P. S. I have received certain intelligence of the fitting out of a fleet at Boston, of the embarkation of some troops, and that all the ships that were in Nantasket Road are gone, except two men-of-war; their destination is not known, but 1 am persuaded it is for the southward; I think for Long-Island or New-York.

COMMISSION TO WILLIAM MORONT.

By His Excellency General WASHINGTON, Esq., Commander-in-chief of the Army of the UNITED COLONIES of NORTH-AMERICA.

To Mr. WILLIAM MORONY:

By virtue of the powers and authorities to me granted by the honourable Continental Congress, I do hereby constitute and appoint you Provost Marshal in said Army, in the service of the United Colonies of North-America, to have, hold, exercise, and enjoy, the said office of Provost Marshal, and to perform and execute all matters and things which to your said office doth, or may of right, belong or appertain, until further order shall be given herein, by the honourable Continental Congress, myself, or any future Commander-in-chief of said Army; willing and commanding all officers, soldiers, and persons whatsoever, any way concerned, to be obedient and assisting to you in the due execution of this commission.

Given under my hand and seal, at Cambridge, January sixth, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

By His Excellency's command.

Instructions for Mr. WILLIAM MOHONY, Provost Marshal of the Army of the UNITED COLONIES, under the immediate command of His Excellency General WASHINGTON.

All prisoners guilty of capital crimes, and crimes not triable by a Regimental Court-Martial, are to be sent to the Provost.

The Provost is not to receive any prisoner, without a crime specified in writing, and signed by the person committing him.

No prisoner is to he suffered to be absent from his confinement, until released by proper authority.

The Provost Marshal is to provide a suitable person, when necessary, to execute the sentences of General Court-Martials, approved of, and directed to be enforced, by the Commander-in-chief.

When any men are sent to the Provost, the Provost Marshal is to send a report of them immediately to the regiment they belong to; and no man is to be received by the Provost, except his crime is sent with him.

The Provost is to make a return, every morning, by ten o'clock, to the Adjutant-General, of the number of prisoners under guard, specifying the regiment they belong to, their crimes, by whom, and how long confined.

The Provost is to take due care that all orders from the Judge Advocate, respecting the trials of prisoners, be punctually executed; and is to post proper sentries, from his guard, at such times and in such places, as a General Court-Martial may sit.

The Provost is frequently to take a party from his guard, and patrole the avenues and environs of the camp; is to take up and confine all disorderly and suspicious persons; to suppress riots and disturbances; and to inform the Quartermaster-General of all persons who keep unwarranted and destructive dram-shops, and all other pernicious and camp nuisances.

The Provost is to receive and obey all such orders and instructions as may, at any time, be given him by his Excellency the Commander-in-chief, the Adjutant-General, the Quartermaster-General, and the Judge Advocate, of the Army of the United Colonies.

Given at Head-Quarters, at Cambridge, this 12th day of January, 1776.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

COLONEL LONG TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS,

Portsmouth, January 6, 1776.

SIR: Mr. McClure tells, me there was some, difficulty respecting the rolls, which prevented the moneys being paid. I sincerely wish every obstacle may be removed",, and their wages may immediately come down, for I heartily wish to see the time for the troops to get off. Mr. Ayres, whom you have appointed Wagon-Master, says, he cannot make it convenient to undertake for more than Captain Dearing's, Wigging's, and Brewster's companies, as the others live far out of his way, and, consequently, his expenses, in making preparations, will be large. I think, in order to save all that expense, those several Captains had better provide carriages for themselves and men, as they will be able to determine the hour, perhaps, they will go from their rendezvous. There is one Mr. Beat, of this town, an officer of Colonel Poor's regiment, who is inlisting men from out of the companies down there, to serve during the war. There is a resolve of Congress, dated, I think, the 16th September last, which, no doubt, you have, which he thinks authorizes him. The prisoners who are set at liberty by virtue of your vote, are without money or friends, wandering about within their limits, reflecting on us, for making no provision for them. I have been obliged to let some of them sleep in the barracks, otherwise they would, in all probability, have perished this inclement season. I had forgot to mention that Mr. Beal has applied to me for a barrack and other necessaries, for his men. I would, likewise, inform you, that I have paid all the carpenters who wrought on the new barracks, and on the bridge, and have purchased near a sloop load of wood, qt four dollars per cord, for the forts and troops, which leaves, in my hands, about one hundred pounds, of the sum of two hundred and thirty-five pounds received of Colonel Langdon; and must add, there is not one stick of wood now, either at the barracks or forts, excepting a small matter at Captain Salter's. I am, this day, going again to find where I can purchase any, for they cannot do without it. 1 must entreat your attention to the poor prisoners, who are continually at my house, in droves, begging for provision to be made. The staff-roll will be handed to you by Mr. McClure.

Have nothing further to add, but am, sir, your most obedient servant,

PIERCE LONG.

P. S. After I have purchased some more wood, I will call on you, and settle the above account.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO COLONEL WYNKOOP.

Albany, January 7, 1776.

SIR: The expense of carrying on the women and children by land, will be too heavy; you will, therefore, detain them with you, more especially as it is not certain whether their husbands are in Connecticut or Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bliss, the widow of the sergeant that was killed on board the Gaspee, you will forward to her parents; and such others may go, as choose to hire their own sleds.

All the men of the St. John's garrison to go or stay, as the officers commanding the different corps they belong to, shall direct.

If any officer of the other troops taken at Montreal, chooses to remain with the men, he has my leave.

General Montgomery is well before Quebeck, B I have his letters of the 18th ultimo; he was in hopes soon to be in possession.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Colonel Wynkoop.

JAMES GRAY TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON.

Hermitage, January 7, 1776.

DEAR SIR: The bearer, Lewis Grant, a good soldier, wants a gun, and I wish you had a thousand such men-Captain Barrington's arrival hinders my writing upon particulars. He mentioned some news. My good sir, when you get any news, honour me with your remarks upon them. I beg my humble respects to the ladies, and have the honour to be, dear sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

JAMES GRAY

To Sir John Johnson.

P. S. Sir John, send me three or four sheets of paper.