CONNECTICUT COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Wednesday, October 4, 1775.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safety, at Lebanon, Present:

His Honour the Governour, Jabez Huntington, Samuel Huntington, Joshua West, Jedediah Elderkin, Benjamin Huntington, Esquires.

Doctor Penuel Cheeney is appointed Physician and Surgeon to the Third Regiment of Forces raised for the defence of this Colony, with wages at seven Pounds ten Shillings per month. Gave orders to Doctor Cheeney to take Medicines for the use of said Regiment, to the value of ten Pounds, and to draw on the Committee of Pay Table for the payment thereof.

Monday, October 9, 1775.

At a meeting of the Governour and Committee of Safety, at Lebanon, Present:

His Honour the Governour, his Honour the Deputy-Governour, Jabez Huntington, Samuel Huntington, Jedediah Elderkin, Benjamin Huntington, Esquires.

Captain Hall, of the Brig Minerva, at the request of the Continental Congress, is ordered on a cruise with said Brig, which this Committee hath given orders for, in pursuance of the directions of Congress, as per Mr. President Hancock’s Letter, of October 5, 1775.

Captain Jeremiah Wadsworth is appointed and directed to supply said Brig with all the necessary Provisions and Warlike Stores for said cruise, as per his order appears.

Gave an order to Captain Wadsworth, on Mr. Nathaniel Shaw, Jun., for six hundred weight of Powder, for the use of the Minerva on her cruise; and also gave Captain Wadsworth directions to furnish said Brig with Stores and Provisions for six months.

An Answer is given by his Honour the Governour to a Letter from the President of the Congress of New-York, of the 6th instant, requesting Powder, that we are not able at present to give any aid in that article.

Voted, That an order be drawn in favour of Captain Niles, on the Committee of the Pay Table, for one hundred and fifty Pounds, for the use of the Schooner Spy. (Order given 9th October, by Mr. Huntington.)

The Honourable M. Griswold, Esq., is appointed and commissioned, in behalf of his Honour the Governour, to meet a Committee of the Congress, and other gentlemen, appointed to confer and consult with General Washington, at Cambridge, on the 12th day of October instant, on matters of importance, &c., pursuant to appointment of Congress, &c.

Gave an order to Capt. Jeremiah Wadsworth, on Committee of Pay Table, for two thousand Pounds, in Continental Bills, to be lent to Captain Wadsworth, and be by him replaced.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR-GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Camp at Cambridge, October 4, 1775,

SIR: Your favour of the 20th ultimo came safely to hand, and I should have despatched the express much sooner, but Colonel 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 enclosure No. 1 is a copy of his letter to me. No. 2 is a copy also of a paper sent me, being the report of a reconnoitring party sent out some time ago. You will certainly hear from him soon, as I have given him the strongest injunctions on this head. Enclosed, 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 through Canada. He is supplied with one thousand Pounds, lawful money, in specie, to answer his contingent charges.

About eight days ago, a brig, from Quebeck to Boston, was taken and brought into Cape Ann. By some intercepted letters from Captain Gamble to General Gage and Major Shirreff, the account of the temper of the Canadians in the American cause is fully confirmed. The Captain says, that if Quebeck should be attacked before Carleton can throw himself into it, there will be a surrender without firing a shot. We most anxiously hope you will find sufficient employ for Carleton at St. John’s and its neighbourhood.

We at last have the echo of Bunker Hill from England. The number of killed and wounded, by General Gage’s account, nearly corresponds with what we had, viz: one thousand one hundred. There does not seem the least probability of a change of measures or of Ministers. Gen. Gage is recalled from Boston, and sails to-morrow. He is succeeded by General Howe. We have had no material occurrences since I had the pleasure of writing you last. Our principal employ for the present is preparing for the winter, as there seems to be no probability of an accommodation, or any such decision as to make the present Army less necessary. I also send you a copy of a letter given Col. Arnold, to be communicated to the officers and soldiers.

The accounts we have of your health give us great concern, not only on your own account, but that of the publick 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, and safety, I am, dear Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major-General Schuyler, Northern Department.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CAPTAIN DANIEL MORGAN.

Camp at Cambridge, October 4, 1775.

SIR: I write you in consequence of information I have received, that you and the Captains of the Rifle Companies on the detachment against Quebeck, claim an exemption from the command of all the field-officers, except Colonel Arnold. I understand that this claim is founded upon some expressions 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 and authority, which, I am sure, you would not wish or expect. Now the mistake is rectified, I trust you will exert yourself to support my intentions, ever remembering, that by the same rule that you claim an independent command, and break in upon military authority, others will do the same by you, and in consequence the expedition must terminate in shame and disgrace to yourselves, and the reproach and detriment of your Country. To a man of true spirit and military character, further argument is unnecessary. I shall therefore recommend you to preserve the utmost harmony among yourselves, to which a due subordination will much contribute; and wishing you all health and success, I remain your very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Captain Daniel Morgan, of Rifle Corps.

INSTRUCTIONS TO COLONEL GLOVER AND MR. MOYLAN.

Camp at Cambridge, October 4, 1775.

His Excellency having resolved to equip two armed vessels, has empowered you to negotiate this business, in which the following directions are to be observed:

1st. That the vessels be approved sailers, and as well found as possible.

2d. That you have an appraisement made of them by indifferent people.

3d. That you agree, at as reasonable a rate as you can, for the hire of the vessels, and, if possible, procure the cannon and swivels on loan, and if not, purchase them at the cheapest rate per month.

4th. If you cannot equip them suitably at Salem or Marblehead, one of you proceed to Newburyport, where there are several vessels and sundry cannon provided, suitable for this purpose.

5th. You are, as soon as possible, to send down proper directions for the making of the cartridges and providing ammunition, and a list of what will be wanted.

6th. You are to nominate some suitable person at Cape Ann, Marblehead, and such 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, and the list of the cargoes, 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; and let them be persons of approved good character and known substance. All agreements, &c., to be put in writing.