GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Cambridge, December 5, 1775.

SIR: I have of late met with abundant reason to be convinced of the impracticability of recruiting this army to the new establishment, in any reasonable time, by voluntary inlistments. The causes of such exceeding luke-warmness I shall not undertake to point out; sufficient it is to know that the fact is so. Many reasons are assigned; one only I shall mention, and that is, that the present soldiery are in expectation of drawing, from the landed interest and farmers a bounty equal to the allowance at the commencement of this army, and that therefore they play off. Be this as it may, I am satisfied that (his is not a time for trifling, and that the exigency of our affairs calls aloud for vigorous exertions. By sad experience it is found that the Connecticut regiments have deserted, and are about to desert, the noble cause we are engaged in. Nor have I any reason to believe that the forces of New-Hampshire, this Government, or Rhode-Island, will give stronger proofs of their attachment to it when the period arrives when they may claim a dismission. For, after every stimulus which I have been able to throw in their way, and near a month's close endeavour, we have inlisted but about five thousand men; fifteen hundred of which are to be absent at a time, on furlough, until all have gone home, in order that they may visit and provide for their families.

Five thousand militia from this Government, and the Colony of New-Hampshire, are ordered to be at this place by the 10th inst., to relieve the Connecticut regiments and supply the deficiency which will be occasioned by their departure and those on furlough. These men, I am told by officers who have been eye-witnesses to their behaviour, are not to be depended upon for more than a few days, as they soon get tired, grow impatient, ungovernable, and of course leave the service. What will be the consequence, then, if the greatest part of the army is to be composed of such men? Upon the new establishment twenty-six regiments were ordered to be raised, besides those of the artillery and riflemen. Of these New-Hampshire has three, Massachusetts sixteen, Rhode-Island two, and Connecticut five. A mode of appointing the officers was recommended, and as strictly adhered to as circumstances would admit of. These officers are now recruiting, with the success I have mentioned.

Thus, sir, have I given you a true and impartial state of our situation, and submit it to your wisdom, and the other three New-England Colonies, whether some vigorous measures, if the powers of the. Government are adequate, ought not to be adopted, to facilitate the completion of this army, without offering a bounty from the publick, which the Congress have declared against, thinking the terms, exclusive thereof, greater than ever soldier had. I have by this conveyance kid tire matter, before Congress, but the critical situation of our affairs will not await their deliberation and recommendation. Something must be done without further delay. I am, sir, your obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Hon. the General Court of the Massachusetts-Bay.

GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS TO GEN. WASHINGTON,

Watertown, December 7, 1775.

SIR: We enclose to your Excellency an attested copy of the resolve passed by the General Court on the first instant; upon the subject-matter of which resolve a Committee of both Houses had yesterday the honour of a conference with your Excellency. We are clearly of opinion that the words of the resolve will not admit of such a construction is was suggested to your Excellency by General Heath; but that they plainly put the officers and soldiers of the militia, now to be raised, upon the same footing, in all respects, as the rest of the American army under your Excellency's command, and that they were so intended by the Court. We could have wished that Gen. Heath had deferred giving the information he did to your Excellency, unless lie had been possessed of fuller evidence than he appear to have had. We trust this account of the matter will be fully satisfactory to your Excellency, and prevent any difficulties from arising upon this head.

His Excellency Gen. Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, December 5, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Your much esteemed favour of the 22d ult., covering Colonel Arnold's letter, with a copy of one to General Montgomery, and his to you, I received yesterday morning. It gave me the highest satisfaction to hear of Col. Arnold's being at Point-Levi, with his men in great spirits after their long and fatiguing march, attended with almost insuperable difficulties, and the discouraging circumstance of being left by one-third of the troops that went on the expedition. The merit of this gentleman is certainly great, and I heartily wish that fortune may distinguish him as one of her favourites. I am convinced that he will do every thing that his prudence and valour shall suggest, to add to the success of our arms, and for reducing Quebeck to our possession. Should he not be able to accomplish so desirable a work with the forces he has, I flatter myself that it will be effected when General Montgomery joins him, and our conquest of Canada be complete.

I am sorry to find you so much plagued and embarrassed by the disregard of discipline, confusion, and want of order among the troops, as to have occasioned you to mention to Congress an inclination to retire. I know that your complaints are too well founded, but I would willingly hope that nothing will induce you to quit the service, and that in time, order and subordination will take the, place of confusion, and command be rendered more agreeable. I have met with difficulties of the same sort, and such as I never expected. But they must be borne with. The cause we are engaged in is so just and righteous, that we must try to rise superior to every obstacle In its support, and therefore I beg that you will not think of resigning, unless you have carried your application to Congress too far to recede.

I am, dear sir, with great esteem and regard, yours, & c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Major-General Schuyler.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COLONEL ARNOLD.

Cambridge, December 5, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 8th ultimo, with a postscript of the 14th from Point-Levi, I have had the pleasure to receive. It is not in the power of any man to command success; but you have done more—you have deserved it; and before this I hope have met with the laurels which are due to your toils, in the possession of Quebeck. My thanks are due, and sincerely offered to you, for your enterprising and persevering spirit. To your brave followers I likewise present them, I was not unmindful of you or them in the establishment of a new army. One out of twenty-six regiments (lately General Putnam's) you are appointed to the command of, and I have ordered all the officers with you to the one or the other of these regiments, in the rank they now bear, that in case they choose to continue in service, and no appointments take place where they now are, no disappointment may follow.

Nothing very material has happened in this camp since you left it. Finding we are not likely to do much in the land way, I fitted out several privateers, or rather armed vessels, in behalf of the Continent, with which we have taken several prizes, to the amount, it is supposed, of fifteen thousand pounds sterling; one of them a valuable store-ship, (but no powder in it,) containing a fine brass mortar, thirteen-inch, two thousand stand of arms, shot, &c., &c.

I have no doubt but a junction of your detachment of the army, under General Montgomery, is effected before this. If so, you will put yourself under his command, and will, I am persuaded, give him all the assistance in your power to finish the glorious work you have begun. That the Almighty may preserve and prosper you in it, is the prayer of, dear sir, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON,

Colonel Arnold.

P. S, You could not be more surprised than I was at Enos's return, with the division under his command I immediately put him under arrest, and had him tried for quitting the detachment without your orders He is acquitted on, the score of provision.