My instructions from the honourable Congress direct, that no Troops are to be disbanded without their express direction, nor to be recruited to more than double the number of the enemy. Upon this subject I beg leave to represent, that unless the Regiments in this Province are more successful in recruiting than I have reason to expect, a reduction of some of them will be highly necessary, as the publick are put to the whole expense of an establishment of officers, while the real strength of the Regiment, which consists in the rank and file, is defective. In case of such a reduction, doubtless some of the privates, and all the officers, would return home; but many of the former would go into the remaining Regiments, and, having had some experience, would fill them up with useful men. I so plainly perceive the expense of this campaign will exceed any calculation hitherto made, that I am particularly anxious to strike off every unnecessary charge. You will therefore, Sir, be pleased to favour me with explicit directions from the Congress on the mode of this reduction, if it shall appear necessary, that no time may be lost when such necessity appears.

Yesterday we had an account that the light-house was on fire, by whom, and under what orders, I have not yet learned; but we have reason to believe it has been done by some of our irregulars.

You will please to present me to the Congress with the utmost duty and respect; and believe me to be, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

P. S. Captain Darby’s stay in England was so short that he brings no other information than what the enclosed letter, and the newspapers which will accompany this, contain. General Gage’s despatches had not arrived, and the Ministry affected to disbelieve the whole account, treating it as a fiction, or, at most, an affair of little consequence. The fall of Stocks was very inconsiderable.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

Cambridge Camp, July 21, 1775, Five o’clock, P. M.

SIR: Since closing the letters which accompany this, I have received an account of the destruction of the Light-house, a copy of which I have the honour to enclose, and of again assuring you that I am, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

P. S. I have also received a more authentick account of the loss of the enemy in the late battle, than any yet received. Doctor Winship, who lodged in the same house with an officer of the Marines, assures me they had exactly one thousand and forty-three killed and wounded, of whom three hundred fell on the field, or died within a few hours; many of the wounded are since dead.

G. W.

ORDERS BY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 15, 1775.

The Commanding Officers of each Regiment to report the names of such men, in their respective corps, as are most expert in the management of whale-boats.

When any commissioned or non-commissioned officer is sent upon any detachment or duty of honour or fatigue, or to see the execution of any particular work, he is, so soon as the service is performed, to make a report thereof to his commanding officer.

It being found advantageous to the publick service to remove sundry horned cattle and sheep from the ground upon which they were grazing near Chelsea, (to prevent their falling into the enemy’s hands,) it is earnestly recommended to the several Commissaries, to purchase such of them as are fit for slaughter, of the owners, in order that they may suffer the least loss possible from the unavoidable necessity of removing them from the rapacious claws of our enemies.

Colonel Gridley, Chief Engineer, is desired to report what chevaux-de-frise are made, and what forwardness those are in that are now making. It is necessary those upon hand be completed without delay.

Notwithstanding the orders already given, the General hears with astonishment that not only soldiers, but officers unauthorized, are continually conversing with the officers and sentries of the enemy. Any officer, non-commissioned officer, or soldier, or any person whatsoever, who is detected holding any conversation, or carrying on any correspondence with any of the officers or sentries of the advanced posts of the enemy, will be immediately brought before a General Court-Martial, and punished with the utmost severity. The General is alone to judge of the propriety of any intercourse with the enemy, and no one else is to presume to interfere.

The Chief Engineer, Colonel Gridley, to order an Engineer and a Field-Officer of Artillery to go round the lines and redoubts to examine if the guns are placed properly in the embrasures, and if the embrasures are properly made, and properly sloped towards the country. The Engineer and Artillery Officer to report to the Commander-in-Chief as soon as they have obeyed this order.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 16, 1775.

The Continental Congress having earnestly recommended, that “Thursday next, the 20th instant, be observed by the inhabitants of all the English Colonies upon this Continent as a day of publick humiliation, fasting, and prayer, that they may with united hearts and voice unfeignedly confess their sins before God, and supplicate the all-wise and merciful disposer of events to avert the desolation and calamities of an unnatural war,” the General orders that day to be religiously observed by the forces under his command, exactly in manner directed by the Proclamation of the Continental Congress. It is therefore strictly enjoined on all officers and soldiers (not upon duty) to attend divine service, at the accustomed places of worship, as well in the lines as the encampments and quarters; and it is expected, that all those who go to worship do take their arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, and are prepared for immediate action, if called upon. If, in the judgment of the officers, the works should appear to be in such forwardness as the utmost security of the camp requires, they will command their men to abstain from all labour upon that solemn day.

It was with much surprise and concern that the General, in passing along the New-Hampshire lines yesterday, observed a most wanton, mischievous, and unprofitable abuse of property, in the destruction of many valuable trees, which were standing along the side of the road, out of the way of our works or guns; he therefore orders, that an effective stop be put to such practices for the future, or severe punishment will fall upon the transgressors of this order.

William Palfrey, Esquire, is appointed Aid-de-Camp to Major-General Lee; all orders, whether written or verbal, coming from General Lee, and delivered by Captain Palfrey, are to be punctually obeyed.

A particular Return, to be delivered to the Adjutant-General to-morrow at orderly time, of the Regiment of Artillery, distinguishing how every man and officer in that corps is at present employed, and where posted.

Head-Quarters, July 17, 1775.

There is reason to apprehend, that the General Orders are not regularly published to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Army. As pleading ignorance of orders will not for the future be admitted in excuse of any delinquency, it is once more ordered, that the Adjutants of the several corps will be exact in seeing the orders read every evening to the men off duty, of their respective corps, as they may depend upon answering before a Court-Martial for any neglect in obeying this order.

The General Court-Martial, whereof Col. John Nixon is President, to sit again to-morrow morning at eight o’clock, to try such prisoners as shall be brought before them; all evidences and persons concerned to attend the Court.

There being a great neglect in sending in the Returns to the Adjutant-General, as directed by the General Orders of Friday last, (especially from the Regiments posted in and near Roxbury,) the General assures Commanding