I think myself, in justice, bound to acknowledge the good conduct and intrepidity, of both officers and men, of my detachment, who undauntedly marched up, in the face of the enemy's cannon; in particular, the volunteers of Captain Oswald, who signalized himself in the attack on their battery, and is now a prisoner.

I hope, gentlemen, my being confined to my bed with my wound and a severe fit of the gout, will apologize for the incoherency and inaccurateness of my scrawl; and that you will believe me, with respect and esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

To the Honourable Continental Congress.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

Camp before Quebeck, January 12, 1776,

GENTLEMEN: Since writing the enclosed, General Wooster has acquainted me he cannot leave Montreal, but has sent down Colonel Clinton, to whom I shall resign the command, until my wound will permit my doing duty, which my Surgeon thinks will be four or six weeks. Colonel Clinton acquaints me, we cannot expect more than two hundred men from Montreal. I have put on foot the raising a regiment of three hundred Canadians, which I make no doubt of effecting. They are to have the same pay, and be under the same regulations, as the Continental forces. I make no doubt the exigency of our affairs will justify the step I have taken, (though without authority for so doing,) and that it will be approved of by the honourable Continental Congress.

I am, most respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

B ARNOLD.

P. S. The forts of Niagara and Detroit are an object, which, I make no doubt, the honourable Congress have in view Mr. Antill, now on his way down, can inform you in regard to their strength, stores, &.c

B.A.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Cambridge, January 11, 1776.

SIR: Every account I have out of Boston confirms the embarkation of troops, mentioned in my last, which, from the season of the year, and other circumstances, must be destined for some expedition to the southward of this. I have, therefore, thought it prudent to send Major-General Lee to New-York. I have given him letters, recommendatory to Governour Trumbull, and to the Committee of Safety at New-York. I have good hopes, that in Connecticut, he will get many volunteers, who, I have some reason to think, will accompany him on this expedition, without more expense to the Continent than their maintenance; but, should it be otherwise, and that they should expect pay, I think it is a trifling consideration, when put in competition with the importance of the object—which is to put the city of New-York, such parts of the North River, and Long-Island, as to him shall seem proper, in that state of defence which the season of the year, and circumstances will admit of, so as, if possible, to prevent the enemy from forming a lodgment in that Government, which, I am afraid, contains too many persons disaffected to the cause of liberty and America. I have, also, wrote to Lord Stirling, to give him all the assistance that he can, with the troops under his command in the Continental service, provided it does not interfere with any orders he may receive from Congress relative to them. I hope the Congress will approve of my conduct in sending General Lee upon this expedition. I am sure I mean it well, as experience teaches us, that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves, than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.

The evening of the 8th instant, a party of our men, under the command of Major Knowlton, were ordered to go and burn some houses, which lay at the foot of Bunker's Hill, and at the head of Charlestown. They were, also, ordered to bring off the guard, which, we expected, consisted of an officer and thirty men. They crossed the milldam, about half after eight o'clock, and gallantly executed their business, having burnt eight houses, and brought with them a sergeant and four privates, of the Tenth Regiment.There was but one man more there, who, making some resistance, they were obliged to despatch. The gun that killed him, was the only one that was discharged by our men, though several hundreds were fired by the enemy from within their works, but in so confused a manner that not one of our people was hurt. Our inlistments go on very heavily.

I am, with great respect, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, January 5, 1776.

The Majors of Brigade to order the Adjutants to be exact and punctual in making their weekly returns of the strength of each regiment; also, a separate return of the numbers inlisted in the course of last week, at orderly time to-morrow: The weekly returns to be according to the form lately sent by the Adjutant-General.

The regimentals, which have been made up, and drawn for, may be delivered to the respective Colonels, by the Quartermaster-General, to the order of those Colonels, who drew them at such prices as they have cost the Continent, which is much cheaper than could otherwise be obtained. As nothing adds more to the appearance of a man, than dress, and a proper degree of cleanliness in his person, the General hopes and expects, that each regiment will contend for the most soldierlike appearance. He is, also, very desirous of having the men instructed, as speedily as possible, in all parts of their duty, and recommends it to all the Colonels, to be very careful in the choice of their Non-commissioned Officers; and to their Captains, to divide their companies into small squads, appointing a Sergeant and Corporal to each, from whom the utmost diligence is expected. Those Sergeants and Corporals are by no means to suffer the arms and accoutrements of any man, in their squads, to be dirty, or unfit for use; and, as far as in them lies, to make the men appear neat, clean, and soldierlike. Neglect of duty, in these instances, they may rely upon it, will reduce them to the ranks. These orders are not intended to exempt the Commissioned Officers of the companies, from the strictest attention to these things; on the contrary, as it serves to show the General's solicitude in having the men, and their arms, appear in the best order, it is hoped they will double their diligence.

If Colonel Brewer inclines to accept the appointment of Barrackmaster, he is to proceed directly to discharge the duty of that office; and, as the first business to be done in an army, is with the Quartermaster of each regiment, he is to see that the number of men, for which each barrack was designed, are immediately quartered therein, keeping the regiments together as much as possible, that every tent, may be delivered into the Quartermaster-General's store.

The Regimental Quartermasters, and their Sergeants, are to cause proper necessaries to be erected, at convenient distances from the barracks in which their men are lodged, and see that those necessaries are frequently filled up. Any person who shall be discovered easing himself elsewhere, is to be instantly confined, and brought before a Regimental Court-Martial. They are to cause, also, the filth and garbage about the barracks, to be removed and buried. In short, it is in a particular manner the duty of the Quartermaster to see that the barracks are kept clean and sweet, the victuals properly prepared, &c; and, although it is the particular business of the Quartermasters, and their Sergeants, to see this done, it is equally necessary, and the duty of the other officers, to look into this business, as too much care cannot be used in a matter where the health of the men so much depends upon it.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, January 6, 1776.

The General is informed that a custom hath prevailed, at the main guard in Cambridge, of permitting prisoners to be absent upon their parole; he, therefore, orders a total stop be put to this practice for the future. Any officer offending herein, will be immediately put in arrest, and tried for disobedience of orders.

The frequent application for flags at Roxbury, having