will order fuch immediate fupply to be forwarded to the paymafter-general, as (hall be in their power. O^oher II. — I widi to know what ftores of lead we have, and what expciSlations of further fupplies. I am ra- ther uneafy on this head, as I have not been able to obtain fatisfa6lion on fome inquiries within ihecourfe of a few days. The cannonade mentioned above was between pur gal- Jles and a detachment of the enemy who were attempting to throw up a battery at Webb's or the lowefl ferry on SchuyU kill. It has been repeated this morning. — Their defign, in ere6ling this battery, probably is to cover their paffage to Province-Ifland, from whence, by occupying the grounds a- bout the pefl-houfes, they may expedt to annoy Fort-Mif- £in. Our diflrefs for want of Ihocs and {lockings is amazingly great, particularly for want of the former. On this account we have a great many men who cannot do duty, and ieveral detained at the hofpitals for no other caufe, — I muft requeft Congrefs to continue their exertions to relieve us, and to direct every fupply of thefe and other necefTaries to be for- warded as foon as they pofTibly can afier they are coile6led. It will be proper to fend them on as fail as they can be pro- cured, i«6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S oired^ without waiting to make up a confiderable quantity to be brought at one time. I was this morning honored with your favors of the ninth, snd their feveral inclofures. — I feel in the mofl fenfible man- ner the honorable approbation Congrefs have been pleafed to give of my condu6l, and that of the army under my com- jnand, in the adlion on the fourth inftant : nor am 1 lefs indebt- ed to you, iir, for the polite mode in which you have con- Teyed their fentimenrs. — I iliali communicate the refolve upon the fubjedi-^to-the army, and hope, if a favorable opportunity offers, under the fmiles of providence, they will merit, by more fubflantial feivices, the further applaufe of their country. The refohition of the eighth, for preventing fupplies and intelligence being carried to the enemy, appears to me to be a falutarv one ; and I hope it will be attended with the mod: -beneticial confequences. That it may be known among the inhabitants who are in their neighberliood, and who have been guilty of fuch pra<£tices, I would wifli to receive feve- jrai printed copies, that they may be diftributed in proper places. — I have the honor to be, &zc. G. W. P. S. I have juft now received a line from the paymafter* general on the fubjecl of monev, which I indole. Sir, Head- Quarters f Oeioher 13, 1 777. SINCE I had the honor of addrcffing you on the ele- venth inftant, nothing material has happened between our ar- my aad general Howe's.— The inclofed copies of commodore Hazelvvood and colonel Bradford's letters will ihcw the fitu- ation of atTairs io the navy and at Fort-Mifflin, on the ele- venth, — which are the lateft accounts I have received froni rhence. But there has been a warm cannonade lince, which continued, with but little intermiffion, till between two and three o'clock yeileiday afternoon, when it cealed. The re- fiik OFFICIAL LETTERS. igj fult I have not heard ; but I hope, from the determined fpirit qf the fleet and the garrifon, matters continue as we couli wifh. I received an exprefs lafl: night from general Putnam, in- forming me of the capture of Fort-Montgomery, and the cor-? fequent evacuation of Peckfkill. I (liould fend copies of his letters to me : but as the exprefs who brought them had dif- patches for Congrefs, I conclude he has advifed them fully on the fubje61:. — Thefe events may have an unhappv influ- ence on our northern aff:iirs : but as the Connedicut mili- tia feem to be coming in faft, and governor Clinton is exert- ing himfelf to bring out the force of New York,— if general Putnam can but keep pace with their fleet in their progrefs up the river, I hope he will be able to fruftrate their defign of relieving general Burgoyne, and that every thing will flill terminate well in that quarter. It gives me pain to repeat fq often the wants of the army ; and nothing w^ould induce me to it but the mofl urgent neceffity. Every mode hitherto adopted for fupplying them has proved inadequate, notwithftandiog my beft endeavors to make the mofl of the means which have been in my power, — The inclofed return will /hew how great our deficiencv in the mofl: eflential articles. — What new expedient Congrefs can devife for more efFe6tually anfwering tl>efe demands, 1 know not, perfuaded as I am that their clofefl attention has not been wanting to a matter of fo great importance: but, circumflanced as we are, I am under an abfolute neceflity of troubling them, that if any new fource can be opened for alleviating our diftreffes, it may be embraced as fpeediiy as pofTible ; for it is impoffible that any army, fo unprovi.led, can long fubfift, or a61: with that vigor which is requifite to enfure fuccefs. The return now inclofed is for troops prefent in camp, — befides which, there are numbers in the feveral hofpitais, to- tally deftituie of the necefTaries they require to fit them for the field ; a^nd. on this account alone, are prevented from joining 3 88 G E N E R A L ~\V A S 11 IN GTON*S joining their corps. The Tecruits coming in are dlfo In the fame melancholy p>redicament. — I cannot afcerLain with pre- cifion what quantity of clothing is at tills time in Mr. Meaic's hands ; but, from every accoimt, what he has can adniiniflcr but a very partial relief. — I know he is entirely bare of fomc of the mod capital articles we want. With refpedl to cartouch-boxes, without whicli it is im- poiTible to acl, I cannot find from my inquiries tliat there are any in flore. Several of the continental troops are deticicnt in this inftance ; and, what adds to our diftrefs, there are but very few of the fouthern militia that are provided. —I am trying to make a coMeclion about the country: but, from the inforni- ation I have received, the meafure v.iil be attended with hut little fuccefs. — Tiiis want, though not remedied immediately, may he removedin time j. and I would take tlie liberty to recom- mend that the earlieft attention ihould be had to makinn: a large fupply. I would alfo advife that much care fhould be ufed in chufmg the leather : — none but the heft and thickeft is proper for the purpofe; and each box lliould have a fmall inner flap for the greater fecurity of the- cartridges againll: the rain and moiil: weather. The flaps in general are too fmall^ and do not projed futiicienily over the ends or fules of the boxes.— I am convinced of the utility, nay neceflity, of thefe improvements, and that the adoption of them, though they wdi ineur an additional cxpenfe at tirft, will prove a confi- derable faving, and of the moll: beneficial confequences : for we know from unhappy expenence in the fevere rain on the fixtcenth ultimo, the few boxes we had of this conftruc>ion preferved the am.munition without injury, whlhl it was aU mod: wholly deftroyed iri thofe of the common Yorm widi a fmgle flap. There is one thing more which I cannot omit mentioning to Con-refs, and which, in m.y opinion, has a claim to dieir moft ferious . attention,— I mean the general defedive ftate of the regiments which compole our armies.— Congrefs will find, ti-om a yievs' of the returns tranfmitted from time to tmic, that OFFICIAL LETTERS. 189 th*t they do not amount to halt of their juft complement. What can be done to remedy this, I know not : but it is cer- tain every idea of voluntary enliltments feems to be at an end ; and it is equally certain that the mode of draughting has been carried on with fuch w^nt of energy iafomeilates,and fo much difregarded In others, that but a fmall acce/Hon of force has been derived from it. Thefe fdOis arc fufSciently in- tereilinc: of t-iemfelvcs. — But there are others to be added. — I am told that Virginia, in her regulations for draughting, extended her plan only to the nine regiments that were firll raifed. In what policy thi^ was founded, I cannot determine : but the other fix are to receive no reinforcements from that fource. — Nor do matters Hop here. The engagements of the firft nine regiments, T am informed, were temporary ; and, according to the officer^s accounts, the longeil period to which any of the men are bound to ferve is next April : — ■ many are not obliged fo long ; and there are fomc who claim a difcharge at this time. — I do not mention thefe thincrs through choice, but from a principle of duty, to the end that Congrefs may devife fome timely and elFectual provifion for the whole, if fuch lliall be in their power. — It is unnecefTary to enlarge upon the fubje6f ; and I will only obferve that the confequences of calling the militia [into the field in'] the courfe uf the war have been fo feverely and ruinouilv {tll,^ that I truft oiir views will never be turned to tlicm but in tafes of the greateft extremity. In purfuance of the refoluti(;n of Congrefs, a court of in- quiry has fat upon general Sulhvan. They nitt on the tenth, and continued the examination till the twelfth, when they came to the inclofed opinion. — The depofitions and papers which were before the court v/er« many and prolix. They ■are not tranfnitted : but they may be obtained from the court, li wanted. — Befides the depoUtory proofs which they hiA oi wounded and dead officers, they had many gentlemen be- fore them in perfon. I have the honcir to br, &g, Q. W. 9 tgo GENERAL WASHINGTON'S P. S. OEiober 14. — I laft night received letters from com^ modore Hazelwood and colonel Smith. — The fituatroii of af- fairs was nearly the fame, the evening before, as when the commodore and colonel Bradford wrote on the tenth and eleventh. — The cannonade mentioned above was from our gallies at the enemy's redoubts. Head-Quarters at Peter JVinf^s^ O^oher 16, 1777=. SiRr I HAVE Been duly honored with your favors of the twelfth and thirteenth inftant, with their feveral inclofures. — tn refpe6l to \^\\& refolution diredling a flag to be fent to ge- neral Ho^^e, I arri inclined to think that the information tipon which it was framed was without foundation. The letters which have conie from 5ur officers who have been lately taken gcnerallv mention that their treatmeut has been tolerably good ; and fuch privates aS have efcaped have faid nothing in the courfe of thdr eicamination, of their having been compelled to work. — Forthefe reafons I have taken the liberty to decline fending the flag. At the fame time Congrefs may be afllired, \^ our prifoners fufi^er any wrongs, I fhall take everv means in ray power to have them redrefTed as foon as f am apprifed of them. it is with the highefl; fatisfa6iidn I congratulate Congrefs on the fuccefs of our aims at the northward in the a£lion of the feVenth, — an event of the moft: interefling importance at this critical juncture. From the happy train in which things then Vv-erc, I hope we fhall foori heat of the moA decifive ad- vantages. We moved this morning from the entampment at which t^-e had been for fix or feven days paft, and are juft arrived at the grounds we occupied before the a6tion of the fourth. One motive for coming here is to divert the enemy's atten- tion and force from the forts. Thefe they feem to confider as capital objects, and (from their operations) mean to re- 7 dvice. OFFICIAL LETTERS. ipi dxxccy if poiTible. — At prefent their defigns are direded againd: Fort-Mifflin and the chevaux-de-frife. I have therefore de- tached a further reinforcement to the garrifon. I yefterday, through the hands of Mrs * * *, received a letter of a very curious and extraordinary nature from Mr D * * *, which I have thought proper to tranfmit to Con- grefs. — To this ridiculous, illiberal performance, I made a iliort reply, by defiring the beirer of it, if fhe flionld here- after by any accident meet with Mr D * * *, to tell him I fhould have returned it unopened, if I had had any idea of the contents ; — obferving at the fame time, that I highly difapproved the intercourfe fhe feemed to have been carrying on, and expected it would be difcontinued. — Notwithftand- ing the author's alTertion, I cannot but fufpe£l that the mea- fure did not originate with him ; and that he was induced to it by the hope of eftabiifhing his intereft and peace more ef- fedlually with the enemy. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Head- Quarters, near White -MarJJi^ QBober 21, 1777. Sir, I LAST night had the honor to receive your letter of the feventeenth inftant, with its feveral inclofures. I lieartily wifh the Hates may feel the importance of fill- ing their batallions, and may, in confequence of the recom- mendation of Congrefs, adopt fuch meafures as will prove ef- feduai for the purpofe. I cannot but thifik that heretofore there has been a want of attention in this inllance, and that the fubjeft, though interefting to the laft degree, has been viewed with too much indifference.— The refolution refpe6t- ing defcrters, I hope, will alio have their notice. It is highly necelFary that they fhould come into fome regulations for apprehending them, and puniiliing thofe who give them countenance. If this is not done, our force will be always ^iminiiliing, 192 GtKERAL WASHINGTON'S diminishing, and no exertions in the army will prevent It. — I ihall try the efFecls of a proclamation on thofe who are now delinquents, and fhali be happy if it meets with fuccefs ; but confefs, from the experiment I havd made, tliat I am not fan- guine in my expe6^atioRS that it will be the cafe. As to the recruiting officers, I muft obferve, that, not- withflanding the refokition of Congrefs of the thirty-iirft of July, and my circular letter on the fubjeft of it to many of the flates, I have not received an account that any officers have been appointed, except in Connedlicut and Jerfey. On funday the enemy evacuated Germantown, and with- drew themfelves within their lines near the city. — They fcem determined to reduce the forts, if poffible ; and, for this purpofe, have thrown feveral parties over on Proviuce- liland. I was informed this afternoon t]:^at a detachment alfo paffed the Delaware at Cooper's ferry in the m-orning. — If the account be true (and I have no doubt of it) it is high- Iv probable the}^ mean to make an attack upon the garrifon at Red-bank. — I am taking every n;ieafure in my power to countera6i: them, and have written to generals Forman and Ncwcomb of Jerfey to afford every aid they can to relieve the fort, in cafe they do invcfl it. Againfl: Fort-Miffiin they have kept up a cannonade, more or lef$, every day, and have thrown fevei al fliells, but with- out doing any confiderable damage. The explofion of one killed a prh-ate, and wounded three others, who were in a barrack v/h&re it fell. They aUo let fire to tv/o ammunition- boxes with a hot ball on the nineteenth, which did fom« in- jury to tlie barracks. — T do not recollecl; that we havefufFer- cd lately in any indances befides thef*. ■ I have the lienor to be, &:c. G. W. Sir, Ihad-Qiiartns, -QtUher 24, 1777. I DO myfclf the honor of tranfmitting to Congrefs the inclofid copies oi fundry letters juft now received, and congratulate OFFICIAL LETTERS; 193 congratulate them moft fincerely on the important intelli- gertce which they contain;— ^The damage the enemy have fuftained in their ihips, I hope, will prevent their future at- tempts to gain the paiTage of the river ; and the repulfe of the troops under count Donnop, and his captivity, I flatter niyfelf, will alfo be attended with the moft happy confe- quences.— ^At the time thefe adlions happened, a fupply of ammunition was on the way to the forts ; and I have alfo ordered a further quantity to he immediately fent; By colonel Blaine, one of the iffuing commifTaries, who left Red-bank in the morning before the adlion, I am happily informed that he had thrown confiderablefupplies of provilion into both garrifons. He alfo adds that he came from Jerfey this morning, and that the enemy had recrofled the Delaware cind returned to Philadelphia. — I have written to colonel Greene that the prifoners muft be immediately fent from his pofl: : and Mr. Clymer, a deputy under Mr. Boudinot, will fet out to-morrow morning to make a proper difpofition of them. It gives me grea,t concern to inform Congrefs^ that, aftef all my exertions, we are Hill in a diflrefTed lituation for want of blankets and flioes. At this time no inconfiderable part of our force arc incapable of a6i:ing, through the deficiency of the latter : and I fear, without we can be relieved, it will be the cafe with two-thirds of the army in the courfe ot* a few days> I am and have been waiting with the moil: anxious impa- tience for a confirmation of general Burgoyne's furrender. I have received no further intelligence refpeif^ing it (except vague repon) than the firft account which came to hand fe long ago as faturday morning. — If Congrefs have had au- thentic advices about it, I v/ifli to be- favored with tb«m. I have the honor to be, ^c. G- W- Vol. II. O 194 GENERAL WAS^HINGTON'S Head-Quarters near IVhltc-MarJIi^ November I, 1 777. Sir, I Vv'AS duly honored with Air. Hancock^s letter of the twenty-fifth, with its feveral iaclofures.—I fnall take the cafe of John More under coniideration, and will tranfmit colonel Alafon my determination upon the fame. At this time I cannot inform the commiiTary whether any alterations have or have not been made by general orders in the original ration eftablifhment. I have been under the necefnty, from time to time, to fend away my orderly books ; ?.nd they are neceffary to be examined upon the fubjc6i- However, I think it probable tliat a departure from the ftrfb allowance may have been found expedient, and direiled by fome authority, — 'Or the commiflary would not have adopt- ed ir. — In rcfpecl to the alteration referred to my coniidera- tion, it is a niatter of confequence, and I have defired the general officers to inform themfelves whether it will be agree- ahle to the army at large, or what other regulations may be ncceffary in this inftance. — As foon as I have their fenti- mei1t3, i will write to Congrefs upon the fubjed. The enemy ilill conhder the poiTcfTion of our pofls upon the river of great importance ; and, from their prcparatioa of fafcines, &c, and the befl information I have been able t© obtain, they will make further efforts to carry them. — View- ing them in this light myfelf, and imagining tliat they would perfcvere in their plans to occupy them, 1 wrote fome days ago in the moft preffing t^rms to generals Dickinfon, For- man, and * * *, to afford every aid in their power from die militia of Jcrfey. As yet we have received but little ; and I have no encouracement to exoefl that it will be much augmented in a ihort time. — Tliis does not proceed from a want of activity and exertion on the part of the two firil- mentioned gentlemen, whofe condu6t and zeal upon every occafion give them a chim to thej^ublic cfteem, but in a con^ fidcrable degree fronj the peculiar circumftances of their ftate 36 at OFFICIAL LETTERS. 195 at this time. The appreheiiGoiis of an invafion from Staten- liland keep a large proportion of the militia from the eaft- crn and upper part of the ftate almoft conftantly employed at and in the rieigiiborhood of Elizabeth town : and Mr. Liv* ingfton's powers, as governor, l)eing expiied, — and no pro- vilion made (It feems) for fuch a contingency, — -tliere are none of fufficient authority to order them out, till a new ap- pointment can be had :-^^t lead there is ground to iufpe6l that the orders and exertions of thefe two gentlemen, unaf- fifted by civil authority, will not be attended with the advan- tages we wifli, and which our affairs require. ^ * * Under thefe circumftances I have been obliged to detach a further reinforcement of continental troops under general Varnum, to maintain the two garrifons, if poffibie,— ^befides failors drawMi from the line, to man the gallles. This detach- ment) when it arrives, added to the force now in the forts, will make the \vhole amount to fixteen hundred effedtive rank and file fent from this army* After the a6t:Ion of the fourth ultimo at Germantown^ I hoped we fhould have been in a fituation to attack the enemy Qgain on thofe grounds, and with more fuccefs than in the former inflance : but this I was not able to eiTedl. The fevere rain on the fixteenth of September, — the action on the fourth, — ^the removal of our flores, and having to form a new elaboratory,- — added to the fmall number of hands en- .gaged in tlie buhnefs of it, — laid us under difficukies in the capital and efTential article of ammunition, that could not be furmounted. Every exertion was directed to obtain fup- plies ; but (notwithftanding) they were inadequate, too fcaa- ty, and Infui^icient to attempt any thing on a large and ge-. neral fcale, before the enemy withdrew tliemfelves. — With what we had, In cafe an experiment had been made, fortune might have decided in our favor for tlie prefent ; but we ihould not have been afterwards In a fituation to maintaia the advantage we might have gained : and if a repulfe had taken place, and the enemy purriicd, — for want of a referve, O a wc 196 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S we might have been expofed to the moft imminent danger of being ruined. — The didrefs of the foldiers for want of fhoes was alfo a powerful obflacle to the meafure. I could wilh that our circumftances were now fuch as to authorife a general attack for diilodging them from the city : but I think that they are not. This alfo is the opinion of my general officers, upon a full and comprehenfive view of matters, as Congrefs will perceive by the inclofed copy of the m-inutes of council on the twenty-ninth ultimo, which I have taken the liberty to tranfmit and lay before them. — The fu- periority of numbers on the part of the enemy, in refpc6t to regular troops, — their fuperior difcipline, and the redoubts and lines which they have thrown up between the two rivers and about the city, — the happy ftate of our affairs at the northward, and the prad^icabilitv of drawing fuccours from thence, — the confequenccs of a defeat,— thefe were all mo- tives which led to a decifion againft an attack at this time. I have fent colonel Hamilton, one of my aides, to general Gates, to give him a juft reprefentation of things, and to ex- plain to him the expediency of our receiving the reinforce- ments which have been determined necelTary, if they will not interfere with and fruflrate any important plans he may have formed. Indeed I cannot conceive that there is any obje6l now remaining, that demands our attcndon and moft vigor-, ous efforts fo much as the deftrucSlion of the army in this quarter. Should we be able to efFe6l this, we {liall have little to fear in future. General Howe's force, according to the ftate now made, is more confiderable than it was generally fuppofed to be. I did not think it quite fo great myfelf, but always imagined the common eftimate much too low : — nor can I pofitively fay what it really is. However, there are ftrong reafons to be- lieve that it is not over-rated. After the evacuation of Ger- mantown, an almofl infinite number of fcraps and hits of paper were found, which, being feparated and arranged with great induftry and care, bear the marks of genuine and au- tlientic OFFICIAL LETTERS. 197 thentic returns at different periods. The manner in which they were deftroyed and diipofed of gives no room to fufpeift that it was the effect of deiign. — In addition to this, I am in- formed by general Putnam that he had heard a reinforce- ment of four regiments was coming round to Delaware from New-York. The inclofed return will give Congrefs a general view of the ftrength of this army when it was made, and a particular one of the forces of each flate which compofe it. By this they will perceive how greatly deficient the whole are in fur- ni/hing their juft q^uotas. — The militia from Maryland and Virginia are no longer to be counted on : — ail the former, except about two hundred, are already gone ; and a few days, I expedl, will produce the departure of the whole or .chief part of the latter, from the importunate applications which fome of them have made. Befides this diminution, I am ap- prehenfive we fliall have feverai men added to the fick liil: by reafon of the late exceflive rain and want of clotlies. We have not yet come to any determination refpedllng the difpoiition of our troops for the winter, — fuppofing it a mat- ter of great importance, and that for the prefent we fhould be filent upon it. The reafons will readily occur. By con- tinuing the campaign, perhaps many falutary if not decifive advantages may be derived ; but it appears to me that this mud depend upon the fupplies of clothing which the men receive. It they cannot be accommodated in this inftance, it will be difHcult if not impofhble to do it without effeding their deftru6iion. I would take the liberty to mention that I feel myfelf in a delicate fituation with refpe£i to the marquis La Fayette. -^ He is extremely folicitous of having a command equal to liis rank, and proteiTes very different ideas, as to- the purpofes of his appointment, from thofe Congrefs have mentioned to me :— he certainly did not undcrdand them.— I do not know m what light they will view the matter : but k appears to mpi iiQiJi a coafideration of his illuilrious and important O 3 connexion's J93 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S connexions, — the attachment which he has manifefted for pur caiile,— and the confequences which his return in diiguft might produce, — thcJt it will he advifable to gratify him ill his willies ; and the more (o, as leveral gentlemen from France, who came over under fome ailurances, have gon? back difappointed in their expectations. —His conduct witli refpe^l to them fcanus in a favorable point of view, - having iuterefled himfelf to remove their uneafmefs, and urged th? impropriety of their making any unfavorable reprefentations upon their arrival at home : and in all his letters l^e has pla- ced our affairs in the heft iituation he could. —Befides, he is fenfible, dilcreet in his manners, has made great proficiency in our language, and, from the difpolition he diicovered at the battle of Brandiwine, poifeffes a large fliare of bravery and military ardor. There is a French gentleman here,-r-monfieur Vrigny,— in whofe favor the marquis leems much intcrefted. He afTures me he is an oScer of great merit, and, from that motlvp and a regard to the fervice, \yiilies to fee him promoted.—. The rank he holds in France, and his pref^nt expedlations, are contained in the inclofcd copy o( a paper given me by the marq'jis, Monficur Viigny alfo has honorable certificates of his fervice?, nearly correfponding with the marquis's ac- count of thern.— If Congrefs are pleafed to honor him with a commifTion in the army of the flatesj mnft try to employ him. I took tlie liberty fome fliort time ago to mention to Con- grefs the fitua-ion of the nine firft-raifed Virginia regiments, and the term for which they (land engaged ; and, confidering that we Ihould fuffcr greatjy by the lof^ of fo large a part of our force which haye been long inured to fgrvice, I thought it advifable to confuU the officers commandijig them, upon the mode which ihould appear to them hefl: calculated to re- eniifl: them. They accordingly met, and rcpqrtcd their fenti- ments in writing, a copy of which I have inclofed. — I do pot know that expedients, more promifing of fiiccf:fc than ^hofe they have pointed out, can be adopted. — Congrefs will be OFFICIAL LETTERS. 199 ht pleafed to give the matter their earhefl: attention, and to favor me with their opinion by the iirft opportunity, whether the indulgence and allowance they have propofed may be granted, — and, if any additional bounty may be given, what it (hall be.~-The high fums paid for fubftitutes aqd draughts, of late, even in the militia fervice, will make this neceffary : for the foldiers, being well apprifed of that fa6t, will not be induced to engage again during the war or for three year{»v for the ufual premium. I would alfo lay before Congrefs a remondrance by the fubaltern officers of the Virginia line, founded on a reform I thought neceffary to take place in the regiments from that ftate. Thefe, in their eftabliiliment, were made to confifl of ten companies, — two more than were aiTigncdto thofe of the flates in general. This, and the great difproportion between the officers and men, induced me to reduce them to a level with the reft belonging to the continent, in order to prevent a confiderable unneceffary expenfe.— To effe6l this, no new promotions are to bcTnade in the two extra companies, viz, the ninth and tenth, either to vacancies cxifting at the time of the regulation, or to any future ones that may happen therein : and the fubalterns are to remain in their rank and command, till they can be promoted in the other eight com- panies, and their menincorporated.-t-This is what they comi- plain of. — I have made a iijort flate of fadls, and wifli Con- giefs to their ftation • I'aKX' the lofs of Fort-MifHin, and alio make 'OFFICIAL LETTERS. 2tr make the proper inquiry into the conclu6l of the captains of the galHes, mentioned in the former part of this letter. lam informed that it is matter of amazement, and that reflexions have been thrown out againft this army, for not being more- active and enterprifing than, in the opinion of fome, they ought to have been. If the charge is juH, the befl way to account for it, will be to refer you to the returns of our flrength, and thofe which I can produce of the enemy, and to the inclofed ahftraft of the clothing now adually wanting for the army : and then I think the wonder will be,- how they keep tlie field at all in tents at this feafon of the year. — What ifock the clothier-general has to fupply this demand, or what are his profpeds, he himfelf will inform you, as I have dire6led him to go to York-town to lay thefe matters before Congrefs. Tliere are, befides, moil of thofe in the hofpitals more bare than diofe in the field : — many re- main there for want of clothes only. Several general officers, unable to procure clothing ia the common line, have employed agents to purchafe up what could be found in different parts of the country. General Wayne, among others, has employed Mr. Zantzinger of Lancafter, who has purchafed to the amount of four thou- fand five hundred pounds, for which he defires a draught upon the treafury-board.— Inclofed you have a copy of his ktter. — I am not clear whether this application ihould properly be made to the treafury, or the clothier-general, who Ihould charge the money to the regiments for whom the clothes are, as fo much advanced to them. If the latter fliould appear the moft proper mode, I will order it to be done. I am anxioufly waiting the arrival of the troops from the northward, who ought, from the time they have had my or- ders, to have been here before this. Colonel Hamilton, one of my aides, is up the North-river, doing all he can to pufh them forward: but he writes me word that he finds many unaccountable delays thrown in-bis way. However I am in hr.pes that many days wiiliip^.elapfe before a bri<-ade or P 2 ■ two, / ^12 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Iwo, at leafl, arrive. — The want of thcfe troops has embar- raffed all my meafures exceedingly. 'November 1 8.— -Your difpatches of the thirteenth and four- teenth have this moment come to hand. They fliall be at- tended to, and anfwered in my next* I Jiave the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir Head-Quarters, TVhite-MarJIt, Nov. 2^, l J'] J. I HAVE been duly honored with your fa.vors of the thirteenth and nineteenth initant with their inclofures. — I am well aJGTured Congrefs have not been inattentive to the neceffi- ties of the army ; and that the deficiency in our fupplies, par- ticulaily in the article of clothing, has arifen from the dif- ficulty of importing, on account of the numerous fleet that line our coafi:* However I am perfuaded that confiderable relief might be drawn from the dirFerent ftates, were they to exert themfelves properly, lliis 1 hope will be the cafe as foon as- they receiv^e the prefiing recommendations of Con- grefs upon the fubje6t. It has been the unvaried cuftom of the enemy, from the com- mencement af the prefent contefl:, to try every artifice and device to delade the people. The meffage through John Brown was calculated for this end. I am furprifed Mr« Wflli?iig Oiould futFerhimfelf to be impofed on by fuch flimfy meafures. He knows that there is a plain obvious way for general and h)rd Howe to communicate any propofals they wifh to make, to Cons^refs, without the intervention of a fe- cond and third hand. But this would not fuit their views.— 1 am forry that Mr. Brown fliould be the bearer of the mef- fape ; as, from the chara61:er I have had of him, he is a worthy, wclhdifpofed man^ It has been frequently m.ention- ed that he had interelledhimfelfn^uch in behalf of our prifon- ers, and hud afforded them every rchcf and comfort his cir- cumibmccs would allow him to give. i have been endeavoring, to elfe^t an exchange ofprifon- ers, • OFFICIAL LETTERS. 213 crs, from principles of juflice, and from motives of humani- ty : but at prefent I have no profpe6l of it. Yet general Howe has affured our officers it was his wifh, and, if it could not be done, that lie ilioukl readily agree to their re- leafe on parole.^ — The inclofed co|>jes of my letters and Ins anfwer will rtiew Congrefs what has pafTed between us up- on that fubjeft; and at the fame time, that I had remon- llrated againfl: the fevere and cruel treatment oC the prifoners, and propofed the plan offending in a fuitable perfon to in- quire into the facts, before the receipt of their reiolution. Their futFerings, I am perfuaded, have been great, and fhocking to humanity, I have called upon general Howe for redrefs, and an explicit anfwer to my letter of the fourteenth. If I do not receive one by to-morrow night, with them.ofi: po- fuive and fatisfadlory affuiances that a proper conduct ihaii be obferved towards them in future, we mud: retaliate, how- ever much we wiih to avoid feverity, and meafures that bear the fmallefl: appearance of rigor or inhumanity, Inclofed you will receive a lift of fundry officers wha have been calhiered fmce the adion of" the fourth ultimo.-^ I flatter myfclf that thefe examples will involve many fa* vorable and beneficial confequences.---Befides thefe, there were many m.ore brought to trial, who were accjuitted ; a- mong them, general Maxwell, and general Wayne, — the for- mer for charges againft him while he commanded the light troops, — the latter for charges againft his conduct in the attack made on his divifion, in the night of the twentieth of September, The rcfult of the court of inquiry againft gene- ral Wayne not entirely exempting him from ceniure in his own opinion, he requefted a court-martial ; and, upon a full and minute inveftigution of the charges againft him, he was honorablv acquitted, and in terms of high refpect, I am forry to inform Congrefs diat the enemy are now in pofTcfUon of all the water def<;;nces.-^-rFort-Mifflin and thai at Red-bank mutually depended on each other for fupport ; (i^(] the rcdi^ction of the former made the tenure gfthe latter P 3 exu^.neiy 214 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S extremely precarious, if not imprafticaMe. After the lofs of Fort-MiiHin, it was found Red-bank could derive no advan- tages from the gallies and armed vejGTels — (they could not maintain their ftation)— and, in cafe of inveftiture, the gar- rifon could have no fupplies, no retreat, nor any hope of re- lief, but fuch as might arife from a fuperior force a6ling without on the rear of the enemy, and diflodging them. Un- der thefe circumftances, the garrrifon was obliged to evacu- ate it on the night of the twentieth inftant, on the approach of lord Cornwallis who had crolTed the river from Chefter v/ith a detachment, fuppofed to be about two thoufand men, and formed a jundlion with the troops lately arrived from New- York, and thofe that had been landed before at BiU lingfport. From general Varnum's account, I have reafon to hope that we faved mod of the (lores, except a few heavy cannon : however I cannot be particular in this inftance. — I am alfo to add, from the intelligence I have received, that mofl if not all the armed vefTels have been burned by our own people, except the gallies, one brig, and two Hoops, which are faid to have run by the city. — How far this mjght be founded in nece/Tity, I am not able to determine ; but I fuppofe it was done under that idea, and an apprehenlion of their falling into the enemy's hands if they attempted to pafs up the river. Upon the nrft information I had of lord Cornwallis's move- ment, I detached general Huntington's brigade to join gene- ral Varnum, and, as foon as poflible, general Greene with his divifion ; hoping that thefe, — with Glover's brigade whicli was on the march through Jerfey, and which I dire6le(l to file off to the left for the fame purpofe,— and with fuch fnilitia as could be colle6^ed, — would be able tp defeat the enemy's defign, and to prcferve the fort. But they were fo rapid in their advances, that our troops could nor form a jundtion and arrive in time to fuccour the garrifon ; which obliged them to withdraw. General Greene is full in Jerfey ; and when Glover's bri^ 6 gade OFFICIAL LETTERS. 215 gade joins him, if an attack can be made on lord Cornwallis with a profpe6i: of fuccefs, I am perfuaded it will be done. About a hundred and feventy of Morgan's corps are alfo gone to reinforce him. Generals Poor and Patterfon with their brigades, and colo- nel Bailey with Learned's, are now in camp. The laft ar- rived on friday evening, the other two in the courfe of yef- terday. I have not yet obtained returns of tlieir ilrength ; but, from the accounts of the officers, they will amount in the whole to twenty-three or twenty-four hundred rank and file. But I find many of them are very deficient in the articles of fhoes, fiockings, breeches, and blankets Befides thefe, about three hundred and fifty men, — detachments from Lee's, Jack- fon's, and Henley's regiments, — have joined me. Yefterday evening the enemy burned feveral houfes in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and they have committed the inoil: wanton fpoil in many others. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head- Quarters, November 26, 1777* I WAS yefterday morning honored with your favors of the twenty-fecond inftant. — I willi the meafures Congrefs have adopted may effe6lualiy fupprefs the difiurbances in the weftern department. Should they prove fuccefsful, and the favages and wicked deluded inhabitants receive a fevere check, it is probable they will not be induced again to take part againfl us, or at lead: for fome confiderable time. Colonel Crawford fet out yefterday evening, and will be with Congrefs, I expe6l, in the courfe of two or three days to take their commands. I was much obliged by the foreign intelligence you were pleafed to tranfmit me : it is agreeable and inrerefting ; and I lieartily Vv^ilh there may be an early declararion of hofti- lities between France and Britain. From thefe advices, things feem to be getting into a proper train for it : and it is F 4 not 2i6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S not eafilv to be conceived that it can he much longer delay- ed. However oiir expeclations have not been anfwered in this inftance, and they may yet he held in fufpenfe. The political realons, that lead to delay on the part of France, I do not perfeclly underftand. As to Britain, her honor is ioit in the contcft with us, and the niofl- indignant infuks will fcarcely be able to draw her attention iVom her prefent pur- fuits. — ^^The account of Mr Lee having efFcCled the purpofes of his embafTy at the court of Berlin is of great importance, if it be true. \n fuch cafe, adminiftration, however defirous they may be, will probably be difappointcd in their fchemes of further mercenary aids againfl: us. I m.uft take the liberty to requeft the decifion of Congrefs on the cafe of the nine firil-raiied \' irginia regiments as early as circumftances will permit. If the plan propofed for re- enlifling them is judged expedient, one capital inducement to that end, fuggcfted by the officers, will ceafc if it is longer delayed. It is a matter of confiderahle importance, and of which I wifn to be fatisfied as foon as poiTible. — I fliouid alfo he happy in their determination refpefting the marquis De la Favette. He is m.ore and niore folicitous to be in a6lual fer- vice, and is preiunn; in his applications for a command- — I ventured before t-) fubmit my fentiments upon the meafure ; and I dill fear a refufal will not only induce him to return in dirgufl:, but may involve feme until vorable confequences. — There are now forae vacant divihons in the army, to one of which he may be appointed, if it (hould be the pleafure of Cun>refs. I am convinced he poffeiTes a large fliare of that military ardor wliich generally chara6icrifes the nobility of his country. He went to Jerfey witli general Greene, a)id I find he has not been inadlive there. This you will perceive by the following exLrai.'^ from a letter juft received from ge- neral Greene. *' The marquis, with about four hundred militia and the rifie corps, attacked the enemy's piquet laft evening, killed about twenty, wounded many more, and took about twenty priloncrs* OFFICIAL LETTERS. 217 prifoners. The marquis is charmed with the Ipiritcd beha- vior of the mihtia and rifle corps : — they drove the enemy about half a mile, and kept the ground until dark. The enemy's piquet confiited of aboiic cliree hundred, and were reinforced during the ikirmilh. — The marquis is determined to be in the vvav of danger." * * * I muft rcqueft you to tranfmit me a number of blank commifiions as foon as you have an oppoitunity to do ii. There are leveral vacancies yet to till ; and tiie officers entitled to them are anxious to be appointed. 7'he cornmif' lions I want (liould be under your iigiiature,and not Mr Han- cock's, I mention this, left you {liouid lend any of the latter that might remain. Tnofe figncd by you will be competent to all cafes : thole by Mr Hancock, only to inch as happen-, ed during his prehdcncy ; and of theie I have now lome. November 27. — Inclofcd you will receive a copy of general Howe's letter in anfwcr to mine of the lourtcentiuind twenty- third, which only came to hand lafl: night, and at an inftant when I was giving the comnn'flary of prilbners inft ructions forthwith to conhne a number of the ofncers in our hands, and to put the privates under very dirierent rcftrictions from thofe they have been ufed to. — I am in hopes the treatment of ours will be much better in fuiuve. Mr Boudinot will immediately take mcafures for releaiing the ofEcers on pa- role, that we m.ay relieve an equal number of ours. I Ihouid have been happy to have etFedfed a general exchange, or a partial one : but gen.erai Houe will not upon any terms but thofe he has ever i ah lied on. The enemy have gor up ftvcral of their ihips to the city. It. is likely they have Jound a palfage through the chevaux-de- liile, or tbey may havti removed theiii. I iia'/r the lionor to \xt. &c. G. W. 2i8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S He ad-Quart ersy JVhite-MarJJi, December I, 1777. Sir, ON SATURDAY I had the honor to receive your favor of the twenty-fixth ultimo, with its inclofures. — The refolve of the twenty-fifth I have publilhed in orders, agree- able to dire6lion, and fhall be happy if Congrefs can fall upon meafures to render the fituation of the officers and foldiery more eligible than what it now is. At prefent it is truly dif- treffing : and, unlefs fome means can be devifed to fupport them more comfortably, we ihall have to apprehend the mofl alarming confequences. The officers, or at leaft a large pro- portion of them, as well as the men, are in a mofl difagree- able condition as to clothing, and without any certain pro- fpe6t of relief: and, what is flill more painful, — if perchance they have an opportunity of purchafing (which is feldom the cafe), they have the mortification to find themfclves totally incompetent to it, from the depreciation of our money, and the exorbitant prices demanded for all articles in this way. — This is the fource of great uneafmefs, of indifference to the fervice, and of repeated (I may fay, daily) applications to leave it, and thcfe too by as good officers as are in the Ame- rican line. In refpe6^ to promotions for merit and intrepidity, I would beg leave to obferve, that, though thefe are proper confiderations to found them upon, yet they ihould be made with the greatefl caution and attention, and only in cafes of the mofl eminent and diftinguifhed fervices. Every promo- tion or rife out of common courfe cannot fail to excite unea- finefs in a greater or lefTer degree : and nothing will recon- cile them to the army at large, and particularly the officeis more immediately afFeded by them, — but where the caufes are known and acknowledged. — This I mention from my wiflies to promote the public interefl, from my knowing that harmony is cfTential to this end, and from no other motives whatever. Before OFFICIAL LETTERS. 219 Before the receipt of your favor, I do not recolledi: to have lieard of John Simper's cafe. His brother has not been with me. As foon as he arrives, I rtiall give directions for him to be releafed from his prefent confinement, and to be for- warded to Cecil county. I have nothing material to inform you of. — Lord Corn- wallis and the detachment under his command (mentioned in my iafl) returned from Jerfey on thuriday. — We had reafon to expe6l an attack fin ce, from our advices from the city, but have been difappointed — -General Greene has alfo joined me with all the troops that were with him, except Hunting- ton s brigade, which will be in to-dav. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-Quarters, White- Mar JJi^ Dec 10, 1777. I HAVE the honor to inform you, that, in the courfe of lafi: week, from a variety of intelligence, I had reafon to expe6l that general Howe was preparing to give us a gene- ral action. Accordingly, on thurfday night he moved from the city with all his force, except a very inconfiderable part left in his lines and redoubts,-— and appeared the next morn- ing on Chefnnt-hill, in front of, and about three miles dif- tant from, our right wing. As foon as their poGtion was dif- covered, the Pennfylvania militia were ordered trom our right, to fkirmilh with their light advanced parties ; and I am forrv to mention that brigadier-general Irvine wlio led them on had the misfortune to be w^ounded and to be made prifo- ner. — Nothing more occurred on that day. On friday night the enemy changed their ground, and moved to our left, within a mile of our line, where they re- mained quiet and advantageoufly polled the v/hole ol the next day. On funday they inclined lliil further to our left; and, from every appearance, there was reafon to ajiprehend they were determined on an a6lion — In tliis movement, their ad- vanced and flanking parties were warmly attacked by colonel MorG:an 120 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Morgan and his corps, and alfo by the Maryhind mihtia un- der colonel Gift. — Their lofs I cannot afcertaiu : but I am informed it was confiderable, having regard to the number of the corps who engaged them.— 'About funfct, after various marches and counter-marches, they halted ; and I ftili fuppof- ed, from their difpofition and preceding manoeuvres, that they would attack us in die night or early the next morning : but in this I wi^s miftaken. On monday afternoon they began to move again, and, in^ {lead of advancing, filed oiF froin their right : and the firft certain account that I could obtain of their intentions was that they were in full march towards Philadelphia by two or three routes.— I immediately detached light parties after them to fall upon their rear : but they were not able to come up with them. The enemy's lofs, as I have obferved, I cannot afccrtain. One account from the city is that five hundred wounded had been fent in : another is that eighty-two waggons had gone in with men in this fituation. Thefe, I fear, are both exag- g;erated, and not to be depended upon,— We loft twciity-fevea men in Morgan's corps, killed and wounded, befides major Morris, a brave and gallant officer, who is among the latter. Of the Maryland militia there were aUb fixteen or fevejitecn wounded.— I have not received further returns yet. I fincerely wifli that they had made an attack, as the ifTue, jn all probability,— from the difpohtion of our troops, and the ftrong fituation of our camp,-— would Iiave been fortunate and happy. At the fame time I mud add, that reafon, pru- dence, and every principle of policy, forbad us quitting our poft to attack them. Nothing but fuccefs would have juili- fied the mcafure : and this could not be cxpecled from their pofition. The conftant attention and watching I was obliged to give the enemy's movements would not allow me to wnte before: and this I believe was the lefs material, as I have reafon tq think your committee who were in ca^np moil of the time, ar4 OFFICIAL LETTER.S. 221 and who are now here, tranfmitted an account of fuch oc- currences as they deemed important in any degree. The jfirft cauie too, fir, and my engagements with the committee previous to the coming out of the en^^my, w ill, I trufl-, fuf- ficiently apologife for my not acknowledging before the ho- nor of your favors of the thirtieth ultimo and the firfl: inftant, which came to hand in due order and time. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, . Head-Quarters, V alley ^F or ge, January 2, 1778. I TAKE the liberty of introducing major John Clarke, the bearer of this, to your notice. He entered the fervice at the commencement of the war, and has fur fome time paft adled as aide-de-camp to major-general Greene, He is a61:ive> fenfible, and enterprifing, and has rendered me very great affifiance fmce the army has been in Pennfylvania, by procur- ing me conftant and certain intelligence of the motions and intentions of the enemy. — It is fomewhat uncertain whether the ftate of the major's health will admit of his remain- ing in the military line : if it fhould, I may perhaps have occafion to recommend him in a more particular manner to the favor of Congrefs at a future time. At pr.';fent, I can affiire you that if you fliould, while he remains in the neigh- borhood of York, have any occafion for his fervices, yoa will find him not only willing but very capable of executing any of your commands. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W« Sir, Valley-Forge^ January 5, 1 77 8. I YESTERDAY evening had :iie honor of your favor of the firfl: inftant, with its feveral inclofures. — The letter you allude to, from the committee of Congrefs arid board of war, came to hand on faturday morning : but it ^es not mention the regulations adopted for removing the .1 diSicultic^ 222 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S difficalties and failures in the commifTaiy line. I truil they will be vigorous, or the army cannot exift. It will never anfwer, to procure fuppiles of clothing or provlfion by coer- cive meafures : — the fmall feizures made of the former a few days ago in confequence of the mofl: preffing and ab- folute neceffity, — when that, or to difToive, was the alterna- tive, — excited the greateft alarm and uneafinefs even among our beft and warmell friends. Such procedures may give a momentary rehef ; but, if repeated, will prove of the mofl pernicious confequence. Befides fpreading difafFe61:ion, jea- loufy, and fear in the people, they never fail, even in the mofl: veteran troops under the mofl rigid and exavft difci- pline, to raife in the foldiery a difpofition to licentioufnefs, to plunder and robbery, — difficult to fupprefs afterwards, and which has proved not only ruinous to the inhabitants, but, in many inilances, to armies themfelves. — I regret the occa- fion that compelled us to the meafure the other day ; and fhall confider it among the greateft of our misfortunes, if we fhould be under the neceffitv of praClihng it again. I had received from the board of war a copy of the refo- lutions of the twenty-ninth ultimo, and pubUfned fuch parts in orders as were directed. I Oiall endeavor, as far as poffi- ble, to carry the intention of Congrefs into execution, re- fpe6ling the extra pay, and to prevent any from receiving it, who do not come under their defcriptlon. — The three packets with commifiions came fafe to hand. I have the honor to be, 6cc. G. W. I am now under the necelTity of keeping feveral parties from the army threfning grain, that our fupph'es may not fail : — but this will not do. — As to meat, our ftock is tilfling, not being lufncient for more than two days, if fo long, with the moft Iparin^ economy. OFFICIAL LETTERS. 223 Sir, Falky 'Forge, January 9, 1778. I YESTERDAY evening had the honor to receive your favor of the fifth inftant, with its inclofures. — The power Congrefs have been pleafed to veffc me with, for ap- pointing aides-de-camp, I fliall ufe with economy, and I will not appoint more at any time than fhall be neceflary and ef- fential to advance the pubhc intereft. Any future appoint- ments that may be material will be made out of the line of the army, if circumftances will allow it. In general this has been the cafe. The proceedings of Congrefs for the detention of general Burgoyne and army, or rather fufpending their embarkation, till the convention of Saratoga is explicitly ratified and noti- fied by the court of Britain, ihall remain fecret here till tliey are duly announced by Congrefs. — This procedure, when known to the general, will chagrin him much : for I learn by a letter from general Headi, that the refufal to let his troops embark at Rhode-Illand or in the Sound had given him fome uneafinefs.— I have nothing of importance to com- municate ; and have only to add that I have the honor to be, with great refpeft, &c. G. W. P. S. The great diverfity of opinions prevailing, as to the operation which the refolves of the thirtieth ultimo and firfl inftant iliould have, which give a month*s extra pay, makes it necefTary for me to requeft Congrefs to defcribe with cer- tainty and precifion the pcrfons who they intended iliould be the particular objeds of dieir benevolence. Without this, I am certain I fhall not be able to execute the refolves accord- ing to their intention, and in a manner that will be agreeable to the army. If fuch officers and men as were in camp when the re- folves were paffed, and who continue the whole winter, are the only objects to be benefited, it is urged that many who have diicharged their duty with fidelity, — who have expe- rienced a fevere campaign to that time or till a few days be- fore, — who may be now out of camp, and yet be h.tvt \\\ 224 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S in the courfe of the winter, — will be excliitled. For ex-» ampler, all officers and men on furlough, though thev fhould have been long from their homes before, --perhaps much longer, in many infiances, than many who remain, — and whofe private and family ngceilities obhge them to be ab- fent, — thofe who have fallen tick from their fervices, and who are in hofpitals or the country,— detachments on com- mand,— thcfe would be excluded. Such difcriminations, I believe, will give great difgull; and uneahnefs. — It is diffi- cult, in cafes of this nature, to draw a proper line of dif-* tinclion, and impolfible to do it in inch a way as to give fatisfacSlion. I do not mean to enlarge upon the fubjeci : my only wifh is to have it precifely afcertiiined, who are to be included and paid, and who are not, under the refolves, that 1 may not on ti\e one hand a61: contrary to public intentir)n. and on the ?)ther givecaufc of consplaint^ and perhaps do wrong to indi- viduals. Knowing the difficulty of drawing a proper line, and the tlifgufl and murmurings that ever atrend^ difcriminations, — - %-vere T to advile upon tli.e lubjcit, onlv fuch officers and men fhould be excluded (fmce extra jiav h-is been determined on) as are abfent from camp without regular authority, or fuch as mfiv abufe indL:r^en.cies recrubirlv obtained. It has been obferved by fdme^ and perhij^s with propriety, that t!:ercare officers and men now in canup, or \\!io mav be ihortlv in, who iKive rjo fnperior claim to merit,— whofe Kt- fairs are not fo prcffi ng, or who have fih-cady had indulgcn- cics, — or who) iVom tiuir being neirer tb.eir fric^ids and connexions, have had oppon unities of feemg tliem fre- quently, of ordering their concerns, and viliting tlieir homes (uice, twice, 6r perhaps oltcner in the cainpaign, — wdiilil: they who were more reniote were precluded trom any of thcfe advantages^ and. were c(M\{l:antlv on duty, T'lefe conhderations will have their wciglit in the fcale of diiguil Witli the parties iritereiledi — For my ])art, though the re- lolvcs were fouudv;d in principles of gencrohty, — were m- tended OFFICIAL LETTERS* 225 terKled to reward merit, and pronictc the fervice, — from the ditFicuIties attending the execution, I wiih they had never been made, efpecially as I believe officers and men would in a httle time have become tolerably well reconciled to their quarters. I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W* Sir, Vallcy-Forge^ January 12, 1778. AS I do not recolledl with precifion whether any, or what refolutions have been made by Congrefs refpedling cap- tures by the army or detachments of it, and not having all their proceedings with me, with which T have been honored from time to time, to afiill: my inquiries upon the fubjeCr,— I muft take the liberty to requcft that they will determine, and favor me with their decihons upon, the following points : 1. What articles captured are to be coniidered as public property ? 2. Whether articles captured by parties or detachments, not determined public property, are to be diftributed or fold for the benefit of the army at large, or are to be confidered as the fole and exclufive right of the captors ? 3. If, in general inftances, fuch articles as are taken, and which are not confidered public property, are determined to be the fole and exclufive right of the captors,— are ftation- ury detachments, who, from their fituation, have much more than a common chance of making prizes, to be confidered upon tlie fame footing? 4. If there is to be a diniii6lion between flationary and other detachments, — and the tormer are denied an exclufive right to the captures they make, — what proportion of {n.o ar- ticles are they to have ? I have been induced to flatc the above queftions on ac- count of fome difficulties that have arifen refpe6llng the prize taken by the detachment at Wilmington under general Smallwood, that the fame may be determined, and certain Vol. II. Q, principles 226 GENEPvAL WASHINGTON'S principles errabllihed, to govern in like and future cafes..*- In the inPrance of this prize, as tlie baggage taken (rrom ge- neral Smallwood's and the officers' reprefentation) will be but inconfiderable when divided among themfelves, I have coniented that they Ihail have it at a juit appraifement and difiribiition, and have diredled him to have the whole, and the Talue, properly inventoried, that fuch order may be made re- fnefting the latter, as the deciiions of Congrefs may juftify and point out. I have- alfo directed the fale of the brig, as I underfland fome offers have been made for her, and as her fituatlon may be confidered hazardous and precarious. Befides the brig taken at Wilmington, a veflfel has ftrand- ed at Reedy-Ifland w^ith goods on board. It is faid a quan- tity of rum, fome bales of cloth, a number of hats, and Ibme other articles (all wanted by the army), have been taken out of her by the militia, particularly thofe of Kent coun- ty. Thefe general Smallwood is endeavoring to find, tliat they may be of public benefit. I have the honor to be, ccc. - G. W. Sir, Head- Quarters j January 13, 1 7 y S . THIS will be delivered to you by the ciievalier De Mauduit du PlefTis, who was among the fir ft French officers that joined the army of the United States. The gallant con- duel of this young gentleman at Brandiwine, Germantown, and his diftinguiincd fervices at Fort-Mercer where he unit- ed the offices of engineer and commandant of artillery, en- title liim to the particular notice of Congrefs.— He m.ade fe- verai judicious alterations in the works at Red-bank, fliewed great "^ood conduct during the a61:ion in which the Heffians were repulfed, and was fpoken of, in confequence, in terms of the higheft applaufe, by the commanding officer of the poft. After the evacuation was determined upon, he became the means of faving fome valuable artillery and ftores, and cheer- fully undercook, as volunteer, the hazardous operation of blowing OFFICIAL LETTEP.S. 227 blowing up die magazine, &c, witlioiit the apparatus ufual-* ly provided upon fiicii occarions.—- 1 mull: further add in monfieur Du PielTis' favor, that he poffefTes a degree of modefly not always found in men who have performed brilliant aclions. It is with pleafure therefore that I recom- mend it to Congrefs to grant him a brevet of lieutenant-colo- nel, — a reward due to his merit, and which will not have the inconvenience of occafioning any diiratisfai5i:ion in the corps to which he belongs. Asfome particular cii'cumf!:ances have prevented monfieur Du PleiTis waiting upon Congrefs fooner, I hope there will be no diiTiculty in antedating the brevet, fo that the recom- penfc may more immediately follow the fervices which he has - done. At the fame tiiiie, that there may not be any uneali- nefs on the part of monfieur Fleury whom Congrefs have been pleafed to reward in the fame way, and as their times of fervice are nearly equal in France, I would propofe that monfieur Du PleiTis' brevet fhould bear the fame date, viz. the twenty-fixth of November. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Valley-Forge^ yanuary 31, 1778. I HAVE been honored with your feveral favors of the fourceenth, nineteenth, twenty-fecond and twenty-fifth in-' flant, in due order, with their inclolures, which iiiaii have my attention. My application in preparing and digefting matters for the confideration of the committee who are now in camp prevented me acknowledging them before. — The packet for governor LivingfLon, which accompanied the iird two, I tranfmitted him the next day by a careful hand, and hope it got fafe to him. The inclofed copy of a letter and memorial from general Forman I would take the liberty of laying before Congrefs. —Supplying the army with fait is a matter of inhnite im- portance ; and if it can be accompli (lied, it is very much to Q 2 be 22S GENERAL \VA SHIxXGTON'S be defired. — How far general Forman mav fucceed In his experiirients, I cannot determine : but, from every account, there is a favorable profpe6l of Iiis manufa6liiring a con- *- fiderable quantity of this necelTary and effential article. — For the greater fecurity of the works againll: the enemy's tenders, &:c, he prays to be furniilied with a guard of hfiy men. His 1-equifition is fubmitted to Congrefs ; and they will be pleaf- ed to determine upon it in fuch manner as they may think proper.— I have the honor to be, 6cc. G. W. Sir, \ Falley-Forge, February 3. 1 778. ON the ultimo I had the honor to receive vour favor of the twenty-feventh, with tlie copies alluded to. -^x-ls the proceedings of Congrefs in this inftance feem to imply that our unfortunate people in the hands of the enemy are to be viclualled by us, I have only to wifli that the fup- plies may be conftant and plentiful. I have tranfmitted your letter to Mr. Boudinot who is out of camp, and have rcqueft- ed his moll pointed attention to the bufinefs. I have ah'b written to general Howe upon the occafion, and inclofcd him one of the copies. — In my next I fliall take the liberty of tranimitting you a copy of my letter to him on tliis head, and of fome others which have lately paiTed between us. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, P. S. I wiih a fupplv of money to be fent as foon ?s poffi- ble. Our diftrciTcs for want of it are not eafilv to be de- fcribed. What Mr. Palfrey brought with i^m was not fuiTi- cient to pay the troops for November, by two hundred and fifty or three hundred thoufand dollars. The demands were immenfc, moil: of the eaftern troops having had four or five months* pay due to them, and fome, m.ore. The army now in general has t]-n-ee months' pay in arrear, exclulive of the month's extra pay ; and, befides this, the quarier-mafler is prefTnig for large draughts for the purpoles of his depart- ii:ient, though he has received a proportion of the money which came with Mr. Palfrey, OP^FICIAL LETTERS. 229 Sir, Fal ley-Forge, February 8, 1778. I HAVE been duly honored with vour favor of ihe third inftant, and with its inclofiire. As general M'Dougal's late fevere illnefs and prefent fee- ble ftate will not permit him to proceed on the intended ex-o curfioa into Canada, baron De Kalb will follow the marquis agreeable to his wifli and the diredlion of Congrefs. According to the promife contained in my lafl, I take the libertY of tranfmitting you copies of fuch letters as have lately paded between general Howe and myfeif. February 12.— Since writing the above, I have received another letter from general Howe, of the £fth inftant, a copy of which, and of my anfwer, you have aifo inclofed. By thefe you will perceive that he has propofed a general ex- change of prifoners, and that I have acceded to it. — I have wiiiten to Mr. Boudinot, commiffary in this line, requiring his return to camp ; and ihall give him dirc6lions to purfue the moft fpeedy meafures for accompliiliing this bufmcfs, fo interefting to the unhappy officers and men in general Howe's hands, and to the caufe of humanity. — There are fome other matters, as you will difcover, which I could not enter upon. The fituation of the affairs of the army has not till lately made it convenient to go into the inquiry diredled by the refolve of the twenty-eighth of November, of the loffes of the Forts Montgomery and Clinton in the flate of New- York, and of Fort-MifHin on Delaware. With refpe6l to the two former, it happens that almofc all the principal officers a6ling in that quarter were in fome way or other fo far concerned in the affair, as to make them improper tor profecuting the inquiry, I therefore propofe to fend officers from this army. If his health will permit, 1 fliould v/ifii general M'Dougal to pre- fide- His thorough knowledge of thofe pofts and all their connexiows qualifies him in a peculiar manner for the pur- pofe. — Fhav^ writteri to him on the fubjecl. With refpe6l to Fort-Miffiin, the inquiry involves very CL3 extenfive 230 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S extenfive confideratlons, and, mure or lefs, aiTe6ls alniofl all the general officers in this army, v/liole advice and con- currence in the meafures taken make them in fome degree piirties. The mode, in mv opinior^, molt un-excepticnabie to be puriued, is for Congrefs to authorife a committee of tiieir own body, or to delegate ""any other perfons they m.ay chufe to entruic, not connected with the operations oi this army, to ro into the buiincfs. o February 14. — Yoirr feveral favors of the feventh, and that of the eighth inftant, were duly received yefterday evening. — As foon as circumPtances will admit, I fliall appoint a court-martial in the cafe direcled, and (hall notify the parties concerned oi the fame.— The oath, which Congrefs have prefcribed to be taken by the officers of the army, I fhall pub- liili in general orders, zvA the mode how it is to be done, with direfbions about X^o.^ certificates. — I (liail extend colonel Dyer's furlough to the firfl: of April, as required. I have the honor to be, &c, G. W. Sir J Head-Quarters, Vallcy-Forgc, Feb. 27, 17 7 S, I A3,l now to acknowledge the honor of your feveral favors of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twenty- lirft inflant, ■which, with their refpe6live inclofures, have been duly re- ceived. In complinnce witli the refoiution of Congrefs of the fifth inftant, tranfmitted in your letter of the fevcntli, 1 was about to take meafures for appointing a court-^martial and bringing on the trials which they direct. But on recurring to the pa- pers you v/ere pleafed to fend me, I f!.o not find that \}'A(i connnittee have made any particular charges againfi: the of- ficers who are to be the objects of trial. It was prGbii!),iy the intention of Congrefs that vK\&{<^ charges fhould be laid by me. But as I might err in doing it, and not fuhy corrcfpond widi their views in the matter, — efpecially as it v/ould require con- folcrabie time aria tliought to make myfelf furficiently ac-r quainie4 OFFICIAL LETTEP.S. 231 qiiaiiiled with it from the papers coile6le(l, I flioiild think it would be moil: advifable for Congreis to (late explicitly the charges tliey wi(h to have exhibited againil: the officers re- fpeCtlvcly ; and then the bufincfs may be proceeded on v/ilh propriety. Beiides tlie above reafons which operate generally againfl my e>:liibiting the charges, — in the particular inftance of ge- neral Schuyler, it is impoffible for me to do it, as I do not know what infiruilions he had received from Congreis from time to time as to the objects of his command, nor precifely what thcle were. Thefe appear to me neceffary to be known, and efTential to carry on a profecutlon againif him. Wiien Congreis Ihall have arranged thefe points, and are pieaicd to honor me with them, I v/ill purfue the fpeedieft meafiires to bring on the trials. — The fooner this can be done, the better, as fome of the parties are extremely anxious, and flrongly importune it. Baron Steuben has arrived at camp. He appears to be much of a gentleman, and, as tar as I have had an opportunity of judging, a man of military knowledge, and acquainted with the world. Tlie inclofed extracl: of a letter from general Putnam will flicw how great the diilreiTes are in that quarter for want of money. He has defcribed their neceffities fo fully, that it is unneceiTary for me to add upon the fuhjedt : 1 fhall only ob- ferve tliat his account is more than juftincd by many other letters, and that I am perfuaded the eadiefl pomble fupply will be forwarded, that the very i.i,por:ant and interefting works carrying on there may nor he the lead retarded. I am under fome embarrafTments refpe^ling the thirteenth Virginia re2;lment. It was raifed on. the weft fide of the Allesianv and towards Pittsburo;, with aiiuranccs from the oiiicers, it is faid, that ziiQ men rnould not be drawn from that quarter.— This circumflance, added to the diilurbances. by tlie Indians, and the expofed fituation of their families, has been the caufc of great dcfertions, and is at prefent the ^ 0^4 fourcg C32 GENEx^vAL WASHINGTON'S fource of much unearmels, and the more lb, as part of the regiment was never marched from thence. — I think the whole fliould be united either here or there, and wii'li Con- grefs to dire(fl me upon the fubjecl.— At the fame time that their cafe, if truly rcprefcntcd, feems to be hard, and to me- rit the indulgence they claim, 1 would obferve that the twelfth regiment from the weilern parts of the fame llate, and the eighth and twelfth Pennfylvania from the frontier counties o^ this, have fimilar pretenfions, and might become tmeafy, >and apply for a like indulgence. Agreeable to the directions of Congrefs, I ihall fend a, major-general to Rhode-Ifland, though the number of officers here of this rank, from one caufe and another, is great- ly reduced, and more fo than it ought to be in point of policy. Our lofs of matrofies, tlie lall: campaign, in killed and wounded, was confiderablc ; and it has not been a little in^ creafed ti^is winter by defertions from colonel Prober's corps. From thefe circumftances, we are very weak in this line ; and I requeft that Congrefs will be pleafed to order colonel Harrifon's regiment of artillery to march from Vir-» ginia as early as the roads will admit, and join this army. I have the honor to be, tzc. G. W, Sir, Falky-Forge, March "j^ 1/7^. I TAKE the liberty of tranfmitting you copies of lluee letters from general Howe, of the fourteenth and twen^ ty-firfl ultmio, and of the fecond Inftant, with their inciofurcs»« — The unhappy violation of the flag of truce has laid us un-? der no fmali emharralTments, and has afforded the enemy good grounds for complaint and triumph at the fame time. This however is the natural confequcnce, and mull: ever be the cafe, where different powers counteract cacli otiicr in mat- ters of the mOiL delicate importance. — There are fome cir- <;Umflanc?s ^ittending this affair, which it may poffibly be in th(? OFFICIAL LETTERS. 233 the power of Congrefs to tiirow light upon. — If they can, I iliall be obliged bv their alTillance. AfarcJi 8. — Inconrequencc of the letters which have lately pafled between general Howe and niyfelf, — particularly thofe of the hfth and tenth ultimo, copies of which I had the ho- nor to tranfinit you in mine of the eighth, continued to the fourteenth, — 1 was about to fend commiffioners to meet tliofe appointed by general Howe for adjufting the difputcd points between us, carrying into execution an exchange of prifoners, and improving the old cartel, as far as it might be pradic- able, for their better accommodation in future. This meeting was to be on the tenth inftant : but, yefterday morning, Dun- lap's paper oi the fourth being put into my hands, 1 found that a refoiution had been made the twenty fixth of February, calling for all accounts againft prifoners in our hands, and declaring that no exchange fliould take place, till the ba- lance due thereon to the United States Is difcharged. Some of the fiates are not required to exhibit their claims till the lirfl: of June. — The time that would be taken to adjuft them, and make a delivery oi the prifoners, would more than ex-' hauil: all the enfuing fummer. Tliis refoiution I cannot confideras an intended infraiSlIoii of my engagements with general Howe : yet its operation i$ diametrically oppofite both to the fpirit and letter of the pro- pcWltions made on my part, and acceded to on his. I fup- pofcd myfelf fully authorifed " by the inflru6lions and in- tentions" of Congrefs to adl as I did: and I now conceive that the pu!)lic as well as my own perfonal honor and. faith are pled^^ed for the performance. By the (lire6^ion of Congrefs, I In the firll Inftance ftipu-r lated v^ith general Howe an exchange of prifoners, — officer for ofTJccr, of equal rank,-— foldier for foldier, — and citizen for ciii'/en I'iu's agreement they have ever approved, and repeatedly declared their willingnefs to carry into execution. — Their refoiution of the twenty-fourth of March lafl: em- powered me [o\\ coiJcliLJon of general Lee being declared ex-j changeabie) 234 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S changeable) not only " to proceed^'' to the exchange of prifon- crs according to the principles and regulations of the cartel before agreed on, but alfo to eater into fuch further princi- ples and regulations as (liould appear to me moil: proper and advantageous. A fubfequent refolution of the hxth of June holds forth the fame language, fandions my condu61: and reaionings in the negctiatioris about that time on the fubjecSl-, and diredls an adherence to them. — No event lias occurred fince that period, by which I could conclude .there was any alteration in the views of Congrefs: — fo far from it, that all my late letters breatliing the fame fpirit v.'ith the foimer, and pointedly fignifying mv wiih to bring about a general ex- change, — if not with an exprefs, — at leaft met with a tacit ap- probation. — General Howe at lengtli, by profeffion, if not in reality, is willing to perform the agreement on u'\^ condi- tions required by me, and conhrmied by tliem. It may be faid, that, with whatever powers I was origin- ally vefted to negotiatean exchange, the refoluticn of the nine- teenth of December lafl: was an abridgment of them, fo far as to annex a new condition, — the ietrlement and payment of accounts previous to its taking place. — I had no concep- tion of this being the cafe in the prefent inftance, liowever the let:er may warrant the conftru6lion. Befides the common principle of preventing the inconveniences ncccflarily refulting from allowing the enemy to make tlicir payments in paper currency, I had reafon to imagine that general Burgoyne's army was more particularly the objecl ot the concluding claufe. This interpretation I the more readily adopted ; for, exchifivc of the atiairs of that army, I verily believed, that, from the confufed defective frate of our accounts relating to prifoners, there would be a conhderahie "balance in favor of Mr. Howe. Nor was the fjtuation of our accounts the only reafon for this belief :— the prifoners in our hands, efpeciaily thofe weftward of the Delaware, as I am informed, have been in a great meafure fupported by their own labor, and at the cxpenie of the enemy, who have had agents conRantly OFFICIAL LETTERS. 235 among us. — If this is the cafe, die leafon of the refolve not applying, the efredl ought not of coiirle. But perhaps it niiy be thouglit contrary to our intered to go into an exchange, as the enemy would derive more immediate advantage from it than we fliould. — This I fhall nor deny : but it appeared to me, that, en principles of ge- nuine, cxteuiive pohcy, independent of the coniiderations of compaiTion and juflice, we were under an obligation not to elude it. I have the beO: evidence that an event of this kind is the general wlCn of the country : — I know it to be the wifh of the army; and no one can doubt that it is the ardent wiOi of the unhappy fuiFerers themfelves. We nted only confult the tide of humanity, and the fympathies natural to thofe con- nected by the cements of blood, intereH:, and a common dread of evil, to be convinced that the prevailing current of fentiment demands an exchange. If the country, the army, and even the prifoners themfeives, had a precife idea of our circumilances, and could be fully fenhbie of the difadvan- tages that might attend the giving our enemy a coniidcrable reinforcement without having an equivalent, they might per- haps be vvilling to make a facrihce of their feelings to the motives of policy. But they have not this knowledge, and cannot be entruiied with it ; and their reafonings, of necef- iity, will be governed by what they hd. Were an opinion once to be eilabliihcd (and the enemy and their emiflaiies know very well how to inculcate it, if they are furniflied with a plauhble pretext), tliat we defigned- iy avoided an exchange, — it would be a caufe of difTatisfac- tion and difgufl: to the country and to tlie army, — of refent' ment and defperation to our captive officers and foidiers :— to fay nothing of the importance of not hazarding our national chiiVii'iler but upon the mod folid grounds, efpecially in our embryo fcate, haiv. tlie influence it may ha ve on, our affairs abroad, -^it may not be a little dangerous to beget in the minds of our own countrymen a fufpicion that we do not pay the fiii^Lc'ii cbfervance to th^ maxims of honor and good faith. It 236 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S It is prudent to iife the greatefl caution not to lliock the notions of general jcflice and humanity, univerfal among mankind, as well in a public as a private view. In a bufi- nefs on the fide of which the paiGons ar<.' fo much concerned as in the prefent, men would be readily difpofed to believe the worft, and chcriffi the mod unfavorable conclufions. Were the letters that have pafTed between general Howe and Hiyfelf from firft to laii, and the proceedings of Congrefs on the famefubjed, to be publillied with proper comments, it is much to be feared, — if the exchange fhould be deferred till the terms of the lafl: refolve were fuiniled, — thi\t it would be dif- ficult to prevent our being generally accufed with a breach of good faith. Perliaps it might be faid, that, while the enemy refufed us juftice, we fondly embraced the opportu-. nity to be loud, perfevcring, inceffant in our claims ; but the moment they were willing to render it, we receded trom ourfelves, and darted new difficulties. — This, 1 fay, might be the reafoning of fpeculative minds ; and they might con- fider all our profeffions as mere profeffions ; or, at bef:, that intereil and policy were to be the only arbiters of their va- lidity. Imputations of tliis nature would have a tendency to un- nerve our operations, by diminifhing that refpeft and conti- dence which are effcntial to be placed in thofe who are at the head of affairs eidier in the civil or military line. This, ad- ded to the profpect of hopelefs captivity, would be a great difcouragement to the fervice. The ill confequences of both would be immcnfe, — by increahng the caufes of difcontent iii the army, which are already too numerous, and many of •which arc in a great meafure unavoid:ible, — by fortifying that unwilllngncfs which already appears too great, towards entering into the fervice, and of couife impeding the pro- grefs both of draughting and recruiting, — by dejecting the courage of the foldicry, from an apprehenfion of the horrors of captivity,— and hnally bv reducing thofe, v/hofe lot it is to drink the bitter cup, to a d-fpair NNhich can oidy find relief by OFFICIAL LETTERS. 237 by renouncing their attachments and engaging witli tlieir captors. Thefe efFe6ls have aheady been experienced in part i'rom the obilacles that have Isin in the way of exchan- ges : but if thefe obftacles were once to feem the refult of iydem, they would become ten-fold. — Nothing has operated more di (agreeably upon the minds of the mihtia than the fear of captivity, on the footing it has hitherto flood. — What would be their reafonin^-s, if it fliould be thought to fland upon a worfe r If a prefent temporary interefl: is to be a ruling principle, it is eafy to prove that an exciiange can never take place. The conftitution of our army in refpedt to the term of fervice ior which our men engage, and the dependence we are obliged to place on the militia, muft forever operate againft us in exchanges, and forbid an equality of advantages. Should it be faid that there are times when it might be more peculiarly une([ual and injurious, and that the prefent is fuch on account of the weak condition of our army, — I anfwer that the delay neceflarily involved in tlie previous neo-otia- tion on the fubjed:, in delivering the prifoners from time to time in fmall numbers and receiving others in their flead, and the mode of delivery at different places, will nearly brin^r the matter to the point we could wi{h, and give us ieifure to reinforce this army (if it is to be done at all), fo as to obvi- ate in a great meafure the ill conlequenccs apprehended. But if the argument of intereil: on a partial fcalc be purfued as far as it will go, not only tlie general confidcration thrown out above, but fpecial ones appofice to every fuuation, will prefent themfelves, that we ougiit not to cxchangd : — now we oudit not, becauie our armv is weak ! — when thefeal on is more advanced, and it is time for the campaign to open, we ought not, becaufe our army may be llrona, and it will be our bufxnefs to avail ourfelves of our own ilrcngth and the enemy's wcaknefs, to flrike fome decifiveblow .' — if they, by the protedion of their fhipping and impregnable works, Should be able to baffle our attempts till the peiiod of rein- forcemenL*; 5t3S GENERAL WASHINGTON'S forceiiients from Europe anive, ic vvlli furclv then not be ouf intereil; to add numbers and Firength to an enemy al readv' fufficlently numerous and lirong ! — Thus, by a parity of reafoning, the golden sra will never come, which is to relieve the miferics of captivity. Our fervice mufl become odious : tiiofe who are out of it v>-ill endeavor to keep fo ; and thofe who are in it Vvill wiai to get out of it: every pri- foner the enemy makes will be liis foldier rather than fubmit to a riporous and defpairin?^ confinement. If we do not feize the prefent propitious moment w hen ihc necefFities of the enemy prefs them to reafonable ternis, to form and edablifh a liberal cartel, it is not impofiible, in tlie vicifHtudes and reverfes of war, that a ti-ne may come when we iliould wifii we had embraced it, and intercft may ftrong- ly impel the enf^m.y to decline it, except on the mod unequal conditions. True policy, as w^eli as good faith, in my opi- nion, binds us to improve the occanon. There are however fome aml^iguiiies in general Howe's conduct, which require explanation, and ought to put us upon cur guard. — I determined to make the affair ot citi- zens, —viz, to procure an exemption from captivity lor them, if poiTible, — or, if nor, (hnce it cannot now be demianded as a matter of rigln) io fix their exchangeability upon, the eafieft and mofi unequivocal foundation, — an indifpenfable prellmi- narytoaiiy fuitiier procedure ; and at t'ne famie timie toiecr.re the exchange of general Lee and ail other ofiicers who have been the particular objefts of exception. The interview intended between general Howe's conunlf- fioners and thcfe on our part on tlie tenth inflant is now poil- poned. I cannot doubt that Congrefs, in prefervation of the public faith, and my perfonal honor, will remove all im- pediments tiiat now pppofe themfelves to my engagements, and that, they will authorife me, through commiflioners ap- pointed for ihe purpofe, to negotiate a more extenfive and competent cartel, upon fuch principles as may appear advan- tageous and founded in necefiity, — any refolutions heretofore to OFFICIAL LETTERS. 239 to the contrary notvvith{iaRdin:z ; an*-l I muil requeft that they will favor me with their aiii\ver by the earliell oppor* tunity. The work, from its nature, will be ditEcult. Two parties are concerned, whofe intercfts are -nioie than oppofite in a coaimon view. — We ihall endeavor to acl for the bell, and to promote the public fcrvice as far as pofllble, though we may not be able to anfwcr the expeelations of all. But it ihould be remembered, that, althougli general Howe's want of men affords a profpecl of favorable terms, yet he will not be difpofed to facrihce to it all coniideraiions of general ad- vantage in a contract; of fuch a nature ; and it is not even to be hoped that it can take place except on principles of mAitual benefit. I perfuade myfelf that the freedom I have taken in deliver- ing my fentiuicnts fo fully upon this occafion will readily be excufed, as it proceeds from a defire to place the motives of my condu6l in a juft point of view, and from an opinion of duty that led me to a free difcuiTion of a fubjedl, v/hich, con- fidered in ail its lights, will appear to comprehend confe- quences of the hrft delicacy and magnitude. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head- Qua rtcrs, V alley -Fo rge^ March 9 , 1778. I HAVE been tliis day favored with yours of the twenty-feventh of February, and of tlie fecond, third, and fourth indant, which I fhall anfwer in their order. The removal of fo valuable a train of held artillery from Albany to Farmington, as to a place of greater fecurity, was certainly a meaiure highly proper; and you may be afTured that every precaution fliall be taken to cfcort them fafely through Jcrfey to this camp, when it is tliought advifable to bring them hither. You miftook the intent of mine of the eighteenth of Fe- bruary. I did not m.ean to give you the trouble of making a return 740 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S return of the Biitifii officers who were exchanged after the convention. General Reiuefel, as I informed you, wrote to me to obtain hberty tor him to make an exchange of fome of his fuire and other foreign officers, as tliat Hherty had been allowed to the Britiih.' I did not chufe to give him any an* fwer until I had applied to you, th-it I might know whetlier vou had any reafon for makino- fuch diftindion : and as vou mifappreheiidedmej [ Ihall ftiil be obliged to defer anfwering him till I hear from you.— I think, conhdering the great num- ber ot officers oi ouis who are in captivity, it is our intereft to exchange as many of their oiTiccis, prifoners under the convention, as \vc can. Commillioners from n^c are to meet others from general Howe on the thirty-firft of tins month, to endeavor to fettle a general exchange of prifoners. — Until we know the ilTue of the negotiation, it will be hardly worth while to alter the li- tuation of the prifoners in Lancafter county. On the twenty-feventh of February I liad occafion to write to Congrefs, on the fubjccl of yours of the third. It was oc- caiioncd by a reprcfentatirjn from the colonel oi' the thirteenth Virginia regiment v»-hic]i was raifcd (as colonel M'Kav's and Cook's were) to ren^sain upon tlie frontier. Were tins the cafe with only one regiment, ! ihould not hefitate, con- fidering- the L-cc of aff.nis to tlie weftward, to cn\cr it imme- diately to Forr-Pict or the neighborhcod. But the eighth and twelfth Pcnnfylvani:;, and the tvvelhh and t];iirleenth Vir- ginia, all claim tl^e fame right ; and if the indulgence is grant* ed to C!ie, the others will be difTatished : and to ipare them all at this lime is impofliblc. To regain the dfferters from thofe regiments is certainly a very deiirable thin^ ; and the mode vou point rut is the mofl probable. But I fear, if thofe men who are now here find that the defeiters are not to be brought down to join their regi- ments in camp, that they may be induced to go off, in hopes of obtainino- the fame terms. I confefs I am much embarrair* cd by this matter, and ihall be cxceedin.glv giad to have the 2 advice OFFICIAL LETTERS. 241 advice and affiftance of Congrefs and the board upon the fubjedl, before I come to any determination. It is an evil that will ever refult from enlifrments for local purpofes, when it is not convenient to abide by the agreement. I fhall immediately tranfmit the papers, inclofed In yours of the fourth, to general Howe. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. Several inftances having occurred, in which officers have drawn clothing from the clothier-general, not being entitled to it, — I fh^ll be glad, if any applications are made to tlie board in future, that they will never give orders to any but fuch as bring tellimonials from the brigadier or of- iicer commanding the brigade they belong to.- -Some who have refigned have taken up clothing on their return home. Sir, Valley-Forge, March 12, 177^. ON funday night I had the honor to receive your fa-* vors of the firft and fifth inftant, with their inclofures. I am happy to find that my paft condu61: refpefling citi- zens, in the correfpondence between general Howe and my- felf, is approved by Congrefs. They may reft affured that their rights are ftrongly imprefTed on my mind ; and that, in all my tranfactions, every fupport in my power fliall be given them. I know their importance ; and, in my expedtcd negotiations with general Howe, If poffible, I will exempt citizens from captivity. However I cannot hope to efFedl it, as I cannot demand it as a matter of right, lincc Congrefs themfelves, in their original refolve directing a propofitioa to be made for the exchange of prifoners, mentioned that of citizens, — which implied a right of capturing them. They may alfo be affured that general Lee will not be for- gotten. He has all along been a principal obje6l in difpute : and, fo fkr from doing any thing injurious to him, his right to be exchanged, and his reieafement, are intended to be placed Vol. II. il upou U^ GENERAL WASHIMGTON/'S upon the moft explicit, iinanibiguous footing. -Indeed, from the fpirit of general Howe's letters colledtively taken, fmce his agveemeijt to enlarge tlie officers on parole in the lirft in- liance, and his exteniion of it in the laft to an exchange, — thous'h they are not free from ambiguities, — it may be infer- red, that, on fending in lieutenant-colonel Campbell and the Hefiiian held-officers captured at Trenton, an exchange of all oiiicers v. ill immediately commence. It feem.s to be a point ^vith him that it (hall begin with them, as they have been Iona;ert in captivity. — I have taken the liberty to inclofe you copies of tlrree letters which have ]u([ pafTed between general Howe and myfeif, more particularly concerning general Lee, in which I have pun:ied matters refpecting him as far as T thought it prudent at this time. — Every precaution v/ill cer- tainly be ufed to prevent the enemy gaining any advantage In the exchange of pvifoners. With great deference, I would take the liberty to obferve that Congrefs feem to have carried the pream.ble of their re- folve of the twenty- fixth ultimo, prohibiting the enlifling &c, prifoners and deferters, too far : and, through accident, to have recited a fact that has never happened (at ieafl to my knowledge), and which is injurious to us, — viz, that prifon- ers had been enlifled by us. If any have, it is what I never knev/. However, be tins as it may, if the refolution has not been publiihed, I could wifh the preamble to be altered, and only to recite, ^^ that experience^ 2cc, in dfft^rters^^ only. The refolution kfelf riiay fland as it does, comprehending a prohibition againft the enliftment of both. Mv reafon for troubling Congrefff upon this occafion is, —we have always complained againll: ger.eral Howe, and fiill do, for obhging or permitting the prifoners in his hands to enlift, as an unwarrantable procedure, and wliolly repugnnnt to the fpirit at leaft of the cartel. I'his preamble fccm.s to admit the practice on our part, which would certainly juftity it in liim, and is fnch evidence as m.ufl liicnce us in future (ihoul'j it ftand), and ailord him an oj^portunity for recrimi- nation, — OFFICIAL LETTERS. 24J Jiatlon,— though, as I have fuggefled, I believe no prifoncrs have ever been enlitted by us, — I am fure, none have througii conipulfion. I have the pleafure to tranfmit you an extraiSl of a letter from captain Barry, which will inform you of his fucceffes. The two lliips he burned after Gripping them ; and he was ohhged, it feems, two days after the capture, to ground and abandon the fchooner, after a long and fevere engagement with forae of the cnemy^s frigates and fmaller armed vefTels. — It is faid he faved her guns and mod of her tackle. I alfo take the liberty to lay before Congrcfs copies of Jctters from meineurs Champion, Wadfvv'orth, and Reed„ From the uniformity of fentiment held forth by tnefe gen- dcmen, it is much to be feared the meafures lately adopted by tlie ccmmilTioncrs at New-haven, for regulating the prices of proviGon, will have a difagreeable efFecTi upon our fupplies of meat. — How far it may be practicable to fuf- pend their operation for a time, I cannot determine : but, if it can be done, it appears we ihouid experience many advan- tages from it. It is a matter of great importance ; and, as fuch, is fubmitted to Congrefs for their confideration. — If any thing can be done to procure fupplies of proviiion, par- ticularly of the fait kind, I ihouid fuppofe, and am perfuadedy it will not be omitted. I have tlie honor to be, &c. G. W, Sir, Head-Quarters, March 14, )778? THIS will be prefented to you by count Palafkij v,?ho, from a convi6lion that his remaining at the head of the cavalry was a conftant fubjeci: of uncafmefs to tlie prin- cipal officers of that corps, has been induced to xz^i's^n his command. Waving a minute inquiry into the caiifes of dif- fatisfaClion, — which may be reduced perhaps to the difadvan- tages under which he labored, as a llranTcr not well ac- quainted with the languagCj genius and manners of this coun-i R 2 try,— 244 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S tiy, — it may be fufEcIent to obfcrve that tht degree of har- mony which is iiiieparable from the well-bein^ and confe<]iuent utility of a corps, lias not fubfiiled in the cavahy fince his appointment, an.tl that tlie moft effccluai as iveli as the eafiefi reinedy is tliat which he has generoufly apphed. The count however, far from being difgufled with the fer^ vice, is led by his thirfl of glory, and zeal for the caufe of li- berty, to foiicit farther employment, and waits upon Con- gres to make his propofals- They are briefly that he be al- lowed to raife an independent corps compoied of lixty-eight horfe and two hundred foot,- — the horfe to be armed with lances, and the foot equipped in the manner of light infantry. The former he thinks he can readily fill with natives of good character and worthy the trull: repofed in them. With refpe6l to the other, he is defirous of more latitude, {o as to have liberty of cngzging prifoners and deferters from the enemy- The original plan for the lance-men was to have draughted them from, the regiments of horfe. But, as this method vir'ould produce a claffiing of interefls and perhaps occaflon new difturbances, the count prefers having a corps totally unconnected with any other. IMy advice to him, therefore, h to enliii his number of cavalry with the continental boun- ty ; and, if it fhould be found confonant to the views of Con- grefs to allow his raifing the number propofe^ over and above the eftablilhgient for the horfe, thezi he would have them or?, the footing of an independent corps: if not, he might at all events have them as draughts ; and in this cafe there would be no ground for complaint- With regard to the infantry, which the count efleems ef- fential to the fuccefs of the cavalry, i have informed him that the enlifting deferters and prifoners is prohibited by a late refolve of Congrefs. — How far Congrefs might be in- clined to make an exception, and licenfe the engaging prifon- ers in a particular detached curjjs, in which fuch charaidrers may be admitted with \ck danger than pronnfcuoufly in the line. — I cannot undertake to pionounce. I have OFFICIAL LETTERS, 245 I have only to add that the count's valor and adtivc zeal on all occafions have done him great honor ; and, from a. per- fuafion, that, by being lels expofed to the inconveniences which he has hitherto experienced, he will render great fervices with fuch a command as he afks for, I wiih hira to fucceed in his apph'cation. — I have the honor to he. Sec. G. W. P. S. It is to be underftood that the count experts to re- tain his rank as brigadier, and, I think, is entitled to it from his general chara6ler and particular ditmtereflednefs on the prefent occafion. Sir, Head-Quarfers, Valley-Forge, March 16, 1778. I HAVE the honor to tranfmit you a letter from go- vernor CHnton which he inclofed to me for my perufal and confi deration. — The inconvenience he mentions, asrefuking from the refolve refpedling the appointment of a command- ant for Forts Montgomery and Clinton, requires to be ob- viated. J do not conceive it to have been the defign of Congrefs to make the command of thofe forts altogether dif- tin€t and independent on the general command of the pofts in that quarter ; but only to defignate i\\e rank of the officer who {liould have the immediate charge of them. There is fuch an intimate connexion between the forts and the other pofts and paiTes in tlie Highlands and their vicinity, that it is necefiary for one omcer to have the fupetin- tendency and control of the whole, and to be anfwerable for all. If this were not to be the cafe, but \\\^ command were to be divided, there might want that co-operation between tlie garrifons and the troops without, which might be eflen- tial to their prefervatlon and to the common purpofes of de- fence. Tlie afTigning a fixed number of men to the gar- rifons would not remove this inconvenience; for the co-ope- ration would flill be neceflary. But if it were otherwife, I fljould not think the meafure advifable, becaufe we do not know what number of men we may have in the field next R 3 campaign ; 246 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S campaign y and the number for the defence of the Highlands muft be proportioned to the general ftrcngth j and the force of the garru'bns, to that number. On thefe confiderations, having ordered general lyPDougai to repair to the Highlands to afuime the chief command there, I have comprehended the forts among the other ob- je61s of his truft -, m the difcharge of v,«hich, I am perfuaded he will manifeil adequate zeal and ability. But as the re- folve in queftion affords room fov doubtj it will be proper to have i!: explained^ fo as more explicitly to afcertain the in- tention of Congrefs. I am perfectly in fentiment with governor Clinton on the propriety of drawing the troops from the northward to rein- force and carry on the works in the Highlands. From every thing I can learn, there feems to be no profpe6l of profe- cuting the intended expedition into Canada. If fo, I appre- hend it can anfwer no valuable end to keep a body of troops, in and about Albany. — In tlie prefent civcumftances of Ca- nada, little is to be dreaded thence : the enemy, in all pro- bability, will be well fatisfied to a6t on the defenfive, with- out riiking the confequences of an attempt againft us. A proper garrifon at Fcrt-Schuyler, and a fmall party by way of guard at Albany, with the militia of the country tliat may be cccat'ionaliy drawn together, will be a fufficicnt fecurity againft the inroads of the enemy from Canada, or the depre- dations of the neighboring Indiansj fuppofing there were any of the tribes whofe difpofitions were flill a£lively hoflile not- wiihllanding our late northern fucceiTes, — which is by no means a natural fuppofitioji. — All the men, more than are wanted for thefe purpofes, v/ould be of the mod important utility in the Highlands. If the arms and ftores at Albany fnould be thought an ob'ection to the plan, I would beg leave to obferve that Al- bai^y appears to me a moft improper place for ftationary ar- fenals or magazines, and that thofe which are there at pre- fent (hculd be re^iovcd without delay. Eefides, as they would! OFFICIAL LETTERS. 247 would be In mod danger from an inciu-fion up tlie Nortli- river, the bell way to coiintera£l that danger is to flrengthen the paffes In tlie Highlands, and obflruct the navigation •, in order to v/hich, the reinforcing thern with the troops from the northward would be no inconfiderable ftep. — With th;^ greateft refpe£l, 1 have the honor to be, kc. G. W. Sir, P^alkj'Forgc, March 16, 1778. THIS will be delivered you by captain Sullivan, who waits on Congrefti upon the fubje6l of pay and the lofs of his rank in the line of the Muaaehufetts officers. —He is one of the gentlemen, who, in going with major Sherburne to re- lieve the poll we had at the Cedars in 1776, after a brave and gallant conduct, fell into the enemy's hands. In a few days after, on the treaty which general Arnold made, he generoufly offered himfeif, as I have been informed, and went one of the hoftages to Qu_ebec, for the performance of it. By fome means the Hate of MaiTiichufetts-Bay has not continued him in their iine, nor has he any appointment in the army. He is now on parole, through the indulgence of general Carleton, and has appUed to me for pay and rations from the time of his return : and confidering alfo the depri- vation of his rank as hard and injurious, he hopes he will b.'^ provided for in a fuitable manner, and according to that flanding which he formerly held in the army. Captain Sullivan's wifbes in either inflance cannot be an- fwered by me.— As to the lirfl, the refolution of the nine- teenth of January, regulating the pay of prifoners (vv'hich is the only rule for my government), feems to have drawn the iine between ofncers on parole who are continued In fer- vice, and thofe wlio are not j and, making tliat the only cri- terion to fix pay, to have precluded every other dilcrlmlna- mn : and the powers, which were veiled in the refpeftlve p. 4 - dates 248 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Hates to appoint officers, prohibit any interference {jy me in his favor, as to the latter. I have flated the nature of the captain's claims, and the reafons which are oppofed to his obtaining relief in either inflance from me. I fhall only add that the negle6\: by the Hates (in their appointments) of the officers who were in captivity, where there was no other objedlion to them, was at leaft ungenerous, if not impolitic and unjuft It has been the cafe in many inftances : and as to the gentleman who is particularly the fubje£t of this letter, the teftimonials that have been given of his chara£ler as an offxer were much in his favor, and greatly to his honor. By accident, the refolution of the nijieteenth of January, alluded to above, has been miflaid. I mud trouble you with a requeft for another copy of it. I tranfmlt Congrefs colonel * * * 's application to refign. As general Huntington, in whofe brigade he is, and in whom I have the utmoft confidence, is perfectly willing, I have only to fay upon the occafion that I have not the fmalleft obje£lion to the mieafure. General Sullivan fet out for Rhode-Tfland on friday laft, to take the command there in confequence of the refolutioij of Congrefa dire(£ling me to fend a major-general there for that purpofe. Suppofmg general Greene in the quarter-^ mafter line, I have now only one major-general left in camp. .; I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head' Quarters, Valley-Forge^ March ijy 1778. ON faturday I had the honor to receive your favor of the tenth, with the refolutions alluded to. Inclofed I take the liberty to tranfmit an extra6l of a let- ter iuft received from general Parfons. — This, as well as the letter which I inclofed you yefterday from governor Clinton, will (hew the confufion in the management of affiiirs en th? ISforth- OFFICIAL LETTERS. 249 North-river. I Informed Congrefs then that I had fent ge- neral M'Dougal to take the chief command there, compre^ hending the forts,— which appeared to me tlie only efFedual means for curing all diforders, and promoting the public fervice. — To remove all impediments, it were to be wiftied that Congrefs would inveft him with every neceflary power for carrying into execution the objects of his command : and it might be well if they were to extend to any future commanding officer, as it would prevent thofe difficulties which have heretofore arifen from their having been confi- dered as merely perfonal. I am more and more in fentiment with governor Clinton on the propriety and abfolute neceffity of drawing the troops from the northward, to reinforce and carry on the works ia the Highlands. From the information I have from co- lonel Radiere who has jufh come from thence, I find that the inteaded defences are far lefs advanced than I had any idea of. According to him, little or nothing is yet done, though I have repeatedly aid conftantly urged the profecu- tion of them with all pofTible induilry. The inclofed co- pies of my letters to general Putnam will fliew that I have uniformly prefTed the clofefb attention to the bufinefs, — though it might be inferred from general Parfons's letter that there had been fome inconfiftency in my orders. — There remains but a little time to do a great deal in ; and I fear that no exertions now will be fufficient to place things in that quarter on the fecure and refpecStable footing we could wifh. However, we fhould do the m.ofb we can : and if the works cannot be as complete as they ought, the troops will be there ; and a reliance mufl be had in their bravery, to repel any attempt that may be formed againit them. I have the honor to be, ^^c. G, W. 7^o GENEPs^AL WASHINGTON'S Sir, ' Hcad'^uartcys^ A'larch l?>y I'i^^, I HAVE the honor of tranfmltting you the Inclofed letter from general Small wood, giving intelligence of the enemy's motions on the Delaware, and his conjectures re- fpecling their object. 1 lie account he has heard of troops being an board the veilels is confirmed by the relationG of deferters and others, who agree that a confiderable number of men have been embarked, and add that they took feven- teen days^ provifion with them. From this circumilance it is fcarcely to be imagined that they are ordered on a fea voyage. — The proportion of fmali veiTels in the fleet makes it probable that they have in view to collect forage, or at- temipt the deftru^llon of the falt-works ; and both thefe ideas are favored by accounts from the city. — As foon as their intentions are certainly known, they fliall be commu- nicated. In the mean time I have the honor to be, \yith the greateft refpeft, &c. G. W. ' Sir, Hcad-^uariers^ Vallcy-Fcrge^ March 2i, 1778. I HAVE the honor of ycurs of the fourteenth and fifteenth inflant. — In confeqnence of the refolves tranfmitted to me, I have dlfpatched ah exprefs to the marquis De la Fayette and baron De Kalb, to recall them from the north- "^vsrd : and, inftead of ordering down Hazen's regiment to rejoin this army, I have ordered Van Schaick's immediately to the Highlands, wliere the public works are in a manner at a ftand for want of hands. V^an Schaick's is a full -^xn^ freOi regiment, — Kazen's but weak In point of numbers, and muft be confiderably fatigued from their late long parch. * * * I have the honor tc bc; ^cc» G. W.» OFFICIAL LETTERS. 251 Sir, Valley Fo;je, Afarch ij;, 177^^ HEREWITH I do myfelf the honor to inclofe co- pies of n letter from an omcer of mihiia at Elizabethtownj to rrie, ancl an extraft of a letter from one of Mr. Boudinct's deputies at Bodon, to him, — both tenchng to iiuiuce. a be- lief that the enemy have fome enterprife in contempl'iticn. Y/hat this is, time niuft ciifcover. — I have this wliole v/inter been clearly of opinion tl-at general Howe's movements wonlil be very early this fpring, to take advant-nqe CiS tlie weak (late of our army, - or late, If he expeiiecl conilderable reinforcements from England, and meant to avail himifelf oi* his full llrength. — If the fird takes place, as appearances indicate, it may, I think, be confidered as a proof of one or both of ihefe two things,— that he is eitjicr well informed (he cannot indeed be otherwife) of the htuation, and nyjre than probably, the ftrength of our army, — or that he ex- pecls no confiderable reinforcements this year from Europe. In either cafe it is our indifpenfable duty to reinforce aiiid. arrange our army as fpeedily as pofTible, that we may in die fird iiildanLe be prepared for defence, — in \\\ and will excufc my again af^ing if the troops OFFICIAL LETTERS, 253 troops to the northward, except fuch as are neceflary for the ■defence of Fort-Schuyler, can be fo advantageoully employ- ed as at the works on that river. — A refpe£lable force at thofe pofts would awe New- York, and divide general Howe's force or expofe the city. — To depend too much upon mili- tia, is, in my opinion, putting every thing to hazard. If I (hould appear uncommonly anxious refpedling the fe- veral matters contained in this letter, by repeating them,-— Congrefs will do me the juftice, I hope, to believe that I am adluated by no views but fuch as are prompted by circum- stances and the advanced feafon. — With the greateft refpe£t, I have the honor to be. Sec, G. W. P. S. Your letter of the twenty-firll inftant Is juft come to hand, containing feveral refolves of Congrefs. Sir, Falley-Forge, March 24, 1 77 8. COLONEL Charles Lewis of the fourteenth VirgI- Ilia regiment will have the honor to deliver you this. He waits on Congrefs to refign his commiflion. I have Interefted myfelf, but in vain, to retain him in the fervice, and have only to add my regret at the lofs of fo good an officer. I have the honor to be. Sec, G. W. Sir, Head-Quarters, Valley-Forge^ March 29, 1778. I HAVE been honored with yours of the twenty- fifth, inclofmg duplicates of two former refolves of Con- grefs, and a refolve of the twenty-third inftant, accepting the refignation of colonel Charles Webb. Since mine of the twenty-fourth, Mr. Boudinot has com- municated the following intelligence, being part of a letter to him : — " I have lately received fome intelligence from New-York, that we may make ourfelves eafy in Jerfey, as all the force that can be fpared is to be fent to join general Howe. 1S4- GENERAL WASH^GTON'S Howe. Two thoufaiid five hundred are afSluaily on board tranfports, and lying at the watering-place." I have this day received a letter from general Smallv/cod, dated yeilerciay at Wilmington, in which he fays — " The enemy, about four days ago, had a fleet of near fifty fail Handing up the river, Vvhich I faricy was from New- York ; and yeflerday their foraging fieet went up without touching upon this fide the Delaware, except three or four fmall parties about Port-Penn, who have been conftantly drove oiT by a party of about a hundred of our men, who have been guarding and aiding the removal of the forage, which is at length happily effecled.'* A Philadelphia paper of the twenty-fcventh alfo men- tions, that a fieet of upwards of forty fail had left the Flook on funclay, and that they were faid to be in the river. From all the above circumftances, I have no doubt but the troops have arrived from New-York. — I have heard no- thing further from Rhode-Ifiand fince I wrote to you laft. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-^uartcrsy Valley-Fcrge^ April I, 177S. SINCE I had the honor of addrefiing you upon the Uventy-ninth ultimo, I have not been able to learn with any prccifion whether the tranfports that arrived brought any confiderable number of troops. — A Heflian deferter fays there were only a it^i^ German convalefcents on board. If foy the fleet with two thoufand five hundred, mentioned in my hii>, is not arrived, fuppofing they were bound to Pliila- delphia. General St. Clair arrived yefterday from Bollon : and, as he feenis very anxious to have his matter determiiicd one v,;ay or the other, I beg leave to recall the attention of Con- grcfs to my letter of the twenty -feventh of February upon that fubjccl:. Hviving received no information finee that time OFFICIAL LETTERS. 255-,' time Wii.ich ferves to direcSl my judgment as to the charges which It will be proper to exhibit againft general St, Clair, I have only again to rcqued that Congrefs or the committee will be pleafed to point out the particular charges upon which the court (hall proceed. I could wi(h this matter might not he delayed, on feverai accounts. General St. Clair is in a very delicate fituation, and feels it fenfibly. He was kept ina6liye great part of lafii campaign, and probably will be the whole of this, ex- cept his trial can. be fliortly brought on, — as it will be al- moft impoiTible to find time to hold a> court after the fcen<^ of action opens. — If he Ihould be acquitted, he would ren- der very eflential fervice, efpecialiy at this time when wc have fo few general officers : if condemned, his place may be immediately fdled.— -It vs'ill beGdes take him fome little time to prepare for his defence after he knows the particular charges alleged againft him. I have the honor to be, S:c. G. "VV* Sir, Hcad'^urrtcrs^ Fall^'y-Forge^-Jpnl ^^ ^77^- CAPTAIN Lee of the light dragoons, and the of- ficers under his command, having uniformly dillinguiihcd themfelves by a conclutl of exemplary zeal, prude-nee, and bravery, I took occafion, on a late hgnal Inftance 01 ir^ to exprefs the high fenfe I entertained of their merit, and to alTure him that it fliould not fail of being properly^ noticed. I was induced to give this afllirance from a convlcilon that it is the v/ifh of Congrefs to give every encouragement to merit, and that they would clieerfully embrace {o favorable an opportunity of manifeiling this diipofition. I had it in contemplation at the time, in caf:; no other method more eligible could be adopted, to make iiini an of- fer of a place in my family, I have confulted the committee of Congrefs upon the fubject, and we were mutually of opi- nion that the giving captain Lee the command &s two troops ' 8 of 255 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S of horfe on the propofed eriiablifliment, with the rank of major, to a£l as an independent partifan corps, would be a mode of rewarding him, very advantageous to the fervice. Captain Lee's genius particularly adapts him to a command of this nature , and it will be the moft agreeable to him, of any ftation in which he could be placed. 1 beg leave to recommend this meafure to Congrefs, and {hall be obliged by their decifion as fpeedily as may be conve- nient. The campaign is fad approaching, and there will probably be very little time to ralfe and prepare the corps for it. — It is a part of the plan to give Mr. LIndfay the com- mand of the fecond troop, and to make Mr. Peyton cap- tain-lieutenant of the firft. I am, with the higheit efteem and refpeil, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-^iarters^ Valley-Forge, April H^, ^77S« I HAVE now the honor to acknowledge your feveral letters of the tv/enty-firft, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth ultimo, with their inclofures, Vv'hich have been duly received.— It gives me pain to obferve they appear to contain feveral im- plications by which my fenfibility is not a little wounded. — I find myfelf extremely embarvalled by the fleps I had taken towards an exchange of prifoners and the formation of a ge- neral cartel making more ?.mpie proviiion for their future accommodation and relief. The views of Congrefs feem to be very different from what I fuppofed them when I entered !nto my late engagements vvqth general Howe : their rcfo- lution of the thirtieth ultimo, pointedly requiring a flri£t adherence to all former ones upon the fubjeiSl, will in all probability remler them impra£licable. — I confidered fome of their refolutions as dictated on the principle of retalia- tion, and did not imagine the terms they contained would be inuiled upon in negotiating an agreement calculated to re- medy the evils which occafioned them. In moft refpe£l:s they might be fubftantially complied with : but there are fome OFFICIALLETTERS. 257 fome points to which an exa6l conformity mud of neceflity deftroy the idea of a cartel. One is the obliging the enemy to pay gold and filver on equal terms for continental cur- rency, eftimating the articles fupplied them at their a6lual prices with us, as feems to be the dcfign of the refolve of the nineteenth December. — Another is the fubjeding the inhabit- ants of thefe ftates, taken in arms againft them, to trial and punifhment, agreeable to the refolve of the thirtieth of the fame month. I am well aware that appearances ought to be upheld, and that we ihould avoid as much as poflible recognifmg by any public a6t the depreciation of our currency: but I conceive this end would be anfwered as far as might be neceflary, by ftipulating that all money payments (hould be made in gold and filver, being the common medium of commerce among nations, at the rate of four {hillings and fix pence for a Spanlth milled dollar, &c, — by fixing the price of rations on an equitable fcale relatively to our refpe61:ive circumflances, — and providing for the payment of what we may owe, by fending in provifion, and fell- ing it at their market. The rates of money, and the prices of provifions and other commodities, differ every where : and, in treaties of a fimilar nature between any two ftates, it is requlfite, for mutual convenience, to afcertaln fome common ratio both for the value of money in payments, and for the rates of thofe articles on which they may arife. It was determined on mature confideration not to con- clude any thing exprefsly that (hould contradict the refolu- tion of the thirtieth December : but at the fame time, if it is defigned to be the rule of pra6lice, it is eafy to perceive it \vould at once overturn any cartel that could be formed. Genera] Howe would never confent to obferve it on his part, if fucli a pradice v/ere to exiil on ours. — Though the law- ought not to be contravened by an exprefs article admitting ihe cxcliangeability of fuch perfons, yet, if.it is not iuffered Vol. II. S to 25^ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S to ileep, it is in vain to expect the operation of it will be acquiefced in by the enemy. The meafures 1 have taken mud evince that it is my de- termination to pay the fulleil attention to the intereils of citizens, and to^ the rights of general Lee, in the treaty ; and I think it but juftice to the gentlemen appointed to ne- gotiate it, to declare that I know them to be fo fully imprefled with the importance of both thofe obje£ts, as to make them cheerfully obfervant of the injundlions of Congrefs, fo far as not to conclude any agieoment of which the exchange of general Lee and the alternative refpedlng citizens are not eliential parts. — Thefe points had been early determined on. It is with no fmnll concern that I have been obliged to trouble Congrefs upon the fubje£ls of this letter : and, fhould-, tliey appear to them in the fame light they do to me, and they fnould think proper to remove the obdacles which now oppofe the bufmefs in hand, I muil recfaeft they will be pleafed to communicate their determination as expeditioufly as poffible, that the commifTioners may govern themfelves accordingly, and either proceed to forming a cartel, or put an end to the- negotiation. — Before the refolves of the thirtieth came to hand, they had met, and been in treaty two days, with a profpe6l of a favorable accommodation. I am happy to inform Congrefs that general Lee will be out on parole to-morrov/ in place of general Prefect : and I have every reafon to expedl, if the negotiation can be con- tinued upon admilTible terms, that his exchange will imme- diately follow the releafement of colonel Campbell and the Heiiian field-ofEcers. It is agreed that lieutenant-colonel Allen (hall be exchanged for lieutenant-colonel Campbell. The importunate applications of colonel Lee and major Swazey to leave the fervice oblige me to lay the matter be- fore Congrefs. Colonel Lee's letter upon the fubje£^ was trjtnfmittcd mc the twenty-fifth of January : but, hoping he niight change his mind, I'deferred writing to Congrefs upon his O F F 1 C I A L L E T T £ R S. 259 his requeft. He has renewed it again in urgent terms, through general Heath ; and I have only to obferve that it is a pain- ful circumdance to fee officers of their merit leaving the fsrvice. — It is the cafe every day.— I (hall be obliged by Congrefs informing me oi the dates of the refignations of the colonels in the Virginia line:— I have only received the date of colonel Lewis's. Inclofed is a letter from captain Cotterteau of the fliip Fer- dinand, with an invoice of her cargo. The letter only came to hand yefterday ; and, as it is of an old date, it is highly probable that the goods are fold. If they are not, — from the captain's defire to give the public a preference in the fale, Congrefs will have an opportunity of dire£^Ing them to be purchafed. Mofl of them would be proper for the army. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. Yv". To tb€ Commiitee for the Affairs of the Army, Gentlemen, Hcad-^ijarters^ April q^ 1778. BY a refolve of Congrefs, the appointment of officers, to the corps which brigadier-general count Pulafki is au- thorifed to raife, has been referred to your decifion in con- junction with me. — As I know the fuperior confidence which a commandant places in officers of his own choice, I have given him my approbation of the gentlemen whom he has nominated : — it remains with you to decide in their favor, or have others fubftituted. I have the honor to be, &c. Q, W. Sir, FalUy-Forge^ April IQ. 1 778. I HAVE had the honor of receiving your favor of the fourth inftant, incJofing a refolve of Congrefs, of the i^me date, empowering me to. call forth five thoufand militia from the ftates of IVIaryland, Pennfylvania, and New-Jerfey. I thank Congrefs for the power : at the fame time it is in- S 2 cumb^nt 26o GENERAL WASHINGTOX'S cumbent on me to aiTare them, that, — grantuig the pra£li- cability of coilecling fuch a number, — it would prove a work of time, difficulty, and expenfe 5 to evince which, I need only recur to the experience of laft campaign on fimi- lar ocCcifions, and to remind you that it was not poilible to obtain a thoufand men, nor fometimes even one hundred, from this ftate, although the former number was required and promifed, for the purpofe of covering during the winter the country between Schuylkill and Delaware. As this refolve appears to have been made in confequence of my letters of the twenty-fourth and twenty-ninth ultimo, which were founded on conjecture, and, in fome degree, mifinformation, — and as the execution of it would, exclufive of the inconveniences abovementioned, I am perfuaded, have a tendency to injure the completion of the continental regiments, — I ihall call for a fmall part only of the number allowed i but could wifh that Hartley's regiment were ordered immediatelv to camp, and the duties of it performed by mili- tia. In like manner I v^ould propcfe that all remote guards fhould be compofed of militia, and that the fcveral purpofes for which men are drawn from the continental troops fliould be aniweved by them. This would be a means of draw- ing together a confiderable number of men who are in a manner loit to the anhy, and of employing the militia to the bell advantage pofiible. The great end of my letter to Congrefs, of sthe twenty- fourth ultimo, feems to have been miftaken. My views were not turned to reinfoi cements of militia. To know v/hether the old edabUfliment of the army, or the new as agreed upon by the committee, is the choice of Congrefs,— and in what manner the regiments of this ftate and the additionals are to be reduced, — officers for the whole appointed, &c, — were my objects. Thefe are obje£ls of the greatefl moment, as they may, in their confequences, involve the fate of Ame- xlca ; for 1 will undertake to fay that it h next to impoffiblc, when the feafon is (o far advanced, properly to accompliflj 9 . . thofe GFFICIAL- LETTERS. ■ 261 thofe changes, appointn^cnts, and the dependent arrange* men^s for the eniuing campaign. Should any convuifion hap- pen, or movement take place, they will be altogether imprac- ticable. — Juitice to my own charadler, as well as duty to the public, conilrain me to repeat thefe things : — their conie- quences are more eallly conceived than defcrlbed. It may be f;iid by fome, fir, that my wiih to fee the offi- cers of this army upon a more refpe^lable eilabliihment is- the caufe of my folicitude, and carries me too far. — To fucli I can declare that my anxiety proceeds from the cauies above- mentioned. If my opinion is alked with relpccl to the ne- ceffity of making this provifion for the officers, I ani re^^dy to declare that I do moil religioully believe the falvation of the caufe depends upon it, — and, without it, your olhcers will moulder to nothing, or be compofed of low and iiii- terate men, void ot capacity for this or any other bufinefs. To prove this, I can with truth aver, that fcarce a day pailes without the offer of two or three commiffions j and my advices from the eallward and fouthward are that num- bers wlio had gone home on iurlough mean not to return, but are .eftabUfhing themfelves in more lucrative employ- ments. — Let congrcfs determine what will be the confe- quence of ihh fpirit. Pcrfonaily, as an officer, I have no interefi; in their de- cifion, becauie I have declared, and I now repeat it, that I never will receive the fmallelt benefit from the half-pay elta- biiffimcut : but, as a man wiio lights under the weight of a profcription, and as a citizen who wifhes to fee the liberty of his country eilabliiiied upon a permanent foundation, and whofe property depends upon the fuccefsof our arms, I am. deeply intereiled. But, — all this apart, and juitice out of the queilion, — upon the lingle ground of economy and pub- lic faving, I will maintain the utility of it : for I have not the leaft doubt, that, until officers confuler their commiffions in an honorable and intereifed point of view^ and are afraid i> 3 t-o i62 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S to endanger' them by negligence and inalttention, no order, regularity, or care either of the men or public property, will prevail. * * * By officers who are juO: returned from Maflachufetts-Bay, I learn that there is not the lead profpedt of getting men from thence before the month of June, — -if then *, and in- deed that there is no reafon to expert any number that v.-ill deferve the name of rehiforcement for the continental re- giments this campaign, — the towns being only called upon to furnifh the deficiency of their lafl; year's quota, fo that all fubfequent caiualties are difregarded, and the fifteen regiments of that ftate, which may now perhaps want four thoufand men to complete them, will receive only five hun- dred if the towns came within that number of their comple- ment laft year. — What change the requifition of Congrefs, of the [twenty-Jixih'] of February, may efre6^, I (hall not undertake to fay : — if it has not a fpeedy and powerful ope- ration, our profpe£^s in that quarter will be exceedingly un- prornifing. A gentleman from New-Hamp{hire fome little time fmce Informed me that matters were nearly in the fame train there, notwithilanding a refoive for the completion of their batallionsj and the inclofed copy of a letter (N^i) fron:^ general Putnam, whom 1 have defired to remain in Con- neclicut for fome time in order to forward the recruits from that flate, conveys his ideas of what may be expedled from thence.— What New- York, New-Jerfey, and North-Carohna have done or are about to do, I know not. — Pennfylvania and Maryland have tried the effett of voluntary enliflments to little purpofe ; and the iirft, in diretl contradidlion to the moil pointed injunctions laid on the oincers, have their re- cruits compofed chiefly of deferters who will embrace the firfl opportunity of efcaping with our arms. — Virginia, it is true, has proceeded to a draught : but the number, befides being in itfelf inadequate, has been IcfTeiied by defertion, j and OFFICIAL LETTERS.- ' 26 and the deficiency of tiie regiments, on the other Iiarid, being increafed by death and defertion, their ftrength will probably fall very far (hort of the new cflabiiihment. This, fir, is not a flattering pi(Slure of our affairs : but the reprefentation is jad; and it is incumbent on me to ex- hibit it in my own defence, as, notwithftanding all thefe un- favorable circumflances, — and what is to me a certain pro-» fpe£l of being plunged into the campaign before the arrange- ments are made, officers appointed, &CCy — great matters, I perceive, are expecled from ouj: activity this fpring: — in proportion therefore will the difappointment be felt by thofe who are fanguine.-— For want of the ratification of Con-^ grefs, the horfe cxlabliftiment, companies of fappers, pro-^ voft-marfiialfey, &c, &c, (as agreed to by the committee, and recommended for their confideration) are entirely at a ftand, at a time when we ought to be deriving benefirs from their execution.— »In a word, at no period fince the com- mencement of the war have I felt more painful fenfations on account of delay, than at the prefent : and, urged by thenij I have exprefled myfelf without refervc. By a letter juft received from general Weedon, I am in- formed of his intention to refign, if general Woodford (liould be reftored to his former rank, which he had not then heard. General Muhlenberg is now balancing on the- fame point. One, therefore, if not two brigadiers, will be wanted for that flc\te.-^The difadvantages refulting from ihe frequent refignations in the Virginia line, the changes of commanding officers to the regiments, and other caufes equally diftrefniig, have injured that corps beyond concep- tion, and have been the means of reducing very refpedabie regiments in fome inftances to a mere handful of men: and this will cVct be the c.?i(c till officers can be fixed by fom'i-- thing equivalent to. the facrifice they make. — To reafon oiherwiic,. :and fuppofe that public virtue alone will enable men to. forego the cafe and comforts of life, to encounter ' th:. hardihip:- and dangev: of war for a bare fubfiilence, v/hen S 4 thtir 264. GENERAL WASHINGTON'S their companions and friends are amafTmg large fortunes,— is viewing human nature rather as it (liould be, than as it really is. The clothier-general of the armv, ?cS well as the heads of every other department, fnould be in camp near the com- mander-in-chief : otherwife it is in^pofTible that the opera- tions of war can be conducted with energy and precifion. I wiih moft fmcerely that this, — as not the Iqaft elTential part of the bufinefs fettled with the committee, — were decided, and a thorough ihvefligation were had into the conduct of this department ; as it is a matter of univerfal aftonilhment that we fliould be deficient in any article of clothing, when it is commonly afierted that the eaftern ftates alone can furnifn materials enough to clothe a hundred thoufaiid men. — If this be facl, there is a fatal error fomewhere, to which may be attributed the death and defertion of thoufands. I {hall make no apology for the freedom of this letter. — • To inform Congrefs of fuch fa(£ls as materially afFecV the fervice, I conceive to be one great and efiential part of my duty to them and myfelf. My agreement with the com- mittee entitled me to expect upwards of forty thoufand con- tinental troops, exciulive of artillery and horfe, for the fer- vice of the enfuing campaign, including thofeto be employed in the defence of the North-river. — Initead of thefe, wiiat are my profpe^ls ? Ma'or-general the marquis De la Fayette is arrived at camn, and will refume the command of his divilion. — The baron De Kalb is expelled in a few days. — The inclofure, N° 2, is the copy of a letter from colonel Shrieve of the fecond Jerfey bata!lion> containing an account of the deftruc- tion of the fait and falt-works at St^uan, — andN° 3, of a letter from gcneial M' Dougal, (hewing the (late of afFairs in that department. — With very great refped, I have the honor to be, &c. ^ O. W. P. S. Your favor of the eighth inftant, inclofing the adl of Congrefs appointing captain Lee major and com- . niandant OFFICIAL LETTERS. 26J mandaiit of an independent corps, is this moment come to hand. Sir, Vqlky-Forge^ Jpril \Z, 177S. ON thurfday evening I had the honor to receive vour two letters of "^the fourteenth inftant. — I am much obliged by the frefh affbrances vi'hich Congrefs are pleafed to make me of their confidence ; and they may be fatisfied that I wifti nothing more ardently than that a good ajul perfedt agreement ftiould fubflft between us. The negotiation between the commiffioners is ended with- out efFedting a cartel : nor do I fuppofc, from the informa- tion I have received on the fubjecl, that there is any good profpe^^ that one will ever be formed, or at leafl: for a great v^liile, on a liberal and extenfive plan. — A report of the proceedings of the commiiTioners on our parr, at their feveval meetings, I take the liberty to inclofe. The papers, N^ i, contain the letters between general Howe and myfelf, ftipu- lating the neutrality of GerniaiUown. — our refpective powers, — and the refult of the meeting there;— N"* 2, the fubfequent proceedings at Newtown.- — The old agreement, I prefume, continues ; and under it we muft carry on ex- changes. General Muhlenberg has communicated his determination to refign, but has promifed not to leave his brigade till Con- grefs fnall appoint another general in his room, provided it is done in any rcafonable time. By poftponing my call upon the militia, as mentioned la my laft of the tenth, 1 did not mean to decline it altogether. I did not fee the neceffity of caUing out five thoufaiui for the fole purpofe of defence : and, in the prefent lituation of things, I cannot perceive my way fufTicientiy clear for ofFen- five meafures, as I do not know when to expecl the recruits from the different dates, nor what profpeft the commiiTary has of provifion : — as we only get it yet from hand to mouth, all'cnibling 266 GENEPvAL WASHi:CGTON*S Sifembling the militia, unlefs for the purpofe of defenct> (hould bs the I^ift thing done, as they foon become impa- tient, and are very expenfwe in the articles of llores, camp litenfils, provifiohs, &c. The inclofed draught of a bill was brought to head-r quarters yefterday afternoon by a gentleman who informed me that a large cargo of them had been juft fent out of Philadelphia. Whether this infidious proceeding is genuine and imported in the packet which arrived a few days ago, or contrived in Philadelphia, is a point undetermined and im-^ material j but it is certainly founded in principles of the moll ■*" * *, — meant to poifon the minds of the people, and detach the wavering at leaft from our caufe. I fuppofe it will obtain a place in the papers, and am not without anxiety that it will have a malignant influence. — I would fubmit it whether it will not be highly expedient for Congrefs to in- Yefiigate it in all its parts, and to expofe in the moft ftriking manner the injuflice, delufion, and fraud, it contains. — I troll it will be attacked, in every fhape, in every part of the continent. — -I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W, Sir, FciIIcj- Forge, Jpri! 2C, iJ'jS, "WITH your letter of the feventeenth inftant, and its inciofures, I was duly hciiorcd on faturday afternoon. — When I addrelTed you on the eighteenth, I was doubtful v^/hetlier the draught of the bill then tranfmitted was not fpu- rious and contrived in Philadelphia : hut its authenticity, i am almoil certain, is not to be queftioned. The informa- tion from Philadelphia feems clear and conclufive that it came over in the packet, with loul North's fpeech on the introduclion of it into parliament. I iiiclofe a paper con- taining his fpeech, which juii came to h?.nd. — This bill, I am perfuaded, will pafs into a law. — Congrefs will perceive by the minifler's fpeech, that it aims at objc£ls of the greatefl extent aivJ importancej and will, no doubt, in one way OFFICIAL LETTERS. 267 way or other, involve the mod intcredlng confequences ta this country. -r- With great refpe-S^, I have the honor to be, fiT) your mod obedient fervant, G. W. Sir, Valley-Forge, April 23', 1778. I TAKE the liberty to tranfmit you a letter which I received yefterday from governor Tryon, inclofing the draughts of the two bills I forwarded before, with his certi- ficate of tlie manner in which they came to his hands, ac- companied by his more extraordinary and impertinent re- ^ueft, that, through my means, the contents fliouid be com- jnunicated to the officers and men of this army. This engine of miniilry, from governor Livingfton's account, is very induftrioufly circulating copies of thefe draughts, in obedience to their and his royal mailer's mandates. — The letter which I inclofe, and a triplicate, came to hand at one time : fome future conveyance, it is probable, will prefent me the duplicate. I would alfo take the liberty to inclofe you the Evening Poft, N*^ 475) which governor Livlngfcon was fo obliging iis to fend me yefterday. Were we not fully fatisiied from pur experience, that there are no artifices, no meafures too * * * for the enemy or their adherents to attempt it) order to promote their vicv/s, we might be alloniih- ed at the daring confidence, in defiance of the opinion of the v/orld, manifefled in a publication in this paper, pur- porting to be a refolution of Congrefs, of the twentieth of February. This proceeding is infamous to the laO; degree, and calculated to produce the mod baneful confequences by exciting an oppoGtion in the people to our draughting fyflem, and embarrailing at leaft the only probable mode now left us for raifing men. I think it of great importance that the forgery fliould be announced in the mod public manner, and am tlie more induced to this opinion from governor Liv- ingfion's account of the difagreeable operation it has hasi, ■8 and 268 GENERAL WASHINGTON'^ and is ftlU likely to produce, if not contradicted. Jf it is, and with a few ftiictures, 1 lliould hope that it will excite in the breafts of all our countrymen, a jult and generpiis ccnLcmpt of the enemy for fuch a dirty, wicked proceeding. ■I was laft night honored with your favor of the eighteenth inftant, with the proceedings alluded to. — A genei'al plan of operations for tiie campaign is indifpeniably eflentiai lobe iettled. I have thought much upon die fubject ; and fome piopofitions rel peeling it were put into the hands of ail th?: general officers here on tuefday evening, for their conljdjr- adon. I alfo intended to feud a melTenger this day to meet gciaeral Gates, fuppofmg him to be on his way to Hudfon's- Tiver, and to rcquefc hvis call at this caii.p, t.hat we might en~ ter into a full and free dacuffion of the point.— There is not a moment to be delayed in forming iome general iylfem, in my opinion ; and I only wait the arrival of generals Gate* a^id Mifflin, to lumman a council for tiie parpoie. 1 have the honor to be, ike. G. \V. It is confidently reported, — and I have little doubt of tlie truth of it, — that lir Wiliiani Howe is recalled, and that ge- neral Clinton is to iucceed liini m fhe command. -I Iiave alio die plealure to tranimit a iiil oi lua iry officer^ exchan- ged on the tweniv-nrft inftaiit. SiR; Varuy-Foryc, Jpril l^^y i^lZ. I BEG leave to inform Congreis that the report of th.e commiihoners coming, according to intelligence received yefLerday by a perfon of Philadeiphia, is coniidently believed ; and it is there thought that they will very foon arrive. I think it almoft certain that tlie matter will not be delayed, as tiie condu6l of minrlfry, in nut fending tiiem immediately af- ter their former propoiitions, has been n:iuch reprobated, and as it may be of much importance to improve the tiril impref- fions ot the people upon the occaiion. — Lord Amherft, ad- miral .Kepi)ci, and. general Murray, arc faid to be the perfons appointed ; OFFICIAL LETTERS. 269 appointed ', and it is likely they are veiled with both civil and military powers, — I'he information was through the channel of a fenlible intelligent man, well known, and o£ efleemed credit. He is connected with the Britifli armv, having two or three brotlicrs in it. — I lliali tranfmit the ear- lieft accounts I may receive from time to time on this very interefting fubjeci, 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W* Sir, Falley'FGtje, April 2'], 177S. I HAD the honor yefterday afternoon to receive your letter of the twentv-ixjurth, continued to the twentv-iiffh.^ with its important inclofures. — Congrefs will be pleafcd to ac- cept mv fincere thanks for the frelh inftance of confidence manifeiled in their refolution of the tv/enty-third, and other jii (X^eedings ; and thev mav reft afiTiired that whatever powers a.re entrufled to me ihrJI be invariably directed to promote the intereil of thefe ftate.s. If in anv cafe dicre ihould be a :nifappllcation or a faikirc in tlie execution, Jt will be the cf- fecl of millake and not of deiign. I fhall take meafures for diftributing the report of t]ie committee on lord North's bills, and the refoluiion of the tVk-entv -third inviting delincjuents to return to thci]" aii'!-':i;iance and to tiie protevflion oi thefe il:atcs. 'I'his prcK eedino- ap- pears to me founded in great good policy ; and I ihould hope . t])at it v\ili be attended with many valuable confcquences : — but this can only be proved by the event. Though I with moft heartily for the aid of general Lee in council and upon every other occafion, — vet, as the time ol his return is uncertain, or at leaft it will be feveral days before it takes place, — and as it feems to me that there is not a luo ment to lofe in Ibrming forne general fyllem for our opera- tions, — I (hould think it inexpedient ior general Gates^to de- lay comdng to camp till hi^ arrival After a pian is digelled, there will be a great ilral of t:'.ne expenieci before ihing^s will ■ii.p- GENERAL WASHINGTON'S be in a proper train tor execution. The feafon is fad: ad- vancintr ; and die period which may be moil: favorable for ar»y defigns we may form will prefently arrive. I take the liberty to tranfmit an extra6l of a letter from general Heath, which v/ill fhew Congrefs that he is prefTed on all fides for money. Governor Livingfton too is appre- henhve he will be under embarraiTments on account of tlie purchafe of horfes in confequence of tlie recommendation of the commitiee. Their letter to Iiim by fome means has been miilaid in the afiembly, and he does not know exa6tly the mode prefcribed for the payment. I cannot inform him my- Iclf, or do v/aat perhaps is more neceiTary,— furnifh him with money ; and therefore hope that Congrefs or the com- mittee wilL I have written major-general Tryon a few lines in anfwer to his letter, a copy of which is inclofed. . I have the honor to be, &cc* G. W. - Sir, Head-Quarters, Jprll 30, 1778, THE extenfive ill confequences, arifing from a want cf uniformity in difcipHne and manoeuvres throughout the army, have long occafioned me to wiih for the eflablifliment of a well-organifed infpedlorlhip; and the concurrence of Con- grefs in the fame views has induced me to fet on foot a tempo- rary inflitution, which, froni the fuccefs that has hitherto at- tended it,- gives me the mofb flattering expectations, and will, I hope, obtain their approbation. Baron De Steuben's length of feivicc in the firfl: military fchool in Europe, and his former rank, pointed hhn out as a pcrfon peculiarly qualified to be at tlie head of this department. This appeared the leafc exceptionable way of introducing him into the army, and one that would give him the moft readv opportunity of difplaying his talents. I theiefore pro- pofed to him to undertake tlie ofRce of infpedtor-generaJ, which he agieed to with the greated chccrfulncfs, and has perform ^— ed OFFICIAL LETTERS. 271 performed the duties o£ it with a zeal and inteUigence equal to our wifhes. He has two ranks of infpciStors under him : the lowefi: are officers charged with the infpedlion of brigades, with the title of brigade-infpe^tors ; the others fuperinteud fjsveral of diefe : they have written inilruCi:ions relative to their fevcrai fun^^lions ; and the manceiivres which thev are to pra6life are illuftrated by a company which the baron has taken the pains to train himfelf. llie brigade-infpe6lors were chofen by tiie brigadier and commanding officers of regiments in each brigade. The infpeclors are lie.utcnant-colonels Barber of Jcrley, Brooks of MaiTachufetts, Davis of Virginia, and monfieur Tcr- Eant, a French gentleman : — the reafon for employing him (apart his intrinfic merit and abilities) was his pofieffing the French and Englifli languages equally, which made him a neeelTary aiTiftant to the baron De Steuben. He is content to ferve witliout rank, until, after an experiment of his abili- ties, Congrefs ihall determine what he is entitled to. Upon the arrival of lieutenant-colonel Flcury In camp, as he was un-eraployed, and had exercifcd the office oi' aide-ma- jor in France, the baron propofed to have him employed as an infpe6lor ; in which I readily acquiefced, as Congrefs had given him the rank and pay of lieutenant-coloneL — Tbcrs irsay be other foreign officers in continental pay, idle for want of being attached to Ibme corps, of whofe feiviccs we might avail ourfeives in this way, which is the only method of difpofing of them, unlefs they could be formed into a dif^- tinci corps. From the extraordinary fatigue and clofe attenLiori requir- ed of the officers employed in the infpeclorfhip, I did not think it amifs to let them entertain hopes that Congrefs would allow fome addition to the pay which they derive from their rank ; and I take tlie liberty of recommending the meafure. 1 would propofe twenty doUais per month for the brigade- i/ifpedors, and thirty for the infped\ors, in addition to their pay ill the line, I ihould 272 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S I flioiild do injuftice if I were to be longer filent wirli re- gard to the merits of the baron De Steuben. His knowledge of his profeiTion, added to the zeal which he has difcovered fmce he began upon the funcStions of his office, lead me to eonfjder him as an acquifition to the fervice, and to recom- mend him to the attention of Congrefs. His expe6tations with regard to rank extend to tliat of major-general. His financCvS he ingenuoufly confeffes, will not admit of his ferv- ing without the incident emoluments ; and Congrefs, I pre- fume, from his character and their own knowledge of him, will without difficulty gratify him in thefe particulars. 7^hc baron is lenfibie that our fituation requires a few variations in the duties of his office from the general pra6lice in Europe, and particularly that they mull: necelTarily be more comprcbenfive ; in which, as well as in his inftruc- tions, he has ikilfallv yielded to circumflances. — The fuc- cefs which has hiuierto attemled the plan enables me to re- queft with confidence the ratitication of Congrefs, and is, I think, a pledge of the eftahlifhrnent of a well-combined ge- neral fyftein. which infurmoimtahlc obftacles have hitherto cppofcd. — I have the honor to l;c, &:c. G. W# Sir," ru!!cy-Fo7'ge, Afay I, 1 778. I HA\'E had the honor to receive your difpatches of the twcnty-fcvendi inllant. — In compliance with the requefl of Congrefs, I fhall iaimedlately call upon the officers in the army to rake the oath of allegiance and abjuration. This I fhould have doivc as foon as tiic refolution pafTed, had it not been for Vac ftate of the army at tiiat time, and that there were fome flrong reafons which made it expedient to defer the matter. My opinion upon the fubjedl of a future provifion for the officers hath been fo fully, and, I truft, io neccflarily and equitably urged, that I fliall not add further refpettnig it, ex- cept my fincere willies that the ciiabliihment was determin- ed OFFICIAL LETTERS. 273 cd on. Nothing, in my idea, can be more juft ; and I am certain there is nothing more eflential :— the prefent unfettled ftate of the army is hurtful in tlie extreme. Since my letter of the twenty-feventh, I have received au- thentic information of the failing of a very large number of tranfports from Philadelphia, — two hundred, it is faid. They went down the Delaware the beginning of the week, light and empty. — I have not been able to learn any thing of their def- tination ; nor can I form a conje6ture upon the occafion, that is the leafl: fatisfa£tory. With iniinite pleafure I beg leave to congratulate Con- grefs on the very important and interefting advices brought by the frigate La Senfible. — General M*Dougal and Mr. Dcane were fo obliging as to tranfmit me the outlines of the good tidings. — As foon as Congrefs may think it expedient, I fhall be happy to have an opportunity of announcing to the army, with the ufual ceremony, fuch parts of the intel- ligence as may be proper, and fandlioned by authority. I have mentioned the matter to fuch officers as I have feen ; and I believe no event was ever received with a more heart- felt joy. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. Juft as I had finiflied my letter above, T received the honor of your favor of the twenty-eighth, with the refolu- tion and packets alluded to. I will take meafures for difperf- ing tlie printed refolutions. Sir, Campy Alay I, 1778. IN compliance with your requeft contained in your let- ter of the thinieth ultimo, I have delivered the bundle of pa- pers refpciSling the lofs of Ticonderoga, &:c, tranfmitted me fome time ago, which I hope will get fafe to hand. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W* Vol. II. 5 74 GENERAL WASHINGTON^§ Sir, Head-Quarter.Sy Valley-Forgc, May 3, 177S* IN a late letter from general Schuyler, I received the proceedings of a board of g o mm ilTi oners for Indian affairs, held at Albany the fifteenth of lad month. It appears by thenv and fome other accounts 1 have fcen, that there is but little profpe^l of fucceeding in the plan for engaging a body of In- dians from that quarter to ferve with this army. The advan- tage which the enemy poffefs over us, in having the meant of making prefents much more liberally than we can, has made a firong impreffion upon their minds, and feems to be more than a counterbalance for any arguments we can offer to conciliate their attachment. They alfo appear to be ap- prehenfive for their own fafety, and rather to vviili for aid and protediion from us, than willing, to leave their habita- tions and come to our affiftance. The meafure propofed was by way of experiment, as one which might pofTibly be attended with valuable confequences^ and, if it could have been effedled without much difEcult^v might have been worth a trial. But, as the fcheme does not well correfpond With their prefent dlfpofition, and may ferve toiucreafe our embarrafTments in keeping ftiem even in toler- able good humor, I am inclined to think it would be mofl ad- viiable to relinquiili tlie attempt. Tlaey i^ay be told of what has happened in Europe, Avith proper embelhfliments, and that our affairs are now upon fuch a footing as to render their aid in the field unnecefTary, and that all v.-e require of theni is their friendfhip and good wilhes. This and pro-, niifcs of protet^ion may have a powerful and happy efFecSf:. It is of great importance to counteradl the temptation held out by the enemy, and to fecure the good will of the Indians, who appear to be at leafl in a ftate of hefitancy and indeci- fion, if nothing worfe. Congrefs, I am perfiiaded, will (I'o every thing in their power to promote thefe defirablc ends. With ^reat refped and efleci-ri, I have the honor to be, in-, your rnoft obedient fervant, Q. W, OFFICIAL. LETTERS, 275 Sir, Head-Quartern, Valley-Forge, May 4, 177S. LAST night at eleven o'clock I was honored with your difpatches of the third. — The contents afrord me the mofl fenhble pleafure. Mr. Simeon Deane had informed mc by a line from Bethlehem, that he was the bearer of the ar- ticles of alliance, &:c, between" France and the ll:ates. — I ihall defer celebrating this happy event in a fuitable m.anner until I have liberty from Congrefs to announce it publicly. I will only fay that the army are anxious to manifeil: their joy upon the occafion. Inclofed you have a letter which I received a few days ago from lord Stirling, and which, at his requeft, I lay before Congrefs, with its contents. I am, w^ith the greateft efieem and refpe6l, &c. G. W» Sir, Valley-Forge, May II, 1 7 78. I TAKE the liberty to tranfmit to Congrefs a copy of a letter from general Howe, which I received at three: o'clock this afternoon. The contents are exceedingly inter- eitlng to the unhappy prifoners in his hands. I thought it my duty to forward them immediately ;■ and I mufk requeil: that Congrefs will be pleafed to inform me as foon as pof- lible, what hne of condudf I am to purfue upon this occafiou* —The inclofed extra6t of a letter from general Small wood will fliew the painful alternative to which the prifoners In Philadelphia will be reduced unlefs they are relieved : and this is confirmed by intelligence through feveral other clian- nels to myfeif. — I fhall wait directions in the matter, and go- vern myfelf by them in my anfwer to general Howe. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S.- As to an equivalent in men for officers, that propof- cd by his cemmifhoners was too high. A much more mo- derate one was nearly agreed to between them and the gcn^^ tlcmen deputed by me, when they were in treiity. — Tbis' 'r 2 ' made 2)6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S mode of relief, at this inftant, may not be fo necefTary to adopt. There are probably officers in general Burgoyne*s army who are defirous of being exchanged : and, if not, an jequivalent may be fixed on, as circumftances may point out. Sir, Valley-Forge y May 12, 177?. I HAD the honor to receive in due time your feveral favors of the third, fixth, and ninth inftant, with the papers to which they refpedlively alluded. — After much confideration upon the fubjedt, 1 have appointed general M'TntoHi to command at Fort-Pitt and in the weftern coun- try, for Which he will fet out as foon as he can accommo- date his affairs. I part with this gentleman with much re- luctance, as I efteem him an officer of great worth and me- rit, and as I know his fervices here are and will be material- ly wanted. His firm difpofition and equal jufticc, his affidu* ty and good imderftanding, — added to his being a ftranget to all parties in that quarter, — pointed him out as a proper pcrfon ; and I truft, extcnfive advantages will be derived from his command, which I could wi(h wai more agreeable. —He will wait on Congrefs for their inftru(flions. As lieutenant-colonel Sutherland, major Agncw, and lieu- tenant Poe, have only requeued to go to Europe on parole, it does not appear to me that I can with propriety apply to ge- neral Howe for their exchange: — this would imply that they were prifoners of war. Though their exchange is certainly the mod defirable mode of releafe as it would relieve an equal number of our officers from captivity, yet I fliould be happy if ^ necrotiatlon for the purpofe fliould commence on their part. Knowing that it would be our intereft to exchange all the officers of general Burgoyne's army if it could be done, I wrote general Heath not long fince, to take occafion to men- tion to them that we flioul4 always be willing to accede to any equal propoiitions for that purpofe, and would carefully (j convey OFFICIAL LETTERS. 277 conrey thcfr applications to fir William Howe or the general ■who might command the Britifli army. — I take the liberty to return their letters, prefiiming that Congrefs may incline to give them fome anfwer, either diretflly, or through gene- ral Heath. In refpe6l to licutcqant-colonel * * *, I do not find that that there is any neccffity for granting the prayer of his pe- tition : we have already too many officers ; and I do not ap- prehend the intereft of the ftates would be much promoted in his appointment. If he could make up two or three com- panies, they would be of prifoners and deferters, who would moft affuredly embrace an early opportunity to go ofF with their arms and clothing. I am difpofed to consider him as a man of fome addrefs and policy, as he is aiming at a confir- mation in the line of the army (by obtaining an appoint- ment to a new corps) of the rank which he had as a divifioii quarter-mafter. Befides the impolicy of augmenting the number of our officers where it is not really eflential, fuch a promotion would give diflatisfadtion ; and I fuppofe there are few officers, if any, who formerly commanded Mr. * * * in the line of the army, that would fubmit to his orders. The inclofed copy of a letter from general Dickinfon to me will inform Congrefs of the fate of the continental frigates in Delaware, — a fate (in the fiiuation they were left) I had long predicted, and which I had taken much pains to avert, by ufing every argument in my power to have them funk. In that cafe, their deftrudion would have been at leafl a work of time, difficulty and cxpenfe, and might have been perhaps prevented. — About one o'clock on thurfday I got notice of an intended move of the enemy by water ; and, conjedluring the deftination of it, had a detachment under general Maxwell (whofe tour of duty it was) ready to march towards the Delaware by four o'clock : but a heavy rain prevented their moving till next morning, I have been happy in the exchange, and a vifit from liei^r tenant-colonel Allen. His fortitude and firmnefs feem to T 3 have 27B GENERAL WASFIINGTON^S have placed him out of the reach of misfortune. There is an orioinal fomethino^ in him that commands admiration j and his long captivity and fufFerings have only ferved to in- creafe if poffible his enthufiaflic zeal. — He appears very de- firoiis of rendering his fervices to the ftates, and of being employed, and at the fame time does not difcover any am- bition for high rank. — Congrefs will herewith receive a letter from him ; and I doubt not they will make fuch pro- vifion for him as they may think proper and fuitable. 1 take pleafure in tranfmitting a Philadelphia paper of the ninth, which came to hand yeflerday evening, containing a mefTage from hismofl chriftian majefty to the court of London in confequence of the treaty between him and thefe ftates, — - and his Britannic majefly's addrefs to the lords and commons, &:c. — The meflage is conceived in terms of irony and deri- fion, more degrading to the pride and dignity of Britain than any thing Ihe has ever experienced iince (he has been a na- tion. It is not an a61ual declaration of war, but it certainlv mufl produce one. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. A great number of blank oaths will be wanted. You will be plcafed to order fome by every opportunity. Sir, Vcillcy-Forgc, May 18, 1778. I HAVE been honored witli your two f^ivors of the elcventji and hltecnth inftant, with the feveral papers alluded to,' — the former by monficur Jemat, the latter by exprefs vefterday. — Colonel Johnfon fct out on faturday afternoon to wait on Congrefs upon the fubject of his appointment, and, I prefume, will be at York to-day. I fhali announce the refolution of the fifteentb to the army, and would flatter myfelf it will quiet in a great meafure the uneaHnefles which have been fo extremely diftreffing, and pre- vent refignations, which had proceeded, and were likely to bt at fuch a height, as to deflroy our whole military fyftem. It' has experienced no inconfideruble fliock, particularlv in O F F I C I A L L E T T E Pv S. 79 tlie line of fonie flates, from the lofs of feveral very valuable officers. The letter and brevet for colonel Allen I will tranfmit by the firfl opportunity. — He left camp eight days ago. From a variety of concurring circumftanc-es, and the uni- form report of perfons who hav« left PJiIladelplna within four days pail:, it would appear that the enemv m-ean to eva- cuate the city. It is faid they have already embarked a part ■of their heavy cannon and baggage, — that tranfports are fitted and fitting for their horfe, and taking in hay. I'he accounts further add that there ha-s been a prefs for fome nights in the ■city, and feveral men obtained in this wav, and carried aboard fhip ; alfo that there has been an increafcd number of vendues. Thefe circumflances all indicate an evacuaiion : but 1 have 3iot been able to learn the obje^ls of their future operations. — I wrote to general Gates yefterday upon the fubje(Sl:, that he may be prepared in the befl: manner the htiiation of things will admit, in cafe they ilioidd be defrined for the Nortli- river,.— and defh'ed him to retain for the prefent all the eaftern •recruits intended foj this arm v. The quarter-mafler-general and commifTary of provlhons are dire6led to ufe every poiTible exertion for putting the af- fairs of their departments in a train to facilitate a movement in cafe it fliould be necefTary. But fiich have been the de- rangements and diforders in them, that we muft be greatly embarraiTed for a confiderablc time yet. A valuable detachment, under tlie command,of the mar- quis Fayette, marched this morning, whii:h ir. intended to move between the Delaware and Schuylkill, for rcfiraining die enemy's parties, prcrcuring iiateUIgeiace, and to act as cir- -cumftances may require. 1 cannot help feeling for the prifoners in poffeiTion of the enemy. — If they evacuate Philadelphia, thofe unhappy men will be dragged away with them, and pcrhnps to a moi'e iiiiferable confinement. Bat, fuppofing that their future treat- pent fliOuld not be v.-orfe, or even that Ir (liould be mc^ye T 4 . comfortable 28o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S comfortable than their paft, — the idea of being removed far- ther from their friends, and farther from relief, muft diftrefs them to the laft degree. I have the honor to be, &tc, G. W, P. S. I would take the liberty to mention that I think the arms and clothing expelled from France fhould be brought forward without a moment's delay after they arrive. The impolicy of fuffering them ever to remain in places acceffible to /hipping, out of tlie quefHon,— our diitrefs for both is amazingly great: we have many men now without firelocks, and many comjng in, in the fame predicament ; and half the army are without fhirts. Our condition, for want of the latter, and blankets, is quite painful, — of the former, very fiiftrefling. The doctors attribute in a great degree the iofs of hundreds of lives to the fcarcity of clothing ; and I am certain hundreds have dpferted from the fame caufe. SlR^ Hcad-Qi4artersy Vallcy-ForgCy May 21, I 778. GENERAL M*Intoili will have the honor to deliver you this. He is now on his way to take the command at Pittfburg and in the wcftern frontiers, and waits onCongrcfs for their in{l:ru61ions.---I would take the liberty otfiibmitting to Congrefs the inclofed account of expenfcs incurred by the general in his journey irom Georgia to join this army, and which he prefented to me and to the auditors for payment, I did not know how far I might be authorifed to comply with his requeft, and therefore lav the matter before Con- grefs. At the fame time 1 would obferve that nothing a;)- pears to me more equitable than that ckiims of this fort, where they arc not immoderate, Should be farisned by the public. — If this were not the cafe, the expenfes of an officer, when ordered fi'om one poll to another, eipccially w here they are diftant, would fmk the whole or a very large part of his pay. — The charges attending the general's journey from hence to Pittfburg will Require equal attention ; and tlie whole, OFFICIAL LETTERS. 281 whole, I am perfuaded, will meet with a juft and fuitablc provifion.— I have the honor to be, tec. G. W. Sir, Valley-FGrge^ May 28, 1778. SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you on the twenty-fourth inftant, nothing material has happened. The enemy are ftill in Philadelphia : but the intelligence from thence is fo clear and fo Arong, that it is certain, or near- ly as much fo as any event can be that is contingent, that they mean to abandon it. Againft the various meafures they are purfuing, which point to an evacuation, there is but one fmgle circumftance oppofed that I can learn, which is, that they are working at their redoubts with great induftry. But this fa£^, though certainly true, cannot be of fufficient weight to raife a doubt upon the fubjedl, and muft be confidered as merely calculated to deceive us, and to mafk their defign. We cannot find out, notwithftanding the moft diligent pains, whether their movement will be by land or fea ; nor are the inhabitants of the town fatisfied on the point. — Ap» pearanccs favor either. — They have a great many fhips, and very large : yet, from a preparation of boats at Prince's-bav on the fouth fide of Staten-Ifland which I am juft advifed of, and for fome other reafons, a land route is not improbable. I have detached to Jerfey the whole of the troops of that ftate under general Maxwell, which, I flatter myfelf, with tlie militia general Dickinfon will be able to collect, will give them fome annoyance in cafe they attempt a retreat by land. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Vallcy-Forgc, May 28, 1 7 7 8 . LlEUTENANT-colonel John Gibfon, of the fixth Virginia regiment, who, from his knowledge of the weftern country, and Indian nations and language, is ordered to re- pair to Pittiburg, will have the honor of delivering you this. He 28t GENERAL WASHINGTON'S He is entitled, and has been ever fince the twenty-fifth of October lail, to a regiment in that Hne ; and I muft take the. liberty to requefl that Congrefs will give him a commilTion of that date. The refolution of the thirty-hrft of December, *' recommending the ftates to fufpend tilling up regimental vacancies/' — my expeiSlations that fome officers of inferior rank, a,ad perhaps of the fame, belonging to o-ther ftates, might be reduced upon a new arrangement,^— and the cer- tainty, that, if I gave commiffions in one inftance, I Ihould b.e obhged to do it in all, — have prevented me appointing him to the vacancy he had a right to. — I do not know particular- Iv to what regiment he ought to be appointed : Congrefs therefore will be plcafed to give him a commiffion for a re- giment from the ftatc of Virginia, without mentioning the number. — 1 Jiave the honor to be, &c. G. W. p. S. Many copies of oaths are ftill WcUted. Sir, Head-Quarters f Valley-Forge, May 31, 1778. I HAD the honor to receive your favor of the twen- ty-fifrh inAant by doctor Scudder, and that of the twenty- ninth, yefterday afternoon, with the inclofurcs and packet to which they referred. I fhail inform major Lee of the new arrangement of his corps, and will appoint the officers required. — IMajor Beatty is not in camp. The letter addrefled to him ihall be fent by the tirft opportunity to Princeton, where I prefume he will be found. That for captain Smith is already difpatched to him.. The enemy are yet in Philadelphia, though the whole chaiii of information for feveral days j^afl aflbrdcd grounds to believe that they would have evacuated It before now. — I iliould fuppofe tliey are nearly prepared to do it, though the removal of the ftores and baggage of fo large an army re- quires confiderable time. Jr,n€ 1^— I jhouki be glad to know, in cafe Philadelphia is OFFICIAL LETTERS. 2S3 iG evacuated, whether any and what line of conduct is to hs puriued refpecling the goods chat muy be left.— Such articles as come under the denoipination of pubhcll:ores will of coiirfe be taken by the proper olpcers for the ufe of thellates. — The point on which I wilh dirc6tion is with refpe61: to goods and merchandiie, private property, I do not know whether any conhderable quaulity may be left : but it has been fug- gefted, that, from an expectation of the fort, there are fomc bringing into light tlieir gold and iilver for the purpofe of buying up. If there ihould be clothing fuitable for the army» perhaps theremight be nothing unjuft in the pubhc's taking the preference, and Congrefs appointing one or two intelli- gent adlive perfons of addrefs, acquainted with tlic city and with thofe who have the goods, with proper powers to pur- chafe them. Whatever meafure may be thought expedient, it will he neceffary to adopt it as early as pofTible, as tlie evacuation will probably take place in a fhort time. Robert Morris, efquire, I fhouid imagine, if the purchafmg fcheme is deter- mined on, will be able to point out proper perfons. Some gentlemen have mentioned mefiieurs Samuel Howell and Thomas Franklyn as well quaiihed both on account of their integrity and attachment to, our caule, and from their knowr ledge of the city and rehdence in it ever hncc the enemy had the poffefiion. — I have the honor to be, 8zc. G. W, P. S. I w^as juit now honored with your letter of the thir- ty-firft ultimo. Sir, Fallty-Forgc^ June 2, 1778. I BEG leave to inform you, that, agreeably to the rc- folutions tranfmittcd in your favor of tlie chirtv-firll ultimo, 1 fhall undertake the reform of the North-Carolina batallions in camp as foon as circumftances will admit. I hncerely wilh the ier^iilatures of the feveral flates hai pafTed laws adopting the generous policy recommended by Coaigicfs 1^4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Congrefs in their refolutian of the twenty-third of April. I am affured by authority not to be queflioned, that, for want of this, hundreds, nay thoufands of people, and among them many valuable artifans with large quantities of goods, will be forced from Philadelphia, who otherwife would willingly re- main. From report, their relud^ance and diilrefs upon this oc- cafion are fcarcely to be paralleled. — There are a few whofe condudt has been fuch, that no aflurances of fecurity, I pre- fume, could induce them to ftay : and their departure, com- pelled and founded as it were in the approbation of their own confciences, w^ould anfwer all the purpofes of example, efpe- eially if followed by a confifcation of property— A profcrib- mg fyflem, or laws having the fame efFecSt, when carried to a great extent, ever appeared to me to be impolitic : and their operation fliould always ceafe with the caufes which produced them. Examples in terrorem are neceflary : but to exile many of its inhabitants cannot be the intereft of any Hate,— I have the honor to be, &;c. G. W. Sir, Valley-Forge^ June ^^ I'] *]%, I TAKE the liberty to tranfmit you by exprefs the inclofed packet which juft arrived at our advanced poft by a flag from fir Henry Clinton. I alfo tranfmit a copy of a let* ter I received from him, of the thirtieth ultimo, and of my an- fwer J likewife copies of his and lord Howe's letters which eame to hand by the prefent flag. — The packet, I prefume> contains A61:s fimilar to thofe fent to me» I have the honor to be, &c. G. W^ Sir, Head'Qttarters, June 7, 177?- I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of tlie fourth and fifth inftant, and with the refolutions and papers to which they refer. — I have taken mcafures to communicate the OFFICIAL LETTERS. t8^ the new eftablifhrnent of ihe army through the line; and the fooner the arrangements can be made, the better. Should there appear further regulations necejQTary, I (hall take the liberty to offer my fentiments refpe(Sling them- My principal defign, in addrefllng you fo foon after the receipt of your letters, is to advife Congrefs of the arrival of the commilHoners. Lord Carliile, governor Johnflon, and William Eden, efquire, are come over in this charader, and got to Philadelphia yefterday. Lord Cornwallis is iilfo ar- rived. I have been jufl favored with the inclofed Britifh paper, which I tranfmit for your perufal.— Some parts of it are very interefting- By fomc accident the copies of the refolutions of the tenth of January, referred to in that of the fourth inftant, have been miflaid or loft. This circumftance lays me under the neceflity of troubling you with a requeft for others, I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, P. S. I am told a rcfolution pafled about the nineteenth ul- timo, refpedJiing the payment of prifoners either in the a6lual pofTefTion of the enemy, or on parole. I do not recolle6t to have been honored with it ; and, if there is fuch a one, I wiih to be favored with a copy for the government of my conduct. Sia, Head'Q^uartcrSy Vallcy-Forgc, June 9, 1 778. I WAS favored with yours of the fixth inftant, inclof- jng copies of your anfwers to lord Howe and general Clin- ton. The originals I fent in early this morning by a flag. —I have the honor to tranfmit you a duplicate of a letter I received from lir Henry Clinton for the purpofe of procuring a pafTport for doctor Fergufon (the fecretary to the king's com- milTion) to Congrefs, with my anfw^cr to him, — on the fubjedl of which, Congrefs will be plcafed to favor me with their inftrudions. — I have the honor to be, 6<:c. G. W. iS6 GEA'ERAL WASHINGTON'S • Sirs, Uead'Quariers, June lO, 17)0^ ]\IAJOR Campbell of the thirteenth Virginia regiment tvill have ^\\t honor of prefenting you with this. He is now oti his wav. at the earned folicitation of general M'Intolh, to ferve in the weftern department, and y/aits on Congrefs, to obtain (If they Ihall think proper) a commliTion for a lieu- tenant-colonelcy in the Virginia line, to which he has been entitled in the ordinary courfe fmce the twentieth of February Lift. — The major fuftains the character of a good and brave officer, and has behaved as fueh during his fervice. — He is the more defirous of getting a commiirion at this time, as .Gtherwlfe he may be commanded by the lieutenant-colonels to be, or .who are, appointed to the two new regiments lately- ordered to be raifed in that quarter. I do not know the par- ticular rerlment to which he fhould be affixed : therefore, if he obtains a commiffion, it may be left blank in this inftance.- I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.- SiRy Head-Qiiartcrs, June 15, 177^^ I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the eleventh and fourteenth inrtant, and W'ith the inclofurcs ta. which they refer. — The rcfolution for fettling the value of rations wliich have become due hncc the nrft of January, and fixing the mode of payment, I iliail announce in this day's orders, and hope it w^ill be highly fatlsfadlory to all who are interefted in it; I have notified general MlfRia of the inquiry dire61:ed by Congrefs on the eleventh inftant, by tranfmitdng him a copy of their proceedings ; and he has obtained leave, on his folici- tation, to repair to York> &c, to prepare for his defance. This I thought myfelf under a neccPiity of granting, how- ever inconvenient and injurious it may be to permit the ab- fence of officers at this period. Our cxpc^ations that Philadelphia will be evacuated in the OFFICIAL LETTERS'. 2^7. tlie courfe of a few days are again up. The mformation vc- ceived yellerday through various channels, and in a pretty di- Te6t way, would feem to place the matter almofl on the foot- ing of certainty. We had about forty privates and twenty fearnen exchan- ged on funday. Another party will be exchanged to day; and, according to agreement, the whole of our unfortunate men will be releafed as faft as we can bring down parties of^ the prifoners In our hands, to give for them. — It is thought by fome we fliall not have an opportunity of completing the exchange of all thofe in Philadelphia before the enemy lesfve it. — Mr. Eoudlnot has aifo fettled and adjulled the whole number of prifoners we are to account for (befides thofe now in acStual confinement) at nine hundred, which is kfs than h:ilf of the claim fir William Howe fo pertlnacioufly and fo long adhered to. I have the honor to be, &c, G. W*. Hcnd-Quartcrs, half -after eleven^ A. M. June 18, 1 7 73. I HAVE the pleafurc to -inform Congrefs that I was this minute advifed by Mr. Roberts that the enemy evacuated the city early this morning. He was down at the middle ferry on this iide, where he received the intelligence from a number of citizens who were on the oppohte ihore. They told him that about tliree thoufand of the troops had embark- ed on board tranfports. The deitrudlion of the bridge pre- vented him croffing.— I expecSl every moment ofEcial ac- coiints on the fubjecl. I have put fix brigades in motion •, and the reft of the army- are preparing to follow with all polTible difpatch. We iliall proceed tov/ ards Jcrfey, and govern ourfelves according to cir- cumfiances. — As yet lam not fully afcertained of the enemy's dcilinatlon ; nor arc there wanting a variety of opinions as IQ the route they will purfue, whether it will be by land or fea, ? admitting 288 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S admitting it to be to New-York. Some think it probable, in fuch cafe, that the part of their army which crofTed the De- laware will march down the Jerfey fhoie fome diftance, and then embark.— -There is other intelligence corroborating Mr. JP.oberts*s, but none official is yet come. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. A letter from captain M'Clean, dated in Philadelphia, thi* minute came to hand, confirming the evacuation. Sir, Head-Quart ers^ J^^^e 1 8, ijjS, Jjx o'clock, P. M. SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you this fore- noon, I received your letter of the feventeenth, with its feveral inclofures. — I am happy in the approbation of Congrefs re- fpedling my conduct to dodlor Fcrgufon. I could not find, after the matureft confideration on the fubjedl, that his paf- fage through the country could be in any wife material, or anfwer any other purpofe than to fpread difafFe6lion. I fliall take every meafure in my power to prevent an in- t^rcourfe between the army and the enemy, and alfo between the inhabitants and the latter. You may reft affured that whatever letters come from their lines fliall be, as they ever Jjave been, minutely infpeuy nclocli, P. M, I HAVE the honor to inform vou that I am now ad- vanced with the main bodv of the army v/ii'.iin ten miles of Coryel's ferry, and {hall halt to refrefli the troops, and for the night, as the weather is very rainy. — General Lee, with the fix brig,ades mentioned in my former IcLter, will reach the ferry this evening. My laft accounts from Jerfey were from general Dickin- fon, dated yefterday at three o'clock, P. M. Thtfe fay the enemy had then advanced to Eyreflown, three miles below- Mount-Holly, and were bufily engaged in repairing the bridge which had been deflroyed. General Dickinfon adds- that there had been a briik hriiig for fome minutes between the enemy and Maxwell's brigade, or a part of it, in thelF advance, — in which the former, according to the report of a deferter, had feveral killed. He further fays the militia had been \^apprifcd'] of their approach, were in good fpirits, and that he expected to-day to be tolerably ftrong. — I Jiave this minute- written him by exprefs, requefting him to acquaint rnc with their and his own fituation, — what number of meii he has already collected, —and what further augmentations he expecls to receive. . I have die honor to be, &c. G. W. OFFICIAL LETTERS. 291 Sir, June 21, — ten miles from Corycfs. THIS will be delivered you by major Wemp who has the care of fome warriors from the Seneca nation. The inclofed copy of a letter from our commifiioners will fhew that they are come to obtain the releafe of Aftiarix, another warrior, who was taken on the frontiers of Virginia. I ne- ver heard of the circUmftance till I was informed of it a few days ago by a letter from general Schuyler* As tlie com- miffioners have confented to his exchange, and advifed it, I have aflured them it was agreeable to me ; and I mull take the liberty to requeft that Congrefs will order it to be accom- pli (hed as foon as poffible. I have treated them with civility, but declared at the fame time, in anfwer to their fpeechcs both in council and as war- riors,— if they do not immediately ceafe hoflilities, and be- come our friends, or at leafc neutral, — that, the moment we are clear of the Britilli army, 1 will turn our whole force againfi: them and the other nations at war with us, and cut them ofFto a man. — They faw the main body of our army to-day ; which circumftance, added to the evacuation of Phil- adelphia, and the prefents I wrote general Arnold to make them, with other inftances of kindnefs, I trud, will have a happy influence on the actions and difpofitions of their naticn when they return. They are alfo attended by a few of our Oneida and Tuf- carora friends, who were thought neceflary to proceed with the truce. They had difpatches from tlieir fachems for the immediate return of fuch of theit men and warriors as were licre, on account of their apprehenfions of hoftilities by the Senecas, &c. — L confented to the meafure, and dire£led that they fhould be furniihed Vv'ith ample and fuitable prefents, if they could be obtained previous to their departure. — The ar- my is in march ; which will not permit me to add further than that I hare the honor to be, &:c, G. W. U 2 292 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Sir, He ad -Quarters y near Cory cV 3, June 22, I'l^i'^, 1 HAVE the honor to inform you that I am now in Jerfcy, and that the troops are paffing the river at Corvers*, and are moftly over^ — The lateft intelligence 1 have had re- fpecling the enemy was yefterday from general Dickinfon. He favs they were in the morning at Moreftown and Mount- Holly ; hut that he had not been able to learn what route thev would nurfue from thence ; nor was it eafy to determine, as, from their fiiuation, they might either proceed to South- Amboy, or by way of Brunfwic. — We have been a good deal impeded in our march by rainy weather. — As foon as we have cleaned the arms, and can get matters in train, wc propofe moving towards Princeton, in order to avail our- ielves of any favorable occafions that may prefentthemfclves, of attacking or annoying the enemy. I have the honor to be, &c, G. W ^ngliJIitGiJun, Jix miles from Monmouth^ June 28, 1778, Sir, half after eleven, A. Af, I WAS duly honored with your favor of the twentieth inflant, with the report to which it referred, and trufl my fituatioil will apologife for my not anfwering it before, I am now here with the main body of the army, and prciTing hard to come up with the enemy. They encamp- ed yefterday at Monmouth couft-houfe, having almoH: the whole of their front, particularly their left wing, fecurcd by a marih and thick wood, and their rear by a difficult defile, from whence they moved very eafly this morning. — Our ad- Vance, from the rainy weather, and the intenfe heat when it ^as fair, (though thefe may have been equally difadvantageous to them), has been greatly delayed. Several of our men have fallen Tick fvom rhefe caufes ; and a few unfortunately havcJ fainted, and died in a little time afrer. Wc have a leledl and firong detachment moio forward, J5 wnJsi' OFFICIAL LETTERS. 293 under the command of major-general Lee, with orders to at- tack their rear if pofTible. Whether the detachment will fce ;ible to come up with it, is a matter of queftion, efpecially before they get into ftrong grounds. — Befides this, Morgan, with his corps, and fome bodies of militia, are on their flanks. I cannot determine yet at what place they Intend to em- bark. Some think they will pufh for Sandy-Hook, whilfl others fuppofe they mean to go to Shoal-harbor. The lat- ter opinion feems to be founded in the greater probability, as, from intelligence, feveral vefTels and craft are lying ofFthat place. We have made a few prifoners ; and they have lofl a good many men by defertion. I cannot afcertain their number, as they came In to our advanced parties, and pufhed imme- diately into the country. I think five or fix hundred is the lead number that have come in, in the whole. They are chiefly foreigners. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Fields near Monmouth Conrt-Houfey June 29, 1778. Sir, I HAVE the honor to inform you, that, about feven o'clock yefterday morning, both armies advanced on each other. About twelve, they met on the grounds near Mon- mouth court-houfe, when an a6lIon commenced. We for- ced the enemy from the field, and encamped on the ground. Ttiey took a flrong poft in our front, fecured on both flanks by moralTes and tliick woods, where they remained till about twelve at night, and Then retreated.rr^I cai^ngt at this time go ii)to a detail of matters : when opportunity will permit, I •ihall take the liberty pf tranfmitting Congrefs a more parti- cular account of the proceedings of the day, I have the honor to be, &c. G^ W, U3 294 OENExR^AL WASHINGTON'S Sir, EnglifitorjJiZ, July i, 1778. I EMBRACE this firfr moment of leifure to give Congrefs a more full and particular account of the move- ments ^i the army under my command lince its palling the Delaware, than the fituation of our affairs would heretofore permit. I had the honor to advife them, that, on the appearances of the enemy's intention to m.arch throus:h Jerfey becoming ferious, I had detached general MaxweU's brigade in con- juniiion with the militia of that ftate to interrupt and impede their progrefs by every obftru6tion in their power, fo as to give time to the army under my commiand to come up with them, and take advantage of any favorable circumflances that might prefent themfeives. The army having proceed- ed to Coryers ferry and croffed the Delaware at that place, I immediately detached colonel Morgan with a feie£l corps of i\yi hundred men to reinforce general Maxwell, and m.arch - ed with the main body towards Princeton. The flow advance of the enemy had greatly the air of de- fign, and led me, with others, to fufpe6l that general Clin- ton, defirous of a general action, was endeavoring to draw us down into ^'Cl^ lower country, in order, by a rapid move- rnent, to gain our right, and take poffeiTion of the ftrong grounds above us. This confederation, and to give the troops time to repofe and refreili themfeives from the fatigues they had experienced from rainy and exce/Tive hot weather, determined me to halt at Hopewell townfliip about five miles from Princeton, where we remained till the morning of the twenty-fifth. On the preceding day I made a fecond detachment of fifteen hundred chofen troops under brigadier-general Seott, to reinforce thofe already in the vicinity of the enemy, the more efFedlually to annoy and delay their march. The next day ^\^^ army moved to Kingfton ; and, having received in- teih'^enc^ that the enemy were profe^iuing their route to- wards 'OFFICIAL LETTERS. - 295 wards MoRmcuth court-houfc, 1 diipatched a thouf:invi fcleft men under brlgadler-gencral Wayne, and fent the rnarquis De la Fayette to take the command oi;" "the whole advanced corps, including Maxsvell's brigLidc and Morgan's light in- fantry, with orders to lake the tirjft fair opportunity of at- tacking the enemy's rear. In the evening of the fame day, the whole army marched from Kinglion, where our baggage was left, with intention to preferve a proper diftiince for fupporting the advanced coips, and arrived at Cranberry early the next morning. The intenfe heat of the weather, and a heavy llorm un- luckily coming on, made it impoflible to refume our march that day without great inconvenience and injury to the troops. Our advanced corps, being differently circumftan- ced, moved from the pofition it had held the night before, and took pofl: in the evening on the Monmouth road about £ve miles from the enemy's rear, in expectation of attack- ing them next morning on their march. — The main body having rem:iined at Cranberry, the advanced corps • was found to be too remote, and too far upon the right, to be fupported in cafe of an attack either upon or from tlie enemy ; which induced me to fend orders to the marquis to file off by his left towards Englifhtown, which he ac- cordingly executed early in the morning of the twenty-fe- venth. The enemy, in rri'arching from Allentown, had changed their difpofition, and placed their beft troops in the rear, con- filling of all the grenadiers, light infantry, and chaffeurs of the line. This alteration made it neceffary to increafe the number of our advanced corps ; in confequence of which, I detached major-general Lee with two brigades to join the maiquis at Englllhtown, on whom of courfe the command of the whole devolved, amounting to about five thoufand fiien, — The main body marched the fame day, and encamped within three miles of that place. Morgan's corps was left hovering on the enemy's right flank ; and the Jerfey militia, U 4 amounting 296 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S amonnting at this time to about fevcn or eight hundred men, under general Dickinfon, on their left. The enemy were now encamped in a flrong pofition, with their j;ight extending about a mile and a half beyond the court-lioufe in the parting of the roads leading to Shrcwibury and Aiiddletown, and their left along the road from Allen- town to Monmouth, about three miles on this fide the court- houfe. Their right f.ank lay on the fkirt of a fmall wood, while their left was fecpred by a very thick one, — a morafs running towards their rear, and their whole front covered by a wood, and, for a confidcrable extent towards the left, with a morafs. — In this fituation they baked till the morning of the twcnty-eightli. Matters being thus fltuated,— and having had the befl: iur- formation, that, if the enemy were once' arrived at the heights of JVIiddicLown, ten or twelve miles from where they were, it would be impoiTibleto attempt any thing againfl: them with a profpecl of fuccefs, — I detern"iincd to attack their rear the moment they fliould get ii? motion from tlieir prefent ground.. .1 communicated ray intention to gejieral Lee, and ordered him to make his difpofition for the attack, and to keep his troops conilandy lying upon their arms, to be in rcadir nefs at tlie Ihortcd notice. — This was done wi:h refpedl to -the troops under my immediate command. About five in the morning, general Dickinfon fent an exr piefs informing that the front of the enemy had begun their march. I inftantly put the army in motion, and fent orders by one of my aides to general Lee to move on and attack them unlefs there (liould be very powerful rcafons to the contrary, — acquainting him at the fame time, tliat I was marching to fuppoit hjm, and, for doing it with the greater expedition and convenience, Ihould make the men difencum- ber thcmfclves of their packs and blankets. After marching about five miles, to my great furpiife and mortification, I met the whole advanced corps retreatijig, — ;^ud, as I was told, by general Lee's order^j—witliout having made OFFICIAL LETTERS. 297 made any oppolltion, except one lire, given by a party un- der the command of colonel Butler, on iheir being charged by the enemy's cavalry, who were repulfed. — 1 proceeded immediately to the rear of the corps, which 1 found clofeiy preffed by the enemy, and gave diredlions for fo.'ming part of tht retreating troops, who, by the brave and fpirited con- .du6l of the officers, aided by fome pieces of well-fcrved ar- tillery, checked the enemy's advance, and gave time to make a dilpofition of the left wing and fccond line of the army up- on an eminence, and in a wood a little in the rear, covered by a morafs in front. On this were placed fome batteries of cannon by lord Stirling who commanded the left wing, which played upon the enemy witli great effe6l, and, feconded by parties of infantry detached to oppofe them, effedlually put a llop to their advance. General Lee being detached with the advanced corps, the command of the right wing, for the occafion, was given to general Greene, For the expedition of the march, and to counteract any attempt to turn our right, I had ordered him to file off by the new church, two miles from Englilhtown, and fall into the Monmouth road, a fmall diilance in tlie rear of the court-houfe, while the reft of the column moved diredtly on towards the court-houfe. — On intelligence of the retreat, he marched up and took a very advantageous po- lition on the ripht. The enemy, by this time, finding thcmfelves warmly op^ pofed in fropt, made an attempt to turn onr left flank : but rhey were bravely fepuifed and driven back by detached par- ties of infantry. They alfo mad^^ a movement to our right with as little fuccefs, general Greene having advanced a body of troops with artillery to a commanding piece of ground ; which not only difappointed their defign of turning our right, but fevercly enfiladed thofe in front of the left wing. — In addition to this, general Wayne advanced witli a body of troops, and kept up lb fevcrc and wcll-dircded a fire, that the cncpy were fccn ccmpclled to rcrire behind the detile where 29^ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S where the firft Hand in the beginning of the action had been made. In this {Ttuatron the enemy hid both thtn flanks fecured by thick woods and nioraiTes, while their front could only be approached through a narrow pafs. I refolved neverthe- lefs to attack them ; and, for that purpofe, ordered general Poor, with his own and the Carolina brigade, to move round upon t-h^ir light, and general V/oodford upon their left, and the artillery to gall them in front. But the impedi- ments in their way prevented their getting within reach be- fore it 'was dark. They remained upon the ground they bad been directed to occupy during the night, with inten- tion to begin the attack early the next morning ; and the army continued lying upon their arms in the' field of a£lion, to be in readinefs to fupport them. In the mean time the enemy were employed in removing their wounded, and about twelve o*clock at night marched away in fuch iilence, that, though general Poor lay extreme- ly near them, they effected their retreat without his know- ledge. They carried off all their wounded, except four of- ficers and about forty privates whofe wounds were too dan- gerous to permit their removal. The extreme he.it of the \\eather, the fatigue of the men from their march through a deep fandy country almofl en- tirely deilitute of water, and the dillance the enemy had gained by marching in the night, made a purfuit impra£lic- able and fruitkfs : it would have anfwered no valuable pur- pofe, :ind would have httn fatal to numbers of our men, fe- \erf.! of whom died the preceding day with heat. Were 1 to conclude my account of this day's tranfaftions without expreffmg my obligations to the officers of the army in general, I fhould do injuflice to their merit, and violence to mv own feelings. They feemed to vie with each other in ynanifeilin^' their zeal and bravery. The catalogue of thofe who diilinguiflied thenifclves is too long to admit of parti- cularifmg individuals. I cannot^ hov/eyer, forbear mention- ing OFFICIAL LETTERS. 299 ing brigadier-general Vs^ayne, whofe good condu£l and bra- very througii the whole action deferves particular commai- dation. The behavior of the troops in general, after they recover- ed from the firl'l furprife occafioned by the retreat of the ad- vanced corps, was fuch as could not be furpnfled. — All tjie artillery, both officers and men, that were engaged, diflin- guifhed themfelves in a remarkable manner. Inclofed, Congrefs will be pkafed to receive a return of our killed, wounded, and miffing. Among tlie firfl were lieutenant-colonel Bunner of Pennfylvania, and inajor Dick- infoTi of Virginia, both officers of diitinguiihed merit, and much to be regretted. — The enemy's ilain, left on the held, and buried by us, according to the return of the perfons affign- ed to that duty, were four officers and two hundred and forty-five privates. In the former number was the honorable colonel Monckton. Exclufive of thefe, they buried feme themfelves, as there were feveral new graves near the field of battle.— How many men they may have had wounded, cannot be determined : but, from the ufual proportion, the number muft have been confiderable. — There were a few prifoners taken. The peculiar fituatlon of general Lee at this time requires that I (hould fay nothing of his condu61:. He is now in ar- refl. The charges againd him, v/ith fuch fcntence as the court-martial may decree in his cafe, fliall bctranfmltted for the approbation or difapprobation of CoRgrefs, as fcon as it fhall be paffied. Being fully convinced by the gentlemen of this country that the enemy cannot be hurt or injured in their embarka^ tion at Sandy-Hook, the place to which they are going, — ;v:ci unwilling to get too far removed from the North-river, — « I put tlic troops in motion early this morning, and Vti^U pro- ceed that v/ay, leaving the Jerfey brigade, Morgan's corps^ and other light parties (the militia being all difmiffied), to hover about them, to countenance defcVtionj and to prevent their 300 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S their depredations as far as pofHble. — After they embarlc, the former will take pofh in the neighborhood of Elizabeth- town, the latter rejoin the corps from which they were de- tached.— I have tlie honor to be, &c» G. W. Sir, Camp^ near Brunf'uuic, y^'fy 7> *77^' I HAVE the honor to inform you, that, on funday morning, the left wing of the army moved towards the North-river ; the right followed yefterday ; and the fecond line, which forms the rear divifion, is alfo now in motion. I fhall advance as faft as I can confiflently with the circum- ilances of the weather and the health of the troops. The enemy, from the advices of our parties of obferva- tion, were nearly if not all embarked yefterday. They have continued to defert upon all occafions. I fliould be extremely happy if the committee appointed to arrange the army would repair to It as foon as pofTible. Congrefs can form no adequate idea of the difcontents pre- vailing on account of the unfettled ftate of rank, and the un- certainty in which officers are as to their future fituation. The variety of hands in which the power of granting of commiffions and filling up vacancies is lodged, — and other circum(lances,~have occafioned frequent inftances of young- er officers commanding their feniors, from the former hav- ing received their commiflions, and the latter not, — and thefe, not only in the line of the army at large, but in their own brigades, and even in their own regiments. — This, it will be readily conceived, is necefiarily produ(fHve of m.uch confufion, altercation and complaint, and requires the fpee- died remedy. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P. S. By accounts from Monmouth, more of the enemy's dead have been found. — It is faid the number buried by u* and the- inhabitants exceeds three hundred. OFFICIAL LETTERS. 301 Sir, Camp^ at ParamuSy July 12, ljj6, ON frulay evening, I had the honor to receive your letter of the feventh inflant, with its inclofures. — The vote of approbation and thanks, which Congtefshavc been pleafed to honor me with, gives me the higheft fatisfa6lion, and at the fame time demands a return of my fincereft acknow- ledgments. —The other refolution I communicated with great pleafare to the army at large in yefterday's orders. The left wing of the army, which advanced yedcrday four miles beyond this, moved this morning on the route towards Kiijg's-ferry. The right, and fecond line, which makes the lail divifion, are now here, where ihey will halt for a day or two,— or perhaps longer, if no circumuances of a preffing nature call up, — in order to refrefli themfelves from the great fatigues they have fufFered from the intenfe heat of the weather. We have had It reported for two or three days through feveral channels from New- York, that there is a French fleet on the coaft : and it is added that the enemy have been man- ning with the utmoft difpatch feveral of their fliips of war which were there, and have puflied them out to fea. — How far thefe fac^s are true, I cannot determ.ine: but I (liould think it of infinite importance to afcertain tlK^ firll, if polhble, by fending out fwift-failing cruifers. The mod intereftlng ad- vantages might follow the information. — I will try, by every pra^licable means that I can devife, to obtain an accurate account of the enemy's fleet at New-York. I have the honor to be, cvc. G. W, Sir, Camp, Paramust July \:i^y ^7/8'. I HAD the honor yefterday evening of receiving your very important favor of the tenth inftant. — Colonel Laurens, one of my aides, will fee out this morning with a letter to the French admiral, the count D'Eftaing, inclofing a copy of yours, ^01 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S yours, and fuch other information as I have been able to collect. Its further purpofe is for the eflabllfliing a conven- tion of fignals in cafe of co-operation, or to convey him fuch knowledge of the enemy's naval force and pofition, as may from time to time come under our cognifance. It appears by intelligence of to-day that the count D'Ef- taing is off or near Sandy-Hook, having already feized feve- ral fifhlng boats on the Banks, in order to procure informa- tion and pilots. The army is in motion, and will crofs the North-river with all convenient difpatch, where I (liall purfue fuch mea- fures as may appear befl calculated for improving the pre- fent conjunlve of the fourth uillant refpedling the convention troops the morning after it came to hand, and alfo wrote to fir Henry Clinton upon the fubjedl of pafsports. — I have not received liis anfwer. With refpe^t to the nriagazines, I have directed the com* miflarv to form them on the inland communication from hence tQ Bodon, at proper intervals. Tlie twenty thoufand barrels of flour that Congrefs have ordered to be purchafed will be a valuable addition, if they can be tranfported by water : but it feems to me there will be great rifle of its be- ing loft, if it is fent by fea while the enemy have a fuperior 6eet on our coafl:. As the campaign is not clofcd yet, all our cavalry are of life. They lie in the neighborhood of the enemy*s pofl:s. Cor the purpofe of reflraining their parties, and for obtaining and giving intelligence of their movements ; and they are fubfilled upon the forage wliich would otherwife be ex- pofed to them. — I am fenllble that thefe corps are attended with great expenfe ; and the moment I think the fervice will admit of it, they or a part of them fliall be quartered in dif- ferent places diftant from the army, where they may be provided for on better terms. The price of forage, and the difficulty of getting it, are really obje6ts of great mag- nitude, and fuch as fhould undergo fome regulation, if there is any that can be adopted. — I received letters a few days ago from the commiflary and quarter-mafter upon this fubje6t, copies of which, and of my letter in confequence to the fe- veral fl:ates from MaflTachufetts-Bay to Pennfylvania inclu- five, I take the liberty to inclofe. 9 The OFFrCIAL LETTERS. 331 The refolutlon prohibiting officers, except fuch as are fpecially authorifed, to keep horfes in the army or within forty miles of it, has been pubHiliied in orders, and I will take every flep in my power to give it effe6l. I have conlidered the pra6i:icability of reducing the teams employed in the army, and find, however defirable the object may b^ that it cannot be done. We have not at this time more than are abfolutely and indifpenfably neceffary, nor fo many as would be neceffary in cafe of a rapid movement : neither does it appear to me that there can be a fubftirution of ox for horfe teams, at leafl to any great extent ; nor that any material advantages would arife from fuch a meafure. There might perhaps be a fmali faving in the article of pro- vender : but this, I fear, would be greatly over-balanced in the lofs of cattle that would be appropriated to the ufe of the commifTary's department. — After a hill inveiligatlon of the fubjedl, 1 believe we (iiall be obliged to adhere to the kind of teams we now employ, and that the only relief we fliali have in point of expenfe will arife from fending a part of the horfes to places where they may be more eafily foraged, when we have fixed our camp and quarters for die winter. I beg leave to mention to Congrefs that there is a necefflty of fome mode's being eflablilhed, by which claims on the old quarter-mafterfliip, that remain unfarisfied, may be difc barged. There are many of this nature ; and thefe, however well au- thenticated they may be, the genrlemen now in ofiice do not conceive themfelves at liberty to adjuA, without ob- taining fome fpecial divecHon for the purpofe. I am every- day applied to for payment of fuch accounts, and, in many infliances, have been obliged, as well for the fake of juftice to individuals as for the public good, to order them to be takea up. It appears to me that Congrefs cannot be too early in their refolution upon this occahon, and that either the pre- fent department fhouid be authorifed to fettle and pay fuch claims, or that fome perfons ihould be appointed and fuppli- cd with money for the purpofe. The 332 GENERAL V/ASHINGTON*S The army marched from Whlte-Plaiiis on the fixteenth In- flant, and is now encamped in dijBTerent places. — Three brigades, compoling the Virginia troops, part of the right wing, under the command of general Futnam, are at Robin' fon's near Weft-Point : and two brigades more, compoling the remainder, are with baron De Kaib at Fillikili plains, about ten miles from the town, on ihe road leading to Sharon. The fecond line, with lord Stirling, is in the vicinity of Fre- dericfburg ; and the whole of the left wing atDanbury under the command of general Gates. — Theie feveral pofts appear to be the beft we can occupy in the prefent doubtful ftate of things, as they have relation to the fupport of Weft-Point in cafe of an attack in that quarter, and are alfo on the com- munication to. the eaftward, if the enemy point their opera- tions that way. — Befides thefe difpoiitions, general Scott with a Hght corps remains below in the country about King's- Street. The letter from fir Flenry Clinton which I have the honor of tranfmitting was fent to me to-day by colonel Baylor who is pofted at Hackinfac. He fays he received one for me by the fame flag ; and, from his note, he fuppofed he had charg- ed the horfeman whh it who juft arrived at head-qua iters. Through accident he forwarded yours to pe ; and I think it probable that you will be troubled with mine. If this Ihould be the cafe, you will be fo obliging as to return it to me by the tirft conveyance.— 1 was alfo informed by colonel Baylor that a confiderable body of the enemy landed at Paulus' Hook in the evening of the twenty-fecond, and were encamped that night in the woods between four and five miles from the town of Bergen. He had not learned their object : but it is likely they are after forage, I have the honor to be. 6<:c, G, W^ OFFICIAL LETTERS. 333 Sir, Head-Quarters, Frcdcricjburg^ Sept. 29, 1778. THE following is an extra.6l of a letter of the feven- teenth inftant, which I had the honor to receive from the count D'Eftaing. " I entreat you to promote the exchange of prifoners al- ready planned hy nionfieur Girard. The unhappy perfons taken hefore the commencement of hoililities cannot be fully regarded as prifoners : their lot is dreadful. The mode ad- opted for exchanging them by means of your commifTary, without introducing the king's name or mine into the tranf- a(5lion, removes a great part of the political difEculties which before fubfifted." I am an entire ftranger to the plan above referred to, or to the mode that has been adopted for exchanging by means of our commifTary. He is abfent from the army : and I muft therefore beg the favor of you to obtain from monfieur Gi- rard fuch information as will enable me to give dire6lions for carrying the count's defires into execution, if pradlic- able. Tlie marquis De Vienne, at prefent at Bofton, has requell- ed a furlough of eighteen months to enable him to return to France, whither he is called by fome domeftic concerns. I do not conceive myfelf at liberty to grant his requefl without the permilTion of Congrefs, to whom I would beg leave to obferve, that, if agreeable to them, he may be indulged with- out prejudice to the fervice, as he is not attached to any par- ticular command. I have jult received an account from Jerfey, which I fear is too true, that colonel Baylor's regiment of dragoons were furprifed in their quarters the night before kill, and mofl of them killed or taken.-— A few of the ftragglers have come in, who can give but a very imperfect accouiit of the matter. They think the colonel and mofl of the ciiicers were made prifoners, and that. the privates were put to tlie fword. — There 354 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S There were, I Imagine, about one hundred men of tlie re-= giment together when this unlucky accident happened. The ftay of tlie enemy in Jerfey being longer than I ap- prehended, and not knowing what their real intentions may be, J have ordered general Maxwell to advance from Eliza- bethtown to the neighborhood of Acquakenunk bridge, and Rave fcnt over general Woodford's brigade from this fide of liie river, I have alfo ordered general Pulafki to advance with as much expedition as pofTible, and join the brigades. — ? Lord Stirling has this day gone over to take the command of tlie continental forces and mihtia who are aflembling in con- fldcrable numbers. — If the enemy mean only to forage, they will be kept from extending themfelves, by thefe troops : and ii they have any defigns upon the pofls in the Highlands^ they will be prevented from feizing the pafTes leading to the forts, bv lord Stirling, who will be between them and the enemy, and always ready to poffefs them. I have made proper difpofjtions on this fide the river for the fecurlty of the Highlands in cafe that body of the enemy, who are on this fide Kingfbridge employed in colle6ling fo- rage, Oiould advance. The fketch of Rhodc-Ifland, forwarded by this exprefs, was received from general Sullivan, and left behind by acci- dent when the lafl: difpatches were fent off. I have had the honor of receiving yours of the twentieth^ mclofmg an order for count Fulafld's legion to advance to Trenton. — I have the honor to be, Scc» G. W. Sir, Head- Quarters, FiJJi ¥ilU O^obcr 3, 1 7 7 8. I AM honored with your favor of the twenty -feventl\ of September, with the inclofed refolves of Congrefs, a copy of which has been tranfmitted to major-general Lincoln for his information and dired^ion. Being feparated from my papers, I am uncertain whether I incntioned in my lafl:, that, the enemy in the Jerfeys having received OFFICIAL LETTERS. 335 received a reinforcement and made fome forward movements, I had thought it expedient to detach another brigade thither to a6l in conjun6lion with the one already there together with Pulafki's corps and the mihtia, and had fent major-ge- neral lord Stirling to take the command of the whole ; — that I had alfo ordered major-general Putnam acrofs the river for the immediate fecurity of Weft-Point, and moved a divilion of troops to this place, to be nearer that poft. — 1 have fmce come here myfelf, and propofe to remain till the views of the enemy on the Jerfevs are decided ; though I have had no reafon to alter my opinion that nothing more than a forage is intended. — By the laft accounts, they had drawn in their out-parties, and refumed their firft bounds behind Hackiu- fac river, at the liberty-pole and Newbridge. That part of Baylor's regiment which efcaped came off In the firfi: inftance, and were afterwards brought off in fo dif- perfcd a manner that riie number has not been afcertained : but, from what I have learned, I Ihould eftimate the lofs at about fifty men and feventy horfes. — Major Clough is dead of his wounds. — This affair feems to have been attended witk every circumftance of cruelty. It is a fmall compenfation for this accident, that colonel Butler three or four days ago, with a party of infantry and horfe comprehending major Lee's corps, furprifed about a hundred Yagers below Tarrytown, killed ten on the fpot, and took a lieutenant and eighteen men prifoners. — The roughnefs of the country facilitated the flight of the reft, and prevented the fuccefs being more complete. The proceedings in the cafe of general St. Clair accom- pany this letter. I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W. P. S. I have received advice of ths arrival of a packet from England. Z2,^ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Sir, ' Hc(^ci Quarters, Oclohcr G, i^i"]^. THIS will be delivered to you by major-general the marquis De la Fayette. — The generous motives, which firft induced him to crofs the Atlantic and enter the army of the United States, are well known to CongrcTs. — Reafons equally laudable now engage his return to France, which in her pre- fent circumftances' claims his fervices. — His eagernefs ro of- fer his duty to his prince and country, however great, could not influence him to quit the continent in any ftage of an unfiniihed campaign. He refolved to remain at lead till the clofe of the prefent, and embraces this moment of fufpenfe to communicate his wiflies to Congrefs with a view of hav- ing the necelTary arrangements made in time, and of being ftill within reach, fliouid any occafion offer of diftinguifliing hlmfelf in the field. The marquis at the fame time, from a defire of preferving a relation with us, and a hope of having it yet in his power to be ufeful as an American officer, folicits only a furlougii fufficient for the purpofes above-mentioned. — A reluctance to part with an officer, who unites to all the military fire of youth an uncommon maturity of judgment, would lead me to prefer his being abfent on this footing, if it depended on me. I {h:ill always be happy to give fuch a teftimony of his fervices as his bravery and conducl on all occafions entitle him to ; and I have no doubt that Congrefs will add fuitable expreffions of their fenfe of his merit, and their regret on ac- count of his departure. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. P, S. The marquis is fo obliging as. to take charge of a packet containing the proceedings of a court-martial in ge- neral SchuYler*s cafe. OFFICIAL LETTERS. To the Beard of JVar. Z17 Head-^im'ters-^ near Freder'icjhiirgy Odoher ii, 1778. Gentlemen, THE inceiTant and prefllng applications of the of- ficers, and their real diftrefs for clothings oblige me to re- Jjeat my Wifhes to the board, to obtain the earliefl direction of Congrefs for relieving their wants. — T'hey are in a very difagreeablc Tituation in this refpe61: •, and, unlefs fome mode can be adopted for fpeedily fupplying them, many will be obliged involuntarily to quit the fervice • or, if this fhould not be the cafe, we fliall be involved in perpetual complaints, and the moft painful applications. I do not recolledl:, when the army was firft appointed, that there was any engagement on the part of the public that the officers fhould be provided with clothing through their means ; nor has there been any explicit declaration fince, that I remember, for the purpofe : but the meafure has be- come indifpenfably neceiTary ; and, without the intervention of public aid, they never can be fupplied : for their pay, i£ the articles proper could be found in a private way, (from the enormous and exorbitant prices now exa£i:ed for every thing) would prove wholly incompetent to the end. There is however a refolution of Congrefs, of the twenty- fecond of November laft, which points to a provifion through the public means and thofe of the dates individually taken. This has encouraged the officers to look for fupplies In the manner there profefled 5 and their not being able to obtain them makes them more uneafy perhaps than if the refolution had never pafTed. I have written to meflieurs Otis and Andrews to make a return of the cloth, &c, in their hands, proper for officers, and alfo to advife me what quantities might be procured in cafe the board fhould direct a purchafe. This appears to be the only praClicable expedient at this time, from which re- VoL. II. Z lief 338 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S lief can be drawn : and, if it is to be adopted, the agents cannot be too foon ordered to carry it into execution. — ^I really wifh to be informed by the board by the iird opportu- nity whether the officers may expect fupplies through the public (tores, that I may be able to anfwer them decifively upon the point when they apply.— As matters now ftand, I am in a very awkward and irkfome fituation. Since it is evident that the officers cannot provide tliem- felves with clothing, and that tliere is a neceffity for the in- tervention of the public aid, I would fubmit it to the board whether it may not be proper for them to form an eftimate of clothing, proportioned to the number of oiHcers in the army, for the confideration of Congrefs, and to obtain their fan£tion for importing the fame, if they approve the plan. This meafure, it feems to me, is the only one that can en- fure relief in future ; and it appears the more eligible as the lofs to the public will be infinitely lefs than if they procure the articles in the country, fuppofmg that it could be done. Befides this confideration, the officers then might be pro- perly uniformed and all placed on a juft and equal footing. If the board fnould be authorifed to direct an immediate purchafe of clothing for the officers, I will take the liberty to fuggeft that it may not be improper for them to enjoin on the part of the clothier a ftrict compliance with the rc- folution of Congrefs which I have mentioned, in the fale. The officers fay that hitherto it has not had the necefTary and generous operation intended by Congrefs ; but, on the contrary, in the few initances in which they have been able to furnifh themfelves with articles from the public ftores, tliat they have done it at the current exorbitar^t prices. — Indeed there are many matters in the department which require a more perfect and explicit arrangement than has ever been made : and at prefent there is fuch a claih- 'ing of offices and officers that it is difficult to determine how or with whom bufinefs is to be traufacted. i hav^ the honor to be, 6i,c, G« W, OFFICIAL LETTERS. 339 Head'^mrlerSi near Fredcrkjhurg^ Odoher 14, 1778* Sir, SINCE I had the honor of adJrelTmg you on the fixth inllant by favor of the marquis De la Fayette, I re- ceived your letter of the fecond with its inclofure. I do myfelf the honor of tranfmitting you an account of the engagement between the French and Britifh fleets on the twenty-feventh of July, as publiflied by the Britifh ad- miralty-board. I received a printed copy of it lall night, from New- York, which 1 have forwarded to his excellency count d'Eftaing* — It is evident from admiral KeppeFs owa relation of the affair, that he was pretty feverely handled, notwithftanding he affe£ls in the conclulion to mention that he wiflied extremely for an opportunity to renew the combat the next day. We are ftill in great fufpenfe as to the operations and de« (igns of the enemy, though every pradicable meafure has been ufed and is purfuing^ to come at them. By late and direct accounts it would feem that fome troops at leall are going from New-York,— *A few days, I think, mufl open their conduct decifively. I have had the misfortune to hear that the Raleigh frigate has become a prize to two Britifh fhips of war after a long and very gallant refiftance. Captain Barry, finding that the frigate would fail into the enemy's hands, ran her afhore on Seal-Ifland, to which he efcaped in boats with about eighty of his hands, and from thence to the main. It is faid he took meafures for blowing her up, but was defeated in his purpofe by the perfidy of an under ojScer v/ho concealed himfeif and remained on board* I have the honor to be, &c, G. W- 2 2 540 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S Sir,. Hcad'^iarters^ Frederlcjburg^ O^ob, 1 8, 1778". I./.M honored with yours of the ninth, incloring the refolves to extend the embargo, and to prevent foreilalling provifions. I hope the latter will have the defired efFedt : for, unlcfs that moil infamous praiSice of raifing the prices of the^neceffaries of life can be ftopped, it will be impoffible for any funds to fubfifb the army. Inclofed you iiave the copy of a petition from the refugees in New- York to the commiiiioners. You may depend upon the authenticity of it, as it is taken from a New- York paper. It (hould feem by this that they are extremely folicitous and anxious to know whether New- York is to be garrifoned, which implies a fufpicion on their part that it is to be eva- cuated. — All accounts, fmce mine of the fourteenth, confirm the report of a very confiderable embarkation. It is fald to confift of ten Britifh regiments completed to their full efta^. blifhment, and their grenadier and light companies added ta them. This will make tliem amount to upwards of five thoufand men. — They have not failed. I cannot fay that I am fatisfied that a total evacuation of the city is intended this winter, although many inhabitants jfiear the lines, and feveral out of the city, are of that opi- nion. — I have fet ever}' engine at work to procure full inteU ligence of their defigns j and I hope to fucceed. The cur- rent opinion of deferters and others is that the prefent em- barkation is intended for the Weft-Indies : fome few have faid that they have a defign upon Charlellcn, I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-^iiariers, Fredcricfiurg^ O^oh* 24, I77^» THE letter which I had the honor of addre fling to YOU the day before yefterday would inform Congrefs of the embarkation and failing of a confiderable detachment of the enem.y from New- York, and of the meafures I had taken in expectation OFFICIAL LETTERS. 341 expectation of and upon th^ happening of the event. — Whe- ther this will be fucceeded by a further embarkation, or by a total evacuation of the polls wliich they hold within the ftates, in the courfe of tliis year or the enfuing one, I cannot pretend to determine. But, as it will be right and prudent in us to provide for every contingency, I would with the greatelt deference fubmit it to Congrefs whether it may net be proper for them to call upon the ilates to provide men in time for filling their relpe^live batalllons, before or at any rate againft the opening of the fpring, and in the fame man- ner as if there was a moral certainty that the war would be profccuted with ail poffible vigor on the part of Britain. Should this not be the cafe, or fiiould any events call up ia the mean time to render troops unnecellary, it will be eafy to difband the levies and to keep them from the (ield,— while, pn the other hand, our relaxation in not providing them may fubje£l: us at leaft to many difagreeable confequences. The general return of the infantry in the month of Sep- tember, tranfmitted to the board of war by the adjutant-ge- neral, and to which I beg leave to refer, will (hew Congrefs the whole amount of our reputed force ac that time. But I am to obferve, that large, very large dedudlions are to be made from it on account of the columns of fick, and the men faid to be on command. Many under the former defcrip- tion, particularly that of fick abfent, are a(f^ually dead ; others, unfit for fervice ; and feveral, who have recovered, have deferted : nor will the latter afford more than one half of its number in time of aftion, as various duties, fuch as waggoning, diftanc guards, efcorts, &c, employ a great pro- portion of thofe under this denomination. Befides the above deduclicns, Congrefs will perceive from the return which I now take the ^Lberty of tranfmitting, that there are four thoufand three hundred and eighty draughts and others, whofe terms of fervice will expire during and by the ciofe of winter: for I am forry to add that our exertions to TCrcngage the draughts and old foldrers m this predicament, Z 3 for 342 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S for the ufual bounty, have prdved (o far ineffectual and without fuccefs. I have not tried what effe£l the additional grant of ten dollars might have : but I fear, and it feems to be the opinion of all I have confulted upon the occafion, that it would have but little if any influence. I know, in the cafe of the draughts and troops of one ftate, that the offer of twenty dollars on the part of the continent, with a like al- lowance and an adlual depofit of it by the date, has been no temptation. This general reluftance and refufal is founded in the un» happy depreciated light in which the foldiery view the money, and their expectation of receiving immenfe ftate, diftrifr, and fubftitute bounties. Whether grants or boun- ties by Congrefs, bearing fome proportion to thefe, to fuch as fhould enlift for the war, would be attended with better fuccefs, I cannot undertake to decide. The experiment may be made if they judge it proper : and if it proves an inducement of any extent, it will be an infinite faving in the end. I believe however our fureft and only certain aids will be derived from draughting, v/hich I truft may and will be done by the flates on the recommendation of Congrefs, agreeable to the mode mentioned in my letter to their com- jnittee when they firft honored me with a vifit at Valley- Forge. The exertions to recruit by voluntary enliftments may fliil go on, as both modes in all probability will not pro- duce near as many men as may be found neceffary. In the cafe of the Carolina troops whofe fervice is ending every day, the officers fay that nothing will induce them to enlift, unlefs they can be permitted to go heme on furlough till the fpring. On this indulgence they feem to think feve- ral might be engaged. — The diftance is great, and there will be fome uncertainty as to their returning : befides, it will be fixing a pVecedent for others.^-^If Congrefs approve the plan, they will be pleafed to inform me by the earliefl opportu- nity. I am undcir feme difficulty about clothing the draughts, ;in4 ; OFFICIAL LETTERS.- 343 and the old foldiers whofe fervice Is expiring and will deter- mine every day. As Congrefs have never exprefled their fenfe upon the fubje6l, and this is increafcd by a letter which I received ioaie time ago from the board of war, which refpeds particularly the draughts, I mud earneiUy requeft that Congrefs will favor me witii the fpeedlefl di- reclion in the cafe, whether they are to be furniihed out of the fupplies coming on, equally with the other troops. At the fame time I will take the liberty to offer it as my opi- nion, that, however inconvenient or expenfive it may appear at the firll view to clothe them, the meafure will be necef- fary, and founded not only in humanity but found pohcy. We have no profpe£l now of levying men in any other way : and if they are not clothed, they will be exhaufted by ficknefs and by death ; and not doing it may prove an infur- mountable bar or at leail a great obllacie to our obtaining future aids, though the exigencies of our affairs fliould be never fo preffing. Yet the clothes may be withheld as long as circumftances will permit, as an inducement for them to enhit. In the inftance of the old foldiers who have not received the annual allowance of Congrefs, the point feems clearly in their favor. — The board fuggefted that the draughts might be fupplied out of the bell of the old clothes which might be given in by the troops on receiving new ones : — • but unfortunately there will be few of any worth. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-^iartersy Fredericjhiirg^ Otl. 26, 1778* I HAD the honor of your letter of the twenty-fecond inftant, with its feveral inclofures, to-day at noon. — I iliall pay a proper regard to the aft of Congrefs refpefting mon- fieur De Vrlgney. — For information on the fecond refolve for obtaining a return of the re-enllftments, I muft beg leave to refer Congrefs to my letter of the twenty-fourth.-— Z 4 I have 344- GENERAL WASHINGTON'S I have corapjied with the intention of the third, and tranf^ mitted the acl to fir Henry Clinton, which relates to Mr. Franks. The certain intelligence of a large number of troops haVf ing embarked at New- York, — the failing of a confiderable fleet concurring at the moment their departure was expe£t- cd,— rleft me no room to doubt that the fleet which went out of the Hook on the nineteenth and early the twentieth in-? ftant contained the embarkation of which I had been ad- vifed. In the perfuafion of this, my letter of the twenty- fecond to your excellency was written : but, from more re- cent advices, and through various channels, bearing every mark of authenticity, I am to conclude the fuppofition has been ill founded. — -The above-mentioned fleet appears to. have carried away no other troops than invalids, the officers pf the corps lately reduced, with fome refugees. — The twenty-third inflant the troops which had embarked ftill re- mained in the harbor. They are fixed at ten or twelve Britr ifh regiments, and fix of the new levies.— This fleet was probably compofed of homeward-bound victuallers, with fome merchantmen and other veflTels which chofe to take the prote£^ion of a convoy. The accounts ftill fay that they were accompanied by fourteen or fifteen fail of the line and fome frigates. O(iohcr 27.— In my letter of the twenty-fecond I advifed your excellency of the meafures I had taken to afcertain the pradicability of an enterprife againft Chemung. — I have the honor to inclofe the report of governor Clinton, general Schuyler, and general Hand, on the fubje^l.— I cannot help concurring with thefe gentlemen in opinion, and am per- fuaded from a nuniber of confideratlons that we mud lay afide all thoughts of an expedition againft that place for the prefent. Befides other neceflary preparations, we have not yet been able to get forward the clothing for the army.— The Congrefs will alfo perceive in lieutenant-colonel But- ler's journal, tranfmitted to your excellency in my letter of the OFFICIAL LETTERS. 345 the tweiity-fecpnd inftant, the gnat difTiculties he had to en- counter in croiiing the rivers at a much earlier feafon of the year.^-I have the honor to be, &Ct G. W. Sir, Hcad-^iartersy 7}ear Frederkpurg, 0^, 31, 1778. YOUR excellency's favor of the twenty-third in- flant was delivered mc yefterday, v/ith the refolution refpedl- ing monfieur L'Ecliie, As foon as I am notified of the place of his refidence, I will give the neceiTary diredions for carrying into execution the humane and benevolent in- tention of Congrefs towards him. I take the liberty to inclofe a letter from doQor Conolly refpe£ling his fituation. His cafe, I am perfuaded, will have due attention, and fuch a determination as humanity and policy will jiiftify. By intelligence received yefierday evening, It Is faid that tranfports with ten regiments on board had fallen dov/n from York to the watering-place ; that there were feveral other fhips laden (not faid with what) ; and that there were others ^t the wharfs taking in troops. —I cannot tell whether this intelligence is certain : for we have been deceived of late in points of information that feemed to carry equal marks of authenticity. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, P. S. Juft as I was clofing my letter I received one from lord Stirling, dated yefterday at nine o'clock A. M. by which he informs me that on wednefday and thurfday about eighty fail of fhips, chiefly tranfports with troops, fell dovi'n from New-York to Staten-Illand, and that fixty or feventy fail lay there before. Sir, Hcad'^iartcrs^ November Gy 1778. ON wednefday evening I received your excellency's favors of the thirtieth ultimo and firll inftant, with their feveral inclofures.— I will diredl the bed and cheapeft difpofitlon I can to be made of the cavalry for their accommodation in quarters, and v/ill inftrufl the forage-mafter on tlie occa- fion. 346 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S fion.— The remittance to the paymafler, which you men- tion, I prefume has come to hand, having been applied to by him to ifTue an order for the payment cf the troops for Auguft and September. — I have tranfmitted the letter from Nicholas Dupui and others, with the affidavits, to his excel- lency governor Clinton, and have ordered colonel Cortlandt to march with his regiment towards the Minilinks, and to take fuch pofl as the governor may point out. — I have made a diftribution of the printed manifeftoes -, and there is no doubt but the enemy will very foon be poffl-ded of fome of the co- pies, and of nev/fpapers that contain them. , By a letter from lord Stirling, of the third inflant, he In- formed me that the fleet at the Hook the preceding day in- creafed to a hundred and eight fail ; and, that morning at feven, weighed anchor and flood out to fea. — I am impatiently waiting for further advices from New-York, and to learn whether any other and what movements are likely to take place. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W, Sir, Head' Quarter s-i Frcdcricjhurgy Nov. II, 1 7 78. I HAVE been honored with yours of the nineteenth, twenty-feventh, twenty-eighth, and twenty-ninth, ultimo. A tolerable fupply of fhoes has lately arrived to the ilTu- ing clothier's ftore from the eaflward, Pennfylvania, and Jerfey : and, if the different perfons employed In procuring that article will exert themfelves to keep up the fupply, I hope we fliall not be much diflrelTed during the winter, pro- vided we remain quietly in quarters. It Is much to be wifhed that Congrefs would come to a fpeedy refolution concerning the procuring clothing for the ofhcers at a price in proportion to their pay, more efpecially as they were led to expe«Sl this from a refolve which pafTed in November 1777.— If the clothing Itfelf cannot be conve- n'»?ntly procured, I imagine the alternative of allowing an adequate fum of money in lieu thereof would be the next befl expedient. As the board mull undoubtedly have experienced .the jmany OFFICIAL LETTERS. ^M many difficulties ariHng from tlie want of a proper arrange- ment of the clothier's department, I hope they will prefs the commhtee who have that buHnefs in charge, to bring in their report, that the new fyftem may be carried into execution ■without lofs of time. — Whether it has been owing to want of conducl in the late officer, or his want of proper powers and directions, I will not undertake to determine : but the irregularity in that department has been Tin endlefs fource of trouble to me, and a great caufe of difcontent in the army. I have given the iifuing clothier direclions to keep an ac- count of the marks and namibers of the bales of blankets, and of the quality of their contents, from whence you will be able to trace from whom thofe fmall ones were purchafed. When the ilTues are completed, you fhall have the account, — 7"he dire6lions to Mr. Meaie were very proper. — ^If any corps want completing in any particular article which is not to be procured here, I will fign the order myfelf. In the prefent fcarcity of hats, the caps of which you have forwarded a pattern muft be ufed by way of fubftitute. But an officer very attentive to the health of his men in- forms me that he found an inconvenience from the ufe of "woollen caps laft winter infcead of hats : when the men put them off in the fpring, they many of them took violent colds from the fudden tranfition. They alfo contribute to keep the head dirty, — than which nothing is more unhealthy. I find it impra£licable to carry the recommendation of the board, refpe6ting calling in the old clothes upon delivery of the new, into execution. The foldiers were not to be con- vinced of the good policy and economy intended by the ap- plication of the old clothes to hofpitals and iht followers of the army, but looked upon it as an unjuftifiable attempt to deprive them of W'hat they had earned by their year's fer- vice, and what (confidering the fcanty fupply of fome kinds of covering, blankets in particular) would help to make them more comfortable during the winter. Thefe difcontents were 343 GENERAL V/ ASHINGTON^S were communicated to rne, the moment they arofe, by feme of the bed officers in the line ; which determined me to let the matter drop, more efpecially as another argument was made ufe of, which was un-anfwerable : this was, that, upon s fair fettlement, there would be found a coufiderable defi- ciency of the bounty- clothing for a year or two paft, and that therefore it would be more equitable to make up the de- ficiency than to draw in the remains. I have the honor to be, 5cc. G. W. Sir, Hiaci-^uaitcrsj November ii, 1778. ON wednefday afternoon I received a letter from the honorable Mr. Lee and Mr. Lovell of the committee for foreign affairs, inclofing a plan and fundry refolutions of Congrefs for attacking Canada the next campaign in con- junction with the forces of his moft chrifhian majefly,'-* and requefling my obfervations upon the fame to be tranf- xnitted to Congrefs, and a copy to be delivered to the mar- quis De la Fayette. Thefe difpatches, through the indifpo- fition of the marquis (who unfortunately was feized with a fever in his journey from Philadelphia, which ilill detains hira at Fiihkill), were prevented coming to hand till that time: and the great importance and extent of the fubje«^ they comprehend would not permit me the honor of an earlier communication of my fentiments. — I hope Congrefs ^'i\\ excufe my not complying with that part of the refolu~ tion which requires me to deliver a copy of my obfervations to the marquis, as the manner in which I am obliged to treat the .fubjecl opens fuch a profpe£l of our wants and our weaknefTes, as, in point of policy, ought only to be known ^to ourfeives. I am always happy to concur in fentiment with Congrefs ; and I view the emancipation of Canada as an obje6l very in«» terefling to the future profperity and tranquillity of thefe ^flates : but I am forry to fay the plan propofed for the pur- pofe OFFICIAL LETTERS. 349 pofe does not appear to me to be eligible tinder our ptefent circumilances. — I confider it as my duty, and what Con- grefs expects from me, to give my reafons for this opinion with that franknefs and candor wliich the importance of the fubje£l demands ^ and, in doing this, I am perfuaded I (hall not fail to meet with their approbation. It feems to me impoUtic to enter into engagements with the court of France for carrying on a combined operation of any kind without a moral certainty of being able to fuliil our parts, particularly if the firft propofal came from us. If we fliould not be able to perform them, it would argue either a want of confideration, a defective knowledge of our re- fources, or fomething worfe than either, which could not fail to produce a degree of diftruft and difcontent that might be very injurious to the Union. — In the prefent iiiftimce, fhould the fcheme propofed be adopted, a failure on our part would certainly occafion in them a mifapplication of a confiderable land and naval force which might be ufefully employed elfewhere, and probably their total lofs. — It is true, if we were at this time to enter into the engagement, we (liould be every day better able to judge whether it will be in our power to accompiifli what may be expected from lis : and, if we fhould find hereafter that our refources will be unequal to the undertaking, we may give notice to the court of France in feafon to prefent the failing of the troops and the ill effects which might attend it. But befides that a projeft of this kind could not be embraced by France without its having an Influence on the whole fyftem of operations for the next campaign, which of courfe would receive fome de- rangement from its being abandoned, — a renunciation of this could not fail to give a very unfavorable impreihon of our forefight and providence, and would ferve to weaken the confidence of that court in our public councils. So far from there being a moral certainty of our comply- ing with our engagements, it may in my opinion be very fafely pronounced, that, if the enemy keep polfefTion of their S prefent 350 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S prefent pofts at New- York and Rhode-Iilanc], it will be im- pradicable either to furnifii the men or the other ncceflary fupplies for profecuting the plan. They will not attempt to keep thofe pofts with lefs than ten thoufand men and a con- fiderable navy.*-If it fliould be thought beft for the advan- tage of carrying on the expeditions intended, to forego any oiTenflve operations againft thefe garrifons, and to leave them in quiet poifefTion of fuch important places, v/e fhall at leaft be obliged to provide for the fecurity of the country againft their incuruons and depredations, by keeping up a force fulTicient to confine them v/ithin their own limits. It is natural too to fuppofe that the people's expectations of being protefted will grow ftronger in proportion to the di*- ininution of the enemy's force, and the greater facility with which it can be afforded. They will hardly be content to continue in a ftare of alarm antt infecurity from a force fo in- conhderab'.e, while the principal ftrength of the ftates is drawn out in the profecution of remote objecls. — If this reafcnlng is juft, we fhall be obliged to have a larger force than the enemyj pofted in different places to prevent fudden inroads which they would otherv/ife be able to make at dif- ferent points : and the number required cannot be eftimated at lefs than twelve or fifteen thoufand men. This will be two-thirds as large a force as we have been able to raife and maintain during the progrefs of the war, as thefe calcula- tions both of the enemy's ftrength and of our own are meant to defignate the number of efFedive rank and file. ' If I rightly underftand the plan in confideration, ic re- quires for its execution twelve thoufand fix hundred men rank and file. Befides thefe,— to open paffages through a wildernefs, for the march of the feveral bodies of troops,— to provide the means of long and difticult tranfportations by land and v/ater, — to eftablifh pofts of communication for the fecurity of our convoys, — to build and man veiieis of force neceiTary for acquiring a fuperiority on the lakes, — ihefe and many other purpofes peculiar to thefe enterprifes, vv'hich would OFFICIAL LETTERS. 351 would be tedious in detail, will demand a much larger pro- portion of artificers and perfons to be employed in manual and laborious offices, than are ufual in the ordinary courfe of military operations. When we add the whole together, the aggregate number of men requifite for the fervice of the enfuing campaign will be little Ick than double the number heretofore in the field: but, to be more certain in the calcula- tion, it may be placed at only one-half more. Experience is the only rule to judge by in the prefent cafe. — -Every expedient has been exhauiled in the preceding cam- paigns to raife men ; and it was found impoilible to get to- gether a greater force than we had, though the fafety and fuccefs of the caufe feemed abfolutely to require it. The natural and diredl: inference therefore is that the refources of the country were inadequate tQ a larger fupply. I cannot then fee that we can hope upon any principle to be equal to fo much greater exertions next year, when the people and the army appear to grow daily more tired of the war, and the depreciation of our money continually increafing, and of confequence proving a fmaller temptation to induce them to engage. The ftate o£ our fupplies for tranfporting and fubfifting the troops will ftand upon a footing equally bad. We have encountered extreme difficulties in thefe refpecls, and have found that it was full as much as we were competent to, to feed the army we have already had, and enable it to keep the field and perform the movements required by the contingencies of the fervice. It is not likely that thefe difficulties will di« minifli ; but on the contrary they will rather multiply as the value of our currency leliens : and the enormous prices to which provifions have rifcn, and the artificial fcarcity created by monopolies, with what we have to fear from the effcO: of the fame fpirit, give us no reafon to flatter ourfelves that our future profpedls can be much better. In this fituation of things we are hardly warranted to ex- pe^ that we fliall have it in our power to faiisfy the de- mands 3^2 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S mands ofnumbers (o much greater than we have yet had to fupply, efpecially if we confider that the fcene of our ope- rations has hitherto been in the heart of the country fur* nifliing our refourccs, which of courfe facilitated the draw- ing them out, — and that we fiiall then be carrying on the war at an immenfe diftance, in a country wild and unculti- vated, incapable of affording any aid, and great part of it hoflile. We cannot in this cafe depend on temporary or occaGonal fupplies as we have been accuitomed, but muit have ample magazines laid up beforehand. The labor and expenfe in forming thefe, and tranfporting the neceflary ftores of every kind for the ufe of the troops, will be in- creafed to a degree that can be more eafily conceived than defcribed. The tranfportation muft be, a great part of the way, through deferts affording no other forage than herb- age : and, from this circumftance, our principal fubfiflence of the flefh kind muft be faked, which would not only be an additional expenfe in the additional confumption of fo fcarce and dear an article as fait, but would greatly increafe the difficulty both of providing and tranfporting. — My letter of the twenty-ninth ultimo (tranfmitting a copy of one from the quarter-mafter-general) which 1 had the honor of ad- drefling to Congrefs, and to which I wifh to refer, will point out the difhculties and daily expenfe attending o\ir fupplies of the article of flour only, in our prefent circumftances, exclufive of its coft:,— and lay the foundation for a fort of comparative eftimate to be formed of thofe that would at- tend the fupport of the troops when employed at fo great a dillance. If, in addition to all this, we fhouid have the French fleet to fupply during the winter, — the likelihood of which I have no fufficlent information to ground a judgment upon, — it will appear fliil more imprafticable to furnifli the fupplies requiiite for the extenfive operations propofed. But, inde- pendent of this, the improbability of doing it is, in m^y ap^ prehenfion, infinitely too great to jullify the undertaking. . This OFFICIAL LETTERS. 353 This reafoning is founded on a fuppofition that the enemy do not evacuate their^prefent pofts at New-York and Rhode- Ifland : nor can we prefume upon any paft appearances fo far as to determine the contrary, and enter into a national con- tract, the fulfilment of which at any rate, in my judgment, will depend on this event. Opinions on the fubject are va- rious, and the arguments on both fides cogent. Circum- ftancts have hitherto been very indecifive : — at Rhode-Ifland there is nothing that looks like an evacuation, that I have heard of: — at New- York, the length of time elapfed fince the event has been expedled, which cannot be fatisfa6lorily accounted for, makes it not a little doubtful and problema- tical. But if it were even certain that the enemy would (hortly leave thefe ftates, I fhould think our ability to carry on the expeditions meditated (from the nature of the country, and the remotenefs from the fource of our fupplies, joined to the difcouraging (late of our finances) too precarious to autho- rife a preconcerted agreement with a foreign power, binding ourfelves to the attempt. On the other hand, if we were certain of doing our part, a co-operation by the French would, in my opinion, be as delicate and precarious an en- terprife as can be imagined. All the reafons, which induce France and the United States to wifii to wrefl Canada and Halifax from the dominion of England, operate with her perhaps more forcibly to ufe every poilibie effort for their defence. The lofs of them would be a deadly blow to her trade and empire. To hope to find them in a defencelefs (late, muft be founded in a fuppofition of the total incapa- city of Britain both by land and fea to afford them protec- tion. — I lliould apprehend we may run into a dangerous error by eilimating her power fo low. "We have been informed that a ftrong garrifon has been lately fentto Halifax, amounting, by report, to about four thou- fand men :--a part ol the detachments wlilch the enemy are Vol, II. A a now ^54 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S how making from New- York are currently faid to be, and \n all probability are, deftined for that place : — if they evacuate entirely, a very confiderabie part of their force will no doubt go there ; and in any cafe we may expe6l that reinforce- ments will be thrown from thence in'io Canada early in the fpring. The Engjlfh are now greatly fuperior to the French, by Tea in America, and will from every appearance con- tinue fo unlefs Spain interpofe, — an event which i do not know we are authorifed to count upon*. However, as I am deftitute of information with refpedl: to the prefent ftate of European politics, this is a point upon which I can form i)ut an iihperfe£l judgment : but if it fhould not take place, I think it infinitely probable, from the maritime fituation and advantages of Halifax which is reprefented as the fined port and bed naval arfenal in America, — from the fecurlty it is calculated to give to the general trade and pofleffions of Britain, both on the continent and in the Weft-Indies^ — that it will be a ftation for a larger naval force than the One intended to convoy the French troops :— it will na- turally be the principal rendez-vous of the BritiSi fliips of war in America. If this pofition be admitted,— fliould the Englifh have any knowledge or even fufpicion of the defign of the French court to fend a fleet up the river Saint Lau- rence, nothing will be eafier than to intercept this fleet on its way, or to take or deftroy it after it has got in. Nor can- we flatter ourfclves with keeping this bufinefs a fecret* Congrefs perhaps will be furprifed to be told that it is al- ready in more hands than they fufpecV : and, in the progrefs of the negotiation in France,, it will get into many more. The preparations will announce the intention. — It is indeed a part of the plan to avow the deftination of the French troops, though this is to be contradicfied by the manner of their clothing, 5:c.— The ftationing troops this winter, as is propofcd, particularly on the Mohawk and Conne£licut river, would be unequivocal proofs of the dcfign i it muft at leaft excite OFFICIAL LETTERS. ^55 Excite the flrongeft fufpicion, ib as to put the Englifh na- tion upon their gusird, and make them take precautions to Countera£t it. But if the French troops fhould arrive before Quebec, I think their fuccefs againfl that flrong place, fonlfied by fevery advantage of nature and of art, v^juld be extremely doubtful. -It is fuppcfed this capital poft \<^\\\ be found in fo weak a condition as to make its futrender a matter of courfe, owing to the enemy's having previoufly drained themfelves for the defence of Detroit, Niagara, Saint John's, Montreal, Sec : but we cannot depend that this will be the Cafe; — they may efteem it the part of prudence rather to facrifice or at leaft to hazard the extremities in order to colle6l their ftrength' at the heafrt. Montreal indeed, and the pofts eflential to it, rnufh be defended, becaufe the poiTcf- fion of them would throw too large a part of the country into our hands. But if reinforcements are fent to Canada early in the fpring, — a circumftance extremely likely, — thefe may be attended to without too far weakening the garrifon of Quebec j|- and, as before cbferved, we cannot build upon their condu£l's being regulated by an ignorance of our plans. The French troops, inilead of a coup-de-main, would in this tafe be reduced to the neceility of carrying on a blockade. I will now take the liberty to turn my attention towards the operations of our own troops. — The one againft Detroit I fhall at prefent fay nothing about : if well conduced, i fhould hope that place would fall without very great diffi- Gulty. — ^^The cafe is very different with refpeil to Niagara, This, I am informed^ is one of the Itrohgeft fortrelTes in America, and can only be reduced by regular approaches or by famine. In accomplilhiiig this, laft war, and a conqueil: as far as Montreal,- 1 believe general Amherll exhaufled two campaigns, with all the advantages which he derived frona the united efforts of Britain and America, with every con- venience for water- tranfportation, including plenty of fea- Hien, and with money that commanded every thing wiiich A a 2 either 356 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S either country could furnifh. The former mode would re- quire great perfeverance, time, and labor, and an apparatus which it would be almofl impradicable to tranfport. The latter is practicable, but very difficult. To efFecl it, we muft gain a fuperiority on the lakes. The enemy have already a refpe61:able force there: — if they fufpe6l our defign, w^hicli they cannot fail to do from the meafures to be taken, they may improve the interval in adding to it ; and, by providing materials and artificers upon the fpot, they may be able to increafe it fo as to keep pace with us. It is therefore eafy to fee that we ought not to be too fanguine in the fuccefs of this expedition, and that, if a moderate force be employed in the defence of Niagara without degarnifliing Quebec and the intermediate jjofts, its reducStion will be a very arduous talk. The body of troops to penetrate by way of the river Saint Francis muft meet with great obflacles : they will have a march of about a hundred and fifty miles from Cohofs, which is about a hundred and fixty miles beyond Hartford, a great part of which is through a hitherto-uninhabited and tracklefs country, with an immcnfe train of waggons : all the flores and provifions for the v/hcle march, and the future fupply of the troops, at lead till they fnould get footing in Canada, mud accompany them from the beginning. The impedi- ments and delays in fuch a march almoft exceed conception. When arrived at the Saint Laurence, frelh obftacles proba- bly would prefent themfelves. The prefumption is, that, if the enemy could not make head there, they would de folate the country through which they were to pafs, deftroy all the .provifion and forage, remove every kind of water craft, and dcmolifii the m.aterials for building others. Tliefe precau- tions being taken on the Sorelle and Saint Laurence would pretty efFcctually obftrud^ cur progrefs both to Montreal and Cadoroqui, — to fay nothing of the rapidity of the current and the numerous rifts between Montreal and Lagalette. When we deliberately confider all the obitacies in the exe- cution, and the difficulties we firall find in preparing the vad 9 magazine^ OFFICIAL LETTERS. 357 magazines required, which have been already enumerated, if within the compafs of our refources, we fliall be led to think it not very improbable that this bo4y may be unable to penetrate • Canada, at leaft in time to co-operate with the French troops, if a co-operation fhould be neceflary. The fituation of thefe troops then would be delicate and dan- gerous : — expofed to a defeat from the united force of the enemy, in great danger of having their retreat cut off by a fuperior naval force in the river, they would have every thing to fear. On the other hand, if oar operations fliould be as fuccefsful as we may flatter ourfelves, a terapefl; or a Britifh fleet may deprive us^of the expelled aid ; and at a criti- cal moment we may find ourfelves in the bofom of an enemy's country, obliged to combat their whole force with one in- ferior and reduced by a tedious and wafting march. The five thoufand men, when they arrived in Canada, would pro- bably little exceed four capable of fervlce -, and would be ftill lefs, if out of them we fhould eftablifh pofts as v/e advanced, to infure a retreat andprote61: efcorts of provifion which mufb follow for future fupport. Thus an accident In either cafe would involve the defeat of the whole projetSl ; and the cata- flrophe might be attended with the moft unhappy confequen" ces to America. The plan propofed appears to me not only too extenfive and beyond our abilities, but too complex. To fucceed, it requires fuch a fortunate co-incidence of circumftances as could hardly be hoped, and cannot be relied on; — the de- parture of the enemy from thefe ftates, without v/hich we cannot furnifh the flipulated force, or fupplles to maintain them, — fuch a want of power or want of fcrefight in the enemy as will obhge them to neglecl the reinforcement of Halifax and of Canada, and prevent them, however conve- niently fituated, from difputing the paflage of the four fliips of the line and four frigates up the river Saint Laurence, or attempting their deflrucSlion afterwards, — fuch a combination of favorable Incidents as will enable feveral bodies acting fe- A a 3 parately 35S GENERAL WASHINGTON'S parately and Independently by fea and land, and from differ^? ent countries, to conform to times and periods fo as to in- fure a co-operation ; — thefe and many other circumflanccs muft confpire, to give fuccefs to the enterprife. Congrefs, I am perfuaded, had powerful reafons for fixing the convoy at the number they have : and their fuperior in- formation refpeding the affairs of Europe at this jun(^ure enables them to judge much better than I can pretend to do, of Its iufFiciency. But, from the iraperfe6l view I have of the matter, 1 nave been led, in confidering the fubjedl, to look upon ic as infuflicient. From ihe general tenor of intelligence, the Enccliih out-number the French in the channel : in Ame- rica, both on the continent and in the iiiands, they are great- ly iuperior. If the lail Toulon fleet is eaiployed in the Me- diterranean, the French may h^ve the fuperiority there : but, ppon the whole, the balance of naval force feems hitherto to be on the ijde of the Engliiii. If we add to this that the num- ber of ihips of war in the French ports, built or building, bears no comparifon to the number in the English ports, — and that Britain, notwithftanding the diminution Oie hds fuf- fered, is flill a kingdom of great maritime refources, — we fliali be difpofed lo conclude that the preponderance is too likely to continue where it is. The interpofition of Spain indeed would make a very intc^jefci ng change : but her back- wardnefs heretc^ore fcems to be an argument that file is with- held from interfering by fome weighty political motives : and how long thefe may continue to reftrain her, is a quef- tion I am unqualified to determine. Befides thefe general obje^Lions to the plan which have been Rated, there appear to me to be fom^e particular ones which I fliall take the liberty to point out. In the firfl place 1 obferve there are to be five thoufand militia employed in the two expeditions againfl Detroit and Niagara. — The drawing into fervice fo large a number com- pofcd chiefly of hufbandmen, in addition to what may be found neceiTary for other exigencies on the coail: at fo inter- ell ing OFFICIAL LETTERS. 359 efting a feafon of the year, will certdlnly be very injcrlous to the culture of our lands, and muft tend to add to the dciir. ciency of fuppiies. But this, though not io be overlooked, is 4)ot the principal ,obje6tion. — In the expedition againft De- troit, mililia pe.rhaps rnay anfwer, as it is not a poft of very great llrength^ aiid aiay poflibly be abandoned on or iu a little time a:^er the approach of a force that cannot be oppoled in the fieid, and the garrifop proceed to reinforce that of Niagara. But even here troops of another kind would be far prefer- able. However, the cafe will be very different with refpe6l to tins iaft :— it is, as I have before mentioned, one of tlie ilronj^eft tbrtrefTes ot America, and demands for its rcducr tion the very befi: of troops, Miiitia have neither patience nor perfeverance for a iiege. This has been demonftrated "by all the experience we have had. An attempt to carry on one wliich fhould materially depend on them would be liable to be fruflrated by their inconflancy in the mpft critical mo- inents.-r- Agreeable to the plan under confideration, three thoufand live hundred put of five thoufand lix hundred are to be militia. It is a part of the plan that the troops fent againft Detroit, whether fuccefsful or not, are to form a jun6lion with thofe at Niagara. It appears to me on the contrary, that the ex- pedition againft Detroit, under the prefent arrangement, muil ftand on its own bottom, and hav ty-fixth uitfirjo, and had taken mealures for the purpofe with, refped to Canada before.— Mr. Livingfton, an officer in the jcorps .of guards, wiU have the-honor of prefentmg thefe dif- patches to your excellency. Their importance requiring niore than a common melTenger, he very obligingly under- took, upon application, to give them a fate cQuveyance, SiRj Head-Quarters, Frcdericprurg^ Nov. 12, 1 7 78, INCI^OSED i have tiie honor to tranfmit the copy pf a letter from brigadier -general Hamilton to general Heath. I did not chufe to grant the requeft without the concurrence pf Congrefs, though at the fametirne I chink it may he fafely done. It will fave the trouble and expenfe of another efcoit at a future day.— I fhall be glad of the determination of Congrefs as fpeedily as poflible, as the flag veffel, bound to Virginia with the baggage of ihe convention troops, will perhaps be detained for the anfwer. I have the honor to be, Sec. G. W. Sir, Head-QuarterSi Frederic four g, Nov, 13, 1778,, BARON De Steuben- will have the honor of deliver- ing you this. He waits upon Congrefs on Vhq fubjedi of the infpeftorfhip, which he is extremely anxious fiiould be put upon fome decided footing. H-^ appears to be fenfible of fome difficulties in the plan formerly propofed, and which I liad the honor fome time fmce to tranfmit my obfervations npon, — ^and defirous that they fliould not prove an obflruc- tion to tlic progrcfs of an inftitution, which, if accommodat- ed to the circumilances and fentlments of the army, promifes vej v great advantages to the fervice. The fuccefs the baron had in the beginning, and the benefits derived from it, make 3iie regret the obflaclcs that have fo long fuipendcd his exer- tions ; 364 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S tions ; and I ihould wIHi he may have it In his power to rc- fume them on principles mofl: advancive of the fervice. On thefe 1 have ah-eady fully communicated my ideas, and it is unneceiTary I fliould add. I have iliQ honor to be, occ. G. W. Sir, Head- Quarters^ Fredericfburg^ Nov, 14, 1778, I DO mvfelf the honor to tranfmit you the copy of a letter of the tenth inftant, which I received yefterday from lir Henry Clinton, on the fubjedl of exchanging the prifoners of the convention. — Should the propofition be agreeable to Congrefs, I fliall be glad to receive powders to enter into a negotiation as foon as pofTible, as it may probably relieve our officers upon parole from the difagreeable neceflity of returning to New-York. I will juft obferve, that, fhould an exchange take place upon the terms propofed by fir Henry, I fhould fuppofe we fliall not be obliged to give up any confiderable num!)er of privates by way of compofition, as the officers of the convention ((hould the whole be fuffer- cd to be exchanged) would go a great way towards liberat- ing ours at prefent in the hands of the enemy. But it cannot be expefted that they will leave their troops entirely defl-itute of officers. — Mr. commiKTary Clark, mentioned by fir Henry Clinton, w^as permitted by general Heath to go from Bofton to New- York to fettle the accounts and procure money for the difchargc of the debts of the troops at Cambridge. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-Qiiarters^FredcricJhurg^ Noz'. 16, 1 778. I HAD the honor of receiving your favor of the fixth Ycfterday, with the inclofed copy of a letter from the pre- fident of the council of New-Jerfev, relative to an expe6led attack upon the weftern frontier of tliat fiate. — I have jufl received a letter from general Hand giving inteViigence of an attack OFFICIAL LETTERS. 365 attack upon colonel Alden's regiment at Cherry-Valley, ef- fe6led by furprife, in confequence of which, there is too much reafon to apprehend that regiment may tall a facriticc. 1 tranfmit a copy of the difpatches announcing this difagrce- able afFair. Thefe depredations of the enemy give me the moll: ferious concern. I lament that we have not yet had it in our power to give them an effe6tual clicck. 1 am perfectly convinced that the only certain way of preventing Indian ravages is io carry the war vigoroully into their own country. But as this is thought impradicable at this late feafon of tlie year from the ftate of the water, and other impediments, I fear w^ muft content ourfelves witli dcfenfive precautions for the pre- fent. — I have already informed Congrefs that colonel Cort- landt's regiment had marched toward-^ the iNIiniiinks : but, having lince diredted count Pulaflu to proceed with liis corps to Colesfort in that neighborhood, colonel Cortlandt will take poll fomewhere between that place and Rochefier. Orders are now given to colonel Spencer's regiment and co- lonel Armand's corps to join general Pula&i. — This difpofi- tion is agreeable to the opinion of gove,rnor Clinton and other gentlemen acquainted widi tlie country whom I have confult- ed, and is calculated to cover the eadern frontier of Pennfyl- vania, New-Jerfey, and the wellern part of New- York. — I ihall alfo immediately fend the remainder of genejal Clin- ton's brigade to Albany. When arrived there, if any thing ofFenfive can pofllbly be undertaken, it (hall be done : if not, they will be difpofed of in a manner that iliall feem bell: adapted for prote6lion and defence. With the greateft refpect and crteem, I am, {iVy you moll obedient fervant, G. W. Sir, Head-Quarterly Fredcr'icfburg, Nov. 16, 1 77 5?. BY the time this reaches you, general Du Portaii will probably be at Philadelphia. 0;;c part of his buhnefs 3^^ CENfeRAL WASHINGTON'S is to profecute the dIie6iions given him fome time lince for forming a plan for the defence of the river Delaware, to be fubmitted to Congrefs : another part is to underftand front Congrefs what may be their views and wiilies with refpedt to his further continuance in America, and that of the three- other gentlemen attached to him^ Ke mforms me that the furlough he obtained from the court of France expires in February next, and that, unlefs tliere is a certain profpedt of his being employed hereafter in a manner ufeful to the ftates and honorable to himfelf, he intends immediately to return. He therefore wifhes fome ^kplicit ideas to he realifed on the fubjedl. He is alfo anxious that fomething dciiniLive fliould be done V7ith refpedl to thef pay and the ocher appointments both of himfelf and the other gentlemen with him, which have been hitherto undecided, and have left them in an uncertain and difagreeable fituation. ^— Added to this, he is defirous to have fome arrangement fixed for the rules and manner of fervke in his department. He delivered mc, fome days fmce, a memorial intended for Congrefs, and wliich I have now the honor to inclofe, con- taining his ideas on a general fydem of fortification for thefe ilates^ and' which he rerueilied me to accompany with my fentiments. But it includes queftions of finance and confi- derations of policy tliC moil extenfive and important, of \.vhich Congrefs alone can form a competent judgment. I fliall therefore only fay, that, confidered merely in a military point of view, the plan appears to me worthy of very ferious attention. Itis but jufiice to general Du Portail to obferve that I have a hlpli opinion of his merit and abilities, and efteem him not only well acquainted with the particular branch he profelTes^ but a man of found judgment and real knowledge in mihtary fcieuce in general. I have alfo a very favorable opinion of the other gentlemen. I will take the liberty to add that it appears to me they will be extremely necefiary and ufeful in our fu- ture operations, whetlicr direded to offence or defence, — ► 7 whether OFFICIAL LETtEP.S. 367 whether to difpofTefs the enemy of pods in our front, to afiill in carrying oil the propofed expedition into Canada, or any- other on a lefs extenfive plan which may be fubftitiited in its flead for the mere fecurity of our frontier, Monfieur De Murnon has ferved in quality of engineer under general Du Portail fuice the hrft of March lall, with the promife of a majority from the committee of arrange- ment at Valley-Forge. He has never yet received his com- miflion. This, I prefume, has been forgotten in a crowd of more important affairs. — With the greatell: refpedtand efteem, I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-QuarterSi Frederlcjbio'g, Nov. 18, 177S. COUNT Kolhowfl^i, who v/ill have the. honor of delivering you this^ is a Polifh officer who is dchrous of en- tering into our fervice. I inclofe your excellency two letters in his favor from do6lor Franklin and Mr. Deane ; added to which, he is recommended to me by count Puhtfki as a brave and ufeful officer w^ho ferved under him in Poland- He widies him to be placed in his legion, with the rank of captain and the pay of lieutenant, — .to perform the duties of the latter till he can give proofs of his talents and obtain fomc other employ. — With very great efteem and refped, I have &^e: honor to be, &zc. G. W- Sir, Head-Q_uartcrs, Fredoicfburg, Nov. 20, 1778. Mr. Wheelock will have the honor of prefenting this letter to your excellency. He waits on Congrefs upon the atflxirs of a regiment under the command of colonel Bedel, which, it feems, was raifed in the Cohofs county, or atleaft has been kept up fmce March lafr upon \^Ci<:^ recommendation cf the marquis Fayette when at Albany. This corps, ac- cording to the inclofed fcate by Mr. Wheelock who is the lieutenant- colonelj to which I beg leave to refer Congrefs, and 368 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S and according to other information I have received, was at hrii alTemhled under the direction of major-general Gates about this time twelvemonth for the purpofe of a fudden en- terprife againft Saint John's, and the enemy's armed veffels ly- .ing there, and was engaged till the lail; of March. I cannot undertake to fay in what manner or how ufefully tliis regiment has been employed, or to what extent in point of men. But Mr. Wheelock fays it has been of great fervice : and the objc6l of his prefent journey is to obtain the direc- tion of Congrefs for their being paid when proper rolls are produced, and they: determination whether it is to be difband- ed now, or continued till April next, the period for which the men are faid to have engaged, though the marquis's recom- mendation extended only to the end of the preftMit'campaign, The regiment may or may not I)e neccfTary in future. — Much >viil depend on the fyftem of conduct the enemy pur- fue the next campaign, and on our own operations. I would obferve, under its prefent engagemenl, its fervices were to be local, or at leail confined to a certain quarter. If it ihould be deemed expedient to re-enlift it, — if practicable, it ihould be done on the general fcale of acting wherever it may be re- quifitc (though perhaps it may not he poiBbie to accompliili k) : and, in inch cafe, it will alfo be material for the public to have a more perfcdt kxiowledge of its arrangements than what I appreheiid it has hitherto had. I liave the hcuor to be, Sec. G. W. Sir, Head- Oi^artcrs, Frcdcncjhuvgy Noz\ 21,1778. I HAD the honor of your excellency's two favors of the fourteenth and fifteenth inftant, with their feveral inclofures. Tiie ccnfideratlon ofdodlorConoUy's cafe, with tb.e refolu- tion of Congrefs^ I have tranfmitted to fir Heniy Clinton. In mv letter of tli-e iixtcentli I communicated to your ex- cellencv the attempt on Fort-AIden by the favuges. — I have fi:;ce received the inclofcd difpatches confirming that dif- aii:ecable OFFICIAL LETTERS. ^59. ligre^able account, — I aifo informed Congrefs at the fame time of the fteps which were taken for the fecurity of the fron- tier of Pennfylvania, New-Jerfey;, and the wcilern part of New- York, — and that the two remaining regiments of ge- neral Clinton's brigade were ordered to Albany. I have to regret that the condition of aiFairs is fuch as does not admit of a compliance with repeated detacl'^ments from this army. However, that every thing poilibie might be done under our prefent circumftances, general Hand was further inftrucSted on the fixteenth inftant to confer with general Schuyler at Albany, and with thofe perfons^in that part of the country who could in any manner aflift in forming his judg-' ment on the befl meafures to be purfued with the troops which were -employed in the feveral quarters ; and yeflerday i changed his command to that of the Minifinks, and for- warded him an extract from colonel Hartley's Icticr of the nintli, that he might acconunodate liis difpofitions to recent events. I have only to add on this fubjedt, that, on ^he twen- tieth, brigadier-general Clinton fet out to take the command at Albany, with dire6lions to confult with general Hancji, and to form with him fuch combined arrangements as may appoij^r iTioft confiftent with their united ftrength, I am, fir, with great refpe61:, &c. G. W* P. S. As the troops of the convention are approaching the North-river, I am throwing over a part of the army in order to form a line of pofts parallel to their march, for th^ greater fecurity of the feveral pafTes leading to the river. Sir, Head-Qiiarters^ Freder'icfburg^ Nov. 23. lyyS^ JOHN Temple, efquire, will have the honor of pre- fenting this to your excellency. I do not know what Mr, Temple's views are : but it feems he has fome application to make to Congrefs, I never had till now the pleafure of a per- fonal acquaintance with him : but, from the terms in which Mr. Bowdoin fpeaks of him, as your excellency will perceive by the inclofed letter, — and from otKer recommendations I Vol. II. Bb have 370 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S have had of him, I conuder him as a gentieman of fenfe and merit, and of warm attachment to tlie rights of his country, for which }:ie appears to have fuffcred greatly in ttie prefent Contefl. — I have the honor to he, tec. G. W, Sir, Head-Quarters, Frcdsricjhurg, Nov. 23, 177S. YOUR excellency's letter of the eighteentli, with the inclofure referred to, came to hand yeftcrday. — I had before }-ecelved the intellig^ence contained in Mr. Deane's letter, and in confeqiience made part of tlie detachments which have been mentioned in my late letters. It is highly probable that the late inciirfions and outrages were committed by the parties comprehended' in Mr, Deane*s intelligence ; and I ihouM hope t'lat the force already gone fiom the army, together with the fcafon, will prevent them at leaft from making fur- ther great depredations. Since I had the honor of addreffing your excellency on the twenty- firft, I received a letter from general Hand, of tlie eighteenth, an extract from which you will find inclofed, with copies of a let'.er from major Whiting and one from a .^Ir.. Clyde. Thefe will inform Congrefs, t]"iat, though the ravages at the Cherry- Valley fettiement were great in the late attack by the favages, yet our lofs was much lefs than we had reafon to apprehend it from our former advices, ^riie account of the enemy's having ftormcd the fort, and cut oil Alden's regiment, happily turns out premature. The inclofure, N"* 2, which is- a copy of a letter from lord Stir- iing, of the fcventeenth, will advife Congrefs that the fleet of tranfports, which had lain at the Hook for fome days before, came up the preceding nlglit to the watering-place, and alfo that fome of the ihips of war had returned to York difmaft- cd. — Your excellency will alfo fee by the inclofure, N*^ 3, (svhich contains an extraiftfrom a letter from general Sullivan, of ihe cigliteenth inflant), the latefl advices I Iiave refpeding admiral Biron's fleet — From the lofs of the Somerfet, and thefe rcverai'accourils, theyfurrered fevercly in their late cruife. ■ November OFFICIAL LETTERS. i^jt i Novvmler 24. — I jiil^ received Worn geiieral Hand the in- cloied petition iVoni major Whiccomb^ addrelTed to Congrefs, and his letter to general Hand, of the lame date* My infor- mation refpe^ting the corps under major Whitcomb's com^ mand has liitherto been very imperfect ; and even now T do not know tlie terms on which it was engaged : nor had I, till thefe letters came to hand, any reafon to think that the troops above had not all been equally paid, — -having fent up a fupply oi money for the jvarpofe foon after I came to this camp, and authorifcd the paymafter-general a few days ago to forward a furcher quantity. — I iliall mi mediately write to general Clinton, now on his way to Albany, to fend a proper officer to mutler the corps, and alfo three companies (which he calls provinciab,) under his diredlion, faid to be encraaeJ '- ' ' too to the firf}: of next month ;-— after whicli, both will be paid on his prefenting proper rolls.— With relpect to clothing, the only application i recollet£l to have had from major Whit- comb was aniwered with fuch fupplies, both in quantity and quality, as our (lores at the time would admit of. It may perliaps be practicable hereafter to put his corps on a better footing in this inllance. "J'he alarm which major Whitcomb fpeaks of in the be- gimiiug of liis letter to general Hand was occafioned (as Congrefs will perceive by a copv of another letter from him to general Hand) by a defccnt made by a body of the enemy in the country about the fouth end of Lake Champlnin, and who, according to his report, have done conhdcrabie damage. I directed general Du Portail fome time ago to take a view of the works carrying on in the Highlands for the defence of the North-rivei', and to make an efu mate of the cannon necefiarv for the purpole. This he did \ and, as he is now at Philadelphia, I haVe wiitten to him by this con- veyance, and requclfed hiiu to prefent the cfiimate to Con- grefs. 1 am forry the number wanted is fo great, and thi^ more fo as I find upon inquiry tliat the SaliiLurv furnace in Conne6ticut, which ufed to cafl fo many, is much out of re- pair, and could not pofTibly be put in order, and in a proper B b a flats 572 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S ftate for fupplies, before May. —The providing of canrron b a matter of iiitinite importance; and I am pcrfuaded Congrcf? will take every means in their power to accompHlh k. Be- fides the prefiing and extenfive demand for the works on the North-river, we cannot extend our views too foon to the ob- taining further large fupphes. We mufb in the courfe of things have occafion for a great deal of artillery : and, in ciny enterprife we may undertake arainft Canada, whether on a large or a fmall fcale, feveral pieces of various calibers will be abfolwtely effential. Bdidcs arming th» fhips and vefTels we fhali be obliged to build to gain the navigation of the lakes, our land operations will rec^uire a great number. A detachm.ent of continental troops will conduct thofe of the convention from the North-river to the Delaware. The German batailion is to com.pofe part of tlie efcort : and, after the convention troops Crofs to Pennfylvania^ I have dire6led kf hi ccnfcquence of the intelligence tranfmitted of late by Congrefs refpecftmg the frontiers, to proceed to Eaflon witb all its ba^orac:^* where it is to v/ait till p;encral' Hand arrive* at the ?vlinlfinks, and whence it will be ready to ad as cir- cumitances may require. At the fame time, if thefe frequent detachments from the army could be avoided, it were much to be wilhedr The troops will be by this means in a very tlifperfed flatc ; and, befidcs lofmg perhaps fome advantages which might prefent thcmfclves if they were more colle6led^ ibcir difcipline will be greatly injured^ and k will be ex- neiTiciy difficult, from a variety of caufes, to drav/ them to- gcmer again ; and, if it IhouH be practicable, it is highly probable we fliall iind their number much impaired by defer- tion. and ctherwiie- — I have the honor to be,. &c. G. W.. Sir, Hcad-QuarUf's, Nc^emhr 26, ijyS, ^lY. John Dodo;e will have tlui Iionor of deliverinp- t;his letter to ypur cxceycq.9y. , His Kiitory is that he is a na- tive of Conne(5i:i€ur, and about eight years a'go, as he infonns- iiiC, icttlcd in the couiitiy between Detroit and Pirifburg as- ua OFFICIAL LETTERS. 375 an Indian trader ;— that he carried on commerce till January 1776, when, for his attachment to our caufc and the mca- fares he had taken to promote k, he became obnoxious to tlie enemy, vv-as feized by order of the governor of Detroit, was thrown into prifon, and there continued till the beginning of May lufl, when he was fent to Quebec ; — that on the ninth of 06tober he eu^ped from thence and got into our fettle- ments, through the aid cf a French Caglmewaga wlio came with him here on friday lail. I find Mr. Dodge an inteiiigeat young man, intimately ac- quainted with all the traj6t of country between Pittfburg and Detroit, and with that lying on Lake Erie, alfo with moft of jthe favage tribes in thofe parts, and with their languages. He is likewife well acquainted with the coimmunication from Fort-Stanwix to Ofwego and Niagara. I believe Mr. Dodge's hiftory to be true ; and, from a va- riety ofcircumftances, I am perfuaded of his firm attachment to us : and I w^ould take the lil^^rty to fugged to Congrefs that I think he may be of very important fervice to us in any enterprife we may undertake in the weftern quarter, or againft the force on Lake Erie or Lake Ontario. This confidera- tion, with that of his loiTes and fufferings which I am inclin- ed to believe have been confiderable, feems to make him wor- thy of notice and attention. — His information is good and clear in feverai points which I know myfelf, and in many others, (from the manner in which he delivered it) far Supe- rior and much more fatisfa6lory than what I have been able to derive from any other perfon. — As I have obferved before, Mr. Dodge appears to mc a valuable intelligencer ; and,, if Congrefs are picafed to Iionor him with an opportunity, he will give them an account of the pofts of Detroit and Nia- gara when he left them, and of that at Michilin'^achiiiac, — of the enemy's naval force on Lakes Erie and Ontario, and of fuch other matters in Canada as he was able to inform him- iblf ofp either by his own obfervation or the relation of otiiers. General Gates fupplied Mr. Dodge with fome money to ^^fray his expenfcs from Bofton to this place, and I have B b 3 advanced 374 GKN-ERAL WASHINGTON'S advanced him to-day a hundred and fifty" dollars more to carry him to Philadelphia. I have the honor to be, &e. G. W. P. S. Mr, Dodge means to call on irjp.Jor Butler of the light troops, with whom he lily's he is weil acquainted. He allb fays he is extremely well acquainted with colonel Wood of Virginia, — but he is not in camp ; — and 'he adds that he was at Pittiburg in 1775, when do^lor Walker, Mr. Wilfon, and Lewis Morris efquire, were there as commiiiioners, and engaged at that time to ufe his influence to keep the favages quiet, Sec. Sir, Head-^iarterSy Fredcricfiurgy Nov. 27, T778. I W^AS yefterday honored with your favor of the |:wentiethj with its fcveral inclofures, — Congrefs will be pleafed to accept my acknov/ledgments for the communica- tion of the treaties between his maft chriilian majefty and the United States, — The refolve refpecling the exchange of prifoners has been tranfmitted to fir Henry Clinton, and i have appointed conmiilnoners (if he thinks proper] tq jtijeet his at Amboy the feventh of next month. I have the plcafure to inform Congrefs that the whole army (one brigade and the light corps excepted) is now in ^notion to the places of their refpe£live cantonments for winter-quarters. I have thought it prudent to delay this event a while, to ^ive time for the convention troops to make fome progrefs in crolling the North-river, to preveiif • a pofiibility of accicicp.t. The third divifion pafles this day ; and, if no unexpected interruption happens, the whole will be over, tlie thirtieth inftant. When their paflage is coniT • pleted, the remaining troops kept in the iicld will immcLr lliately retire to quarters, The difpofition for winter^quarters is as follows.-— Nine brigades will be ilatjoned on the weft fide of Hudfon's river, .^xclufive of the garrilun at Weil-Point, — one of Vv-hich (the North-Carolina brigade) will be near Smith's Clove for thg fpcurjtv of that pafs^ and as a reijifprcenient to Well-Point in OFFICIAL "LETTERS. 375 iti cafe of necellity ; another (the Jerfey brigade) will be at Elizabethtown, to cover the lower part of Jerfey ; and the other feven, confiding of the Virginia, Maryland, Dela- ware, and Pennfylvania troops, will be at Middlebrook. — Six brigades will be left on the eall fide of the river and at Weil-Point , — three of which (of the Maffachufctts troops) will be ftationed for the immediate defence of the High- lands ; one at Weft-Point in addition to the garrifon already there -, and tlie other two at Fiflikill and the Continental Village. — The remaining three brigades, compofed of the New-Hampfhire and Conne£licut troops, and Hazen*s regi- ment, will be pofted in the vicinity of Danbury, for the pvote£lion of the country lying along the Sound, to cover Gur magazines lying on Connefticut-iiver, and to aid the Highlands on any ferious movement of the enemy that way. ^The park of artillery will be at Pluckemin. — The cavalry will be difpofed of thus:— Bland's regiment at Winchefter in Virginia, Baylor's at Frederic or Ilagarftown in Mary- hnd, Moylan's at Lancafter in Pennfylvania, and Sheldon's at Durham in Conne61:icut. Lee's corps wdll be with that part of the army which is in the Jerfeys a6ling on the ad- vanced pofts. — This comprehends the general diftribution of the army, except Clinton's brigade of New-York troops, Pulalki's corps, and fome detached regiments and corps ftationed at Albany and at different parts of the frontier, of which Congrefs have already been particularly 'advifed. — General Putnam will command at Danbury, General M^Dougal in the Highlands, and my own quarters will be in the Jerfeys, in the neighborhood of Middjebrook. This difpofition appeared to me beft calculated to conci- li-ite as far as poffible thefe feveral objects, — th^ pr-otecliou of the country, the fecurity of the important pofts in the Highlands, the fafety, difcipline, and eafy fubfjftence of the army. — To have kept the troops in a colle6led ftate would have increafed infinitely the expenfe and difficulty of fubfifting them, both with refpedl to forage and provjfions : to have divided them into fmaller cantonments would liavq 13 b 4 made 37» GENERAL WASHINGTON'S made it far lefs pm£licable to maintain order and difciplme among them, and would have put them lefs in a condition to control and prevent oifenfive operations on the fxle of the enemy, or to affemble to take advantage of any favorable opening v^^-hich their future fituation may offer, fliould they be obliged to weaken themfelves by further detachments fa far as to invite an enterprife againfl them. By the eftimate of the quarter-mafter and eommifiary- general, it appears indifpenfable to have the principal part- of the army on the other fide of the North-river. It was thought impracticable to furnifh the neceffary fupplies of flou? for the whole, on this fide the river, from the immenfe diffi- culty and expenfe of tranfportation in the winter feafon, and from the exhauiled ftate of the country with refpe£l to forage, — As this fubjefi: has been already fully before Congrefs, I fhall not trouble them with a repetition of the detail. — In order as much as poilibie to reduce the demand of forage and f;^ciiitate the fupplies, I have given directions, when the feverai divifions arrive at their cantonments, to fend away tot convenient places at a diftance from them all the horfes not abioiutely requifite to carry on the ordinary bufinefs of the army. it is unneceffhry to add that the troops mufl again have recourfe to the expedient of hutting as they did laft year. But, as they are now well clad, and we have had more leifure to make fome little preparations for winter=» quarters, I hope they will be in a more comfortable fituation than they were in# the preceding winter.— With the higheft xefpe£l and efteem, I have the honor to be, ^c. G. W- SiR, EllzahethtQivn, Decemher 4, '^*T^^'>. BETWEEN Fred€ric:fburg and this place where I arrived yeflerday afternoon, I had the honor to receive your excelltncy*s feverai favors of the twenty-fixth, twenty feventh, and twenty-eighth, in due order, with their feverai inclofures, which {liali h^ve my attention. My being oa the OFFICIAL LETETRS. 377 the road from the time of their coming to hand till yefterday prevented me from acknowledging them before. As many inconveniences v/ould attend the removing of the fick oiEcers and men of the convention troops by land, and the officers having families, I have written to general Gates to perm.it them to proceed to the falls of James'-river by water, on the officers' giving their paroles tliat ihey and the men will perform the voyage. 1 have alfo acquainted him of the meeting in contem.plation for an exchange of prifonei'S, that the oliicers may not leave Bofton till the refult is known. With refpe6l to major De PalTern of the regiment of Hefle-Hanau, I hope he may be releafed by an exchange ; after which, it will remain with him to obtain liberty frora fir Henry Clinton to return to Europe. But if the exchange in agitation (hould not take place, I fiiould be happy if Congrefs them fe Ives would decide whether he is to be al- lowed his requeft. — If on my permiffion he fliould go to Europe without application to and the confent of the Britifh commander (which feems to be his intention), the enemy jnight not think thcmfelves bound upon a future occafion to account for him. — I have the honor to be, &c, G. W. Sir, Eil-zabcthtozvuy Dcccmhcr 5, 177S. I HAVE the honor to addrefs you by command of his excellency, who went from this place at four o'clock this morning in confequence of advice received laft night that fifty-two veflels great and fmall, including a bomb- ketch, with troops on board, had, the day before yeilcrday, moved up the North-river as far as Cloyfter-landing, and yeilerday niorning got under way and were proceeding farther up. He propofed to make his hrfl llage at Acquakenunk, and to proceed as his future intelligence might require. lie is much at a lofs to determine the defign of the enemy, but thinks it may either have refpeel: to the forts in the High- lands or to the convention troops, 8 When 37^ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S When he left Peekficill, the two Maflachufetts brigades, on their march thither from Hartford, were not arrived, fo that the troops on the fpot were only the original garrifoii of Weft-Point, and Nixon's brigade which lay near the Continental Village : but, without the mofh inexplicable de- lay, thofe muft have reached their deftination fome davs GncQ. If fo, and the enemy fliould meditate a ftroke againft Weft-Point, they will probably fail in it unlefs there Ciould be fomething like afurprife. — The general alfo thinks It probable that the Maryland divifion were yefterday even- ing at the Clove. Their inftruftions were, to communicate with Weft-Point and reinforce it on any emergency. They were, in addition to them, directed laft night by exprefs to move immediately towards the forts, divefted of baggage and artillery, for the more fpeedy communication.^ — The Carolina brigade has been fome time ftationed at the entran( e of the Clove. One brigade of the Virginia troops is at Pompton, and the other two were expelled to reach Springfield yefterday. The Pcnnfylvania troops, it is fuppofed, would be at Ac- quakenunk or in the neighborhood of Paramus. — Thefe troops, immediately on receiving the prefent intelligence, were ordered to halt ; and his excellency is gone forward to regulate their movements according to circumftances. — The brisrade in this town is ordered to hold itfelf in readinefs. If the convention troops fliould be their objecl, 'tis pro- bable the attempt will be too late to anfwer any purpofe : the rear divifion was to crofs the North- river on wednefday laft, but muft certainly have done it on thurfday ; the front muft be not far from the Delaware ; and the whole too far advanced to be fubjecl to a refcue. Added to this, there is a pretty ftrong guard with each divifion. His ex- cellency however has fent on the intelligence to colonel Bland who directs their march, urging him to haften them forward with ail poftible difpatch. One brigade of Connecticut troops was at Danbury, the pther at Frtdericfburg, whgn we came away ; and general 2 I'ooi's OFFICIAL LETTERS. 379 Poor's was in full march for the former, and mud long fmce have arriveJ. I have the honor to be, kc. R. H. Harrison. p. S. Your excellency will excufe this hurried fcrawl. Sir, Para??iusy December 7, 1 778. I HAD tlie honor of receiving yours of the fecond at this place.— I have forwarded the brevet to captain Simo- net ; and ihali take fuch meafures in regard to colonel Fieu- ry's letter as (liail feem proper, upon my arrival at Middle- brook for which I fet out again to-morrow. Upon leaving Elizabethtown I dire£led colonel Harrifoii to 'inform you of the intelligence I had received, and which I thought demanded my perfonal attention, as the enemy appeared to be going up the river in confiderable force. Having put the troops deflined for the Middlebrook canton- ment upon tlieir march back towards the North-river, I was proceeding that way myfelf when an exprefs met me a few piiles beyond this, informing me that the enemy's fliipping, M'hich had been as high as King's ferry, had fallen down aj^ain. They landed a party at the ferry, and fet fire to a fcv/ fmall buildings near the water: bat, upon a party of ours advancing, they imm.cdiately [rc-c7nbaiked] without attempting anything further. — The boats andftores of every kind had been previoully {^:;:cured.~-I cannot account for this nianceuvre but by fuppollng that they had been mif-mformed as to the quantity of ftores at the ferry, or that they expeded to find the pods in a defencelefs ncuation j or it may perhaps have been to favor a forage belovv'. Finding that the troops deRined for the defence of the Highlands had arrived at their refpedlive pofts agreeable to my orders and expeclations, I have again put thofe in- tended for Middlebrook into motion 5 and I hope they will arrive there while the roads and weather ,ire both fine. Accounts from New-York through a good channel in-., foi-m me that thirty tlioufmd tons of fiiippiug had been fud- 4cjily Jakcn up for government fervice, and that a general embargo 3^a GENERAL WASHIXGTON^S embargo ts laid. The oecafioii has not yet tranfpired j st ieaft k has not yet reached me, I hare the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Head-^iorters^ Middlehrso^y Dtx, 13,1778. SINCE my lad of the feventh, I have been honored With your lavors of the fifth, fixth, and eighth inftant, with their inclofures, to which the proper attention Tnall be paid. — I have made the report of the committee on Canada af- fairs the fubject of a particular letter which I have the ho- jior of tranfmitting by this conveyance. i am,, with the greateft refpect, &c. G. W. P. S. Lieu ten ant- colonels Karri fon and Hamilton wxnt ta Amboy on monday lafl: to meet the Britifh commitTioners : but the weather had been fo extremely bad they that had not met on friday. Sir, Hcad^^iiartirsy MiddlehrooJiy Dec. 13, 177?. IT has not been in my power to return an anfwer ta your favor of the fjxth inftant till now. The letter met me on the road, feparated from my papers ; and 1 did not reach this place till late on the eleventh, fince which I have been much employed in attending to the difpofitions for hutting the army: but in the mean time the objects of the difpatch have engaged my utnioil attention. The earned defire I have to pay the drilled compllanee jn evevy Indance with the views and indru6tions of Con- grefs cannot but make me feci the greated uneafinef? v/hen I h\-\d. myfelf in circiimdances of heHiation or doubt with re- fpe£l to their directions. But the perfect confidence I have in the judice and candor of that honorable body emboldens me to communicate without referve the difficulties which occur in the execution of their prefent order ; and the indul- gence I have experienced on every former occafion induces i^e to imagine that the liberty I now take will not m.eet with their difapprobation. I have OFFICIAL LETTERS. ^^t 1 have attentively taken up the report of the committee of the fifth (approved by Congrefs) on the fubjed of my letter of the eleventh ultimo on the propofed expedition into Ca- nada : I have confidered it in feveral lights, and fincereiy re- gret that I fliould feel myfelf under any embarrafTmeiit ia carrying it into execution. Still I remain of opinion, from a general review of things and the ftate of our refourcesj that no extenfive fyflpm of co-operation vv^ith the French, for the complete emancipation of Canada, can be pofidvely decided on for the enfuing year. — ^^Fo propofe a plan of perfeci: co- operation with a foreign power witliout a moral certainty in our fupplies, and to have that plan actually ratified with the court of Verfailles, might be attended, in cafe of failure ia the conditions on our part, with very fatal effedls. If I fhould feem unwilling to tranfmit the plan as pre- pared by Congrefs, with my obfervations, it is becaufe I find myfelf under a tieceflity (in order to give our miniiler fufficient ground to found an application on) to propofe fome- thing more than a vague and indecifive plan, which, even i;i the event of a total evacuation of thefe ftates by the enemy, may be rendered impracticable in the execution by a variety of infurmountable obftacles : or if I retain my prefent fen- tlments and act confiftently, I muft point out the difficulties as they appear to me; which muft embarraft; his negotiations, and may ciifappoint the views of Congrefs. But, proceeding on the idea of the enemy's leaving thefe dates before the a£tive part of the enfuing canjpaign, I fhould fear to hazard a miilake as to the precifs aim and extentof the views of Congrefs. The line of condu£l: that I am to obferve in writing to our mirailer at the court of France does not appear fufhcienrly delineated :— ^were I to undertake it, I fhould be much afraid of erring through mii- conception. In this dilemma I would oileem it a particular favor to be excufed from writing at all en. the fubjevft, efpe- cially as it is the part of candor in me to acknowledge that I do not fee my way clear enough to point out iuch a plan for co-operation as I conceive to be coJifiilent with the ideas of 382 'GENERAL W ASHlNGTOxN'S of Congrefs, and that will be fuHiGiently explanatory wkh rcfpetl to time and circumfiances, to give efficacy to the xneafure. But if Congrefs ftiJI think it neceiTary for me to proceed in the bufniefs, I muft reqr.elt their more defiuitive and expHcit inftruclions, and that they will permit me, pre- vious to tranfmitting the intended difpatches, to fubmit them to their determination. I could wi(h to lay before Congrefs more nnnutely the ftate of the army, tlie condition of our fupplies, and the re- ijuihtes neceiTary for carrying into execution an undertaking that may involve the mod ferious events. If Congrefs think ihi? can be done more fatisfaciiorily in a perfonal conference, I hope to have the army in fuch a fituation before I can re- ceive their anfwer, as to afford me an opportunity of giving niy attendance. — I would only add that I fliall cheerfully comply with the directions of Congrefs relative to making every preparation in onr power for an expedition again 11 Niagara, and for fuch further operations to the northv/ard as time and circumdances Oiall enable us to carry on. Mea- fures for the purpofe have been taken in part for fom.e time paft", and I fhall purfue them vigoroufly. The fubjecl has long engaged my contemplation; and I am thoroughly con- vmced of the expediency and policy of doing every thing praclicable on our part, forgiving fecurlty to ourfrontiers by the reduction of thofe places which facilitate annoying them, and even for accomplifliing the annexation of Canada to tlie Union. — I have the honor to be, &c, G. W. P. S. I have detained the letter to the marquis till your further inftruiSlions. The waters have been fo high as to prevent the exprefs fetting out yeflerday with this difpatch as was intended. Tq His Excellency^ Jchn Jujy Prcjidcnt of Congrefs. Sir, Hcad-^tavtcrsy Mlddlebrooh, Dcq. 13, I 778. IN a letter which I had the honor of receiving from Congrefs, dated the fecond inftant, was inclofed the cony of one from lieutenant-colonel Fleury, upon the fubjca of which, the OFFICIAL LETTERS. 38^ the prefident dcfired me to exprcfs " my fentiments, as alfa of the merits of Mr. Fleury during his fervices in the army/* I do not conceive that Congrefs fliouki requefl a renewal of colonel Fleury's furlough from the French minifter pleni- potentiary. An application of that kind ought, in my opinion, to be made by himfelf, not only bccaule it is cuftomary, but becaufe folicitations of a fimilar nature would in all proba- bility be made by many not having Mr. Fleury's claim to the favor of the public, and to whom it would be diflicult to give a refufal after a precedent had been eftablifhed. I would not be underftood to include the cafe of general Du Portaii and the gentlemen in the engineering department, who are peculiarly circumflanced, and in whofe behalf I have written particularly to Congrefs. As to Mr. Fleury's merits as an officer, I can only repeat what I have upon feveral occaGons mentioned to Congrefs before, — that he is brave, aclive, and intelligent, and that, fhould he obtain leave to remain ,in America, I (hall take an opportunity (agreeable to my promife to him) of em- ploying him in a manner fuitable to his rank, and in fucli a v/ay as will not claflr with the officers of the line. I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sir, Hcad-^iartcrsy Mlddlchyooh^ Dec. 16, 1778. SINCE I had the honor of addrefiing you on the thirteenth, the gentlemen appointed to meet comminion' ers from fir Henry Clinton have returned to camp. Your excellency will find, by a copy of their report, N° 7, (which, with the other papers refpedling the meeting, is inclofed), that an exchange of prlfoners has not taken place. As an exchange has not been eiTetled, and fir Henry Clin- ton has called for all our officers on parole, I fhall, in confe- quence of the refolution of the nineteenth ultimo, order .the commifTary of prifoners to require the immediate return of the convention and any other officers with the enemy on parole. I do not mean however to include general Bur- go yne 3^4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S, Szc. goync in the demimd unlefs Congrefs iliould direct it, a5 there appear to me many political reafons for permitting him to remain in Britain in his prefent temper. But if Congrefs fliould differ from me in opinion on this point, I ihall be happy to be informed, that meafures may be purfued ior his recall. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W. Sis, Philadelphia, December 31, 1 7 78. I HAD the honor of addreirmg Congrefs fome time iince on the fubjetSt of general Du Portail and the gentlemen with him. He informs me that his affair has not yet been decided, and is extremely anxious that it Ihould be in fome way or other*. He affigns many powerful reafons to fliew that it is very interefling to him (if he is not to continue in our fervice) to return to France as fpeedily as poffible. He alfo ii] forms me that he has reafon to think, in the con{i« deration of his affair, the retaining him in fervice and the adopting the plan propofed in his memoir are united, and the decinon of the one fufpended on that of the other ; and has therefore requefled me to reprefent to Congrefs that he fhouid be happy they could be confidered feparately ; and if his fervices, abilra6i:edly from the projecl propofed by him, are deemed neceffary, it v/ill be iigreeable to him to remain in the country. I have already taken the liberty to offer my fentiments on the propriety of engaging thefe gentlemen to continue in the fervice. It really appears to me that they will be effen- tir.iiy neceilary to our future operations, whether defenfive or otTenGve ; and it cannot therefore but give me pleafiire if it (liall be confrfcent with the views of Congrefs to retain them, and to give every encouragement which they may xeafonably expert. 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W. END OF THE SILCOND VOLUME. k • v^'