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receiving your favours of the 28th ultimo, and the 2d instant. I must again express my gratitude for the attention shown to Mrs. Washington, at Philadelphia. It cannot but be pleasing, although it did, in some measure, impede the progress of her journey.*
I am much obliged to you for the hints contained in both of the above letters, respecting the jealousies which you say are gone abroad. I have studiously avoided, in all letters calculated for the publick eye, (I mean for that of the Congress,) every expression that could give pain or uneasiness; and I shall observe the same rule with respect to private letters, any further than appears absolutely necessary for the elucidation of facts.
I cannot charge myself with incivility, or, what in my opinion is tantamount, ceremonious civility, to the gentlemen of this Colony; but if such my conduct appears, I will endeavour at a reformation, as I can assure you, my dear Reed, that I wish to walk in such a line as will give most general satisfaction. You know that it was my wish, at first, to invite a certain number of the gentlemen of this Colony every day to dinner; but, unintentionally, we some how or other missed of it. If this has given rise to the jealousy, I can only say that I am sorry for it; at the same time I add, that it was rather owing to inattention, or, more properly, too much attention to other matters, which caused me to neglect it.
The extracts of letters from this camp, which so frequently appear in the Pennsylvania papers, are not only written without my knowledge, but without my approbation, as I have always thought they must have an unfavourable tendency; But there is no restraining men's tongues or pens, when charged with a little vanity, as in the accounts given of, or rather by, the riflemen.
With respect to what you have said of yourself, and your situation, I can only add to what I have before said on this subject, that whilst you leave the door open to my expectation of your return, I shall not think of supplying your place. If ultimately you resolve against coming, I should be glad to know it as soon as you have determined.
The Congress have resolved well, in respect to the pay of the., men; but if they cannot get the money signers to despatch their business, it is of very little avail; for we have not, at this time, money enough in camp to answer the Commissary's and Quartermaster's accounts, much less to pay the troops.
The account which you have given of the sentiments of the people respecting my conduct, is extremely flattering. I pray God that I may continue to deserve them, in my perplexed and intricate situation.
Our inlistment goes on slowly. By the returns last Monday, only five thousand nine hundred and seventeen men are engaged for the ensuing campaign; and yet we are told that we shall get the number wanted, as they are only playing off, to see what advantages are to be made, and whether a bounty cannot be extorted, either from the publick at large or individuals, in case of a draft. Time only can discover this. I doubt the measure exceedingly.
The fortunate capture of the store-ship has supplied us with flints, and many other articles we stood in need of; but we still have our wants.
I am, &c.,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBDLL.
Cambridge, December 15, 1775.
SIR; Your favours of the 7th and 9th instant I received, and was much pleased to hear of the zeal of the people of Connecticut, and the readiness of the inhabitants of the several towns to march to this town, upon their being acquainted with the behavior and desertion of their troops.
I have nothing to suggest for the consideration of your Assembly; I am confident they will not be wanting in their exertions for supporting the just and constitutional rights of the Colonies.
Enclosed I send you a list of the officers and companies under the new establishment, with the number of the men inlisted; the returns only came in today, or I would have transmitted it before.
Having heard that it is doubtful whether the Reverend Mr. Leonard, from your Colony, will have it in his power to continue here as a Chaplain, I cannot but express some concern, as I think his departure will be a loss. His general conduct has been exemplary and praiseworthy; in discharging the duties of his office, active and industrious; he has discovered himself a warm and steady friend to his country, and taken great pains to animate the soldiery, and impress them with a knowledge of the important rights we are contending for. Upon the late desertion of the troops, he gave a sensible and judicious discourse, holding forth the necessity of courage and bravery, and at the same time, of obedience and subordination to those in command.
In justice to the merits of this gentleman, I thought it only right to give you this testimonial of my opinion of him, and to mention him to you as a person worthy of your esteem and that of the publick.
I am, sir, &c.,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
To Governour Trumbull, Connecticut.
ROBERT H. HARRISON TO JAMES WARREN.
Cambridge, December 15, 1775.
SIR: I have it in command from his Excellency, to transmit to you the enclosed letter, from John Dalton and William Ramsay, Esquires, two of the Committee for the County of Fairfax, in the Colony of Virginia, by which you will see that they have sent the sum of fifty-three pounds thirteen shillings and three pence, by John Custis, Esq., who arrived here this week, for the suffering poor of Boston. As your honourable Court may make a distribution of this money in a manner, probably, which will better answer the benevolent intentions of the contributors than what his Excellency can, it is his desire that you will have an order made respecting the same, and send some person with it, to whom the money may be paid. The letter you will please to return.
I have the honour to be your very humble servant,
ROBERT H. HARRISON, A. D. C.
To the Hon. James Warren, Esq., Speaker.
P. S. If you can certify that the other donations were received, it will give the Fairfax Committee satisfaction.
TO WILLIAM BARTLETT, ESQ., BEVERLY.
Cambridge, December 15, 1775.
SIR: Acknowledged receipt of his letter, with petition from Committee of Correspondence of Beverly. If any cannon, not immediately wanting for the armed vessels, to be lent them. Shot to be lent. Powder found on board the prizes to be detained in his hands; and, if absolutely wanting for the town, to be lent.
COLONEL MOYLAN TO WILLIAM BARTLETT.
Cambridge, December 15, 1775.
SIR: Your favour of the 14th came to hand, with the sundry articles therein mentioned. I was in hopes there was some bottled porter, which would have been much more agreeable than that in cask. The General sends back the tea, which I am informed consists of two canisters only. The barrel of lemons was not half full. There was some preserved ginger on board the Antigua, which would be very agreeable.
Captain Lowrie just now delivered yours of the 11th. His Excellency thinks the price of teams, as fixed by the Province, full sufficient; he will not raise the price. His Excellency approves of your selling the lemons and limes, the potatoes, cabbage, and every thing perishable, on board the different prizes.
Captain Lowrie and Captain Foster have liberty to stay at Salem on their parole. Let them have their wearing apparel, and what to you appears clearly to be their private property, taking their receipts for what you give them.
Mr. Burke will deliver you this. You are ordered to give him and Mr. Gregory all their private property, taking their receipts. You must also give Captain Adams all his private property, taking his receipt.
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