great service to the publick,) your petitioner humbly pray-eth the honourable the Congress will take into consideration, and allow him a little forehand cash, to enable him to carry on the work; and what work he gives in weekly, will pay a moiety towards the advanced money; and the work done at the lowest prices.

If the above is agreeable, and meets with acceptance, your petitioner will forever pray.

JOHN MARKS.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Albany, December 8, 1775.

SIR The common shoes worn in the country are by no means proper for a winter march. The troops, if any are to go to Canada, should therefore be provided with Canadian moccasins, which, I believe, will cost about four shillings, or four and six pence a pair; a thick woollen cap to cover their ears; a pair of Indian stockings; and a good pair of mittens.

By the tenor of the officers' commissions, I cannot discharge even those who have quitted the service, and they expect to be paid up to the day to which the men were inlisted.

I have received no accounts from any of the Colonies, of what money has been advanced to the troops raised in them; so that I cannot possibly settle their accounts, nor pay off the men, nor even advance a single shilling, unless Congress will direct me to do it at hazard, and abide by the loss. I assure you, sir, that for the want of these accounts, I am not only put into a very disagreeable situation, but our cause will suffer extremely. Numbers that have gone home, have swore most bitterly that they will never re-engage in the service. Pray, is there not a danger that such people may join our enemies, to which they will be prompted by the malignants, who have now such good materials for the purpose. Permit me, therefore, most earnestly, to entreat Congress that I may be furnished, without the least delay, with those accounts.

The barracks in this place are out of repair. I propose to employ carpenters to mend them, and have requested the opinion of the gentlemen of the Committee on this intention, which they approve of, as they also do of appointing a barrack-master and conductor of the artillery, both of which wi I save thrice their pay in six months.

Lieutenant Halsey, of the troops raised in Connecticut, and of whom General Montgomery complains, has been excessively troublesome during the whole campaign, and deserved to have been dismissed the service soon after my coming to the command. The time for which he engaged to serve is expired. He can therefore only be punished by stopping his pay, unless he will submit to be tried by a court-martial.

The expense that we are put to by the prisoners, runs amazingly high. I wish some means could be fallen upon that they might receive their pay. Would it not be well if a month's pay was offered them for their bills on General Howe, in Boston. If he accepts them, we get hard cash; if not, we are just where we are; for they may be told that they are not to have any more, and that a bare subsistence only will be allowed them in future.

Of upwards of one hundred batteaus which we built, I am confident twenty-five or thirty will be lost, as they have been left by the lake-side, all the way between Onion river and Skenesborough, by soldiers that took that route homewards.

I found, on my arrrival here, about sixty of the Six Nations. To-day, we have had their congratulatory speech, and on Monday they are to proceed to business. Not having had a moment's time to myself since my arrival here, which was last night, I have not been able to learn the intention of this visit. No Commissioner but Mr. Dorr and myself are here; and there being five, we may be blamed for acting; but necessity drives us to it. Perhaps Congress may think proper to add two or three more out of this place.

I am informed that some of the prisoners have behaved exceeding ill. I shall have the affidavits taken in support of the charges made against them, as soon as I can find a little time, and transmit them to Congress. The Committee of Albany have also complained to me of a Mr. McCoy, who is a prisoner cherished by some people extremely inimical to us. His abuse has gone to every body indiscriminately. I shall immediately send him to Connecticut, under a guard.

Colonel Knox is now at Ticonderoga. I have arranged matters in such a manner as that I hope all the artillery he wants will be at Fort George in a few days, from whence it will be carried to Boston, as soon as the roads will permit.

I am pretty confident that a reinforcement might be sent to General Montgomery, even before the ice on Lake Champlain will be strong enough to bear, by a route hitherto not attempted, and I believe with very little difficulty. I shall immediately employ two trusty men to ascertain this.

My letter, alluded to in the first paragraph of this, was only last night delivered to Mr. Livingston, so that it goes by this express.

I am informed that several officers in our army sent a very insulting message to General Montgomery, because he had shown some indulgence to a few of the officers that were made prisoners. This turbulent and mutinous spirit will tend to the ruin of our cause; and the necessity of checking it immediately, and taking measures to prevent it in future, strikes me so forcibly, that I take the liberty to observe that it is worthy of the immediate attention of Congress. I speak the more freely on this subject, as I would not wish that General Montgomery and my successors, whoever they may be, should lead the disagreeable life we have done.

I am, sir, with esteem and respect, your most obedient and most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., &c.

ABRAM DAVENPORT TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Stamford, December 8, 1775.

RESPECTED SIR: Mr. Selleck and Mr. Bates, two of my neighbours, own a vessel of about fifty tons, with which they are desirous to make voyage to the West-Indies, to carry cattle and provisions, and bring back military stores, if a permit can be obtained of your Honour for that purpose. I suppose that it is expected that Mr. Bates will go master, if the vessel is permitted to go. I believe he may be depended upon; and I do not know a man better calculated for the business. The vessel is said to be a prime sailer. We have but a few pounds of powder in our town stock, and I believe it will be universally agreeable to the inhabitants of our town that a permit should be granted them. At the desire of Mr. Bates, I write this. He informs me that Mr. Selleck will apply to your Honour for the permit, and will give bond, (if required,) for the faithful conduct of the master. Mr. Selleck is a man of considerable interest, and his bond will be quite sufficient.

I am, with the greatest esteem and respect, your Honour's most obedient and humble servant,

ABRAM DAVENPORT.

Honourable Governour Trumbull.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.

Cambridge, December 8, 1775.

SIR: The intention of yesterday's order, respecting the review of the Connecticut troops, is only to afford a good