7th. All contracts entered into by you jointly, when together, or separately in case one should go to Newbury, the General will ratify and confirm.

8th. As soon as either of the vessels are in such forwardness as to be ready to sail in a few days, you are to send notice to Head-Quarters, that the officers and men may march down.

I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO COLONEL BENEDICT ARNOLD.

Camp at Cambridge, October 4, 1775.

SIR: I have his Excellency’s directions to acknowledge your favour of the 25th September, by Lieutenant Gray. He approves of your disposition, and the order of your march, and hopes you will keep ever in your mind the lateness of the season, and the necessity of making the utmost despatch.

By letters from General Schuyler, of the 20th September, he was at the Isle-aux-Noix, waiting for artillery and supplies of men and provisions. A detachment which he sent to take post between Montreal and St. John’s did not behave so well as could be wished, upon which they were called in, and the whole Army is at the above island, where they expect to stay some time, but not probably to exceed a few days.

The accounts of the Canadians and Indians are extremely favourable, and we are every moment in expectation of hearing something decisive. The General begs that you would have as speedy a communication as possible, and that you will inform General Schuyler of all your motions. The General does not recollect exempting the Rifle Companies from the command of all superior officers, and is far from intending any such exemption, as it would naturally give disgust to those officers, and be extremely prejudicial to the service. He has, therefore, wrote himself to Captain Morgan, in such terms as will put an end to this claim. The harmony which prevails among the officers of this detachment is extremely agreeable, and it is hoped that this circumstance will not disturb it. As the honour and success of the enterprise depend on preserving a good agreement among yourselves, his Excellency desires you to cultivate it in every shape.

By a brig from Quebeck for Boston, (taken eight days ago, in three weeks from the former,) we understand that the whole force is drawn from Quebeck to St. John’s, and that, in its present situation, it must fall into your hands without firing a shot; that there is a great magazine of powder and other warlike stores at Quebeck, and the French inhabitants and English merchants most favourably disposed to the American cause. We have also some intercepted letters from some officers at Quebeck, to Gen. Gage and others, confirming our former accounts of the Canadians.

We hope this delay by General Schuyler will be a happy circumstance for you, as it may keep Carleton engaged at St. John’s; whereas, by his returning from thence, and throwing himself into Quebeck, your enterprise would most probably be defeated. At present there is not a single Regular at Quebeck; nor have they the least suspicion of any danger from any other quarter than Gen. Schuyler.

We have had no remarkable occurrences in our camp. Gen. Gage is ordered home, and sails to-morrow. Gen. Howe succeeds. We have the echo of Bunker’s Hill from England, but it does not seem to have wrought any change of men or measures; nor does there appear any disposition of that kind. If any opportunity offers to give us an account of your motions, you will not fail to do it.

Wishing you all possible honour to yourself, and success to your Country, I remain, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

J. REED.

‘To Colonel Benedict Arnold.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO THE COMMITTEES OF SALEM AND GLOUCESTER.

Camp at Cambridge, October 4, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I am directed by his Excellency General Washington, to inform you that he has referred the disposal of the cargo of the vessel lately taken within your District, to the General Court of this Colony, to whom he has also recommended the brave captors for a suitable compensation. He now proposes to equip the vessels as ships of war, and immediately to send them on a cruise; or, if these vessels are not fit for the service, to exchange them for others, for which purpose he has despatched Colonel Glover; and as it will not only be a protection for the coast, but probably greatly distress the enemy, his Excellency requests your kind assistance to Colonel Glover in managing this business.

I am, by his Excellency’s orders, most respectfully, Gentlemen, your obedient humble servant,

J. REED.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO COLONEL JOHN GLOVER.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 4, 1775.

SIR: The vote of the General Court is at length received, but in such terms and in such a manner that his Excellency the General does not choose to meddle with either of the vessels. You will, therefore, on receipt of this, take two other vessels, the most suitable for our purpose, upon the best terms you can. Let them be prime sailers, put them into the best order, and lose no time. A great number of transports are hourly expected at Boston, from England and elsewhere. If you cannot equip them with guns suitable from Salem, by going to Newburyport you may find not only a suitable vessel, but have your choice of guns for the purpose. As you may have more men upon your hands than you will be able to manage, Mr. Moylan, the Muster-Master General, is associated with you in this business; and whatever engagements are entered into by you and Mr. Moylan, when you may happen to be together, or by either, in case one goes to Newbury, the General will fully ratify and confirm.

I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

J. REED.

To Colonel John Glover, Marblehead.

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Winter Hill, October 4, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Your favour of the 28th ultimo is now before me. I am extremely sorry that you have had such unexpected trouble about the New-Hampshire Forces. I am well apprized of your original contract, and suppose there would not have been any difficulty, had it not arisen from the adoption of the Army by the Continent, and the general orders for the Colonies to pay their Troops up to the 4th of August; which the other Colonies complying with, and the New-Hampshire neglecting, caused the uneasiness among the soldiers. I suppose the orders were not seasonably made known to you, which may, perhaps, be in some measure my fault; but it being more peculiarly their province to acquaint you, I left it with them, especially as my hurry would scarcely permit me to write a line. I know General Washington thought of paying them off with Continental money; but that not coming to hand, he found a failure of his promise, and disorders would be inevitable, unless some of the Colonies could advance the money for their Troops. He applied to me. I told him I supposed our Colony could do it as well as not, as it would eventually be only exchanging your money for Continental money. He also required that the several Colonies should clear off with those men up to the 4th of August, and after that the Continent was to pay them and reimburse the Colonies. This occasioned the postscript in my letter, in favour of those who went with Colonel Arnold; and sure I am that no difficulty could arise, as the money carries no interest, and you are to receive Continental money for all you advance; therefore, I might well be excused in telling General Washington that New-Hampshire could and would as willingly do it as Connecticut and Rhode-Island. You ask me where the great defect has been. I never said it laid with you, but that there was a defect somewhere; and I think you have, without my assistance, been pleased to point it out.

You say that the general orders were not made known to you, which surely the Committee ought to have done; and had I suspected they would have been deficient in their