men, to skulk in battle or sneak in quarters; in short, being now paid, they must do their duty, and look as well as act like gentlemen. Do not bate them an ace, my dear General, but depend on every support of your friends here. I have strove to keep two Battalions now raising in the Jerseys, and one here, quite disengaged, that they may be ready, on a call to join you, should those you have desert you. I have not been quite unsuccessful. The winter is our own. Boston will not, during that season, be re-enforced; at least, we have reason to think so.

I want the return I desired from Gates exceedingly. Compliments to him, Lee, Putnam, Mifflin, &c. ’Tis so dark I can’t read this letter over, or I would save you the trouble of deciphering it.

Dear Sir, your most obedient servant,

THOMAS LYNCH.

To General Washington.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, November 13, 1775.

SIR: It is matter for our abundant rejoicing that the Government is in the hand of Him who is possessed of all perfection, and doth all things right; and while his judgments are abroad in this land, may his people be instructed and learn righteousness. At the same time the United Colonies do sincerely lament the unhappy necessity of taking up arms, they may rejoice with thanksgiving for the success of those arms; which, if they do, it is an argument to support our hope of future prosperity; I do therefore re-echo my hearty congratulations on your kind favour of the 7th instant, and in hope of securing and defending the Province of Quebeck, in their own and our interest, and thereby circumventing the mischievous design of rendering that and the savages under its influence a scourge and ruin to the present rightful possessors of these Colonies.

The last accounts from England are unfavourable as to any reconciliation. The petition of Congress, sent per Mr. Penn, lies dormant, and no prospect that it will ever awake. It was known to the King, since which he hath sent out a proclamation, forbidding all correspondence with the American Rebels. Preparations are making for a large Army in the spring. Seven new Regiments, of three hundred and fifty men each, are said to be part arrived, and daily coming into Boston. The enemy from thence landed last Thursday, at Lechmere’s Point, but were repulsed with loss. Captain Coit, with a party of our men, in an armed vessel, have taken some provision vessels going into Boston. Another vessel, laden with wine, bound thither, is taken near Marblehead.

Mr. Sherman, in a letter dated at Philadelphia, the 6th instant, says: “We had an account last evening of a successful repulse given to some men of war in Virginia, and the taking of one tender and crew, without any hurt sustained by the Provincials.” It appears that our people in the encounters at every place were marvellously preserved.

I hear Lieutenant-Colonel Warner, in a fight of five hours at Longeuil, had not one man killed or wounded. We hear nothing from Colonel Arnold. Wishing him success, and you health and future prosperity, I remain, most respectfully, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable Major-General Schuyler.

MAJOR FRENCH TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Hartford, November 13, 1775.

SIR: I hope you will excuse my beginning this letter in answer to your two favours of the 19th and 25th October, by noticing the last paragraph of the former, as it furnishes me with an apology for intruding on your time, which I am sensible must be much more materially employed.

I flattered myself, from the tenor of that letter and the conversation I had with Dr. Franklin here, (who avowed the liberty of wearing our swords had been granted,) that you would have determined in our favour. Judge therefore, Sir, of my disappointment, to find it the reverse in the latter, and that the words “stipulation and discussion” seem to be the causes that the whole of my argument is set aside; yet I beg to observe, I never made use of either of them throughout the whole of it; but it is your pleasure, and I must obey.

I never was a prisoner of war before, but have been several times at the taking of such, and therefore pledge myself that I never saw that indulgence refused to officers; but, as it is determined, I shall not give you any more trouble on this topick.

In consequence of your consent to our removal, I have wrote to the Governour, and wait his answer.

I have endeavoured to find out in what instance I have treated the respectable citizens of any Town with incivility or contempt; and affirm I cannot, upon the strictest revisal of my letters, observe the least trace of it, unless my calling Hartford a little paltry Town can be so interpreted. I am not unacquainted, Sir, that in the military phrase, an attack upon the Town is equally so upon the people; but I own myself at a loss to find out how my saying, that I objected to showing my letters (written to the Commander-in-Chief) to the Committee, &c., can be deemed an attack upon them or the inhabitants, upon whom I have no sort of right to decide, as I have not the honour of their acquaintance.

I thank you, Sir, very sincerely, for your kind wishes and obliging intentions; and I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

CHRISTOPHER FRENCH.

To General Washington.

GOVERNOUR COOKE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Providence, November 13, 1775.

SIR: I some time since informed your Excellency that part of two Companies of men, consisting of about severity, raised by the Colony, in order to join the Continental Army near Boston, had, upon the arrival of some transports at Newport, been sent upon Block-Island, for the preservation of the stock there. Agreeable to your directions, they still continue upon the island. I am now, at the request of the General Assembly, to beg the favour of your Excellency to inform me whether, in the new establishment of the Army, you propose taking any measures for engaging the officers and men on that station, in the Continental service, and choose they should march to Cambridge, or whether they may be employed upon Rhode-Island, until the time of their enlistment expires. As they have received no pay since the troops of the Colony have been paid by the Continent, I am also to desire you to direct the Paymaster-General to take order for the discharge of their wages and subsistence.

Having the honour of being appointed Governour of the Colony by the General Assembly, at their session last week, I thought it proper to acquaint your Excellency of it, and to renew my assurances of giving you every assistance in my power.

I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

NICHOLAS COOKE.

General Washington.

JAMES OTIS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Watertown, November 13, 1775.

SIR: There is a number of men at this place who were taken in attempting to supply our enemies with provisions. The Council think they ought to be confined. They therefore request that your Excellency would send to this Town a guard of about twenty men, to be under the direction of the Board, in order to convey the said persons, and the prisoners which may be taken from time to time, to such place or places of security as they are or shall be assigned by us.

In the name and by order of the Council:

JAMES OTIS, President.

His Excellency General Washington.

JAMES OTIS TO GENERAL LEE.

Council Chamber, November 14, 1775.

SIR: The Council, to their great surprise, last evening were informed that a copy of a letter, lately from Ireland, had been taken, the writer of which mentions the name of