our camp for some time, our whole attention being taken up in preparation for the winter, and forming the new Army, in which many difficulties occur. The enemy expect considerable re-enforcements this winter, and, from all accounts, are garrisoning Gibraltar and other places with foreign troops, in order to bring the former garrison to America. The Ministry have begun the destruction of our seaport Towns by burning a flourishing Town, of about three hundred houses, to the eastward, called Falmouth. This they effected with every circumstance of cruelty and barbarity which revenge and malice could suggest. We expect every moment to hear other places have been attempted, and have been better prepared for their reception.

The more I reflect upon the importance of your expedition; the greater is my concern lest it should sink under insuperable difficulties. I look upon the interests and salvation of our bleeding Country, in a great degree, to depend upon your success. I know you feel its importance, not only as connected with your own honour and happiness, but the publick welfare; so that you can want no incitements to press on if it be possible. My anxiety suggests some doubts, which your better acquaintance with the country will enable you to remove. Would it not have been practicable to pass St. John’s, leaving force enough for a blockade; or, if you could not spare the men, passing it wholly, possessing yourselves of Montreal and the surrounding country? Would not St. John’s have fallen of course, or what would have been the probable consequence? Believe me, dear General, I do not mean to imply the smallest doubt of the propriety of your operations, or of those of Mr. Montgomery, for whom I have a great respect. I too well know the absurdity of judging upon a military operation, when you are without the knowledge of its concomitant circumstances. I only mean it as a matter of curiosity, and to suggest to you my imperfect idea on the subject.

I am, with the utmost truth and regard, dear Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major-General Schuyler, Northern Department.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO THE COMMITTEE OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, October 26, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Major French having persisted in his request that the General should determine on the propriety of his wearing his sword while under parole, he has this day sent him his final answer. By his direction I now enclose you a copy thereof, and hope this dispute will now be finally settled, without giving the General or the Committee any further trouble.

I am, very respectfully, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JOSEPH REED, Secretary.

Thomas Seymour, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Hartford.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR FRENCH.

Head-Quarters, October 25, 1775.

SIR: I now sit down to give you a final answer to your application respecting your sword. Doctor Franklin confirms what I before mentioned, that the privilege claimed was no part of the stipulation made at Philadelphia, but passed without discussion. Having made inquiry, I find the rule, with regard to the indulgence in question, is, that prisoners do not wear their swords. I therefore cannot approve of it, more especially as it gives such general dissatisfaction to the good people of the Country. To your other request, of removing to some place where you can have the benefit of attending publick worship of the Church of England, I have not the least objection, provided the place is approved by Governour Trumbull, to whom, in this case, you will be pleased to apply. Your letters, &c., have been all sent into Boston, and such as have been sent out forwarded. The Selectmen, at the instance of Colonel Robinson, have applied to have Mr. McDermott sent in, to which I have agreed, upon condition that a gentleman of Boston, most injuriously confined in jail, be permitted to come out; to which proposal I have yet received no answer.

I wish you all the happiness consistent with your situation; and while the inhabitants of America treat you with humanity and kindness, I trust you will make a suitable return. It is not grateful to me to hear the respectable citizens of any Town treated with incivility or contempt.

I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major French.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO MAJOR BENJAMIN TUPPER.

Camp at Cambridge, October 26, 1775.

SIR: The General thanks you for your care and diligence in the enterprise; the success we are just now informed of You will endeavour to get the vessels to Plymouth as soon as possible, where you will find Mr. Watson, who is agent for the Continent, and will advance you what moneys may be necessary for the satisfaction of those who have assisted you. The General will notice you himself, as it would be indelicate to leave that to yourself. You will then put our vessels and their cargoes in the hands of Mr. Watson, who will take care of them till further orders.

We apprehend that with care and a good pilot you may get safe to Plymouth. Wishing you success, I remain, Sir, your very humble servant,

J. REED, Secretary.

To Major Benjamin Tupper.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO WILLIAM WATSON, ESQ.

Camp at Cambridge, October 26, 1775.

SIR: Major Tupper will deliver you two vessels, late belonging to Tories in Boston, which are taken and detained by the General’s orders, together with their cargoes and other property, of which the Major will give you an account. Such articles as are perishable, you will immediately dispose of to the best advantage, and take care of the vessels until further orders. If Major Tupper could immediately man the brig from Plymouth, and be equipped without loss of time, in sending backwards and forwards here for ammunition, the General would not object to his going out on a cruise with her for a month or six weeks; but if it cannot be done in a few days, the season is too far advanced for this purpose. We suppose the vessels and cargoes being put into your hands, will enable you to advance such moneys as Major Tupper thinks necessary to reward those who have assisted in the enterprise, which we desire you would do.

I am, Sir, in haste, your most obedient servant,

J. REED.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

P. S. You will please to advise the General of your proceeding hereupon, as soon as possible.

DAVID PARKER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Dedham, October 26, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: Many and various are the difficulties which I have to encounter by the confinement to which I am subjected. The justice of your proceedings against me strike me with the most clear conviction, when I reflect upon the iniquity of my own unjustifiable conduct. I am, may it please your Excellency, necessitated, by a consciousness of my former erroneous practices, to acquit every measure adopted against me of cruelty or inhumanity. The assistance those who were inimical to the prosperity of America derived from my operations, very justly rendered me obnoxious to the displeasure of the inhabitants of these Colonies. My perseverance therein, notwithstanding the desire of the Committee of Boston that I should desist, confirmed the opinion of the publick that I was determined to co-operate in the subversion of our invaded privileges; but that, Sir, was foreign to my intention, whatever may be the general sentiment upon that affair. Had I indulged a momentary consideration, had I entertained the most distant conception that this injured Country would have been embroiled in the horrours of a civil war, or any ways apprehensive the present convulsions would be consequent upon the then unhappy struggle, I should immediately have relinquished the business, notwithstanding my engagements.