GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Hartford, January 16, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: Major French, whom I have met with at Hartford, is extremely solicitous for permission to return home, as he is confident that his whole fortunes depend upon his being immediately on the spot with his friends at this instant. As he is, I believe, a man of strict honour, his parole not to serve for a given time against the freedom of America, would be sufficient security; and as he has a family to provide for, it would certainly be humane and charitable to indulge him, nor can I see any inconvenience which would attend the indulgence; there may be some objections which do not, perhaps, occur to me, but I could wish for my own part, that as so much depends upon it, he might be gratified; however, I beg you will excuse my submitting the matter to your consideration.

I am, dear General, your most obedient humble servant.

CHARLES LEE.

To His Excellency General Washington.

SAMUEL MOTT TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Preston, January 16, 1776.

SIR; Being on the 5th of this instant, (January,) desired and directed by your Honour and Council of Safety, to view the works erected and proposed for defence at New-London, Groton, and Stonington, and report my opinion in the premises, &c.

In pursuance thereof, I have attended at the places above Mentioned, and have found that there is at New-London a work newly erected at the edge of the town, by the water, where the old fort or battery stood, which, on some accounts appears neat, well made and in good order. But by reason of the bad situation of the place, on account that in case of an attack from the enemy, it will have a tendency to draw the enemy's shot in the most dangerous direction on the body of the town, and by reason of the ill construction of the embrasures, &c., that it cannot defend from those parts of the harbour, where an enemy's ships of war might, and doubtless would, lie for action; and by reason that in case the enemy should set fire to any of the nearest buildings, it would be very difficult to support and occupy the work, and the danger that the men in the work must undergo from those in the tops of enemy's vessels, render it, in my opinion, not a suitable place to defend the town and harbour, and altogether insufficient for that purpose; and likewise, that in case of an attack from the enemy, the guns and stores in said work would be in great danger of falling an easy prey to the enemy.

I find also, adjacent to the town, on a place called Winthrop's Neck, a new work erected for defence, which, in my opinion, so far as it is done, may be of good service in assisting to defend the place, but the situation of the place will not admit of its being a sufficient defence. I also, viewed Shaw's Point, commonly called Mamacock, which, in my opinion, is capable of being fortified to very good purpose. The guns would lie fifty or sixty feet above the surface of the water, and only about one hundred and ninety rods from the opposite side of the channel; it has a very good and safe communication with the country, but no works are yet erected here.

I have also viewed the east shore of New-London harbour, on Groton side, and find a new work erected within reach of the whole channel of the harbour, which work so far as it is carried, I very much approve of, and think that with finishing what is begun, and making some small addition, it will be capable of making a very good defence.

The guns on this work, I imagine to be about one hundred feet above the surface of the water. A little back of, the work, next the country, is a very commanding eminence, (likewise in pretty good shot of the harbour,) which if well fortified, might contain barracks and a bomb-proof sufficient to contain its own stores, and those of the other, work, and, would secure a safe and easy communication with the country, and would, if skilfully erected, in a great measure, defend the harbour, and be almost inaccessible to an enemy.

On the whole, it is my opinion, that somewhere between ten or fifteen hundred pounds, well laid out, in fortifying the above mentioned parts of Groton, and on Mamacock, and Winthrop's Point or Neck, is all that is necessary for defending that important harbour and the town, and properly manned, would prevent any, the most potent enemy, from either holding possession of the harbour, or annoying the town. An addition of heavy cannon, to make what they now have, to the number of about forty, would be sufficient to man all these works.

I have, likewise, viewed the works lately erected at Stonington, and find them, so far as executed, in my opinion well situated, strong built, and being completed, with a very little alteration, which I have pointed out to Major Smith, sufficient with one hundred battalion-men, and thirty artillery-men, to defend against any ship-of-war, &c, that will likely penetrate that harbour, unless the enemy land a body of troops, in which case the above number of troops might hold out, until the country came to their assistance. All which is submitted to your Honour, by yours, &c., &c.

SAMUEL MOTT.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Captain-General and Governour of the American Colony of Connecticut, &c.

N. B. If the works at the above places should be prosecuted, it will be necessary to provide about twelve new spades, five falling axes, two broad axes, and some iron crows, for the work at Stonington, and a number of tools for New-London, Groton, &c.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, January 16, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Your favour of the 5th instant, enclosing copies of General Montgomery's and General Wooster's letters, I received, for which I return you my thanks.

It was from a full conviction of your zealous attachment to the cause of our country, and abilities to serve it, that I repeatedly pressed your continuance in command; and it is with much concern, sir, that I find you have reason to think your holding the place you do will be of prejudice and incompatible with its interest. As you are of this opinion, the part you are inclined to take is certainly generous and noble. But will the good consequences you intend, be derived from it? I greatly fear they will not. I shall leave the matter to yourself, in full confidence, that in whatever sphere you move, your exertions for your country's weal, will not be wanting.

Whatever proof you may obtain, fixing or tending to support the charge against Mr.Prescott, you will please to transmit me by the first opportunity.

I am apt to believe the intelligence given Dr. Wheelock, respecting Major Rogers, was not true, but being much suspected of unfriendly views to this country, his conduct should be attended to with some degree of vigilance and circumspection.

I confess I am much concerned for General Montgomery and Colonel Arnold; and the consequences which will result from their miscarriage, should it happen, will be very alarming; I fear not less fatal than you mention. However, I trust, that their distinguished conduct, bravery, and perseverance, will meet with the smiles of fortune, and put them in possession of this important fortress. I wish their force was greater, the reduction would then be certain.

I am sorry that Ticonderoga and Fort-George should be left by the garrisons, and that your recruiting officers meet such ill success. It is too much the case in this quarter, and from the slow progress made in inlisting, I despair of raising an army to the new establishment. Should it be effected, it will be a long time first.

Our Caughnawaga friends are not arrived yet; I will try to make suitable provision for them, during their stay, and use every means in my power to confirm their favourable disposition towards us. They will not, I am fearful, have such ideas of our strength as I could wish. This, however, shall be strongly inculcated.

If Quebeck is in our possession, I cannot see that any inconvenience will result from Mr. Gamble's going there upon his parole; but if it is not, however hurtful it may be to him, however disagreeable to me to prejudice the interest of an individual, I cannot consent to his return. I am much distressed by other applications of a like nature. If Mr. Gamble's request is granted, others in the same situation will claim the same indulgence; further, I think a partial exchange should not be made, and my proposition