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it is compared and connected with all the preceding circumstances, and with those striking illustrations of fire and sword which have been since exhibited, it must carry an irresistible evidence to every ingenuous mind.*
New-York, January 4, 1776.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read January 13, 1776.]
Cambridge, January 4, 1776.
SIR: Since my last, of the 31st ultimo, I have been honoured with your favour of the 22d, enclosing sundry resolves, which shall, in matters they respect, be made the rule of my conduct. The resolution relative to the troops in Boston, I beg the favour of you, sir, to assure Congress, shall be attempted to be put in execution the first moment I see a probability of success, and in such a way as a council of officers shall think most likely to produce it; but, if this should not happen as soon as you may expect, or my wishes prompt to, I request that Congress will be pleased to advert to my situation, and do me the justice to believe, that circumstances, and not want of inclination, are the cause of delay.
It is not in the pages of history, perhaps, to furnish a case like ours: to maintain a post within musket-shot of the enemy, for six months together, without powder, and, at the same time, to disband one army and recruit another, within that distance of twenty-odd British regiments, is more, probably, than ever was attempted. But, if we succeed as well in the last, as we have, heretofore, in the first, I shall think it the most fortunate event of my whole life.
By a very intelligent gentleman, (a Mr. Hutcheson,) from Boston, I learn, that it was Admiral Shuldham that came into the harbour on Saturday last; that two, of the five regiments from Cork, are arrived at Halifax; two others had sailed for Quebeck, but, what became of them could not be told; and the other, the Fifty-Fifth, has just got into Boston. Certain it is, also, that the greatest part of the Seventeenth Regiment is arrived there. Whether we are to conclude, from hence, that more than five regiments have been sent out, or, that the companies of the Seventeenth, arrived at Boston, are part of the regiments destined for Halifax and Quebeck, I know not.
We also learn, from this gentleman and others, that the troops embarked for Halifax, as mentioned in my letter of the 16th, were really designed for that place, but recalled from Nantasket Road, upon advice being received of the arrival of the above regiments there.
I am also informed of a fleet now getting ready, under the convoy of the Scarborough and Fowey, men-of-war, consisting of five transports and two bomb-vessels, with about three hundred marines, and several flat-bottomed boats. It is whispered that they are designed for New-port, but generally thought, in Boston, that it is meant for Long-Island; and, it is probable, it will be followed by more troops, as the other transports are taking in water, to lie (as others say) in Nantasket Road, to be out of the ice; a large quantity of biscuit is also baking. As the real design cannot, with certainty, be known, I submit it, with all due deference, to the superior judgment of Congress, whether it would not be consistent with prudence, to have some of the Jersey troops thrown into New-York, to prevent an evil which may be almost irremediable, should it happen: I mean the landing of troops at that place, or upon Long-Island, near it.
As it is possible you may not yet have received His Majesty's most gracious speech, I do myself the honour to enclose one, of many which were sent out of Boston yesterday. It is full of rancour and resentment, and explicitly holds forth his Royal will to be, that vigorous measures must be pursued, to deprive us of our constitutional rights and liberties. These measures, whatever they be, I hope will be opposed by more vigorous ones, and rendered un-availing and fruitless, though sanctified and authorized by the name of Majesty, a name which ought to promote the blessings of his people, and not their oppression.
I am, sir, with the greatest respect and regard, your most obedient and most humble servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., President of the Continental Congress.
GENERAL ORDERS.
Head-Quarters, Cambridge, January 1, 1776.
| (Parole, The Congress.) | (Countersign, America.) |
F * * * This day giving commencement to the new Army, which, in every point of view, is entirely Continental, the General flatters himself, that a laudable spirit of emulation will now take place, and pervade the whole of it. Without such a spirit, few officers have ever arrived to any degree of reputation, nor did any army ever become formidable. His Excellency hopes, that the importance of the great cause we are engaged in, will be deeply impressed upon every man's mind; and wishes it to be considered, that an army without order, regularity, and discipline, is no better than a commissioned mob. Let us, therefore, when every thing dear and valuable to freemen is at stake, when our unnatural parent is threatening us with destruction from every quarter, endeavour, by all the skill and discipline in our power, to acquire that knowledge and conduct which is necessary in war. Our men are brave and good; men who, with pleasure it is ob-served, are addicted to fewer vices than are commonly found in armies. But, it is subordination and discipline, (the life and soul of an army,) which, next under Providence, is to make us formidable to our enemies, honourable in ourselves, and respected in the world; and herein is to be shown the goodness of the officer.
In vain is it for a General to issue orders, if orders are not attended to; equally vain is it, for a few officers to exert themselves, if the same spirit does not animate the whole. It is, therefore, expected, (it is not insisted upon,) that each Brigadier will be attentive to the discipline of his brigade, to the exercise of, and the conduct observed in it, calling the Colonels and Field-Officers of every regiment to severe account for neglect, or disobedience of orders. The same attention is to be paid by the Field-Officers, to the respective companies of their regiments, by the Captains to their Subalterns, and so on. And, that the plea of ignorance, which is no excuse for the neglect of orders, (but rather an aggravation,) may not be offered, it is ordered and directed, that not only every regiment, but every company, do keep an Orderly Book, to which frequent recourse is to be had, it being expected, that all standing orders be rigidly obeyed, until altered or countermanded. It is also expected, that all orders, which are necessary to be communicated to the men, be regularly read, and carefully explained, to them. As it is the first wish of the General to have the business of the Army conducted without punishment, to accomplish which, he assures every officer and soldier that, as far as it is in his power, he will reward such as particularly distinguish themselves; at the same time he declares that he will punish every kind of neglect or misbehaviour in an examplary manner.
As the great variety of occurrences, and the multiplicity of business, in which the General is necessarily engaged, may withdraw his attention from many objects and things which might be improved to advantage, he takes this opportunity of declaring, that he will thank any officer, of whatsoever rank, for any useful hints or profitable informations; but to avoid trivial matters, as his time is very much engrossed, he requires that it may be introduced through the channel of a General Officer, who is to weigh the importance before he communicates it.
All standing orders heretofore issued for the government of the late Army, of which every regiment has, or ought to have, copies, are to be strictly complied with, until changed or countermanded.
Every regiment now upon the new establishment, is to give in, signed by the Colonel, or commanding officer, an exact list of the commissioned officers, in order that they may receive commissions; particular care to be taken, that no person is included as an officer, but such as have been appointed by proper authority; any attempt of that kind, in the new Army, will bring severe punishment upon
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