the defence of the Colony, which, by the latest accounts from England, will prove a salutary measure. I am also pleased to find that the manufacture of arms and ammunition has been attended to with so much care. A plenty of these, and unanimity and fortitude among ourselves, must defeat every attempt that the Ministry can invent to enslave this great Continent. In the manufacturing of arms for publick use, great care should be taken to make the bores of the same size, that the same balls may answer; otherwise, great disadvantages may arise from a mixture of cartridges.

The enemy, by their not coming out, are, I suppose, afraid of us, whilst their situation renders any attempts of ours upon them in a manner impracticable. Nothing new has happened since my last worth communicating. Since finishing our own lines of defence, we, as well as the enemy, have been busily employed in putting our men under proper cover for the winter. Our advanced works and theirs are within musket-shot of each other. We are obliged to submit to an almost daily cannonade, without returning a shot, from our scarcity of powder, which we are necessitated to keep for closer work than cannon distance, whenever the red coat gentry please to step out of their intrenchments. Seeing no prospect of this, I sent a detachment, about a month ago, into Canada, by the way of Kennebeck River, under the command of a Colonel Arnold. This detachment consisted of one thousand men, and was ordered to take possession of Quebeck, if possible; but, at any rate, to make a diversion in favour of General Schuyler, who, by this time, is in possession, I trust, of Montreal and St. John’s, as I am not altogether without hopes that Colonel Arnold may be of the Capital. Finding that we were in no danger of a visit from our neighbours, I have fitted out and am fitting out several privateers, with soldiers, who have been bred to the sea; and I have no doubt of making captures of several of their transports, some of which have already fallen into our hands, laden with provisions.

I am obliged to you for your advice to my wife, and for your intention of visiting her. Seeing no great prospect of returning to my family and friends this winter, I have sent an invitation to Mrs. Washington to come to me, although I fear the season is too far advanced to admit this, with any tolerable degree of convenience, especially if she should, when my letters get home, be in New-Kent, as I believe the case will be. I have laid before her a state of the difficulties, however, which must attend the journey, and left it to her own choice.

My love to my sister and the little ones is sincerely tendered, and I am, with true regard, your most affectionate brother,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To John Augustine Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Camp at Cambridge, October 13, 1775.

SIR: I am favoured with yours of the 10th, and am sorry it so happened, that the proposed scheme of intercepting the enemy’s ordnance stores cannot have your assistance. The experience your officers and men have had, by an earlier attention to sea service, would have made them very acceptable on the proposed enterprise.

The fleet which sailed out of Boston a few days ago, and of which I apprized you on the 6th instant, has been seen standing N. N. E., from which we suppose they are destined against some Town of this Province, or New-Hampshire, or possibly to Quebeck.

We have had no occurrence of any consequence in the camp since I had the pleasure of writing you last. I find the Delegates did not expect to leave Philadelphia till the 6th instant, so that their arrival here will be later than at first proposed. I expect the pleasure of seeing you shortly, and am, with much regard and esteem, yours, &c,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Cooke, Rhode-Island.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRDMBULL.

Camp at Cambridge, October 13, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 9th instant has been duly received. The fleet mentioned in mine of the 6th instant has been standing N. N. E.; so that we presume it is destined against some Town of this Province, or New-Hampshire, or possibly gone to Quebeck.

Our last advices were very favourable from Col. Arnold. By the 20th instant we expect he will be at Quebeck. A gentleman of character, from Canada, assures me he will meet with no opposition there.

I am sorry other avocations will deprive me of the pleasure of seeing you in camp at the proposed conference. I hope, upon some other occasion, you will do us the favour of a visit. I shall be happy in every opportunity to manifest my respect and regard for the Government of Connecticut.

No occurrence of any consequence in either camp since my last. In my last letter from the Congress, it is mentioned that the armed vessels of Connecticut will be sent on a special service, with which you are acquainted. In your next you will please to inform me whether they may be expected to proceed in that enterprise. Two will proceed from hence with all expedition. Governour Cooke informs me he can give us no assistance in it.

I am, with much respect and esteem, your Honour’s most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull, Connecticut.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO CAPT. EPHRAIM BOWEN, JUN.

Head-Quarters, October 13, 1775.

SIR: His Excellency having determined to equip an armed vessel out of Plymouth, has empowered you to negotiate this business, in which you are to observe the following directions:

1st. You are to inquire for Captain Daniel Adams, who went down a few days ago to set the carpenters at work upon his schooner. You are to inquire in Plymouth what character she has as a sailer; if not a good one, take up one instead of her, which can be well recommended. If she is a stranger in the port, and nothing said against her, proceed in fitting her out.

2d. Apply to the gentlemen of the Committee to nominate proper persons to appraise the vessel; the appraisement, when made, to be sent to Head-Quarters.

3d. The hire of the vessel to be agreed for with the owner, at a sum not exceeding five shillings sterling per month per ton; the owner to fit her up with sails suitable for the service, particularly topsails.

4th. You are to endeavour to get guns, both carriage and swivel, at Plymouth, upon loan, if possible; their value to be paid; if left in the service, the General to pay for them.

5th. You are, as soon as possible, to send down formers, and proper directions for making cartridges suitable for the guns.

6th. Go by Watertown, and apply to Colonel Warren to nominate a proper person as agent to procure provisions for one month for fifty men, and to manage such prizes as may be sent in, instructing him to give as early information as possible of all captures, and a list of the cargo, as far as he can do it from papers. This person, when fixed upon by you, to receive further instructions from Head-Quarters, and to receive the same commission as other agents at Salem and Marblehead, for the like service. If Col. Warren is not at Watertown, you must take the advice of the Committee on this business. He is to be a person of approved good character and known substance. All agreements you make to be put in writing.

7th. All agreements made by you, in this service, the General will ratify and confirm. You are to let us know, by the first good opportunity, what prospects you have of getting the vessel ready, and what guns you can get.

8th. Keep a journal* of your proceedings, and an account of all your expenses, to be rendered on your return.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

JOSEPH REED, Secretary.

To Captain Ephraim Bowen, Jun.

* PLYMOUTH,October 15, 1775.—Went to Kingston, to see Captain Adams, who promised to have his vessel down to Plymouth at five o’clock.

16.—Waited on William Watson, Esq., one of the Committee, with the letter, who engages to supply the provisions, and take charge of any prizes that may be sent in here. Waited on the Committee with the letter from Head-Quarters, who engaged to give their assistance. Examined