PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL LEE.

Philadelphia, February 19, 1776.

SIR: I have the honour to enclose you sundry resolutions of Congress, by which you will perceive it is the desire of Congress that you should repair to Canada and take upon you the command of the Army of the United Colonies in that Province.

I need not mention the importance of the trust reposed in you, and the happy effects it will have in securing the liberty of America. If you should be so fortunate as to drive our enemies—the enemies of liberty and the rights of mankind, out of it, I heartily pray that the Disposer of events may grant you success equal to your merits and zeal.

As you will want battering cannon, which are not to be had in that Province, you are to apply to the Convention, or Committee of Safety of New-York, to whom, by this opportunity, I send the recommendation of Congress to supply you with twelve, such as you shall judge most suitable, and some mortars, if they have or can procure them, with balls, shells and other necessaries, and also to assist you in forwarding them.

Eight tons of powder are now on the way to Albany for the forces in Canada; and as a very considerable quantity of saltpetre is sent to the mills of Mr. Wisner and Mr. Livingston, should there be occasion for more, you will be supplied from thence.

You will readily perceive the necessity of conferring with General Schuyler. and, with him, consulting on the best method of having necessaries conveyed to you across the Lakes. The Congress have a full confidence that you will cooperate in securing the possession of the Lakes, and mutually assisting each other, as occasion may require, and, as far as in your power, give mutual aid in supporting the cause of freedom and liberty.

I expect the Deputies will, in a short time, be ready to proceed to Canada.

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

John Hancock, President.

To the Honourable Major-General Lee.

P. S. Your favour respecting the departure of the ships from New-York, and your conjectures as to their designs, is just come to hand, and shall be laid before Congress.

In Congress, February 15, 1776.

Resolved, That a Committee of three, two of whom to be Members of Congress, be appointed to proceed to Canada, there to pursue such instructions as shall be given them by Congress.

The Members chosen, Doctor Franklin, Mr. 5. Chase, and Mr. C. Carroll, of Carrollton.

That eight tons of Powder be immediately sent to Canada, for the use of the forces there.

February 17, 1776.

Resolved, That Major-General Lee be directed immediately to repair to Canada and take upon him the command of the Army of the United Colonies in that Province.

That Major-General Schuyler be directed to repair, as soon as his health will permit, to New-York, and take the command of the forces, and conduct the military operations there, and that the President inform him, by express, of this arrangement, and the reasons that led to it.

That it be recommended to the Convention or Committee of Safety, at New-York, to supply General Lee with a quantity of suitable cannon, not exceeding twelve, and one or more mortars, if to be had, with balls, shells and other necessaries, for the siege or assault of Qucbeck, and that they assist him in forwarding the same, with all possible expedition.

That the Regiment of Canadians, the raising of which is mentioned in Brigadier-General Arnold's letter of the 12th January last, to have been set on foot by him, receive the same pay and be subject to the same regulations as the other forces employed in Canada, and be accounted part of the number designed to be raised for that service.

That the appointment of Captain Rensselaer, to be Deputy Mastermaster-General of the forces in Canada, be confirmed.

That the appointment at John Halsted, to be Commissary of the Army before Quebeck, be confirmed.

That the officers in the Continental armies be enjoined to use their utmost diligence in preventing every kind of plunder, and that all who shall offend herein, be punished according to the strictest discipline.

That the resolves of Congress, for encouraging Sutlers to attend the Army in Canada, be published, with the information that hosiery, shoes, coarse linens, soap, rum, sugar and wine, are much wanted there.

That a few artificers, such as armourers, smiths, carpenters, harness-makers, and wheelwrights, with proper persons to superintend them, be forthwith sent to Canada.

Extracts from the Minutes:

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

By order of Congress:

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

GENERAL LEE TO CENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-York, February 19, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I am extremely happy that there is any opening for a more comfortable establishment for poor Palfrey than his present. He is a valuable and capable man, and the pittance of a simple Aid-de-campship is wretched for a man who has a family to support. On this principle and in obedience to your commands, I shall send him to Head-Quarters without delay. I must, at the same time, confess, that the loss will be irreparable to me, particularly if I am detached to Canada, of which there is the greatest probability, as I have received letters from divers members of the Congress, expressing their wishes that I should be employed in that department. Messrs. Griffin and Byrd are very good young men, but pretty much in the predicament of your Bayler. They can ride, understand, and deliver verbal orders; but you might as well set them to the task of translating an Arabick or Irish manuscript, as expect that they should, in half a day, copy a half sheet of orders. However, I must bustle through the difficulties and not keep Palfrey out of the channel of a better provision. If I go to Canada, I suppose I shall be allowed Secretaries, one French, and one English. I do not see how it is possible to manage matters with less. Appropos: my dear General, if this is to be my province, shall you take it ill if I apply for one, of my two Brigadiers, either Greene or Sullivan It is a pleasure to have some officer about us in whom we can place confidence.

The ships-of-war which were here have been frightened away. The Asia lies between Nutter's and Bedlpe's Island; the Dutchess of Gordon, with his Excellency Governour Tryon, is under, her stern; the Phenix is stationed a league below the Narroivs; the Mercury and General Clinton must inevitably fall into the hands of our fleet, unless they are fast asleep. We have taken strong hold of Hellgate, so that the passage betwixt Long-Island and the continent is absolutely blocked up to the enemy.

I wait for some more force, to prepare a post or retrenched encampment on Long-Island, opposite to the city, for three thousand men,. This is, I think, a capital object; for should the enemy take possession of New-York when Long-Is-land is in our hands, they will find it almost impossible to subsist. The Jerseys are too well manned, and Connecticut, we know, will not furnish them with any thing. What to do with the city, I own, puzzles me; it is so encircled with deep, navigable water, that whoever commands the sea must command the town. To-morrow I shall begin to dismantle that part of the fort next the town, to prevent its being converted into a citadel. I shall barrier the principal streets, and at least if I cannot make it a.Continental garrison, it shall be a disputable field of battle.

Enclosed I send you a return of live good and indifferent pieces of cannon. The number of the bad, (those I mean totally unfit for service,) are, I believe, about sixty. As no Commissary of Stores has been appointed until this instant, it is impossible to give you a return of the other stores by this post, but you shall have it by the next. Lord Stirling is a great acquisition. He is a most zealous, active and accurate officer.

A captain of a ship from Cadiz, who is a very intelligent person, tells us that Lord Howe and Captain Barrington, or Admiral Barrington are appointed Commissioners