Title: To George Washington from Lund Washington, 29 October 1775
From: Washington, Lund
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Mount Vernon Octbr 29th 1775

On Sunday last I got three Letters from you dated the 2d 7th and 9th of Octbr—Mrs Washington haveing the week before set off for new kent, I on monday sent Tom Down with your letters to her, I expect her home Imediately, as she has often declared she woud go to the Camp if you woud permit her—I wrote to Colo. Mason Relative to the Stopg the Navagation of Potowmack—& went my self to Alexandria and there spoke to the several Gentlemen about it, all agreed something shoud be done I urged the Necessity of seting about it immediately.
Mr Milner came here on Fryday with a Letter from you dated the 12th with others for your Brothers & Colo. Lewis; he said as he was desire’d to send them by Express, not meeting with one readily he brought them him self, I went immediately down to Colo. mason, told him what you had wrote & shew’d him the Letter relative to Connolly, which he desire’d he might be permited to send immediately down to the Committee of Safety—I let him have it—he said in Consequence of my writeg to him on the monday before, he had wrote to several of Committee & others of Charles Cty maryland about it—all agree something shoud be done—Lower Cedar Point is the narrowest part of the Channel and a proper place for erectg a Battery but the Water is 16 or 18 fathom Deep and a very Strong tide, they think it cannot be done there, maryland point, the Channel is narrow and 18 feet water but far from the Shore—Indian Head is lookd upon to be the Best place—but it secures too small a part of the River—I proposed that some person shoud immediately go and sound the different parts, and that woud end the despute where was the best place, as I had remember’d to hear Captn Boucher say he woud undertake with 3 Ships to stop the Channel so that no ship of Force coud get up the River, I propose’d he shoud be immediately sent to and Consulted upon it, but whether he has been apply’d to or not I cannot tell—I shall urge the Matter & do all in my Power to prevail upon the people to set about a worck of the kind, I propose’d to send to Philadelphia for some person who understood Buildg the Cheveaux de Frieze so that we might not be at a loss about it—I shall go to Alexandria to morrow & by the next post shall inform

you what has been done in it or whether any thing will be done at all. In my last letters I told you Mrs Washington had packd all your papers with your Books of Ac[coun]ts in a Trunk—the day before she left home which Trunk I intended to send to Captn mcCartys—I told her She shoud be carefull to tie the papers in Bundles & put them carefully in, so that they might not be in any great confusion hereafter when they come to be open’d—I suppose they are so, she chose to put them up her self, whether she has put the whole of your papers in that Trunk or not I cannot say, she left me the Key of your Study that I might if absolutely necessary, secure what ever was left there, but whether that Desk contains papers of Consequence or not I cannot tell—nor shall I look into any part of it, or in any other part of the Studdy, without her being present, unless I find it absolutely necessary to do it, but so soon as she returns, I will indeavour with her to put every thing in the best order I can, and take some method of haveg them secured—you may be assure’d I will do every thing in my powr to, not only secure your papers, but every other Valuable thing that can be save’d even at the risque of my Life, if necessary, I desired her when she went down to Speak to Mr Mercer or Colo. Tayloe, what was to be done with Colo. mercers papers, as some people have applyd to me about there Bonds—John West applyd to me for payment in part of a Bond of yours to him of £100 which was due in Septmbr he pressd hard for 40£ said he coud not send his people over the Mountains without it—I let him have it, Mr Harper a few Days past presented me your note of Hand for £50. and wanted the money—Mr Wilson Says he has your assumt for £26 on Ac[coun]t of Lanphier which was to be paid this Month—some of these people must go without money for I cannot tell where to find it—Bishup is pressg for money as he shall be destressd for want of it—by mrs Washington I will send you an Ac[coun]t of the different sums I have paid since you went away and what I have recieved, that you may judge how things are going on—Simpson has had no money yet, no person haveing come for it—by Mr Harrison I sent you a Letter which I had just recieved from Cleveland—which is all I am able to inform you about him, two or three Nights past Dr Craiks two negroe men that he sent over the mountain came here in there way home—they say the worck

which they have done upon the Drs Land is Value’d to so much as will save it from forfeiture—that Cleveland is Still at worck & expects to save the whole of the Land this fall—the Doctors Servts are all lost but one—that Val. Crawford was at his mothers and was comeg down immediately they believe he had Letters for me—from the Ac[coun]ts I get from you and what we are dayly haveing here—it looks like lost labour to keep on with our Building—for shoud they get Burnt it will be provoking—but I shall keep on until I am directed to the contrary by you—I am much at a loss what to do about grindg up our wheat—Colo. Lewis wrote me the other day he intended to grind his. Dr Jenifer was here the other day gave me a Letter from Jenifer Adam offerg 2000 Wt of Tobacco Rent for that Land, on Ac[coun]t of his Sisters, I wrote to him, acquaintg him of What I had heard relative to his sellg Timber off the Land all the Summer—I also wrote to Mr Stone about the Deeds—Jennifer said he was expected in Portobacco every day, comeg to Carry his wife to Philadelphia—Jenifer Promised to speak to him and press him to have the Matter finally Setled before he left the Neighbourhood, as also to inform me when he came, that I might if I chose come & see him. Colo. Mason has been sick ever since he came from the Convention, he looks very badly, he is quite wore out in appearance—he seems to be much desturbd that he is not able to attend the Committee of Safety—I wish he was well, we want him much, & shall miss him if it pleases God to take him out of this World. I think 50 men well Arm’d might prevent 200 from burng Mt Vernon Situated as it is, no way to get to it but up a Steep hill, and if I remember right General Gates told me it could not be done by the Shipg. I wish I had the musquets—I woud endeavour to find the men Black or White, that woud at least make them pay dear for the attempt—I have never considerd much about makeg of Salt Peter nor have I had much time upon my hands since the rect of your Letter wherein it is mention’d—but I will consider it & write to you hereafter about it. Tom who I sent down to Mrs Washington is not returnd I expected him up this day, this Letter will go to Philadelphia by Mr Milner Who sets off tomorrow Morning—Custis & his Wife went down with Mrs Washington—The people are rather better than when I wrote last—Knowles is

well—Webster sick—John Barry is Dead. Am Dr Sir your Affectionate Servt

Lund Washington


Title: General Orders, 30 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, October 30th 1775.
Parole, Andover.Countersign Bedford


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Camp at Cambridge Oct. 30th 1775

The Information which the Gentlemen who have lately gone from hence can give the Congress of the State & Situation of the Army would have made a Letter unnecessary if I did not suppose there would be some Anxiety to know the Intentions of the Army on the Subject of their Re-inlistment.
Agreeable to the Advice of those Gentlemen & my own Opinion, I immediately began by directing all such Officers as proposed to continue to signify their Intentions as soon as possible a great Number of the Returns are come in, from which I find that a very great Proportion of the Officers of the Rank of Captains & under will retire—from present Appearances I may say half, but at least one third—It is with some Concern also that I observe that many of the Officers, who retire, discourage the Continuance of the Men & I fear will communicate the Infection

to them. Some have advised that those Officers who decline the Service should be immediately dismiss’d but this would be very dangerous & inconvenient. I confess I have great Anxieties upon the Subject, tho’ I still hope the Pay & Terms are so advantageous that Interest & I hope also a Regard to their Country will retain a greater Proportion of the Privates than their Officers—In so important a Matter I shall esteem it my indispensable Duty not only to act with all possible Prudence but to give the most early & constant Advice of my Progress.
A Supply of Cloathing equal to our Necessities would greatly contribute to the Encouragement & Satisfaction of the Men: in every Point of View it is so important that I beg Leave to call the Attention of the Congress to it in a particular Manner.
A Sergeant has just come in from Bunker’s Hill, but brings no important News. I have the Honour to be with all possible Respect Sir Your most Obedt Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James Pearson, 30 October 1775
From: Pearson, James
To: Washington, George

Wilmington [Del.] 30 October 1775. Requests an appointment in the army.


Title: From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 30 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Reed, Joseph

Dear Sir,
Cambridge 30th Octr 1775.

After you left this yesterday Mr Tudor presented me with the Inclosed—as there may be some observations worthy of notice I forward it to you, that it may be presented to the Congress; but I would have his remarks upon the frequency of

General Courts Martial consider’d with some degree of caution, for although the nature of his Office affords him the best oppertunity of discovering the Imperfection of the present Rules & Regulations for the Army, yet, a desire of lessening his own trouble may induce him to transfer many matters from a Genl Court Martial where he is the principal Actor, to Regimental Courts where he has nothing to do—I do not know that this is the case, but as it may be, I think it ought not to be lost sight of.
In your conference with Mr Bache be so good as to ask him whether the two Posts which leave Philadelphia for the Southward both go through Alexandria, & if only one, which of them it is, the Tuesday’s or Saturday’s that I may know how to order my Letters from this place.
My Letter to Colo. Harrison on the subject we were speaking of, is inclosed, and open for your perusal—put a Wafer under it, & make what use you please of it. Let me know by the Post or &ca what the World says of Men & things: My Compliments to Mrs Reed & with sincere regard I remain Dr Sir Yr Affecte Humble Ser.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Experience Storrs, 30 October 1775
From: Storrs, Experience
To: Washington, George

Cambridge, 30 October 1775. Ens. Isaac Farewell wishes to be discharged from the army “on acount of Indisposition of Body . . . I have no more to Say to your Exelencey than that when he has ben able he has Done his Duty with Cherfullness, but for Some Time past ben Troubled with the Rumitis & unable to Doe Duty, That in Case your Exelencey Should Think best to Release him, so rather Think it would not be any Disadvantage to the Service, The other Officers of the Company he belongs to are present & al in Health.”


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Trumbull, 30 October 1775
From: Trumbull, Joseph
To: Washington, George

May it Please Your Excellency
Lebanon [Conn.] Octobr 30th 1775

I have been very unhappily detained here by Sickness; which has been very severe, but by the goodness of God is now going of, And as that goes of my Anxiety about my business increases—I sent some time ago A request to Your Excellency for a supply of Cash without which nothing can be done; that Cash I have not received, which Possibly was well judged in my Friends considering the then Alarming state of my health, I have now

procured Capt. Wadsworth the bearer To wait on Your Excellency in my name & stead; to request a Warrant to the Pay Master General for One hundred And Twenty Thousand Dollars, the greatest Part of which is now due to my Agents in New York, And this Colony, And the rest will be needed by them imediately to make the necessary supplies for the Army within my Department for the comeing Winter. I hope to be able to Attend my Duty in Camp Again, but have been and am reduced so low, that it must be two or three Weeks first; however Your Excellency may depend on my Attendance as soon as it can be thought prudent for me to Venture. I am with the greatest respect and Esteem Your Excellencies most Obedient and very Hume Servant

Jos: Trumbull Com[missa]ry Genl


Title: From George Washington to James Warren, 30 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Warren, James

Sir
Camp at Cambridge Octr 30th 1775.

At the Instance and Request of the Committee of Cape Ann, I dispatched Major Mason, to survey and make a Report of, such Works of Defence, as were already constructed there, and how far any new one might be necessary. From his Observations and account I find, that a Battery may be erected there, to the great Advantage, and Security of the Place. But the small Stock of Artillery, belonging to the Army, prevents me from supplying the Materials for this Purpose. I have therefore thought proper, to acquaint you with the Circumstances of the Case, that you may make the best Provision for this Necessity, & have also sent Major Mason down to you, that a particular Enquiry, if

desired, may be made. Be pleased to communicate this Information to your honorable House. I am, Sir, with great Respect yr most obedient hbl. Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Lund Washington, 30 October 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Lund

Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 30 Oct. 1775. On 12 Nov. Lund Washington wrote to GW: “Yours of the 30th Octbr I recievd last night.”


Title: General Orders, 31 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Octor 31st 1775.
Parole Cambridge.Countersign Dedham.

As many Officers, and others, have begun to inlist men for the Continental Army, without Orders from Head Quarters; The General desires, that an immediate Stop be put thereto; that the inlistments be return’d; and that no person for the future, presume to interfere in this matter, ’till there is a proper

establishment of Officers, and those Officers authorised and instructed in what manner to proceed. Commissions in the new Army are not intended merely for those, who can inlist the most men; but for such Gentlemen as are most likely to deserve them. The General would therefore, not have it even supposed, nor our Enemies encouraged to believe, that there is a Man in this army (except a few under particular circumstances) who will require to be twice asked to do what his Honour, his personal Liberty, the Welfare of his country, and the Safety of his Family so loudly demand of him: When motives powerful as these, conspire to call Men into service, and when that service is rewarded with higher pay, than private Soldiers ever yet met with in any former war: The General cannot, nor will not (until he is convinced to the contrary) harbour so despicable an Opinion of their understanding, and zeal for the cause, as to believe they will desert it. As the Congress have been at so much pains to buy Goods, to cloath the Army, and the Quarter Master General, at great trouble to collect, upon the best terms he can, such Articles as are wanting for this purpose, he is directed to reserve those goods for those brave Soldiers, who are determin’d to stand forth in defence of their Country another year; and that he may be able to distinguish these, from such as mean to quit the Service, at the end of their present engagement, he will be furnished with the Inlistments—Any person therefore (Negroes excepted, which the Congress do not incline to inlist again) coming with a proper Order and will subscribe the Inlistment, shall be immediately supplied. That every non Commissioned Officer & Soldier may know upon what Terms it is he engages, he is hereby inform’d—That he is to be paid by the Kalender Month, at the present Rates; to wit. Forty eight Shillings to the Serjeants, Forty-four to the Corporals, Drums & Fifes, and Forty to the privates, which pay it is expected will be regularly distributed every Month.
That each man is to furnish his own Arms (and good ones) or, if Arms is found him he is to allow Six Shillings for the use thereof during the Campaign.
That he is to pay for his Cloathing, which will be laid in for him, upon the best terms it can be bought; to do which, a Stoppage of Ten Shillings a month, will be made, until the Cloathing is paid for.

That Two Dollars will be allowed every one of them, who brings a good Blanket of his own with him, & will have Liberty to carry it away at the end of the Campaign.
That the present allowance of provisions will be continued; And every man who inlists shall be indulged in a reasonable time, to visit his family in the Course of the winter, to be regulated in such a manner, as not to weaken the Army or injure the service.
The Quarter Master General in preparing Barracks for the Officers, is to assign one to each compleat Corps under the new establishment.


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Benjamin Gates, 31 October 1775
From: Gates, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

May it Please Your Excellency
Prospect Hill Octr 31st 1775

Whereas Your Petitionner Suddently Entred the service and in his Zeal for the Publick Safety of my Country Not thinking but the Service would have been at an End before this time I Freely Undertook the Duty of a First Lieutt in Capt. Black’s Compy in Colo. J. Brewer’s Regt and am Still Ready to Assist in the Cause on any Sudden Emergency But the Circumstances of my Family are Such as to Require my attendance and as I apprehend there are many Gentlemen in the Army Better Qualify’d than my Self for the Place For the above Reasons would beg Leave to Resign My Commission to your Excellency as I humbly Conceive it will be no injury to the Service.

Benjn Gates Lt


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 31 October 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To:

[Watertown, Mass.] 31 October 1775. Recommends officers in Col. Ephraim Doolittle’s regiment for commissions.


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 31 October 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To:

[Watertown, Mass.] 31 October 1775. Recommends officers in the regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Loammi Baldwin for commissions.


Title: To George Washington from Josiah Quincy, 31 October 1775
From: Quincy, Josiah
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency,
Braintree [Mass.]Octo. 31 1775.

My worthy and dear Friend Doctr Franklin, the honble Mr Bowdoin, Doctr Winthrop, and Doctr Cooper, were, the last Week, so kind as to honour me with a friendly Visit: The Conversation naturally turned, upon the savage Cruelty we are dayly suffering, from the unrelenting Vengeance of a tyrannical Government: In the Course of it, the stoping up the Harbor of Boston, as one salutary Measure, was thought well worthy the Attention of our state Pilots; and upon my saying I had once, if not more than once hinted the Scheme to your Excellency, they desired me to communicate my Sentiments to you, once more, in writing; especially, as I had lately received, a Letter from the honble J: Adams Esqr. in Phildia, in Answer to one of mine, which seemed to throw new Light upon the Subject: This, Sir, I beg may be a sufficient Apology, for transmitting to you the following Extracts of those Letters; with what has further occurred to my Mind, since they were wrote. In my Letter I thus write . . . “In my former Letter I said, ‘the Harbor might be blocked up, and both Seamen & Soldiers made Prisoners at Discretion,’ which seems to you incredible: Please to read, at your Leasure the following Explanation: There are but two Channels, through which ships of Burthen can safely pass, to and from Boston: One of them runs, between the west Head of Long Island and the Moon, (so called) and is about a mile across: This is too shallow for any Ship of War above 20 Guns: The Other is called the Ship Channel, and runs between the east Head of Long Island, and the south Point of Deer Island;

and is something better than a Mile from Side to Side: This, the only Channel through which capital Ships can pass, leads, outward bound, through the Narrows, between Gallops Isld and Lovels Island, where the Channel is not wider than the Length of a 50 gun Ship: In the Opening between Gallops Isld & Georges Isld is Nantasket Road; where one Frigate is always stationed to gaurd the Narrows from being stoped up. Upon these Facts I thus reason.
[“]The Moon Island communicates at low Water with Squantum Neck, almost dry shod: A defensible Fort therefore, may be so placed upon Squantum, as to cover the Retreat not only from the Moon, but from Squantum to the Main. One upon the east Head of the Moon, and another on the west Head of Long Island, secures that Passage, and covers the Retreat from the Latter to the Former. Another upon the Summit in the middle of Long Island, covers the Shore on both Sides, so as that no Force can land without being greatly annoyed, if not intirely prevented. Another strong Fort, with heavy Cannon, at the east Head of Long Isld would command, not only the Ship Channel that runs by it, but the Narrows and Nantasket Road, so that no Ship could remain there with Safety, and consequently, we might by sinking Hulks in the Narrows prevent, any Ship of Force from going out or coming in. If the Passage through the Narrows is not stoped, I am sensible, that a Ship, with a fresh Gale of Wind and flood Tide, which is rapid between Long Island and Deer Island, might run through without any great Hazard: But, after the east Head of Long Island is fortified, I can foresee Nothing to hinder the Narrows being reduced, to such a Depth of Water, as that no Vessel of Force can pass through there: This being effected, as I said above, both Seamen and Soldiers, if they dont escape, by a timely Flight, must become Prisoners at Discretion. I have been told there is in one of the late English Magazines, an accurate Draft of the Harbor, which upon Examination will enable you to determin, with Precision, the Bearings & Distances from Island to Island, and the Depth of Water between them; and consequently, whether such a Scheme is practicable or not.”
Mr Adams, in Answer writes thus. “I am much obliged by your kind Explanation of your Opinion that the Harbor might be blocked up. I must confess, althô I was born so near it, I

never understood before the Course of the Channel, and the Situation of the Harbor so well. I have carefully compared your Disciption of Squantum, the Moon, Long Island, Gallop’s Island, Lovel’s Island, and George’s; the Narrows and Nantasket Road, with ‘A Plan of the Town and Chart of the Harbor of Boston, exhibiting a View of the Islands, Castle Fort, and Entrances into the said Harbor, which was published in London last February.’ This Plan I knew to be inaccurate in some Particulars, and the Chart may be so in others: but, by the best Judgment I can make upon comparing your Facts with the Chart, and considering the Depths of Water marked on this Chart, I think it extremely probable with you, that Nothing but Powder & Cannon are wanting, to effect the important Purposes you mention, that of making Soldiers & Sailors Prisoners at Discretion.
[“]Doctr Franklin’s Row Gallies are in great forwardness: seven of them are compleatly manned armed &ca—I went down the River the other Day with all of them. I have as much Confidence in them as you have. But the People here have made . . . Machines to be sunk in the Channel of Delaware River. Three Rowes of them are placed in the River, with large Timbers barbed with Iron. They are frames of Timber sunk with Stone—Machines very proper, for our Channel in the Narrows.”
Doctr Franklin says they may be made in the Form of a Chevaux de Frize and used to great Advantage.
I have wrote to Mr Adams for a Moddel of the Machines he mentions, with explicit Directions how to sink and secure them from being weighed or destroyed by the Enemies Ships: For my own Part, since I have read what my Friend has wrote, I am more than ever convinced, of the Practicability of not only securing the Harbour, but relieving the Town of Boston, by making the present Possessors of it our Prisoners; and that without shedding much more human Blood, provided we can once possess & fortifie long Island. I doubt not, your Excellency will readily agree with me, that these are become objects of much greater Importance, since the Destruction of Falmouth demonstrates, the malicious Resolution of our barbarously civilized Enemies, to destroy all the rest of our Maritime Towns, if they can.
If your Excellency should think the above Sentiments worthy

of your Attention, and for maturing your Judgment, conclude it necessary to take an occular View of the Harbour and Islands; please to accept of my cordial Invitation, to refresh or repose your Self at my House; where my Happiness will be in Proportion to the Freedom with which you receive the friendly Salutation of Your Excellency’s, most obedient humble Servant

Josa. Quincy


Title: General Orders, 1 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, November 1st 1775
Parole, DorchesterCountersign Epsom

The General recommends it to those Officers, who have signified their Intention to continue in the service of the United Colonies another Campaign, not to run themselves to any expence in procuring Coats and Waistcoats until they are arranged into proper Corps and the Uniforms of the Regiment they belong to ascertained; which will probably be in a few days.


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 1 November 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To:

[Watertown, Mass.] 1 November 1775. Recommends staff officers in the regiment commanded by Lt. Col. Israel Hutchinson for commissions.


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 1 November 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To:

[Watertown, Mass.] 1 November 1775. Recommends officers in the regiment commanded by Lt. Col. William Bond for commissions.


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 1 November 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To:

[Watertown, Mass.] 1 November 1775. Recommends officers in Col. William Prescott’s regiment for commissions.


Title: General Orders, 2 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Novr 2nd 1775
Parole Falmouth.Countersign Georgia


Title: Council of War, 2 November 1775
From: Council of War
To:

[Cambridge, 2 November 1775]

At a Council of General Officers held at Head Quarters in Cambridge 2d November 1775.
Present

His Excellency General Washington
Majors General Ward, Lee, Putnam
Brigadiers General Thomas, Heath, Spencer, Sullivan, Green, Gates

The General acquainted The Council that it had been resolved at a meeting held with a Committee from the Continental Congress, and The Governours of The Adjacent Colonies, That such Officers as have served in the present Army to approbation, and are willing to Stay, be preferred. If there are more of those than are necessary for the New Army, The General to distinguish such as he deems best Qualified—It was also at the aforesaid meeting further agreed, that it should be proposed to the Officers now serving in The Continental Army, that they Signify which of them will continue to serve, & Defend their Country; & which of them retire; & that such Officers as propose to continue in the Service, & are approved of by The General, proceed to Inlist their men in the Continental Service, upon the same pay, & allowance of provisions, as is now given.

In consequence of These Resolutions, His Excellency Signified his wishes, that The General Officers composing this Council, as they are much better acquainted with The Characters & Merits of the Several Officers of the Army, than He is; would Aid Him in the Choice; whereupon it was agreed, that the following persons should be Nominated for Colonels to Command the Regiments of The New Army—Viz.

            1
            Thompson
            2
            Read

            3
            Larned
            4
            Nixon

            5
            Stark
            6
            Brewers

            7
            Prescot
            8
            Poor

            9
            Varnum nopad
            10
            Parsons

            11
            Hitchcocks
            12
            Little

            13
            Reed
            14
            Glover

            15
            Patterson
            16
            Sergeant

            17
            Huntington
            18
            Phinney

            19
            Webb
            20
            Arnold

            21
            Ward
            22
            Wyllys

            23
            Baileys
            24
            Greaton

            25
            Bond
            26
            Baldwin

            27
            Hutchinson

The Council then agreed with His Excellency The Commander in Chief in the Nomination of The following undernam’d Persons for Lieutenant Colonels.

            1
            Holden
            2
            Hand

            3
            Gillman
            4
            Nixon

            5
            Buckminster
            6
            Brown

            7
            Putnam
            8
            McDuffy

            9
            Green
            10
            Tyler

            11
            Cornwall
            12
            Alden

            13
            Sheppard
            14
            Clap

            15
            Johonnot
            16
            Read

            17
            Poor
            18
            Moulton

            19
            March
            20
            Enos

            21
            Jacobs
            22
            Vose

            23
            Durkee
            24
            Hanshaw

            25
            Tupper
            26
            Clark

            27
            Hall

The Council proceeded next to The Nomination of the undernam’d persons for Majors, Viz.

            1
            Hale
            2
            McGaw

            3
            Cadworth
            4
            Wood

            5
            Silly
            6
            Carary

            7
            Prentice
            8
            Angel

            9
            Sherbourne
            10
            Sprout

            11
            Collins
            12
            Putnam

            13
            Smith
            14
            Lee

            15
            Brooks
            16
            Austin

            17
            D. Wood
            18
            Brown

            19
            Loring
            20
            Biggelow

            21
            Wesson
            22
            Jackson

            23
            Meggs
            24
            Coburn

            25
            Humphreys
            26
            Nolton

            27
            Hayton

The Council then proceeded to place the Field Officers in Corps in the Following manner Viz:

             Colonels
             Lt. Colonels
             Majors

            Thompson
            Hand
            Macgaw

            Read
            Gillman
            Hale

            Larnard
            Sheppard
            Sprout

            Nixon
            Nixon
            Cobourn

            Stark
            Poor
            Moore

            Brewer
            Buckminster
            Cudworth

            Prescot
            Moulton
            H: Wood

            Poor
            Macduffy
            Silly

            Varnum
            Green
            Carary

            Parsons
            Tyler
            Prentice

            Hitchcock
            Conwall
            Angel

            Little
            Hanshaw
            Collins

            Read
            Clap
            Smith

            Glover
            Johonnot
            Lee

            Patterson
            Read
            Sherbourne

            Sergeant
            Enos
            Austin

            Huntington
            Clark
            Humphreys

            Phinney
            March
            Wood

            Webb
            Hall
            Brooks

            Arnold
            Durkee
            Knoulton

            Ward
            Tupper
            Biggelow

            Wyllys
            Putnam
            Meggs

            Bailey
            Jacobs
            Hayden

            Greaton
            Vose
            Loring

            Bond
            Alden
            Jackson

            Baldwin
            Brown
            Wesson

            Hutchinson
            Holden
            Putnam

The Council then resolved, that the Brigadier Generals of The Army, do call together the Field Officers in each Brigade now appointed to serve under The New Establishment, and they to Select out of those Captains, & Subalterns, who have return’d, their Names willing to continue in Service; so many as can be well recommended, the others to be rejected. attention to be paid to Those who are absent upon Furlough, or Command, the First of Those, to undergo the same Scrutiny, as those who give in their Names. if there are any Officers that have not return’d their Names, but are now willing to serve, & can be well recommended, their Names to be return’d, also the best Sergeants. A Return of all The Officers, the Regiments to which they belong, and their former Rank, to be made to The Commander in Chief, that they may be Formed into Regiments.
It appearing from information, that Several of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, are desirous of leaving that place, & had obtained passes for that purpose, arising perhaps from a proclamation of General Howes, which seems to have a Tendency to Compel the Towns people to take up Arms, to aid the Ministerial Troops in subverting the Rights, & Liberties of America; & it also appearing from information, that the Small Pox is, at this Time in many parts of The Town of Boston, His Excellency desired to know whether, under these circumstances, it is prudent to suffer Any of the Inhabitants of the said Town, to be Transported to Chelsea, by the Way of Winnissimit Ferry?
As the Situation of American Affairs with respect to Great Britain, may such, as to render it indispensably necessary, to attempt to Destroy the Ministerial Troops in the Town of Boston, before they can be reinforced in the Spring; even if it should be by Bombarding, & Firing the Town, is it advisable to Erect any kind of Works upon Dorchester point, before Frost setts in; & what kind?

What proportion of pay are persons of Nonage & Apprentices to draw?
In our present Scarcity of powder, had not our morning Gun better be discontinued?
What is to be done with Mrs Inman if she comes out, see her Letter.


Title: To George Washington from Captain Nicholson Broughton, 2 November 1775
From: Broughton, Nicholson
To: Washington, George

White Head 5 Leagues West of Canso In Nova Scotia Novr the 2d 1775
Sir,

by unfavorable Winds & weather we have been able to make but little head since our last—the 31st of Octobr some way off this Harbour we saw a Vessel standing to the Northward which Capta. Selman & I gave chase to; the Wind Springing up sudingly to a heavy gale, she bore away for this Harbour for safety; we pursued her directly in, & found her to be a Sloop belonging to Enoch Rust of Boston, who last Spring had the Sloop cleard out from Hallifax with Provision for Quebec, the Sloop has since taken a Cargo of Provision from Louisburgh for the west Indies; contrary as we apprehend to the Association of the united american Colonies, the Owner now at Canso we have reason to believe is not a favorer of our Cause as the Capta. (James Hawkins) told us he was lately undetermined whether he should go to Boston this Fall or not; The smallest Intention of going to that Den of Mischievous Violators of the rights of Humanity, must carry in the bosom of it as we concieve the Idea of Friendliness to their infernal Intentions, we upon the whole concieve ourselfes bound in obedience to your Excellencys Instructions to send the Vessel to a friendly port in New England upon her Arrival, your Excellency will have the Vessels Papers laid before you & will do respecting Vessel & Cargo as you may please The Master will be sent to New England the first Opportunity aftr this.
Capta. Hawkins about the Middle of September saw a Ship & a Brigantine going up the River St Lawrence but did not speak with either.
the Master informs that there was no Vessel of Force at Quebec

the begining of September & that he knows of none going up since he likewise says that a large Brigantine was lately (& he believes is not yet saild) loading with Coal at Spanish River on the Island of Loisburgh for Boston; & that three or four Score Boston Men have been diging Coal there, for the Ministerial Army for the season. we shall hoist Sail directly the wind breasing rather favorably & pursue our Course from your most obedient & very humble Servant

Nicholson Broughton


Title: To George Washington from the Falmouth Committee of Safety, 2 November 1775
From: Falmouth Committee of Safety
To: Washington, George

Sir
Falmouth [District of Maine] Novr 2. 1775

We have receiv’d your polite Favour of the 24. ultmo. It gives us inexpressible Concern to find that it is out of your Power to

afford us any Aid. And we are the more concern’d, on the Arrival yesterday of the Ship Cerberus, with a number of Men, said to be about four hundred. Those we expect will in a few hours land & take possession of the Town. How soon they will penetrate in the Country, God only knows, for what can a People do without Arms & Ammunition to defend themselves—The Poor distress’d People drove from their Habitations by the late cruel destruction of the Town, can scarcely find sufficient Places for their accommodation, & the Country is so engag’d in making provision for them, that we find it difficult to raise the Militia for our present defence—But we have only two half barrels of Powder in Stock, & we almost fear to make an Opposition.
We think it our Duty to represent our situation to you, not doubting that if you can think of any measures to relieve us consistent with the General Interest you will do it.
We are in great want of some Person of a martial Spirit to conduct the few Forces we already have. We are Sir, with great respect, Your most obedient, & very hume Servts
Enoch Moody Chairman of the Committee of Falmouth
Inclos’d is a manifesto sent on shore by the Captain of the Cerberus—who verbally demanded of 2 or 3 Gentn who went on board Yesterday, 20 Sheep & to come on shore for Wood & Water unmolested—Allso is inclos’d Capt. Mowats Letter.


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir,
Cambridge 2d Novr 1775

I could not suffer Mr Randolph to quit this Camp with out bearing some testimony of my duty to the Congress, although his sudden departure (occasioned by the death of his worthy relative, whose loss as a good Citizen, and valuable member of Society is much to be regretted) does not allow me time to be particular.
The Inclosed return shews at one view what reliance we have upon the Officers of this Army, and how difficient we are like to be in Subaltern Officers—a few days more will enable me to inform the Congress what they have to expect from the Soldiery, as I shall Issue recruiting Orders for this purpose so soon as the Officers are appointed, which will be done this day, having sent for the Genl Officers to consult them in the choice.
I must beg leave to recall the attention of the Congress to the Appointment of a Brigadier General—an Officer as necessary to a Brigade as a Colonel is to a Regiment, and will be exceedingly wanted in the new Arrangement.
The Proclamation’s, and Association herewith Inclosed, came to my hands on Monday last—I thought it my duty to send them to you—nothing of moment has happened since my last—With respectful Compliments to the Members of Congress I have the honour to be Sir Yr Most Obedt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.

Sir
Camp at Cambridge 2d Novemr 1775

I have been honored with your favor of the 30th ulto by Mr Trumbull—I sincerely wish this Camp could furnish a good Engineer—The Commisary Genl can inform you how excedingly deficient the Army is of Gentlemen skilled in that branch of business; and that most of the works which have been thrown up for the defence of our several Encampments have been planned by a few of the principal Officers of this Army, assisted by Mr Knox a Gentleman of Worcester—Could I afford you the desired assistance in this way I should do it with pleasure.
Herewith you will receive a copy of the proceedings held with the Committee of Congress from Philadelphia—It ought to have been sent sooner, but I am at present without a Secretary—Colo. Reed having a call home, left this on sunday last—I heartily congratulate you on the recovery of the Commissary General whose return, so soon as he can travel with safety, is much wished for. I am with the greatest Esteem and Regard your most obedient humble Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Joseph Trumbull, 2 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Trumbull, Joseph

Dr Sir
Camp at Cambridge 2d Novr 1775.

The news of your recovery, has given your friends a great deal of Joy. we had little hopes of seeing you again from some late accts of your health.
I have given Captn Wadsworth a draft on the Treasury for 120,000 Dollars agreeable to your request, although the State of our Cash is by no means able to bear such a pull upon it. besides this, Mr Avery on the 20th Instt got a Warrt for 20, M Dollars, & is now applying for Ten thousand More. So soon as you can travel with safety (& not before) I should be glad to see you at this Camp & am with sincere regard Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Warren, 2 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Warren, James

Sir
Cambridge Novr 2d 1775

I promised the Gentlemen who did me the honor to Call upon me yesterday by order of your house, that I woud inquire of the Quartr Mr General, & Let them Know to day what quantity of wood & Hay woud be necessary to suply this Army threw the winter. I accordingly did so & desired Genl Gates this morning to inform you, that it was his (the Qr Masters) oppinion it woud require ten thousand Cord of the first & two Hundred tons of the Latter to answer our demands but the hurry in which we have been all day engaged, Caused him to forget it, till a fresh Complaint brought it again to remembrance. When the Comittee were here yesterday I told them that I did not believe that we had then More than four days Stock of wood before hand, I Little thought that we had scarce four hours, & that different Regiments were upon the point of Cutting each others throats for a few Standing Locusts near their incampments to dress their victuals with.
this however is the fact, & unless Some expedient is adopted by your honorable Body to draw more teams into the service or the Qr Mr Genl impowerd to impress them, this Army (if their Comes a Spell of Rainy or Cold weather) must inevitably disperse, the Consequence of which need no animadversion of Mine.
it has been matter of great grief to me to see So many valuable plantations of Trees destroyed—I endeavord (whilest there appeard a possibility of restraining it) to prevent the practice but it is out of my power to do it, from Fences to Forrest Trees, & from Forrest trees to Fruit trees is a Natural advance to houses, which must next follow, this is not all. the distress of the soldiers in the article of wood will I fear have an unhappy influence upon their enlisting again.
in short sir, if I did not apprehend every evil that Can result from the want of these two Capitol articles wood especialy I shoud not be So importunate.
my anxiety on this head must plead my excuse at the same time I assure you that with great respect & esteem I am Sir Your most Obt St

G.W.

Thursday evening.


Title: To George Washington from John Brown, 3–4 November 1775
From: Brown, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Providence Novem. 3rd[-4] 1775

I having a Vessel arrived at Norwich from Suranam which having brought a Small Quantity of Powder Viz. Forty four Cask Containing a Half hundred Each, I thought it proper to acquaint you thereof, but I am at a loss to determin which may be best for the General Cause for it to go to the Camp or to be Sold out here, so that People in General may be better quallified to Defend the Sea Coast, Our General Assembly is now Setting, and I Expect will Order Every Town in this Colony Adjoining on the Sea Bay or River to Equip themselves Immediately with Two Field peices to Each Town to be mounted on Field Carriages and an Artillery Company to be formed in Each to hold themselves ready at a moments Notice. Five Hundred Men is already Orderd to be raised which are to be Stationed on the Islands of Rhode Island, Conannicut Prudence &c. I gave my Capt. Orders to purchace all the Powder he possibly could, but no more was to be had on any Terms and indeede Could I sell this for Six shillings L[awful] money ⅌ pound it would not Equal as to profit to me as the Article he would have brought had he not got the Powder, If it arrives here safe (being landed on the back of Long Island) and you think its best for the Chief

of it to go to the Camp I will Spare fifteene or Sixteene hundred weight of it to your Order, I would also acquain⟨t⟩ you that the Owners of the Furnace Hope in Scituate are about to pu⟨t⟩ said Furnace in Blast as soone as may be to make Pigg Iron (this Article being now in Demand) and as their making up what Stock they now have will put it out of their Power to put said Furnace in Blast again till towards next Fall, and as the Mettle made in Said Furnace is of the very best kind for making of Cannon, of wch General Greene can fully Acquaint you, And as the Continent will Doubtless be in want of Cannon &c. in the Spring, I therefore in behalf of the Concernd in said Furnace give you this Notice that in Case you may please to Order any Quantity of Cannon & other Warlike Stores made that the Stock now provided for said Furnace which Suppose may make from 150 to 200 Ton weight of Iron may be made into Such Cannon &c. as you may see fitt to Order your answer as soone as Convenient will oblige Dear, Sir, Your Obedient humble Servant.

John Brown

P.S. the Owners are Confident that they can make as Large Cannon as 18 pounders and they Expect e’re the Blast is finished that they can make 24 pounders.
Novem. 4th Since the above, Our General Assembly has applyed for the Refusel of the Powder. and if they Give the price which will make it as Good to me as tho the money had bin Layd out in mello. Viz. 6/ ⅌ Ct, must Give them the prefference.


Title: To George Washington from William Watson, 3 November 1775
From: Watson, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Plymouth [Mass.] 3 Novr 1775

I have just this moment receivd intelligence of the shipwreck of a Vessel from Philadelphia at Eastham inside of our Bay, Loaden with 120 pipes Wine, and that the wine is all sav’d excepting 2 pipes stove in Landing it—Your Excellency will pleese to order in what manner this Wine shall be disposed of, whether it shall be sent to head quarters, or whether it shall Remain where it is.
I wod acquaint your Excellency that the Scooner Harrison has been some time ready to sail but bad weather hinders & that the Scooner Lee Capt. Manly is now in this port, who with the Harrison Capt. Coit will sail the first wind—Capt. Martindal wod have been ready by this, had not the rains & some inpedements respecting procureing Cannon interven’d. I have the Honour to be your Excellencys most obligd Humble Servant

William Watson


Title: General Orders, 4 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Novr 4th 1775
Parole London.Countersign Monmouth


Title: To George Washington from William Bartlett, 4 November 1775
From: Bartlett, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Beverly [Mass.] 4th Novr 1775

Since I have had the Honour of a Commission Under your Excellencey I have Never had an Oppertunity before to Return you my Hearty Thanks—The Honour Confer’d on me I Gratefully Acknolidge and hope I shall be able so farr to doo my Duty as to meet with the Approbation of Your Excellencey if so I am Sure of Doing Honour to my Country which is my Sincere desire.
I have the Pleasure of informing your Excellencey that this Morning at Day Light there Appear’d Two Sloops too Anchor Under one of Our Island Called by the Name of the Misery one of them came to Sail and whent in a Direct Course for Boston

the Other being Very much Torn to peaces in the Gail of Wind was Unfitt to Proceed on her Intended Voiage—Two Resolute People in a Small boat whent off and tuck Possession of Her before we knew of it in this part of Town However Some of Capn Browns Company of Station’d men togeather with a Number of Inhabitants Arme’d whent Down & Brought her up Safe in this Herbour. I have Taken the Liberty of taking of her Under my Care My Instructions are Short with regard to Such Prizes as I hope Many Such may be Taken which Providence may force into Our Herbours in Gails of wind before Next Spring Beg your Excellencey will Give me Perticular Instructions with regard too them I find by Examination that Capt. Ritchee hes ben a Long while out of Boston hes ben Blown off the Coast as farr as the Latt. 38 but the being no Log Book on Board must Refer to the Bills of Percels for the Confirmation of the matter with regard to the time he hes Ben from Boston.
I have Procured all the papers on Board of her and Send them to your Excellencey by Capt. Brown Capt. Ritchees Crew Consists of his Father one White Man one Melatto Fellow one Negro and Two Weoman passengers which I shall keep Secure Untill further Orders from your Excellencey as Capt. Ritchee had the Original Bills of Percels I Thought it would be most satisfactory to Send them up to you which I Believe Contains the Chiefest part of her Cargo Except 1 BLL Pork 1 BLL flour 1 BLL & 1 hhd of Rum part of a Hhd of Tobacco 1 Trunk of Inglish Goods Your Excellencey will find by Some of the papers Inclosed that Capt. Ritchee hes ben One Voiage if no more to Annapolis and Carry’d up Provisions to the Ministerial Army and make no Doubt but his Intentions were the same Now if Providence had not frown’d upon him.
I would inform Your Excellencey that Capt. Adams Commander of the Privateer Warren hes Carry’d a Sloop Loaded with Wood as I am informed Bound to Boston into Portsmouth I have heard Nothing Concerning the rest of the Privateers Since their Sailing.
I shall wait your Excellenceys Orders with Regard to the Above And Beg Leave to Subscribe my Self Your Excellenceys Most Obedt Huml. Sert

William Bartlett


Title: To George Washington from Deuillelongue, 4 November 1775 [letter not found]
From: Deuillelongue, ——
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Deuillelongue, 4 Nov. 1775. On 15 Jan. 1776 Deuillelongue informed GW: “Jai eu l’honneur de vous Ecrire le 4. 9bre dernier.”


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 4 November 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To:

[Watertown, Mass.] 4 November 1775. Recommends captains David Parsons, Thomas Farrington, and Simon Stevens “as Candidates to fill. . . Vacancies in the Army.”


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 4 November 1775 [letter not found]
From: Reed, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 4 Nov. 1775. On 20 Nov. GW wrote to Reed: “Your Letters of the 4th from New York—7th and—from Philadelphia . . . are all before me.”


Title: General Orders, 5 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Novr 5th 1775
Parole Montgomery.Countersign Chamblee.

Samuel Huntington, and John Englis, soldiers in the 34th Regt of foot, tried at a late General Court Martial for “Mutiny”—The Court upon mature consideration, are of opinion that the Evidence against the prisoners, is not sufficient to convict them of Mutiny; but that they are each of them guilty, of assisting and encouraging Mutiny; therefore adjudge that each of them pay a fine of fifteen Shillings, & suffer each of them fifteen days fatigue.
The General approves the Sentence and orders it to be put in execution.
As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form’d, for the observance of that ridiculous and childish Custom of burning the Effigy of the pope—He cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be Officers and Soldiers, in this army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this Juncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, and have really obtain’d, the friendship & alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as Brethren embarked in the same Cause. The defence of the general Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and in such Circumstances, to be insulting their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be suffered, or excused; indeed instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to address public thanks to these our Brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy Success over the common Enemy in Canada.


Title: From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 5 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Schuyler, Philip

Dear Sir
Cambridge Novr 5th 1775

Your Favour of the 26th Ulto with the Inclosures containing an account of the Surrender of Fort Chamblee was an excellent Repast, but somewhat incompleat for Want of Montgomery’s Letter which (a Copy) you omitted to inclose. On the Success of your Enterprize so far I sincerely congratulate you. as the acquisition of Canada is of unmeasurable Importance to the Cause we are engaged in—No acot of arnold since my last—I am exceeding anxious to hear from him, but flatter myself that all goes well with him as he was expressly ordered in Case of any discouraging Event to advertise me of it immediately.
I much approve your Conduct in Respect to Wooster—My Fears are at an End, as he acts in a subordinate Character—Intimate this to General Montgomery with my Congratulations

on his Success—The seasonable Supply of Powder—and Wishes that his next Letter may be dated from Montreal—We laugh at his Idea of Classing the Royal Fuzileers with the Stores: Does he consider them as Inanimates or as a Treasure?
If you carry your arms to Montreal should not the Garrisons of Niagara Detroit &c. be called upon to surrender, or threatned with the Consequences of a Refusal? They may indeed destroy their Stores, and if the Indians are aiding escape to Fort Chartres, but it is not very probable.
The inclosed Gazette exhibits sundry Specimens of the Skill of the new Commander in issuing Proclamations and a proof in the Destruction of Falmouth, of the barbarous Designs of an infernal Ministry—Nothing new hath happened in this Camp—Finding the Ministerial Troops resolved to keep themselves close within their Lines, and that it was adjudged impracticable to get at them, I have fitted out six armed Vessels with Design to pick up some of their Store Ships and Transports, the rest of our Men are busily employed in erecting of Barracks &c.—I hope, as you have said Nothing of the State of your Health, that it is much amended, and that the cold Weather will restore it perfectly—That it may do so, and you enjoy the Fruit of your Summer’s Labour and Fatigue is the sincere Wish of dear Sir Your most obedt & affect: honorable Servant

Go: Washington

General Lee and Mifflin are well Colonel Reed is gone to Philadelphia.


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

Dr Sir
Mount Vernon Novr 5th 1775.

The Inclose’d I expect will inform you that Mrs Washington Intends to come to you—she informs me she will leave Colo. Bassetts tomorrow & lose no time in getg home where she will Stay but a few days, before she sets out for the Camp—I think her stay in New Kent so long after she had your invitation to come to you, was rather ill judge’d, & will I fear occasion her haveg a very desagreeable journey—I suppose one way or other she will make it near the 20th before she will set off—I will do all I can to get her off sooner if Possible. In my last I inform’d you I had reciev’d your letter of the 12th Octbr Express by Mr Milner—as yet there is nothing done (or at least very little) about Stopg the Navagation of Potowmack—I have said and done all that was in my power, & have lost the whole week in going backwards & forwards indeavourg to prevail upon them to do something—most people say it is impractible & I fear it will be found to be so—however Captn Boucher, Captn Conwey & Captn John West are gone down the River to Measure the width & deapth of the Channel, & we then shall be better able to judge—all the sea fareg men Say there is no part of the Channel Narrower than ¼ of a mile, except Cedar point, & Mr Diggs, and at the former there is 16 or 18 fathom water & at the latter near as much—Boucher I have not seen lately, once I heard him say it might be done with 3 Ships Sunk—it seems you are Mistaken in the Channel below quantico it is but shallow but very wide, & it is remark’d in any part of the River where the Channel is narrow, it is very deep. I have just reciev’d two letters from you Octbr 15th & 23d. I can Assure you I never knew What you was to give Mercer for his Wheat, nor was I privy to any part of your Agreement about it consequently was totally Ignorant What kind of money you was to pay him—Mr Mercer wrote to me, that you had promise’d to pay Mr Brent for him £135. & that you had directed Colo. Lewis to pay him money beside in Wmsburg at the meetg of the Merchants, to confirm this he inclose’d me a Letter from you to him, wherein you Speak of payg Mr Brents Rent after the meetg of the Merchts & that you had directed Colo. Lewis to let him have money, but does not say What sum—Colo. Lewis at the same

time wrote to me tellg me that the disappointment that he met with in recieveg money at Wmsburg for you, prevented his letg Mercer have money as you had directed him, & that he had advise’d Mercer to apply to me for it, Mercer in his letter pointed out the sum you had promised (for neither your letter or Lewis mention’d it) which was £200 in the Whole (Brent & himself) judge you whether I coud do other ways than believe you had made such a promise, I immediately grew anxious to comply with it—wrote to mercer that you sold your commodities in long Currency & if—he woud receive half-joes at 48/ & Dollars at 6/ I woud pay the money, he answerd he woud take half-joes of 9 p. Wt at 46/ & no more for he coud not pass them at more, Silver Dollars & 6/ but not paper, but Mr Brent might do as he pleasd, but he thought it might suit Brent to take Money at the above rates his payments being in the uper part of the Country I wrote to Brent. he woud take Silver Dollars—but Gold no other ways than by Wt—I paid Brent £98.5.—30 some ood pound in Gold by Wt the rest in silver Dollars—& if I coud have met with an opportunity shoud have sent the Ballance to mercer in Gold by Wt but not meetg with one until I got Dollars, nor indeed until Mrs Washington Went down—I sent it by her to diliver to Colo. Lewis desireg him to pay the money to mercer & take his rect at the same time tellg him he knew the Sum Mr Mercer was to recieve of you by him—for I did not. When John West applyd for money he sent me your Bond to shew the justness of his demand, at the same time apologiseg for his Askg paymt as you were not hear. as al others do who ask. I find my self equally anxious to discharge a Debt against you, as I am to pay one of my own, I sometimes am askd for small sums which they say you owe them, it may be true or false I cannot tell, but it destresses me, for I woud that you shoud owe no man, John Lowe the barber says you owe him 7/6 for a false tale for your hair—if I thought you owe’d it, I wou’d pay it, I tould him you woud have paid such a wretch as him upon recieveg the tale but enough of this, in money matters as in all other things I will do the best I can.
James Cleveland Came here the 3d Inst. It appears by his Certificates that the Worck done upon the large tract upon the Great Kanhawa is Valued at £1100.15.7½ (10990 Acres) and upon the tract laying above the Rapid at the Great Bend upon

  the Ohio consistg of 4395 Acres—Valued at £468.3. He woud have gladly staid & finishd the whole worck this fall, but the unsetled State the Indians were in before the treaty made it dangerous—he had at the request of the principle people in that part of the world move’d up, as many Others did to wheeling, where he hired his people, & came himself up the River with his Servts to sell them, & get Instructions from Crauford where he cou’d find your other tracts of land—this being done he returnd to wheelg. there the people recieved an Express desirg that none woud go down the River, it being thought dangerous, as the Indians had burnt the Fort at the Great Kanhawa and all the improvements that had been made on the Several tracts of Land in that part of the world—this determine’d him to come away with all the people (Stephens & Skilling excepted) Who he directed to go down the River & gather and secure the Corn & if possible despose of it to the Garison, which was to be somewhere below—the Tools with 40M Nails he lodge’d with the Commandg officer at Wheelg who promised to take care of them—he thinks there will be 150 Barrels of Corn. He sold 6 Servts for £153.10. Virg. money & one for a Rifle Gun & 40/—2 got drown’d & one made his Escape by run[nin]g off—The one he got the gun for was sold at the Great Kanhawa he found he cou’d not keep him, and it was all he coud get. The Negroes (Simpson haveg no use for them) he left with will Crauford he haveg given from under his hand that he will alow for them what ever may be judge’d they are worth dureg the time they Stay there or until you direct in what manner they shall be employd—the Money for the Servts is to be paid upon the dilivery of their indentures, I think it will be best to direct it to be paid to Simpson as he is in want of money—Cleveland says he will get the Mill to go Soon: I believe you will not be despleased with the heaviness of the worck in the dineg Room when you come to see it—it does not look heavy, but it is a kind of worck that goes on slow, the man is still at it, & will be for a fortnight—Sears has been long absent very sick—came here yesterday not well—I suppose there is very little Chance of getg the painter from Lord Dunmore, if he comes up here and indeavours to Land at mt Vernon Raising the rest, I will shoot him, that will be some Satisfaction, I shall take care to plant the Bryer Berrys, I

thought of it before, I was under a necessaty to Indorse the Bills or they woud not sell I try’d all I cou’d to avoid it. I have taken much pains to get Sping Wheels but really cou’d not get them there is a man or two in Alexandria that makes them but they have been unable to worck these two months (fevers & Ague) beside they are in such demand there is hardly any such thing as getg them, we have got two, & I expe[c]t to get on monday next, our old ones which have long been in a shop at Alexandria & one more new one, so that we shall then have 7 & we must indeavour to make up for lost time—the Wash House is going on—the Chimneys is now Carrying up, I have had a great Inclination to alter the Doors, but am unwilg to make an alteration in any thing that you have directed—it will not look well being different from the Kitchen. I shoud have been happy to see you this winter, but as fate have order’d it otherwise, it must be so, God grant you health & Success—remember me to Harrison & Henley. our family at present are all pretty Well. Am your Affectionate & very Humble Servt

Lund Washington

Excuse Blunder or incorrectness for I have but a short time to write in the Post leaves Alexandria before 10. oClock & I chose to send for your Letters before I began to wrote—you will find by the papers we have had a Small Skirmish at Hampton—but no American Blood Spilt, but some on the other side—I hope if any of those mischievous tinders comes up this River we shall be able to Render a good ac[coun]t of them—perhaps I may not write again until Mrs Washington comes.


Title: General Orders, 6 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Novr 6th 1775.
Parole, Arnold.Countersign Quebec.

Robert Hanson Harrison Esqr. is appointed Aid-de-Camp to his Excellency the Commander in Chief, and all orders, whether written or verbal, coming from the General, through Mr Harrison are to be punctually obeyed.
Although the men confined by Lieut. Col. Reed of the 26th Regt were released upon Application to Head Quarters—The General, so far from being displeased with Col. Reed, for his endeavours to prevent an infringement of the General Orders; that he thanks the Colonel; as he shall every Officer, who pays strict Obedience to orders, as without so doing, it is in vain to think of preserving order, and discipline, in an army—The disagreeableness of the weather, scarcity of wood, &c. inclined the General to overlook the Offence committed at that time, but he

hopes, and expects, the Officers and Soldiers, will for the future, carefully avoid wantonly cutting the Trees, and committing waste upon the property of those, already but too much distressed, by the depredations of the army.


Title: To George Washington from William Bartlett, 6 November 1775
From: Bartlett, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Beverly [Mass.] 6 Novemr 1775

I hereby Acknolidge the receipt of your Favour of yesterday ⅌ Captn Brown & am Extreemly Glad to hear of your Excellencey’s Approbation of my Conduct. hope I shall So Conduct through all the Business I may have to Transact as to meet with the Same Applause.
I shall Imediately go upon Taking an Accurate inventory of all the Goods on Board according to your Excellency’s Orders and forward them to Head Quarters as soon as possible.
The Captain & Owner I have Sent By Liet. Wallis by whom this Letter will be deliver’d.
Wish your Excellency Joy with the wine which Providence has favour’d you with as I make no doubt must be Very Agreable at this time.
As I have not ben Honour’d with being Acquainted with any of your Excellency’s Perticular Company Except Mr Moylan to whom I would beg the Favour of my Complements. And am Sir your Excellency’s Most Obedt Huml. Sert

William Bartlett


Title: To George Washington from Captain Ephraim Bowen, Jr., 6 November 1775
From: Bowen, Ephraim Jr.
To: Washington, George

May it Please Your Excellency
Plymouth [Mass.]Novr 6. 1775

With great Pleasure do I inform you of the Return of Capt. Coit into this Harbour, with two Prizes, a Sloop & Schooner, from Nova Scotia Bound to Boston Laden chiefly with Wood & Hay, with Some Cattle, Sheep, Potatoes &c. The People that were on Board with the Papers will be Sent to Head Qrs Immediately.
Mr Watson has taken charge of the Prises, & Will Inform you of the Particulars of the Cargoes, which to our Enemies would have been very Valuable, but to us are not of much consequence, youl Please to give Instructions in this affair, as Soon as convenient. Capt. Coits mainmast Proves too rotten for the Service, have got another making so dont expect he will Sail again till tomorrow night.
It is thought by the People here that the Schooner will make a very convenient Vessell for a Cruiser, as She Sails Very Well & has two Topsails & might be fitted at very little Expence, Capt.

Martindales men are not yet arrivd & the Weather Proving bad I fear will detain him some time. I am Yr Excellencys, Obt Servt

Ephm Bowen Jr


Title: To George Washington from Captains Nicholson Broughton and John Selman, 6 November 1775
From: Broughton, Nicholson,Selman, John
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency,
Gut of Canso just at the Entrance ofthe Gulph of St LaurenceNovr the 6th 1775

We attempted for some time after our last, to get to Spanish River, in order to take the Brigantine loading with Coal. but the wind being contrary & blowing up a heavy storm we were oblig’d to give over our Design we then stood for this Place where the Storm has hardly yet ceas’d. we are however something comforted in that no Vessel passes this season to Boston Hallifax or to any part of America from Quebec but must pass with in gun Shot of us. we found at the Entrance of the Gut, a Sloop belonging to John Denny of new haven esteem’d by Government an Inhabitant of Quebec which was clear’d out from Gaspee for Nantucket freighted by himself and one Buddington a Passenger neither of these Men appear in a very favorable light respecting their Attachment to American Liberties, Buddington himself dares not speak in favor of Dennys Political Authodoxy. we at the first Conference used the words Yankeys & Punkings with apparent Jearing, & asked after the Kings Troops they answer’d as men well affected to the Ministry would; upon being undeceivd they did not make such Apologies as true sons

of Liberty strongly attachd to their Interist; but had mistaken their Company might naturally be expected to do.
upon the whole we think ourselves bound to send the Vessel Cargo & her papers to your Excellency for your Decision the Owner Denny & Buddington the principal freighter shall be sent by the first Opportunity after this—Capta. Hawkins Master of the Sloop we sent to Beaverly the 2d Instant we send in this Sloop who will be directed to wait on your Excellency upon his Arrival. immediately upon the winds suiting we endeavour to conform to the Spirit of your Excellencys Orders, we remain your Excellencys most obedient & very humble Servants

Nicholson Broughton
John Salem


Title: To George Washington from Jeremiah Hall, 6 November 1775
From: Hall, Jeremiah
To: Washington, George

Hanover [Mass.] November 6, 1775.

May it please your Excellency: The Committees of Correspondence and Inspection in the County of Plymouth, viz: of Hanover, Scituate, Pembroke, and Marshfield, were notified, by one Captain Toby, who guards on the shore at Marshfield, that he had two infamous tories under his care, who fled to Boston soon after the Lexington battle—one of them a native and inhabitant of Marshfield, named Nathaniel Philips; the other of Pembroke, named Thomas Joselyn—who have been in Boston from that time to the 27th day of October, as may appear by their permit; who have, both of them, signed the obnoxious address to General Gage, when bound to England. One of them, viz: Philips, appears to be sorry for his past conduct; the other stubborn, refractory, and evasive. And said Committees apprehending that said tories are capable of giving intelligence which

might give light and be beneficial in the common cause, beg leave to trouble your Excellency with their examination; and that your Excellency would judge and secure them according to their demerits.

Jere. Hall, Chm’n of said Committee.


Title: From George Washington to Enoch Moody, 6 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Moody, Enoch

Sir
Cambridge 6. Novr 1775

I received your favor of the 2d Inst. and am very Sorry it is not in my power to Supply the necessities of the Town of Falmouth—I have referr’d the Gentleman who brought Me your Letter, to the General Court of this Province, who I hope will fall upon some method for your Assistance, the arrival of the Cerberus Man of War tho very alarming, I do not apprehend they will attempt to penetrate into the Country as you Seem to be affraid of, if they Shou’d attempt to Land any of their Men, I wou’d have the good People of the Country by all means to make every possible Opposition in their power, for it will be much easier to prevent their making a Lodgment than to force them from it when they have got possession.
I write by this Conveyance to Colo. Phinney, who will give you every advice & assistance in his power, I sincerely Simpathize with the people, in the distress they are drove to, but it is in Such times, that they shou’d exert themselves, in the noble Cause of Liberty & their Country. I am Sir &c.

G.W.


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Edmund Phinney, 6 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Phinney, Edmund

Sir
Cambridge Novemr 6th 1775

Having received a Letter from Mr Enoch Moody, Chairman of the Committee of Falmouth, that the Inhabitants of that Town are greatly alarmed by the arrival of the Cerberus man of war and are under great apprehensions that Some of the Kings Troops will be Landed there It is my desire that you raise all the force you can and give the Town every assistance in my power.
The difficulty of removing Troops after they have made a Lodgment or got possession of a place is too obvious to be mentioned, you will therefore use every possible method to prevent their effecting that, or penetrating into the Country untill you have further Orders. I am Sir Your Humble Servt

Go. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 6–7 November 1775
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Tionderoga [N.Y.] Novr 6[-7]th 1775.

Your Excellency’s Favor of the 26th Ult. I had the Honor to receive on the 3d instant.
I have long since signified to Congress the Necessity of a Delegation from them to this Place, and in their last to me of the 12th Ult:, they (unfortunately for me) say that it did not appear necessary then, I took the Liberty to lament that they were not in Sentiment with me on the Subject, & to add that I thought it absolutely necessary that one should be sent, so that I hope soon to see some of the Gentlemen here, A Variety of Regulations are necessary to be made in this Quarter, A Task to which I feel Myself greatly inadequate, but which, if I had even Judgment enough to arrange with Propriety, the shattered Condition of my Constitution is such, that Matters so Momentous as these, should not be left to so precarious an Event as that of my being able to support the Fatigue, For General Montgomery,

tho’ endowed with shining Abilities will have his Time so totally engrossed with Other Matters that he will not be able to attend to these.
Should Success crown our Endeavours at St Johns, of which there seems to be little Doubt the entire Reduction of Canada will in all Probability be the Consequence, An Event which will open new Scenes, An Army to be formed & properly disposed of in that Quarter, Provision, Ammunition & every Necessary to be procured for It, Preparations to be made for the next Campaign, Proper Places to be determin’d on and Fortifications to be erected to defend that Province against any Attacks that may be made on It in the ensuing Year, Small Craft to be constructed here, that a Reinforcement may be speedily sent into Canada in Case it should be found necessary to support what Troops may be stationed there, Gallies carrying heavy Artillery to prevent Vessels of Force from coming up the St Lawrence, A Mode of Government to be adopted in a Country where all will be Anarchy & Confusion without It, and probably a Variety of Other interesting Regulations to take Place, that do not just now occur to me.
Your Excellency will do me the Justice to believe, that I feel in the most sensible Manner the favorable Opinion, You are pleased to entertain of me, And I am confident General Montgomery will not be less affected on what You observe of him. I do myself the Pleasure this Day to write that Gentleman, & shall convey to him Your best Wishes & Respects.
The vast Benefit that would result from a successful Conclusion of the Campaign, in this Quarter, has been so deeply impressed upon me, that I have often regretted, that the Operations were not commenced at an earlier Period & when commenced, that so much Tardiness prevailed in sending up the necessary Stores & Troops. That You my Dear General should feel an Anxiety, to induce You to ask those Questions, which You have done in so polite & friendly a Manner, is what I can easily suppose.
The Difficulties under which General Montgomery has laboured, have been in the extream, & which he most pathetically laments, in a Letter to me of the 13th Ult: (An Extract of which I do Myself the Honor to inclose Your Excellency, together with the Opinion of a Council of War held on that Day & which I

forgot to transmit You, in the Hurry with which I sent off my last), And in his Letter of the 23d Ult. he says, “Our Reinforcements not yet arrived, at this instant I have not in my Camp above 750 Men & I wish much to send a strong Detachment to the Island of Montreal,” a Manœvre which would have taken Place sooner, had it been in his Power or been prudent to have gone into, neither of which I think it was, & shall beg Leave to make the following Observations, in Support of this Opinion.
At no Period until this has it appeared to Me that it would have been prudent to have passed St Johns, Altho’ a sufficient Force could have been left for forming a Blockade; for previous to the Reduction of Chamblee, & the Success of our Troops in repulsing the Attack of Monsieur Regouville who was sent from Montreal, with two hundred & forty Men & expected to be joined by the Inhabitants of three of the most populous Parishes, on the South Side of the St Lawrence, in which he was disappointed to a Man, & which has in some Measure evinced the Temper of the Canadians towards Us, & given Us better Assurances, than any we have had of their friendly Disposition. for until then, their real Sentiments were problematical; and about this Time too we sunk their best armed Vessel so that we can now spare more Men for an Attack upon Montreal, Which if not prevented by Other Obstacles, was General Montgomery’s Intention, as soon as the Reinforcement above alluded to should arrive, which took Place on the 26th or 27th & Concisted of General Woosters of three hundred & thirty five & Major Tuthill of Colo: Holmes’s, with two hundred & twenty five, Officers of both included, In the Numbers however he will be disappointed, as General Wooster had returned four hundred & eighty four Effectives from Albany, but discharged Ninety Nine between this & Albany & left fifty one sick here, & the Others too fell greatly short of what I expected.
If a Blockade had been formed, before the above mentioned Events took Place, It must have been sufficiently strong, not only to have guarded against the Danger of a Sortie, but to have prevented the Enemy’s Armed Vessels, which greatly surpassed ours in Strength, from getting to the Southward of Us, & thereby effectually cut off every possibility of Retreat, which if they had been able to accomplish, the Canadians I do firmly believe would immediately have joined Mr Carlton, but if a sufficient

Body had been left, that, to make the Attempt on Montreal would have been too weak for such a Service & if they had met with a Repulse, the Canadians in that Case would not have hesitated one Moment to have acted against Us, as Colo: Allen in his Report to me Observes, And all our Hopes in Canada would have been at an End, But another Difficulty presented Itself (and which I do not know how the Detachment which General Montgomery proposed to send, or has sent will even now surmount) the Want of Craft to convey a Body of Troops sufficient to promise Success, to the Island of Montreal across the St Lawrence, which is deep, rapid & wide, as no Craft can pass the Fort at St Johns to go down the Sorel, Which Obstacles would be immediately removed on the Reduction of that Fortress, which I hope has taken place by this Time, & then I shall have the fullest Confidence that our Labours will be at an End in this Quarter, Except from what Difficulties may arise from the intemperate Desire, our People have to return to their Habitations, My Fears on which Account I have expressed to Congress.
If we had passed it wholly & could have got to & succeeded against Montreal, St Johns would undoubtedly have fallen, but what a vast Risk! No less than that of the Loss of the whole Army, the Command of Lake Champlain, Tionderoga & Crown Point! for no Retreat could possibly have taken Place, the Dependance on the Canadians uncertain & if they had found Us incapable of passing to Montreal, for Want of Boats, or of Retreating on the same Account, It is certain we should have found them opposed to Us.
In this View of Things, I hope it will be thought that either Attempt would have been Injudicious.
I do Myself the Honor to inclose You sundry Extracts of my Letters to Congress, with Extracts of their Answers, by which Your Excellency will perceive that I have hinted at several Things which I conceived claimed the Attention of Congress—Inclose You also a List of the Officers made Prisoners at St Johns, the Return of the Non Commissioned Officers & Privates, is either Mislaid or by Mistake inclosed to Governor Trumbull.
Be so good as to assure the Gentlemen of Your Family, that they have my best Wishes. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s most Obedt & Very humble Servant

Ph: Schuyler


Title: General Orders, 7 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Nov: 7th, 1775
Parole Wilks.Countersign, Liberty.


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 7 November 1775 [letter not found]
From: Reed, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 7 Nov. 1775. On 20 Nov. 1775 GW wrote to Reed: “Your Letters of the 4th from New York—7th and—from Philadelphia. . . are all before me.”


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 7 November 1775
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

My Dear General
Tyonderoga [N.Y.] November 7th 1775

I had prepared an Answer to your last, which I Received three days ago, but as It was not Copied; and having this Moment received the agreable Intelligence of the reduction of St John’s, I would not withold from your Excellency so Interesting an Account, for a letter which I may hereafter send, I only Inclose Copy’s of General Montgommery’s Letter and of the papers that were Inclosed in It.
Mr Montgommery’s merit is the more, On account of the difficulties he has had to Encounter, what these are the Answer to Your Excellency’s above Alluded to will point out.
I beg leave to Congratulate you on this happy Event which I hope will be followed by the reduction of All Canada, Especially should Colo: Arnold get down to the St Lawrence. Believe me My Dear General that with all those Sentiments which flow from unfeigned Esteem I am Your Excellencys most Obedient & most Humble Servant

Ph: Schuyler


Title: Instructions to Brigadier General John Sullivan, 7 November 1775
From: Unknown
To:

[Cambridge, 7 November 1775]

Orders for Brigadier General Sullivan Given at Head Quarters November 7th 1775
You are to proceed Immediately to Portsmouth in New Hampshire and Compleat the works already began to Secure that and the other Towns at the Entrance of Piscataway River from any Attacks by Ships of War—for this purpose you are to fix Ships and fire Rafts in such places as you find most Convenient to prevent the Enemy from passing up the River. As great Calamities and Distress are brought upon our Seaport Towns through the Malicious endeavours and false representations of many persons holding Commissions under the Crown, who not Content with bringing distruction upon Some of our principal Towns are yet using every Art that Malice can devise to Reduce others to the same unhappy State in hopes by such diabolical and Cruel conduct to please an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Ministry and to receive from them in return a Continuance of such places and pensions as they now hold at the Expence of the Blood and Treasure of this distress’d Continent. You are therefore Immediately upon your Arrival in that province to Sieze such persons as hold Commissions under the Crown and are acting as open and avow’d Enemies to their Country and hold them as hostages for the Security of those Towns which Our Ministerial Enemies threaten to Invade. In case any attack should be made upon Portsmouth or other Seaports in that Quarter you are Immediately to collect such force as can be raised to repel the Invasion and at all Hazards prevent the Enemy from Landing and taking possession of any posts in that Quarter—When you have Compleated the works at portsmouth and Secured the passage of the River there you are to Return without delay to the Army—unless you find the Enemy

are about to make an Immediate attack upon that or the Neighbouring Towns. The above is rather to be considered as matters of advice, than orders; as I do not conceive myself authorizd to Involve the Continent in any Expence for the defence of Portsmouth, or other place out of the Line of the great American defence; particular Colonies being called upon by the Congress to prepare for their own Internal Security. Given under my hand the day & year above.

Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 8 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Nov: 8th 1775
Parole Coit.Countersign Success.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 8 November 1775
From: Arnold, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Point Levi [Quebec] 8th November 1775
May it please your Excellency

My last Letter was of the 27th ultimo, from Chaudiere Pond, adviseing your Excellency that as the Detachment were short of Provissions, by Reason of loossing many of our Batteaus, I had ordered Colo. Enos to send back the Sick & feeble, and those of his Divission who could not be supplied with fifteen Days Provissions, and that I intended proceeding the next Day with 15 Men to Sartigan to send back Provissions to the Detachment. I accordingly set out the 28th early in the Morning & descended the River, amazingly rapid & rocky for about twenty Miles where we had the Misfortune to stave three of our Batteaus,

and loose their Provissions &c. but happily no Lives—I then divided the little Provissions left & proceeded on with the two remaining Batteaus & six Men, and very fortunately reached the French Inhabitants the 30th at night, who received us in the most hospitable Manner & sent off early the next Morning a Supply of fresh Provissions, Flour &c. to the Detachment, who are all happily arrived (except one Man drowned, one or two sick & Colo. Enos’s Divission who I am surprised to hear are all gone back) and are here & within two or three Days march. I have this Minute received a Letter from Brigadier General Montgomery, adviseing of the Reduction of Chamblee &c.
I have had about 40 Savages joined me & intend as soon as possible crossing the St Lawrance. I am just informed by a Friend from Quebec, that a Frigate of 26 Guns & two Transports with 150 Recruits arrived there last Sunday, which with another small Frigate & four or five small armed Vessels up the River, is all the Force they have, except the Inhabitants, very few of whom have taken up Arms, & those by Compulsion, who declare (except a few English) that they will lay them down whenever attacked—the Town is very short of Provissions but well fortified. I shall endeavour to cut off their Communication with the Country & which I hope to be able to effect & bring them to Terms, or at least keep them in close Quarters until the Arrival of General Montgomery, which I wait with Impatience.
I hope at any rate to be able to effect a Junction with him at Montreal. I am with the greatest Respect Your Excellencys most obedient humble Servant

Benedt Arnold


Title: To George Washington from Cumberland County Convention, 8 November 1775
From: Cumberland County Convention
To: Washington, George

Falmouth [District of Maine] Novr 8th 1775
May it please your Excellency,

The petition of the Delegates for the several Towns in the County of Cumberland met in Convention Humbly Sheweth That in consequence of the Distruction of the Town of Falmouth on the 18th Ult., this Convention met on the 31st of the same Month and continued by Adjournments to this Day, To consider

of the most practicable and eligable ways to Defend this County. and also this part of the Country, and for that purpose Advised, that the Committe for the Town of Falmouth immediately set to Work those Soldiers under their Direction in Intrenching, to prevent for the future the Enemies Landing, and also chose a Committe to v[i]ew Falmouth Neck & Cape Elizabeth, to see w[h]ere was the most sutable places to build Fortifications, to keep possession of the Ground, and Harbour, But before we had well gone through Directing these things, the Cerberus man of War, hove in Sight, and soon came into the Harbour, Capt. Simmons the Commander, sent on Shore his Manifesto, demanding, that the people should not collect together intrench, or appear in Arms, and several other requirements, and threatened on refusal to do what damage he could, Notice of which was recieved in the several Towns by Colonel Freemans Letters, who Ordered that one half of the Militia be raised, pursuant to Orders a Number of Men were raised and sent to Falmouth, and as soon as the weather would allow were set to Work, under the Direction of several Gentlemen, chosen for that purpose, and are carrying on their Works with the greatest celerity in their power. But the want of Men and Military Stores gives us great concern, least after our greatest Afforts we should not be able to keep the Ground.
we would not be tedious, but for information of the importance of this part of the Country, to the Continent, we would refer your Excellency to General Frye and others Acquaintd Therefore pray your Excellency, would take our Distressed Situation under consideration, and Afford us that Assistance, your Wisdom shall dictate, And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.

Signed by Order of the Convention
Jonathan Mitchell Charman


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir,
Cambridge Novr 8th 1775.

The immediate occasion of my giving the Congress the trouble of a Letter at this time, is to inform them, that in consequence of their Order signified in your Letter of the 20th Ulto, I laid myself under a solemn tye of secresy to Captn McPherson, and proceeded to examine his Plan for the destruction of the Fleet in the Harbour of Boston with all that care and attention which the Importance of it deserved, & my judgment could lead to; but not being happy enough to coincide in opinion with that Gentleman, and finding that his Scheme would Involve greater expence than (under my doubts of its success) I thought myself justified in giving into, I prevaild upon him to communicate his Plan to three Gentn of the Artillery (in this Army) well acquainted in the knowledge, and practice of Gunnery; by them he has been convinced, that, inasmuch as he set out upon wrong principles, the Scheme would proove abortive—Unwilling however to relinquish his favourite project of reducing the Naval force of Great Britain, he is very desirous of building a number of Row-Gallies for this purpose; but, as the Congress alone are competent to the adoption of this measure, I have advised him (altho’ he offered to go on with the Building of them at his own expence till the Congress should decide) to repair immediately to Philadelphia with his proposals; where, if they should be agreed to, or Vessels of superior force, agreeable to the wishes of most others, should be resolved on, he may set instantly about them, with all the Materials upon the Spot—here they are to collect—to him therefore I refer for further information on this head.
A Vessel said to be from Philadelphia, and bound to Boston with 120 Pipes of Wine (118 of which are securd) stranded at a place calld Eastham, on a Gale of Wind on the 2d Instt—another from Boston to Hallifax with dry Goods &ca (amounting pr Invoice to about 240£ lawful) got disabled in the same Gale, near Beverly—these Cargo’s with the Papers, I have orderd to this place, the Vessells to be taken care of till further Orders. I have also an Acct of the taking of a Wood Sloop bound to Boston, & carried into Portsmouth, by one of our Armed Vessells

—particulars not yet come to hand—and this Instant, of two others from Nova-Scotia to Boston, with Hay, Wood, live Stock &ca by another of our Arm’d Schooners—these are in Plymouth.
These Accidents, & Captures, point out the necessity of establishing proper Courts without loss of time for the decission of property, and the legallity of Seizures, otherwise I may be Involved in inextricable difficulties.
Our Prisoners, by the reduction of Fort Chamblee (on which happy Event I most sincerely congratulate the Congress) being considerably augmented, and likely to be Increased, I submit it to the Wisdom of Congress, whether, some convenient Inland Towns—remote from the Post Roads—ought not to be assign’d them—the manner of their treatment—Subsistance &ca—defind, and a Commissary, or Agent appointed to see that justice is done both to them, and the Publick—proper Accts render’d, &ca—without a mode of this sort is adopted, I fear there will be sad confusion hereafter, as there are great complaints at present.
I reckon’d without my Host when I informd the Congress in my last, that I should, in a day or two, be able to acquaint them of the disposition of the Soldiery towards a new Inlistment—I have been in consultation with the Generals of this Army ever since thursday last, endeavouring to establish new Corps of Officers; but find so many doubts, & difficulties to reconcile, I cannot say when they are to end or what may be the Consequences, as there appears to be such an unwillingness in the Officers of one Government mixing in the same Regimt with those of another; & without it, many must be dismissed, who are willing to serve, notwithstanding we are difficient on the whole—I am to have another meeting today upon this business, & shall inform you of the result.
The Council of Officers are unanimously of opinion that the Command of the Artillery should no longer continue in Colo. Gridley, & knowing of no person better qualified to supply his place, or whose appointment will give more general satisfaction, have taken the liberty of recommending Henry Knox Esqr. to the consideration of the Congress. thinking it indispensably necessary, at the sametime, that this Regiment shoud consist of

two Lieutt Colos. two Majors, and twelve Companies, agreeable to the Plan & estimate handed in—which, differing from the last establishment, I should be glad to be Instructed on.
The Comy Genl not being returnd, will appologize I hope, for my silence respecting a requisition of the Expence of his Clerks &ca which I was to have obtaind, together with others & forward.
I have heard nothing of Colo. Arnold since the 13th Ulto—His Letter of, & journal to that date, will convey all the Information I am able to give of him—I think he must be in Quebec. If any mischance had happend to him, he would, as directed, have forwarded an Express. No Acct yet of the Armd Vessels sent to St Lawrence. I think they will meet with the Stores Inward, or outward bound.
Captn Symons in the Cerberus lately sent from Boston to Falmouth hath publish’d the Inclos’d Declaration at that place; and, it is suspected intends to make some kind of a lodgment there—I wrote immediately to a Colo. Finnie (of this Army) who went up there upon the last alarm, to spirit up the People, & oppose it at all Events. Falmouth is abt 130 Miles from this Camp. I have the honr to be with great respect Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

G: Washington

P.S. I send a Genl return of the Troops—& Manifests of the Cargo’s & Vessels taken at Plymouth.


Title: From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 8 November 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Richard Henry

Dear Sir
Cambridge, November 8, 1775.

I mean but to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favour of the 22d ultimo; for, as I expect this letter will be handed to you in Philadelphia, to recite the contents of my letter to the Congress would be little more than idle repetition. I should be very glad if the Congress would, without delay, appoint some mode by which an examination into the captures made by our armed vessels may be had, as we are rather groping in the dark till this happens.
I sincerely condole with you on the loss of our good old Speaker and, with respectful compliments to the good family you are in, your brother, &c., I remain, etc.

P.S. Tell Doctor W. Shippen that I was in hopes that his business would have permitted him to come here Director of the Hospital.

Advices from England would be very agreeable; we have none here.


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 8 November 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To:

[Watertown, Mass.] 8 November 1775. Recommends officers in Col. James Frye’s regiment for commissions.


Title: To George Washington from James Otis, Sr., 8 November 1775
From: Otis, James Sr.
To: Washington, George

Council Chamber, November 8, 1775.

Sir: Agreeable to your request, signified to the Board by your Excellency’s Aid-de-Camp, Mr. Harrison, we have caused Mr. Smithwick to be apprehended, and herewith send him to wait your Excellency’s order, under custody of the Sergeant’s guard who brought Mr. Cox here this morning.

In the name and by order of the Council:
James Otis, President


Title: To George Washington from William Bartlett, 9 November 1775
From: Bartlett, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Beverly [Mass.] 9 Novr 1775

These are to Inform your Excellency that yesterday a Small Boat with about 15 Men whent out of this Herbour & Took a Schooner from Ireland Loaded with Beef pork & Butter &C.—as your Excellency Approved of my Conduct with regard to the Other Prize the North Britton I thought it my Duty to Proceed in the Same Manner Therefore when She Came in I made a Demand of the Papers &C. But the People Refused me As I am Willing and Desirus to Live in peace with all men Should be Extreemly Glad if your Excellency would Give me Some Perticular Directions with regard to Such Vessells, for if I have no Power to make such Demands I make my Self appear Rediculas to the Eye of world, which is farr from being my Desire.
I Shall forward to your Excellency as Soon as Possible the Goods found on board the North Britton And am Your Excellencys Most Obedt Huml. Sert

William Bartlett