COLONEL HOBART TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.

Medford, December 23, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to the order of the late honourable Congress, Colonel Walker and I proceeded to this place, to pay our troops to the 1st of August. We were not particularly instructed how to pay them, but were directed to pay them in the same way that the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay pay their troops. In order to know their establishment, we waited upon the honourable Council, who favoured us with a copy, here enclosed, which is different from what we expected. Instead of paying billeting, they pay one penny per mile to the camp. The number of miles each man travelled is ascertained in their pay-rolls, and the sum due carried off against each man's name, and added to the whole amount of his wages. This, together with paying by lunar months, gives all our Captains the trouble of making new rolls, and our Colony the disagreeable necessity of paying more money than we expected.

They are very explicit in the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in putting all their stoppages into their rolls, guns, blankets, &c., in order, as they say, that duplicates may be sent to the Continent to refund the money. If we are to be as explicit in our rolls, I am afraid they will be imperfect; for the amount of guns, blankets, &c., supplied by so many hands, and some of them so intricate, that it is almost impossible to find out the true state of the matter. However, I shall lose no time, nor spare no pains in my power, to put every thing in as clear and true a light as possible; and shall cheerfully observe your commands, and obey your instructions, as far as I am capable. Colonel Walker will give you any information about these matters, and in particular how much money it will take to complete our business. The great despatch with which the recruits were lately raised in our Colony, and the eager speed of their march to guard the lines against our unnatural enemies, has done great honour to New-Hampshire.

Gentlemen, I most heartily wish you the Divine influence and direction in the important matters before you; and am, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble servant

SAMUEL HOBART.

To the Honourable Congress at Exeter.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, December 24, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Your favour of the 15th instant, came yesterday to hand, with copies and extracts of your late letters to Congress. I have with great attention perused them. I am very sorry to find, by several paragraphs, that both you and General Montgomery incline to quit the service. Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country, if this is not? Should any difficulties that they may have to encounter, at this important crisis, deter them? God knows there is not a difficulty that you both very justly complain of, that I have not, in an eminent degree, experienced—that I am not every day experiencing. But we must bear up against them, and make the best of mankind as they are, since we cannot have them as we wish. Let me, therefore, conjure you and Mr. Montgomery to lay aside such thoughts; thoughts injurious to yourselves, excessively so to your country, which calls aloud for gentlemen of your abilities.

You mention in your letter to Congress, of the 20th ult., that the clothing was to remain at Albany, as General Montgomery would provide the troops in Canada. I wish they could be spared for this Army, for we cannot get clothing for half of our troops. Let me hear from you on this subject as soon as possible.

The proofs you have of the Ministry's intention to engage the Savage against us are incontrovertible. We have other confirmations of it by several despatches from John Stuart, the Superintendent of the Southern District, which luckily fell into my hands, being found on board a sloop sent by Lord Dunmore, bound to Boston. She was taken by one of our armed vessels. These, with many letters of consequence from his Lordship, I have lately sent to Congress.

I hope soon to hear that Colonel Knox has made good progress in forwarding the artillery. It is much wanting for the works we have lately thrown up. I have wrote a letter, the 10th instant, to General Howe, respecting Mr. Allen, of which, and the answer, you have copies enclosed.

I am, with great regard, sir, yours, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Major-General Schuyler, Northern Department.

GENERAL GATES TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.

Head-Quarters, December 24, 1775.

SIR: In obedience to his Excellency the General's directions, I am to desire that you will acquaint him, if you do not think, from the weather, (the information of the deserter you sent this morning to Cambridge, and all other circumstances,) that this night will be likely to prove favourable to the enterprise you mentioned yesterday to the General. If that is your opinion, it will be previously necessary for you to come and communicate the whole of your plan to the General, and receive his orders thereupon.

At gun-firing, it will be necessary to acquaint the Generals, Putnam, Heath, and Greene, with your intention, that no unnecessary alarm may create confusion, but that every thing may be conducted in a soldier-like manner, to succour, sustain, and, if necessary, cover the retreat of your party.

I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

HORATIO GATES, Adj't General.

To Brigadier-General Sullivan, Winter-Hill.

P. S. It is not necessary for you to come to Head-Quarters, unless you choose it; but be careful to acquaint the other Generals with your intention.

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Camp, near Winter-Hill, December 24, 1775.

MUCH ESTEEMED GENTLEMEN: I do myself the honour of transmitting you, by Colonel Burnham, a Return of the Militia sent by you from New-Hampshire. The troops are exceeding good, their spirit much applauded, and your vigorous exertions in procuring and sending them so seasonably meets with just reward; namely, the thanks of the Army.

Colonel Burnham would have returned some time since, but one company did not arrive till yesterday, and he could not return till he had mustered them. He has been much engaged in taking care of the troops, and has been of singular service to them and me. I wish you to make him up in your bill, and forward the same for payment before the time of inlistment is expired.

Gentlemen, I am, with much respect, your most obedient servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

To the Honourable Committee of Safety.

PHILIP CALLBECK TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Province of Massachusette-Bay, Winter-Harbour,

December 24, 1775.

SIR: I should but ill deserve the generous treatment your Excellency has been pleased to show me, had I not gratitude to acknowledge so great a favour. I cannot ascribe any part of it to my own merit, but must impute the whole to the philanthropy and humane disposition that so truly characterizes General Washington. Be so obliging, therefore, to accept of the only return in my power, that of my most grateful thanks; and be assured my conduct shall bear so strictly in unison with that of the gentleman, so as at all times to secure to myself the honour I now embrace, of subscribing myself, with great respect, your Excellency's most obedient, humble, and much obliged servant,

PHILIP CALLBECK,

His Excellency General Washington.

Fearful I should encroach on your Excellency's time, I have declined giving you a detail of the continued distress and persecution that has attended me since I had the honour of taking my leave. I have made my friend, Major Frazer, partly acquainted with it, and requested him to watch a convenient opportunity.