GENERAL WASHINGTON TO WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

Cambridge, January 27, 1776.

SIR: There were three accounts exhibited against the United Colonies, by different persons in your Province:

I think it will be more regular that the accounts above menlioned should be settled by Agents, that will doubtless be appointed by the Congress, to settle the accounts that are or may be depending with the different Provinces. This is the reason that I do not at present enter upon an examination of these accounts.

I am, sir, your most bumble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To William Whipple, Esq.

[GENERAL WSHINGTON] TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY AT NEWBURYPORT.

Cambridge, January 27, 1776

I am commanded by his Excellency General Washington, to inquire from your Committee about two hundred and fifteen stand of arms which belonged to the Province, and were sent, by General Sullivan to Portsmouth. As this Army stands much in need of good arms, the General would be glad to know from you, whether these arms are returned or not; if they are, it will be doing great service to the country that they be with all speed forwarded to this camp. I am, &c.,

To the Committee of Safety, at Newburyport.

THOMAS PALMER TO PHILIP LIVINGSTON.

Newburgh, January 28, 1776.

SIR: I cannot account for the conduct of our Committee of Safety with respect to the fortification to be erected at Pooploop's Point, in the Highlands. It was seven days after my return from Philadelphia before any letter was sent to the Commissioners; and when they received it, it contained only the resolve of the Continental Congress, without any instructions accompanying it. The Commissioner then at the post not judging proper to proceed, sent off a person express to the Committee for instructions. This express returned but yesterday, and (as I am informed) the instructions now are, to finish a piece of work now begun at Martelaer's Point, which, I suppose, will take up near a month. Whether the Committee of Safety has received any further advice from the Continental Congress which may justify their conduct, I know not. If they have not, I think their conduct most unaccountable. The season of the year is no argument why they cannot proceed, as there is now lying at New-Windsor the timber and other materials for a barrack; the boards already dressed, those for the floors grooved, and the shingles prepared for the roof. Besides, a more favourable season than the present cannot be, at this season of the year, for transporting the same down to Pooploop's Point, as the river is now so froze, that sleighs go frequently on the ice with great safety, and teams may easily be collected to carry it down in one day to the spot. And the carpenters can have lodgings in the neighbourhood of Pooploop's Point, while they may be putting this barrack up, which can be done in a very short time, and, when finished, will be a sufficient cover for one hundred and sixty men, (or more, if necessary.) And should the present opportunity be neglected until the river begins to break up, another chance may not happen until the middle of March or the first of April, and, by that means, all work at this important post must be neglected, until such a season as that we may be daily exposed to the enemy, with no other place of defence than that at Martelaer's Point, which I think nothing of, even with the little addition they are now erecting, for, when that is done, not a single gun can command the reach of the river. Moreover, if this barrack were carried down and covered, the season would not prevent throwing up the battery at Martelaer's Point; and a better season cannot be than the present, to collect, from the country back, such timber as may be necessary for carrying on the work. Another most material article, and that is, two and a half inch plank, for the platform of the fortification, which ought now to be engaged at the mills, to be ready early in the Spring.

If, therefore, a fortification at Pooploop's Point is of real importance for the security of part of this and the other Provinces, it ought by no means to be delayed, especially when there is no kind of difficulty in prosecuting of it. I gave my Sentiments to the Committee before I left New-York, and have since mentioned it in the postscript of a letter to them on another occasion; and as nothing is yet done, and our time wasting, I thought proper to communicate my sentiments to you, and desire you will confer with Mr. Jay on the matter; and should you be of opinion with me, I think you ought to consult with Colonel McDougatt, and some other principal gentlemen of the Provincial Congress now at New-York, that a matter of so much importance as this may happen to be, may not any longer be neglected.

I am, sir, with due respect, your most humble servant,

THOMAS PALMER.

To Philip Livingston, Esq.

EDWARD MOTT TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Salisbury, January 28, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: Since my last I have been through the town of Canaan, as well as in this town, and have had some opportunity with the inhabitants, and find that when I wrote to your Honour I had not the true and genuine sentiments of the people in these parts, as they inform me. They say that they had been taught to believe that I never held any commission till last year, and that I knew nothing of my duty without first inquiring of Captain Buel. I was surprised to hear the suggestion, as I am sure I never went to inquire after my duty from that quarter; and I find that the people are not uneasy, as I then supposed, but that a small dust hath been struck up by some designing persons. My rank is as I hinted to your Honour in my last, but still desire that things may be so conducted as shall be for the best good of the service. If I should go in the service, and Captain Buel should not, should be glad that Captain John Stevens might be thought of in Canaan. I should also think that Mr. Strong, the bearer of this, might be serviceable, if appointed to be an officer in the service, If your Honour should think proper to raise any more of the regiment in the eastward part of the Colony, there are Captain Belcher and Captain Witter, both of Preston, who would be glad of an appointment, and I should think would soon raise men for subalterns. Captain Throop will be able to advise. I mention this, as Captain Starr, and some others your Honour appointed, are in other service.

I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

Edward Mott.

To His Honour Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour of Connecticut.

P.S. HONOURED SIR: I should have wrote more, but this is all the paper that I can obtain. Would just mention, that I never disputed rank with Captain Buel, last year, as General Schnyler gave me an appointment soon after his arrival, which was above any single Captain in the Army, so that I never did duty with him.

EDWARD MOTT.

JOHN FOWLER TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

New-York, January 28, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: In doing a good natured action to oblige one of my customers, I have been unhappily drawn in to be suspected of being unfriendly to the country that gave me existence, although what I did was without any other design than to serve my neighbour, and, therefore, innocent; yet, as I get my livelihood by keeping a publick house, and as this matter of my having been suspected of being an enemy to my country, will become publick, and spread abroad, even among my customers and country friends, and they, not knowing my innocence, may avoid me, and, therefore, it may become prejudicial to my business; I, therefore, entreat it as a favour, that whenever your honourable Board shall be fully satisfied of my innocence in the matter, that you will be pleased to give me such certificate, for me to publish to the world, of your being