per week, for the lodging, diet, &c., of the sick; though I am told that three Pounds ten Shillings has been a standing price for riding a load from Albany to the lake, and is paid by the other Commissaries; and the accustomed price for the board of a sick person, per week, I well know to be from sixteen to twenty Shillings, as I have inoculated many, and never had any boarded under sixteen. After what 1 have said, I need not tell you that I think matters are conducted in an uncertain, fluctuating manner. I would therefore crave your Honour’s particular instructions relative to the Connecticut forces that are under my care, or that may stand in need of medical aid in passing this place.

I am, Sir, with due respect, your Honour’s obedient humble servant,

JO. YOUNG.

To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq.

N. B. General Wooster has left the sick of his Regiment under my care.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO COLONEL JOHN GLOVER AND STEPHEN MOYLAN.

Camp at Cambridge, October 16, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Col. Glover’s letter of the 15th inst. came safe to hand. Captain Broughton and Captain Selman have their orders, and must be immediately despatched. The price you mention for bread is monstrous; but there must be no delay. If the flour is not come in from Portsmouth, you must do as well as you can; but if it is, we hope you need not submit to such terms. Let the agent take care to reserve a suitable quantity for the vessels, when it does arrive. Captain Glover will have the seventh vessel fitted out, but the General fears he is too young; he has agreed to be second in command under Manley, for a little time. The experience he will gain will enable him to take the first command afterwards with more honour.

I am, Gentlemen, yours, &c.,

JOSEPH REED.

To Col. J. Glover and S. Moylan, Esq., Marblehead.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CAPT. NICHOLSON BROUGHTON.

[Additional Instructions.]

Head-Quarters, October 16, 1775.

SIR: The honourable Continental Congress having received intelligence that two north country brigantines, of no force, sailed from England some time ago for Quebeck, laden with six thousand stands of arms, a large quantity of powder, and other stores, you are hereby directed to make all possible despatch for the River St. Lawrence, and there to take such a station as will best enable you to intercept the above vessels.

2d. You are also to seize and take any other transports, laden with men, ammunition, clothing, or other stores, for the use of the Ministerial Army or Navy in America, and secure them in such places as may be most safe and convenient.

3d. The other armed schooner, named the Lynch, and commanded by Captain Selman, is to be under your general command; but you are to advise and concert with him the proper station and the proper time to continue this service.

4th. You are to endeavour, if possible, to discover whether the above vessels have passed by; if they have, you are not to return, but keep the station as long as the season will admit. As there is a great probability that Quebeck will fall into our hands in a very short time, it may be expected that not only the above ordnance vessels, but others from Quebeck and Montreal, may come down and fall into our hands.

5th. As there may be men of war at Newfoundland, you are so to conduct as to prevent being discovered by them, or any intelligence given of your station.

6th. Whatever vessels you may meet, bound in or out of the River St. Lawrence, which you have reason to believe are in the service of the Ministerial Army, or conveying any stores to them, of provisions, or of any other nature, you are to endeavour to seize, though they should not be transports regularly engaged by Government.

7th. For your encouragement, and that of the officers and men under your command, you will receive one third part of the value of any prizes you may take, as well military stores as the hulls of such vessels, nothing being excepted but the wearing apparel and private stock of the Captains and other officers and passengers of such prizes.

8th. Should you meet with any vessel, the property of the inhabitants of Canada, not employed in any respect in the service of the Ministerial Army, you are to treat such vessel with all kindness, and by no means suffer them to be injured or molested.

I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Captain Nicholson Broughton.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CAPTAIN JOHN SELMAN.

[Additional Instructions.]

Head-Quarters, October 16, 1775.

SIR: The honourable Continental Congress having received intelligence that two north country brigantines, of no force, sailed from England some time ago, for Quebeck, laden with six thousand stands of arms, a large quantity of powder, and other stores, you are hereby directed to make all possible despatch for the River St. Lawrence, and there to take such a station as will best enable you to intercept the above vessels.

2d. You are also to seize and take any other transports laden with arms, ammunition, clothing, or other stores, for the use of the Ministerial Army or Navy in America, and secure them in such places as may be most safe and convenient.

3d. You are to consider Captain Broughton as your Commodore, and to keep company with him till you arrive at the proper station. You are to consult together upon the proper places to cruise, your signals, &c., and to agree upon the proper time to continue this service.

4th. You are to endeavour, if possible, to discover whether the above vessels have passed by; if they have, you are not to return, but keep the station as long as the season will admit. As there is a great probability that Quebeck will fall into our hands in a very short time, it may be expected that not only the above ordnance vessels, but others from Quebeck and Montreal, may come down and fall into our hands.

5th. As there may be men of war at Newfoundland, you are so to conduct as to prevent being discovered by them, or any intelligence given of your station.

6th. Whatever vessels you may meet, bound in or out of the River St. Lawrence, which you have reason to believe are in the service of the Ministerial Army, or conveying any stores to them of provisions, or of any other nature, you are to endeavour to seize, though they should not be transports regularly engaged by Government.

7th. For your encouragement, and that of the officers and men under your command, you will receive one third part of the value of any prizes you may take, as well military stores as the hulls of such vessels, nothing being excepted but the wearing apparel and private stock of the Captain, other officers, and passengers of such prizes.

8th. Should you meet with any vessel, the property of the inhabitants of Canada, not employed in any respect in the service of the Ministerial Army, you are to treat such vessel with all kindness, and by no means suffer them to be injured or molested.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Captain John Selman.

GENERAL GREENE TO GOVERNOUR WARD.

Prospect-Hill, October 16, 1775.

It gives me great pleasure to hear that the troops from Rhode-Island stand as high in publick esteem as the troops of the neighbouring Colonies. I have spared no pains, night or day, to teach them their duty. How far I have succeeded, I leave to his Excellency to say. Col. Varnum and Col. Hitchcock are excellent disciplinarians.....knows nothing about it, and never will.

With regard to paying the troops part of their wages, and the Committee part, it will be productive of a multitude of inconveniences. The Colonels can retain part of their wages for their families at home; the people may give orders to those who supply their families, to receive