this subject. I am sorry Mr. White met with a disappointment in the Jerseys, as I could wish not to be under the necessity, from any former encouragement given him, of taking him into my family. I find it absolutely necessary that the aids to the Commander-in-Chief should be ready at their pen, (which, I believe, he is not,) to render that assistance which is expected of them. It would give me singular pleasure to provide for those two gentlemen mentioned in your letter; but, believe me, it is beyond the powers of conception to realize the absurdities and partiality of these people, and the trouble and vexation I have had in the new arrangement of officers. After five, I think, different meetings of the General Officers, I have, in a manner, been obliged to yield to the humour and whimsies of the people, or get no Army. The officers of one Government would not serve in the Regiments of another, although there was to be an entire new creation; a Captain must be in this Regiment, a Subaltern in that Company. In short, I can scarce tell, at this moment, in what manner they are fixed. Some time hence strangers may be brought in; but it could not be done now, except in an instance or two, without putting too much to hazard.

What can your brethren of the law mean, by saying your perquisites, as Secretary, must be considerable? I am sure they have not amounted to one farthing. Captain Blewer waits, and therefore I shall add no more than that I am, dear Sir, your most obedient and affectionate servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Colonel Joseph Reed.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO MAJOR-GENERAL WARD.

Cambridge, November 28, 1775.

SIR: I am to acquaint you, by his Excellency’s command, that, from the returns made of the Connecticut troops, he has no dependance in their enlisting anew, and continuing here. He therefore desires that you, with Generals Thomas and Spencer, will be at Head-Quarters as early to-morrow as you conveniently can, to take such measures as may be judged expedient, in case of their departure. You will please to communicate this to Generals Thomas and Spencer.

To Major-General Ward.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR-GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, November 28, 1775.

DEAR SIR: You may easily conceive that I had great pleasure in perusing your letter of the 18th instant, which, with the enclosures, I received last evening. It was much damped by my finding that General Montgomery had the same difficulty to encounter with the troops under your command, that I have with these here. No troops were ever better provided or higher paid; yet their backwardness to enlist for another year is amazing. It grieves me to see so little of that patriotick spirit which I was taught to believe was characteristick of this people.

Colonel Enos, who had the command of Arnold’s rear division, is returned, with the greater part of his men, which must weaken him so much as to render him incapable of making a successful attack on Quebeck, without assistance from General Montgomery. I hope he will be able to give it him, and, by taking that City, finish his glorious campaign.

I have nothing material to communicate to you from hence. I am making every disposition for defence, by throwing up redoubts, &c., along the bay, some of which have been constructed under the enemy’s guns; but they have not given us the least disturbance. I suppose Mr. Howe waits the arrival of his re-enforcements, when, probably, he will attempt something. He has sent out about three hundred men, women, and children, last week. They give shocking accounts of the want of fuel and fresh provisions. General Burgoyne has gone or is going home.

Last evening I received the agreeable account of one of our armed schooners having taken a large brigantine, laden with military stores, the inventory of which I have the pleasure to enclose. But let not this acquisition prevent your sending what stores you can spare. We shall want them all.

Adieu, my dear General. I wish you a return of your health; and am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major-General Schuyler, Northern Department.

ADDRESS OF THE BURGH OF RUTHERGLEN.

Address of the Provost, Magistrates, and Council of the Burgh of Rutherglen, presented to His Majesty by the Right Honourable Lord Frederick Campbell, their Representative in Parliament.

To the king’s Most Excellent Majesty.