stores and provisions must be seasonably collected for armies, to consist, in the whole, of not less than sixty thousand men. Our furnaces and smiths’ shops must be employed in making cannon, cannon ball, and muskets; and other stores must be collected this winter.   In short, we have immense preparation to make, and but a little time to do it in. These are some of the measures that appear to me of the utmost importance. They are striking at first view, and need not any arguments to enforce them, even if I had time.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.

Cambridge, November 27, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Your favour of the 13th, with the enclosures, (for which I thank you,) came to this place on Wednesday evening—part of which, that is, the night, I was engaged with a party of men throwing up a work upon a hill called Cobble-Hill, which, in case we should ever be supplied with such things as we want, may prove useful to us, and could not be delayed, as the earth here is getting as hard as a rock. This, and the early departure of the post, prevented my giving your letter an answer the next morning.

In answer to your inquiries respecting armed vessels, there are none of any tolerable force belonging to this Government. I know of but two of any kind; those very small. At the Continental expense, I have fitted out six, per the enclosed list, two of which are upon the cruise directed by Congress: the rest ply about Capes Cod and Ann; as yet, to very little purpose. These vessels are all manned by officers and soldiers, (except, perhaps, a master, pilots, &c.;) but how far, as they are upon the old establishment, which has not more than a month to exist, they can be ordered off this station, I will not undertake to say; but suppose they might be engaged anew. Belonging to Providence, there are two armed vessels; and, I am told, Connecticut has one: which, with one of those from Providence, is, I believe, upon the cruise you have directed.

I have no idea that the troops can remove from Boston this winter, to a place where no provision is made for them; however, we shall keep the best look out we can, and upon that, and every occasion where practicable, give them the best we have. But their situation in Boston gives them but little to apprehend from a parting blow, whilst their ships can move and floating batteries surround the Town.

Nothing of importance hath happened since my last. I am glad to find that our noble Secretary has, at length, met with a check; was one of our bullets aimed for him, the world would be happily rid of a monster, without any person sustaining a loss. This is my opinion, at least. It gives me great pleasure to hear that the Ohio Indians have entered into a firm treaty of friendship with us; for I had been informed that they were very restless, and had destroyed the houses, &c., upon the Great Kanawha, and that the improvements which I had been making there, to save my lands, valued at one thousand five hundred and sixty-eight Pounds, eighteen Shillings, and seven Pence half-penny, were all destroyed, as far as they could be so by fire. The last I believe to be true, as I have it from Mr. L. Washington, who lives with me, (by the last post,) and who adds that the Indians had also destroyed the fort which was built last year, at the mouth of the Great Kanawha. For God’s sake, hurry the signers of money, that our wants may be supplied. It is a very singular case that their signing cannot keep pace with our demands. I heartily congratulate you and the Congress on the reduction of St. John’s. I hope all Canada is in our possession before this. No accounts from Arnold since those mentioned in my last letter to the Congress. Would it not be politick to invite them to send members to Congress? Would it not be also politick to raise a Regiment or two of Canadians, and bring them out of the country? They are good troops, and this would be entering them heartily in the cause. My best regards to the good families you are with.

I am, very affectionately, your obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO JOHN BROWN.

Cambridge, November 27, 1775.

SIR: His Excellency is surprised that you had not received an answer to your letter of the 3d, which he wrote to you the 8th instant. He then informed you that, as you had made an offer of the powder to the Legislature of the Colony, he would not interfere; that Colonel Gridley had received orders for providing the cannon, &c., for the use of this Army. What this gentleman had bespoke and provided, with a large quantity expected from New-York and Canada, his Excellency thinks will be sufficient. In your letter of the 21st you make an offer of one ton of good pistol powder, at six shillings per pound. The General will take it, though it is a most exorbitant price. He is willing to encourage the importation of that necessary article.

By his Excellency’s command:

STEPHEN MOYLAN.

To John Brown, Esq., Providence.

P. S. There are two Companies ordered from your quarter to this place. Governour Cooke will inform you when they march. You will please to send the powder under their guard, in a covered wagon. Should they have set out before this reaches you, you must get a few of the minute or militia-men of your Colony to guard it to this place.

ADDRESS OF THE FREEHOLDERS, ETC., OF THE COUNTY OF HEREFORD.

Address of the Sheriff, Gentlemen, Clergy, and Freeholders of the County of Hereford, presented to His Majesty by John Freeman, Esq., the High Sheriff, being introduced by the Lord of His Majesty’s Bed-Chamber in waiting.

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty.

Most Gracious Sovereign:

Deign to accept this humble Address of your dutiful subjects, the Sheriff, Gentlemen, Clergy, and Freeholders of the County of Hereford, as an assurance of their firm and inviolable allegiance and loyalty, at a time when rebellion has erected her standard in the distant Provinces of your Empire.

With affection we regard your person; with gratitude we acknowledge the justice and benignity of your mild and merciful government; with detestation we abhor the professions of attachment to the former, by those who resist your authority and oppose your laws.

To confirm the liberties of Britain, by the establishment of the legislative powers of Parliament, our ancestors sacrificed their blood, and, to secure those liberties to their posterity, transferred the succession to the crown to your Majesty’s family. To defend and maintain those powers, we look up to your Majesty as the great guardian of our Constitution; and permit us to assure your Majesty that we shall cheerfully concur in every support which our duty may call for, or our abilities can furnish, towards the success of your Majesty’s arms over your rebellious subjects; at the same time most ardently wishing that your Majesty’s gracious offers of mercy, together with the firm support of your dutiful and loyal subjects, may influence the hearts of the rebellious to return to their duty and allegiance; and that your whole people reunited may, with us, be convinced, that to be a British subject, with all its consequences, is to be the freest member of any civil society in the world.

And we pray to God that your Majesty and your progeny may long reign over these realms, in undisturbed peace and undiminished splendour.

ADDRESS OF THE CITY OF ELGIN.

Address of the Provost, Magistrates, Council, Burgesses, and Inhabitants of the City of Elgin, North-Britain, presented to His Majesty by Colonel Staates Long Morris, their Representative in Parliament.

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty.

The humble Address of the Provost, Magistrates, Council, Burgesses, and Inhabitants of the city of ELGIN, NORTH-BRITAIN.