GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOTTR TRPMBULL.

Cambridge, January 7, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 1st instant I received, and heartily thank you for your kind salutations. I was happy "to hear of the great unanimity in your Assembly, and of the several salutary laws they passed, which show them to the well attached to the common cause, and to have taken the proper measures for supporting it.

Enclosed you have the amount of the lead from Crown-Point, agreeable to your request. The account of the Smelting furnace, and your expectations to make a considerable quantity of saltpetre and powder, pleases me much. I wish your most sanguine endeavours may be more than answered.

As to gunlocks, it is not in my power to furnish any; the information you had was groundless, for there were no Spare ones in the ordnance stores which fell into our hands. Nonewere ever found, that I have heard of, nor is there mention of them in the invoice.

Having undoubted intelligence of the fitting out a fleet at Boston, and of the embarkation of troops from thence, which, from the season of the year, and other circumstances, must be destined for some expedition south of this; and having such information as I can depend upon, that the inhabitants of Long-Island, in the Colony of New-York, or a great part of them, are inimical to the rights and liberties of America, and, from their conduct and professions, have discovered an apparent inclination to assist in subjugating their fellow-citizens to Ministerial tyranny, there, is the greatest reason to believe, that this armament, if not immediately designed against the city of New- York, is, nevertheless, intended for Long-Island; and, as it is of the utmost importance to prevent the enemy from possessing themselves of the city of New-York and the North River, which would give them the command of the country and the communication with Canada, I shall despatch Major General Lee, with orders to repair thither, with such volunteers as are willing to join, and can be expeditiously raised, (having no troops to spare from hence,) to put the city, and fortifications on the North River, in the best posture of defence the season and circumstances will admit of, and for disarming all persons, upon Long-Island and elsewhere, whose conduct and declarations have rendered them justly suspected of designs unfriendly to the views of Congress. I have directed him to call upon the commanding officer of the Jersey troops for such assistance as he can afford; and, being informed by Captain Sears and Mr. Woodward, (who will deliver you this, and whom General Lee will follow in a day or two,) that he apprehends on" thousand, or fifteen hundred volunteers may be readily raised in your Government, in the towns through which Mr. Lee will pass, I beg the favour of you to interpose your good offices and interest in the matter, to encourage men to go on his important service, and as expeditiously as possible, for counteracting any designs our enemies may have against us in that quarter; every necessary expense attending their march and stay, will be borne by the publick. I just received advice from Chelsea, about nine of ten miles from this, that several ships have sailed from Nantasket Road, that were lying there.

I shall write to the honourable the Convention of New-York, by General Lee, and direct his instructions to be laid before them, praying their assistance to facilitate the purposes of his going.

Boxes of lead, 19½, at $2 70 each.

I am, sir, with much esteem, &.c,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull, Connecticut.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOHN ADAMS.

Cambridge, January 7, 1776.

SIR: You wilt excuse me for reminding yon of our conversation the other evening, when I informed you that General Lee's departure for New-York is advisable upon the plan of his letter, and, under the circumstances I then mentioned, ought not to be delayed. In giving me your opinion of this matter, I have no doubt of your taking a comprehensive view of it; that is, you will not only consider the propriety of the measure, but of the execution; and whether such a step, though right in itself, may not be looked upon as beyond my line.

If it could be made convenient and agreeable to you to dine with me to day, I shall be very glad of your company, and we can then talk the matter over at large. Please to forward General Lee's letter to me. I am, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

[GENERAL WASHINGTON] TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Cambridge, January 7, 1776.

Ordered him to examine into the condition of Captain Coit's schooner. If fit to be continued in service, to look out for some person qualified to take command of her, appoint officers, and raise men for that purpose. If unfit, and that a clever set of officers and men can begot, also a schooner remarkable for sailing, to remove the guns, ammunition, &c., from on board the one into the other &c., &c.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

LORD STIRLING TO PRESIDENT OR CONGRESS.

Elizabethtown, January 8, 1776.

SIR: By the post of this day, I have received your letter of the 3d, with a copy of the minutes of Congress relative to the New-Jersey troops, &c, from the 8th of December to the 2d instant, inclusive. I have great satisfaction in knowing the sense of the Congress on the several matters therein, and they may be assured, that I shall pay the highest attention and regard to it. The; two battalions of this Province, notwithstanding my utmost diligence, are still very deficient in arms, blankets, and almost every necessary, as will appear by the returns, which I shall transmit to you by Thursday next, when I expect to have the returns from all the companies in the First Battalion. I hope this will in some measure be remedied by the Committee of Safety of this Province, who are to meet tomorrow, at Princeton, for the first lime since the adjournment of the Provincial Convention, in October last.

I hope you will this evening receive the despatches I sent you by Captain Morris. I hear Cortland Skinner, Esq., went off yesterday to the Asia. He Ira? been too quick for me, for I sent off two very alert officers yesterday evening, to assist Lieutenant Colonel Winds to watch their motions, and to stop such as should attempt to go off. Having some reasons to suspect that Governour Franklin was about moving, he has obtained his promise not to leave the Province, and has planted guards in such a manner as to prevent it.

I have the honour to be, your most obedient, humble servant,

STIRLING.

To the Honourable John Hancock, &c.

WESTCHESTER (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE TO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

White Plains, January 8, 1776.

SIR: The Committee of Westchester County, having seen in the publick prints, that many of the inhabitants of Queen's County are thrown out of the protection of the Provincial Congress, and having been informed that they are arming in their defence, are greatly alarmed at their conduct, and beg leave to assure your honourable House, that the friends of liberty in this County are willing, strenuously, to exert themselves to reduce the enemies to their country, before they are supported by the regular troops, if it shall be thought most advisable by the Committee of Safety, or the Provincial or Continental Congresses.

We are, sir, your most humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

WILLIAM MILLER, Deputy Chairman.

To Mr. Pierre Van Cortland, President of the Commit: tee of Safety.

MONSIEUR PELISSIER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Forges St. Maurice, 8 Janvier, 1776.

MONSIEUR: En Dccembre dernier, le Général Montgomery m'ayant informe du desir qu'il auroit de convoquer une Assemblée en cette Colonie, afin de foraier des Députés pour envoyer au Congrés Continental, m'engagea