Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Camp at Cambridge Septmr 21st 1775

I have been in daily Expectation of being favoured with the Commands of the Honbl. Congress, on the Subjects of my two last Letters. The Season now advances so fast, that I cannot any longer defer laying before them, such farther Measures, as require their immediate Attention, & in which I wait their Direction.
The Mode, in which the present Army has been collected, has occasioned some Difficulty, in procuring the Subscription of both Officers & Soldiers to the Continental Articles of War. Their principal Objection has been, that it might subject them to a longer Service, than that for which they engaged, under their several provincial Establishments. It is in vain to attempt to reason away the Prejudices of a whole Army, often instill’d, &, in this Instance, at least encouraged by their Officers from

private & narrow Views. I have therefore forbore pressing them, as I did not experience any such Inconvenience from their Adherence to their former Rules, as would warrant the Risque of entering into a Contest upon it: More especially as the Restraints necessary for the Establishment of essential Discipline & Subordination, indisposed their Minds to every Change, & made it both Duty & Policy to introduce as little Novelty as possible. With the present Army, I fear, such a Subscription is impracticable. But the Difficulty will cease with this Army.
The Connecticut & Rhode Island Troops stand engaged to the first of December only, & none longer than to the 1st January. A Dissolution of the present Army therefore will take Place, unless some early Provision is made agst such an Event. Most of the General Officers are of Opinion, the greater Part of them may be re-inlisted for the Winter, or another Campaign, with the Indulgence of a Furlough to visit their Friends which may be regulated so as not to endanger the Service. How far it may be proper to form the new Army intirely out of the old for another Campaign, rather than from the Contingents of the several Provinces, is a Question which involves in it too many Considerations of Policy & Prudence, for me to undertake to decide. It appears to be impossible to draw it from any other Source, than the old Army for this Winter, & as the Pay is ample, I hope a sufficient Number will engage in the Service for that Time at least; but there are various Opinions of the Temper of the Men on the Subject, & there may be great Hazard in deferring the Tryal too long.
In the Continental Establishment, no Provision has been made for the Pay of Artificers, distinct from that of the common Soldiers; whereas under the Provincial, such as found their own Tools, were allowed 1/ ⅌ Diem advance & particular Artizans more. The Pay of the Artillery also now differs from that of the Province; the Men have less, the Officers more; & for some Ranks no Provision is made, as the Congress will please to observe by the List, which I have the Honour to inclose No. 1. These particulars, though seemingly inconsiderable, are the Source of much Complaint & Dissatisfaction, which I endeavour to compose in the best Manner I am able.
By the Returns of the Riffle Companies, & that Battalion, they appear to exceed their Establishment very considerably. I

doubt my Authority to pay these extra Men, without the Direction of the Congress: But it would be deemed a great Hardship wholly to refuse them, as they have been encouraged to come.
The Necessities of the Troops having required Pay, I directed that those of the Massachusetts should receive for one Month, upon their being mustered, & returning a proper Roll; but a Claim was immediately made for Pay by Lunar Months, & several Regiments have declined taking up their Warrants on this Account. As this Practice was intirely new to me, though said to be warranted by former Usage, here the Matter now waits the Determination of the Honbl. Congress. I find, in Connecticut & Rhode Island this Point was settled by Calendar Months; in Massachusetts, though mentioned in the Congress, it was left undetermined Which is also the Case of New Hampshire.
The Inclosure, No. 2, is a Petition from the Subalterns, respecting their Pay. Where there are only two of them in a Company, I have considered one, as an Ensign, & ordered him Pay as such, as in the Connecticut Forces. I must beg Leave to recommend this Petition to the Favour of the Congress; as I am of Opinion, the Allowance is inadequate to their Rank, & Service; & is one great Source of that Familiarity between the Officers & Men, which is so incompatible with Subordination & Discipline. Many valuable Officers of those Ranks, finding themselves unable to support the Character & Appearance of Officers, I am informed, will retire, as soon as the Term of Service is expired, if there is no Alteration.
For the better Regulation of Duty, I found it necessary to settle the Rank of the Officers, & to number the Regiments, and as I had not received the Commands of the Congress on the Subject, & the Exigence of the Service forbade any farther Delay: The General Officers were considered, as having no Regiments: An Alteration, which I understand, is not pleasing to some of them, but appeared to me, & others, to be proper, when it was considerd, that by this Means the whole Army is put upon one Footing, & all particular Attachments dissolved.
Among many other Considerations, which the Approach of Winter will demand, that of Cloathing appears to be one of the most important. So far as regards the Preservation of the Army from Cold, they may be deemed in a State of Nakedness. Many

of the Men have been without Blankets the whole Campaign, & those which have been in Use during the Summer, are so much worn, as to be of little Service. In order to make a suitable Provision in these Articles, & at the same Time to guard the Publick against Imposition, & Expence, it seems necessary to determine the Mode of continuing the Army; for should these Troops be cloath’d under their present Engagement, & at the Expiration of the Term of Service decline renewing it, a Sett of unprovided Men may be sent to supply their Places.
I cannot suppose it to be unknown to the Honorable Congress, that in all Armies it is an established Practice, to make an Allowance to Officers of Provisions & Forage, proportionate to their Rank; as such an Allowance formed no Part of the Continental Establishment, I have hitherto forbore, to issue the Orders for that Purpose: but as it is a received Opinion of such Members of the Congress, as I have had an Opportunity of consulting, as well as throughout the Army, that it must be deemed a Matter of Course, & implied in the Establishment of the Army, I have directed the following Proportion of Rations; being the same allowed in the American Armies last War.

            Major Genl
            15

            Brigadier General
            12

            Colonel
            6

            Lt Colonel
            5

            Major
            4

            Captain
            3

            Subaltern
            2

            Staff
            2

If these should not be approved by the Honorable Congress, they will please to signify their Pleasure as to the Alterations they would have made, in the whole or in Part.
I am now to inform the Honbl. Congress, that encouraged by the repeated Declarations of the Canadians & Indians, & urged by their Requests, I have detached Col. Arnold with 1000 Men to penetrate into Canada by Way of Kennebeck River, &, if possible, to make himself Master of Quebeck. By this Manoeuvre I proposed, either to divert Carlton from St Johns, which would leave a free Passage to General Schuyler, or, if this did not take Effect, Quebeck in its present defenceless State must fall into

his Hands an easy Prey. I made all possible Inquiry as to the Distance, the Safety of the Rout, & the Danger of the Season, being too far advanced, but found nothing in either to deter me from proceeding, more especially, as it met with very general Approbation, from all, whom I consulted upon it. But that nothing might be omitted, to enable me to judge of its Propriety, & probable Consequences, I communicated it, by Express, to General Schuyler, who approved of it in such Terms, that I resolved to put it in immediate Execution. They have now left this Place 7 Days, &, if favoured with a good Wind, I hope soon to hear of their being safe in Kennebeck River. For the Satisfaction of the Congress, I here inclose a Copy of the proposed Rout, No. 3. I also do myself the Honour of inclosing a Manifesto, which I caused to be printed here, & of which Col. Arnold has taken a suitable Number with him. This is the Inclosure No. 4. I have also forwarded a Copy of his Instructions (No. 5) from all which, I hope, the Congress will have a clear View of the Motives, Plan, & intended Execution, of this Enterprize, & that I shall be so happy, as to meet with their Approbation in it.
I was the more induced to make this Detachment, as it is my clear Opinion, from a careful Observation of the Movements of the Enemy, corroborated by all the Intelligence we receive by Deserters, & others, of the former of whom we have some every Day, that the Enemy have no Intention to come out, untill they are re-inforced. They have been wholly employed for some Time past, in procuring Materials for Barracks, Fuel, & making other Preparations for Winter. These Circumstances, with the constant Additions to their Works, which are apparently defensive, have led to the above Conclusion, & enabled me, to spare this Body of Men, where I hope they will be usefully & successfully employed.
The State of Inactivity, in which this Army has lain for some Time, by no Means corresponds with my Wishes, by some decisive Stroke to relieve my Country from the heavy Expence, its Subsistence must create. After frequently reconnoitring the Situation of the Enemy, in the Town of Boston, collecting all possible Intelligence, & digesting the whole, a Surprize did not appear to me wholly impracticable, though hazardous. I communicated it to the General Officers, some Days before. I called

them to a Council, that they might be prepared with their Opinions. The Result I have the Honour of sending in the Inclosure No. 6. I cannot say that I have wholly laid it aside; but new Events may occasion new Measures. Of this, I hope, the honbl. Congress can need no Assurance, that there is not a Man in America, who more earnestly wishes such a Termination of the Campaign, as to make the Army no longer necessary.
The Season advances so fast, that I have given Orders to prepare Barracks, & other Accomodations for the Winter. The great Scarcity of Tow Cloth in this Country, I fear, will totally disappoint us, on our Expectations of procuring Hunting Shirts. Govr Cooke informs me, few or none are to be had in Rhode Island, & Govr Trumbull gives me little Encouragement to expect many from Connecticut.
I have filled up the Office of Quarter Master General, which the Congress was pleased to leave to me, by the Appointment of Major Mifflin, which I hope, & believe, will be universally acceptable.
It gives me great Pain, to be obliged to sollicit the Attention of the Honorable Congress, to the State of this Army, in Terms which imply the slightest Apprehension of being neglected: But my Situation is inexpressibly distressing, to see the Winter, fast approaching upon a naked Army: The Time of their Service within a few Weeks of expiring, & no Provision, yet made for such important Events. Added to these, the Military Chest is totally exhausted. The Paymaster has not a single Dollar in Hand. The Commissary General assures me, he has strained his Credit for the Subsistance of the Army to the utmost. The Quarter Master General is precisely in the same Situation: And the greater Part of the Troops are in a State not far from Mutiny, upon the Deduction from their stated Allowance. I know not to whom I am to impute this Failure, but I am of Opinion, if the Evil is not immediately remedied & more punctuality observed in future, the Army must absolutely break up—I hoped I had expressed myself so fully on this Subject, both by Letter, & to those Members of the Congress, who honoured the Camp with a Visit, that no Disappointment could possibly happen: I therefore hourly expected Advice from the Paymaster, that he had received a fresh Supply, in Addition to the 172,000 Dollars, delivered him in August, & thought myself warranted to assure

the publick Creditors, that in a few Days they should be satisfied. But the Delay has brought Matters to such a Crisis, as admits of no farther uncertain Expectation. I have therefore sent off this Express, with Orders to make all possible Dispatch. It is my most earnest Request, that he may be returned with all possible Expedition, unless the Honbl. Congress have already forwarded, what is so indispensably necessary.
I have the Honour to be with the most sincere Respect & Regard Sir Your most Obed. & very Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Langdon, 21 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Langdon, John

Sir,
Camp at Cambridge Septr 21st 1775

E’er this you must have heard of the taking, and retaking of your Ship; and of my ordering it to be delivered up to your Agent. I have promised the Officers, to wit Captn Broughton, Lieutt Glover, & another Subaltern whose name I cannot recollect, that I would recommd them to your notice & compensation. I should have done the same thing in behalf of the Men (for you must know the Vessell which retook yours was fitted out at the Publick expence, & manned with Soldiers for a particular Expedition) but for their exceeding ill behaviour upon that occasion—I was obliged to send for, & bring them here Prisoners instead of prosecuting a scheme I had in view with the People of Hallifax, & I hope to bestow a reward of a different kind upon them for their Mutinous behaviour. With very great esteem I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from the Inhabitants of Marblehead, 21 September 1775
From: Inhabitants of Marblehead
To: Washington, George

Marblehead [Mass.] 21 September 1775. “The Inhabitants of Marblehead being at last rous’d to a sense of the danger to which their town is expos’d (from its Unguarded situation) should it enter the Breasts of those Savage Enemies of American Liberty, to Attempt it, have by subscription rais’d a sufficient Fund, to defray the Expences of rebuilding and Fortifying their Fort Which done will Enable them to repell Almost any Attack of those Inhuman Dogs, who delight in Carnage and destruction, Being Anxious to Compleat the Matter as Early as possible, and having No person so Capable (as we would Wish) with us to direct the Work, therefore humbly Intreat your Excellency would direct or at least permitt Your Engineer Mr Berbank to Come down for a very short time only to take a view of the place and leave with us such directions as he is Capable of Giving, which will help us to begin and Compleat the Work without any of those Obstructions We shall otherwise meet.” The inhabitants conclude by congratulating GW on his appointment as commander in chief.


Title: To George Washington from a Committee of Second Lieutenants, 21 September 1775
From: Committee of Second Lieutenants
To: Washington, George

[c.21 September 1775]

Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioners Dellegates from the sevl Riggiments & Brigades Mentiond Viz.

            Col. Brewers
            }
            Genl ThosBrigade
            Col. Walkers from Genl Spencers

            Col. Fellows

            Col. Cottons
            2 Rigts Genl Sullivans

            Col. Larnard
            5 Rigts in Genl Greens

            &6 Rigts in Genl Heaths one from Col. Fryes

That soon After the unhappy Commencment of hostilitys Betwen Great Brittan & the Colonies we Enterd into the Service of sd Colonies in the Rank of 2d Lieuts. this we did From a Firm perswation of the Justice of our Cause & from a Determination to Risk our Lives in Its defence We need not mention to Your Excellency how disagreeably Our Circumstances must be when Our Pay as Establishd by The Continental Congress is so Small that Renders us wholly Incapable of Appearing in a Manner suitable to our station With barely Three pounds pr month Altho

by many of our Colonys Aforetime Voted to Officers of our rank The sum of £3.10s. or £4 pr month we are under a necessity of Conducting Very Much beneath the Rank we sustain besides many of us Have fammilys who deprived of our Assistance at home Can Recieve no advantage from our present pay Yr Excellency is also Sensible that our task of Duty is in all Respects Equal to that of The first Lieuts. Therefore we Cannot Concieve the Reason of The disproportion in Our pay These may it please yr Excellency Are our Grievances we would intreat your Excellencys advice & Assistance we doubt not but your Excellen[c]y will do every Thing in Your Power to Remove this difficulty we love The Service We glory in the Cause & are willing to spend Our Blood & Treasure in its defence we pray your Excellencys direction in what Manner we shall Proceed & your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray.

Signd for & by Ordr of sd Comte
John Smith Clerk


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.

Sir
Camp at Cambridge September, 21, 1775

It gives me much concern to observe by yours of the 15th Instant that you should think it Necessary to distinguish between my personal & Publick Character & confine your Esteem to the former. Upon a Reperusal of Mine of the 8th Instant I cannot think the Construction you have made the Necessary one, & unless it was, I Should have hoped the Respect I really have, & which I Flattered myself I had Manifested to you would have called for the most favourable. In the Disposition of the Continental Troop I have long been sensible, that it would be impossible to please not Individuals merely but particular Provinces whose partial Necessaties would occasionally call for Assistance, I therefore thought myself happy that the Congress had setteled the Point & I apprehended I should stand excused to all for acting in the Line, which not only appeared to me that of Policy & Propriety but of express and positive Duty—If to the

other Cares & Fatigues of my Station that is to be added of giving Reasens for all Orders & explaining the Grounds & Principles on which they are formed my personal Trouble will perhaps be of the least Concern; The Publick will be most affected. you may be assured, Sir, that nothing was intended that might be construed into Disrespect, & at so interesting a Period I perswade myself nothing less ought to disturb the Harmony so necessary for the happy success of our Publick Operations. The Omission of acknowledging in Precise Terms the Receipt of your Favour of the 5th Instant was purely accidental; The Subject was not so new to me as to require long Consideration: I had Occasion to diliberat fully upon it in Consequence of Application for Troops from Cap Ann, Machias, New Hampshire & Long Island, where the same Necessity wa[s] strongly pleaded & in the two last Instances the most peremptory Orders necessary to prevent the Troops from being detained. I foresaw the same Difficul[t]y here. I am by no Means insensable of the Situation of the People on the Coast, I wish I could extend Protection to all, but the Numerous Detachments necessary to remedy the Evil would amount to a Dissolution of the Army—or make the most important Operations of the Campaign depend upon the practical Expeditions of a few Men of War and Transports.
The Spirit & Zeal of the Colony of Connecticut is unquestionable & whatever may be the hostile Intentions of the Ships of War, I cannot but think there utmost Efforts can do little more than Alarm the Coasts. I am with great Esteem & Regard for both your publick & private Character Sir, Your most Obedient & very Humble Servant

G. Washington


Title: General Orders, 22 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Sept. 22nd 1775
Parole Lynn.Countersign Marblehead

The undernamed Prisoners, try’d by a General Court Martial for “Mutiny, Riot and Disobedience of orders,” are severally guilty of the Crimes, wherewith they are accused, and the Court upon due Consideration of the Evidence, do adjudge that the prisoner Joseph Seales receive thirty-nine Lashes upon his bare back and be drum’d out of the Army, and that the prisoners, John Gillard, Jacob Smallwood, John Peltro, Samuel Grant, Hugh Renny, James Jeffery[,] Charles Alcrain, Samuel Hannis, Charles Pearce, James Williams, John Kelly, John Bryan and Philip Florence, do each of them receive Twenty Lashes upon his bare back and be drum’d out of the army—The Prisoners Lawrence Blake, Samuel Bodin, John Besom, Benj: Bartholomew, Francis Ellis, Joseph Lawrence, John Sharp, John Poor[,] Joseph Tessenden, John Foster, John Lee, Lawrence Bartlet, Philip Greatey, Peter Neivelle, Samuel Parsons, Jeremiah Dailey, Francis Greater, Richd Pendrick, Robert Hooper, Anthony Lewis, Nicholas Ogleby, and Thomas Metyard; be fin’d Twenty Shillings lawful money each. Joseph Foster, Joseph Laurence & Joseph Tessenden, being recommended by the Court Martial, as proper objects of mercy; The Commander in Chief is pleased to remit their fine, and to order the sentence upon all the others, to be put in Execution at Guard mounting, to morrow morning—Those upon Prospect-hill to receive their punishment there; the rest at the main Guard.
John Gizzage Fraizer Esqr. being appointed Assistant to the Quarter Master General, for the District of Prospect and Winter hill, he is to be obeyed as such.
Col. Starke of New Hampshire, having complain’d that through mistake, or inadvertency in the Court, which was appointed to settle the Rank of the regiments, and Officers of this army, he had not Justice done him, even upon the principle which they themselves had laid down, for their Government in that matter; The General orders that the Brigadier and the six Field Officers, who composed that Court, do sit to morrow morning at Nine ’OClock, to enquire into the Cause of this

Complaint, at the same time of Col. Doolittle, who has also expressed some dissatisfaction on Account of his Rank, can urge any thing new to the Court, he may be heard; The Court are desired, likewise, to settle the rank of the Officers of the Rifle Companies, posted at Roxbury.


Title: To George Washington from Captain John Black, 22 September 1775
From: Black, John
To: Washington, George

Camp at Prospect Hill 22 September 1775. “I have for some Time past ben Exercised with a bad pain in my Side, ocationed by a fitt of Sickness which has greatly impaired my helth so that the Docter inform’s me that unless I Quit the Camp for some time sd disorder will be Attended wth bad consequences to my Constetution; And as I live a Considerable distance from Camp, & it being verey uncertain when I shall be Able to Attend my Dutey in the Regimt again; for which reason’s I am loth to trouble your Excellencey for leave of Absence, upon a Matter of so much uncertainty, therefore humbley beg your Excellencey to give me the Privilidge of Resigning my Commission as it is likely that my tarreing will rather incumber then bennefitt the Service.”


Title: General Orders, 23 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Sept. 23rd 1775
Parole Newbury.Countersign Plymouth


Title: General Orders, 24 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Sept. 24th 1775
Parole Quebec.Countersign Richmond

Major Scarborough Gridley, try’d at a late Genl Court Martial, whereof Brigd. Genl Green was president, for “being deficient in his duty upon the 17th June last, the day of the Action upon Bunkers-hill”—The Court find Major Scarborough Gridley guilty of a breach of orders; They do therefore dismiss him from the Massachusetts service; But on Account of his inexperience and Youth, and the great confusion which attended that days transaction in general, they do not consider him incapable of a Continental Commission, should the General Officers recommend him to his Excellency—The General confirms the dismission of Major Scarborough Gridley, and orders it to take place accordingly.

George Hamilton, Soldier in Capt. Dexters Company, in Col. Woodbridges Regiment, tried at a General Court Martial whereof Col. Nixon was presdt for “stealing a blue great Coat, the property of Solomon Lathorp”—The Court find the Prisoner guilty of the Charge, and sentence him to receive Thirty Lashes upon the bare back, and be drum’d out of the army, and order his Capt. to deduct Ten Shillings and Ten-pence lawful money out of his pay, and pay it to Mr Penyer for so much paid by him to the prisoner on the Coat, and that the Coat be returned to Mr Lathorp.
Jonathan Sharpe of Capt. Loises Company, in Col. Phinny’s Regiment, tried at the same Court martial, for “stealing Cartridges from his Comrades,[”] is acquitted.
The General orders the Sentence upon the prisoner Hamilton, to be executed, and the prisoner Sharpe to be released.
The General directs the following Minutes, from the House of Representatives of this Colony, to be inserted in the General Orders—
“In the house of Representatives 23rd Sept. 1775
“Resolved, that the Speaker[,] Mr Gerry and Major Hawley be, & they hereby are appointed a Committee, to apply to His Excellency George Washington Esquire, with a desire of this house, that he will, as soon as may be, cause a return to be made of the names of the Officers, and Men to each Regiment, established by this Colony, and now in the American Army respectively belonging; including such of each Regiment, as are deceased since its establishment, or as have been draughted for the Detachment ordered to Quebec; and specifying the Names of the towns, and other places, from which they were respectively inlisted; in order to enable the Court to rectify, and prevent any Error in accounts, which have been, or may be render’d for payment of blankets & other articles, supplied the Soldiers, according to the terms of their inlistment.
A true Copy from the minutes.
Attest Samuel Freeman Clerk”
The enquiry into the Conduct of Dr Church, Director General of the hospital, and the respective regimental Surgeons, to be held to morrow in Col. Fryes brigade.

The Genl Court Martial whereof Brigd. Genl Green is president is dissolved.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, 24 September 1775
From: Hitchcock, Daniel
To: Washington, George

Prospect Hill [24 September 1775]. Gives permission for Lt. David Richmond to resign his commission if agreeable to GW.


Title: General Orders, 25 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Sept. 25th 1775
Parole, Sandwich.Countersign Truro

As frequent Applications to the Major Generals for furloughs, have become very troublesome, and takes up much of their time, the following method of granting them for the future is to be observed, and under no pretence whatsoever, to be dispensed with, until further orders on this head vizt.
The Colonels, or commanding Officers of Regiments, or Corps, when they find it really requisite, and not else; have permission to give Furloughs to the Non Commission’d Officers and soldiers of the Corps they respectively command, provided they do not suffer more than two privates to be absent at any

one time from a Company, and not more than one Non Commissioned Officer, nor allowing any person to be absent from his duty more than twenty days in six months, in extraordinary Cases a further Indulgence may be given by the General of brigade, upon application from the Colonel—All Commissioned Officers are to apply for leave of absence through their own Colonel; or Commanding Officer to the General of Brigade to which they belong; who is desired never to suffer more than one Field Officer, and four others, to be absent at any one time, from a Regimt, nor for more than Twenty days in six months—In extraordinary Cases, a further indulgence may be given, by the Major General commanding each division, upon the application of the Brigadier of his division.
As the Committee have settled the Rank between Col. Stark and Col. Jonathan Brewer; The General desires the Colonels of the regiments, No. 6, 7 & 8 will apply immediately for Continental Commissions for the Officers of their respective Corps; and that the three next Regiments in Sucession will apply to morrow morning, and so three every morning afterwards, until the whole are served.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 25–27 September 1775
From: Arnold, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Fort Weston [District of Maine] 25[-27]th Septr 1775
May it please your Excellency

My last of the 19th Inst. from Newbury Port, advising of the Embarkation of the Troops I make no Doubt your Excellency received. The Same Day we left Newbury, and arrived safe in the River next Morning except a small Vessel which run on the Rocks, but is since off without Damage, & arrived safe. I found the Batteaus compleated, but many of them smaller than the Directions given, & very badly built. of Course I have been obliged to order twenty more, to bring on the Remainder of the Provisions, which will be finished in three Days. Many of the

Vessels were detained in the River by running aground, & head Winds, which delayed us a Day or two. The 23d Instant I dispatched Lieut. Steel of Capt. Smith’s Company, with six Men in two birch Canoes to Chaudiere Pond, to reconnoitre, & get all the Intelligence he possibly could from the Indians, who I find are hunting there.
The same Day I dispatched Lieut. Church & seven Men with a Surveyor & Pilot, to take the exact Courses & Distance to the Dead River so called, a Branch of the Kennebec, and yesterday the three Companies of Riffle-Men under the Command of Capt. Morgan, embarked with forty five Days Provissions, as an advanced party to clear the Roads over the Carrying Places. Col. Green, and Major Bigelow march to Day with the second Divission of three Companies, Major Meigs goes off to morrow with the third Division, and Col. Enos the next Day with the Remainder.
As soon as the whole are embarked I propose taking a birch Canoe & joining the advanced Party. I have found it necessary to divide the Detachment for the Conveniency of passing the Carrying Places, at the first of which there are some Carriages to be procured I design Chaudiere Pond as a general Rendevouze, and from thence to march in a Body.
Inclosed is a Letter to Mr Coburn, from the Party sent to Quebec, by which your Excellency will see all the Intelligence I have received. I have conversed with the Party, who saw only one Indian, one Nattanis, a Native of Norridgwalk, a noted Villain, and very little Credit I am told, is to be given to his Information.
The Indians with Higgins set out by Land, and are not yet arrived. I have engaged a Number of good Pilots, & believe by the best Information I can procure, we shall be able to perform the March in twenty Days—the Distance about 180 Miles.
I intended Col. Green should have gone on with the first Division of one Company of Riffle-Men, & two Companies of Musketeers—This was objected to by the Captains of the Riffle Companies, who insist on being commanded by no other Person than Captain Morgan & my self—This Capt. Morgan tells me was your Excellency’s Intention, but as I was not acquainted with it before I came away, I should be very glad of particular Instructions on that Head, that I may give Satisfaction to the Field Officers with me. There is at present the greatest Harmony

among the Officers, and no Accident has happened except the Loss of one Man, supposed to be wilfully shot by a private, who is now taking his Trial by a Court Martial.
Major Mifflin could not send money for the Batteaus, the Commissary has been obliged to pay for them, with one hundred Pounds I have lent him, out of the Pay received for the Month of September, and has been obliged to draw an Order in favor of the Bearer, Mr John Wood, who has engaged to deliver this to your Excellency. I have promised him his Time & Expences paid. I should be glad the Manifesto’s might be forwarded on by him, if not sent, with the last Intelligence from General Schuyler, to whom I intend sending one of the Indians as soon as they arrive. I have the Honor to be, very respectfully, Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant

Benedict Arnold

P.S. Since writing the foregoing I have received a Letter from Col. Reed, with the Manifesto’s, and the Court Martial have condemned the Man who shot the other, to be hanged, which Sentence I have approved, but have respited him untill your Excellency’s Pleasure in the Matter is known, and design sending him back in one of the Transports. Inclosed are all the Papers relative to the Matter, with his Confession at the Gallows before respited.
The three first Divisions of my Detachment are gone forward—the last goes to morrow, when I shall join Capt. Morgan as soon as possible, and am with much Respect, Your Excellency’s most obedt humb. Servt

Benedt Arnold


Title: From George Washington to Lund Washington, 25 September 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Lund

Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 25 Sept. 1775. On 15 Oct. Lund Washington wrote to GW: “this day I received one date’d 25th of Septmbr.”


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 September 1775
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia September 26th 1775

Upon considering your Letter of 4th August, the following Points appear’d so exceedingly important, that I am Directed to Desire you will Consult such of your Officers as you think proper, upon the most prudent & effectual Methods of Accomplishing them.
These are the Continuation of the Army, now under your Command, in the Service of the Continent after the terms of

Enlistment shall have been Compleated. The Reducing the severall Corps of Provincials, which at present compose your Army, into one Body of Continental Forces, what Number will be necessary for the Winter Campaign, & what Rations should be Allow’d the Men, and what farther Regulations may be necessary for the Government of those Forces.
Upon these Heads the Congress wish to be favour’d with the Result of your Deliberations as soon as possible, as the Time of Enlistment in Connecticutt draws to a Conclusion.
The Congress Desire you will Take the proper Steps to provide your Troops with necessary Cover and Fuel for the Winter, as it is highly probable, that the Service of the Army will be wanted during that whole Season at least; and that you lay before Congress an Estimate of the Expence, which may be necessary for these Services.
As making any Alterations in the present Appointments of the Officers of different Colonies, and the Reduction of those Regiments which cannot be Compleated to their full Establishments may Create great Jealousies and Uneasiness, the Congress are of Opinion that at present no Step should be taken therein, as the New Modelling the whole is so soon Expected, when those inconveniencies may be Remedied without Danger.
The Congress desire you will give them your Opinion, whether the Pay of the Private Men, which is consider’d as very high, may not be Reduc’d, and how much.
Agreeable to the order of Congress I inclose you Copy of a Letter from General Schuyler, with sundry papers Inclos’d.
Application having been made to Congress for the Discharge of Coll John Fenton, at present Confin’d at Hartford, they pass’d a Resolution that he be allow’d to proceed to New York, and from thence to London upon his giving his Parole not to Take up Arms against the Continent during the present Contest.
It is Determin’d by Congress that you Issue a Commission to Mr Gridley as Colonell only, and to Suspend the appointment of a Brigadier General for the present. They Recommend to you to Grant Commissions to Messrs Box, Scammell & Samuel Brewer as Brigade Majors.
The Memorial from Mr Tudor the Judge Advocate was laid before Congress, and upon Consideration it was Resolved that he be Allow’d & paid Fifty Dollars ⅌ Month for himself & Clerk

from the Time of his Appointment, & I Transmitt him by this Express his Commission and the Resolution of Congress.
Some Difficulty having arisen in the Settlement of the Accotts of the severall Rifle Companies as to Supplies of Money &c. particularly with Respect to Coll Thompson, and the Congress having on the 29th July last Advanc’d to Colonell Thompson Five Thousand Dollars for the Service of his Battalion, I am directed to Desire you will order Coll Thompson to Exhibit to you an Accott of the Expenditure of the said Five Thousand Dollars, which you will please to Transmitt to me to be laid before Congress, by which the severall Accotts may easily be Accommodated.
I have nothing further in Charge to Communicate—You will please to Return Fessenden as soon as you conveniently can. I have the honour to be with great Respect & Esteem, Sir Your most Obedt hume Servt

John Hancock President

I have Sent you Eleven Bundles contg 550 Commissions.


Title: From George Washington to the Hartford Committee of Safety, 26 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hartford Committee of Safety

Gentlemen
[Camp at Cambridge] Sept. 26. [1775]

Your Favour of the 18th Instant & one from Major French on

the Same Subject have come Safely to Hand. From the general Character of this Gentleman, & the acknowledged Politeness & Attention of the Committee of Hartford to the Gentlemen intrusted to their Care I flatter’d myself there would have been a mutual Emulation of Civility which would have resulted in the Ease & Convenience of both. I am extremely sorry to find it otherwise. And upon a Reperusal of former Letters & Papers respecting these Gentlemen, cannot think there is any Thing particular in their Situation which can challenge a Distinction. If the Circumstance of wearing their Swords had created no Dissatisfaction I should not have interfered, considering it in itself as a Matter of Indifference: But as it has become so partly perhaps by the inadvertent Expressions which have dropt on this Occasion I perswade myself Major French for the Sake of his own Convenience & Ease & to save me farther Trouble will consider what is not essential to either his Comfort or Happiness farther than mere Opinion makes it so—On the other Hand allow me to recommend a Gentleness even to Forbearance with Persons so intirely in our Power. We know not what the Chance of War may be—but let it be what it will the Duties of Humanity & Kindness will demand from us such a Treatment as we Should expect from others the Case being reversed. I am, Gent. Your very hu[mble] Svt


Title: To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 26 September 1775
From: Lee, Richard Henry
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Philadelphia 26th Septr 1775

Two days ago I arrived here from Virginia, which the late short adjournment just allowed me time to visit and return from. I brought two letters from thence for you which come with this. Having some business with Colo. Mason, I travelled that road and having sent to your Lady to know if she had any

commands this way, had the pleasure to learn that all were well at Mount Vernon. As I suppose it will be agreable to you to know what is passing in Virginia, I have inclosed you the proceedings of our last Convention, with two of Purdies Gazettes. I am greatly obliged to you for your favor of August the 29th, and you may be assured I shall pay great attention to it. When I mentioned securing the entrance of the harbour of Boston, it was more in the way of wishing it could be done, than as conceiving it very practicable. However the reasons you assign are most conclusive against the attempt. I assure you, that so far as I can judge from the conversation of Men, instead of their being any who think you have not done enough, the wonder seems to be that you have done so much. I believe their is not a Man of common sense and who is void of prejudice, in the world, but greatly approves the discipline you have introduced into the Camp; since reason and experience join in proving, that without discipline Armies are fit only for the contempt and slaughter of their Enemies. Your labors are no doubt great, both of mind and body, but if the praise of the present and future times can be any compensation you will have a plentiful portion of that. Of one thing you may certainly rest assured, that the Congress will do everything in their power to make your most weighty business easy to you. I think you could not possible have appointed a better Man to his present Office than Mr Mifflin. He is a singular Man, and you certainly will meet with the applause and support of all good men by promoting and countenancing real merit and public virtue, in opposition to all private interests, and partial affections. You will see in the proceedings of our Convention, that they have agreed to raise the pay of our rifle Officers & Men to the Virginia standard—It may perhaps encourage them to be told this.
We have no late accounts from England, but from what we have had that can be relied on, it seems almost certain, that our Enemies there must shortly meet with a total overthrow. The entire failure of all their schemes, and the rising spirit of the people strongly expressed by the remonstrance of the Livery of London to the King, clearly denote this. The Ministry had their sole reliance on the impossibility of the Americans finding money to support an army, on the great aid their cause would

receive from Canada, and consequent triumph of their forces over the liberties and rights of America. The reverse of all this has happened, and very soon now, our Commercial resistance will begin sorely to distress the people at large. The Ministerial recruiting business in England has entirely failed them, the Shipbuilders in the royal yards have mutinied, and now they are driven as to their last resort to seek for Soldiers in the Highlands of Scotland. But it seems the greatest willingness of the people there cannot supply more than one or two thousand men, A number rather calculated to increase their disgrace, than to give success to their cause.
I beg your pardon for engaging your attention so long, and assure you that I am with unfeigned esteem dear Sir Your affectionate friend and Countryman

Richard Henry Lee


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 26 September 1775
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Sir
Tionderoga [N.Y.] 26th September 1775

I did myself the Honor to address You in a long Letter of the 20th which I hope will come safe to Hand.
The Day before yesterday I was favored with a Letter from General Montgomery, Copy of which inclosd In the Contents of which, & on the Report of the Indian Deputies I do myself the Pleasure to congratulate Your Excellency.

I have made some Explanatory Notes on General Montgomery’s Letter which I conceived might be necessary for You.
I made a short Speech to the Indian Deputies, gave them a present & they left me in high Good Humour, & with a very good Opinion of our Army.
The Vexation of Spirit under which I labour, that a Barbarous Complication of Disorders should prevent me from reaping those Laurels for which I have unweariedly wrought since I was honoured with this Command; the Anxiety I have suffered since my Arrival here, least the Army should starve, occasioned by a scandalous Want of Subordination and Inattention to my Orders in some of the Officers, that I left to Command at the different Posts; The vast Variety of disagreeable and Vexatious Incidents that almost every Hour arise in some Department or Other, not only retard my Cure, but have put me considerably back for some Days past, If Job had been a General in my Situation, his Memory had not been so famous for Patience—But the Glorious End we have in View & which I have a Confidential Hope will be attained will attone for all.
I have discharged or Ordered to be discharged Every Man that was so Ill as to be rendered unfit for further Service during this Campaign, & that was able to return to the Place of his Abode, those that were not I have sent to the Hospital, the former already Amount to 726 as per the inclosed Returns. My Best wishes Attend Your Excellency and the Gentlemen with You, I am Dr Sir with the most Sincere Esteem Your very Obedient Humble Servant.

Ph: Schuyler


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 26 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Spencer, Joseph

Sir,
Head Quarters [Cambridge] Septr 26. 1775

I have perused & consider’d a Petition or rather a Remonstrance directed to you & signed by Several Captains & Subalterns on the Appointment of Mr Huntington to the Lieutenancy of Capt. Chester’s Company.
The decent Representation of Officers or even of common Soldiers through the Channel of their Colonel, or other superior Officers I shall always encourage & attend to: But I must declare my disapprobation of this mode of associating & combining as Subversive of all Subordination, Discipline & Order. Should the proper Officers refuse or neglect to receive their Complaints, an immediate Application to their General Officer would be proper. Much as I disapprove the Mode, of Opposition to this Gentleman, I disapprove the Opposition itself Still more, to yield to it would in Effect surrender the Command of the Army to those whose Duty it is, & whose Honour it ought to be to obey. Commissions should be ever the Reward of Merit not of Age, & I am determined never to put it out of the proper Power to reward a deserving active Officer whatever may be his Standing in the Army or the Pretensions of those who have no other Merit than that of having been born or inlisted before him—In an Army so young as ours the Claims arising from real Service are very few, & the accidental Circumstance of obtaining a Commission a Month or two sooner can with no reasonable Person claim any Superiour Regard or make such a Scrutiny of any Consequence—This Army is supported by the whole Continent, the Establishment is intirely new, all Provincial Customs therefore which are different in different Provinces must be laid out of the Question: The Power which has established & pays this Army has alone the Right to judge who shall command in it from the General to the Ensign, to put it into any

other Hands would be a high Breach of my Trust, & would give Birth to such Factions & Cabals as must soon end in the Dissolution of the Army & the Ruin of our Country—As no Objections are made to Mr Huntington’s Character or any other Reason assigned than his not rising by Gradation, I can make no Alteration in his Appointment. At the same Time, I declare I shall upon all Occasions pay a proper Respect to long Service & as far as lays in my Power give it all the Preference which is consistent with the Welfare of the Army & the Duties of my Station—I make no Doubt therefore when these and all other officers who in such cases are both Parties & Judges divest themselves of Prejudice & Partiality they will Chearfully acquiesce in such Appointments as are made, & manifest their Sincere Attachment to their Country & the great Cause in which we are engaged by a ready & hearty Obedience to all Orders & Rules which are judged necessary for the general Interest. I am Sir Your most Obedt Hbble Servt


Title: General Orders, 27 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Sept. 27th 1775
Parole Yorkshire.Countersign. Amboy

Amos Brown of Capt. Wilders Company in Col. Whitcomb’s Regiment, tried at a General Court Martial whereof Col. Bridge was Presdt for “mutinous and abusive language”—The Court are unanimously of opinion the prisoner is not guilty & therefore acquit the prisoner.

Genl Thomas’s brigade to be mustered on monday morning at seven OClock, and General Spencers on Wednesday morning at the same hour.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 27 September 1775
From: Arnold, Benedict
To: Washington, George

Fort Western [District of Maine] 27. Sepr 1775
May it please your Excellency

I have ordered, James McCormick, the Criminal condemned for the Murder of Rueben Bishop, on board the Schooner Broad Bay, Capt. Clarkson, with Directions for him to be delivered to Capt. Moses Howell, at Newbury Port, who has orders to send him to your Excellency—The Criminal Appears to be very simple & ignorant, and in the Company he belonged to, had the Character of being a peacable Fellow—His place of Residence is North Yarmouth, was drafted out of Col. Scammon’s Regt Capt. Hill’s Company, where his Character may be fully known. I wish he may be found a proper Object of Mercy, and am with the greatest Respect Yor Excellencys most obd. hble Servt

B. Arnold


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 27 September 1775
From: Massachusetts Council
To: Washington, George

Watertown [Mass.] 27 September 1775. Recommends officers in Col. Jonathan Brewer’s and Col. David Brewer’s regiments for commissions.


Title: From George Washington to James Otis, Sr., 27 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Otis, James Sr.

Sir
Camp at Cambridge September 27. 1775

The Bearer Captn Jacob Rogers having sollicited my Protection & Interference for his Safety, has laid before me sundry Papers shewing the publick Sense of his Conduct since the Commencement of the present Troubles. I beg Leave to inclose his Memorial & sundry Papers to the Honorable Board, as the Subject of his Complaint seems more properly to fall within the Cognizance of the civil than military Power: I shall chearfully concur in any Measure which the Honbl. Board may recommend & am with much Respect & Regard Sir Your most Obed. & very Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 28 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Sept. 28th 1775
Parole Bedford.Countersign Chatham.

The enquiry into the Conduct of Dr Church, Director General of the hospital, and the respective Regimental surgeons, being finished in the four Brigades in and near Cambridge, conformable to the General Orders of the 7th Instant—The same is to take place to morrow in Brigdr Genl Thomas’s brigade, and in Brigadier Genl Spencers brigade on saturday.
The General Court Martial whereof Col. Nixon was president is dissolved—A General Court Martial of the Line to sit to morrow at nine ’OClock in Cambridge, to try such prisoners as

shall be brought before them—All Evidences and persons concern’d to attend the Court—For the Court Martial one Colo. one Lieut. Col., one Major and ten Captains.
John Hawkins and Robt Higgins of Capt. Wylys Company, in Col. Sergeants regiment, upon an appeal from a Regimental Court martial, tried by the late General Court martial whereof Col. Nixon was president for “Theft”—The Court find the prisoner John Hawkins guilty of the Charge and do sentence that he restore the money stolen by him to the owner Charles Caldwell, amounting to thirteen pounds, eight shillings, lawful money and that he receive thirty-nine Lashes upon his bare back—The Court acquit the prisoner John Higgins—The General approves the sentence, and orders the prisoner Hawkins to be punished at the head of his regiment—and the prisoner Higgins to be immediately released.


Title: To George Washington from the Gloucester Committee of Safety, 28 September 1775
From: Gloucester Committee of Safety
To: Washington, George

Glocester [Mass.] September 28, 1775
May it please your Excellency

We the Committee of Safety for the town of Glocester beg leave to represent to your Excellency
That yesterday morning a Brig was descover’d at ankor within Thatchers Island—Captains Somes & Smith in a boat went alongside and asked where from, and where bound, was answer’d from Quebec for [St.] Eustatia, they asked what they did there, the answer was they wanted Water—Sd Somes & Smith taking them to be enemies came ashore, and envited men to go off in boats and Seize her, which they did, and Mesrs Isaac Pool & Samuel Wonson was very Active and Assisted much in bringing the Vessel into Sandy-Bay, which is on the easterly part of our Cape ann, and found on board her 68 sheep, and 45 Oxen, which we have brought ashore to graze.
Captain Wallace who was Master of the Brig with Ten of his men we now send up to your Excellency by the Conduct of

Lieut. Daniel Lane and wait your Excellencys orders & are your Excellencys Most Humble servents

By order of the Committee
John Stevens Chairman

Capt. Isaac Somes mentioned above will wait on your Excellency with Capt. Wallace’s Instructions which his owners gave him at Quebec.
Mr Isaac Pool mentioned above we are informed has got a parcel of Letters & papers that was found in the Brig and has carried them off without letting the Committee know of them, but we suppose he intends to wait on your Excellency with the Same.


Title: To George Washington from Ensign Joseph Harris, 28 September 1775
From: Harris, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Cambridge 28 September 1775. Petitions for discharge from the service because “he is now Sick and has Been So Ever Sence he has been in the Army and never been able to Do one Tower [tour] of Dute and Dont find Within him Self That he Shall be able to do any Service in the Army this Season.”


Title: From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 28 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Massachusetts General Court

Gentlemen
Cambridge Sept. 28. 1775

The Indian who accompanies Mr Kirtland is an Oneida Chief of considerable Rank in his own Country. He has come on a Visit to the Camp principally to satisfy his Curiosity: But as his Tribe has been very friendly to the Cause of the united Colonies, & his Report to his nation at his Return have important Consequences to the publick Interest, I have studiously endeavoured to make his Visit agreeable.
Having express’d an Inclination to pay his Respects to the General Court, I thought it proper to let them know who he was & upon what Errand he came: Not doubting but your Honbl. Board will join with me in shewing him all proper Civilities—I have directed a Present to be prepared for him at his Return. I am Gentlemen with great Respect & Regard Your most Obed. Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General David Wooster, 28 September 1775
From: Wooster, David
To: Washington, George

Sr
Harlem [N.Y.] Sepr 28th 1775

This just serves to inform your Excellency that I return’d to this place from Long Island immediately upon the receipt of your favour of the 2d Instant—& that in pursuance of an Order from the Continental Congress I shall this afternoon embark with all the Troops under my command for Albany there to wait the Orders of General Scuyler. I am Sr in haste your Excellency’s most obedt hble Servt

Davd Wooster


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Jedediah Southworth, 29 September 1775
From: Southworth, Jedediah
To: Washington, George

Roxbury Camp Septr the 29th 1775

The Petition of Jedidiah Southworth 2d Leiut. of a Company of foot in the 20th Regiment commanded by Joseph Read Esq.—humbly sheweth.
That your Petitioner has been in the service of his Country ever since the 19th day of April last past, & would be willing still to continue in the service untill America should be free’d from the Troubles & Perplexities of an unnatural War, were it not for his bad state of Health & bodily Infirmities.
On that account & that only, he is, desirous of being dismiss’d from the Army; As it is his humble Opinion that it is inconsistant with the Rules of strict Justice to continue in the pay of his Country when incapable of doing adequate service.
He therefore humbly requests your Excellency to discharge him from the Army, that he may return to his own Habitation where he may be better situated for the recovery of his Health; so that if God in his Providence shou’d spare his life he may be enabled to do further service some way for his Country as in duty bound your Petitioner shall ever pray

Jedh Southworth


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

Dr Sir
Mount Vernon Septmbr 29th 1775

In your last Letter you desire me to let Simpson have Some Money, I know of no Way to contrive it to him, unless he Either comes himself, or sends for it, which I suppose he will do—I have sold one of the Bills Colo. Lewis sent me (£100) at 15 pr C. Dollars at 6/ which I was oblige to indorse before I cou’d part with it—I was about to pay Mercer—100£ Gold by Wt haveg before paid him £100 the same Way, not haveg it in my power to get Silver Dollars which he was willing to receive at 6/, but woud not take paper Dollars or Gold long Currency—I pay him the above Dollars—If I find I cannot get more I must sell the other at the Same Rate I have been offerd Continantal Dollars at 6/ for it 15 pr C. which is what they were both Drawn at—I have heard nothing from Cleveland—nor have I heard any thing of the painter I fear he has intirely made his Escape—our Worckmen are Still about the Store House, I have pull’d down the old Wash House and the Brick Layers are about the underping for the New one, which I shall Raise so soon as they are done, John Broad Still Sick, our Negroes are Very Sickly Fevers & Agues, It will be allmost the last of October before we get done Sewg our Wheat, it was rather Unlucky that I put off sewg until the last of August at which time it set in to raing and has continue’d off and on almost ever since, so that even if we had not fodder to get the Ground has been too wet to plow, the Gust which I mentiond to you, Blew the Corn about in such a manner, that it made it tedious getg fodder, as well as plowg for we have it all to sett up or move out of the way, notwithstandg the Fodder is of it—I cannot get sping Wheels the demand for them is so great, The wheels which was here are very much out of repair—they were sent early in the summer to Lanphier to mend, he promiseg to do them immediately, but findg he woud not do them, I sent them to Alexandria, but the man who has them with all his worckmen, are so pester’d with the fever and ague, that they do not worck half their time he tells me they shall be done next week—I got one new one of him for which I gave 20/. I shall do all in my power to get wheels—Our Committee has made Choice of their Militia officers Colo. West Cty

Lieutenant McCarty & Broadwater Colos. Robt H. Harrison mjr the Captns Lieutenants & Ensigns are disperse’d in different parts of the Cty a great many of them are taken out of our Company 40 I believe altogether for the Minute Service & Militia, I believe the Captns for the militia are Gilpin, Harrison, Phil: & Gerrard Alexander, Triplett, (Thos) Moody, Dulany, Ed. payne, James Wren, Pollard, Waggoner, Cockburn, John Seale, John Hunter, and one more which I cannot recollect the remains of our Company with several others who want to join them are about to form the Company & apply to the Committee of Safety for Commissions for their officers & Continue them as Militia, but subjectd (as to themselves) to their former Lieuts.
Colo. Basset left this on Monday last, Mrs Washington goes to Mr Calverts tomorrow, and returns soon with Mrs Custis & immediately after goes down the Country The Stoco Man is still about the Dineg Room & will I fear be for some time, Sears is Still here about the Chimney piece, I suppose he will finish it next week you no doubt think him long about it, so do I, but I can assure you he is Constantly at worck—I think you never Intended such a one & must have been mistaken in the look of the Draught of the Chimney piece. I find the Wash House is framed to have two Doors in front—both together one to open in each Room, Stone says you directed him to do so—it will differ from the Kitchen which shews but one Door in Front. Am Dr Sir your most Obedient & very Humble servt

Lund Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Cowley, 30 September–12 October 1775
From: Cowley, William
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency Sir
[30 September–12 October 1775]

I hope you will please to pardon my taking the Liberty of laying these few Lines before your Excellency, but if I had not I should have thought it would have been doing a great Injustice to my Conscience, & I think every well meaning Man who is a real Friend to Liberty would join in my Sentiments to stop such outragious Actions & Rebellious Works which are going to be put into Execution—please your Excellency I lived along with Major John Connelly of Fort Pitt have done this two years—last July he was obliged to retire from Fort Pitt the Inhabitants had a suspicion of his being an Enemy to his Country from thence I went with him down to Portsmouth in Virginia where he got on Board his Excellency Lord Dunmore’s Ship the Royal William where we staid fourteen Days & from thence he sail’d in his Lordship’s Tender the Arundel for Boston with dispatches to General Gage from Lord Dunmore there we staid ten days from thence we saild to Newport Rhode Island convoy’d by the Viper Sloop of War of 12 Guns commanded by Capt. Thomas Greaves & from Rhode Island is to be convoy’d to New York & there the Viper parts with her, & she is to Portsmouth bound by herself—As I was one day with the Major in the State Room just after we left Boston he ask’d me if I was willing to go with him into the Indian Country as he had been with General Gage to get a Commission & Orders to go into the Indian Countrys to raise the Indians & the French & there is some part of the royal Irish I think he said at Fort Chartres & they have Orders from General Gage to join him & he told me they had Nine twelve pounders. But as soon as he gets into Virginia & settles his Business with his Lordship as he dares not go up the Country he intends to take his Lordship’s Tender & to go to St Augustine & there to get Guides to convey him through the Cherokees nation & from thence to the Shawneys Mincoes & Delaways but he is to get Commissions from Lord Dunmore for Capt. White Eyes & Corn Stalk & other of the Chiefs & to make them Presents he intends to stay at the Detroit all Winter in Order to get Boats & Canoes built to bring his Forces up the Ohio & the

Cannon the first place he intends to fall upon is Fort Pitt & to take That & then he says that he thinks that most part of that Quarter will join him as he says he has Orders to give them three hundred Acres of Land to each Man that will join him—And another Scheme he told me he was going to put into Execution that is in regard to Convicts & indentured Servants to set them at their Liberty & to give them Land to join him & when he has taken Fort Pitt he intends to proceed down for Alexandria & there he is to be reinforced by Lord Dunmore & some men of War & then to sweep all the Country before him As your Excellency knows what State that Country is in & I thought it most fitting to disclose it to your Excellency I wrote the Letter in Rhode Island to send down lest I could not have had the Opportunity of getting from the Vessel but I made my Escape one Night by great Chance & a young Man that was press’d on Board who is now with his Parents in Rhode Island which the Major wanted to go along with him. I left all my Cloaths & all that I had on Board but that is nothing so I could be of any Service to my Country & I hope every well meaning Man God will reward for so doing I hope your Excellency will excuse my Freedom but I could not be at Rest ’till I had disclosed the Matter to your Excellency—please to permit me to subscrib⟨e⟩ myself Your Excellency’s Hble Servt to command

William Cowley


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Richard Gridley, 30 September 1775
From: Gridley, Richard
To: Washington, George

Septr 30: 1775.

            Proposals for Casting the Following Ordnance & Stores

            3
            Ten Inch Mortars

            600
            Ten Inch Shells

            1000
            Twenty four pound Shott

            1000
            Eighteen pound Shott

            40
            Setts of Garrison Wheels

            200
            Stoves (Small)

            5
            Tons of Grape Shott

            4
            Tons of Hand Grenadoes for Boats

            10
            Tons of Potts & Kettles

The Furnace cannot be put into Blast in less than One Month, & if not determind upon & orderd directly no Furnace will be in Blast till next March.
also to provide

            10
            Twenty four pound Cannon
            }
            or 20: Twenty

            10
            Eighteen pound do
            four pound.

            Spare Mortar Beds

            Spare Carriages

            a Quantity of 3 Inch plank & 10 Inch

            Timber for platforms

Submitted to by yr Excellencys Most Obedt Servt
Richd Gridley Chief Engineer


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

Sir
Camp at Cambridge Sept. 30th 1775

The Revd Mr Kirtland the Bearer of this having been introduced to the Honle Congress can need no particular Recommendation from me: But as he now wishes to have the Affairs of his Mission & publick Employ put upon some suitable Footing, I cannot but intimate my Sense of the Importance of his Station, & the great Advantages which have & may result to the United Colonies from his Situation being made respectable.
All Accounts agree that much of the favourable Disposition shewn by the Indians may be ascribed to his Labour & Influence. He has accompanied a Chief of the Oneidas to this Camp, which I have endeavoured to make agreeable to him both by Civility & some small Presents. Mr Kirkland being also in some Necessity for Money to bear his travelling Charges & other Expences I have supplied him with £32 lawful Money—I cannot but congratulate the Honourable Congress on the happy Temper of the Canadians & Indians our Accounts of which are now fully confirmed by some intercepted Letters from Officers in Canada to General Gage and others in Boston, which were found on Board the Vessel lately taken going into Boston with a Donation of Cattle & other fresh Provisions for the Ministerial Army. I have the Honour to be with great Respect & Regard Sir Your most Obedient Hbble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 30 September 1775
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia Septemr 30th 1775

Your Letters No. 4, 5 and two other Letters not Numberd, with the Inclosures have been duly Receiv’d and laid before Congress.
As there are sundry matters contain’d in your Letters which are of great importance, and on which the Congress, before they come to a final Determination, are Desirous to have the Advantage of your Experience and Knowledge; They have Appointed three of their Members, Vizt Mr Lynch, Doctor Franklin, & Mr Harrison to wait on you, Confer with you and the Governors of Connecticutt & Rhode Island, the Council of Massachussets Bay, and the President of the Convention of New Hampshire, (to whom I have wrote on the Subject by order of Congress,) and such other Persons as to the said Committee shall seem proper, touching the most effectual Method of Continuing, Supporting and Regulating a Continental Army.
The Committee will set out as soon as possible, and Expect to be with you by the 12th of next Month. I have the Honour to be with greatest Esteem, Sir, Your Most Obedt hume Servt

John Hancock President

The Inclos’d Letter to the Council of Massachusetts you will please to order to be Deliver’d. And the Letter to the President of the Convention of New Hampshire you will please to forward by Express as soon as possible.


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 30 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Samuel

Dear Brother
Camp at Cambridge 30th Sepr 1775.

Your favour of the 6th Instt by Mr Hite came safe to hand, and gave me the pleasure of hearing that you, my Sister, & Family were well—I find also that one of my Letters had reached you, which is more than I expected (notwithstanding I have wrote you several) as I learn by my last Letters from home, that neither Mrs Washington, nor Lund, had received a Line from me since the 27th of July, although I have never missed writing by any Week’s Post since I came to this place, to both of them—such is the infernal curiosity of some of the Scoundrel Postmasters that I am distressed exceedingly in my business, not being able to get any directions home in respect to matters that are referred to me from thence.
So little hath happend of consequence since my last, that I should hardly have given you the trouble of a Letter at this time, but from an unwillingness of suffering Mr Hite to depart without—The Enemy keep themselves close shut up within their own Lines on Boston & Charles Town Necks, & are to all intents & purposes as much besieged as ever Troops were that had an opening to the Sea—They are constantly Cannonading & Bombarding of us without any damage to our Works & almost as little hurt to the Men; but take care never to advance beyond their own Works.
Their Men of War & Transports are constantly employed in

getting Wood, & Provisions from Canada, Nova-Scotia, & such Islands as they can pillage along the Sea Coast—they now take all Vessells indiscriminately which fall in their way. In short they seem to have commenced a Piratical War & threaten us with an Importation of Russians, Hanoverian’s &ca in the Spring—alas! how is the dignity of great Britain fallen! & what inconsistency is this! But the other day we were told both in the House of Lords, & in the House of Commons (by a Man, Grant, now in Boston) that the American’s were such paltroons & Cowards that they would not fight—now we find that 22 Regiments of the Kings Troops are shut up, & suffering (for near four Months) all the hardships & Inconveniencies of a Siege, & talk of calling in Thirty or 40,000 Foreigners to their aid! why this agt People who have not spirit to resist?
Having compleated our own Lines of defence—finding that the Enemy had discovered no Inclination to pay us a visit—& that their Situation is such as to render our approaches almost impossible without great Slaughter, if then, I detached about 14 days ago 1000 Men under the Command of Colo. Arnold into Canada, by the way of Kennebec—the design of this expedition is to take possession of Quebec if possible, but at all Events to create a diversion in favour of General Schuyler who is upon his March to Montreal by the way of Lake Champlain & St Johns—If these Expeditions succeed the Ministry will make a glorious figure with their Canada Bill, & the Regiments which they proposed to raise in that Government for the purpose of Deluging our Frontier Settlements in Blood. they seem to be almost as much defeated in their attempts upon the Indians, who in this part of the World have offered to join us, some of them I mean, whilst the Six Nations are resolved to observe a Neutrality.
The Riflemen have had very little oppertunity of shewing their skill, or their ignorance, for some of them, especially from Pensylvania, know no more of a Rifle than my horse, being new Imported Irish many of whom have deserted to the Enemy. Captn Hugh Stevenson is at a Camp (Roxborough) Six Miles from hence, so that I seldom see him but when I go there—I believe him to be a good man & should be glad to shew him every Civility in my power but cannot be particular, otherwise I should Incur the censure of partiality which I want to avoid.
If you should have occasion for my marquee you are welcome

to send for it when wanted—but as I expect to have frequent calls for it myself, I must beg the favour of you to have particular care taken of it, as they are not to be got to the northward for the supply of the Army much less for other purposes. I shall be very glad to hear of a visit from you and my Sister at Mount Vernon; I could wish that my friends would endeavour to make the heavy, and lonesome hours of my Wife pass of as smoothly as possible for her Situation gives me many a painful moment.
I am now to thank you, which I do most sincerely, & cordially, for your Affectionate wishes & prayers—the goodness of the cause bids me hope for protection, & I have a perfect reliance upon that Providence which heretofore has befriended & Smiled upon me—my Affectionate regards for my Sister and the Family concludes me with great truth Yr loving Brother

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Anne Steptoe Washington, 30 September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Anne Steptoe

My dear Madam,
[Cambridge, 30 September 1775]

The testimony of regard, which you were pleased to annex to my Brothers Letter of the 7th Instt filled me with grateful pleasure—may every Blessing which Heaven can bestow light on you, and yours, is the sincere wish of your Affecte Brother

Go: Washington

Please to present my best respects to the good Families at Fairfield, & other friends—I have given leave to one of the Tabs to return home.

G. W——n


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, September 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

[Cambridge, September 1775] Monday ½ after One O’Clock
Sir

A Gentleman this Instant ⟨put the⟩ Inclosed Gazette (containing ⟨the Addre⟩ss & Petition of the Lord Mayor, ⟨Aldermen⟩, & Commons of the City of London) into my hands, desiring I would forward it to you. I accordingly ⟨do⟩ so, and am with very great ⟨regards⟩ and esteem, Sir Yr Most Obedt & Most Hble Serv⟨t⟩

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Colonel James Mitchell Varnum, September 1775
From: Varnum, James Mitchell
To: Washington, George

Prospect Hill September 1775. Requests that Christopher Greene be brevetted as lieutenant colonel of his regiment, Thomas Holden as major, and John Singer Dexter as adjutant. “There are several other Vacancies, which I’ll not trouble your Excellency about, but wait, at present, & make Application to the Committee of Safety in the Colony of Rhode Island.”


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin, 1 October 1775
From: Baldwin, Loammi
To: Washington, George

Chelsea [Mass.] Octobr 1st 1775 Sunday 3 oClock P.M.
May it please your Excellency

Enclosed are the Observations on which I have nothing particular to remark.
I am now to acquaint your Excellency that Yesterday about 11 oClock our Guard discovered one of the Enemys Horses swimming from Bunker Hill to Noddles Island on which a Small party in a Skiff went over & brought him off. One of the Captors with the Horse will attend your Excellencys pleasure tomorrow morning.
The Same party saw a Canoe on the Shore & made fast but could not discover any person on the Island. This occasions a conjecture in my mind whether some Evil-minded person from the Country has not taken a Boat from the Marshes and made his escape (perhaps with intelligence) to the enemy I would therefore humbly propose to your Excellency that all the Boats scattered for miles together on the Marshes be collected and put under the care of a Sentry. This Measure may be attended with disadvantages to the people in geting their Hay unless permission be granted for using said Boats on application and Returning them at Night. I am with much Respect Your Excellencys most Obediant and Very Humbe Servnt

Loammi Baldwin Liut. Coll


Title: To George Washington from John Langdon, 1 October 1775 [letter not found]
From: Langdon, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from John Langdon, 1 Oct. 1775. On the letter that GW wrote to Langdon on 21 Sept., Langdon wrote: “Answer’d 1st Day of October 75.”


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Russell, 1 October 1775
From: Russell, Thomas
To: Washington, George

C. 1 October 1775. Petitions for discharge from the army. Russell has been unable to do any duty for a month because of “Rheumatism Pains of which I am not likely to get Well And cannot be of any Benefit to the Army. I have a Wife & Famaly in Baltimore County in Maryland the which I have not seen these Twelve Months nor they have not so much as heard from Me wherefore as I am unfit for the Service I desire to go & see whether they are dead or alive.”


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

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Octr 2nd 1775
Parole Kingston.Countersign Lincoln.


Title: To George Washington from the Portsmouth Committee of Safety, 2 October 1775
From: Portsmouth Committee of Safety
To: Washington, George

Portsmo. [N.H.] 2d Octor 1775
May it please your Excellency

The Ship Prince George, Richard Emms Master, which left Bristol the 19th of July last, loaded with eighteen hundred & eighty barrells, & twenty four half Barrells of Flour, for the supply of General Gage’s Army, was taken possession of by our People this day, as She enter’d the Harbour, which the Master says was through mistake.
We think it our duty, to acquaint your Excellency with this Matter, and that We have ordered the Ship to the Wharfe, having unbent her Sails, & appointed a sufficient guard on board, to prevent any embezzelment—The Master yesterday Morning, spoke with the Raven Sloop of War from England, bound to Boston, which had been out ten Weeks.

This Committee have examined all the Letters, and Papers, brought by Capt. Emms, & find they contain nothing material. I am with due respect By order of the Comee of safety Sir Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant

H. Wentworth Chairman


Title: From George Washington to Lund Washington, 2 October 1775 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Washington, Lund

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


Title: General Orders, 3 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters [Cambridge] Octobr 3rd 1775
Parole Malden.Countersign Norfolk

Any Officer, non Commission’d Officer, or Soldier, who shall hereafter be detected playing at Toss-up, pitch & hustle, or any other Games of chance, in, or near the Camp or Villages bordering on the encampments; shall without delay be confined and punished for disobedience of orders.
Doctor Isaac Foster, to take the direction and superintendency of the General Hospital, until further orders, and is to be obeyed as Director during that time.
The General does not mean by the above Order, to discourage

sports of exercise and recreation, he only means to discountenance and punish Gaming.
Ensign Proctor of Capt. Fletcher’s Company, in Colonel Doolittles regt tried at a late General Court Martial for “absenting himself from his regiment from the 9th of August, to the 27th Sept. following”—The Court find the prisoner guilty of the Crime, and order him to be mulcted one months pay for his offence.
John Gallop of Capt. Watkins Company, in Col. Pattersons Regt tried at the above Court Martial, for “absenting himself from his regiment from the 27th June—to the 27th of Septembr following, and carrying off and disposing of a Colony Gun”—The Court find the prisoner guilty of the Crimes wherewith he was accused and sentence him to be whipped on bare back, Fifteen Lashes, and order the Value of the Gun to be stop’d out of his pay.


Title: Council of War, 3–4 October 1775
From: Council of War
To:

[Cambridge, 3–4 October 1775]

At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Cambridge Octr 3. 1775
Present

            His Excelly General Washington

            Majors Generals
            Ward
            Brigads.
            Spencer

            Lee

            Heath

            Puttnam

            Sullivan

            Brigadiers
            Thomas

            Green

            Gates

The General communicated to the Board a Discovery of a Correspondence carried on with the Enemy by Dr Church by Letter in Characters which was decyphered by the Revd Mr West & laid the sd Letters before the Members of this Council.
After considering & discussing the Matter it was determined to adjourn till tomorrow—& then that Dr Church be examined.
October 4. 1775 The Council of War met.
Present as before.
Dr Church being sent for & shewn the Letter in Characters was asked—Whether the sd Letter was written by him—To which he answered he believed it was.
He was then shewn the Explanation of sd Letter⟨r⟩ as decyphered—& asked whether it was a t⟨rue⟩ one.
To which he answered in the Affirmative.
Dr Church then explained his Intentions in writing sd Letter as calculated to impress the Enemy with a strong Idea of our Strength & Situation in order to prevent an Attack at a Time when the Continental Army was in great Want of Ammunition & in Hopes of effecting some speedy Accommodation of the present Dispute & made solemn Asseverations of his Innocence.
The General then asked the Opinion of the Council severally whether it did not appear that Dr Church had carried on a criminal Correspondence with the Enemy—to which they unanimously answered in the Affirmative.
A Question was then proposed & discuss’d what were the proper Steps to be taken with Respect to him—& after examining the Regulations of the Continental Army & particularly the Articles 28 & 51—
It was determined from the Enormity of the Crime, & the very inadequate Punishment pointed out that it should be referr’d to the General Congress for their special Direction & that in the mean Time he be closely confined, & no Person visit him but by special Direction.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Church, 3 October 1775
From: Church, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

[Cambridge, c.3 October 1775]
May it please your Excellency

Being informed by my Friend⟨s⟩ Drs McKnight & McHenry, that the indiscrete Letter is decyphered, and that notwithstanding the evident Tendency of the whole was to influence the Enemy to propose immediate Terms of Accommodation, yet I am censured and some sinister suspicions still entertained on Acct of some Passages contained therein—further to elucidate the matter I must beg your Excellency’s Indulgence to represent a few facts—The Person addressed was a Brother, a warm stickler for the Honour, Dignity & Power of Britain; during the whole Contest previous to leaving Boston, I had kept up

a close Acquaintance with him, and led him to believe notwithstanding my Abhorrence of the present Measures, that I was greatly distressed lest Britain shd eventually be ruined; by such Conduct I frequently availed myself of such Intelligence from him, as I could improve to the publick Advantage; the Necessity on our part of such Accommodation could it be obtained on proper Terms was the sole Inducement to writing that unfortunate Letter; when they were informed of our Weakness in point of Artillery & Ammunition which he mentioned in his Letter to me, in order to give the Colour of Truth to my exaggerated Acct some facts were necessary to be introduced the Facts mentioned were such as I was confident they must have heard of, the robbing the Kings Stores as they called it, and the Affair of Canada I learned myself from the News Papers; with regard to the great Pains I had taken, and the great risque I run, in conveying the Letter, was meant merely to impress his Mind with the Apprehensi⟨on mutilated⟩ great solicitude for Peace for the preservation ⟨mutilated⟩ they were entirely fallacious, I have not been t⟨mutilated⟩ Ten Years, I never asked a Man to take a Le⟨mutilated⟩ neither was any man apprehended on that Acct that this was a fetch for this purpose, if I remember right, is further ⟨mutilated⟩med by ⟨m⟩y telling him I was going to take another Journey to Newport for the sole purpose of conveying that Letter, whereas I had no such Intent; ’tis a lying Legend I confess, but the End must apologize for the means; I there formed a Plan for him to write to me, under a feigned Name, the Design was evidently calculated to obtain Intelligence from him of their Designs, which could not but serve us, had he communicated anything—I likewise remember that I plead a necessity of sending the Cannon from Providence to avoid suspicion, I knew that Intelligence would soon get to Boston fm rhode Island of my procuring the Cannon, which would effectually defeat the End I proposed in my Letter, of being influenced in my Advice principally by a regard to Britain—To remove any suspicions on this head, I beg leave to inform your Excellency, that No Man ever spoke to me, to procure the Cannon; when in Providence I heard of their being there I thought they were necessary in the Camp, a zeal for the common cause influenced me to apply for them, I waited a day or two to procure them, had the Committee of Warlike Stores summoned & attended them, they

complied with my request, and sent them down and I wrote a Letter of Apology to Genl Ward for my Officiousness in this matter—That this foolish Affair was conducted w[it]h Irregularity and may have sundry passages equally exceptionable is probable, but I can honestly appeal to Heaven for the purity of my Intentions; that I have much of folly, precipitation and Indiscretion to be forgiven I candidly confess, that forgiveness I most humbly intreat, but I hope your Excellency will consider I have struggled long, I have served faithfully, I have never swerved from my duty through fear or temptation, if I suffer on this score ⟨mutilated⟩ retreat; the most determined & constant Enemy to his ⟨mutilated⟩ld be happy compared with me; I suffer inexpressibly ⟨mutilated⟩ reflections, I condemn my heedless Folly most sincerely; ⟨mutilated⟩lore the magnanimous the compassionate General Washington to shield me from undeserved Infamy—I am Dear & honoured sir, your distressed & faithful Humble servant,

Benja. Church jr


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 October 1775
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia Octor 3d 1775

The Congress have this Day order’d Three Hundred Thousand Dollars in Addition to the Seven hundred Thousand to be Sent to the Paymaster for the use of the Army under your Command, which the Committee appointed to Confer with you have taken Charge of, and of which I have inform’d the Pay Master General.
By order of Congress I inclose you several Resolutions enter’d into by them; with respect to the severall matters mention’d in your Letter I must Refer you to the Committee of Congress who are instructed to Confer with you on the particular Subjects.
Should the Commissions Transmitted you by Fessenden not be sufficient, upon the first Notice I will forward the Number you Require. I have the honour to be, Sir Your most Obedt servt

John Hancock Presidt


Title: To George Washington from Ensign Barzillai Markham, 3 October 1775
From: Markham, Barzillai
To: Washington, George

Roxbury Camp 3 October 1775. Requests discharge from the service “for Reason’s within mentioned.”


Title: Instructions to Colonel John Glover and Stephen Moylan, 4 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Glover, John,Moylan, Stephen

[4 October 1775]

His Excelly having resolved to equip two armed Vessels has impowired you to negotiate this Business in which the followg Directions are to be observed.

1. That the Vessels be approved Sailors & as well found as possible.
2. That you have an Appraismt made of them by indifferent People to be returned to Head Quarters.
3. That you agree at as reasonable a Rate as you can for the Hire of the Vessels—& if possible procure the Cannon & Swivels on Loan if not purchase them at the cheapest Rate ⅌ Month.
4. If you cannot equip them suitably at Salem or Marblehead—one of you to proceed to Newbury Port where there are several Vessels & sundry Cannon provided suitable for this Purpose.
5. You are as soon as possible to send down proper Directions for the making of the Cartridges & providing Ammunition & a List of what will be wanted.
6. You are to nominate some suitable Person at Cape Ann, Marblehead & each other Place where any Prizes may be sent as an Agent to take Care of such Prizes instructing him to give as early Information as possible of all Captures & the List of the Cargo as far as he can do it from Papers—These Persons when nominated by you to receive Instructions from Head Quarters—You are also to settle with them the Terms & let them be Persons of approved good Character & known Substance. All Agreemts &c. to be put in Writing.
7. All Contracts entered into by you jointly when together or separately in Case one should go to Newbury the General will ratify & confirm.
8. As soon as either of the Vessels are in such forwardness as to be ready to sail in a few Days you are to send Notice to Head Quarters that the Officers & Men may march down.


Title: From George Washington to Captain Daniel Morgan, 4 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Morgan, Daniel

Sir
Camp at Cambridge Octo. 4. 1775

I write you in Consequence of Information I have received that you & the Captains of the Rifle Companies on the Detachment agt Quebeck claim an Exemption from the Command of all the Field Officers e[x]cept Col. Arnold. I understand this Claim is founded upon some Expression [of] mine, but if you understood me in this Way, you are much mistaken in my meaning. My Intention is and ever was that every Officer should Command according to his Rank—to do otherwise would Subvert all military Order & Authority which I am Sure you could not wish or expect—Now the Mistake is rectified I trust you will exert yourself to Support my Intentions, ever remembring that by the Same Rule that You claim an independant Command & break in upon military Authority others will do the same by you: And of Consequence the Expedition must terminate in Shame & Disgrace to yourselves and the Reproach and Detriment of your Country—To a Man of true Spirit & military Character farther Argument is unnecessary I shall therefore recommend you to preserve the utmost Harmony among yourselves to which a due Subordination will much Contribute & wishing you all Health & Success I remain Your very Hbble Sevt

G.W.


Title: To George Washington from Perez Morton, 4 October 1775
From: Morton, Perez
To: Washington, George

Sir
Watertown [Mass.] Octor 4th 1775

In the Brigantine Dolphin lately carried into Gloucester, the two Women accompanying this were Passengers—There names are Margaret Roberts & Mary Knap—They say they have Husbands belonging to the 59th Regt of Genl Gage’s Army—And are desirous of seeing them—I am therefore directed by the

Board, to recommend to your Exy to permit them and 2 Children, to pass your Lines, in order to their proceeding into Boston.

By order of the Council
P. Morton Dpy secry


Title: To George Washington from the New York Provincial Congress, 4 October 1775
From: New York Provincial Congress
To: Washington, George

In Provincial Congress for the Colony of New York [New York] Octr 4th 1775.
Sir

The inclosed state of Information is of such a Nature, that it is conceived highly proper to communicate it to Your Excellency with all dispatch. We are most respectfully Your Excellency’s Obedient humble Servants

By Order
Nathll Woodhull Presidt


Title: From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 4 October 1775
From: Washington, George
To: Schuyler, Philip

Dear Sir
Camp at Cambridge Octr 4th 1775.

Your Favor of the 20th Ult: came safely to Hand, and I should have dispatched the Express much sooner, but Colo. Arnold’s Expedition is so connected with your operations that I thought it most proper to detain him till I could give you the fullest account of his progress. This Morning the Express I sent him returned and the Inclosure No. 1. is a Copy of his Letter to me. No. 2. is a Copy of a paper he also sent me, being the Report of a reconnoitering party sent out some Time ago. You will certainly hear from him soon, as I have given him the strongest Injunctions on this Head.
Inclosed No. 3. I send you a Copy of his Instructions. No. 4 is a Manifesto, of which I have sent a Number with him to disperse thro’ Canada; He is supplied with £1000 lawful Money in Specie to answer his contingent Charges.
About 8 Days ago a Brig from Quebeck to Boston was taken and brought into Cape Ann—By some intercepted Letters from Capt. Gamble to General Gage and Major Sheriff, the Accounts of the Temper of the Canadians in the American Cause is fully confirmed. The Captain says that if Quebeck should be attacked before Carlton can throw himself into it, there will be a Surrender—without firing a Shot—We most anxiously hope you will find sufficient Employ for Carlton at St John’s and its Neighbourhood.
We at last have the Echo of Bunker’s Hill from England; the Number of killed and wounded by General Gage’s account nearly corresponds with what we had, viz: about 1100—There does not seem to be the least Probability of a Change of Measures or of Ministers.
General Gage is recalled from Boston and sails to Morrow—He is succeeded by General Howe—We have no material Occurrences since I had the pleasure of writing you last—Our principal Employ at present is preparing for Winter as there seems to be no Probability of any Accommodation, or any such Dicision as may make the present Army less necessary.
I also send you a Copy of a Letter given Colo: arnold to be communicated to the Officers & Men.

The Accounts we have of your Health give us great Concern, not only on your own account but that of the public Service which must suffer in Consequence—I shall most sincerely rejoice to hear of your perfect Recovery, and now most fervently wishing you all possible Success, Honour & Safety I am Dear Sir Your most obed: & very hbble Servt

G. Washington


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

Head Quarters, Cambridge, Octr 5th 1775
Parole Quebec.Countersign Roxborough.

Lieut. Zachariah Walker tried at a General Court martial whereof Col. Varnum was presdt—for “Cowardice in the action upon Bunkers-hill the 17th of June last”—The Court on Consideration of the Evidence, are unanimously of opinion, that the prisoner is not guilty, of the charge against him—The General commands the prisoner to be instantly released.


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

Sir
Cambridge Octr 5. 1775

By an intelligent Person &c. (as in the preceding Letter) Your several Favours of 26. & 29. Septr were duly received—The Care of the Men respecting whom you request Direction in yours of the 29th I will consider of, as there are some Regulations forming in the Army of which I chuse to see the Result before I make any Disposition. you will therefore be pleased to have them employed in this Interval as you think most conducive to the publick Interest The Mode of continuing the Army is now under the Consideration of the General Officers in order to report to the Congress with which I shall make you acquainted in Course—In the mean Time shall be glad of your Sentiments by the next post. I am Sir with great Regard & Esteem Your most Obedt Hble Servt,