PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO NEW-ENGLAND COLONIES.

Philadelphia, December 8, 1775.

On the 2d instant, I forwarded to you, by order, the resolutions of the Congress, directing such soldiers as will reinlist to be paid their wages for the months of October, November, and December, and moreover one month's pay in advance; and desiring you to exert your utmost endeavours to promote the recruiting service in the army, as Well as in your particular Colony.

By letters since that, from the General, the Congress are informed that, from the 19th to the 28th of November, not more than two thousand five hundred and forty reinlisted, and that only nine hundred and sixty-six had reinlisted before that time. The situation of the General and army is the more alarming, as General Howe is well apprised of this matter, and will no doubt, on the first favourable opportunity, avail himself of the information. I need not inform you what pain the Congress feels at this want of publick spirit and backwardness in the soldiers to reinlist; nor need I paint to you the dreadful consequences that must ensue, should the lines be abandoned and the General deserted at a critical moment. I am therefore desired to forward the enclosed resolution of Congress, and to request you to exert yourselves in defence of our common liberties, by affording the General all the aid in your power, and to comply with his request for the assistance of the militia, whenever he may find it necessary to apply for it.

I have the honour, &c.,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, President of the Convention of New-Hampshire, and Governours of Rhode-Island and Connecticut.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, December 8, 1775.

SIR: Your letter of the 28th of November, by Captain Blewer, being received, was immediately laid before Congress.

By my letter of the 2d inst., which I hope you will in due time receive, you will perceive the Congress have, in a great measure, prevented your wishes, having written to New-York, and given orders to General Schuyler to supply you with and to forward, with all possible expedition, what cannon can be spared. They have also directed General Schuyler to make diligent search for lead; and retaining so much as may be wanted there, to send the remainder to your camp. However, it is hoped the gentlemen you have sent will expedite that business.

By order of Congress, I forward a commission for Mr. Knox, who is appointed Colonel of the Regiment of Artillery. The Congress also have relieved your difficulties with respect to the two battalions of Marines, having ordered that the raising them out of the army be suspended. It is the desire of Congress that such a body of forces may be raised; but their meaning is, that it be in addition to the army voted; and they expect you will think of proper persons to command that corps, and give orders for inlisting them wherever they may be found.

The Congress are sensibly affected with your situation, and regret the backwardness of the troops to reinlist. In addition to what I had the honour of transmitting you the 2d instant, they have desired me to enclose you a copy of a resolution passed yesterday, and to write to the Council of Massachusetts-Bay, the Convention of New-Hampshire, and the Governours of Rhode-Island and Connecticut, acquainting them with the present state of the army, and enclosing copies of the resolutions of this Congress, relative to your being empowered to call forth the militia of those Governments on any emergency, and requesting those Colonies to exert themselves in defence of our common liberties, by affording you all the aid in their power, and to comply with your request for the assistance of the militia, whenever you may find it necessary to call for it.

The gentlemen with the money set out to-day. I hope the arrival of this will relieve some of your difficulties, and that the payment of the arrears, and the month's advance which you are empowered to offer, will induce many to reinlist, who seem not to be actuated by nobler motives.

By letters received yesterday, we learn that Colonel Arnold, after a fatiguing march, had reached Canada, where he was well received by the inhabitants; that on the 14th of November, he had reached Point-Levi, and was preparing to pass the river that night; that, notwithstanding his being deserted by Colonel Eons, he had great hopes of gaining possession of Quebeck, as both the English and Canadian inhabitants were well-affected to our cause; that Carleton, with the ships under his command, was stopped in his passage down the river by a fort in our possession, at the mouth of Sorel, and some row-galleys; and that General Montgomery was preparing to attack him from Montreal; but of these matters you will doubtless be more fully informed by an express, which we understand was despatched to you from Ticonderoga.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To General Washington.

THOMAS LYNCH TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

December 8, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Your favour, by Captain Blewer, gives me infinite concern, not less on yours than on the account of the Continent. Providence favours us every where. Our success in every operation exceeds our most sanguine expectations; and yet when God is ready to deliver our oppressors into our hands, that men cannot be found willing to receive them is truly surprising.

With grief and shame it must be confessed that the whole blame lies not with the army. You will find your hands straitened instead of strengthened. What the event will be, it is impossible to foresee. Perhaps it is only intended to force the Continent into their own terms, and to show that neither General or Congress shall be permitted to control the army; perhaps to mortify the favourites of Congress. Be this as it may, resolution and firmness ought to rule our councils; a step yielded to improper and intemperate demands may be irretrievable.

I shall not take upon me to advise; it is as improper as it is needless. Your riflemen, negroes, and deserters, may, in proper passes, defend your artillery, ammunition, and stores. Should your lines be deserted, and the glorious golden opportunity of ending the war be lost, let not hope be lost also. We have, in the York papers, an account of your having taken an invaluable transport, and you have doubtless heard of Arnold's arrival at Quebeck. I hope both may end as we wish. The addition of arms and ammunition in the transport, according to report, must be most important to you. O! had you but an army.

My best compliments to your lady and family, and to all my acquaintance in the army. I told General Gales, Mifflin, and others, I should be much obliged to them could they send me a good drummer. They have forgot me.

One of our members of Congress sets out to-day for New-England. Whether his intents be wicked or not, I doubt much; he should be watched. Ship news, that the Floridas have been taken; but it is not credited. If true, I have no doubt but that it is with the consent of our court. God give you health and spirits to control all opposition.

Your sincere friend and most humble servant,

THOMAS LYNCH.

To General Washington.

P. S. Command me freely, whenever you please.

JOHN MARKS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, December, 1775.

Your petitioner humbly desires to be employed in that useful and much needful business of nail-making; and as your petitioner has followed that business formerly, he hopes to give satisfaction to the publick. And as the aforesaid article will be much wanted in the spring, he would set the business up immediately, that the publick might be punctually served in such useful articles. And whereas it will be necessary to have a good quantity of iron and coal, which, if not purchased soon, will render your petitioner unable to carry on the aforesaid business, he having a family of seven children; and having for some time past followed the shipsmith branch, which is now at a stand, and as he is possessed of tools, and fires for eight men to work by, which he will endeavour to get to the employ, (if not, he will take boys, and teach them, which will be of