the City and County of Philadelphia, cometh Michael Kearney, of the city of Perth-Amboy, in New-Jersey, and on his solemn oath on the Holy Gospels deposeth and saith: That the passage-boat, or sloop, in the preceding affidavits called the York, was the property of this deponent at the time of the seizure thereof in said affidavits set forth, and that the said passage-boat was of the value of three hundred pounds, current money of New-York. And further this deponent saith not.

MICHAEL KEARNEY, JUN

Taken and sworn the day and year afore-written, before,

GEORGE BRYAN

GENERAL WOOSTER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Montreal, February 25, 1776.

SIR: Your favor of the 27th ultimo I have received, and nothing but want of time, when proper opportunities presented, has prevented my answering it sooner.

I am fully sensible of the importance of reducing Quebeck, and keeping possession of this Province, for the accomplishing of which you may depend upon my utmost exertions. I am, also, with you, fully of opinion that the Ministry will send a powerful armament here in the spring, for which reason I think it of almost infinite importance that we have a large army here, properly provided, early, to oppose them upon their first arrival; indeed, it appears to me that our every thing in this Province depends upon it. If we have the greatest force, we have the Canadians our friends; on the other hand, should our enemies arrive with a superior force to ours, I fear the consequences may be fatal.

I cannot learn from General Schuyler that we are like to have any cannon, mortars, shot, or shells, from across the Lake, and, as we have not here proper cannon, &c., for cannonading of Quebeck, I rather imagine we shall be obliged to try once more by assault, which, notwithstanding the late unhappy repulse, I think must be successful, when attempted by three or four thousand good men. However, every other method will be first tried.

Troops are now daily coming in, and I hope, in a few days, to be able to leave this place and join General Arnold, who has, to his great honour, kept up the blockade with such a handful of men, that the story, when told hereafter, will be scarcely credited. He is now so reinforced as to be out of danger from a sortie.

Be pleased to accept of my best wishes for your success and happiness, and believe me, with the greatest respect, your most obedient, and very humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

To General Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, February 25, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Notwithstanding I have adopted every measure which my judgment directed for procuring arms in these Governments, for the Army under my command, as well by application to the several Assemblies and Conventions, as by sending officers to the several towns to purchase, I am under the disagreeable and melancholy necessity of informing you that there is, at this important crisis, a very great deficiency, and that there is now a considerable number of men at these encampments without any in their hands, nor do I know that there is any prospect or probability of providing them. Can you, my dear sir, assist me with any from your parts? If you can procure or purchase any in the towns, fit for use, I beg that you will do it, and have them forwarded with all possible expedition to me; I will pay for them immediately on delivery, and the charges of bringing them. I am told that a Major Duncan, at Schcnectady, has about three hundred King's arms; these, or such of them as are good and serviceable, will be of great use, and I doubt not may be readily procured. If they can, I request that they may, and be forwarded, with any others that you may get, with the price. I would not be thus pressing and thus importunate, were it not for my situation, which is truly alarming and distressing: to be within musket-shot of a formidable army, well provided with every necessary, without having the means, on my part, of maintaining even a defensive war.

Relying on your friendship, and that every thing in your power will be done to serve me, I shall only add, that I am; dear sir, with great regard, your affectionate, humble servant

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Schuyler.

KING-WILLIAM COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN HINDMAN.

SIR: We have received yours of the 25th instant, signifying Mr. Edmondson's refusing to accept of his commission.

The Council do not incline to make any changes among the officers commissioned by the Convention, but wish to have a recommendation from you of a proper person to fill the place of Mr. Edmondson. We have agreed with some of the officers to allow twenty shillings for each pair of leather breeches furnished the troops, and the remainder of the price to be deducted out of the men's wages.

The Council apprehend the Captains of the Independent Companies are to provide clothing for their men, and have agreed to allow Captain J. A. Thomas a sum not exceeding three pounds five shillings each suit, and hope you will be able to clothe your men at that price. We think the price of the hats ought not to exceed five shillings and six pence each hat, but cheaper, if to be got. As to blankets, they will be provided as soon as possible. If you can purchase osnaburghs for making hunting-shirts at two shillings per yard, we recommend it to you to get so much as will be sufficient for your company, and have them made up as soon as you can. We are, &c.

To Captain James Hind man.

DORCHESTER COUNTY COMMITTEE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Dorchester County, Cambridge, February 26, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We this day received your letter of the 21st instant, and the Committee being sitting, agreeable to your request took the matter mentioned therein into consideration, and are of opinion that the town of Cambridge is the most convenient and proper place for the Independent Company of this County to be stationed in. It is the most central place in the County, and the company may, with great ease and convenience, march from thence to any part of the County that may happen to be attacked, which they could not so readily do should they be posted any where else; and we also think it would be very difficult to accommodate them in any other place than in this neighborhood. These, among others, are the reasons why we prefer Cambridge to any other part of the country.

We are, very respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servants. Signed per order:

JAMES MURRAY, Chairman.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

CHARLES COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for Charles County, on Monday, the 26th February, 1776: Brigadier-General John Dent, Chairman, and John Gwinn, Clerk.