the King’s Troops and shipping to have cut off the communication between the North and South Colonies, by taking possession of New-York and the North River; and would not numbers have joined them at York, and will not the King take possession there this winter? l trow not. I believe that if the King had possession of Canada, before next June there would be a communication open for them by Albany. Even now, in the winter, fortifications ought to be built at Sandy-Hook, to keep out, &c. I only speak of this as it comes in my way. I have sent Colonel Bedel to see to the road on that side; but I am afraid the post will not get there; it is so bad crossing the lake at this season. If this road was done, in four days would come tidings. The affair of this road must be soon concluded upon, as provisions should be provided in the winter, and it is much easier got now than in April or May. I should be glad to have a return from you, as soon as possible, how your publick affairs stand. I would be willing to do any thing that might contribute to so glorious a cause as we are now engaged in. I have wrote, in a broken manner, my thoughts. You may pick out what of mine you like, and add to your own; perhaps you will, in so much, find something. When you go to Boston, save your and our Scotch people, if they are friends. I would recommend that you continue in the service, if you are like to be of service. I don’t say that I will not join the Army in the spring, if health remains. I am now in good health. All are well here. My best regards to the honourable gentlemen in the Army.

I am your humble servant,

JACOB BAYLEY.

To Colonel Little.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO AARON WILLARD.

By His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esquire, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the UNITED COLONIES.

To AARON WILLARD, Esq.:

The honourable Continental Congress having lately passed a resolve, contained in the following words, viz: “That two persons be sent, at the expense of these Colonies, to Nova-Scotia, to inquire into the state of that Colony, the disposition of the inhabitants towards the American cause, and the condition of the Fortifications, Dock-Yards, the quantity of Artillery and Warlike Stores, and the number of Soldiers, Sailors, and Ships of War there, and transmit the earliest intelligence to General Washington,” I do hereby constitute and appoint you, the said Aaron Willard, Esq., to be one of the persons to undertake this business; and as the season is late, and this a work of great importance, I entreat and request that you will use the utmost despatch, attention, and fidelity, in the execution of it. The necessity of acting with a proper degree of caution and secrecy is too apparent to need recommendation. You will keep an account of your expenses, and, upon your return, will be rewarded in a suitable manner for the fatigue of your journey and the services you render your Country by conducting and discharging this business with expedition and fidelity.

Given under my hand, this twenty-fourth day of November, 1775.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

[The same to Moses Child, Esq.]

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

Cambridge, November 24, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Captain Aaron Willard recommends Mr. Moses Child to be his colleague in the journey to Nova-Scotia. As I know nothing of this gentleman, I cannot approve or disapprove of him. Mr. Willard informs me he is well known unto Doctor Taylor. If you think him trustworthy, you will please to fill up the instructions with his name, which Captain Willard will give unto you.

I am, with great respect, yours, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Hon. Committee of Council of Massachusetts-Bay.

P. S. You will please to furnish Captain Willard with letters to Captain O’Bryan and to Colonel Cargill to give every assistance to him and his companion on their tour.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO SAMUEL FREEMAN.

Cambridge, November 24, 1775.

SIR: I have it in command from his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 17th instant. He approves much of what has been done by the General Court for the defence of your port, which he hopes will have every necessary effect.

Should any thing more be wanting, it is incumbent on the people of the country to exert themselves for their and the publick defence. The Congress are so much of that opinion, that they have recommended it to each of the Colonies to provide for their particular internal safety.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

STEPHEN MOYLAN.

To Samuel Freeman, Esq., Falmouth.

ADDRESS FROM THE GENERAL OFFICERS TO THE SOLDIERY OF THE GRAND CONTINENTAL ARMY.

Cambridge, November 24, 1775.

The Generals flatter themselves that the new establishment of the Army will be not less agreeable to the men in general, than it is calculated for action and economy; that they shall find in them the same forwardness and zeal to continue in the service of their Country at this critical juncture, which they demonstrated when they were first called out. It gives them great concern that the circumstances of the Continent renders it absolutely necessary to lay aside so many deserving officers and worthy citizens; but the vast expense attending the maintenance of so many Regiments might have disabled the Continent from persevering in its resolution of defending their liberties, if the contest should be of any continuance. With this view, therefore, the Regiments have been reduced from thirty-eight to twenty-six. No prejudice or partiality has had place in the appointment of the officers. Those who have appeared the best qualified to perform all the duties, and undergo all the fatigues of a military life, have been chosen. In the formation of a new Army, though courage, integrity, and zeal for their Country, are requisites, they are not sufficient alone; a tolerable constitution, a certain degree of bodily vigour, and activity of mind, must be joined to these qualities. Men subject to bodily complaints, or who are possessed of a vivacity of disposition, though brave, and in all other respects unexceptionable, are totally unfit. The present campaign, far from a hard one, furnishes many instances of this truth; for it is notorious that a very considerable number of the officers have, from a puny habit of body, found themselves incapable of fulfilling the duty of their station; that they have, from time to time, been obliged to absent themselves from their post, and that consequently the duty has fallen very heavily upon those that remained. These considerations, alone, have weighed in the present selection of the officers. The affairs of America have now (thanks to the Almighty God) a most promising aspect. The Ministerial Army, with three of their most esteemed Generals at their head, have been able to effect nothing. Instead of overrunning and ravaging the Continent, from north to south, as they boasted they would do, they find themselves ignominiously cooped up within the walls of a single town, (and even that they possessed themselves of by treachery,) suffering all the distresses of a siege. Instead of the defection of any of the Provinces, which the Ministry pledged themselves to the deluded people of England would be the case, the union grows stronger every day. Georgia has acceded to the General Association; Nova-Scotia is manifestly well affected to the same cause; and Canada, from whence your tyrants proposed to pour forth whole hosts for your destruction, keeps pace with, if not surpasses the English Colonies themselves, in zeal and ardour for the common rights of America. Considering, therefore, all these happy circumstances, so much transcending our most sanguine hopes and expectations, it may be affirmed, that nothing but your backwardness and want of perseverance can open the least prospect of success to your enemies.

The cause of liberty is undoubtedly the cause of all; but if any distinction is to be made, the four New-England Provinces are more immediately concerned than the rest. You are the chief object of ministerial hatred and vengeance; you, therefore, are more nearly interested to stand