EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MONTREAL TO A GENTLEMAN IN ENGLAND, DATED JULY 10, 1775.

The martial law is now in force; the Canadians are enrolled as militia, and officers appointed them by the Governour. The merchants here have formed themselves into a company, commanded by Major Roberston, Captain Porteus Gray, and Lieutenant Todd. The Canadians are in general averse to be commanded by their nobles; but say, give them British officers, and they will go any where. This Town has been full of Indians for some time past, who are come to offer service to the Governour.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 10, 1775.

SIR: After much difficulty and delay, I have procured such returns of the state of the Army as will enable us to form a judgment of its strength. It is with great concern I find it far inadequate to our general expectations, and the duties which may be required of it. The number of men fit for duty in the forces raised in this Province, including all the outposts and artillery, does not amount to nine thousand. The Troops raised in the other Colonies are more complete, but yet fall short of their establishment; so that, upon the whole, I cannot estimate the present Army at more than fourteen thousand five hundred men capable of duty.

I have the satisfaction to find the Troops, both in camp and in quarters, very healthy; so that the deficiency must arise from the Regiments never having been filled up to the establishment, and the number of men on furlough. But the former is much the most considerable. Under all these circumstances, I yesterday called a council of war, and enclosed I send you an extract of our determinations, so far as they respect the Province of Massachusetts-Bay. Your own prudence will suggest the necessity of secrecy on this subject, as we have the utmost reason to believe the enemy suppose our numbers much greater than they are; an errour which it is not our interest to remove.

The great extent of our lines, and the uncertainty which may be the point of attack, added to the necessity of immediate support, have induced me to order that horses, ready saddled, should be kept at several posts, in order to bring the most speedy intelligence of any movement of the enemy. For this purpose I should be glad that ten horses might be provided as soon as possible.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable James Warren, President of the Provincial Congress.

P. S. I am informed the Congress proposes to rise immediately. I should be glad to know what Committees are left, or upon whom the executive business devolves.

G. W.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, July 10, 1775.

SIR: I received your favour of the Ist instant, by express, from New-York; but as I am exceedingly hurried in making out my despatches for the honourable Congress at Philadelphia, it is not in my power to answer it in so full a manner as I wish.

Notwithstanding Governour Tryon’s plausible behaviour, I recommend it to you to watch him narrowly. And as any unlucky change of affairs on our part may produce a change in him of his present unexceptionable conduct, I expect you will, on the first appearance of such a change, pursue the advice given in my last letter. The like advice I give you respecting General Haldimand, who is supposed by some to have gone to New-York with a design to counteract us in that Province.

The commissions which have been forwarded to me are not sufficient to answer the demand I have for them, there being at least one thousand officers in this department, and not more than five hundred commissions in my possession. As you are so much nearer to Philadelphia than I am, I request you to apply to Congress for as many as you are like to want.

The dispersing handbills amongst the Troops at New-York has my most hearty approbation, and may have a good effect here. Our enemies have attempted nothing against us since my arrival here. They are strongly posted on Bunker’s Hill, and are still busy in throwing up additional works. We have thrown up several lines and redoubts between Mistick River and Dorchester Point, to prevent their making way into the country, and in a few days shall be well prepared to receive them in case a sortie is attempted.

I sincerely thank you for your attention to the directions of Congress, and for your kind wishes, and am, with much regard, Sir, your most obedient friend, and very humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

Major-General Schuyler.

P. S. I herewith enclose a report this minute received from the camp at Dorchester. The design of this manœuvre I am at a loss to know, but suppose it may be intended as a diversion to our forces here. It, however, behooves you to keep a good look out, to prevent any surprise your way.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read July 19, 1775.]

Camp at Cambridge, July 10, 1775.

SIR: I arrived safe at this place on the 3d instant, after a journey attended with a good deal of fatigue, and retarded by necessary attentions to the successive civilities which accompanied me on my whole route. Upon my arrival, I immediately visited the several posts occupied by our Troops, and as soon as the weather permitted, reconnoitred those of the enemy. I found the latter strongly intrenched on Bunker’s Hill, about a mile from Charlestown, and advanced about half a mile from the place of the late action, with their sentries extended about one hundred and fifty yards on this side of the narrowest part of the neck leading from this place to Charlestown. Three floating batteries lay in Mistick River, near their camp, and one twenty-gun ship below the ferry place, between Boston and Charlestown. They have also a battery on Copps’s Hill, on the Boston side, which much annoyed our Troops in the late attack. Upon the neck they are also deeply intrenched and strongly fortified. Their advanced guards, till last Saturday morning, occupied Brown’s houses, about a mile from Roxbury meeting-house, and twenty rods from their lines; but at that time a party from General Thomas’s camp surprised the guard, drove them in, and burnt the houses.

The bulk of their Army, commanded by General Howe, lays on Bunker’s Hill, and the remainder on Roxbury Neck, except the Light-horse, and few men in the Town of Boston.

On our side, we have thrown up intrenchments on Winter and Prospect Hills, the enemy’s camp in full view at the distance of little more than a mile. Such intermediate points as would admit a landing, I have since my arrival taken care to strengthen, down to Sewall’s farm, where a strong intrenchment has been thrown up. At Roxbury General Thomas has thrown up a strong work on the hill, about two hundred yards above the meeting-house, which, with the brokenness of the ground, and great number of rocks, has made that pass very secure. The Troops raised in New-Hampshire, with a Regiment from Rhode-Island, occupy Winter Hill. A part of those from Connecticut, under General Putnam, are on Prospect Hill. The Troops in this Town are entirely of the Massachusetts; the remainder of the Rhode-Island men are at Sewall’s farm. Two Regiments of Connecticut, and nine of the Massachusetts, are at Roxbury. The residue of the Army, to the number of about seven hundred, are posted in several small Towns along the coast, to prevent the depredations of the enemy.

Upon the whole, I think myself authorized to say, that, considering the great extent of line, and the nature of the ground, we are as well secured as could be expected in so short a time, and under the disadvantages we labour; these consist in a want of Engineers to construct proper works and direct the men, a want of tools, and a sufficient number of men to man the works in case of an attack.