It appearing, from information, that several of the inhabitants of the Town of Boston are desirous of leaving that place, and had obtained passes for that purpose, arising, perhaps, from a proclamation of General Howe’s, which seems to have a tendency to compel the Town’s people to take up arms to aid the Ministerial Troops in subverting the rights and liberties of America; and it also appearing, from information, that the small-pox is at this time in many parts of the Town of Boston, his Excellency desired to know whether, under these circumstances, it is prudent to suffer any of the inhabitants of the said Town to be transported to Chelsea, by way of Winnisimit Ferry.

As the situation of American affairs with respect to Great Britain may be such as to render it indispensably necessary to attempt to destroy the Ministerial Troops in the Town of Boston, before they can be re-enforced in the spring, even if it should be by bombarding and firing the Town, is it advisable to erect any kind of works upon Dorchester Point before frost sets in, and what kind?

What proportion of pay are persons of non-age and apprentices to draw?

In our present state of powder, had not our morning gun better be discontinued?

What is to be done with Mrs. Inman, if she comes out?

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Camp at Cambridge, November 2, 1775.

SIR: I have been honoured with your favour of the 30th ultimo, by Mr. Trumbull. I sincerely wish this camp could furnish a good Engineer. The Commissary-General can inform you how exceedingly deficient the Army is of gentlemen skilled in that branch of business, and that most of the works which have been thrown up for the defence of our several encampments have been planned by a few of the principal officers of this Army, assisted by Mr. Knox, a gentleman of Worcester. Could I afford you the desired assistance in this way, I would do it with pleasure.

Herewith you will receive a copy of the proceedings held with the Committee of Congress from Philadelphia; it ought to have been sent sooner, but I am at present without a Secretary, Colonel Reed having a call at home, left this on Sunday last. I heartily congratulate you on the recovery of the Commissary-General, whose return as soon as he can travel with safety is much wished for.

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

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull, Connecticut

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Camp at Cambridge, November 2, 1775.

SIR: I have your favour of the 28th ultimo before me. Immediately upon the receipt of it I communicated the contents to the Deputy Commissary, (Mr. Trumbull being sick in Connecticut, ) as a business appertaining to his department; but, as deputy, he wishes for the direction of his principal, to whom I could wish you to write, as he is at Lebanon, and not expected back under three weeks. His intention was, I know, to make both beef and pork bring itself to this place; but as that cannot be in the case you mention, there is no doubt of his readiness to take the beef, if delivered here in barrels, at the price other beef in barrels stands him in here; perhaps (for an encouragement) more, to get it out of the reach of the enemy.

I thank you for your order in favour of Mr. Bowen, who, I am informed, after some trouble, got the cannon wanted somewhat more convenient. Herewith you will receive a copy of the proceedings of the conference held at this place with the Committee of Congress. Nothing new since my last.

With much esteem and respect, I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Cooke, Rhode-Island.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

Cambridge, November 2, 1775.

SIR: I promised the gentlemen who did me the honour to call upon me yesterday, by order of your House, that I would inquire of the Quartermaster-General, and let them know to-day, what quantity of wood and hay would be necessary to supply the Army through the winter. I accordingly did so, and desired General Gates this morning to inform you that it was his (the Quartermaster’s) opinion it would require ten thousand cords of the first, and two hundred tons of the latter, to answer our demands; but the hurry in which we have been all day engaged caused him to forget it, till a fresh complaint brought it again to remembrance. When the Committee were here yesterday, I told them I did not believe that we had then more than four days’ stock of wood beforehand. I little thought that we had scarce four hours’, and that different Regiments were upon the point of cutting each others’ throats for a few standing locusts near their encampments, to dress their victuals with. This, however, is the fact; and unless some expedient is adopted by your honourable body to draw more teams into the service, or the Quartermaster-General empowered to impress them, this Army, if there comes a spell of rain or cold weather, must inevitably disperse; the consequence of which needs no animadversion of mine.

It has been matter of great grief to me to see so many valuable plantations of trees destroyed. I endeavoured (whilst there appeared a possibility of restraining it) to prevent the practice, but it is out of my power to do it. From fences to forest trees, and from forest trees to fruit trees, is a natural advance to houses, which must next follow. This is not all; the distress of the soldiers in the article of wood will, I fear, have an unhappy influence upon their enlisting again. In short, Sir, if I did not apprehend every evil that can result from the want of these two capital articles, wood especially, I should not be so importunate; my anxiety on this head must plead my excuse. At the same time, I assure you that, with great respect and esteem, I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The Hon. James Warren, Esq., Speaker, &c.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.

Camp at Cambridge, November 2, 1775.

DEAR SIR: The news of your recovery has given your friends a great deal of joy. We had little hopes of seeing you again, from some late accounts of your health. I have given Captain Wadsworth a draft on the Treasury for one hundred and twenty thousand Dollars, agreeable to your request, although the state of our cash is by no means able to bear such a pull upon it. Besides this, Mr. Avery, on the 20th instant, got a warrant for twenty thousand, and is now applying for ten thousand more. As soon as you can travel with safety (and not before) I should be glad to see you at this camp; and am, with sincere regard, dear Sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Joseph Trumbull, Esq., Commissary-General of Provisions.

CAPTAIN MARTINDALE TO COLONEL REED.

Plymouth, November 2, 1775.

SIR: This will be handed you by Lieutenant Turner, informing you that I have received the carriages and swivels, &c., for the brig, and am making all possible despatch to get to sea; but as the schooner is not yet sailed, and the want of men for the brig, I cannot make the proficiency should be glad to, but imagine I shall be ready to sail this day week, at farthest, if I am supplied with men, &c. I have sent the formers for the cartridges, and want two-thirds of the swivel cartridges of the smallest size. Should be glad to have all the people supplied with their small-arm cartridges there, and likewise the match rope. In regard to the vessel, she is very suitable for the business, and think that a hundred, or eighty men at least, is no more than a common complement, as I flatter myself I shall be able to give a good account of her. I shall be obliged to get a Second Lieutenant at the camps, as Captain Warner refuses to go in that station. The master is desirous to know the terms of wages he is to have. I should be glad to have a drum and fifer, as the other privateers are equipped with them. Have nothing further to communicate at present.

Remain, in the interim, your most humble servant,

SION MARTINDALE

To Colonel Reed, at Head-Quarters.