Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Camp at Cambridge October 5. 1775

I was honoured with your Favour of the 26th ult: late the Night before last, and a Meeting of the General Officers having been called upon a Business which will make a considerable Part of this Letter, I took the Oppy of laying before them those Parts of yours which respect the Continuance, & new modelling the Army—the Fuel, Cloathing & other Preparations for the ensuing Winter. They have taken two or three Days to consider, & as soon as I am possessed of their Opinions, I shall lose no Time in transmitting the Result, not only on the above Subjects, but the Number of Troops necessary to be kept up. I have also

directed the Commissy Genl, & the Quarter Master Genl, to prepare Estimates of the Expence of their Departments, for a certain given Number of Men, from which a Judgment may be made, when the Number of Men to be kept in Pay is determined. All which, I shall do myself the Honour to lay before the Congress, as soon as they are ready.
I have now a painful tho a necessary Duty to perform respecting Doctor Church Director General of the Hospital. About a Week ago, Mr Secrety Ward of Providence, sent up to me one Wainwood an Inhabitant of Newport, with a Letter directed to Major Cane in Boston, in Characters which he said had been left with Wainwood some Time ago, by a Woman who was kept by Dr Church. She had before press’d Wainwood, to take her to Capt. Wallace, Mr Dudley the Collector, or George Rome, which he declined. She then gave him the Letter, with a strict Charge to deliver it to either of those Gentlemen. He suspecting some improper Correspondence, kept the Letter & after some Time opened it; but not being able to read it, laid it up, where it remained untill he received an obscure Letter from the Woman, expressing an Anxiety after the original Letter. He then communicated the whole Matter to Mr Ward, who sent him up with the Papers to me. I immediately secured the Woman, but for a long Time, she was Proof against every Threat & Perswasion, to discover the Author. However at Length she was brought to a Confession & named Dr Church. I then immediately secured him, & all his Papers. Upon his first Examination he readily acknowledged the Letter, said it was designed for his Brother Fleming, & when decyphered would be found to contain nothing criminal. He acknowledged his never having communicated the Correspondence to any Person here, but the Girl; & made many Protestations of the Purity of his Intentions. Having found a Person capable of decyphering the Letter I in the mean Time had all his Papers searched but found nothing criminal among them—but it appeared on Inquiry that a Confidant had been among the Papers before my Messenger arrived. I then called the General Officers together for their Advice, the Result of which you will find in the Inclosure No. 1. The decyphered Letter is the Inclosure No. 2. The Army & Country are exceedingly irritated & upon a free Discussion of the Nature, Circumstances & Consequence of this Matter it has

been unanimously agreed to lay it before the Honbl. Congress for their special Advice, & Direction. At the same Time suggesting to their Consideration, whether an Alteration of the 28th Article of War may not be necessary. As I shall reserve all farther Remarks upon the State of the Army till my next, I shall now beg Leave to request the Determination of Congress as to the Property & Disposal of such Vessels & Cargoes as are designed for the Supply of the Enemy & may fall into our Hands. There has been an Event of this Kind at Portsmouth as by the Inclosure No. 3. in which I have directed the Cargo to be brought hither for the Use of the Army, reserving the Settlement of any Claims of Capture to the Decision of Congress. As there are many unfortunate Individuals whose Property has been confiscated by the Enemy, I would humbly suggest to the Consideration of Congress the Humanity of applying in part, or in the whole such Captures to the Relief of those Sufferers after compensating any Expence of the Captors & for their Activity & Spirit. I am the more induced to request this Determination may be speedy, as I have directed 3 Vessels to be equipped in order to cut off the Supplies, & from the Number of Vessels hourly arriving it may become an Object of some Importance. In the Disposal of these Captures; for the Encouragement of the Officers & Men, I have allowed them one third of the Cargoes except military Stores, which with the Vessels are to be reserved for the publick Use. I hope my Plan as well as the Execution will be favoured with the Approbation of Congress.
One Mr Fisk, an intelligent Person, came out of Boston on the 3d Instt & gives us the following Advices. That a Fleet consisting of a 64—& 20 Gun Ship, 2 Sloops of 18 Guns, 2 Transports with 600 Men were to sail from Boston as yesterday. That they took on Board two Mortars, four Howitzers, & other Artillery calculated for the Bombardment of a Town—their Destination was kept a profound Secret.
That an Express Sloop of War which left England the 8th August arrived 4 Days ago. That General Gage is recalled, & last Sunday resigned his Command to General Howe. That Ld Percy, Col. Smith, & other Officers who were at Lexington, are ordered Home with Gage—That 6 Ships of the Line, & 2 Cutters were coming out under Sir Peter Dennis. That 5 Regiments & 1000 Marines, are ordered out, & may be expected in 3 or 4

Weeks. No Prospect of Accomodation, but the Ministry determined to push the War to the utmost.
I have an Express from Col. Arnold, & h[e]rewith send a Copy of his Letter & an Inclosure No. 4. & 5. I am happy in finding he meets with no Discouragement. The Claim of the Riffle Officers to be independant of all the superiour Officers, except Col. Arnold is without any Countenance, or Authority from me, as I have signified in my last Dispatch both to Col. Arnold & Capt. Morgan. The Captain of the Brig from Quebec for Boston, informs me that there is no Suspicion of any such Expedition, & that if Carlton is not drove from St Johns, so as to be obliged to throw himself into Quebec, it must fall into our Hands; as it is left without a Regular Soldier, & many of the Inhabitants most favourably disposed to the American Cause. That there is the largest Stock of Ammunition ever collected in America.
In the above Vessel some Letters were also found from an Officer at Quebec to General Gage & Major Sheriff at Boston containing such an Account of the Temper of the Canadians as cannot but afford the highest Satisfaction. I have though⟨t⟩ it best to forward them. They are the Inclosures No. 6 & 7. I am with the greatest Respect & Regard, Sir, Your most Obed. & very Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 October 1775
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia Octobr 5th 1775

The Congress having this day Rec’d certain Intelligence of the Sailing of Two North Country built Brigantines, of no Force, from England on the 11th of August last, loaded with Six thousand Stand of Arms, a large Quantity of Powder & other Stores for Quebec, without Convoy, and as it is of great importance if possible to intercept them, I am order’d by the Congress to Give you this information, and to Desire you immediately to Apply to the Council of the Massachusetts Bay for the Two Arm’d Vessells in their Service, and Dispatch the same, with a sufficient Number of people, Stores &c. particularly a Number of Oars in order if possible to intercept said Brigantines and their Cargoes, and secure the same for the Use of the Continent. It is also their Desire that you Give orders to the Commanders of the Vessells you Send on this Service to Seize and take any other Transports laden with Ammunition, Cloathing or other Stores for the Use of the Ministerial Army or Navy in America which they may meet with, & Secure them in the most convenient places for the use of the Continent.
That you Give the Commander or Commanders such instructions as are necessary, and also proper incouragement to the Marines and Seamen that shall be Sent on this Enterprize.

That the instructions you shall Give be Deliver’d to the Commander or Commanders Sealed up, with Orders not to Open the same untill out of Sight of Land on Accott of Secrecy—If the Vessells in the Service of Massachusetts Bay can be Readily obtain’d you are to Employ them, and others if you shall think necessary to Effect the purposes aforesaid; if they cannot, then you will Employ such as can be soonest fitted out—At the same time I am directed to inform you that the Rhode Island and Connecticutt Vessells of Force, if possible, will be directly sent after to the Assistance of those you Send out, for which purpose I write by order of Congress to those Governmts by this Conveyance.
For the Encouragement of the Men employ’d in this Service, I am to inform you that the Congress have Determin’d that on this Occasion, the Master, Officers and Seamen shall be entitled to one half of the Value of the Prizes by them taken, the Wages they Receive from their respective Colonies notwithstanding.
It is further Resolved that the Ships or Vessells of War employ’d in this Service are to be on the Continental Risque and pay during their being thus Employ’d.
For further Intelligence I Refer you to the Inclos’d, which have not Time to Copy, as I am order’d to Dispatch the Express immediately. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most Obedt hume sevt

John Hancock Presidt

The Inclos’d please to order to be Del[ivere]d to the Council of Massats Bay.


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 5 October 1775
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
[Philadelphia] 5 Octor [17]75

By a very intelligent person just arrived from London we have certain intelligence that a large number of Brass cannon from 24 to 4 pounders are preparing at the tower and were to be sent to Boston immediately, that 400 of the train of artilery were to be sent with them; that transports were taken up by Government to carry several regiments from Ireland to New york, that 17 of the transports lay at Deptford when he left England; that he expected they would sail from Ireland by the last of Septr.
The following is an extract from a person of credit in London dated 31 July which came by the above gentleman.
“The plan of operation they have at present in agitation or which I might properly say, actually determined on and transmitted to Boston is as follows.
[“]With the assistance of Govr Tryon (who is much relied on for the purposed[)] to get immediate possession of New york & Albany—to fill both of these cities with very strong garrisons—to declare all Rebels who do not join the Kings forces—to comand the Hudsons and East Rivers with a number of small men of war & cutters stationed in different parts of it, so as wholly to cut off all communication by water between New york and the provinces to the northward of it & between New york & Albany except for the Kings Service and to prevent also all communication between the city of New york & the provincs of New Jersey, Pensylvania and those to the southward of them. By these means Administration & their friends fancy that they shall soon either starve out or retake the garrisons of Ticonderoga & Crown point & open & maintain a safe intercourse & correspondence between Quebec Albany & New york & thereby afford the fairest opportunity to their Soldiery & the canadians (In conjunction with the Indians to be procured by G. J.)—to make continual irruptions into New Hampshire, Massachussetts bay & Connecticut and so distract & divide the provincial forces as to render it easy for the British army at Boston to defeat them: but the spirits of the Massachussetts people, depopulate their country & compel an absolute subjection to Great Britain—Another good effect to be deduced from this extensive

plan, as government apprehend, is that as New york will by this method be prevented from supplying the Massachussetts army near Boston with flour &c. As they heretofore have done through the medium of Connecticut, And the New Jersey and pensylvania people will not be able to transport provisions across the country & the colony of Connecticut does not raise corn sufficient for the supply of herself and the Massachussetts bay. The inhabitants & troops of this province must inevitably of course be in a short time destroyed by diseases and famine and to this train of facts let me add; that in consequence of General Gage’s desire brought by Captn Chadds one hundred flat bottomed boats are at present building at Deptford &c. in order to be sent immediately to America—but for what particular purpose I have not yet been able to learn. Many American gentlimen have however been lately asked by a Lord high in the American department, what sized vessels can go loaded from hence to Albany—what is the depth of water at the overslaw (I think that is the name of the shallowest place in the north River[)]—Whether the ship belonging to Albany in the London trade is alway obliged to unload part of her cargo before she can get to Albany and what proportion of it. Whether if batteries were erected at the highlands, they would not prevent vessels from going up & down the north river. And where would be the best places on that river to hinder the New-Jersey people &c. from sending flour &c. in the winter through Connecticut to the Massachussetts bay. These are the proposed operations to the northward. As to the southward—Commodor Shuldam is preparing with all expedition to go to Virginia at the earnest request of Lord Dunmore with a number of Frigates, Cutters &c. which are to be employed in obstructing all communication by water inland between the Carolinas Virginia, Maryland, Pensylvania & the northern Colonies And in order to keep the virginians & Marylanders engaged at home and prevent their affording any assistance to New york or the Massachussetts bay. Those frigates & cutters are to destroy the towns of Virginia & Maryland and spread devastation over the plantations bordering on the navigable rivers. Shuldam is also to detach some of his fleet to lie before Philada & Charles town S.C. and fire on these cities, if they afford the least assistance to the Massachussetts bay.”

There are several other letters which confirm the above and farther intimate the resolutions of Administration to take into pay 20.000 Hessians & Hanoverians But as this must have the sanction of parliament it is apprehended they will not be sent out this fall.
The Gentlemen appointed to wait on you are to set out tomorrow Morning. I am Your most Obedt sert

John Hancock Prest


Title: From George Washington to the New York Committee of Safety, 5 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: New York Committee of Safety

⟨Gentlemen,⟩
⟨Camp at Cambridge Octo. 5th 1775⟩

By an intellig⟨ent Person from⟩ Boston the 3d Instt, I am informed ⟨that a Fleet⟩ consisting of one 64 one 20 Gun ⟨Ships. 2 Sloops⟩ of 18 Guns: Two Transports with 60⟨0 Men were⟩ to sail from Boston as yesterday; t⟨heir Destination⟩ a profound Secret. That they took on ⟨board⟩ 2 Mortars, & 4 Howitzers with other Arti⟨llery calcu⟩lated for the Bombardment of a Town. ⟨I have⟩ thought it proper to apprize every ⟨Considerable⟩ Town on the Coast of this Armament tha⟨t they⟩ may be upon their Guard—Should I rece⟨ive⟩ any farther Account of their Destination it s⟨hall⟩ be forwarded.

The same Person also informs that an Express Sloop arrived 4 Days before, from Eng⟨land⟩ at Boston, which she left the 8th August. G⟨enl⟩ Gage, & most of the Officers who were at Lex⟨ington⟩ are recalled, & sail this Day. General Ho⟨we⟩ succeeds to the Command—Six Ships of ⟨the Line⟩ & 2 Cutters under Sr Peter Dennis a⟨re coming out. Five Regiments & 1000 Marines may be expected at Boston in 3 or 4 Weeks. No Prospect of Accommoda⟩tion but on the other Hand ⟨every Appear⟩ance of the War being push’d with ⟨the utmos⟩t Vigour. I am Gentlemen very respectfully Your most Obedt & very Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert Carter Nicholas, 5 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Nicholas, Robert Carter

Dear Sir,
Camp at Cambridge Octr 5th 1775.

Your favour of the 8th Ultimo came to my hands on the 2d Instant by Mr Byrd. I return you my sincere thanks for your kind congratulation on my Appointment to the honourable and important Post I now hold, by the suffrages of this great Continent. My heart will ever bear testimony of my gratitude, for the distinguished mark of honour which has been conferred on me by this Appointment; as it also will of my wishes, that so important a trust had been placed in the hands of a Person of greater experience and abilities than mine. I feel the weight of my charge too sensibly not to make this declaration; at the same time, I must add, that I do not want to withdraw any services, within the compass of my power, from the Cause we are Nobly engaged in.

Mr Byrd shall not want for his pay whilst he is in this Camp; although, as I have no Cash of my own here, and charge the public with my expenses only, I shall be a little at a loss to know in what manner to advance it with propriety. Bills of exchange would answer no end here, as we have not the means of negotiating them, but if you would place the Money in the hands of Messieurs Willing and Morris of Philadelphia (either in Specie, Continental, Maryland or Pennsylvania Paper) they could easily remit or draw for it: But, at any rate, make yourself easy, as Mr Byrd shall not want to the Amount of his pay.
By an intelligent person out of Boston, the day before Yesterday, we are informed that a small Fleet, consisting of a 64 Gun Ship, a 20 Gun, 2 Sloops of 18 Guns, and 2 Transports with about 600 Men, were to sail on Yesterday from that Harbour: They took on board 2 Mortars, 4 Howitzers and other Artillery; from which we suspect they intend to bombard some Town on the Coast: He also informs us, that General Gage is recalled, that General Howe commands in his place; that the Account of the Action on Bunker’s Hill, as transmitted by the former, is returned and corresponds pretty much with ours as to killed and Wounded; and that the last Accounts from England, by a Ship just arrived, leave no room to believe there will be an accommodation soon.
The Enemy in Boston and on the heights of Charlestown (two Peninsulas surrounded in a manner by Ships of War and Floating Batteries) are so strongly fortified, as to render it almost impossible to force their Lines, which are thrown up at the Head of each Neck; without great Slaughter on our side, or cowardice on theirs, it is absolutely so. We, therefore, can do no more than keep them besieged, which they are, to all intents and purposes, as close as any Troops upon earth can be, that have an opening to the Sea. Our advanced Works & theirs are within Musket shot. We daily undergo a cannonade, which has done no injury to our Works and very little hurt to our Men. Those insults we are obliged to submit to for want of Powder, being obliged (except now and then giving them a Shot) to reserve what we have for closer Work than Cannon distance.
My Respectful compliments to Mrs Nicholas and the rest of your Fireside, and to any inquiring friends, conclude me, with

grateful thanks for the Prayers and good wishes you have been pleased to offer on my account, Dear Sir, Your most Affectionate & obt servt

G. Washington


Title: From George Washington to the Portsmouth Committee of Safety, 5 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Portsmouth Committee of Safety

Gentlemen
Head Quarters Cambridge Octr 5. 1775

I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 2d Instt informing me that the Ship Prince George Capt. Emms from Bristol to Boston with Flour for the Enemy by a Mistake of her Captain, & the spirited Conduct of some of the Inhabitants is now in your Possession.
I cannot but consider this as a most providential Event, the State of this Army being alone defective in that Article. It would therefore highly conduce to the publick Interest, & to our Relief to forward it hither as soon as possible: which I apprehend may be done with Safety & Ease by Water as far as Salem or Marble head. In the mean Time I will communicate the Matter to the Continental Congress for their Direction as to the Compensation to be made the Captors & the Determination of what Property arises by the Capture & in whom vested.
Whatever Expences may accrue in complying with the above Request, & whatever Risque may be run by the Carriage by Water I will engage: But as I do not learn there are any of the Enemys Ships on the Coast I hope the Risque is very small. I am with much Respect & Esteem Gentlemen Your Most Obed. & very Hbble Servt

Go: Washington

One Mr Fisk from Salem who left Boston the Day before yesterday informs that a 64 Gun Ship a 20 Gun & 2 Sloops with 2 Transports of Soldiers having taken on Board 2 Mortars, Howitzers &c. sailed as yesterday—as the Design is probably to batter some Town on the Coast, I thought it proper to give you the earliest Notice & it may be adviseable to retain the Flour a few Days till their Destination can be known. You will please to forward the Letters by this Ship ⅌ first Oppy.


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.

Sir
Camp at Cambridge October 5. 1775

By a Person from Boston the Day before yesterday we learn that a small Fleet consisting of a 64 Gun Ship a 20, 2 Sloops of 18 Guns. 2 Transports & about 600 Men sailed as yesterday. They took on Board 2 Mortars, 4 Howitzers & other Artillery from which we suspect they intend to bombard some Town on the Coast. General Gage is recalled Genl How commands in his Place. We have some late Accounts from England but see no Prospect of an Accomodation; General Gages Acct of Bunkers Hill is returned & corresponds pretty much with ours as to kill’d & wounded. You will please to forward the inclosed to the Commissary General with all Expedition & believe me Sir Your most Obedt & very Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Lund Washington, 5 October 1775
From: Washington, Lund
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Mount Vernon Octbr 5th 1775

I receive’d Your Letter of the 28th Augst on tuesday afternoon it was rather too late for me to go up to Alexandria, & I had promise’d to meet Mrs Washington at Mr Diggs to bring her over the River—but I immedeately wrote to Mr Harrison upon other Business, which I was sure woud bring him to Mt Vernon so soon as he receiv’d my Letter—Mr Muir wrote me Harrison was gone to Occoquan & from thence was to go to his fathers—Early on yesterday Morning I sent after him but unluckily he cou’d not be found any where within the Neighbourhood of Occoquan, it was a very rainy day yesterday, my messenger did not return until night, I suppose he is over at his fathers, & did not go to Occquan so that I cannot with Certainty inform you by this letter, whether Mr Harrison will Accept the offer you make him or not, but I can hardly think he or any other American woud refuse it—about ten days past in Conversasion with Mr Harrison he told me nothing but his haveg two Young Children had kept him so long from enterg into the Army, & he now almost wishd he had went to you this summer, for shoud there be a rupture here, he shoud most certainly be engage’d in it & he might as well have done it at once—was I to judge from the Conversation we had, I think I can almost venture

to say he will thankfully accept your offer & be with you almost as soon as this Letter, but shoud he not I will inform you immediately by a Gentleman who leaves Alexandria on monday next, to go to Philadelphia which letter perhaps may come to hand as soon as this. Tis true many people have made a Stir about Mrs Washingtons Continuing at Mt Vernon but I cannot think her in any Sort of danger—the thought I believe first originated in Alexandria—from thence it got to Loudon, I am told the people of Loudon talkd of sendg a Guard to Conduct her up into Berkeley with some of their principle men to persuade her to leave this & accept their offer—Mr John Agst. Washington wrote to her pressg her to leave Mt Vernon—she does not believe herself in danger, nor do I. without they attempt to take her in the dead of Night they woud fail, for 10 minutes notice woud be Sufficient for her to get out of the way—Lord dunmore will hardly Venture himself up this River, nor can I think he will send upon that errand surely her old acquaintance the attorney (who with his family are aboard his Ship) woud put him off doing an Act of that kind—I have never Advise’d her to stay nor Indeed to go, Col. Bassett thinks her in no danger—you may depend I will be watchfull, & upon the least Alarm persuade her to move—she setts off next week with her son & Daughter down the Country—I cannot Recollect I ever wrote to you when she did not, once her Letter was not Inclosed in mine but were both sent under Cover to Mr Milnor—I write every week. we are not yet done sewg Wheat, it has been a very unlucky season for it—Always raing the rain yesterday & today will prevent any more being sewd this Week—we have almost finishd repairg the Damage done our Tumblg Dams—it has been principally done by the Miller & Coopers & I think will never be carried away again—we have lengthen’d the dam so that the water has 16 feet more Vent than it had, the plat forom made much more substantial than before, & Indeed the whole of the worck done in the Strongest manner—not yet done the Store House—shall Raise the wash House or Servts House next Week—John Broad Sick, Brick layers When the Weather will permit about the Garden Wall—Stoco worckman will be 3 weeks yet about the Dineg Room, & Sears has about one weeks worck yet upon the Chimney piece at

present he is not here, I am told he is sick at home Our Negroes very Sickly, fevers & Agues, I have sold the other Bill upon Norton & sons of 346 £ Stelg drawn at 15 pr C. I got Dollars for it at 5/9 which is equal to 20 pr C. Dollars at 6/ have heard nothing from Simpson, or Cleveland—John West wrote to me for money you owe him upon bond he wants £30. I shall let him have it, he means to pay of his Bond to Custis out of Adams Bond—I wrote you about Adams Land in maryland—Whether there is not money to be paid about it & what is to be done with it—I hope to have the pleasure of seeg you this Winter for Whether Things are made up or not I suppose you can Leave the Army in Winter—till then am Dr Sir Your Affectionate & Obdt Servt

Lund Washington

Painter still absent.


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 6 October 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To: Washington, George

Watertown [Mass.] 6 October 1775.. Recommends officers in Col. Edmund Phinney’s regiment for commissions.


Title: From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 6 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Massachusetts General Court

Gentlemen
Head Quarters [Cambridge] Octob. 6. 1775.

On the 29th August I did myself the Honour of addressing you on the Complaint of the Quarter Master respecting Wood for the Army—The Recess of the House of Representatives prevented any Steps being taken upon it: I must now beg Leave to recall your Attention to my Letter of that Date as the Evil is increasing & more alarming as the Winter approaches. Little or no Wood is brought in & it is apprehended the Owners keep it back to impose an unreasonable Price.
The Communication at Winnisimet Ferry which was opened for the Relief of the unhappy Sufferers at Boston, is now turned into a Convenience for the Enemy. A whole Week has some Times elapsed without a Boat being permitted to com⟨e⟩ out; & there have been many Irregularities there which the Distance & my other Engagements have prevented my attending to—Before I gave any Orders upon the Subject I thought proper to communicate my Intentions to you, that if there were any special Reasons against the proposed Alteration you may have an Oppy of making me acquainted with them.
By an Estimate laid before me by the Quarter Master General I find it will be impracticable to provide sufficient Barracks for the Troops before the Season is too far advanced without appropriating many of the Houses in & about Cambridge to this Use. Many of the Inhabitants who had deserted them are now returning

under the Protection of the Army: I feel a great Repugnance to exclude them from what is their own, but Necessity in this Case I fear will supersede all other Considerations—I must beg the General Court to act upon it. I am most respectfully Gentlemen Your most Obed. Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 6 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Schuyler, Philip

Dear Sir
Camp at Cambridge Octr 6th 1775.

I wrote you Yesterday of which the inclosed is a Copy. Since which I have been informed that your Illness has obliged you to quit the Army, and General Wooster as the Elder Brigadier, will take Rank and Command of Mr Montgomery—General Wooster I am informed is not of such Activity as to press thro’ Difficulties, with which that Service is particularly environ’d. I am therefore much alarmed for Arnold, whose Expedition was built upon your’s and who will infallably perish if the Invasion and Entry into Canada are abandoned by your Successor.
I hope by this Time the penetration into Canada, by your Army is effected, but if it is not and there are any Intentions to lay it aside, I beg it may be done in such a Manner that Arnold may be saved by giving him Notice and in the mean Time your Army to keep up such Appearances as may fix Carlton and prevent the Force of Canada being turned wholly upon Arnold—He expected to be at Quebec in 20 Days from the 26th September So that I hope you will have no Difficulty in regulating your Motions with Respect to him—Should this find you at Albany and General Wooster about taking the Command, I intreat you to impress him strongly with the Importance & Necessity of proceeding on so to conduct that Arnold may have Time to retreat.
Nothing new has occurr’d since Yesterday deserving your Notice. Our next accounts of your Health I hope will be more favorable—Ten thousand good Wishes attend you from this Quarter, none more sincere and fervent than those of Dear Sir Your most obedt & very Humble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 7 October 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To:

Watertown [Mass.] 7 October 1775.. Recommends that John Rice be commissioned “as youngest Lieutenant in Captain Saml Gridleys Company” in the regiment of artillery.


Title: From George Washington to Lund Washington, 7 October 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Lund

Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 7 Oct. 1775. On 29 Oct. Lund Washington wrote to GW: “On Sunday last I got three Letters from you dated the 2d 7th and 9th of Octbr.”


Title: Council of War, 8 October 1775
From: Council of War
To:

[Cambridge, 8 October 1775]

At a Council of War held at Head Quarters October 8th 1775.
Present

His Excelly General Washington
Majors Genl Ward, Lee, Putnam
Brigads. General, Thomas, Spencer, Heath, Sullivan, Green, Gates

His Excelly having on the 5th Instt proposed sundry Questions in Writing to each of the Members of the Council now requested their Opinion on the several Matters referred to their Consideration.
1st What Number of Men are sufficient for a Winters Campaign?
Unanimously agreed, that the Army ought not to consist of less than Twenty thousand, three hundred & seventy two Men. And that it will be proper to form it into 26 Regiments (exclusive of Riffle Men & Artillery)—that each Regiment consist of 728 Men Officers included. Each Company to be officerd with 1 Captain 2 Lieuts. 1 Ensign & to contain 4 Sergeants 4 Corporals 2 Drums or Fifes, & 76 Privates. Which Army is deemed sufficient both for offensive & defensive Measures.
That the Adjutt & Quartermaster of each Regiment have also a Subaltern’s Commission.

2. Can the Pay of the privates be reduced & how much?
Unanimously agreed that the Pay cannot be reduced at present.
3. What Rations should be allowed the Men, & for such small Articles as the Commisy at Times cannot furnish shall they be compensated in Money or Provisions?
Unanimously agreed that the present Allowance of Provisions ought to stand. And agreed by a Majority that the Compensation be made in Money.
4. What Regulations are farther necessary for the Government of the Forces?
This Question being so general the Members of the Council were not prepared to give their Sentiments—Whereupon his Excelly desired they would particularly attend to the Articles & Regulations of the Continental Army & suggest such Alterations & Improvements as they should deem necessary.
5. For how long a Time ought the Men in the present Army (should we set about inlisting them) be engaged.
Unanimously agreed to the 1st Decemr 1776—but to be sooner discharged, if necessary.
6. What Method would you recommend as most eligible to cloath the new raised Army with a Degree of Decency & Regularity? Would you advise it to be done by the Continent? In that Case would you lower the Mens Wages & make no Deduction for Cloathing or let it stand & make Stoppages? & how much ⅌ Month?
Agreed. That each General Officer cloath a Person according to his own Fancy & Judgment & then the best Dress to be selected as a Model. That the Cloathing be provided by the Continent & paid for by Stoppages of 10/ ⅌ Month.
7. As there appears to be a great Irregularity in the Manner of paying the Men & much Discontent has prevailed on that Account in what Manner & at what fixed Periods would you advise it to be done under a new Establishment?
The Members of the Council upon this Question were equally divided, viz:

            For Payment

            Per Month
            Three Months

            Green
            Gates

            Sullivan
            Spencer

            Heath
            Thomas

            Lee
            Puttnam

            Washington
            Ward

8. What sized Regimts would you recommend under this Establishment, that is how many Men to a Company? how many Companies to a Regimt & how officer’d.
This Question answered under the 1st.
9. Is there any Method by which the best of the present Officers in this Army can be chosen without impeding the Inlistment of the Men by such Choice & Preference. Under any complete Establishment even if all the privates in the Army were engaged again many of the present Officers must be discharged as there is an over Proportion; Of Course we ought to retain the best.
This Question being of a very difficult & delicate Nature the several Members requested farther Time to consider it.
10th Whether it will be adviseable to re-inlist any Negroes in the new Army—or whether there be a Distinction between such as are Slaves & those who are free?
Agreed unanimously to reject all Slaves, & by a great Majority to reject Negroes altogether.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel William Henshaw, 8 October 1775
From: Henshaw, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Cambridge [c.8 October 1775]

An ardent love for my Country & a desire to promote its Interest & welfare will I make no doubt be a sufficient apology in the eyes of your Excellency for addressing you on a subject which I think deserving your consideration & that is the procuring such Field Officers to serve the ensuing Campaign, as is equal to the Offices & will give satisfaction to the Soldiers who are to serve under them, I would therefore humbly propose the following method as the best which at present occurs to my mind to answer so desireable an end Vizt To appoint a meeting of the Major Genls & Brigdr Genls and advise with them in the Choice of Colonels Lt Colonels & Majors who will be able to inform you of their Characters & qualifications, after your Excellency has procur’d the number of Field Officers sufficient for the Regts intended to be employed, let those Field Officers have the Nomination of the Commission Officers who are to serve under them as I apprehend they will be most likely to know their Characters & qualifications & if your Excellency approves of the Nomination let them have inlisting Orders immediately

& inform the Men whom they are going to inlist that such & such Men are to be the Field Officers of the Regt they are to inlist into which I am persuaded the New England Men (from the knowledge I have of them) will require before they engage in the Service—If some such method is not taken I fear there will not be an Army raised by the last of December large Enough to maintain all our Lines should the Enemy be reinforc’d with Six or seven Regts & attempt to force them I also apprehend the Soldiers will inlist more freely now than when the weather is very severe—That your Excellency may enjoy Health the Love of your Country & be prospered in all your Noble undertakings is the real wish of your Excellencys most Obedient Humble Servt

W.H.


Title: To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 8 October 1775
From: Lee, Richard Henry
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia 8th Octr 1775

A Ship in 7 weeks from London brings us pretty perfect intelligence of the infernal designs of our Ministerial enemies, as you will see by the inclosures in Dr Shippens letter. I believe they are the most perfect that could be obtained, and so may be much relied on. God grant that our successes at Boston and in Canada may disappoint, and thereby ruin these fatal foes to the liberty and happiness of the British empire.
My love, if you please, to Gen. Lee, Mifflin, Griffen, and my other friends with you.
May heaven preserve you, and give your Army success in the most glorious cause that was ever contended for by human nature. I am dear Sir your affectionate friend and obedient Servant

Richard Henry Lee


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, 9 October 1775
From: Hitchcock, Daniel
To: Washington, George

Prospect Hill, 9 October 1775.. Recommends discharge of Sgt. William Vinson who “has for a long Time laboured with a Rhumatic Disorder in his back, & there appears to be no Probability of his being able to do any service to the Continent this Winter.”


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 9 October 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To:

Watertown [Mass.] 9 October 1775. Recommends staff officers in Col. Timothy Danielson’s regiment for commissions.


Title: To George Washington from the Soldiers of Captain Thomas Mighill’s Company, 9 October 1775
From: Soldiers of Captain Thomas Mighill’s Company
To: Washington, George

9 October 1775.. “Humbly Pray Your Honor would be pleas’d to hear us Respecting the settling the Officers over us if Providence should Order Affairs so as to remove our Captain to an higher Office; when we came into the Camps Lieutenant Nelson was our first Lieutenant; Lt Cresy the 2d Lt; Amos Bayley 1st Serjeant; Lt Pike the 2d Serjeant—Nelson’s Refusing to abide in the Camp, we were oblidged to Chuse one in his Place; we being of different Parishes said Pike then said that according to the Plan we set out upon their Parish, ought to have the second Officer in the Company for the sake of Peace (tho’ contrary to the Minds of more than half the Company) We consented that the said Pike should serve in said Place; said Pike further said that if the Captain was removed he expected the first Parish should have the Place the Capt. stood in therefore We desire your Honor would Recommend the following Men if our Captain be remov’d to be Lieutenant Cresy 2d Lieut. Pike & Serjeant Bailey for the third—If Your Honor in your Wisdom think best to hear the Parties.”


Title: To George Washington from Stephen Moylan and Colonel John Glover, 9 October 1775
From: Moylan, Stephen,Glover, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Salem [Mass.] 9th October 1775

We were too sanguine in our expectation on saturday, which occasiond Mr Moylan to tell Mr Reed, that one of the Schooners woud be ready for the sea on thursday next it is difficult to procure Carpenters to put them in the necessary order, we therefore think it will be saturday before the first will be ready to sail, on that day we wou’d reccommend to your Excellency to

order the Captain & his Company to set off—on the Wednesday ensuing we have no doubt, but that the other vessell will be properly fitted.
there has some difficultys occurd in the hire of these vessells, relative to the manner in which they shoud be found, it is Customary for them to have but three sails, Mainsail foresail, & Gib. these are sufficient for the Voyages they usually make, the Owners justly remark, that were they to purchass the other sails necessary for the present purpose, the hire of the vessells woud be inadequate to the expence there are many objections made of a Smaller nature which we had no other method of Compromiseing than, agreeing, that on their part, they shall put their vessells in the same good order & Condition, which they woud be obliged to do, were they hired to take in a Cargo for the west indies or elsewhere, & on ours, that what extra expence may accrue from the nature of their present employment, must be a publick Charge.
Colonel Glover has given the strongest proofs of his good oppinion of the Schooner Commanded by Captain Broughton, he has ventured his brother & his favorite son on board of her, however Lest any blame may Lay with him, if any Misfortune shoud happen (which God avert) he will be pleasd to have the Captain & his Company removd to a vessell of better fame for Sailing, we have for this purpose hired a schooner from Mr Stevens of Marblehead, She is noted for her good qualitys, & will be ready to take in the Hannahs Company & Stores in 12 or 14 days the extra Sails &a on board the Later will serve for her, she is taken up on the same terms with the other two, 4/ Stl. ⅌ ton ⅌ month or 5/4 Lawfull money.
Your Excellency may be assured we have used our best diligence in transacting this business, which we will Continue to do in fitting them out appointing Agents, & in every Command You may please to honor us with—We have the honor to be with due respect Your Excellencys most Obedt and Humble Servants

Stephen Moylan
John Glover

P.S. Yesterday afternoon about five ôClock were seen Comeing out of Boston Harbour, & this morning about six ôclock off

Marblehead, two Large ships of War, a Schooner & a sloop, Steering a N.N.E. course, it is apprehended they are goeing to Portsmouth—Mr Moylan will Set out for that place to morrow.


Title: To George Washington from the Portsmouth Committee of Safety, 9 October 1775
From: Portsmouth Committee of Safety
To: Washington, George

Portsmouth [N.H.] 9th October 1775
May it Please your Excellency

We are honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th Instant a full Answer to which we shall forward as soon as we have consulted the Provincial Committee of Safety which setts tomorrow, the Letters and Papers received by the Prince George

We forward by Dr Jackson. I am with due respect By Order of the Comtee of safety Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servt

H. Wentworth Chairman

The Bill of Lading & Clearance togeather with Mr Herberts Letter to Mr Lloyd will be presented to your Excellency by Dr Jackson, who has promised to Return them for our Govermt.


Title: To George Washington from Ensign Samuel Stoughton, Jr., 9 October 1775
From: Stoughton, Samuel Jr.
To: Washington, George

Windsor, Conn. 9 October 1775. Requests discharge from the service. “I having Obtained a Furlough from Genl Ward Baring Date the 9th Day of September last for leave of Absence from the Continental Army for fifteen Days then Next Ensuing . . . which Said time is Already Expired, and finding the Situation of my Family to be Such On Acct of the Camp Disorder which hath & Still Does prove Verry Mortal, and Great Numbers have Dyed of the Same, and there being Great Numbers of the Inhabitants Dangeriously Sick in this place, and finding my Self in a relaxed State of Health therefore it is not Probable that I Should be Any way Serviceable in the Continental Army this present Campaign if I Should Join it.”


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 October 1775
From: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Lebanon [Conn.] 9th Octo. 1775

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 21st of Septr—have no disposition to increase the weight of your Burdens, which in the multiplicity of your busines must be sufficiently heavy, nor inclination to disturb the harmony so necessary to the happy success of our public operations; am persuaded no such difficulty will any more happen.
It is unhappy that Jealousies should be excited, or disputes of any sort be litigated between any of the Colonies, to disunite them at a time Our Liberty, our property, our All is at stake—If our Enemies prevail, which our disunion may occasion, our Jealousies will then appear frivolous and all our disputed Claims of no Value to either Side.

Your’s of the 5th was delivered me the 6th—have not heard of the Small Fleet you mention—imagine their primary Object is Newport—they may likewise design an Attack on some of Our Towns—The Letter enclosed to the Commissary General was delivered him at his arrival on Saturday.
President Hancocks Letter of the 30th of Septr was delivered me the 4th instant, requesting me to meet the Committee from the Congress on the 12th at Cambridge to confer touching the continuing, supporting, and regulating the Continental Army—Our General Assembly meeting on the day appointed for the proposed Conference rendereth it inconsistent with my duty to attend the latter. Agreable to their desire shall appoint a proper person to represent the Colony at the Conference—expect to obtain the favour of Deputy Governor Griswold to accept such appointment—had the meeting been earlier, it would have afforded me satisfaction to have attended, given me the pleasure of waiting on You and the other Gentlemen, besides gratifying my Curiosity to see the Works the Army have made. I am, with great Truth and Esteem Your Excellency’s most Obedient very humble Servant

Jonth. Trumbull


Title: From George Washington to Lund Washington, 9 October 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Lund

Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 9 Oct. 1775. On 29 Oct. Lund Washington wrote to GW: “On Sunday last I got three Letters from you dated the 2d 7th and 9th of Octbr.”


Title: General Orders, 10 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Octr 10th 1775.
Parole Dartmouth.Countersign Essex.


Title: To George Washington from Ensign John March, 10 October 1775
From: March, John
To: Washington, George

10 October 1775. “By Reason of A Weak Constitution I find myself Incapable of doing my Duty—I therefore pray yr Excellency will be pleased to grant me a Discharge as there are Several of Firm Constitutions that wou’d be glad to supply the Vacancy.”


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant William Cochran, 11 October 1775
From: Cochran, William
To: Washington, George

[C.11 October 1775]. Petitions for discharge from the army. “Your petitioner enter’d into the Service in the Capacity of a second Lieutenant—He was willing to risque his Life in Defence of our common Liberties—But He unhappily finds his Strength insufficient for the Fatigues of a Camp. His Health has been very much impaired, And he is unable to do his Duty as He would wish to do.”


Title: To George Washington from the New Hampshire Committee of Safety, 11 October 1775
From: New Hampshire Committee of Safety
To: Washington, George

Colony of New Hampshire In Committee of Safety for said Colony [Exeter] Octr 11th 1775
Sr

The Committee of Safety for the Town of Portsmouth have represented to us that the Ship Prince George Capt. Richard Emms Master from Bristol bound to Boston with Provisions for the Army there, is now in their Port & in their Custody, that they had represented the Matter to your Excellency, & that You had desired the whole Cargo might be forwarded to the Army under Your Command—This Colony have upward of a hundred Soldiers stationed at the Batteries erecting in our Port, and often Two hundred more in a Day from the Country working on the Batteries and there is not, nor has there been for some Weeks past a single Barrel of Flour to be purchased with in this Colony: We therefore thinking it necessary for the Promotion of the Common Cause have ordered a hundred Barrels of the Flour to be taken for the use of the said Soldiers, & doubt not it will Meet with Yr Excellency’s Approbation—And as the Town of Portsmouth is in great want of Bread, we should be exceeding glad if the Circumstances of the Army will admit of it, that about Five hundred Barrels of the Flour might be sold to the Inhabitants of said Portsmouth & the Money deposited in the hands of some faithful Person until the Determination of the Continental Congress relative to the said Cargo may be known.
The Sailors appear to be pleased with the Capture, but are uneasy about their Wages, & we would request your opinion whether or not they should be paid by the Sale of some Part of the Cargo.
We would also propose to your Excellencys Consideration whether the transporting the Flour round Cape Ann will not be dangerous; We conceive it more prudent to convey it in Small Vessels to Ipswich, tho the Land Carriage from thence is further than from Marblehead than to risque it round the Cape.
Your Excellencys Sentiments on these Matters will much Oblige us. In behalf of the Committee I am Yr Excellencys Most Obedient humble Servt

Wm Whipple
Cha[irma]n P.T.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General John Thomas, 11 October 1775
From: Thomas, John
To: Washington, George

Roxbury 11th of Octor 1775

Your may Remember I Mentioned to your Excellency the Discharge of Some Subalterns that were Making Applycation for it, & agreable to your Answer I have Directed King Lapham, Joshua Baisto & Lieut. Cole, to wait on your Excellency who I think may be Spared from the Army—I am with the Greatest respect your most Obedt & very Humble servt

John Thomas


Title: To George Washington from Samuel West, 11 October 1775
From: West, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Plymouth [Mass.] October the 11th 1775

When I was att Head Quarters the other Day, my good friend mr Pierpoint informed your Excellency, that I had lost my horse; and proposed, that I should have one of the Provincial horses presented to me to supply my loss: the manner in which mr Pierpoint introduc’d the Subject gave Me a great deal of Pain and uneasiness: because (I thought) it had the Appearance of a design to beg a favor of the Gentlemen of the Army; when therefore Colonel Read offered to Send me an horse to ride home; I was under So much confusion as not to know certainly whether the horse was only lent me to ride home, or whether it was design’d to be presented to me for my own: mr Pierpoint thought that the horse was presented to me as a gift;

but I judg’d from Several things that it was only lent me to ride home; and accordingly had fully determined as Soon as I had gotten home to Send the horse back by the first opportunity: But Several Gentlemen of my Acquaintance upon hearing the Account of the matter, judgd, that I had a just right to have Satisfaction made me by the Continent for my loss, inasmuch as I had preach’d in the camp five Sabbaths and a fast, and expected no reward for my Services, they thought, that I had a right to be Made whole by the Continent for any Damage I Might Sustain while I was doing duty in the camp. Colonel Warren of Plymouth Speaker of the house of representatives was So full in this Sentiment, that he advised me to present a memorial to your Excellency; and to represent the matter in its proper light; not doubting, but that your Excellency would judge it proper that the continent should make good the damage that I have Sustain’d. It is in Consequence of his Advice, that I have now written this letter to your Excellency. In order, that your Excellency may form a true judgment of the matter, I must briefly State the fact which is thus—mr Spring who is now gone chaplain to Quebec, had liberty granted him by Dr Cogswill to take his horse and ride him to newbury port and Sell him for Nine Pounds; he thro a Mistake took my horse and Sold him in his journey to a man belonging to Salem; hearing of this I went to Salem, and when I came there was told that the horse was gone off, the Stable door being left open—dilligent Search was made but he could not be found: Now as there is no person, of whom I can legally demand Satisfaction for my loss, except mr Spring, and as it is very uncertain when he will return from Quebec, and as I Stand in need of an horse every Day almost when I am at home, if your Excellency thinks my request to be rational and that the publick ought to make good the Damage that I have Sustaind; I Should be glad to have liberty granted me to keep the horse that Colonel Read Sent me, till I have proper Satisfaction made me by mr Spring for the loss I have Sustaind. If your Excellency will Send a line to me by the bearer of this mr Joseph Howland to let me know whether I must return the horse back by the first opportunity, or whether I may keep him till I am otherwise Satisfied, it will lay a peculiar obligation upon your Excellency’s most humble and obedient servant

Samuel West


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Church, 12 October 1775
From: Church, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Prospect Hill Octobr 12th 1775.
may It please Yr Excellency

My Surgeon, and Mate being upon command in the Detachment under Coll Arnold I applied to Doctr Church to recommend Doctr Richmond, (who was then joint Surgeon with Doctr Fisk in Col. Hitchcocks Regiment) to your Excellency, to be Commissionated as Surgeon to my Regiment. He informed Me that the Power of supplying any Vacancies in the medical Department was vested by the Congress solely in Him. He therefore appointed the sd Doctr Richmond Surgeon to my Regiment. Which Appointment Doctr Richmond will present to Yr Excellency, and will inform You of any further Particulars respecting this Matter.

some Doubts have arisen whether this Appointment is legal or not; this therefore is to request Your Excellency, to determine upon the Matter. and if the Appointment appears to Yr Excellency to be legal to ratify It accordingly. if illegal, I request Yr Excellency to reappoint and Commissionate the sd Doctr Richmond Surgeon to my Regiment. I am Yr Excellency’s most obedient humb. Servt

	Thos Church Coll of 15th Regt


Title: To George Washington from Sarah Fulton, Alenar Clarke, Jannet Berry, and Hannah Harvard, 12 October 1775
From: Fulton, Sarah,Clarke, Alenar,Berry, Jannet,Harvard, Hannah
To: Washington, George

Honor’d Sir
Topsham [District of Maine] October 12. 1775

We your humble Petitioners beg Leave to lay our pitiful Circumstances before you & intreat your Favour. we would hope from your Elevated Station & Goodness that something may be done in our Favour. In the Month of August in the present Year, Messiers Robert Fulton, Robert Clarke, Joseph Berry, Thomas Harvard, our Husbands, with John Patten, William Patten & David Fouke young Men, went in a Sloop eastward as far as St Mary’s Bay, in the Province of Nova-Scotia, to get foo⟨d and⟩ Hay for themselves & were unfortunately taken by two Sloops of War, Cap. Douson, Cap. Graves, being Commanders of them, & sent them to Boston—We have, some of us, large Families of Young Children & are unable to help ourselves or them—our Friends & Neighbors, tho’ never so willing, can afford us but little Relief—by reason of the great Scarcity of Provisions occasion’d by the Drought, the Sterility of the Land, & Trade being stopped—We would humbly Intreat you, honor’d Sir, to give our Petitions a gracious hearing; & if you please,

upon the Redemption of Captives to favor the above mention’d Persons, it will Cause our Hearts to sing for Joy.

            Sarah Fulton
            Jannet Berry

            Alenar Clarke
            Hannah Harvard


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Camp at Cambridge October 12. 1775

I am honoured with your several Favours of the 26th, & 30th September, & 5th October. The Contents of which I shall beg Leave to notice in their respective Order.
Previous to the Direction of Congress to consult the General Officers on the best Mode of continuing, & providing for the Army during the Winter, I had desired them to turn their Thoughts upon these Subjects, & to favour me with the Result by a particular Day, in Writing: In this Interval the Appointment of Dr Franklin, Mr Lynch, & Col. Harrison was communicated. An Event which has given me the highest Satisfaction, as the Subject was too weighty, & complex for a Discussion by Letter—This Appointment made any Conclusion here unnecessary, as it is not probable any such Arrangement would be agreed on, as would not be altered in some Respects upon a full & free Conference. This good Effect will arise from the Step already taken, that every Officer will be prepared to give his Sentiments upon these important Subjects.
The Estimates of the Commissary and Quarter Master General, I have now the Honour of inclosing. The first is the Inclosure No. 1, the other No. 2. With Respect to the Reduction of the Pay of the Men, which may enter into the Consideration of their Support—it is the unanimous Opinion of the General Officers that it cannot be touch’d with Safety at present.
I have procured an Account from Col. Thompson of the Expenditure of the 5000 Dollars, which is inclosed No. 3.
Upon the Presumption of their being a Vacancy in the Direction

of the Hospital, Lt Col. Hand formerly a Surgeon in the 18th Regimt or Royal Irish, & Dr Foster late of Charles Town, & one of the Surgeons of the Hospital under Dr Church are Candidates for that Office. I do not pretend to be acquainted with their respective Merits, & therefore have given them no farther Expectation than that they should be mentioned as Candidates for the Department. I therefore need only to add upon this Subject, that the Affairs of the Hospital require that the Appointment should be made as soon as possible.
Before I was honoured with your Favour of the 5th Instt I had given Orders, for the Equipment of some armed Vessels to intercept the Enemys Supplies of Provisions, & Ammunition. One of them was on a Cruize between Cape Ann & Cape Cod when the Express arrived. The others will be fit for the Sea in a few Days under the Command of Officers of the continental Army, who are well recommended as Persons acquainted with the Sea, & capable of such a Service. Two of these will be immediately dispatch’d on this Duty, & every particular mentioned in your Favour of the 5th Instt literally complied with. That the Honbl. Congress may have a more complete Idea of the Plan on which these Vessels are equipped, I inclose a Copy of the Instructions given to the Captain now out (No. 4). These with the additional Instruction directed, will be given to the Captains, who go into the Mouth of St Lawrences River. As both Officers & Men most chearfully engage in the Service on the Terms mentioned in these Instructions, I fear that the proposed Increase will create some Difficulty by making a Difference, between Men engaged on similar Service I have therefore not yet communicated this Part of the Plan, but reserved an extra Bounty, as a Reward for extraordinary Activity. There are no armed Vessels in this Province; & Govr Cooke informs me the Enterprize can receive no Assistance from him as one of the armed Vessels of Rhode Island is on a long Cruize, & the other unfit for the Service—Nothing shall be omitted to secure Success: a fortunate Capture of an Ordnance Ship would give new Life to the Camp, & an immediate Turn to the Issue of this Campaign.
Our last Accounts from Col: Arnold are very favourable, he was proceeding with all Expedition, & I flatter myself making

all Allowances, he will be at Quebec the 20th Instt, where a Gentleman from Canada (Mr Brice), assures me he will meet with no Resistance.
In the Quartermasters Estimate there are some Articles omitted of which he informs me he cannot pretend to furnish a Computation—such as Cartage Tools &c. for which some general Allowance must be made.
From the various Accounts received from Europe, there may be Reason to expect Troops will be landed at New York or some other middle Colony—I should be glad to know the Pleasure of the Congress, whether upon such an Event it would be expected that a Part of this Army should be detached, or the internal Force of such Colony, & its Neighbourhood, be deemed sufficient: or whether in such Case I am to wait the particular Direction of Congress.
The Fleet mentioned in my last has been seen standing N.N.E. so that we apprehend it is intended for some Part of this Province, or New Hampshire, or possibly Quebec.
The latest & best Accounts we have from the Enemy are that they are engaged in their new Work across the South End of Boston, preparing their Barracks &c. for Winter. That it is proposed to keep from 500 to 1000 Men on Bunkers Hill all Winter, who are to be relieved once a Week. The rest to be drawn into Boston.
A Person who has lately been a Servant to Major Conolly, a Tool of Ld Dunmores, has given an Account of a Scheme to distress the Southern Provinces, which appeared to me of sufficient Consequence to be immediately transmitted I have therefore got it attested, & do myself the Honour of inclosing it, No. 5.
The new Levies from Connecticut have lately marched into Camp, & are a Body of as good Troops as any we have—So that we have now the same Strength as before the Detachment made under Col. Arnold. I am with the most respectful Sentiments to the Honbl. Congress & yourself Sir Your most Obedt & very Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Enclosure I: Joseph Trumbull’s Estimate of Commissary Expenses, 7–12 October 1775
From: Trumbull, Joseph
To:

[7–12 Oct. 1775]

An Estimate of the Cost of Such Articles for the Support of an American Army, consisting of 22,000 Men from the 10th October 1775 to the 10th May 1776, being 7 Months; as fall within the Department of the Commissary General

            25,000
            barrels Flour
            44/
            £55,000

            12,000
            barrels Pork
            65/
            39,000

            1,000
            barrels Salted Beef
            50/
            2,500

            22,000
            lb. Fresh Beef 3 days in a Week
            25/ ⅌ Ct
            29,100

            200
            barrels Beer or Cyder ⅌ day
             5/
            10,500

            22,000
            pints Milk ⅌ day
             @ 1d.
            19,150

            28,000
            bushels Peas or Beans
             6/
            8,400

            6
            oz. Butter ⅌ Man ⅌ Week
            8d. ⅌ lb.
            10,080

            2
            Gallons Vinegar ⅌ Man ⅌ Week

            10,000

            100
            Hhds N[ew] E[nglan]d Rum

           1,250

            Hospital Stores uncertain—Say

            30
            Pipes Teneriff Wine

            900

            100
            Casks Raisons
            50/
            250

            100
            barrels Oat Meal

            200

            £186.330

            add Contingencys

            13,670

            £200,000

I compute the Pork, as drove to Camp; if bo’t in the Country, the Transportation will Cost 20/ ⅌ barel more—in the whole £12,000—Beer & Cyder, Vinegar, Wine, Raisons and Oatmeal, & 50 Hhds Rum, already Purchased

Jos: Trumbull


Title: Enclosure II: Thomas Mifflin’s Estimate of Quarter Master Expenses, 5 October 1775
From: Mifflin, Thomas
To:

Cambridge October 5–1775

An Estimate of the Cost of a Barrack 96 Feet by 16 Feet; to be divided into 6 Rooms & to contain One hundred Men.

            Lawful Money

            Boards
            £30.

            Joist, or Slit work,
            6.

            Timber for the Frame
            12. 6

            Shingles
            10.16

            Nails
            9.

            Bricks
            12. 6

            Additional Wages to Soldiers one mo. (16 men) who build the Barrack 20/ ⅌ mo.
            16.

            The Cost of a Barrack 96, F. by 16 F.
            £96. 8

            At the lowest Estimate we must build One hundred and twenty Barracks of that Size—90 for Cambridge & 30 for Roxbury Camp; which in round numbers will amount to
            £12 000

            Allowing 1½ Cord of Fire wood ⅌ week to 100 men, the Army will consume in Six months 8000 Cords @ 20/
            8 000

            Lawful Money
            £20,000

Thomas Mifflin Quart. Mr Genl


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 12 October 1775
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Tionderoga [N.Y.] October 12th 1775.

I did myself the Honor to write Your Excellency on the 26th Ult: which I sent by the Way of Albany, on the 4th instant, I received

the Originals of the inclosed, Except that marked No. 2, which came to Hand Yesterday.
It chagrines me much, that I have not more frequent Opportunities of addressing Myself to You.
I am extreamly apprehensive that a Want of Powder will be fatal to our Operations, I have sent Express to Albany and New York, but have not yet learnt whether I shall be supplied or not.
The Army is now supplied with Provisions to the 30th instant, but all the Pork that is to be had is gone, and altho’ we have a Sufficiency of Fat Cattle I fear we shall want Salt.
Inclose Your Excellency a Return of the discharged Men from this Army, Exclusive of this 150 at least occupy the General Hospital at Fort George and I fear as many more are ready to enter it.
I begin to gather Strength, my Fever has left me and I hope soon to be able to join the Army.
General Wooster’s Regiment I suppose will be this Evening at Fort George, they will be pushed off immediately on their Arrival here.
Be pleased to make my best Respects to General Lee, General Gates and the Gentlemen of your Suit, I hope we shall all meet at a merry Christmas.
Adieu My Dear General, my best Wishes attend You thro’ Life, happy If I can have an Opportunity of evincing how sincerely, I am Dr Sir Your most Obedt humble Servt

Ph: Schuyler

This moment Your Excellencys dispatches of the fourth came to hand. Capt. Buel waits for this can therefore only thank you for them.


Title: From George Washington to Lund Washington, 12 October 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Lund

Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 12 Oct. 1775. On 29 Oct. Lund Washington wrote to GW: “Mr Milner came here on Fryday with a Letter from you dated the 12th.”


Title: To George Washington from Nathaniel Woodhull, 12 October 1775
From: Woodhull, Nathaniel
To: Washington, George

Sir
New York October 12th 1775.

Captain Thompson lately arrived from London was examined before the provincial Congress here—Some parts of the Information he gave are important & may not be fully known to you—I therefore take Liberty to enclose You notes Of Mr Thompson’s Information, and have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem most respectfully Sir your obedient humble Servt

Nathl Woodhull Presidt


Title: General Orders, 13 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Octr 13th 1775.
Parole Kenebec.Countersign. Lebanon.

Lieut. Richard Woodward of Capt. Gridley’s Company, in Col. Gridleys Regiment of Artillery, tried at a late General Court martial, whereof Col. Woodbridge was president, for “Cowardice in the Action upon the 17th June last, and for mutiny” The Court were unanimously of opinion, that the Charge of Cowardice on the 17th of June last, is fully supported against the prisoner; and are also unanimously of opinion, that the prisoner is guilty of mutiny, and of a malicious, vexatious, and groundless accusation of Capt. Gridley, at a late General Court Martial: The Court therefore unanimously adjudge the prisoner Lieut. Woodward to be cashiered and rendered incapable of serving in the Continental army.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 13 October 1775
From: Arnold, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Second Portage from Kennebec to the Dead River,13th October 1775
May it please your Excellency

A Person going down the River presents the first Opportunity I have had of writing to your Excellency since I left Fort Western, since which we have had a very fatigueing Time, the Men in general not understanding Batteaus, have been obliged to wade and hawl them more than half Way up the River. The last Division is just arrived—three Divisions are over the first Carrying Place, and as the Men are in high Spirits I make no Doubt of reaching the River Chaudiere in eight or ten Days, the greatest Difficulty being, I hope, already past. We have now with us about twenty five Days Provissions for the whole Detachment, consisting of about nine hundred & fifty effective Men. I intend making an exact Return but must defer it until I come to Chaudiere.
I have ordered the Commissary to hire People acquainted with the River, & forward on the Provissions left behind, (about 100 Barrels) to the great Carrying Place, to secure our Retreat—the Expence will be considerable, but when set in Competition with the Lives or Liberty of so many brave Men I think it triffling, and if we succeed the Provissions will not be lost. I have had no Intelligence from General Schuyler, or Canada, and expect none till I reach Chaudiere Pond, where I expect a Return of My Express and to determine my Plan of Operation, which as it is to be governed by Circumstances, I can say no more than if we are obliged to return, I believe we shall have a Sufficiency of Provissions to reach this Place, where the Supply ordered the Commissary to send forward, will enable us to return on our Way home so far that your Excellency will be able to relieve us. If we proceed on we shall have a sufficient Stock to reach the French Inhabitants, (where we can be supplied,) if not Quebec.
Your Excellency may possibly think we have been tardy in our March, as we have gained so little, but when you consider the badness & weight of the Batteaus and large Quantity of Provissions &c. we have been obliged to force up against a very rapid Stream, where you would have taken the Men for amphibious Animals, as they were great Part of the Time under Water, add

to this the great Fatigue in Portage, you will think I have pushed the Men as fast as they could possibly bear. The Officers, Volunteers and privates in general have acted with the greatest Spirit & Industry. I am, with the greatest Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant

Benedt Arnold

P.S. I have inclosed a Copy of my Journal, which I fancied your Excellency might be glad to see.


Title: To George Washington from Peter Bundy, 13 October 1775
From: Bundy, Peter
To: Washington, George

Westfield [Mass.] 13 October 1775. “Humbly Sheweth that Since your Petitioner Engaged in the Service his father Has Died of Sickness & the Family has been a long Time Vissited with the Same Kind of Sickness Which Fam[i]ly Consists of Your Petitioners Mother & Eight Brothers & Sisters Your Petitioner being the oldest Child & there being no Other Brother Capable of Gathering the Harvest or Sowing of Grain Which is Nessesary to be Done at this Season of the year There being Much Business of that Kind to be done on the farm of the Decd & Help is not to be Had in that NeighbourHood Your Petitioner therefore Humbly Prays your Excellency to Dismiss Him from the Service And Suffer him to Return home to The Famely he belongs too that he might have Oppertinity To afford them that Relief That the Laws of God & Nature Require of One in his Predicament.”


Title: From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 13 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Cooke, Nicholas

Sir
[Cambridge, 13 October 1775]

I am favour’d with yours of the 10th & am Sorry it has so happened that the proposed Scheme of Intercepting the Enemy’s Ordnance Stores cannot have your Assistance. The Experience your Officers & Men have had by an earlier Attention to Sea Service would have made them very acceptable on the proposed Enterprize.
The Fleet which sailed out of Boston a few Days ago & of which I apprized you the 6th Inst. has been seen standing N.N.E. From which we suppose they are destined against some Town of this Province or New Hampshire—or possibly to Quebec.
We have no Occurrence of any Consequence in the Camp since I had the Pleasure of writing you last.
I find the Delegates did not expect to leave Phila. ’till the 6th Inst. so that their Arrival here will be later than at first proposed—I expect the Pleasure of seeing you Shortly & am with much Regard & Esteem yours &c.


Title: From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 13 October 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Richard Henry

Letter not found: to Richard Henry Lee, 13 Oct. 1775. On 22 Oct. Lee wrote to GW: “I thank you for your obliging favor of the 13th.”


Title: To George Washington from Stephen Moylan, 13 October 1775
From: Moylan, Stephen
To: Washington, George

Sir
Portsmouth [N.H.] 13th Octobr 1775

I arrived here the 11th inst. & deliverd Colonel Reeds Letter to the Chairman of the Committee in Consequence of which he calld a meeting of the members, the result was, that they woud deliver to my Care 1200 barrells of the flour, and let me

know what would be done, with the rest of the Cargo, when they received an Answer to a Letter they had wrote to your Excellency, in which (they inform me) they express the great want of that article in this province.
As even a half a Loaf woud be better than no bread I told them I woud take immediate charge thereof, and yesterday I engaged two sloops, to begin the transportation, one of them will take in, this day.
I have engaged in behalf of the Continent to insure (against the enemy only) the Vessells, the Committee will appraise them, they are to receive one shilling Lawfull money ⅌ barrell, which at this season of the year is not extravagant, I find by haveing had a few barrells weighed, they fall short 3. 4. & 5 pounds, of the weight Markd on them, & as it will probably become a Continental Charge, I have thought it best to have them all weighed, that the publick, or the Commisary into whose hands they fall, may not pay for more flour than they realy have.
As there are people in this town inimicall to the Cause, I think best (in part) to Keep it secret where this flour is to be Landed, the engagements I have made are, that they must proceed to Newbury, Ipswich, Cape Ann, Salem or Marblehead, according to the orders, I shall give them when goeing to sea.
A Coppy of these orders, I have the honor of incloseing to you.
I have appointed Trist. Dalton Esqr. of Newbury Agent for the Armed schooners, & any Prizes they may Carry into that port, & Colonel Joshua Wentworth for this Province, they are to obey all Orders they will receive from Headquarters. I have the honor to be Your Excellencys Most Humble & Obedient Servant

Stephen Moylan

P.S. Your Excellency will be pleasd to order, two hundred and forty Dollars to be sent me by the bearer, that I may pay the freight and other Charges attending this business.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General John Thomas, 13 October 1775
From: Thomas, John
To: Washington, George

Roxbury 13 October 1775. Informs GW that the discharge of Capt. Joshua Benson “will be no Detriment to the Army.”


Title: From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 13 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, John Augustine

Dear Brother,
Camp at Cambridge Octr 13th 1775.

Your favour of the 12th Ulto came safe to hand a few days ago; by it I gladly learnt that your Family were recover’d of the

two complaints which had siezed many of them; and confind my Sister—I am very glad to hear also, that the Convention had come to resolutions of Arming the People, and preparing vigorously for the defence of the Colony; which, by the latest Accts from England will prove a salutary Measure. I am also pleasd to find that the Manufactury of Arms and Ammunition have been attended to with so much care—a plenty of these and unanimity and Fortitude among ourselves must defeat every attempt that a diabolical Ministry can Invent to Inslave this great Continent. In the Manufacturing of Arms for Publick use great care should be taken to make the bores of the same size, that the same Ball may answer, otherwise great disadvantages may arise from a mixture of Cartridges.
The Enemy by their not coming out, are, I suppose, afraid of us; whilst their Situation renders any attempts of ours upon them in a manner Impracticable. Nothing new has happend since my last worth communicating—since finishing of our own Lines of Defence we, as well as the Enemy, have been busily Imployed in putting our Men under proper cover for the Winter—Our advanced Works, & theirs, are within Musket Shott of each other; we are obliged to Submit to an almost daily Cannonade without returning a Shott from our scarcity of Powder, which we are necessitated to keep for closer work than Cannon Distance whenever the red Coat gentry pleases to step out of their Intrenchments—Seeing no prospect of this, I Sent a Detachment about a Month ago into Canada by the way of Kennebec River under the Command of a Colo. Arnold—this Detachment consisted of 1000 Men and was Order’d to possess themselves of Quebec if possible, but at any rate to make a diversion in favour of General Schuyler who by this is in possession I expect of Montreal & St Johns; as I am not altogether without hopes Colo. Arnold may be of the Capitol—If so what a pretty hand the Ministry have made of their Canada Bill, and the Diabolical Scheme which was constructed upon it—I have also, finding we were in no danger of a visit from our Neighbours, fitted, and am fitting out, several Privateers with Soldiers (who have been bred to the Sea) and have no doubt of making Captures of several of their Transports, some of which have already fallen into our hands laden with Provisions.
I am obliged to you for your advise to My Wife, and for your

Intention of visiting of her, seeing no great prospect of returning to my Family & Friends this Winter I have sent an Invitation to Mrs Washington to come to me, altho’ I fear the Season is too far advanced (especially if she should, when my Letters get home, be in New Kent as I believe the case will be) to admit this with any tolerable degree of convenience—I have laid a state of the difficulties however which must attend the journey before her and left it to her own choice. My Love to my Sister and the little ones are sincerely tenderd and I am with true regard Yr Most Affecte Brother

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Nathaniel Woodhull, 13 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Woodhull, Nathaniel

Sir
Camp at Cambridge Octr 13th 1775

I am to thank you for your Favour of the 4th Instt inclosing the Advices from England of 26th July & 8th August.
A few Days ago I apprized the Committee of New York of the sailing of a small Fleet from Boston with Artillery to bombard a Town. I did not then know that the Provincial Congress was setting or the Advice would have been directed to them. I now Sir, beg Leave to acquaint you that the Fleet there mentioned has been seen standing N.N.E. So that we apprehend it is destined against some Town on the Coast of this Province, New Hampshire, or perhaps to Quebec.
We have no Occurrence in the Camp worthy of Notice: Both Sides are making all Preparation for Winter. I am with the most respectful Regards to the Provincial Congress, Sir Your most Obedt & very Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 14 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Octr 14th 1775.
Parole Malden.Countersign Norfolk

The General has seen, and approves the sentence, of the General Court Martial, held upon Lieut. Woodward of the Artillery; he orders it to take place immediately, and commands Lieut. Woodward to be dismissed the Camp.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Church, 14 October 1775
From: Church, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Camp on Prospect Hill 14 October 1775. Requests discharge of Capt. William Cooke, “His Bodily Indisposition being such as Renders him Incapable of doing Duty, without Subjecting him to more Pain than is Consistant with the Laws of Humanity.”


Title: To George Washington from George Mason, 14 October 1775
From: Mason, George
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir.
Virginia, Gunston-Hall, Octor 14th 1775.

I wrote You in July, a little before my being ordered to the Convention, congratulating You upon an Appointment, which gives so much Satisfaction to all America; and afterwards in August from Richmond: since which I have to acknowledge Your Favour of the 20th of Augt which nothing but want of Health shou’d have prevented my doing sooner, as I shall always think myself honour’d by Your Correspondence & Friendship. I hinted to You in my last the partys & Factions which prevail’d at Richmond: I never was in so disagreeable a Situation, and almost despaired of a Cause which I saw so ill conducted. Mere vexation & Disgust threw me into such an ill State of Health that, before the Convention rose, I was sometimes near fainting in the House: since my Return Home I have had a severe Fit of

Sickness, from which I am now recovering; but am still very weak & low.
During the first part of the Convention, Partys run so high, that we had frequently no other Way of preventing improper Measures but by procrastination, urging the previous Question, & giving Men time to reflect: however after some Weeks, the Bablers were pretty well silenced, a few weighty Members began to take the Lead, several wholsome Regulations were made, and if the Convention had continued to sit a few Days longer, I think the public Safety wou’d have been as well provided for as our present Circumstances permit. The Convention, not thinking this a time to relye upon Resolves & Recommendations only, and to give obligatory Force to their proceedings, adopted the Style & Form of Legislation, changing the word enact into ordain: their Ordinances were all introduced in the Form of Bills, were regularly referred to a Committee of the whole House, and underwent their Readings before they were passed. I inclose You the Ordinance for raising an arm’d Force for the Defence & protection of this Colony; it is a little defaced by being handled at our District Committee, but it is the only Copy I had at present & by me. You will find some little Inaccuracies in it; but upon the whole, I hope it will merit your Approbation. The Minute-plan I think is a wise one, & will in a short time furnish 8,000 good Troops, ready for Action, & composed of Men in whose Hands the Sword may be safely trusted: to defray the Expence of the Provisions made by this Ordinance, & to pay the Charge of the last Year’s Indian war, we are now emitting the Sum of 350,000£ in Paper Curry. I have great Apprehensions that the large Sums in Bills of Credit now issueing all over the Continent may have fatal Effects in depreciating the Value, and therefore opposed any Suspension of Taxation, and urged the necessity of imediatly laying such Taxes as the people cou’d bear, to sink the Sum emitted as soon as possible; but was able only to reduce the proposed Suspension from three Years to one. The Land & poll-Tax (the Collection of which is to commence in June 1777) will sink 50,000£ ⅌ Year; & instead of the usual Commissions for emitting & receiving, the Treasurer is allowed an annual Sallery of 625£ Our Friend the Treasurer was the warmest Man in the Convention for imediatly raising a standing Army of not less than 4000 Men, upon constant Pay:

they stood a considerable time at 3000, exclusive of the Troops upon the western Frontiers; but at the last reading (as you will see by the Ordinance) were reduced to 1020 rank & file. In my Opinion a well judged Reduction, not only from our Inability to furnish at present such a Number with Arms & Ammunition, but I think it extreamly imprudent to exhaust ourselves before we know when we are to be attack’d: the Part we have to act at present seems to require our laying in good Magazines, training our People, & having a good Number of them ready for Action. An Ordinance is passed for regulating an annual Election of Members to the Convention, & County-Committees—for encouraging the making of Saltpetre, Sulphur & Gunpowder—for establishing a Manufactory of Arms, under the Direction of Commissioners; and for appointing a Committee of Safety, consisting of eleven Members, for carrying the Ordinances of the Convention into Execution, directing the Stations of the Troops, & calling the Minute Battalions, & Draughts from the Militia into Service, if necessary &c.
There is also an Ordinance establishing Articles for the Government of the Troops, principally taken from those drawn up by the Congress, except that a Court Martial upon Life & Death is more cautiously constituted, & brought nearer to the Principles of the common Law.
Many of the principal Familys are removing from Norfolk, Hampton, York & Williamsburg, occasioned by the Behaviour of Lord Dunmore, & the Commanders of the King’s Ships & Tenders upon this Station.
Whenever Your Leisure will permit, it will always give me the greatest pleasure to be inform’d of your welfare, & to hear what is doing on the great American Theatre.
I most sincerely wish You Health, and Success equal to the Justice of our Cause; and am, with great Respect, Dear Sir Your affecte & obedt Servt

G. Mason

P.S. I beg the favour of You to remember me kindly to General Lee, & present him my respectful Compliments.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 14 October 1775
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Tionderoga [N.Y.] October 14th 1775.

As I cannot let My Dear General remain one Moment in Anxiety I acknowledge his Letter of the 6th & send this by Express.
Mr Wooster is the Younger Brigadier of the two, but least any Uneasiness should be occasioned, I will keep him here.
Mine of the 26 Ult: which I hope You have received will inform You where our Army is, You may be assured that Nothing but a superior Force will bring It from thence, I have already dispatched the Papers You honored me with, to General Montgomery, Copy of that I have just now received will be sent Tomorrow.
Fortune is very unkind to me, a violent Flux, which has renewed its Attack is reducing me so Much, that I begin to give over Hopes of Joining the Army, I hope however, that I shall not be under the Necessity of quitting this Place, where sick as I am, I can still be of Service.
Be assured my Dear General that I shall do Every Thing in my Power to promote the Weal of the Glorious Cause We are embarked in, I feel a Conscious Inadequacy which I must attone for by Assiduity. I am with the most respectful Sentiments Your Excellency’s most Obedt & Most Humble Servant

Ph: Schuyler


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General John Sullivan, 14 October 1775
From: Sullivan, John
To: Washington, George

Much Respected Sir
Winter Hill October the 14th 1775

I have Reviewed the Palefaced Corps in my Brigade & find The Persons named in the Inclosed List Totally unfit for Duty at present have been So for a Long time & are Likely to Remain So During this Campaign Except Those to whose names I had added a Quere whose Disorders may possibly be Removed before the End of this Campaign with respect to those your Excellencey will act as your wisdom Shall Direct with Respect to all the others I beg Leave to Say that the Sooner they are Discharged The Sooner will the Continent be free from the unn[e]cessary

Charge of maintaining them here—I am with Respect yr Excellenceys most obedt Servt

Jno. Sullivan


Title: To George Washington from Colonel John Glover, 15 October 1775
From: Glover, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Marblehead [Mass.] Occtb. 15 1775

This will aquaint you, the two Vsells that the Captains Broughton, & Selmon, are to Command, are ready to tack the troops on board, the formers, for the Cannon and Swevil Cartridges, I have Sent to Coln. Burbank. Would it not be best, that every man, be furnisht with a Spear, or Cutlash, & a pare of Pistles, if to be had, as Guns is Very unhandy in boarding. I have Procuerd Provissions for the two Vesells, Saveing 4000 weight of bread, which Cannot be had here, but at the Extravegent Price of 32/ ⅌ ct.
Capt. Selmon, has his Compliment of men, to ten, which with your Excellencys Leave, he will take oute of the Regiment. Capt. Broughton is Very unwell, but hope its nothing more then a bad Cald, which he took at the time of Runing his Vesell on Shoar. he has not ben able to Recrute a Single man here, apprehend he may Get his Compliment oute of the Regiment with your Excellency Leave.
this Morning 6 oclock Saw a Ship Comeing oute of Boston, Steard her Cours Directly for Marblehead, which Alarmd the inhabitance Very Much. She Came allmost to the Harbours Mouth, Tackt Ship, & Stood off, where She now is about one or two Leagus Distance.
I Communacated to my Son your Excellencys intentions (as handed to me by Col. Read) of Giveing him the Command of one of the Vesells, which he Seems Much Pleased with, hope his Conduct will meet your Excellencys Approbation he therfore

Waits for Directions. I am Respectfuly your Excellencys Most Obedient Humbl. Sert

John Glover


Title: From George Washington to Lund Washington, 15 October 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Lund

Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 15 Oct. 1775. On 5 Nov. Lund Washington wrote to GW: “I have just reciev’d two letters from you Octbr 15th & 23d.”


Title: To George Washington from Lund Washington, 15 October 1775
From: Washington, Lund
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Mount Vernon Octbr 15th 1775

This Letter I expect will be diliver’d you by Mr Harrison who thankfully accepted your Invitation to the Camp, in my last I told you I had reason to believe he woud come, your letter was dated the 28th of Augst & I recieve’d it the 4th of Octbr it was long upon the Way—& Harrison Absent for several days after, so that I coud not give you a possitive answer sooner than this day on which, the Constitutional post leave Alexandria, I thought it needless to write by the Post as Harrison sets off so soon—I recieve’d on Sunday last two Letters by the King’s Post, dated 7th & 11th of Septmbr & one by the Constitutional, of the 21st Septmbr this day I recieved one date’d 25th of Septmbr—in your Letter of the 7th you mention haveg wrote one on the 4th I never recieved it—of the 25th which came under cover to Mr Ramsey. you say you wrote one directed in your own Hand, the contents of which was for the man who is Vilian enough to Stop your Letters Directed to me, I make no doubt but he got it for it did not come to me—Whatever Letters have miscarrid I no not, but I believe you have generally mention’d in more Letters than one, what it was you desire’d to have done, in order that you may form some judgement Whether there are any letters which have been totally stopd, (for I am clear some have been opend) the followg is the dates of all I have reciev’d since you left Philadelphia—July 8th 20th & July no date—Augst 17th 20th & 28th—Septmbr 7th 11th 21st & 25th—in your Letter of Augst 20th you speak of the Millers being Usefully employ⟨d⟩ & the Unreasonableness of his recieveg Wagers withoud doing something to earn them, as likewise in another you mention haveg desired Mr Milner to send a good Country Boultg Cloth for Simpson—Mr Milnor in a Letter to me said he was to send me one but I have not yet recieved, in the one of the 17th of Augst you speak of haveg wrote one abt the 11th—I have recieved no such Letter (& that Mr Milner Acknowledg’d the rect of it)—I believe upon the Whole those letters which come to hand, inform me fully of what you intend should be done with the Buildg &c.—I think the House, which you say I call the Wash House, by Which I

suppose you do not intend it for one, woud have lookd more Uniform in its outward appearance, to have had one Door in the midle as the Kitchen opposite has & the other in the Gable End, which might have been done by makg the Room next the great House the Breadth of the Door smaller than the Other, if it is not design’d for a Wash House, it woud have been large enough for any other purpose, & shoud there be a cover’d way from that End of the Great House to it as well as there is from the Other End to the Kitchen a Gable End door woud have look’d best—the House is now raised, I mentione’d something of this in a former letter, I shall leave the Front part of it undone untill I hear from you about it, & shoud you think proper to alter it—we can then do it—I wrote to you abt Jennifer Adams Land, What was to be done with it, if to be rented & how, whether altogether or in parsels—if you had deeds for it or not & if there is no money to be paid—I was yesterday told by a man Who came here to rent it, that Adams had been sellg in the Course of this Summer, all the timber he was able to get off it. I told you in my last that we had nearly Completed our tumbling Dam, & that I believed much Stronger than before, when I wrote it was Raing which Continued for the two followg days with Such Violence, that it carried away every thing almost that we had done, & broke the Race in several other places that the Fresh before did not, the reason why the dam gave way was owing to the flat forum [platform] on which the water falls not being planke’d, which was all that we had to do, towards compleatg the worck, we are again mendg it & shall if no more such Rains come, have it finishd this week comeg in—the Coopers have been ever since Hay time upon the Mill Race, the Whole worck almost of the Tumbling Dam with the Breaches made in the Race has been done by them, the Miller with them—Tom tendg the Mill. I think since the 12th of Augst or thereabouts we have had more Rain than I ever see fall in the time—the ground has been almost the whole time too wet to plow, we are not yet done sewg Wheat nor shall not be, for a Fortnight to come owing to the wet—I am at a loss how to proceed, whether to Grind up our Wheat or not—I am told by Bennett Jenkins (who came here to recieve his money) which he applyd for in Novmbr last you then told him he says that you did not chuse to

pay it without a Certificate from Crauford & simpson that they had not paid him—he brought with him a Certificate from both of them, that they had paid him no part on your Book you have charged him with money paid him, & his father, for him—but you have given no Cr. for What time he labourd for you he said you had his Ac[coun]t settled by Mr Young—Mrs Washington Cou’d not find it—I wanted to put the man off but he murmer’d & thought it hard not to be paid after comeg twice such a distance for it, I was oblige to pay, by the Ac[coun]t he had with him the ballance £11.5. pensylvania Currency he says Simpsons Son is upon the Road I suppose he is Comeg down after Money—I wish I had the Boultg Cloth that he might Carry it up with him at the Same time I will send him £300 pensylv: Currency I have been Oblige’d to purchase 16 M 20d. Nails we had some 20d. nails so bad that they cou’d not be drove 1 in 10—I have also bought two days past 4000 foot of Inch plank we coud not go on without it, & by the time the House is finishd that is now just Raised, we shall not have one foot of Inch & ¼ plank left beside what is put away for the Addition of the Great House—the Brick layers are at worck upon the Garden Wall next the Garden House, I want to get that wall done before we set about the Chimney of the Wash House as they will be mostly inside worck—but I think it will take them two weeks to finish the Wall—The Stoco man thinks he shall be 4 Weeks about the Dineg Room—the Cielg is not Clumsey, I think it light & handsome it is altogether worck’d by Hand which makes it tedious—as to pul[lin]g down the plaisterg in the new Room, it will not make two days odds in his doing the Room, for he can plaister in one day more than our two men can in a Week Mrs Washington seems desirous that what ever is to be done to it may be at once that she may get into it this Winter—if the sides is done in plain Stoco it will not take him long, as to the Sielg I can form no judgment how long it will take him she intends to talk to Colo. Lewis in her way down abt it. Webster is still makeg Bricks & will keep at it until the weather is cold, we have met with many losses & interruption by the wet weather—John Broad is still sick at least not enough recoverd to do any Worck—The Tayler sick, & many of the Negroes have fevers & agues. Mrs Washington I believe was under no apprehension of Lord

Dunmores doing her an injury until your mentiong it in several of your last Letters she intended to set off tomorrow down the Country I propose to her to put whatever she thought Most Valuable into trunks, & shoud there be a necessity to move them it will be sooner done, she will Stay tomorrow & do it, your papers are among the things which will be put up & I think to send them from home at all events. Am Dr Sir your Affectionate Servt

Lund Washington

this moment the Letter you design’d for the writer who we suspect opens Your Letters, was put in my hands—Sears is at home sick.