the three regiments you applied for from Massachusetts-Bay, New-Hampshire, and Connecticut, shall be exclusive of the thirteen wanted for the Army at Cambridge.

By the latest advices from England, it appears that Administration are determined to exert themselves, and send a considerable force against us next Spring, though, at the same lime, they pretend to say that they will offer terns of accommodation, and mean only, by their armament, to enforce their terms. It behooves us, therefore, to be ready to receive them; for, should an accommodation take place, the terms will be severe, or favourable, in proportion to our ability to resist.

The Congress highly approve your sending General Lee to the assistance of New-York, as a measure judicious and necessary, and have also appointed three of their body to repair to New-York, and confer with General Lee and the Committee of Safety of New-York, on the subject of putting that Colony in a posture of defence.

General Prescolt arrived here last Thursday, and is this day ordered into close confinement in the jail of this city. I must beg leave to refer you to the enclosed resolutions.

I send, by this express, commissions for the Massachusetts battalion, and the money ordered, to the Assembly.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest esteem, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO ASSEMBLY OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

Philadelphia, January 29, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Congress highly approve the prudence and zeal of the General, in applying to you and the other Colonies, to raise forces for the service of Canada in the present exigency; and, at the same time, highly commend the ready attention you have shown to his application, and the alacrity with which you undertook, and the expedition with which you proceed in, the business. These they consider as additional proofs of your meritorious attachment to the common cause, and may produce signal advantages.

There is the greatest reason to hope that the speedy arrival of troops in Canada will not only repair the losses our troops have met with there, but, in all probability, put us in possession of Quebeck before our enemies can send reinforcements.

It is easy to perceive how much this will advance our cause, and disappoint our enemies. It is, therefore, the earnest desire of the Congress that you would continue to exert your utmost endeavours, with all possible expedition, to raise and forward both the regiment and matrosses. That no time may be lost, I am directed to forward to you blank commissions, and to inform you that twelve thousand five hundred dollars are drawn for, and will be sent you, for defraying the expenses of raising, equipping, and paying the men, which you will please to despatch by companies as fast as they can be got ready. The Congress have adopted the recommendation of your House to the General, respecting the arms of the soldiers, as you will perceive by the enclosed resolutions.

I would just observe that, important as the service in Canada is, it cannot be carried on without specie. It is, therefore, earnestly recommended to the several Legislatures on the Continent to collect whatever silver and gold they can, and inform Congress thereof, that they may send Continental bills in exchange for it. In this business I trust your zeal will not be wanting.

I have the honour to be, &c.,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay

PETER T. CURTENIUS TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Now-York, January 29, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to your desire, I have inquired about raven's duck, and found some at Mr. Grant's, for which he asks five pounds ten shillings per piece, which is forty-five shillings per piece higher than I gave for the same sort last Summer. Should be glad to have your orders how much to purchase, as Mr. Grant has had an offer for the whole he has, which is about twenty-five pieces.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

PETER T. CURTENIUS.

To the Committee of Safety.

P. S. Enclosed is a calculation which Mr. Grant sent me, by which it appears it costs four pounds one shilling and six pence per piece.

WILLIAM PALFREY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Stamford, January 29, 1776.

SIR: General Lee, being unfortunately visited with the gout or rheumatism, has directed me to enclose to your Excellency the copy of a letter he has just received, by express, from the President of the Continental Congress. General Lee would have wrote you, but the position of writing is so very painful that he hopes you will excuse him. Notwithstanding his illness, he is determined to go forward to-morrow in a litter, which he has ordered to be prepared for that purpose. He begs his compliments to Mrs. Washington and the family, to which we beg leave to add those of Mr. Byrd, and your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant,

WILLIAM PALFREY, Aid-de-camp.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read February 9, 1776.]

Albany, Monday, January 29, 1776.

SIR: Yesterday, at four o'clock, I had the honour to receive your despatches of the 20th instant.

Congress will perceive by the copy of General Washington's letter, which I had the honour to enclose you in my last, that a regiment is raising in the Massachusetts-Bay; and yesterday I received a letter from Colonel Fellows, who was to have raised and commanded a regiment in consequence of my consent given to the Committee of Berkshire. I hope my answer to that letter will prove satisfactory to Congress.

On Sunday, January 14, I wrote to General Wooster. The following is an extract of my letter:

"DEAR SIR: At six last night, Mr. Antill delivered me your despatches. It is much easier to conceive than to describe the distress it has occasioned me. In the gallant and amiable General Montgomery the Continent has suffered a vast loss. May Heaven graciously be pleased to extricate you out of the perilous situation you are in. At this distance it would be presumption in me to direct what measures should be taken; these can only be determined by events as they turn up. May God guide your councils and bless your operations.

"Expresses are already gone to Congress and General Washington. I have proposed to the latter, to detach three thousand men to your assistance by the way of Number Four, Onion-River, and Missisque-Bay. I have furnished Colonel Warner with money to engage all the men he possibly can, and to send them on to you without the least delay. I am in great hopes from that gentleman's zeal, that he will be able to procure men.

"As I have by repeated letters observed to Congress the necessity of sending troops immediately into Canada, it is probable that some are on their march from New-Jersey; the moment they arrive here, I shall push them forward, or conduct them myself, if my health will permit. I shall arrange matters in such a manner that I make no doubt they will arrive in Canada in six or seven days from this.

"I am very happy that you have issued orders not to let any men depart, although the term for which they are in-listed is expired. You may rest assured, sir, that a conduct so prudent, will meet with the fullest approbation.

"By all means secure a retreat for Colonel Arnold at Montreal; and should Carleton follow you there, as you may certainly expect succours, I do not doubt but you will suffer every hardship before you will give up the town. Our cause, sir, is just, and I trust that Divine Providence will dispel this untoward cloud, and that we shall again receive its smiles."

As I have no return of the arrangement made in Ca-