LANCASTER (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Road January 25, 1776.—Referred to Committee of Correspondence]

In Committee, Lancaster, January 22, 1776.

SIR: Pursuant to the directions of Congress, the Committee of this place communicated their resolves to the officers, prisoners of war in this town, and received from them the enclosed answer.

The Committee will, with cheerfulness, execute the orders of the Congress, but they are under some difficulties in this case, as we have reason to believe the officers will insist to remain with the privates, and will make no choice of residence. It will then fall on the Committee to fix the places for them; and, as those places, or some of them, may be in other Counties, we cannot compel the Committees to receive and take them into their charge, without particular direction from Congress for that purpose. But, should the Congress direct the places of their residence, they will be most punctually obeyed; and, as it is probable that, when they are removed from hence, they will refuse to give their parole, agreeable to the former resolves of Congress, we beg the Congress will direct in what manner the Committees shall proceed with them.

The bearer of this is one of the members of the Committee; his private business will detain him a day in Philadelphia, and by him we hope to receive the directions of the Congress.

I am, sir, with great esteem, your very humble servant,

By order of the Committee:

GEORGE ROSS,

Chairman of the Committee.

To the Honourable John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress.

Lancaster, January 20, 1776.

We, the undermentioned officers, having perused the Resolves of the Congress relative to us, transmitted to the Committee of this town, think proper to make the following answers to them:*

Answer to 1st Resolution.—That the officers are of opinion they may accept of the offer of drawing for their subsistence; at the same time, from the situation they are in, they cannot help expressing a doubt of their bills being honoured, as an alteration may take place in Great Britain, as well as in America, with regard to bills of exchange; but expect that, in this case, nothing detrimental he offered to their persons.

Answer to 2d Resolution.—That, although the officers at Lancaster do not think themselves, by any means, concerned in the article of the Resolve relative to the officers at Trenton, yet they think proper to declare, that their having been placed in taverns by those officers under whose conduct they were brought to this place, laid them under the necessity of living in a more expensive manner than they otherwise would have done, and that they had frequently made application for private lodgings, but without effect.

Answer to an article of said Resolution.—That the offer of an allowance of two dollars per week, for board and lodging, is so inadequate to the manner which they, as gentlemen and British officers, have been accustomed to live in, in every part of His Majesty's dominions, that they decline accepting of the loan.

That, as to the article respecting innkeepers' accounts, they do not, really, comprehend the meaning of it, and, therefore, request an explanation.

In answer to the last article, respecting the officers being separated from their men, they cannot help expressing their surprise at it, having had promises to the contrary, particularly General Schnyler's; that this promise from him, and a confirmation of it under the hands of the Congress, in their orders to Captain Nott, rendered them easy; that, in consequence of this, the officers, without hesitation, gave their parole to the Committee of this town, in the manner as has been already transmitted by them. The officers will be extremely sorry to be reduced to the disagreeable necessity of cancelling that promise.

The men are in great want of their clothing, not having, now, sufficient to cover them from the inclemency of the weather. Motives, therefore, of humanity and justice suggest to the officers the necessity of remaining with them, at least until the baggage arrives, which is daily expected, in order to make a proper distribution of it.

The officers beg leave to represent their own situation, which is such as will not admit of their changing quarters at this inclement season of the year; many of them lying in a bad state of health, and without the greatest part of their baggage, some, indeed, without any part of it.

The officers willingly embrace this opportunity of returning their thanks to the Committee and others, of this town, for their humanity in raising a subscription for the women and children, and, likewise, for other civilities.

Twenty-Sixth Regiment.

DANIEL ROBERTSON,

Royal Highland Emigrants.

To the Committee of Lancaster.

CAPTAIN WILLIAMS TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, January 22, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I am now under the necessity of applying to your Honours, (in consequence of orders issued from Congress to hold myself in readiness to march at an hour's warning,) as I am, at present, without a First-Lieutenant, Mr. Davis, my late Lieutenant, being promoted to a Company; Mr. John D. Bankson, my late Ensign, being, likewise, promoted to a First Lieutenant by the Committee of Safety, and a certain Mr. Morgan was appointed by your Honours a. First Lieutenant (formerly appointed by the Committee of Safety in one of your new battalions) in the First Battalion, who was to join my company; but, as the whole corps of officers in the First Battalion would rather wish your Honours would promote the officers in the said battalion, as they were at the great trouble of raising the company.

I cannot but think it would be in your power to allow Mr. Bankson to join my company, agreeable to Mr. Morgan's desire. Mr. Morgan is, at present, out of town, recruiting for the Captain whom he was first engaged with.

Your Honours will please to take it into consideration, and grant the above request; and you will much oblige your obedient, humble servant,

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Capt. J. P. B.

To the Honourable President of Congress.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read February 2, 1776.]

Albany, January 22, 1776.

SIR: When I did myself the honour to write to you on the 13th instant, the distress of mind occasioned by the

* Agreed to set Dr. Huddlestone at liberty on the terms he mentions; and sent by him a proposition to General Carleton, that it be stipulated on both sides, not only to release all Surgeons, but that, if, by the fortune of war, the hospital of either army should fall into the power of the other, the same care should be taken of the sick and wounded an if friends, and that neither they nor the attendants of the hospital should be considered as prisoners; and, if Governour Carleton should not agree to the present release of Surgeons, Dr. Huddlestone is to be on his parole to return immediately.

1. To be left on the footing it was placed on in our letter of the 18th.

2 Resolve related merely to the officers at Trenton, no complaint having been received of those of Lancaster.

3. Two dollars per week was the allowance of Congress; the officers may refuse it or add to it on their own account, as they please.

4. Inquire the meaning, high accounts from Trenton.

5. See the Resolution of Congress; express stronger than before what relates to General Schuyler's promise.

6. We shall be extremely sorry to be reduced to the necessity of confining thorn in prison, if they cancel their parole.

7. Clothing ordered by us; their clothing ordered to be brought up.

8. Provided for in our former letter.

9 and 10. It is not desired to remove any officer to the prejudice of his health.

Directions given in former letter relating to the women, and children.