being very much gullied. At present, the sledding is tolerable to Saratoga, about twenty-six miles; beyond that there is none. I have sent for the sleds and teams to come up, and expect to begin to move them to Saratoga on Wednesday or Thursday next, trusting that between this and that period we shall have a fine fall of snow, which will enable us to proceed farther, and make the carriage easy. If that should be the case, I hope, in sixteen or seventeen days, to be able to present to your Excellency a noble train of artillery, the inventory of which I have enclosed. I have been particular with respect to their dimensions, that no mistake may be made in making their carriages, as there are none here, or implements of any kind. I also send a list of those stores which I desired Colonel McDougall to send from New-York. I did not then know of any 13-inch mortars, which was the reason of my ordering but few shells of that size; but I now write to him for five hundred 13-inch, two hundred 5 7/10inch, and four hundred 4 ½-inches. If these sizes could be had there, as I believe they can, I should imagine it would save time and expense rather than to have them cast. If you should think otherwise, or have made provision for them elsewhere, you will please to countermand this order.

There is no other news here of Colonel Arnold than that, from Colonel Maclean's having burnt the houses round Quebeck, Colonel Arnold was obliged to go to Point-aux-Trembles, about six miles from the city; that Gen. Montgomery had gone to join him with a considerable body of men, and a good train of artillery, mortars, &c. There are some timid and some malevolent spirits who make this matter much worse; but from the different accounts which I have been able to collect, I have very little doubt that General Montgomery has Quebeck now in his possession.

I am, with the utmost respect, your Excellency's most obedient; humble servant,

HENRY KNOX.

His Excellency General Washington.

List of Mortars and Cannon brought from TICONDEROGA, DECEMBER 10, 1775:

One large barrel of flints; twenty-three boxes of lead, about one hundred pounds each.

List of Cannon, Stores, &c., ordered from NEW-YORK, NOVEMBER 27, 1775:

Twelve double-fortified iron 4-pounders; two brass 6-pounders; five tons 24-pound shot; five tons 18-pound shot; five tons 13-inch shells; ten tons 10-inch shells; ten tons 8-inch shells; five tons 7-inch shells; port-fire compositions and quick-matches. All the carcasses, although it is dubious whether there are any.

Ordered from the same place, December 17, 1775: Five hundred 13-inch shells; two hundred 5 7/10inch shells; four hundred 4 ½-inch shells.

Col. McDougall mentioned, doubtfully, that he thought there were some carcasses at a place near New-York. I ordered, if there were any, for the whole to be forwarded; but have since heard there were but few. They must be provided elsewhere.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Cambridge, December 17, 1775.

SIR: By sundry persons and accounts just from Boston, I am informed that the Ministerial army is in very great distress for want of fresh provisions, and having received intelligence that there are two hundred fat cattle on Block-Island, and some transport vessels cruising that way in quest of necessaries for the army, I must request you to have the cattle, &c, removed from thence immediately, and from every other place where their ships can come and take them off. It is a matter of the utmost importance to prevent their getting a supply. If they can be hindered now, the advanced season of the year, and the inclement weather, which we may expect ere long, will put it out of their power.

I yesterday received the enclosed information from several persons who lately came out from Boston, which I thought my duty to transmit to you. It is more than probable that the destination of the troops may be very different from what they have given out. They may have made use of that to deceive in another quarter.

I am, &c,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Cooke, Rhode-Island.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Cambridge, December 17, 1775.

SIR: I yesterday received the enclosed information from several persons who lately came out from Boston, which I thought it my duty to transmit to you. Whether these troops are embarked I cannot undertake to say; but if they are, it is very probable that their destination is very different from what they have given out, and that was used only as a feint, and to deceive us. It is certain that several ships sailed from thence yesterday morning.

I am, &c,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull, Connecticut.

P. S. Brigadier-General Prescott, as it is said, having treated Colonel Allen with severity, I beg your particular attention lest he should escape.

The same to the New- York Convention.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL WARD.

Cambridge, December 17, 1775.

SIR: The applications for liberty to go to the lines are so frequent that they cause much trouble. You will, therefore, sir, grant passes to such as you may think proper. At the same time I would recommend to you that the officer who will attend upon these occasions be a person of sense, and one who will carefully attend to the conversation of those who meet on the lines.

I am, &c,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major-General Ward.

REPORTS OF CAPTAIN DODGE.

Chelsea, December 16, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: I have enclosed the observation of the day:

Last evening, eight men ran away in a boat from Boston, to our guard at the ferry. Early in the morning, find-