I have the honour to be, sir, your most humble and obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

DOCTOR MORGAN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

General Hospital, December 12, 1775.

SIR: In pursuance of your Excellency's command, I have carefully inquired into the state of the General Hospital, and of the sick in each house, and do find that the number set down in the last weekly return, made to me from the surgeons of the hospital, amounts to six hundred and seventy-six; but they have sometimes amounted to near fifteen hundred, of which the proportion at Roxbury is about one-third; and on an average their returns have generally proved to be nearly in that proportion. And whereas, from the great number of troops stationed at Roxhury, and its being so remote from Cambridge, it is absolutely necessary to have houses there for the reception and care of the sick, and to have stores and proper officers for the same; and on further consideration of the merits and services of William Aspenwall and Lemuel Hayward, in establishing houses for that purpose, and their care, attention, and skill, manifested as surgeons ever since the army has been established, as well as the expediency of retaining gentlemen of their abilities and good character in the hospital, and the particular advantage of their being stationed at Roxbury, in case of action in that quarter, (the mates of the hospital, in general, being not yet sufficiently qualified for a trust of that importance, without the direction of a superior; and the four surgeons, already appointed by Dr. Church, being fully employed, in times of prevailing sickness, at Cambridge, and will be all wanted there in case of a genera] action,) I would beg leave to recommend that Mr. Aspenwall and Mr. Hayward may still be kept in pay as additional surgeons in the General Hospital, so long as circumstances require, with liberty to draw on this hospital for the necessary supplies of instruments, medicines, &c. And whereas the small-pox hath made its appearance at several times in the army, and a number of persons have been lately sent out of Boston, and landed at Point-Shirley, with the small-pox on them, it is highly expedient to fix on a proper place for conveying such persons to, as may have the small-pox, with suitable conveniences to prevent its spreading, and to have a surgeon and mate of experience kept there continually, whose sole business shall be restricted to the taking care of the soldiers, and other persons that may have the small-pox, and be sent thither to prevent its spreading. And whereas Dr. Isaac Rand has hitherto been employed as surgeon, and Mr. Lyon as his mate, to take care of the small-pox patients, who are willing to remain in that department, I do further recommend that they may be continued in pay as surgeon and mate for the service, so long as occasion requires, with liberty to draw on the General Hospital for necessary supplies.

With all dutiful submission, I remain your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

JOHN MORGAN.

His Excellency General Washington.

ORDERS BY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, December 12, 1775.

The honourable the Continental Congress having been pleased to appoint Henry Knox, Esquire, Colonel of the Regiment of Artillery, upon the new establishment, he is to be obeyed as such. The Colonels or commanding officers of the five Connecticut regiments, upon the new establishment, to deliver to the Adjutant-General to-morrow, at orderly time, an exact list of the commissioned officers of their respective corps, together with a return of the men they have each of them inlisted for the above regiments, as an express is immediately to set out to Governour Trumbull, who has demanded the same, to lay them before the Assembly of the Colony.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, December 13, 1775.

The Major-Generals are to order the militia companies to be joined to the different brigades and regiments in their respective divisions, in such a manner as to supply the deficiency of the Connecticut troops, and to prevent disorder and confusion in case we should be called to action, and make a report thereof as soon as it is done. As the companies have an inclination to join particular regiments, the General has no objection to it in every instance where it can be done consistent with the good of the service, and the allotment to the different encampments. The Adjutants of every regiment, to which any of these companies are joined, are to acquaint them with all general and brigade orders, that they may not unknowingly disobey them.

The Colonels of the several regiments, upon the new establishment, may respectively apply to the Commissary of the Ordnance Stores for seventy-five stand of arms, lately taken in the store-ship from London. These arms the Colonels will be careful to put into the hands of the soldiers most approved for their care and bravery, and such only as are inlisted for the next campaign; exact lists of their names to be returned to the respective Colonels. The carbines taken in the said ship are not to be delivered without especial orders.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Cambridge, December 14, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 11th inst., was handed me by the two French gentlemen, Messrs. Penet and De Pliarne, for which I am exceedingly obliged to you. I have heard their proposals and plan for supplying the Continent with arms and ammunition, which appear plausible, and to promise success. But not thinking myself authorized to enter into any contract respecting the same, and being not fully acquainted with the measures Congress have adopted for procuring these articles, I have prevailed upon them to go to Philadelphia, and recommended them, and the consideration of their plan, to that body, where the matter will be finally agreed upon or rejected.

I must request the favour of you to furnish every necessary for accommodating them, and carriages, with all expedition, for carrying them as far as Governour Trumbull's. They are to travel at the Continental expense; and whatever charge you may be at on their account, you will be pleased to transmit to me, and it shall be immediately reimbursed.

Yours, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Cooke, Rhode-Island.

WILLIAM BARTLETT TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Beverly, December 14, 1775.

SIR: I now forward to your Excellency, by the bearer, three casks of porter, purchased of Capt. Hunter; one barrel of lemons, of what was remaining sound out of the ship Concord; one box of pickles; one keg of sweetmeats; one box of wine; two cases of wine; one barrel of tea and loaf sugar; one box of oranges, being all the sound ones on board the brig Hannah. The oranges being directed to his Excellency General Gage, hope they will be the more acceptable to his Excellency General Washington. The box of sweetmeats being all I can find at present on board, when she is unloaded, if there should be any more found, shall forward them to your Excellency. There is on board the brig Hannah a number of casks of lemons and limes, being almost all perished—therefore shall sell them, next Monday, at publick auction, if no counter orders are received from your Excellency; four loaves of sugar out of ship Jenny, being all there was on board. Hope these will arrive safe, and clear from frost; and am, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

WILLIAM BARTLETT.

To his Excellency General Washington.

COLONEL MOTLAN TO COLONEL WENTWORTH.

Cambridge, December 14, 1775.

SIR: I see by your favour of the 3d December, that mine to you of the 1st had not then reached your hands. I then desired you would dispose of the cargo by the Rainbow; also the sloop, if a tolerable price could be got for her. If this last is not done ere this reaches your hands, you must defer if until further orders.