will be very difficult to prevail on them to remain a moment longer than they choose themselves. It is a mortifying reflection to be reduced to this dilemma. There has been nothing wanting, on my part, to infuse a proper spirit amongst the officers, that they may exert their influence with the soldiery. You see, by a fortnight’s recruiting, amongst men with arms in their hands, how little has been the success.

As the small-pox is now in Boston, I have used the precaution of prohibiting such as lately came out from coming near our camp. General Burgoyne, I am informed, will soon embark for England. I think the risk too great to write you by post, whilst it continues to pass through New-York. It is certain that a post has been intercepted, (the beginning of last month,) as they sent out several letters from Boston, with the post-mark at Baltimore on them. This goes by Captain Joseph Blewer, who promises to deliver it carefully unto you.

You doubtless will have heard, ere this reaches, of General Montgomery’s having got possession of Montreal. I congratulate you thereon. He has troubles with his troops as well as I have. All I can learn of Colonel Arnold is, that he is near Quebeck. I hope Montgomery will be able to proceed to his assistance. I shall be very uneasy until I hear they are joined.

My best respects attend the gentlemen in Congress; and believe me, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

ORDERS BY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, November 20, 1775.

The Colonels and Commanding Officers of Regiments upon the new establishment are forthwith to send one officer from each Company upon the recruiting service into the country. They are to take with them a copy of the recruiting instructions, as contained in General Orders of the 12th instant, and comply strictly therewith; care to be taken not to leave any Company under the old establishment destitute of proper officers.

As the General is informed that this is the season in which the people of the four New-England Governments lay in provisions, stores, &c., for the use of their families, he has recommended, in the strongest manner he is capable, the necessity of sending money to camp for the immediate payment of the Troops for the months of October and November; and, in order to enable those who have again enlisted, and such others as are resolved to continue in service, to do this more effectually, he has also recommended them to the Congress for one month’s advance pay, and has no doubt himself of its being complied with, if money can be forwarded in time.

No soldier, whenever dismissed, is to carry away any Arms with him that are good and fit for service; if the Arms are his own private property, they will be appraised, and he will receive the full value thereof. Proper persons, when necessary, will be appointed to inspect and value the Arms so detained.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, November 21, 1775.

The Court-Martial of which Colonel Cleveland was President is dissolved. A General Court-Martial to sit to-morrow morning, in General Sullivan’s Brigade, to try such prisoners as shall be brought before them; all evidences and persons concerned to attend the Court.

Mr. Penuel Chiney, Surgeon to the Thirty-Fourth Regiment, tried at a late General Court-Martial, of which Colonel Cleveland was President, for "drawing more Hospital Stores than he had a right to draw, and for vilifying the characters of Major-Generals Lee and Putnam." The Court were of opinion that the prisoner is guilty of speaking words tending to the dishonour of the character of Major-General Putnam, and therefore adjudge him to be cashiered.

John Davidson, of Captain Bancroft’s Company, and Thomas Knolton, of Captain Town’s Company, Colonel Bridge’s Regiment, tried at the above General Court-Martial, for "quitting their post when upon duty." The Court were of opinion that the prisoners are guilty of the crime laid to their charge, and do adjudge them to be punished with fifteen lashes each; but on account of the youth and ignorance of their duty, the Court recommends the prisoners for mercy. The General is pleased, upon the recommendation of the Court, to pardon the prisoners, but at the same time desires it may be noticed that such a crime will not meet with mercy in future.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, November 22, 1775.

The General has been informed, more than once or twice, that an idea prevails amongst some of the First Lieutenants upon the new establishment, that if their Captains do not recruit a Company, the command of it will be taken away and given to such First Lieutenant, provided he can fill it up; which makes the First Lieutenants indifferent and lukewarm in the recruiting business. Whence such an opinion could arise is not easy to say; but if it be possible that there are any officers in this Army actuated by such principles, the General most positively assures them that they not only deceive themselves, but, if proof can be given of such a charge, such guilty enemies to their Country will, with disgrace, be dismissed from the Continental Army and service forever. The General thought it his duty to give them this publick notice.

Whenever the Commanding Officer of one of the new Regiments gives a furlough to a recruit, he is previously to give notice thereof to the Commanding Officer of the Regiment the recruit then belongs to, in order that he may be apprized thereof, and know in what manner to make his weekly return; the doing of which is by no means to be neglected.

The men of the Artillery Regiment are not to be recruited into the other Regiments.

As fast as the men move into barracks, the Colonels are to take especial care that the tents be immediately delivered into the hands of the Quartermaster-General, who, after the present hurry of business is a little over, is to have them washed, repaired, and laid by.

It is expected that the Colonels will frequently visit their men’s barracks, and see that they are kept clean and decent, their victuals properly cooked, &c. Nothing contributes more to the health of the Troops, or can add more to the reputation of the officers, than men to be seen healthy, clean, and well dressed.

Those officers who have been all the summer in service, and recommended by the honourable the Council of this Colony for commissions, may now apply for them through their Colonels. It is expected that those who have given in their names to stay, and are appointed to some of the new Regiments, will not apply, as those commissions will be given out by Regiments, so soon as the new establishment takes place.

The General approves the sentence of the General Court-Martial held upon Dr. Chiney, and orders it to take place immediately.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, November 23, 1775.

The Colonels or Commanding Officers of each new established Regiment may draw to the amount of two months’ pay for each officer they send into the country (agreeable to the orders of the 20th instant) a recruiting, and furnish them therewith; abstracts to be made and given in accordingly).

Men recruited out of the old Regiments will continue in pay after the term of their present enlistments, as usual; and all new recruits, that is, men who are not at present in the service, will enter upon pay so soon as they enlist, and will be allowed six pence a day for subsistence, from the time they are recruited until they march for the camp, and one penny per mile, from their usual place of abode to their Regiment, for subsistence and expenses afterwards. The officers are not to keep the recruits they raise in the country a moment longer than they can help; but send them to their respective Regiments as fast as eight or ten of them are enlisted.

The Colonels or Commanding Officers of Regiments may relieve the officers who are first sent into the country upon the recruiting service, as they shall see occasion, and