have thought would have proceeded from you, it looks so much like the little vengeance of disappointed scolds. I deny your ever having requested me to send my negro away. Mr. Bedlow once told me this: “Mr. Romans, you had better get a place for your negro;” but I could not construe this into a request, much less an order from men who have no manner of authority over me. The negro is more rogue than fool; but he is so harmless, that while people let him alone, he will be quiet. He is a new negro, and by his actions he sometimes diverts your people; but I defy you to point out a single instance of dissatisfaction on that score. Once, indeed, there was a complaint against him, for which I gave him a severe chastisement; and you know that I had reason to be sorry when, almost immediately after, his innocence appeared. But, gentlemen, he never cost you nor the Country anything, as there was never an ounce of provision served out for him. He has lived on scraps from others; and he must be a sorry dog, indeed, that does not deserve the crumbs from his master’s table. He might at least serve me to fetch wood and water. I have provided a place for him, but not in obedience to you.

It is hard, indeed, that I, who in my private station have for many years past never been without a servant, or even two or three, should be raised to a publick one to be debarred that privilege. I know no place where so cruel a prohibition would take place. While I was in the service of the King, my pay was greater, and I had sundry rations allowed, although my servants were in pay, and drew provisions besides. Since I arrived last to the northward, now near three years ago, I have always maintained and fed a number of people, seldom less than six, at high wages, and now not to be allowed any attendance at all is surely never meant. People whose duty it was to ask me whether I was in want of any thing, have been reprimanded for coming to the block-house. But your mention of Mr. Adams astonished me beyond everything. Was it necessary, my copy-book would show you his handwriting, to make it appear that he has for years back transacted my business. He is a gentleman in whose fortunes I am interested, and I will assist him with all my means. You say he is an officer you can by no means allow of Sure I want him not to be your officer. If he is mine, it is enough. And to it you add, “If you retain him, pay and procure provision for him.” How mean the innuendo. I have often done it. It is true it was said Mr. Vandome was to assist me. He came up to be the clerk of the check, and as such you retained him; but since I saw him employed as commissary of stores, and as clerk to the Commissioners, as well as clerk of the check, I thought it cruel to ask assistance from him. My business, well followed, is three men’s work. Perhaps you think me your officer too. Softly, gentlemen; that will never do. The Congress appointed me to a rank I esteem more honourable than any I ever held. Yet, for fourteen years back, I have been sometimes employed as a commodore in the King’s service, sometimes at the head of large bodies of men in the woods, and, at the worst of times, I have been master of a merchantman, fitted in a warlike manner. I will, in future, draw the provisions the Congress will allow me, and that will maintain us both.

To your tenth, I have nothing to reply.

But your lastly is too important to let pass unnoticed. The necessary alterations must be made before the work goes on well; and as for seasons, such business as this waits none. If we keep not the work going, we will, in spring, again be new beginners. I interrupt none of your powers. I meddle with none; but you have hindered me from having as much again work done; and till I am sole director of my plan, things cannot go well. None can be more happy in the union you mention; but if I must be cap in hand, gentlemen, to be an overseer under you, it will not do, depend upon it. I have too much blood in me for so mean an action, and you must seek such submissive engineers elsewhere. If I execute my plan, which is approved of, I have no business to consult you any further than that you must find me people and pay them. If, in that case, I do not comply with my enterprise, then is your time to disapprove and complain, but not before.

I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

B. ROMANS.

The Commissioners for the Fortifications in the Highlands.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, November 5, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Your favour of the 26th ultimo, with the enclosures, containing an account of the surrender of Fort Chambly, was an excellent report, but somewhat incomplete for want of Montgomery’s letter, which (a copy) you omitted to enclose. On the success of your enterprise so far I congratulate you, as the acquisition of Canada is of unmeasurable importance to the cause we are engaged in.

No account of Arnold, since my last. I am exceeding anxious to hear from him, as he was expressly ordered, in case of any discouraging event, to advertise me of it immediately.

I much approve your conduct in regard to Wooster. My fears are at an end, as he acts in a subordinate character. Intimate this to General Montgomery, with my congratulations on his success, the seasonable supply of powder, and wishes that his next letter may be dated from Montreal. We laugh at his idea of classing the Royal Fusileers with the stores. Does he consider them as inanimates, or as a treasure ? If you carry your arms to Montreal, should not the garrison of Niagara, Detroit, &c., be called upon to surrender, or threatened with the consequences of a refusal ? They may, indeed, destroy their stores, and, if the Indians are aiding, escape to Fort Chartres; but it is not very probable.

The enclosed Gazette exhibits sundry specimens of the skill of the new commander in issuing proclamations, and a proof, in the destruction of Falmouth, of the barbarous designs of an infernal Ministry. Nothing new has happened in this camp. Finding the Ministerial troops resolved to keep themselves close within their lines, and that it was adjudged impracticable to get at them, I have fitted six armed vessels, with design to pick up some of their store-ships and transports. The rest of our men are busily employed in erecting of barracks, &c.

I hope, as you have said nothing of the state of your health, that it is much amended, and that the cold weather will restore it perfectly. That it may do so, and you enjoy the fruit of your summer’s labour and fatigue, is the sincere wish of, dear Sir, yours, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major-General Schuyler, Northern Department.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO CAPTAIN BARTLETT.

Cambridge, November 5, 1775.

SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency to acknowledge your favour of yesterday, by Captain Brown, which brings an account of a sloop from Boston, bound to Annapolis Royal, having fallen into our hands. It is his Excellency’s pleasure that you take an accurate inventory of all the goods on board, and, as soon as you conveniently can, transmit them to Head-Quarters, where there is no doubt that, when sold, they will bring a better price than they would at your place. The General will, at finishing the sale, make such satisfaction to those two resolute fellows who first ventured on board, and to the rest who engaged in that adventure, as in such cases is proper and customary. He desires me, Sir, to assure you he approves much of your conduct in this affair, and doubts not, from your character, that he will have further reason to do so in your agency, which I sincerely hope will be of consequence to you and to the publick. As to the people found on board, it is his Excellency’s pleasure that, on their giving the best security they can that they will not act against America, they be discharged, taking with them their clothes and necessaries, except the Captain and owner, whom you will please to send to Head-Quarters for examination. Let the vessel be laid up at the wharf until further orders. We heard of Manly’s being at Plymouth, as yet unsuccessful.

Providence has sent us a good supply of wine, by a vessel from Philadelphia being stranded at Eastham, with an hundred and twenty pipes, bound to Boston; one hundred and eighteen of them saved, which are ordered to this place.

I am, with great regard, Sir, your most humble servant,

STEPHEN MOYLAN, Sec. pro tem.

To Captain William Bartlett, Agent, Beverly.