Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 26 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 26th Jany 1777

I was last Night honoured with yours of the 18th Instant, inclosing a Letter from the State of New York to Congress. From the particular Situation of their State, in regard to their being totally deprived of Commerce, they certainly must stand in need of the Assistance of the other States, to provide them with Cloathing and every thing necessary for the equipment of their Forces, and it ever was my intention, to allow them a full proportion of the Cloathing purchased to the Eastward, whenever it came to hand. Little or none of it has yet reached this Army, tho’ in the greatest want, and exposed to the Severities of a Winters Campaign.
The Convention have, in one instance already, provided for themselves out of the public Stock, by stopping and making use of 26 Bales of Cloathing coming on from the Eastward to the Army here. As this was done without consulting me, I took the Liberty of desiring them not to do the like in future, not that I meant to deprive them of their share, but because it disappointed me of many Articles which I stood in immediate want of, and had not provided from other Quarters. But you may be assured, that whenever Returns are made of the whole Stock of Cloathing, they shall have their proportion, and more than that, allowance for their peculiar Situation.
I am amazed to hear Complaints of the Hospital on the East Side of Hudsons River. Docr Morgan, with most of his Mates, has been constantly there, since I left it with the main Body of the Army. It is in vain however to look back upon past Misfortunes, I will not pretend to point out the Causes, but I know Matters have been strangely conducted in the medical line. I hope your new Appointment, when it is made, will make the necessary Reform in the Hospital, and that I shall not, the next Campaign, have my Ears and Eyes too shocked with the Complaints and looks of poor Creatures, perishing for want of proper Care either in the Regimental or Hospital Surgeons.
I agree with the Convention, in the Expediency of obstructing the passage of the North River, in some place between the Mouth and the Highlands, we have found, that our labour and expence has been thrown away, in endeavouring to do it below, where the Channel is amazingly wide and deep, but from the slight View I have had of the River above, I think the passage may be easily obstructed, and defended by proper Fortifications, as the River is so narrow, that no Vessel going up could possibly escape the Fire. I am no Judge, of what can be done towards fitting out the Frigates at Poughkeepsie, that must be left to the Gentlemen of the Marine Committee.

The hint given by the Convention of New York, of the Necessity and Utility of a Commissary of Forage had struck me before, and had been mentioned by General Mifflin, whose department of Qr Mr Genl must be eased of part of the load which is at present thrown upon it. He is obliged, in many instances, to act intirely out of his proper line, and instead of being confined to the duty of Qr Master General, is also Waggon Master and Forage Master General. I have wrote to two persons that I think qualifyed to fill the Office of Waggon Master, and I hope one of them will accept. That of Commissary of Forage shall be attended to.
The want of accurate Maps of the Country which has hitherto been the Scene of War, has been of great dis-advantage to me. I have in vain endeavoured to procure them, and have been obliged to make shift, with such Sketches as I could trace out from my own Observations, and that of Gentlemen around me. I really think, if Gentlemen of known Character & probity could be employed in making Maps (from actual Survey) of the Roads—The Rivers and Bridges and Fords over them—the Mountains and passes thro’ them, it would be of the greatest Advantage.
I had, previous to the Receipt of your letter, wrote to Genl Howe, and proposed the fixing an Agent for prisoners at New York. I have not recd an Answer, but if he accedes to the proposal, I shall appoint Mr Lewis pintard.
I am sorry that I am obliged to contradict the Report of the taking of Fort Independance, as mentioned in my last. I believe the evacuation of some detatched Redoubts gave Rise to the Report. I have not heard from Genl Heath since the 14th instant, which I am amazed at. I am quite in the dark as to his Numbers and what progress he has made.
On the 23d, a party of 400 of our Men under Colo. Buckner fell in with two Regiments of the Enemy, conveying a Number of Waggons from Brunswic to Amboy. Our advanced party under Colo. parker engaged them with great Bravery upwards of twenty Minutes, during which time, the Colo. Commandant was killed and the second in command mortally wounded. The people, living near the Feild of Action, say, their killed and wounded were considerable. We lost only two Men who were made prisoners. Had Colo. Buckner come up with the main Body, Colo. parker and the other Officers think we should have put them to the rout, as their confusion was very great and their ground disadvantagious. I have ordered Buckner under Arrest, and shall bring him to tryal, to answer so extraordinary a peice of Conduct.
Reinforcements come up so extremely slow, that I am afraid I shall be left without any Men, before they arrive. The Enemy must be ignorant

of our Numbers, or they have not Horses to move their Artillery, or they would not suffer us to remain undisturbed. I have repeatedly wrote to all the recruiting Officers to forward on their Men as fast as they could arm and cloath them, but they are so extremely averse to turning out of comfortable Quarters, that I cannot get a Man to come near me, tho’ I hear from all parts, that the recruiting Service goes on with great Success. It would be well, if the Board of War, in whose department it is, would issue orders for all Officers to equip and forward their Recruits to Head Quarters with the greatest Expedition.
By a Resolve of Congress passed some time ago, General Schuyler is directed to apply to me for 94 Tons of powder. A Quantity which it is impossible I should have by me, and for which, I do not know where to direct him to apply. I could wish that Returns were made to me of the Quantity of powder on hand, and where it is to be found, that I may not be at a loss at any time of Emergency.
Since the Resignation of Colo. Reed, the important Office of Adjutant General has been left unfilled, I mean as to a principal. And I am much at a loss, how or where, to find a person in every way capable and proper to execute the Office. My inclinations lead me to confer the Appointment upon a Major Morris, but ample Testimonials should be produced, and full proof of Fidelity ought to be made, before an Office of so high trust should be conferred upon a person in a manner a stranger to me. I only know Major Morris from a short personal Acquaintance, and from Report, he never even brought a Letter of recommendation to me. From his Conversation, and from the Accounts I have recd from others, he is a Man of considerable military Abilities, and from his Behaviour in two instances, he is a Man of Bravery and Conduct. His Story is simply this, that he left the British Service in disgust, upon not receiving a promotion to which he was justly intitled. perhaps some Gentlemen of Congress may know more about him, or may be able to make such Enquiries as might satisfy them, as to the safety and propriety of appointing him. I have no other Motive for wishing him a preference, than, that I think him the properest person that has come under my Notice, provided all Matters before mentioned were cleared up.
I shall wait the Result of a determination of Congress before I proceed further in this Appointment, and I wish to be favoured with their Advice as speedily as possible; for the remains of the old Army is much dis-arranged for want of a good Adjutant General, and the Formation of the new, in a great Measure depends upon an able Officer in that Line. I have the Honor to be Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 27 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Jany 27th 1777


Title: From George Washington to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 27 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Maxwell, William

Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 27 Jan. 1777. Maxwell wrote to GW on 9 Feb. to “explain some querys I find in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Jany.”


Title: From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 27 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Schuyler, Philip

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 27th Jany 1777

I take this, the first Opportunity, of answering your Favor of the 15th instant from Fishkill. I thank You four Your Congratulation upon our late Successes, which I hope have stopped the Carreer of the Enemy for the Winter, & will give us some little Time to breathe, & to draw together the new Army, which begins, but slowly to make Its appearance. As fast as the New Levies most contiguous to the Lakes, are ready

for the Field, I shall order them up to that Quarter, in the Mean Time You will contrive to make a shift, as I have done with temporary Supplies of Militia.
If the British Troops leave Rhode Island, of which there seems a great Probability, I hope they will be able to send You a Good reinforcement, out of the Numbers which were collected to oppose them.
I wish It was in my Power to furnish You with Blankets for Van Schaicks Regiment, we are not half covered Ourselves, nor do I see where we are to get them. The Congress has ordered the different Agents to make a Return of the Cloathing purchased for the Continent in the different States. When that is complied with, we shall know our Stock, & how to proportion It to our different Wants. I have appointed Mr Mease, of Philadelphia Clothier General for the Continental Army, I hope by that, & some Other Regulations, that our Army will be better & more regularly supplied next Campaign, than It has been heretofore.
I know Your Difficulties will be great in procuring a proper Quantity of Ordinance & Ordinance Stores against next Campaign, but I hope You will be assisted in the latter, from an Elaboratory which Genl Knox is now gone to establish at Hartford in Connecticut, & if our Adventures are lucky, we shall be well supplied with Field Artillery from France. We must depend upon our own Works for Heavy Cannon, & tho’ they may not furnish the full Quantity, I hope as many, as will make a tolerable Shift, may be procured. The Enemy have given out that they had taken a Ship from France with Artillery on Board, but I have never heard of her being brought in, so I hope It is not true.
Inclosed You have a Letter from Mr Hancock and sundry resolves of Congress, they were sent open to Me by General Gates, with a Desire to forward them. I also inclose a Letter from Capt. Gamble to me, You will see his request, & the Very particular Circumstances under which he labours, if It can safely be granted, please to let me know that I may give him an Answer. For I have rested the Matter entirely upon Your Approbation.
By a Resolve of Congress passed some little time ago, I find that upon Your Application for 94 Tons of Cannon & Cartridge Powder, they have desired me to supply You with that Quantity. I am surprised at this Resolve, as I never have more Powder with me than is necessary for the immediate Consumption of the Army. I have wrote this to Congress, & therefore suppose they will take Care to have It forwarded from the Magazines, I have also desired them to make me a Return of the Stock of Powder on Hand & where It is deposited, that I may know where to apply for It in Case of Emergency.
Be pleased to contrive the inclosed to Doctr Stringer, It is to signify

to him his Dismission, by Congress, from the Director ship of the Northern Department. Doctr Potts is appointed in his Room. I am with great regard Dr Sir, Your Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington.


Title: From George Washington to William Shippen, Jr., 27 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Shippen, William Jr.

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 27th Jany 1777

I have yours without date, favouring me with a plan for the Formation of General Hospitals, for which I am obliged. Altho’ the Congress

have vested me with full powers to make all military Arrangements, and I dare say would ratify whatever appointments and Salaries I should fix, yet I do not think myself at liberty to establish Hospitals upon such extensive plans and at so great an Expence without their concurrence. I have no doubt, but the Number of Officers that you propose, are necessary and will be allowed, but I am afraid you have rather over rated their Pay. By your Regulation the Pay of a Director considerably exceeds that of a Major Genl and the rest in proportion. I shall however lay the plan before Congress, without mentioning any Names. And as the Nomination will lay principally with me, you may be assured of having the Directorship of which ever district you chuse with such Assistants attached to it, as are most agreeable to yourself. I observe you mention Docr Potts as one of your Sub-directors, but he is already provided for as Director Genl of the Northern department in the Room of Docr Stringer. I have some particular Gentn to provide for in the new arrangement, but you may depend that those who have already distinguished themselves by their Assiduity shall not be unnoticed. As I am very anxious to have this great Work set in Motion, I shall desire Congress to give me their Opinions as speedily as possible. By not dating your Letter, I am not able to determine whether Docr Cochran had reached Philada when you wrote, but as I conclude he had not, I shall defer sending your plan to Congress till you have seen him, as I sent him down purposely to consult with you upon the Subject. perhaps he may think some Alterations necessary. I am &c.


Title: To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 27 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Sullivan, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 27 Jan. 1777. On 28 Jan. GW’s aide-de-camp John Fitzgerald wrote Sullivan: “Your favour of yesterday came to hand about 12 last night” (DLC:GW).


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Mordecai Buckner, 28 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Buckner, Mordecai

Sir,
Morris Town. January 28th 1777.

It is not in my Power to comply with yr Request on three Accts yourself, the Country at large, & the State you come from—Were the matter to remain undetermined, yr Reputation must be ruined at all Events, every Officer wd have reason to expect equal favr & I should be justly taxed with partiality—Would you reflect on the Impropriety of yr petition, you wd certainly withdraw it—Resolved as I am to reward Merit, & punish Demerit, I shall refer yr Case to the Judgmt of a Court Martial, and shall be happy to hear that it acquits you. I am Yr Most Obedient Humble Servant.


Title: To George Washington from William Duer, 28 January 1777
From: Duer, William
To: Washington, George

Camp in Westchester County [N.Y.] Jany 28th 1777

I beg Leave to introduce to your Excellency’s Acquaintance Mr Sacket, a member of the Convention of the State, a Man of Honor, and of firm Attachment to the American Cause.
He will communicate to your Excellency some Measures taken by him, and myself which if properly prosecuted may be of infinite Utility to the present military Operations—I have therefore recommended it to him to wait on you in person in hopes that some Sysematical Plan may be adopted, and prosecuted for facilitating your Manoeuvres against the British army.
To say more in a Letter, might be imprudent; I shall therefore content myself with observing that Mr Sacket is (As I know by experience) a Person of Intrigue, and Secrecy well calculated to prosecute such Measures as you shall think conducive to give Success to your generous Exertions in the Cause of America.
Your Excellency will likewise receive from Mr Sacket a Confidential Acct of our Operations in this Quarter—I wish I could say they had been conducted in such a Manner as to create either a Diversion in favor of the Army in Jersey, or at least to drive the Enemy from this County—On the contrary it is obvious to every discerning Person that we have been insulted by a handful of traitorous Banditti, and that we run a risk of either being routed or cut off by a Night Surprise, or of abandoning this Part of the Country with Disgrace.
As I have been appointed, by the Convention of the State of New York as a Member of a Committee for cooperating in the Design formed by your Excellency for driving the Enemy from this Quarter, I esteem it my Duty to inform you that I have no Manner of doubt but it has been in our Power to cut off the Communication of Fort Independence with York Island, and to make ourselves Masters of the Garrison with a Loss no Ways proportionable to the Benefits, which would inevitably result from such a Measure—This is still in our Power but how long it will continue so I will not pretend to determine—Certain I am that unless a decisive, and systematic Plan is devised and prosecuted in a very Short Time, that your Success will be counterbalanced by our Disgrace—that many good Officers and Men who have come down as volunteers will return home—that the Militia (should any remain) will grow Languid, that our Enemies will triumph, and that the Timids Whigs who have been roused from their late Lethargy or Despair from your Excellency’s Successful Efforts, will either relapse into the same Supineness, or take an Active Part with our Enemies.

It would be needless and impertinent in me to point out to your Excellency the very great Advantages wh. would result from our making ourselves Masters of this County—I shall only content myself with observing that, if no other Purposes were to be answered by this expedition, but those of laying up Magazines of Forage for the next Campaign, the raising of Recruits for the Continental Army, and preventing the disaffected from taking Part with the Enemy, it is an Object worthy our greatest Exertions.
Brigr Genl Parsons, who came down with us From Peek’s Kill is gone to Connecticut, not choosing as I conceive, to run the risque of his Reputation by a longer Stay here—Colo. Duboys who has come down with the York Militia as a Volunteer, and who has repeatedly offered his Service to destroy Kings bridge will, I fear return to morrow, Despairing to see any thing Effectual done.
Should your Excellency wish to know to what our Want of Success is to be attributed, I must beg Leave to refer to your own Judgment of the Characters of Men—observing only that it is my Private Opinion that if Measures could be devised without injuring the Public Service that either Genl Mifflin, Genl Parsons, or Genl Clinton, could direct our Operations in this Part of the County of West Chester, that the Enemy would not only be driven from this County, but other Measures might probably be devised for pushing our Success, and harassing the Enemy. At the request of Genl Heath I devised Means of his obtaining the best Intelligence of the Enemies Strength and Dispostion—Would to Heaven we had profited by it—I write with an Aching heart, and in a great hurry so that your Excellency will excuse both my Freedom, and Inaccuracy—I have long intended to return, but shall wait the Return of Mr Sacket in hopes that some more regular Counsels may be formed, and more vigorous Measures prosecuted in this Quarter.
As I am informed that your Excellency is raising Several new Battalions, the Officers of wh. are to be of your Appointment, I beg leave to inform your Excellency that Mr John Livingston a Son of Mr Robert Livingston, Lord of the Manor of that Name is anxious to enter the Service in a Regiment to be Commanded by Gentlemen—He is a Young Gentleman, of a high Spirit of Honor, and undoubted Bravery—I have therefore no doubt but he will raise his own Reputation, and do justice to your Appointment if you should think proper to give him the Offer of a Lt Colonel’s Commission—I beg to know from your Excellency whether my Application can be complied with—It is with great Reluctance I ever venture to recommend but I know this Young Gentleman so well that I will risque my Reputation upon his behaving himself with distinguished Resolution Should he have an Opportunity

of Embracing the military Profession. I am, with great Respect, Your Excellency’s most Obedt Hble servt

Wm Duer


Title: From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 28 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Gates, Horatio

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 28th Jany 1777

I am very much afraid that all the Troops on their march from the Southward will be infected with the small pox, and that instead of having an Army here, we shall have an Hospital.
I know of no other way to prevent this, than not to suffer any more of the Southern Troops to come in to Philada they may be marched into German town and remain there while their Arms and Accoutrements are providing. Those who have the small Pox in Town, should not join the Army in the same Cloathes they wrote, while sick, if it can possibly be helped, if no other Cloathes are to be procured, the old ones should be washed and well smoaked. For it will take many weeks to get the infection out, if some of the above Methods are not pursued. Doctor Shippen wrote to me that he intended to innoculate the Troops as they came in, but that never can safely be done, except innoculation was to go thro’ the whole Army. Remember we shall have some of the Eastern Troops soon here, and many of them have not yet had the small Pox. I think all circumstances considered, we should check, not spread the Infection, and there is no other way of doing it, but by

curing all that now have it, and not suffering more to take it. I have wrote to Docr Shippen upon this Subject.
Some Method must be fallen upon to get back the Arms &ca from the Militia, when they are dismissed, or the regular Regiments when raised, will be without Arms. I have lately stripped them here of all public Arms and Accoutrements, and have given them Recits by which they can cancel those given in Philada. But those Officers who do not produce the Arms again or such Receipts, should be well looked after, otherwise they will suffer their men to leave them scattered about the Country or will carry them home for their own Use.
If I had a duplicate of the Receipt, given in Philadelphia, sent to me, I could know whether they delivered up all they received. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Sullivan, John

Dear Sir,
Morris Town. Jany 28th 1777

As the Information which gave rise to your Remove to the Scotch plains seems to have been void of foundation, and as no great good can result from yr laying in an exposed situation, but much Evil flow from a Surprize (which by the bye I hope never will happen) I can not help expressing my doubts of the propriety of yr removing where the Troops now are (if at the Scotch plains)—Our Affairs at present are in a prosperous way, the Country seems to entertain an Idea of our Superiority—Recruiting goes on well—& a Beleif prevails that the Enemy are afraid of Us. If then you should be drove, which nothing but the Enemy’s want of Spirit can prevent—the Tables will be turned, the Country get dispirited, & We shall again relapse into our former discredit—I therefore give it to you as my Opinion, that you had better give yr Remove to the Scotch Plains the best Colouring you can (either by a March round, some how or other, as you can devise) & return to yr former Station, or to Springfd, for fear of Consequences which may be extremely injurious to Us.
This is clearly my Opinion; perhaps it may arise from Ignorance of the Situation of Ground—but it is next to impossible that the Enemy can suffer a Number greatly inferior to theirs to be within three hours march of them without laying some Scheme to entrap or drive them. I shall write Genl Warner (at Bound brook) orders simular to these. I am Dear Sir Yr most Obt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 28 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Sullivan, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 28 Jan. 1777. GW’s second letter to Sullivan of 28 Jan. says that “the Express delivered me Yr favr this Evening.”


Title: From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Sullivan, John

D: Sir,
Morris Town. January 28th 1777.

The Express delivered me Yr favr this Evening. Ignorant as I am of the ground which you occupy at the Scotch plains, I can not possitively determine whether it is tenable or not. However let me recommend to you to consider maturely whether the Advantages that may accrue from yr neighbourhood to the Enemy, can balance the Consequences that must result from yr being driven from it. ’Tis true yr being posted so near them will save yr Scouts a few Miles marchg, You have also a better Chance of receiving good & early Intelligence of their Movemts; But ’tis as true That they may, & will most certainly very soon, discover yr real Numbers, & what will follow yr being attacked I have already mentioned in mine of this date. Consult Genls Maxwell & Stephen, lay my Letters to you on this head before them, view yr Continuance there in every point of light, & if you determine that the Service may be benefitted by remaining where you are, I have no Objections to yr Stay—Upon my Word I think it a Manoëuvre of the last Consequence, & am not without my fears about its Success. You will assuredly be attacked in a few days, if they have any Spirit left; knowing yr Strength they will do it with a force that will command Success, for it will be out of my power to relieve you in time. Should you determine to remove, remember to give it the Air of some Manoëuvre, that the Enemy may be at a Loss what to think of it. I am D: Sir Yr most Obedient Humble Servant

G.W.


Title: General Orders, 29 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Morristown, Jany 29th 1777.
Inverness.Kendal.

Capt: Josiah Harmar’s Company of Foot, in the 2nd Pennsylvania Battalion, to join Major Proctor’s Regt of Artillery, and be by him returned.
The Quarter Master General is directed to engage Waggoners, from among the Inhabitants, and not to employ Soldiers in that service longer than such persons can be got.


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 29 January 1777
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Baltimore Jany 29th 1777.

You will percieve from the Resolves herewith transmitted, that the Letters which Congress have recieived from Genl Fermoy & several other French Officers, are referred to your Consideration, without a particular Recommendation in Favour of either of those Gentlemen. I do myself the Honour to enclose their Letters. A Representation to Congress from Colo. Kermovan, I transmitted this Morning by the Colonel.
I have wrote to the Govr of Virginia on the Subject of the enclosed Resolve.
Your Favour of the 22d inst. I had the pleasure of recieving—and this Day laid the same before Congress. I have the Honour to be with perfect Esteem & Respect Sir your most obed. Servt

John Hancock Presidt

As some Steps have been Taken with Respect to the Magazines at Brookfield & Carlile the Congress judge it best they should be Erected there in preference to the other places mention’d by Genl Knox.


Title: To George Washington from General William Howe, 29 January 1777
From: Howe, William
To: Washington, George

Sir,
New York 29th Jany 1777

I am to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 20th January 1777, in which you propose to establish Mr Lewis Pintard, a Merchant of this Town, as your Agent to reside here under Parole to transmit no Intelligence but what belongs to his Office, whose Business it shall be to provide Necessaries for such Prisoners as fall into my Hands, I have not any Objection to your appointing the Gentleman you mention, Mr Lewis Pintard your Agent to reside here, but it must be only for the Purpose of receiving & distributing to the Prisoners such Necessaries as you are pleas’d to send in from Time to Time for their Use; This being the Mode I wish to have adopted on both Sides.
With respect to the sending from Pennsylvania a Supply of Meat & Flour for your Prisoners here I believe you will judge it unnecessary, as in pursuance of the Agreement subsisting between us for the Exchange of Prisoners, I have sent to you so many of your People, as that the inconsiderable Number now remaining here scarcely makes such a Step an Object of any Consequence. I am with due Respect Sir Your most Obt hble Sert

Wm Howe


Title: From George Washington to Major Apollos Morris, 29 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Apollos

Sir
Morris Town 29 January 1777

I have your favr of the 28th with Copy of a Letter, addressed to Genl Howe, inclosed.
Your wish, to be the instrument of restoring peace, to a much oppressed and more injured people, is certainly most laudable, but you must very well know that this is not to be effected by the interposition of any person in a private Character, and Lord and General Howe have refused to negotiate with the only great representative Body of this Continent.
If therefore, your letter had gone in to General howe, it must have been, merely as one to satisfy yourself in regard to the powers that were intrusted to the Commissioners; as to myself, I am fully satisfyed that they never exceeded the express words of the Act of Parliament, for if they did, they are answerable for the Blood that has been spilled, perhaps in consequence of their not making them known to the only Body that could receive them.
If I had never been made acquainted with the Substance of your letter, I should not have had the least objection to its going in, but as you have submitted it to my inspection, my permitting it to pass, may be construed into an Approbation of its Contents.
I am therefore under the Necessity of objecting to it, least I should be thought to delegate that power to others, which I do not possess myself. I mean, that of Negotiation, in this great dispute.
I should not have detained your Express so long, but I was from home when he arrived. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt.

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 29 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Pennsylvania Council of Safety

Gentn
Head Quarters Morris Town 29th Jany 1777

I have the honor of yours of the 23d and I return you my thanks for your exertions not only in calling forth and equipping the Militia of your State, but for the Assistance you have afforded to the Militia of the other States and to the continental Troops, in their passage thro’ the City, to join the Army.
If some Mode is not adopted for obliging the Officers of the Militia to return the Arms and Accoutrements that are lent to them, we shall be in the greatest want of them when the regular Regiments are raised. I have lately taken the liberty, to make them leave their public Arms and Accoutrements here, upon their being discharged, and have given the Officers Receipts for what were delivered up, with which they may cancel the Receipts given at Philada. My Reason was this, I know very well, that the Men, when discharged, instead of returning by the way of Philadelphia, take the nearest Road home, and consequently either drop their Arms by the way, or carry them with them, by which means they are lost to the public Stock. If there is any deficiency between the Rect & delivery the Officer should be obliged to account for it.
I am glad to find that your House of Assembly are about framing a Law to make your Militia turn out more generally, till that is done, the Service falls partially upon a few Individuals, who complain, with great Justice, of risquing their lives in defence of those who upon your present plan do not even make a pecuniary Satisfaction for the exemption of their persons. But I would wish to see every Man (who is not really conscientiously scrupulous) obliged to turn out, when the good of his Country demands it. For we now want Men more than Money.
I wish it was in my power to procure the Release of all our prisoners, the Feild Officers in particular; but when we have not those of equal Rank to propose for them, what is to be done? Colo. Miles signifyed to me that Mr Foxcroft would be accepted in Exchange for him, I immediately proposed the Matter to Genl Howe, but have never recd any Answer. Colo. Atlee also desired me to propose him in Exchange for some Gentleman whose Name I have forgot, this I did, but the Matter rested in the same Manner. Of the prisoners that have been released, by far the greatest proportion were from Pennsylvania, and least there

should be some Jealousy on that Acct I directed that in future, whenever an Exchange took place, there should be a due proportion of those, belonging to the Eastern States, set at liberty.
I am sorry that so deserving an Officer as Colo. Johnson, should be over looked by any Mistake of yours, but it is not at present in my power to do any thing for him. I have commissioned as many of the additional Regiments as I think there is any chance of filling without interfering with each other in the recruiting Service. I am Gent. Yr.


Title: To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 29 January 1777
From: Pennsylvania Council of Safety
To: Washington, George

Sir
In Council of Safety PhiladelphiaJanuary 29th 1777

This will be delivered to your Excellency by Colonel Emas McCoy of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment. The Rank of Officers in this Regiment is not yet settled, and from their present temper we apprehend much discontent will arise from any determination by this Council, and thereby the public Service be greatly injured, which possibly may not be the case if settled at Head-Quarters and by your Excellency’s Authority. The Council have therefore delivered their Commissions, and request your Excellency to give directions respecting their rank. The appointment of those Officers were not by this Board, otherwise such disputes should not at this time subsist. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellencys Obedient Servant

Tho. Wharton jun. Prest


Title: To George Washington from Captain Francis Wade, 29 January 1777
From: Wade, Francis
To: Washington, George

Sir
Allen Town New Jersey 29th Jany 1777

Inclos’d you have a report of the provisss. &c. stop’d by me, from Lieutt Colnl Gurneys party, which I thought it my duty to do, agreeable to your orders to me, & for the good of the service, I Endeavour’d by sending out a person & puting up advertisements, at prince Town to Collect some stores Cattle &c. taken from that place, by some of the Amwell Millita & others, whose names I have got, but as yet have not been Verry successful, altho have had some return’d, I am sorry to be oblig’d to inform you that great attention has been paid to matters of this kind, by persons that goes into places after our Army, who has no manner of right, & Converts the stores to their own private use, since my Apointment by your Excellency, in which have been pretty successful, I have made such observations, with respect to them and other matters, as I Could point out, where a Considerable saveing might be made to the States, by havg proper persons apointed for the purpose, & prevent the great mischief attendg the plundering the Inhabitants, and the destruction of stores &c., which for my own part I have no Idea of. I have the great mortification to be here and about this Country, agreeable to your orders without the assistance at present of Eighther men or money, I have had until within these few days past a few men of the philada County Millita, but their time being out, as they say, are gone home, so that I have not a man, this I have made known to Genl Putnam who I hope will order Accordingly, otherwise the stores is much Expos’d to loss, as to money have not been able to obtain any from Mr Lowerey, I have wrote him two lettrs on the subject, in answer to one of them he recommends me to your Excellency, for a warrant on the pay Mastr Genl your orders being otherwise to me, made me decline it, what part I am to Act under these Circumstances am at a loss to know, however am determin’d to persevere & do the best I Can, until I am favour’d with your farther orders, being satisfied that the business I am upon will not only be of great advantage to the Army in future but a great sav’g to the states as well as depriveing the Enemy from any future advantage in that way, had I salt Could procure five times as much as I now do, which is sent now to philada & sold at an Extravagant price, which we must pay in future for—I have sent a party yesterdy down to the salt works where I had informatn there is a quanty ready, with orders to secure it, & an order to the managers to save & secure all they make for the use of the states until farther orders, there being no sort of stores in New Town sufficient to secure the provisss. obliges me to stop sending for the present, the necessity there is for such Conveniencies no doubt will apear Clear

to your Excellency, & you will give orders Accordingly. my attatchment to the Cause, & welfare of your Excelly & the Army under you, I hope will Apologize for the liberty I now take in pointg out these several matters, and Induce you to take such notice of them as you think they deserve. I am with truth Sir Your most Obedt & most Humble Servt

Frans Wade

P.S. I Just now rec’d a line from Genl Putnam referg me to Genl Rodney at Trenton for men.


Title: General Orders, 30 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Morristown, Jany 30th 1777.
Quebec.Raway

The Commissary General, and his Assistants in every department of the Army, are to be particularly careful of the Hides and Tallow.
The commanding Officers of the regiments and corps lately come in, are to make themselves acquainted with the General Orders, which have been issued for the Government of the Army at this place, and to attend to them, particularly those of the 20th Instant, respecting the assignment of parades, and assembling the troops in case of alarms—Such Corps as have not already been furnished with those Orders, may get them by applying to the Adjutant General.
The Commissary of Stores is desired to make a Return of the Arms, Ammunition &c. now in his care, at this place; this to be done as soon as possible.


Title: To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 30 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Arnold, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 30 Jan. 1777. On 6 Feb. GW wrote Arnold: “I was this Evening favoured with your Letter of the 30th Ulto.”


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Griffin, 30 January 1777
From: Griffin, Samuel
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 30th January 1777

I must beg leave to Apologize, for not haveing Answered your Excellencys polite, & Friendly, letter, of 24th of Decr last, in which you Honor’d me with the Offer of a Regiment of Infantry, at the time Colo.

Reed dilivered me your favor, I was confined to my Bed, and not able to write, and as I fully Intended to repair to Head Quarters, as soon as my Health would permit, I thought a Verbal Message by Colo. Moylan (which was, that I was very Sensible of the Honor you Intended me, but was also Sensible & Convinced that my Constitution would not carry me through the Fatigue, & duty, that must Absolutely & Necessaryly Attend a Colo. in the foot Service, I must request to decline your Excellencys kind offer) untill I could make a tender of my services in Person. my Friend Moylan, has been kind enough, to give me the refusal of the Lieutenantcy in his Dragoons, for which I sencirely thank him, but if he had reflected a Moment, and recollected, that I had been Honor’d, with the Rank of full Colonel, for these eight Months past, and in that time, more than once, or Twice, Indulged with a Command equal to that of Brigadier, he could hardly have Supposed that my Ambition, or Pride, would have allowed me to Accept of a Commission, which tho it carrys the Rank of Colonel, yet the youngest Colo. in the foot Service, must allways take Presidence, or Command of it. in a well Established Army, I mean on its Origin, I should have thought a Lieutenant Colonelcy of Horse, a very full and Ample Compensation, for 6 or 8 years Creditable and Honorable Services, but as ours has in some Measure been Opposed to that I must request & shall be happy to receive your Excellencys Commands at this place, and have the Honor to be, Yo. much Obligd Friend & Servt

Saml Griffin


Title: To George Washington from Ebenezer Hancock, 30 January 1777
From: Hancock, Ebenezer
To: Washington, George

Sir
Boston January 30th 1777

I had the Honour to receive your Excellency’s Letter of 9th Instant last Night, in regard to the State of the Treasury in my Department; and for answer I have to Inform your Excellency, that it is very low at present, as I have not receiv’d any Money since last September, and the Demand for it has been so great, that I have now by me only about Five Thousand Dollars, but expect more every Day, as I have wrote to the Honble Congress about it, and think it cannot be long before it Arrives.
I now take the Liberty to Acquaint your Excellency, that I have lately nam’d a Child after you, for the very great Respect and Regard I have for your Excellency, and the glorious Cause in which you are engag’d, and I flatter myself, that it will be agreeable to you; and wishing your

Excellency Success, Health, and Happiness; I have the Honour to be with the greatest Esteem; Sir Your Excellency’s most Obedt Humble Servt

Ebenezer Hancock


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 January 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Burlings Janry 30th 1777 4 oClock P.M.

I am this moment Informed by a Letter from General Wooster who is at New Rochell, That fourteen Ships, Three Schooners and Two Sloops have Just Come too between Heart and City Islands so that another Peice of Intelligence given us by our late Informant may be true to wit that Lord Piercy with the Troops from Rhode Island was to land in our Rear and Surround us—so that most Probably our remove was very fortunitely made. I have the Honor to be with great respect Your Excellencys most Hbble Servt

W. Heath


Title: To George Washington from Major Apollos Morris, 30 January 1777
From: Morris, Apollos
To: Washington, George

Sir
New Bromley Mills [N.J.] Jany 30th 1777

I wish not to take off your attention from so many better objects, but think it incumbent on me to assure you, that I, when at Morris town, understood, you meand to judge of the propriety of my letter, otherwise I must have chosen to have sent it seal’d. To have shewn Genl Howes dispositions in Return to any peace overture could have been no disadvantage. my Intention was that you might or might not be suppos’d (at your own option) to know any thing of it. I came to this country intending to Devote my person & little fortune to the Support of its rights, & of independence if they were refus’d; but I cannot devote my opinions, I asserted in print the same wishes for a Reconciliation & that America did not mean Independence. When on my arrival I found no terms short of it would be listen’d to on this side, The only way I had to reconcile my conduct to my assertions was to seek justification from the measures of the otherside, & to convince myself from unquestionable authority that no scheme of dependence consistent with the rights of the Colonys could be agreed to. If as is asserted the Comms: have no powers Gl Hows letter or his silence must have given me the justification I sought, & I was decided never to look back.
I confess the Presumption of an unauthoris’d individual like me meddling with public affairs; & so much expected a rebuke on that head from Genl Howe that I took from him as far as possible every other pretense for refusing an answer.
I have not the vanity to suppose my services worth the sacrifice of any propriety, & my presence in a Camp where I cannot be usefull must be an incumbrance. I shall therefore by to morrow Noon, when I hope to be pretty free from my cold set off for Philadelphia, where I shall without meddling with politics remain with Esteem & Respect Sir Yr most obedt & most humble sert

Apollos Morris

I am sorry for having expressed any wish that might seem to engage you in the matter.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 30 January 1777
From: Spencer, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Dear Gen’l
Providence 30th Jan’y 1777

I wrote to your Excellency the 11th Instant which has doubtless Arrived before now; I design’d then to have wrote Weekly, but haveing no opportunity for conveyance unless by Express, have neglected untill now; On the Receipt of your Excellencys orders to me of the 22d ultimo directing, me to hasten forward, instead of Returning back any troops that were by their Respective states destined for the Army in the Western department—I immediately Sent by express to Governor Trumbull to advise him of the Contents of this Order to Lett him know that I must by no means consent that any of those Troops should be ordered to this place, as I know the State of Connecticut depended chiefly on Troops that they at first design’d to send westward to make up their quota being 1092 which they had agreed to send here, as their part of 6000 the number the several New England States had agreed to Raise for this Army.
The Governor in answer to this information, wrote me that the State of Connecticut depended on Colo. Elys Regiment to supply in part their Quota for this Army, and that without them they were unable to send their Quota, and also that Connecticut had sent more Volunteers forward to the Western Army than Colo. Elys Regt consisted of. And added further that it was his advice for the present that Colo. Elys Regt should be ordered to this place, and here Retaind untill further advice from your Excellency should be received; and that he had wrote to your Excellency on the subject—by this Representation I thought it my duty to send Immediately for Colo. Elys Regiment to Join this Army; and the last of them arived here this weak, having no doubt but

your Excellency would Approve of my conduct therein. I have lately Received your Letter of the 17th Instant, Informing that by several Circumstances that Occur, it appears as if the Enemy Intended to withdraw their force from Rhode Island, and make a Junction of their whole Army in the Jerseys; directing me in case the Enemy should Evacuate Rhode Island (after Harrising them in the Rear if in my power) to loose no time, in marching with such of the Troops as were before intended to Join the Army under your Excellencys Immediate Command; And as many more as I could possibly collect together, and then Join Genl Heath.
Your Excellency may be assured that in case the Enemy Evacuate Rhode Island, I shall to the utmost of my ability comply with the above directions in every Respect, but it is not Supposed very probable here that the enemy will; or at least do not at present Expect to Evacuate Rhode Island this winter; I dont Remember that any of those that have come from Rhode Island since my Arival have Intimated that it was expected that that would be the Case but for a considerable time back those that have left the Island have universally reported that a number (generally said about 2000) were ordered to be in readyness to Embark on the shortest notice; and last weak two young women that came off, Reported that two Thousand of their troops Embarked on board the Transports at Rhode Island, the night after the 22d Instant; and last Evening I Received Intelligence from point Judith, that in the evening of the 27th Instant Twenty two large Vessels came out of the Harbour of New port, standing Westward; with troops on Board; Doubtless bound for New York; these Troops I suppose are the same that Embarked last weak. It is the oppinion of the General Officers here, that before the last Embarkation there was 6000 Land forces at Rhode Island, and that there Is about 4000 there now; we are in expectation here, that they design to Winter here. They have within a few days set out to fortify at the North End of the Island, which by all accounts they neglected untill very lately, this we consider as an Evidence of their expecting to stay, some considerable time, unless it should be done, purely to hide their Intentions.
The Genl Officers have such expectations of the Continuance of the Troops at Rhode Island, that at a Council last weak, it was Unanimously Resolved by all of them in this Army, that it was advisable to make the most speedy preparation, in precuring of every thing Necessary, to make an attack, on Rhode island, as soon as Troops come in sufficient, to afford a probability, of Success, we have now here 4000 Troops; according to the oppinion of the Genl Officers Since the late Embarkation, 6000 men might do, but that it would be best to have more.

I believe we can Collect men Enough in number, Round about, in this Neighbourhood, within a few days, when we have got Other things in Readyness; but should be glad to have better Troops than most of them would be. Would therefore Suggest to your Excellency, that I have heard there is several Continental Regiments near or Quite, half fill’d, at or near Boston, wheather in case we Should be Ready to make a push, I might not send for these Continental Troops to come and assist in the Attack should be glad to be Inform’d.
The Commissary Genl has sent a Deputy to act here in this department. We are yet in Great need of one to Act as Continental Depy Qr Master Genl with Continental s[u]pplies, hope your Excellency will send, or appoint one here, to act in that Character; I know not where the Qr Master Genl is, if your Excellency should think proper, to appoint a Person, to that office here, I beg leave to Recommend, Mr James Lovell, of this State, who assists in that department at present, and is Recommended as a fit Person for that Imployment, by the Principal Gentlemen of this Town, and all the Genl Officers of this army. I have the Honour to be with Great Respect and Esteem your Excellencys Most Obedt Humbe Servt

Jos: Spencer


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 31 January 1777
From: Arnold, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Providence Janry 31. 1777

By the best Intelligence we have been able to procure, of the Enemies Force on Rhode Island, they consisted of about Six Thousand Men, Eleven Regiments of British, and four of Hessians, Two thousand, embarked the 21st Inst. In Twenty four Transports, & sailed from New Port three days since suposed for New York, as they were seen of New London, part of the remainder, beleived About fifteen hundred Are

dispersed Over the Island, in seeming great Security, they have a small Fort Opposite Bristol Ferry, & are raiseing a work Opposite Foggland Ferry, One of their Frigates was lately drove from thence, & was yesterday, replaced by a Fifty Gun Ship, & two Tenders, which we are prepareing to Attack by Guns on Shore, & our Gallies, which are Ordered down.
At a Councill of General Officers held a few days since it was Advised, to land a Body of eight Thousand Men, (If they can be procured) on Rhode Island; And Attack the Enemy in the following Manner; Vizt Five thousand Men with proper Artillery to embark at Howlands Ferry, & land Nearly Opposite Foggland Ferry and take Post on a high ground, under Cover of a thick wood on the Middle of the Island, Six Miles this side of New Port. Three Thousand Men to Embark at Bristol and Howlands Ferry, and Attack the Enemy In the different Posts, a diversion to be made by a Party from Seconnet who are to land three miles from New Port, at the Same time Two Fireships are to be sent into New Port among the Transports—Two Frigates, & two Gallies are to be placed between Bristol, & Howlands Ferry, which with the Batteries will effectually secure our retreat. we Are makeing every Necessary preperation of Boats, Artillery &c. which will be compleat in Two, or three, weeks, nothing will be wanting but Men, we have at Present only four Thousand, Not more than one thousand more (of the Six ordered) can be expected, with this Number, as they Are chiefly raw Militia, I beleive your Excellency will not think it prudent for us to make a general Attack; The deficiency, I know of no way of makeing up but by calling in four, or Five, Continental Regts From the States of Massachusets Bay, & New Hampshire, If this number can be procured, we have a good prospect of dislodgeing the Enemy from New Port, If not we must be Content to harrass them with small parties I supose Major General Spencer has wrote your Excellency very particularly on the Subject, & will wait for your directions in the Matter.
This will be Delivered your Excellency by Capt. Mansfield, whom I recommended in my last as a proper Person to Command a company of Artillery, If your Excellency should think proper to Appoint him, I beg the favour that He may be alowed to return here emediately. I am with Sentiments of great Respect & esteem Dear General Your Affectionate & most Obedient Humble Servt

B. Arnold

P.S. I have Inclosed a Plan of Rhode Island, & the Adjacent Country, by which you will Observe the great Difuculty in Comeing at the Enemy, & the Necessity of haveing a Superior Force If we land on the Island.

B.A.


Title: To George Washington from Ezekiel Cheever, 31 January 1777
From: Cheever, Ezekiel
To: Washington, George

Hond sir
Peekskill [N.Y.] Janry 31st 1777.

By direction of Hone Genl mcDougal I would accquaint yr Excelly I have only Forty broken Drums not Two fit for Service. Here & at FishKill, none are to be add, nor Hands &c. to repair them. Genl mcDougal hopes you will please to give the necessary directions for furnishing them.

I have just recd an order from Genl Parssons to send five hundred fire arms of equal bore to Farefield to be emmediately repaired for Colo. Duglass regt, & He [h]as Sent an Armourer to Pick them out I have ordered boxes to be made to Contain them, & shall Send them forward to Morrow in Obedience to Genl Parssons order. wishing your Excellency health & prosperity I have the Honor to be Yr most Obedt Hum. Sert

Ezekl Cheever Com. Artilly


Title: To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Gates, Horatio
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 31 Jan. 1777. The dealer’s catalog includes the following excerpt from this autograph letter signed, apparently written at Philadelphia: “... I immediately consulted with Doctor Shippen & Mr. Morris, upon the best method of preventing the spreading of the infection of the small-pox & have issued orders to oblige all the troops & recruits ... to avoid this City, & take their route through Germantown. Your Excellency knows from Experience there is no suppressing that disease in any army like ours, but by sending the infected to a remote & secure place, cut off from all communication with the camp. Some surgeons for the sake of gain will endeavour to inoculate privately. One of these I was obliged to send into confinement at Albany last summer ...” (Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., cat. no. 1190, item 454, p. 118, 30–31 Oct. 1950).


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 31st Jany 1777.

I have none of your favors unanswered at present. There is such a demand upon me from all Quarters for Money, which I am unable to answer, that I cannot help again pressing you to send on a Supply. The recruiting Service is almost at a stop here for want of Money, and Governor Trumbull writes me word that it is totally so in Connecticut. He adds, that their loan Officers cannot proceed in their Business for want of proper Checque Books and Notes, but that if they were furnished with them, they could soon take in a sufficient quantity to answer their purposes.
I shall be glad to be informed, whether I have a right to draw Warrants upon the loan Officers in the different States. The State of Connecticut advanced, Colo. Sheldon at my request, ten thousand pounds lawful to raise his Regiment of Horse. For their reimbursement, they desired me to give them a draft upon the loan Office, but not knowing whether I had a right to draw upon that fund, I deferred it, till I heard from you.

I must beg you will write to the Assemblies of the different States, and insist upon their passing a law to inflict a severe and heavy penalty upon those who harbour deserters, knowing them to be such. Our Army is shamefully reduced by desertion, and except the people in the Country can be forced to give Information when Deserters return to their old Neighbourhoods, we shall be obliged to detatch one half of the Army to bring back the other.
I have a letter from Genl Heath of the 24th Instant. he was at and near Kingsbridge with his Army. I dont find that he is likely to do more, than to draw the Attention of the Enemy that way, and to cut them off from Forage, of which they are in great want. The Troops had not returned from Rhode Island, by the last accounts, but were daily expected. I have the Honor to be Sir most respectfully Yours

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James McHenry, 31 January 1777
From: McHenry, James
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Hydes Town [N.J.] 31 Jany 1777.

In consequence of the inclosed application to Gen: Howe the sick privates and those who remained of the well were ordered off on parole under my care as Doctor, and the conduct of a bristish officer &c. But As the officer leaves them here, he gets no receipt. Six have died since our leaving New-York; But I flatter myself, should the weather moderate a little that most of the remainder will recover. There is now Seventy five.
I hope that your Excellency will free me, as soon as convenient from the restrictions of a parole. I have the honour to be your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant.

James McHenry.


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 31 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Mifflin, Thomas

Dr Sir,
[31 January 1777]

The Season is approachg when We shall have Use for Tents; You will therefore pay particular Attention to this Article—All the old ones should be collected & the necessary repairs be made now, that when called for they may be ready—The Tomhauks or light hatchetts also deserve yr Notice, they should be made light & substantial, so calculated as to be made apart of the Soldier’s Accoutremts & carried with Convenience—Too much regard can not be paid to the Waggons; as many should be provided as will serve all the purposes of each Battalion, for their Baggage, Amunition & Entrenchg Tools. I would recommend

to you to have Chaises Marine made for the Artillery & Regimental amunition, light, strong & covered, and not let the Army be encumbered with heavy & unweildy Waggons when the purposes can be answered with others full as well & probably better—Upon the whole, this is the Time to prepare every thing in yr departmt, let me therefore entreat you to spare no pains in equipping Us completely for the ensuing Campain. I am &C.


Title: From George Washington to Col. Stephen Moylan, 31 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Moylan, Stephen

Letter not found: to Col. Stephen Moylan, 31 Jan. 1777. In his letter to GW of 3 Feb., Moylan informs GW that “your favor of the 31st is this moment come to hand.”


Title: From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 31 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Pennsylvania Council of Safety

Gentlemen
Head Quarters Morris town 31st Jany 1777

As the times of a Number of the continental Artillerymen have expired, that department is left very bare. Major Proctor informs me that there are about one hundred and forty of his Corps now doing duty at the Forts upon Delaware, but as there is not the least probability of their being wanted during the Winter Season, I beg you will immediately detatch at least One hundred of those Men, to put themselves under the command of Major proctor. If one hundred men cannot be spared, you will be pleased to send as many as you possibly can. I am &c.


Title: To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 31 January 1777
From: Pennsylvania Council of Safety
To: Washington, George

Sir
In Council of Safety Philadelphia January 31st 1777

Col. Geo. Geiger of Northampton County an honest old German marches directly from Northampton to Head Quarters His Battalion is pretty large and from the known integrity of the Colonel, it is hoped he will be of much service to your Excellency.
Inclosed is a return of the Arms &c. which the Colonel is in need of, and which the Council are unable to furnish him with and therefore have referr’d him to your Excellency for them. I Am with great respect Your Excellency’s Obedt Servant.


Title: From George Washington to Captain John Paul Schott, 31 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Schott, John Paul

Sir
Head Quarters [Morristown] Jany 31st 1777

You have herewith your recruiting Instructions, & Warrant to draw Money to begin with—You have Liberty to Nominate your Subaltern Officers, in doing which you cannot be too particular as your own Reputation & the good of the Service in a great measure depend upon this Choice, should it happen that upon my seeing them I think them Incapable of filling the Posts to which they are nominat’d with honour, I shall not think myself bound to confirm your Choices—Fix upon some place contiguous to where you expect to raise the greatest number of men for your Rendezvous, & let me know from time to time how you proceed & when there is a probability of your Company being

Compleat—I need not mention the necessity there is of putting your Men under Training duty as fast as they are rais’d, by which they will be capable of rendering immediate Service when call’d into the Field—Wishing you Success I am Sir Yr Humble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 1 February 1777 [letter not found]
From: Arnold, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 1 Feb. 1777. In his letter to GW of 7 Feb., Arnold says: “My Letter of the 1st Inst. by Cpt. Mansfield, I hope your Excellency has received before this.”


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Henry Jackson, 1 February 1777
From: Jackson, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sir
Boston Feby 1. 1777

I had the honor a few days sinse of receving by the hands of the Selectmen of this City, your Excellencys Letter of  date, inclosing an appointment to the Command of one of the additional sixteen Regiments

to be raised in the servise of the United States with my recruitg orders, accompanied with a warrant on the paymaster General for ten thousand dollars—This is the first opportunity I have had to acknowledge my acceptance of this appointment which I esteem highly honorable and for which I very sincerely thank your Excell⟨ency⟩.
You may be assure’d sir my ⟨mutilated⟩ exertions shall be to deserve the confidence whic⟨h⟩ you have been pleased to place in me, and nothing on my part shall be wanting to complete the recruiting of my Regiment for the field with all possible promptness & dispatch.
General Knox will inform your Excelly of the difficulty of raising the Regiment, under the present regulations of this State respecting the recruiting service.
In conformity to your Excellencys desire I propose for your approbation David Cobb Esqr. as Lt Colonel, and John Steel Tyler Esqr. Major, as the other two field Officers of the Regiment. they are both gentlemen whom General Knox and myself flatter ourselves will do honor to your Excellency and the service of their Country.
I shall take great care that all the other nominations are such as will be for the reputation of the Army.

H.J.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 1 February 1777
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

Dear sir
Boston February 1. 1777.

After my Letter to General Greene from Springfield of the 26th of January I sat out for this place in order to provide such materials as were necessary to carry on the various branches connected with the Laboratory and ordnance establishment. Upon my arrival here I was much surpriz’d at the very extrordinary bounty offer’d by this state for Recruits for the service.
I wrote to General Greene from New Haven that the New England states in a Consultation of Committees from each had agreed in addition to the Continental bounty of six pounds to add a bounty from each state of ten pounds making the whole sixteen pounds. But the state of the Massachusetts have given and still continue to offer twenty pounds bounty in addition to the Continental Bounty making up the amazing sum of twenty six pounds or 86 Dollars and two thirds.
The consequences to be apprehended from this step must be bad, perhaps extremely so, it appears to me that the whole sum given by publick bodies over & above the six pounds is a depreciation of the Continental Currency almost to the amount given. I waited upon some of the Gentlemen of the Council to enquire whether the matter was unalterably fix’d and the reasons for it. They inform’d me that they had sometime ago determn’d upon giving their men three pounds a month pay but upon finding your Excellency and the Congress averse to this they chang’d the overplus pay into a doceur or Gift, that is the overplus pay at three pounds for three years would be thirty six pounds.
They therefore suppos’d the twenty pounds bounty each in hand would be equal to the thirty six paid at thirty six different payments protracted thro’ the course of the years. and that the first reason of giving the additional pay was that their men would not leave their Farms & Homes without some pay proportion’d to the enhanc’d price of every necessary & that the same reason operated in the changing the pay into a bounty after they had found the three pounds bounty disagreable to your Excellency and the Congress—they also told me they had inform’d your Excellency & the Congress of their determination six weeks ago. they have resolv’d to try the force of the twenty six pounds bounty to the 20th instant and have directed every seventh man in each town to be inlisted by that time. But if the people do not inlist and if the fifteen Battalions are not fill’d by the 20th they are determin’d to fill them immediatly by draught giving the same sum as to those who had voluntarily inlisted. The court are about to adjourn

to the 20th in order for every member in his own Town to exert his utmost influence to have the Battalions fill’d up by enlistments.
This measure if taken two months ago would have been (exclusive of the enormous bounty) exceedingly spirited, & your Excellency would at this inst. have had the whole quota of the troops of this Colony.
I have exclam’d and reason’d against the sums given by this state & it seems to be the general sentiment that they have done wrong but have gone so far and enlisted so many men with it that it is impossible to retract now—It entirely precludes me raising the Battalion of Artillery here which I intended and also Colonels Lee Henley & Jackson raising their Battalions, for people here love money too well to enlist for six pounds, when they can as easily get twenty six, after considering maturely of the matter & consulting with Mr Bowdoin and some of the most sensible men in the province & knowing the pressing exigency for men, I presented the inclos’d memorial in my own name and in the name of the Colonels which your Excellency sent here in order to raise the Regiments. This state seem very jealous that they are requir’d to do more than their proportion. one of the four regiments of Artillery is that which your Excellency told me was raising in Virginia, and if I remember right, four Regiments of light horse—in all making twenty four Battalions—the proportion of this State would be four according as fifteen were their proportion of eighty eight. Their answer I have inclos’d with the memorial I hope your Excellency will approbate my conduct in presenting the paper to the court, as it was owing intirely to my anxiety to forward the service without The giving the additional bounty another recruit will never be rais’d in this state. they have in my opinion revetted their error. and this states proportion of the twenty four Battalions can never be raised without giving it—I was in hopes & had encouragement to think that they would have done now, what must be done at last & save the time which is so infinitely precious & pressing. I think the representation of this matter of so great consequence as to send an express with it—Your Excellency’s making a forcible & preremtory requisition upon the New England states to furnish immeadiately their proportions of the twenty four Battalions in the same proportions as the eighty eight will undoubtedly produce the men & nothing else & this requisition to be repeated often. The Country is full of men and they can be had—but large bodies cannot or do not easily conceive of the importance of our making an early Campaign or if they do conceive its importance their movements cannot be proportionably rapid. Your Excellency (for whom they have the greatest respect) frequently calling on them for their whole quotas, together with the Congress’s frequently calling on them & giving them

information how the recruiting goes on to the southward will have the best tendency. Part of a Regiment consisting of 400 men with a detachment of 150 Artillery marches tomorrow and next day for Ticonderoga—The inlistment in this Town has been exceeding rapid—I wish your Excellency to write me by the return of the Express, I shall be here or in some of the neighbouring Towns in setting ordnance matters; if I can be of any service in promoting the recruiting of the other Battalions I shall do it with pleasure—Tis absolutely necessary that your Excellency should appoint some person to do it. General Ward is here but whether he acts as a Councellor of the Massachusetts or a Continental General is difficult to say.
The Court Complain that no money has been sent by Congress to them & that they have been oblig’d to furnish all the monies themselves. There are no four states on the Continent, that have so much money in them, as there is in this, but I am sorry to say that the rulers have not found the art of drawing it from private hands where it is.
There must one Battalion of Artillery be raised in this state, for all the old artillery men who have been two years in the service and acquird some experience are from this Town and Colony.
Messrs Livingston & Turnbull who are here appointed by Congress as a Committee of Cloathing have, or will have in a few days Cloathing enough for six Thousand men exclusive of a large Quantity sent on to Camp, sufficient to cloath four thousand more. If your Excellency should call upon this state to raise their proportion of the twenty four Battalions in the same manner as the eighty eight Colonels, Lee & Jackson would be oblidg’d to you for an order to the Committee of Cloathing and if you have no objection they would prefer having them nearly as they now stand—that is as they were made for the British Troops—Your Excellency will judge of the convenience & inconvenience of this uniform. Colo. Crane will if he can get men likewise want an order for Cloathing. Colonels Lee Henley & Jackson would also be than[k]full for an order for Arms and other necessarys all Of which can be provided here—Cols. Jackson & Crane would be much oblig’d to your Excellency for the six pounds bounty if they are to raise their men here & I wish if there is any money in Camp that your Excellency would give an Warrant for 20,000 Dollars on some paymaster for the Ordnance department at Springfield Copper, tin and other matters in that way can be had here.
If the Congress should still adhere to Brookfield in preference to Springfield it will delay everything for three or four months. I wrote Gen. Greene from Springfield that it was the best place in all the four N. England states for a Laboratory, Cannon Foundery &ca and I hope your Excellency will order it there.

I shall go on in collecting matters there untill I receive further orders. The affair with the Court has detain’d me for some days from persuing the other bussiness upon which I came—But I shall pursue it with my whole might but I suppose I shall not be able to Complete everything so as to set out for Camp under 20 or 25 days. I am sir with the utmost Respect and attachment Your Most Obedient & very Hble servt

Henry Knox


Title: To George Washington from William Livingston, 1 February 1777
From: Livingston, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Haddonfield [N.J.] 1 Febry 1777

Yours of the 24th January I had the Honour of receiving after the Assembly was adjourned to this Place, which is a Village in the County of Gloucester about six miles from Philadelphia. The several Points mentioned by your Excellency I think of the greatest Importance for the better regulating our Militia; and as the house have now a Bill for that Purpose before them, I shall in the strongest manner recommend them to their Consideration.
As the principal Errand of this Express is to bring us some Intelligence from our Army, and a true Account of any late Occurrences; if your Excellency has any News; & sufficient Leisure to communicate it, it will greatly oblige the members of our Legislature, & particularly your most humble & most obedt Servt

Wil: Livingston


Title: From George Washington to Joshua Loring, 1 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Loring, Joshua

Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 1st Feby 1777

Since I wrote to you on the 20th of last Month I have recd a Return of the Officers and privates sent from Connecticut by Govr Trumbull, a Copy you have inclosed. I desire that Capt. Dearbone who was taken at Quebec on the 31st decemr 1775, and whose Parole has not yet been sent out, may have it done by the first Opportunity, in the room of one of the Captains, and that Captains Trowbridge and percival of the 17th Continental Regiment taken upon Long Island upon the 27 Augt may be exchanged for the other. As Brigade Major Wyllis who will deliver you this, was permitted to go out of New York upon his parole, either to return or send in a Captain, I would have requested that one of the three Captains sent in by Govr Trumbull might have been exchanged for him, could I have done it without doing injustice to Captains Dearbone, Trowbridge or percival who have been longer in Captivity. But if there is a Captain, as I think there is sent in by us, and not yet accounted for, I desire that Major Wyllis may be exchanged for him. There are yet the paroles of Eight of the Officers besides Capt. Dearbone, who were taken at Quebec, which have never been sent out. I wish to have them among the first. I observe that none of the Maryland Officers who were taken upon long Island have ever been released, and that the pennsylvanians have had more than their proportion, I therefore desire that in future the Officers from the Eastern States, and those from Jersey, York and Maryland may have a due preference. I am &c.


Title: From George Washington to the Massachusetts Council, 1 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Massachusetts Council

Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 1st Feby 1777

I was a few days ago honoured with your favs. of the 4th and 17th last Month: I cannot but think, that altho your Inducements for granting an additional Bounty to the Troops to be furnished by your State, were certainly meant to serve the Cause, that you will find them most prejudicial in the End. One reason will be that by your departing from the Bounty prescribed by Congress, the Troops in the other States will be discontented, upon hearing of this, unless they receive the same, and another and a more forcible one, that none of the N. Engd Colonels whom I have appointed to the command of any of the Sixteen additional Regiments can possibly raise a Man untill the Number of Regiments allotted by Congress are full and this not because there are not men enough, but because they cannot grant the same Bounty. Of the sixteen additional Regiments, I had conferred Seven upon Gentlemen of New England, all Men of Influence, and who had given the highest proofs of their Bravery and good Conduct during the whole course of the war and as they were very careful in the Choice of their Officers I had the highest Expectation from their Corps. But they write me that they cannot get men for 20 dollars when the State allows 53⅓. Thus you see, Sir, to what a dilemma I am reduced by this departure of the four Eastern Governments from the line marked out by Congress. I must either give up seven Regiments or I must grant them the Bounty of 53⅓ dollars. If I grant it to them, the remaining 97

Battalions of Foot the Regiments of Artillery and of Horse will put in their claim for the same or justly complain of partiality.
I will communicate the hint, given in the Extract of the Letter which you inclosed to me, to Genl Schuyler and will recommend it to him to improve it, if he finds an Opportunity.
I would have you by all means attend to the compleating of the Fortifications in the Harbour of Boston, and I hope we shall in time render most of our great towns as inaccessible to their Ships as the interior parts of our Country are to their Army. I have the Honor to be.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 1 February 1777
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Sir
Albany [N.Y.] February 1 1777.

Yesterday Mr Kirkland the Indian Missionary in the Service of the United States with nine Indians arrived here from Oneida & Fort Schuyler. Your Excellency will perceive by the enclosed, which is Copy of a Paper he delivered me, that It corroborates the Intelligence I have heretofore received that the Enemy intend to attack Tyonderoga as soon as they shall be able to cross Lake Champlain on the Ice, In Consequence of this Information I have again written to the Eastern States and to the Convention of this, to afford me all the Assistance in their Power, But I fear if any is sent, it will come too late, as I apprehend that the Lake will be passible in a Fortnight at farthest, I wish Your Excellency to second my Application that such a Body of Men may be sent up as will probably prevent the Enemy from Attempting Any Thing farther, if they should possess themselves of Tyonderoga, For if they should come to this Place, Fear and that Attention which most Men pay to the Security of their property will, I apprehend, bring on such a General Defection as to threaten Ruin to the Liberties of America. I am Dr Sir with sincere Esteem Your Excellencys Most Obedt Humble servt

Ph: Schuyler


Title: From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, 1 February 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Spencer, Joseph

Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Joseph Spencer, 1 Feb. 1777. In his letter to GW of 16 Feb., Spencer says that “yesterday I Received your Excellencys favour, of 1st and 6th Instant.”


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 1 February 1777
From: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Lebanon Feby 1t 1777

I this minute recd Your Favors of the 24th ulto & note the Contents, but have not Time to be very particular in my Answer at this Time, I most fully agree with You in the Importance of raising & furnishing the new Army, & wish it was in my power to do more than I can to forward it, nothing is wanting that I can, & some Progress is made therein & I hope soon to give You a more agreable Account. the Service here greatly suffers for want of the Cloathing & money, the faster those Articles can be forwarded the more the Service will be promoted: & I am certain your Excellency will do every thing in your power to remove those Obstacles, it is a matter of great Difficulty also about arming the Men, as We have had no Intimations how They are to be supplied, nor whether there is any Allowance for such as can find Themselves, good Arms are also very scarce & difficult to be obtained with Us. This Express passing, with utmost hurry I am, with great Truth & Sincerity Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant

Jonth; Trumbull


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 1 February 1777
From: Webb, Samuel Blachley
To: Washington, George

Wethersfield in Connecticut Feby 1st 1777.

I am sorry to inform your Excellency I have this morning received an answer from Govr Trumbull that I cannot have the Bounty which is given the Eight Battallions raiseing in this State, Most of my Officers were appointed some of them began to recruit and to appearances my Regiment would have been early to take the Field, my Instructions were to promise the Men the same Bounty and allowances which others Received from this State, I shall continue to enlist on that footing in hopes of being able to get my request granted, should I not—the Men cannot be holden, I must entreat your Excellencies Instructions

as early as possible. The Govr with part of His Council were for granting Me the Bounty, but a Majority of them tho’t it could not be done but by calling the Assembly—I have not a doubt a Letter from your Excellency to the Governor seting forth the propriety of the matter would be a means of rendering further Applications unnecessary, inclosed is a Copy of the Governors Letter—I have acquainted him of his mistake in regard to my encouragement being greater than those of the Eighty Eight. I am exceedingly unhappy to trouble you so frequent on this subject, but as I conceive my Reputation as well as the public good at Stake, I hope it will be a Sufficient Apoligy. with Respects to your family—I have the Honor to be Your Excellencies Most Obedt & Very Hume Servt

Samel B. Webb

I have part of the Cloathing ready for my Men—which I find a great Inducement to them to enlist.


Title: General Orders, 2 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Feby 2nd 1777.


Title: From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 2 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Cooke, Nicholas

Sir,
Morris Town Feby 2d 1777.

In a Letter which I did myself the honour of writing to you on the 20th Ulto I could not help expressing my Sentiments of the Impropriety—as it appeard to me—of raising Troops on a Colonial establishment & thereby setting up a kind of seperate Interest, before your quota for the Continental Army was compleated.
At the time of my writing that Letter, I was unacquainted with the terms on which these Colonial Regiments were to be raised—I little thought, that the pay of the Men was to be greater than of those in the Continental Service. I foresaw indeed inconveniences enough without this, but the baneful Influence of advanced pay & bounty already begins to shew itself in numberless Instances, and the poisonous effects of them have reached this Army. I do not know in what light the adoption of these measures may appear to your State; to me, the contradistinctions which they are setting up appears to be fraught with every evil—Manifestly injurious to the common cause—and an indirect breach of the union; My duty therefore as comr in chief of the Armies of the united States compels me, howevr disagreeable the task, to remonstrat

against such modes of proceeding (unless Co-ercive Measures are used to bring forth your quota of Continental Troops)—& to add, that if the defence of any particular state is the governing object of its Policy it can be no recommendation to me, or inducement for Congress to bestow any extraordinary attention to the defence of such State.
You will do me the justice to perceive Sir, that I am grounding my complaint upon an Information that the Continental and Colonial Officers are recruiting Indiscriminately; the first at forty Shillings; the other at £3 pr Month—the first, for hard and dangerous Service, far distant from home perhaps—the Second, for easy & secure duty at, or near their own homes & firesides—If my Information is wrong, and you are pursuing coercive, or vigorous measures to compleat the Continental Regiments required of your State in a short time my remonstrance drops of course, & I have to ask your pardon for the trouble I have given you—If right, the error of the Policy is too obvious to need further annimadversion upon it—sufficient it is to me, to warn you of the danger, and urge the Completion of the Regiments for Continental Service—the United States have a just claim upon you for these Men & will have but too good cause to complain if they are depriv’d of them by your attempts to raise others—The importance of the Subject will appologize for the freedom, & candour of my Sentiments especially when I assure you that with very great esteem and regard I have the Honr to be Sir Yr Most Obed. Hble Sert

Go: W——n


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 2 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Dr Sir,
Head Quarters. Morris Town. Feby 2d 1777

I have not been favd with a line from you since the 24th Ulto. Anxious for the Success of the Troops with You, I wish to hear from you frequently; An Express may meet with a ready Passage across the North River.
While You are lying in that quarter I would by all means have the Forage & Provisions removed to some interior parts of the Country, entirely out of the Enemy’s reach; For altho’ the removing it will be attended with greater Expence than the same Quantity could be laid in for nearer the grand Magazines, Yet the Loss of it to the Enemy will

vastly more than counterbalance that Consideration: I do not mean that this business shd obstruct or retard your Military Operations; a sufficient Number of Waggons can do it in security when covered by yr Troops tho’ engaged.
Tis more than probable that the Enemy have laid in their Magazines on Long Island; I would therefore have You omit no Chance of destroying them, but rather that You would industriously court an Opportunity of detaching a Party for that special purpose: Blows of this sort, frequently repeated now, will effectually prevent their pushing on with Vigor the ensuing Campain—Wishing You Success, I am, Dr Sir, Yr most Obedient Servant

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 February 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Kingstreet Feby 2nd 1777

Since I wrote you last 12 more Ships have come down the Sound—4 of which were supposed to be of 40 Guns.
We are informed from Long Island that General How is arming the Militia for the Defence of the Island—and that such as refuse to take arms are imprison’d.
I have formed our Line on this Side from Tarry Town to Maroneck, with our Guards as far down as Stephen Wards, from which we scout & patrole towards the Enemy Yesterday we brought off upwards of Eighty Loads of Forage.
We are impatient to hear from your Excellency being informed, that a heavy Cannonade, was a day or two ago heard towards Brunswick. I have the honor to be With Great Respect Your Excellency’s Most humble Servt

W. Heath


Title: To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 2 February 1777
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Tarry Town Febry 2d 1777

I am sensible the State of Massachusetts Bay are determined, to use every vigorous exertion, to raise their proportion of the Continental army—It is my indispensable duty, to promote their determination. I am conscious, many good men, from the militia of that State now in camp, might be engaged, were they indulged a furlough, on their enlistment. But, as the design of the Court, in sending out the militia, was to reinforce the army, ’till the number of battalions, ordered to be raised by the Massachusetts, were compleated, I don’t feel myself at liberty to encourage the men, that they may expect a furlough. I should be glad to know your Excellencies pleasure on this matter. I have the honour to be with great regard & Esteem your Excellencys most Obedient humble Servant

Benj: Lincoln


Title: General Orders, 3 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Feby 3rd 1777.
ViennaWilmington.

Any officers, or soldiers of the American Army, who are possessed of Bonds, or other papers, belonging to Mr Stockden, are strictly ordered to deliver them to the Adjutant General at Head-Quarters.
General Returns of Brigades and Regiments to be given in to morrow, 9 o’clock.


Title: From George Washington to Col. Thomas Hartley, 3 February 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Hartley, Thomas

Letter not found: to Col. Thomas Hartley, 3 Feb. 1777. In his letter to GW of 22 Feb., Hartley says that “I received your Favour of the 3d inst.”


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 3d Feby 1777

Your two favs. of the 30th last month reached me last Night. I cannot say, but I was a good deal surp[r]ized and disappointed at the contents. I never was very sanguine as to any thing more being effected than to oblige the Garrison of Fort Independance either to surrender or evacuate, and retire within the Island, as neither has been done, I wish your summons had never been sent, as I am fearful it will expose us to the ridicule of our Enemies.
By falling back as far as you have done, one valuable purpose of your going down is lost, and that is, depriving the Enemy of the Forage, of which they are in extreme want, and collecting it for our own use. If my Accounts from Brunswic are true, the Enemy have, notwithstanding your being upon their Backs, drawn considerable Reinforcements from New York, if so, and you think that nothing of consequence can be effected by you in the Neighbourhood of Kingsbridge, I would have you leave a sufficient Force at peekskill to make the passes secure, and throw the remainder over the River with orders to march immediately down here. For if the Troops return from Rhode Island, and do not find you in West Chester County, they will certainly join their main Body at Brunswic, and the Garrison of York Island may likewise be much reduced, and the Troops drawn from thence be likewise sent here. We must in that case, collect all our force to oppose theirs. I wish we could have foreseen that the diversion upon your Side would not have had the desired Effect, for with the three thousand four hundred Men that have been with you, we could have distracted the Enemy with a variety of Attacks, and made some considerable Advantages.
The report of Carltons Army having joined Howe’s is certainly without foundation.
The securing the Forage, in West Chester County, for our own use, or depriving the Enemy from carrying it off for theirs, is an object of so much moment, that I desire some measures may yet be fallen upon

to effect one or the other. Suppose a light Body of Troops, under an active Officer, sufficient to repel any foraging parties of the Enemy, except they came out in very large Bodies, should be left behind, and stationed as near Kingsbridge as possible. While they kept a good look out, they never could be surprized, for not being encumbered with any Baggage, they could always move at a moments warning, if the Enemy came out with a superior force, and move back when they returned. This would oblige them to forage with such large covering parties, that it would in a manner harrass their troops to death. We have found the advantage of such practices with us, for by keeping four or five hundred men far advanced, we not only oblige them to forage with parties of 1500 and 2000 to cover, but every now and then give them a smart Brush. Your Waggons might always be safely at work in the Rear of your party, for at this Season of the Year, Kingsbridge is the only point from whence the Enemy can issue.
As to the Number necessary for the above purpose, I would have you consult Mr Duer and the Gentlemen who best know the Country. After fixing that matter, you will next determine what number are to be left at peekskill, and I would have the remainder immediately marched forward to join me. One thing I would wish you to observe, and that is, that the Troops that come over, should be those that have the longest time to serve.
In one of your former letters you desired leave to return for a while to New England, when the Service would admit of it. I have no objection to you doing it, after you have made the arrangements mentioned above. I must only wish that you will return as soon as your private Affairs will admit, for several of the General Officers are desirous of making a Visit to their respective homes before the Campaign opens in the Spring. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. The pass signed by Mr Fitzgerald was genuine, he has been lately appointed my Aid de Camp.


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 February 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Kingstreet Febry 3rd 1777

The Bearer hereof Capt. Goodrich was Taken at Quebeck on the 31st of Decemr 1775 When General Montgomery made his Unfortunate attempt upon that City—Capt. Goodrich is a Brave and Good officer, He was not Exchanged Untill Since Christmass—And has as yet no Appointment in Our Army—His Zeal for the Publick Service is Such that upon Hearing the Army stood in need of a Reinforcment He Immediately raised a Company of Volluntiers and repaired to this Place—I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellencys notice for Such appointment as your Excellency may think Proper.
We have nothing new Since yesterday, Save frequent reports of more ships Coming Down the Sound—I was also Informed on yesterday that upon our Arrival near Kingsbridge and Cuting off the Communication Fresh Provisions rose Six pence ⅌ Ct in the City—Two or three of the Enemys recruiting Officers have been lately taken—One Has had Sentence of Death Passed upon him at Connecticut Upon their late new Act. Another is Under Guard at the Saw Pitts and another at Berkshire County massachusetts Bay—a Party of about 20 had Collected in our Rear and had fired Upon a Small Party of our men near north Castle One of whom they Killed—I Immediately Sent out a Party after them—who have Taken a number the Others are Skulking in the woods—The last Evening I was Informed, That a number of Hogsheds of Rum were discovered in one Place and that it was reported that Provisions were deposited in Several others for the Use of their Recruits—So that in all probability this County would very Soon have been filled with their Rangers.
I was yesterday Informed that many of those who have fled to the Enemy are now very discontented, and would gladly return if they Could be Pardoned—And to use the words of the Gentleman who Informed me “That if General Washington would Issue a Proclamation advising them to Come in and receive a Pardon more would take the advantage of it then than did of Genl Howes”—and that great numbers

would Come from Long Island as they find that Instead of remaining neuter they are now Called upon—to Take up arms—which they never Intended. I have the Honor to be &c.

W. Heath