and Joseph Rockwood, tried at a late General Court-Martial, for “stealing Rum out of the Commissary-General’s stores.” The Court are of opinion, that the prisoners Briant, Ingham, and Woobourn, are not guilty; but that the prisoner Rockwood alone is guilty of the crime laid to his charge, and do therefore sentence him to receive ten lashes, upon his bare back, at the head of the Regiment to which he belongs. The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be executed as soon as the weather will permit.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, November 5, 1775.

Samuel Huntington and John Englis, soldiers in the Thirty-Fourth Regiment of Foot, tried at a late General Court-Martial, for “mutiny.” The Court, upon mature consideration, are of opinion, that the evidence against the prisoners is not sufficient to convict them of mutiny, but that they are each of them guilty of assisting and encouraging mutiny; therefore adjudge that each of them pay a fine of fifteen Shillings, and suffer each of them fifteen days fatigue. The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be put in execution.

As the Commander-in-Chief has been apprized of a design formed for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the effigy of the Pope, he cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be officers and soldiers in this Army so void of common sense as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this juncture, at a time when we are soliciting, and have already obtained the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada,whom we ought to consider as brethren embarked in the same cause—the defence of the general liberty of America. At such a juncture, and in such circumstances, to be insulting their religion is so monstrous as not to be suffered or excused; indeed, instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to address publick thanks to these our brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy success over the common enemy in Canada.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, November 6, 1775.

Robert Hanson Harrison, Esq., is appointed Aid-de-Camp to his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief; and all orders, whether written or verbal, coming from the General through Mr. Harrison, are to be punctually obeyed.

Although the men confined by Lieutenant-Colonel Reed, of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment, were released, upon application to Head-Quarters, the General, so far from being displeased with Colonel Reed, for his endeavours to prevent an infringement of the General Orders, that he thanks the Colonel—as he shall every officer who pays strict obedience to orders; as, without so doing, it is in vain to think of preserving order and discipline in an Army. The disagreeableness of the weather, scarcity of wood, &c., inclined the General to overlook the offence committed at that time; but he hopes and expects the officers and soldiers will, for the future, carefully avoid wantonly cutting the trees and committing waste upon the property of those already but too much distressed by the depredations of the Army.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COLONEL JOSEPH REED.

Cambridge, November 8, 1775.

DEAR SIR: The shipwreck of a vessel, said to be from Philadelphia to Boston, near Plymouth, with one hundred and twenty pipes of wine, of which one hundred and eighteen are saved; of another, from Boston to Halifax, near Beverly, with about two hundred and forty pounds worth of dry goods; the taking of a wood vessel bound to Boston, by Captain Adams; and the sudden departure of Mr. Randolph,occasioned by the death of his uncle, are all the occurrences worth noticing, which have happened since your departure. I have ordered the wine and goods to this place for sale, as also the papers. The latter may unfold secrets that may not be pleasing to some of your townsmen, and which, so soon as known, will be communicated. I have convinced Captain Macpherson, as he says, of the propriety of returning to the Congress. He sets out this day, and I am happy in his having an opportunity of laying before them a scheme for the destruction of the naval force of Great Britain.A letter and journal of Colonel Arnold’s, to the 13th ultimo, are come to hand, a copy of which I enclose to the Congress, and by application to Mr. Thomsonyou can see it. I think he is in Quebeck.If I hear nothing more of him in five days, I shall be sure of it.

I had like to have forgotten what sits heaviest upon my mind, the new arrangement of officers. Although we have now enough to constitute the new corps, it has employed the General Officers and myself ever since Thursday last, and we are nearly as we began. Connecticut wants no Massachusetts man in her corps; Massachusetts thinks there is no necessity for a Rhode-Islander to be introduced into hers; and New-Hampshiresays, it is very hard that her valuable and experienced officers, who are willing to serve, should be discarded, because her own Regiments, under the new establishment, cannot provide for them. In short, after a few days’ labour, I expect that numbers of officers, who have given in their names to serve, must be discarded from the Massachusetts corps, where the Regiments have been numerous, and the number in them small, and that of Connecticut will be completed with a fresh recruit of officers from her own Government. This will be departing not only from principles of common justice, but from the letter of the resolve agreed on at this place; but, at present, I see no help for it. We are to have another meeting upon the matter this day, when something must be hit upon, as time is slipping off. My compliments to Mrs. Reed, and to all inquiring friends.

I am, with sincerity and truth, dear Sir, your affectionate humble servant.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Colonel Joseph Reed, Philadelphia.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Cambridge, November 8, 1775.

SIR: I wrote you the 6th inst., to which you will please to be referred. Your favour of the same date to his Excellency is come to hand. It is his pleasure that you sell the different articles found on board the two prizes, and transmit a copy of the sales to Head-Quarters when finished. The schooner and the sloop must be carefully laid up until further orders. I hope we shall soon hear of Captain Manly’s being successful, and that Captain Coit is again at sea, to pursue his good fortune, which I sincerely wish him a continuance of The men, ammunition, &c., for the Washington will set out this day. I recommend all possible despatch to Captain Martindale; and assure you I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

S. MOYLAN.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO JOHN BROWN.

Cambridge, November 8, 1775.

SIR: I have it in command from his Excellency General Washington to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 3d instant. As the powder you mention to have imported is disposed of, I have nothing to say thereon. Colonel Gridley has orders from the General to procure what cannon will be necessary for the use of the camp, which I dare say is all engaged. Should more be hereafter required, provided the owners of the Hopefurnace can make them as good and on as reasonable terms as they can be elsewhere procured, his Excellency will give you notice thereof.

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

S. MOYLAN, Secretary p. t.

To John Brown, Esq., Providence.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO CAPTAIN E. BOWEN, JUN.

Cambridge, November 8, 1775.

SIR: His Excellency wrote you a few lines yesterday, informing you he could not send the sheathing nails. He has ordered me to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 6th instant, giving an account of two prizes being carried into your harbour by Captain Coit. Instructions relative to them are sent to the agent, William Watson, Esq. I hope Captain Coit will not be detained long by