The Paymaster-General informs me, that many of the pay-rolls of General Wooster's and Colonel Waterbury's Regiment cannot be completed, as no return is made of the men belonging to those regiments, which were discharged by the General. I shall, therefore, in order to prevent the clamour of the soldiers, be under the necessity to give a warrant in favour of the Pay-Table of Connecticut, for what may be estimated still due, that they may pay off such soldiers as can produce their discharges. Perhaps General Wooster may send me the return before the money arrives from Philadelphia, if he has kept an account of them. If so, the necessity of this measure will be superseded.

I am so crowded with business that I have not leisure to send the speech above-mentioned.

I am, sir, with every sentiment of respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

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

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Cambridge, February 15, 1776.

SIR: Your favour, of the 12th instant, I received, and beg leave to inform you, that I should have most certainly contrived to have spared you some money, for the troops going to Canada, pressing as the demands against me were, had I not been advised of a supply sent you by Congress, for that purpose.

I shall be glad to know whether, when I pay the Militia from your Government, I am to give warrants only for the balance, after deducting the three dollars per man, advanced by your Committee of Pay-Table, and whether I am to refund what they paid, after the Militia have served the time they are engaged for. The whole of them are not yet come in, but I imagine it will not be long first.

I am much obliged, and return you my sincere thanks, for ordering the powder from Providence to this camp, in this time of necessity, and will most cheerfully pay for it, or replace it, when in my power, as shall be most agreeable to you; and, also, for the arms you are good enough to promise to send me, as they are exceedingly wanted. I wish you could have added a cipher or two to the number.

I had received almost a similar letter from General Lee, to the one you have favoured me with, before yours came to hand, and also heard of the arrival of powder, saltpetre, and arms, at Philadelphia. My accounts only make the powder fifteen tons. Be that as it may, it is an event of much importance to us, and, I hope, will be soon followed by more.

I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull.

COLONEL HUNTINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRDMBCLL.

Roxbury Camp, February 15, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: Since I wrote you last there has been much talk of attacking the strong fortress of our enemies. It has, all along been said, by the Army and others, that when the season should make a good bridge of ice, then would be the time to rout our enemies: we have had such an opportunity, but were not prepared to improve it. Many, however, would have been glad to have engaged in the enterprise, as circumstances were. A cannonade and bombardment will now be attempted, but I fear with little effect, and that, finally, we must be content to remain in our present state; but all is for the best.

The defeat at Quebeck may, eventually, be to the advantage of our cause. The time the news of it got into Boston was opportune; it happened to be published in their paper just as Admiral Graves was sailing for England, that General Carleton was twelve hundred strong in the city, and our Army only twelve hundred! This will probably make the Ministry easy as to an early reinforcement, which might otherwise be expected. However, I judge that object will not be, in the least, neglected by us. I wish a part of this army might be spared to strengthen our posts at the northward. Some sensible, experienced officers in the Army, are of opinion that a brisk cannonade, with carcasses and shells, will render the town so disagreeable as to oblige the enemy to abandon it. How happy would such an event be. In that case, and Quebeck in our hands, this Army only might, properly disposed, be sufficient to defend our whole extensive coast, backed as it is by a good Militia. Much blame has been thrown on our guard, at Dorchester, on occasion of the late excursion of the enemy there, and burning a few desolate houses, but I hear General Ward approved their conduct.

I understand the General has, importunately, asked for what powder you can supply him, which, I hope, will be granted.

JEDEDIAH HUNTINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull.

JAMES OTIS TO MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.

Barnstable, February 15, 1776.

GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL: It seems, on Saturday last, a French vessel ran on shore, on the south side of the Cape, with a hundred and odd hogsheads of molasses, and some other small articles, and one hogshead of sugar. She had a French master, and one Pinkum, of Nantucket, the English master. Their papers are all in French, so I can say but little about them. There was on board said vessel one Mons. Le Baron, a gentleman who took passage on board with a design to go to Philadelphia. He appears much of a gentleman; says he was in the King of Prussia's service more than twenty years. I have wrote by him to General Washington, who, no doubt, will examine into his business. He says the French and English masters talked of going into Boston, but they deny it. On the whole, I thought it best to acquaint your Honours as to this matter, and as the goods are taken into custody by Major Hallett and others, they will want the direction of the Court, in this delicate point.

I am your Honours' most humble servant,

JAMES OTIS.

To the Honourable the Council of Massachusetts-Bay.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.

Cambridge, February 15, 1776.

SIR: It gives pain to his Excellency that you, and the gentlemen of the honourable Board, should have so much trouble in searching for the copy of a Council of War he has inadvertently sent out of his hands. I am commanded by him to inform you, that it was not the Council of the 18th that he was in want of; it is that of the 16th January, which, if you can furnish him with, he will be very thankful.

His Excellency received a letter this day, from Governour Trumbull, of which the following is an extract:

"Three thousand weight of powder we conclude to order to Major Thompson, Agent for the Massachusetts Colony, on account of money he supplied to Mr. Shaw, the importer for that end, and will consult him or them, concerning the use of it."

You well know, sir, the want there is of that article in camp; his Excellency, therefore requests, that you will endeavour to get that powder sent hither. If it belongs to Major Thompson, as private property, he requests you will use your influence with him to sell it; if to the Colony, that it be lent or sold, for the use of the United Colonies.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most humble servant,

STEPHEN MOYLAN, P. T. S.

To the Honourable Walter Spooner.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, DATED BARBADOES, FEBRUARY 16, 1776.

General Howe having been gready distressed for provisions, and expecting to be more so upon the loss of several transports, despatched Captain Payne, of the Eighteenth, with two transports, in search of provisions. He arrived here about ten days ago. An act of the Island having passed, since the present troubles, prohibiting the exportation of provisions without a license from the Governour and Council, his Excellency called a Council, and leave was given to Captain Payne to purchase what provisions he pleased for Government use. He could get from the Island about forty barrels of beef, and as many tierces of rice, with few peas, oatmeal, &c. But a vessel which was