You will observe, by the proceedings of the council-of-war which I have the honour to enclose, that it is our unanimous opinion to hold and defend these works as long as possible. The discouragement it would give the men, and its contrary effects on the Ministerial Troops, thus to abandon our encampment in their face, formed with so much labour, added to the certain destruction of a considerable and valuable extent of country, and our uncertainty of finding a place in all respects so capable of making a stand, are leading reasons for this determination; at the same time we are very sensible of the difficulties which attend the defence of lines of so great extent, and the dangers which may ensue from such a division of the Army.

My earnest wishes to comply with the instructions of the Congress, in making an early and complete return of the state of the Army, has led into an involuntary delay of addressing you, which has given me much concern, Having given orders for this purpose immediately on my arrival, and unapprized of the imperfect obedience which had been paid to those of the like nature from General Ward, I was led from day to day to expect they would come in, and therefore detained the messenger. They are not now so complete as I could wish, but much allowance is to be made for inexperience in forms, and a liberty which had been taken (not given) on this subject. These reasons, I flatter myself, will no longer exist, and of consequence more regularity and exactness in future prevail; this, with a necessary attention to the lines, the movements of the Ministerial Troops, and our immediate security, must be my apology, which I beg you to lay before the Congress with the utmost duty and respect.

We labour under great disadvantages for want of tents; for though we have been helped out by a collection of now useless sails, from the seaport Towns, the number is far short of our necessities. The colleges and houses of this Town are necessarily occupied by the Troops, which afford another reason for keeping our present situation. But I most sincerely wish the whole Army was properly provided to take the field, as I am well assured, that besides greater expedition and activity in case of alarm, it would highly conduce to health and discipline. As materials are not to be had here, I would beg leave to recommend the procuring a farther supply from Philadelphia as soon as possible.

I should be extremely deficient in gratitude, as well as justice, if I did not take the first opportunity to acknowledge the readiness and attention which the Provincial Congress, and different Committees, have shewn to make every thing as convenient and agreeable as possible; but there is a vital and inherent principle of delay, incompatible with military service, in transacting business through such numerous and different channels. I esteem it, therefore, my duty to represent the inconvenience which must unavoidably ensue from a dependance on a number of persons for supplies, and submit it to the consideration of the Congress, whether the publick service will not be best promoted by appointing a Commissary-General for these purposes. We have a striking instance of the preference of such a mode in the establishment of Connecticut, as their Troops are extremely well furnished under the direction of Mr. Trumbull, and he has at different times assisted others with various articles. Should my sentiments happily coincide with those of your Honours on this subject, I beg leave to recommend Mr. Trumbull as a very proper person for this department.

In the arrangement of Troops collected under such circumstances, and upon the spur of immediate necessity, several appointments are omitted, which appear to be indispensably necessary for the good government of the Army, particularly a Quartermaster-General, a Commissary of Musters, and a Commissary of Artillery. These I must earnestly recommend to the notice and provision of the Congress.

I find myself already much embarrassed for want of a military chest. These embarrassments will increase every day. I must, therefore, request that money may be forwarded as soon as possible. The want of this most necessary article will, I fear, produce great inconveniences, if not prevented by an early attention.

I find the Army in general, and the Troops raised in Massachusetts in particular, very deficient in necessary clothing. Upon inquiry, there appears no probability of obtaining any supplies in this quarter. And on the best consideration of this matter I am able to form, I am of opinion that a number of hunting shirts, not less than ten thousand, would in a great degree remove this difficulty in the cheapest and quickest manner. I know nothing, in a speculative view, more trivial; yet, if put in practice, would have a happier tendency to unite the men, and abolish those provincial distinctions which lead to jealousy and dissatisfaction.

In a former part of this letter I mentioned the want of Engineers; I can hardly express the disappointment I have experienced on this subject, the skill of those we have being very imperfect, and confined to the mere manual exercise of cannon; whereas, the war in which we are engaged requires a knowledge comprehending the duties of the field and fortification. If any persons thus qualified are to be found in the Southern Colonies, it would be of great publick service to forward them with all expedition.

Upon the article of ammunition I must re-echo the former complaints on this subject. We are so exceedingly destitute, that our artillery will be of little use, without a supply both large and seasonable. What we have must be reserved for the small-arms, and that managed with the utmost frugality.

I am sorry to observe that the appointments of the General Officers in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay have by no means corresponded with the judgment and wishes of either the civil or military. The great dissatisfaction expressed on this subject, and the apparent danger of throwing the Army into the utmost disorder, together with the strong representations of the Provincial Congress, have induced me to retain the commissions in my hands, until the pleasure of the Congress should be further known, except General Putnam’s, which was given the day I came into camp, and before I was apprized of these uneasinesses. In such a step, I must beg the Congress will do me the justice to believe, that I have been actuated solely by a regard to the publick good. I have not, nor could have any private attachments; every gentleman in appointment was an entire stranger to me, but from character; I must, therefore, rely upon the candour of the Congress for their favourable construction of my conduct in this particular. General Spencer was so much disgusted at the preference given to General Putnam, that he left the Army without visiting me, or making known his intentions in any respect. General Pomeroy had also retired before my arrival, occasioned, as is said, by some disappointment from the Provincial Congress. General Thomas is much esteemed, and earnestly desired to continue in the service; and as far as my opportunities have enabled me to judge, I must join in the general opinion that he is an able, good officer, and his resignation would be a publick loss. The postponing him to Pomeroy and Heath, whom he has commanded, would make his continuance very difficult, and probably operate on his mind, as the like circumstance has done on that of Spencer.

The state of the Army you will find ascertained with tolerable precision in the returns which accompany this letter. Upon finding the number of men to fall so far short of the establishment, and below all expectation, I immediately called a council. of the General Officers, whose opinion as to the mode of filling up the Regiments, and providing for the present exigency, I have the honour of enclosing, together with the best judgment we are able to form of the Ministerial Troops. From the number of boys, deserters, and negroes which have been listed in the Troops of this Province, I entertain some doubts whether the number required can be raised here; and all the General Officers agree that no dependance can be put in the Militia for a continuance in camp, or regularity and discipline during the short time they may stay. This unhappy and devoted Province has been so long in a state of anarchy, and the yoke of Ministerial oppression been laid so heavily on it, that great allowances are to be made for troops raised under such circumstances. The deficiency of numbers, discipline, and stores, can only lead to this conclusion, that their spirit has exceeded their strength. But at the same time, I would