for a general one, was rejected by Mr. Howe, or what is the same, it was unnoticed. I could wish that his application had been to Congress, they might have complied with it, had they thought it reasonable.

I shall be much obliged by your sending, as expeditiously as you can, such clothing as you are able to spare; it not being made up is rather an advantage, as it may be done here with some saving.

I am much pleased that the artillery was like to be got over the river; and am in hopes that Colonel Knox will arrive with it in a few days. It is much wanted.

On reading the copy of General Wooster's letter, I was much surprised to find that he had granted furloughs to the Connecticut troops under his command, in preference to discharges. What advantage could he imagine they would be of to the Continent, when they were at their own homes? If he could not continue them in the service they were upon, their discharge would certainly have eased the country of a considerable expense.

Giving you, in return, the compliments of the season, and wishing for you every happiness, I am, dear sir, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Schuyler.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Cambridge, January 16, 1776.

SIR: The alarming and almost defenceless state of our lines, occasioned by the slow progress in raising recruits for the new Army, and the departure of a great number of the. Militia, which had been called in for their support till the 15th instant, from this and New-Hampshire Governments, rendered it necessary for me to summon the General Officers in council, to determine on proper measures to be adopted for their maintenance and preservation. For this purpose they met at Head-Quarters yesterday and today, and finding that it was with the utmost difficulty and persuasion that such part of the latter as are now here, could be prevailed on to continue till the last of the month, (after which there is not the remotest probability of their staying one moment,) they have judged it expedient, and absolutely necessary, that thirteen regiments should be forthwith raised, equal to those of the new establishment, to be officered according to the usual mode of their respective Governments, which are to repair to this camp by the last instant, if possible, to be in readiness to act in such manner (and till the 1st of April) as circumstances may require. Of this number, they apprehend the Massachusetts should furnish seven; your Government four; and the New-Hampshire two; being agreeable to the proportion settled by Congress.

In order that each regiment may consist of a proper number of officers and men, I herewith send you a list for their regulation, as, also, of the Continental pay.

I must earnestly solicit your regard to arms, ammunition, blankets, clothing, and kettles, that they may come as well provided with these necessary articles as they can, particularly of the first, of which I find, to my great surprise and concern, there is an amazing deficiency, notwithstanding I have used every precaution my judgment could point out to procure them. Besides the arms which these regiments will bring with them, I shall be particularly obliged by your furnishing me, for the use of the Continent, with such others as you have, or can collect. If you have any, or can get them made, you will please to inform me of the quantity. These Governments, I hope, will exert themselves in this instance. They must be had, or what can, what will be done?

The great and constant attention, sir, which you have shown, upon all occasions, to promote the publick cause, affords me the strongest assurance that your every exertion and interest will be employed to comply with these several requisitions.

I am, sir, &c., &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, &c.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Cambridge, January 16, 1776.

SIR: It is exceedingly painful to me that I should have so often troubled you respecting this Army, and that I am under the necessity of applying to you again; but you must, in some measure, be involved in whatever difficulties attend me.

To my great surprise, I find, that notwithstanding I had taken the utmost care to prevent the soldiers that would not reinlist in the new Army from carrying away their arms, or such of them as were good, the number collected is trifling and inconsiderable, of which there are but very few, if any, now in store, they having been delivered to the recruits which have come in.

I also find, from the report of the recruiting-officers, that a few more are to be inlisted who have arms in their hands, and that they are reduced to the disagreeably alternative of taking men without any, or no men at all Unhappy alternative! Must not those Governments exert themselves in procuring them from the several towns or in such other manner as to them shall seem most speedy and effectual?

To account minutely for this great deficiency, would be of no importance. I shall only say, that it has arisen from two causes, to wit, the badness of the arms of the old Army, which the inspectors and appraisers did not think worth detaining, and to the disobedience of some regiments, carrying theirs away, contrary to every order I could issue, and even solemn threats of stopping their pay for the months of November and December, of those that should.

The prospect of getting imported arms is so remote and uncertain, that I cannot depend upon it. I, therefore, request the favour of you, to inform me whether you have any, and what number, belonging to Government; as, also, if you will be able to procure more, and in what time. If you have any, or can get them, I shall be glad to take them, on account of the Continent; they must be had, if possible.

I have wrote to the other New-England Governments on the same subjects.

I am, sir, with great regard and esteem, your most humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable Governour Cooke.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

Cambridge, January 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Your several resolves, in consequence of my letters of the 10th and 15th instant, have been presented to me by a Committee of your honourable body. I thank you for the assurances of being zealously disposed to do every thing in your power to facilitate the recruiting of the American Army; and, at the same time, that I assure you I do not entertain a doubt of the truth of it, I must beg leave to add, that I conceive you have mistaken the meaning of my letter of the 10th, if you suppose it ever was in my idea that you should offer a bounty at the separate expense of this Colony.

It was not clear to me, but that some coercive measure might be used on this, as on former occasions, to draft men to complete the regiments upon the Continental establishment; but, as this is thought unadvisable, I shall rely on your recommending to the Selectmen, and the Committees of Correspondence, &c., to exert themselves in their several towns, to promote the inlistments for the American Army.

In the meanwhile, as there is an appearance of this service going on but slowly, and it is necessary to have a respectable body of troops here, as soon as possible, to act as circumstances shall require, I must beg that you will order in, with as much expedition as the nature of the case will admit of, seven regiments, agreeable to the establishment of this Army, to continue in service till the 1st of April, if required. You will please to direct that the men come provided with good arms, blankets, kettles for cooking, and, if possible, with twenty rounds of powder and ball.

With respect to your other resolve, relative to arms, I am quite ready to make an absolute purchase of such as shall be furnished either by the Colony or individuals. I am also ready to engage payment for all the arms which shall be furnished by the recruits, if lost in the publick service; but I do not know how far I could be justified in