COLONEL MAXWELL TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Trenton, January 31, 1776.

SIR: I am favoured with yours of the 25th instant; I would have answered it sooner, but some of the Committee of this town was absent when I received it, and it was necessary to stay for them.

I do assure you I am not at all absent from the regiment, and although I cannot make arms and other necessaries for the men, I am endeavouring to make them soldiers, as quick as I can. The Congress seem to think I have mistaken their orders with respect to marching them by companies. I have the pleasure to assure them I understood it perfectly, but, until the 8th instant, we had no thoughts of going to the northward, and of course got clothing accordingly. We have many frocks made, but nothing like half enough for the regiment. They might be taken for a Southern regiment, and cloth given to us.

I must really think, that the Committee appointed to inquire what was wanting to prepare us for our march had not all the necessary letters laid before them. It has been my chief object, since I had the honour to command this battalion, that they might be well armed. I have urged the Committee of this place on that head, and I saw Mr. Tucker's letters, wrote very pressingly for arms and blankets. You have now sent money, but it is too late—before the officers go to the different parts of the Province, gather them up, and have them repaired, it will be too late; there will nothing do at present, but about three hundred stand of good arms put into their hands under stoppages. The Committee have entirely forgot canteens and camp-kettles; camp equipage I suppose will follow us. I do assure you I think they are as likely a battalion of men as any in the Continental service, and I hope they will do their duty with any that is not more experienced. For God's sake do not let them be disgraced for want of their necessaries. If I might advise, I would have the Congress to send two or three men from Philadelphia, as a Committee to examine the regiment immediately, and make report to the Congress what they want, and let some of these gentlemen be taken out of the Committee that fitted out the Pennsylvania Battalion. The four companies here might not be filled up, but those at Burlington want every thing.

I am determined to march off the four companies that are here, with what little fitting I can get here for them. They will make but a poor figure, but I cannot help it. The first company I hope will set off the end of this week, and the others follow as soon as they can. I should be glad to have the orders of Congress with what company I shall march. I hope with the first, for I am distressed beyond measure to have so fine a parcel of men under my command, and yet so unfit for doing their country service when it is so much wanted.

I have the pleasure to inform you that I sent out one of my Lieutenants in the country to purchase blankets; he has in a few days bought of different farmers about fifty; those, with what he picked up a few days ago, completed Captain Stout's company in this article. Blankets may be had in plenty through the country.

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

WILLIAM MAXWELL.

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

COLONEL MAXWELL'S MEMORIAL RELATING TO NECESSARIES WANTED FOR HIS BATTALION.

January 31, 1776.

Memorandum.—The West New-Jersey Regiment are in want of the following articles, before they can be properly equipped for marching, viz:

Near one half their arms; leggins; a number of warm waistcoats; some coats and breeches; stockings to make two pair per man; some shirts; Canada caps for the whole regiment; canteens and camp-kettles; mittens for the whole regiment; moccasins, may be had at Albany. About one pair of stockings per man are furnished by Mr. Lowrey. The other articles he has no orders from Congress to provide, and if he had, they could not be purchased in Jersey. Money in advance is required Such articles as come from Philadelphia were furnished by Mr. Clement Biddle.
WILLIAM MAXWELL.

FREDERICK HARTELL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

To the worthy Gentlemen of the Congress, &c., &c., the Petition of FREDERICK HARTELL, humbly showeth:

That your petitioner hath been many years in the King of Hungary's service, as a Captain-Lieutenant, sold out in the month of May, 1755, and was in several field-battles; afterwards, entered in the English Royal American service, as a non-commissioned officer, on condition of being preferred, and after the siege at Havana the regiment was broke; and hath ever since followed the tobacconist business in the city of New-York.

Your petitioner, therefore, most humbly prays, as he is ready and willing to serve in his former calling, for the good of American liberty, to place him into some station, and give him a birth, that you, worthy gentlemen, shall think proper, after being examined.

And your petitioner shall ever pray.

FREDERICK HARTELL.

New-York, January 31, 1776.

JOHN WYLLEY TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, January 31, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: If you should think me worthy of a Captain's commission, I would be willing to engage in the service of my country.

JOHN WYLLEY.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read February 9, 1776.]

Albany, January.31, 1776.

SIR: I detained your express in hopes of some intelligence from General Wooster. The post is arrived, but I have no letters from the General. All was well when the post left it, which was on the 22d. He met the gentlemen, with the money at Point-au-Fer, and supposes they arrived at Montreal on the 23d.

A number of Tories, in no less than forty sleds, are, I am informed, on their way from Canada. I shall dispose of them agreeable to the resolutions of Congress.

This morning Mr. Deane is returned from Oneida, and brought the enclosed speech in answer to mine.

A grand meeting of the Six Nations, and those of Canada, is to be held very soon at Onondaga. I have ordered Mr. Deane to return, and attend it, that we may know what passes. Colonel Butler is at Niagara, where he has had a conference with the Indians. Mr. Deane will try to discover what has passed there.

Although the number of Commissioners in this Department is sufficient, yet it might be proper to add some who can attend upon all occasions; strictly, a majority only can act, but necessity drives me too often to act solely. Mr. Douw is removed out of town, and the other gentlemen reside at a considerable distance, so that I must not only do the business, but have the burden of all that come, and they are very troublesome visitants to a man that has something to do.

Major Hughes is still here, labouring under a fistula. As I could not permit him to go to any seaport, I have consented that he should go to Elizabethtown, that Doctor Jones may attend and perform an operation on him there, I should not have been under apprehensions if he had been permitted to go to New-York, as he has a family in Canada, and dare not go off. If Doctor Jones will not attend him at Elizabethtown, I could even wish he was sent to New-York under proper restrictions, lest it should give occasion of charging us with want of humanity.

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., &c., &c.

P. S, The express came here a passenger from Peekskill. I, therefore, send this by the New-York post, and he goes down with the prisoners.

GOVERNOCR TRUMBTJLL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, January 31, 1776.

SIR: Your letter of the 23d instant, by Bennett, he delivered me last evening. We shall depend that our men who come to Albany without arms, be supplied with them. Hope there will be more than half who will provide them-