service in each company, with all possible despatch. You will also be pleased to inform the Congress when you expect your Regiment will be complete, and ready to take the field. We pray you to give all possible despatch in this business; the present circumstances admit of no delay. The sooner your answer and return can be received, the more acceptable it will be.

We are, Sir, your very humble servants. By order of the Committee.

JOHN LAMB TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

New-York, July 17, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: As several inconveniences will arise from the present arrangement respecting the artillery company which I am appointed to command, I must beg leave to point out the most material of them for your consideration, in order that they may be removed, if possible, as they will inevitably impede the publick service. Artillery companies, in every country, are always looked upon in a superiour light to other foot companies; for which reason men of reputation, and such as are qualified for that department, do not incline to enlist in the battalions, from an apprehension (which I have not been able to remove by all the arguments in my power) that they will not be draughted into the artillery, and consequently will be obliged to serve under the command of the captain with whom they have enlisted; besides they think it a disgrace to appear in the ranks with such men as too often compose the companies of foot. If the artillery company is to be draughted from the battalions in the manner proposed, I must be constrained to choose them solely for their appearance and bodily strength, without having the least opportunity of knowing either their characters or principles, or whether they are qualified for the department in which they are to serve; although it is essentially necessary that I should have some knowledge of those circumstances previous to their joining the company. Another great inconveniency I conceive will arise, in regard to their clothing, if they are not to be draughted before the battalions are complete, as I must consequently have a number of men in different uniforms, it being more than probable that they will be draughted out of different battalions.

As there is no artillery companies in the service of Connecticut, it is the more necessary that ours should be immediately formed, in order that the men may be instructed in the several parts of their duty, and the necessary stores be prepared, that we may be ready to act, when and where the publick service may require.

For these reasons, and to obviate the inconveniences which I have pointed out, (especially as none of the battalions are near being completed,) I have thought proper to submit it to your better judgment, whether such an alteration in the arrangement should not be immediately made as will give me an opportunity of enlisting my own men, and forming the company as soon as possible. And as there is a distinction always held up between the artillery and companies of foot, I must beg leave to request that the clothing for the men may be better than that of the other companies, and that it may be blue with buff facings.

I am, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

JOHN LAMB.

To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Province of New-York.

ALBANY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Albany Committee Chamber, July 17, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Enclosed you have four letters, three from Captain Edmunston to different persons in Europe, which we had appointed a Committee to peruse, who report that they judge it proper they should be sent open to the Provincial Congress for their inspection. The other is a letter from Colonel Guy Johnson, which we received with a verbal license to open it, which we have presumed to do, and have even taken upon us to give General Schuyler a copy thereof, which we hope you will put the best construction upon.

We are, Gentlemen, your very humble servants. By order of Committee,

ABRAHAM YATES, JR.

To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Lebanon, July 17, 1775.

SIR: On the first instant I met the honourable Assembly of this Colony, to deliberate on the request and pressing reasons sent us from the Massachusetts, for an immediate augmentation of the troops from this Colony. Our Assembly agreed to augment with two Regiments, of seven hundred men each, who are now raising to join the Continental Army. It was wished that we could have had the advice and direction of the Congress, or your Excellency, before we took this step, but thought the present critical situation of our affairs would not admit the delay of obtaining it. Since your arrival at the camp before Boston, view and consideration of their situation and circumstances, shall gladly be advised, and shall attend your request for hastening and marching the men.

There are thirteen hundred and ninety-one barrels of flour come to the care of Colonel Frederick Huntington, at Norwich, for the use of the Army, which I have ordered forward. The busy season with the farmers renders its transportation difficult. Please to advise of the need of the hurry, and where it shall be ordered to be delivered.

Our Assembly supplied Major-Gen. Schuyler with fifteen thousand Pounds in cash, and forty half barrels of another necessary article. Accounts from the northward are favourable. The Brig Nancy Thomas, Davis master, which arrived at Stonington with molasses, is removed to Norwich; she hath on board eighteen or nineteen thousand gallons. The Committee of Inspection and Correspondence I trust will take proper care respecting both vessel and cargo.

The road by my door being the nearest for post-riding from Cambridge to Philadelphia, shall be obliged, whenever your Excellency has occasion to send to that City, if the rider may be directed this way, and to call on me for the convenience of my despatches I may have occasion to forward by him. Fessenden has passed this way more than once.

I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, July 17, 1775.

SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the tenth instant, which came per Bennet. Per same hand I received a letter from Colonel Hinman, at Ticonderoga, in which he says, “There are many things which the Act of Assembly provides for the soldiers, which they never have as yet received, which occasions murmurings and discontent among them, and much weakens my authority.” Copy of the Act of our Assembly has been forwarded some time ago to the Provincial Convention of New-York; our Commissary, Mr. Elisha Phelps, has also a copy. If New-York does not supply our Troops, as they have a right to expect, this Colony must fulfil their engagements themselves; pray your interposition in this matter.

I have received from Colonel Hinman and others, very favourable accounts of the disposition of the Canadians towards the general cause, and their desire that our Army might penetrate into their Province. Suppose you are fully acquainted with this intelligence, shall therefore only trouble you with some information I have received from Captain John Bigelow, a gentleman of Hartford, who was lately sent by our Assembly into Canada, as an escort to some ladies taken at Skenesborough, whom we thought proper to return to their friends in that Province. He is returned, and informs there are about three hundred and fifty of the King’s Troops at St. John’s, one hundred at Montreal, and forty at Chambly. Those at St. John’s keep a good look out; have picketed in an acre or two of ground, in which they have some field-pieces not yet mounted. He understands there were a number of batteaus, and two floating batteries, buildings just below St. John’s. The officers boasted to him the number of Canadians and Indians they were able to raise, but he says it is certain they are not sure of one man. Wheat is six and six pence, sterling money, per bushel, and is almost all purchased for the King’s Troops at Boston and Canada. Was informed