complained of in time past; and it will be an everlasting disgrace to them, if they suffer the practice to continue. Care, I am informed, is taking to prevent the evil, with as little inconvenience as possible; but it is my opinion that the remedy ought to be deep and thorough.

After all, virtue is the surest means of securing the publick liberty. I hope you will improve the golden opportunity of restoring the ancient purity of principles and manners in our Country. Every thing that we do or ought to esteem valuable depends upon it; for freedom or slavery, says an admired writer, will prevail in a Country, according as the disposition and manners of the inhabitants render them fit for the one or the other.

P. S. November 4. Yesterday, the colours of the Seventh Regiment were presented to the Congress; they were taken at Fort Chambly. The garrison surrendered prisoners of war to Major Brown, of the Massachusetts forces, with one hundred and twenty-four barrels of gunpowder. May Heaven grant us further success.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.

Camp at Cambridge, October 29, 1775.

DEAR SIR: As you will be fully informed of every matter and thing relative to the Army, by your own Committee, I should not have given you the trouble of a letter at this time, were it not on Colonel Reed’s account. He is, as I presume you may have heard, concerned in many of the principal causes now depending in the courts of Pennsylvania; and should those causes be pressed for trial, by his brethren of the profession, it will not only do him a manifest injury in his practice and future prospects, but afford room for complaint of his having neglected his business as a lawyer. This he thinks may be avoided, if some of you gentlemen of the Congress, in the course of conversation with the Chief Justice and others, would represent the disadvantages which must result to him, in case his causes should be hurried to trial.

That Colonel Reed is clever in his business, and useful to me, is too apparent to mention. I should do equal injustice, therefore, to his abilities and merit, were I not to add, that his services here are too important to be lost, and that I could wish to have him considered in this point of view by your honourable body, when occasion shall favour.

I shall take it kind of you to give me, from time to time, such authentick intelligence of the manœuvres of the Ministry as you think may be relied on. We get none but newspaper accounts here, and these very imperfect.

I am, with sincere esteem and regard, dear Sir, your affectionate friend and countryman,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Camp at Cambridge, October 29, 1775.

SIR: Since I had the pleasure of addressing you last, no material occurrence has happened in our camp. Deputy-Governour Griswold was desirous of taking the minutes of the conference with the Delegates of the Continental Congress with him, but they were so lengthy the time did not admit of it. As soon as they can be copied fair, they shall be transmitted.

I was somewhat surprised to find that, in one of the Regiments lately from Connecticut, a Doctor Cheney had been commissioned as a Surgeon. As I am persuaded he must have obtained this appointment by some misrepresentation, I think it proper to apprize you of his conduct and behaviour. Last summer, being suspected of fraudulent draughts upon the Commissary store, and other malpractices, it was proposed to bring him to a trial; which he evaded by requesting a dismission, which was granted him. After which, I am very credibly informed, he returned to his Colony, where he has propagated the most infamous reports of some of the General Officers—reports tending to impress the minds of the soldiery and Country with prejudices which would dissolve that confidence which ought to subsist between troops and their officers. Since he has returned to camp he has renewed his draughts upon the stores, but being immediately detected, I have ordered him under arrest, and hope sufficient evidence may be had to convict him, so as to rid the Army of him entirely. But I beg leave to intimate to you the propriety of observing some caution in giving commissions to persons who have been discharged, before you are apprized of the reasons of their leaving the Army.

I am glad to hear the Commissary-General is in a fair way of recovery. I hope it will not be long before we have the pleasure of seeing him in the camp.

I am, Sir, with much regard and esteem, your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull, Connecticut,

P. S. Have you heard any thing of the lead proposed to be sent from Albany in August? Allow me to call your attention to this important article.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Camp at Cambridge, October 29, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 25th instant came safely to hand. Captain Whipple’s voyage has been unfortunate; but it is not in our power to command success, though it is always our duty to deserve it. I hope he will be more successful in his intended voyage, if it is proposed in consequence of the direction of the Congress. I think it proper you should apprize him that two schooners have sailed from hence to the mouth of St. Lawrence River, upon the same service, commanded by Captain Broughton and Captain Selman. The signal which they have agreed on to distinguish each other, and to be known to their friends, is the ensign up to the main toppinglift. I agree with you that the attachment of our Bermudian brethren ought to recommend them to the favourable regards of their friends of America, and I doubt not it will. I shall certainly take a proper opportunity to make their case known to the honourable Continental Congress.

I shall be happy in every opportunity to show the regard and esteem with which I am your Honour’s most obedient and very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Cooke, Rhode-Island.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO CAPTAIN COIT.

Camp at Cambridge, October 29, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 26th instant came to hand this moment. I am very sorry for the accident that happened, but we hope more care will be taken in future. The vessel was well recommended, and as she is a good sailer, we hope you will soon put yourself in a better. We expect a brig and a schooner, taken at Martha’s Vineyard, will be in Plymouth in a few days. Major Tupper, who took them, requested they might be fitted out from hence, to which the advance of the season, &c., was objected; but the General consented he might take one of them, if he could man and fit her out at Plymouth immediately. If he should want one of them, he is to have her upon those terms; but you may have the other, if you can immediately shift into her, without loss of time; but we rather wish you should proceed in the Harrison, as she is fitted out, and sails well. There are a great many vessels on the coast, so that you may do your Country great service, and acquire much honour yourself, if you proceed immediately. It is under the consideration of Congress to give the officers and men one clear third of the whole, without any reserve; which I mention for your encouragement.

I wish you all possible success; and am, Sir, your very humble servant,

JOSEPH REED, Sec’y.

To Captain Coit, Plymouth.

COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO CAPTAIN EPHRAIM BOWEN, JUN.

Head-Quarters, October 29, 1775.

SIR: Captain Coit has informed me of the accident which happened to his vessel, through the stupidity and unskilfulness of the pilot. We wonder we did not hear from you or Martindale, by the return of this messenger, as we are quite at a loss about the ammunition to be got from hence, and the time of marching the men to Plymouth. However, as by all accounts the vessel is ready, I have ordered the men to have notice to march to-morrow, or as soon as the weather will permit.