mised to dismiss on that day, as well as the numbers to whom I was obliged to grant furloughs before any would inlist.

As the same defection is much to be apprehended when the time of the Massachusetts-Bay, New-Hampshire, and Rhode-Island forces are expired, I beg the attention of Congress to this important affair. I am informed that it has been the custom of these Provinces, in the last war, for the legislative powers to order every town to provide a certain quota of men for the campaign: this, or some other mode, should be at present adopted, as I am satisfied the men cannot be had without. This the Congress will please to take into their immediate consideration. My suspicions on this head I shall also communicate to the Governours Trumbull and Cooke; also to the New-Hampshire Convention.

The number inlisted in the last week are about thirteen hundred men; by this you see how slow this important work goes on. Enclosed is a letter wrote to me by General Putnam, recommending Colonel Babcock to the Brigadier-Generalship now vacant in this army, I know nothing of this gentleman; but I wish the vacancy was filled, as the want of one is attended with very great inconveniences.

An express has just come in from General Schuyler, with letters from Colonel Arnold and General Montgomery, copies of which I have the honour to enclose you. Upon the whole, I think affairs carry a pleasing aspect in that quarter. The reduction of Quebeck is an object of such great importance, that I doubt not the Congress will give every assistance in their power for the accomplishing it this winter.

By the last accounts from the armed schooners sent to the river St. Lawrence, I fear we have but little to expect from them; they were falling short of provisions, and mention that they would be obliged to return, which at this time is particularly unfortunate, as, if they choose a proper station, all the vessels coming down that river must fall into their hands. The plague, trouble, and vexation I have had with the crews of all the armed vessels, is inexpressible. I do believe there is not on earth a more disorderly set. Every time they come into port we hear of nothing but mutinous complaints. Manly's success has lately, and but lately, quieted his people. The crews of the Washington and Harrison have actually deserted them; so that I have been under the necessity of ordering the agent to lay the latter up, and get hands for the other on the best terms he could.

The House of Representatives, and the honourable Board, have sent me a vote of theirs relative to the harbour of Cape-Cod, which you have herewith. I shall send an officer thither to examine what can be done for its defence; though I do not think I shall be able to give them such assistance as may be requisite, for I have at present neither men, powder, or cannon to spare. The great want of powder is what the attention of Congress should be particularly applied to. I dare not attempt any thing offensive, let the temptation or advantage be ever so, great, as I have not more of that most essential article than will be absolutely necessary to defend our lines, should the enemy attempt to attack them.

By recent information from Boston, Gen. Howe is going to send out a number of the inhabitants, in order, it is thought, to make more room for his expected reinforcements. There is one part of the information that I can hardly give credit to: a sailor says that a number of those coming out have been Inoculated, with design of spreading the smallpox through this country and camp. I have communicated this to the General Court, and recommended their attention thereto. They are arming one of the transports in Boston, with which they mean to decoy some of our armed vessels. As we are apprised of their design, I hope they will be disappointed.

My best respects wait on the gentlemen in Congress, and I am, sir, your most humble obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. I was misinformed when I mentioned that one regiment had arrived at Boston; a few companies of the seventeenth, and artillery, were all that are yet come. Near three hundred persons are landed on Point Shirley, from Boston.

GENERAL PUTNAM TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Camp in Cambridge, December 1, 1775.

SIR: I shall esteem it as a particular favour if your Excellency will be so obliging as to recommend my worthy friend, Colonel Henry Babcock, to the honourable Continental Congress, to be appointed to the rank of Brigadier-General in the Continental Army. I have been upon service with him several campaigns the last war, and have seen him in action behave with great spirit and fortitude, when he had the command of a regiment. He has this day been very serviceable in assisting me in quelling a mutiny, and bringing back a number of deserters.

Your Excellency well knows I am in great want of a Brigadier-General in my division, and such a one as lean put confidence in and rely upon. I know of no man who will fill the vacancy with more honour than the gentleman above named.

I have the honour to be, with great truth and regard, your Excellency's most obedient, most humble servant,

ISRAEL PUTNAM, M. G.

His Excellency General Washington.

In the House of Representatives, December 1, 1775.

Upon a motion, Ordered, That Mr. Speaker and Colonel Orne, with such as the Honourable Board shall join, be a Committee to acquaint his Excellency General Washington of the importance of Cape-Cod harbour, and to confer with him on some method to deprive the enemy of the advantage they now receive therefrom.

Sent up for concurrence.

J. WARREN, speaker.

In Council, December 1, 1775.

Read and concurred. Walter Spooner, Esq., is joined.

PEREZ MORTON, Dep. Sec'y.

ORDERS BY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, December 1, 1775.

The fatal consequences which have at all times, and upon all occasions, befallen armies attacked at unawares, when men are scattered and remote from their posts, or negligent whilst at them, are too well known, and very often too unhappily felt, to stand in need of description; whereas, a handful of men, prepared for an attack, are seldom defeated: It is therefore ordered, in the most express and peremptory terms, that no non-commissioned officer or soldier do presume, under any pretence whatsoever, day or night, to be out of drum-call of his alarm post, without leave of the Captain or com main dm g officer of the company he belongs to. And it Ts also as expressly ordered that no non-commissioned officer or soldier do pass from Cambridge, and the lines on this side the river, to Roxbury, or come from thence hither, or go from either to any other place in the neighbourhood, without a written pass from the Captain or commanding officer of the company he belongs to, although he should not mean to stay more than an hour or two.

The officers of each regiment are to be subject to the same restraints, and to obtain leave in the same manner from the Colonel or commanding officer of the regiment they respectively belong to; and it is expected that all officers and soldiers in this army will pay the strictest attention to this order, as they shall answer the consequence. This order is not intended to change the mode of giving furloughs, (already pointed out in past orders,) the sole design being to keep men to their duty, that they may be always ready to meet their enemy upon the shortest notice.

It is again and again expressly ordered, that an officer of each company do once a day examine the arms and ammunition of the company he belongs to, and see that they are fit for use. This and the foregoing orders are to be frequently read to the men, and the usefulness of them fully inculcated upon their minds; they are to be considered as standing orders, till countermanded.

The Colonels or commanding officers of the new established regiments are to take especial care that the new