Twenty-Seventh, Twenty-Eighth, Thirty-Fifth, Thirty-Seventh, Thirty-Eighth, Fortieth, Forty-Second, (esteemed equal to two Battalions, having one thousand men,) Forty-Third, Forty-Fourth, Forty-Fifth, Forty-Sixth, Forty-Seventh, Forty-Ninth, Fifty-Second, Fifty-Fifth, Sixty-Third, Sixty-Fourth, Sixty-Fifth; Marines, two Battalions. Total, thirty-one.

N.B. The Battalions are estimated at five hundred men, each, for the field.

DISTRIBUTION.

JOHN JAY TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS,

Philadelphia, November 26, 1775.

SIR: I have the honour of transmitting to you the enclosed resolutions of Congress, relative to the Island of Bermuda.

We have not yet had the pleasure of hearing that you had made a House, and are not without some anxiety on that head. In a few days, we shall write to you collectively, and should be glad frequently to be informed of the state of the Province.

The New-England exploit is much talked of, and conjectures are numerous as to the part the Convention will take relative to it. Some consider it as an ill compliment to the Government of the Province, and prophesy that you have too much Christian meekness to take any notice of it. For my own part, I don’t approve of the feat, and think it neither argues much wisdom or much bravery; at any rate, if it was to have been done, I wish our own people, and not strangers, had taken the liberty of doing it. I confess I am not a little jealous of the honour of the Province, and am persuaded that its reputation cannot be maintained without some little spirit being mingled with its prudence.

I am, Sir, with respect and esteem, your most obedient servant,

JOHN JAY.

To Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, at New-York.

RICHARD HENRY LEE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, November 26, 1775.

DEAR GENERAL: As Mr. Custis can furnish you with an exact account of our affairs in Virginia, it will be unnecessary for me to say any thing on that subject. Proper persons will certainly and presently be appointed, under proper regulations, to determine on sea captures.

I heartily congratulate you on the surrender of St. John’s. That of Montreal must, I think, quickly follow, because it is quite defenceless, and because the far greater part of the Canadians are surely on our side. If Colonel Arnold meets with success at Quebeck, we shall be in a fine posture to receive our enemies next spring. I have been strongly inclined to think that the design of this last reenforcement to Boston is intended for something decisive this fall. Their credit, their necessities, and many other considerations, seem to render an attempt on the lines probable. I rnake no doubt but the most effectual guard will be taken to render this attempt fatal to its authors. It is impossible that vice can so triumph over virtue, as that the slaves of tyranny should succeed against the brave and generous asserters of liberty and the just rights of humanity.

We expect every day to hear from England, but no intelligence has come from thence since I wrote you last.

I heartily wish you a happy meeting with your lady, who leaves this place to-morrow, for Cambridge.

I am, with singular esteem, dear Sir, your most affectionate and obedient servant,

RICHARD HENRY LEE.

To General Washington.

P. S, We have sent a Committee to Canada, to invite Delegates here, and to settle the affairs of that Army.

COLONEL KNOX TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-York, November 27, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: I arrived here last Saturday morning, and immediately made inquiry whether Colonel Reed had done any thing in the business with which he was charged. I found his stay had been short, during which time the Committee that sit during the recess of Congress could not be gotten together, so that he went away without being able to forward the matter. The Committee met yesterday, and, after having considered of your Excellency’s letter to them, Colonel McDougall waited upon me, and gave such reasons for not complying with the requisition for the heavy cannon as would not be prudent to put on paper. He has promised me that he will use his utmost influence in the Congress, which meets to-morrow, and has no doubt of success; that twelve exceeding good iron four-pounders, with a quantity of shells and shot, shall be directly sent to camp; and, also, he has promised the loan of two fine brass six-pounders, cast in a foundry in this City. They have finished six. I very sincerely wish your Excellency had been acquainted with this circumstance, and charged me with a commission to have had a number cast for the camp. They turn out cheaper than the ones imported from England: these cost three shillings and nine pence, New-York currency, per pound; the English, two shillings and six pence, sterling, per pound. They weigh about six hundred pounds apiece. If, Sir, you should think proper to have some done, and will give orders to Colonel McDougall, or some other gentleman of this City, the founder will execute one in two days after he shall receive the orders, and so any number in proportion. He also can cast brass mortars. Colonel McDougall has promised me that these articles shall be forwarded to the camp with the utmost expedition. You will please, Sir, to give orders to Colonel Burbeck to get light field carriages and appurtenances made for these guns.

I shall set out, by land, to-morrow morning, for Ticonderoga, and proceed with the utmost despatch, as knowing our whole dependance for heavy cannon will be from that post. Perhaps, by my return to camp, the reasons which now operate against my getting them here may then cease to exist.

I am, most respectfully, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

HENRY KNOX,

His Excellency General Washington.

EDWARD MOTT TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Kingston, November 26, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: The bearer, Mr. Smith, is a gentleman officer of the Artillery, who was taken at St. John’s, and likewise Dr. Sandon, who is in company with Mr. Smith. These two gentlemen, with the whole garrison of St. John’s, I had orders from General Schuyler to march to Connecticut, with a guard of one hundred men; but received orders, while at Mr. Hoffman’s landing, from the Continental Congress, to march the men to Lancaster, in the Province of Pennsylvania, and the officers to Lebanon and Windham, in Connecticut. But by a previous engagement of General Schuyler’s to the gentlemen officers, that they should see their men quartered, I am now marching them all, both officers and privates, to Lancaster, except Mr. Smith and his corps of artillery-men. The sea officers and their men, who, with the greatest part of their baggage, and part of the men, and all their officers, went off by land from Albany, for Connecticut, on which I have thought proper to consent that the remainder should go and join them.

Mr. Smith and the Doctor I have been intimate with in our whole route, to this day; take them to be gentlemen of honour, and will punctually observe any restrictions your Honour may lay on them. Should wish that they may be gratified in any request they may make, consistent with the good of the Country. I should have wrote more to you, but want of time.

Subscribe myself, Sir, at command, your most obedient humble servant,

EDWARD MOTT.

To his Honour Governour Trumbull.