being loaded with ice; lodged at Mr. Harvey's; and, Sunday, the 18th, returned to Colonel Bayley's, and delivered a letter from General Wooster to Colonel Bayley. We carried a compass with us. The marked road is north forty-four degrees west, and from Mr. Metcalf's to Montreal, about the same course.

FRYE BAYLEY,

ABIEL CHAMBERLIN,

SILAS CHAMBERLIN.

Montreal, February 10, 1776.

DEAR SIR: The publick is much obliged to you, and to the Committees of Haverhill and Newbury, for your attention and care to promote the interest of the country. I was happy to find, and shall gratefully remember your patriotick and friendly concern for our little army in this country. We have truly been very critically situated since the repulse at Quebeck, but by being particularly vigilant, and doubling duty, which has been very severe, we have kept our ground good; and as we have already received some succour, and daily expect more from our friends in the Colonies, we still hope to give an account of our brave country-men who were unfortunately made prisoners. The Congress seem determined to support us. The securing this Province is truly an object of great importance to our cause, and I hope will be considered in that light by all true friends to the country, and I doubt not proper provision will be made for that purpose. The route from Cambridge to Canada, by Missisque, has been already represented at Head-Quarters. You will accept of my best wishes for yourself and the Committees of Haverhill and Newbury, and believe me, respectfully, your most obedient and very humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

Colonel Jacob Bayley, at Newbury.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL LEE.

Cambridge, February 26, 1776.

GENERAL LEE: I received your esteemed favour of the 14th instant, which gave me great pleasure, being impatient to hear from you. I rejoice to find that you are getting better, and could not avoid laughing at Captain Parker's reasons for not putting his repeated threats into execution.

I take notice of your intended dispositions for defence, which I request you will lose no time in putting into execution, as, from many corroborating accounts I have received, the enemy seem to prepare for their departure from Boston; they have removed the two mortars from Bunker's Hill, and carried them, with a great part of their heavy brass cannon, on board their ships; they have taken all the topsail vessels in the harbour into the service; they are ready watered and their sails bent. All this show may be but a feint, but if real, and they should come your way, I wish you may be prepared to receive them. If I find that they are in earnest and do go off, I will immediately send you a reinforcement from this camp, and, if necessary, march the main body to your assistance, as circumstances may require. I shall keep a good watch on their motions, and give you the speediest information possible.

Lechmere's Point is now very strong, and I am now sending some heavy cannon thither; the platform for a mortar is preparing to be placed in the works there; another at Lambsdam, and we are making the necessary dispositions to possess ourselves of Dorchester-Hill, which must bring them out if any thing will. If they do not interrupt us in that work, I shall be confirmed in my opinion that they mean to leave the town. A little time must now determine whether they are resolved to maintain their present ground, or look out for another post. I will now return to your letter.

The accounts you give of our New-York brethren are very satisfactory. I should be glad to know how many men you are likely to have, that you can depend upon remaining with you. I very much fear that the sailing of Clinton will keep back those you expected from Pennsylvania. Let me hear from you upon this and every thing else that concerns you, as soon and as often as you possibly can. I shall pay due attention to your recommendations of Captain Smyth and Captain Badlan. With respect to the Canada expedition, I beg leave to assure you that it was not my intention to propose your going there. I only meant what I thought would happen, that the Congress would make you that proposal. I am now of opinion that you will have work enough upon your hands where you are, and I make no doubt but your presence will be as necessary there as it would be in Canada. I am glad that Colonel Ritzema is gone to Congress, and hope they will expedite an army thither, not only to preserve what we have already got, but also to possess ourselves of Quebeck before it can be reinforced from Europe, or else where; it is an object of such vast importance that it will be madness not to strain every sinew for effecting that purpose. I am in some pain for our little fleet, as I am in formed that the Asia and Phenix are sailed in quest of them. You doubtless had good reasons for the appointment you mention to have made; as it is temporary, it can have no bad effect.

I am, with great regard, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Lee.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Cambridge, February 26, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As I am making all possible preparations to take possession of the Heights of Dorchester, which I expect I shall be able to accomplish by the last of this week, it is expected that this, if any thing can, will bring the enemy out of Boston to oppose, as at Charlestown, our erecting any works there. To weaken our lines on the north side of Cambridge-River too much, with a view to strength en those of Dorchester before any move is made that way by the enemy, might expose an opening they would gladly avail themselves of, and to delay it till an attack is begun would be too late, as the contest will soon be decided, for or against us, after this happens. Under this state of the matter, and to avoid risking a defeat, when victory, under Providence, may be reduced to a certainty, I submit it to the wisdom of your Board if it will not be best to direct the Militia of some of the towns most contiguous to Dorchester and Roxbury, to repair to the lines at those two places, with their arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, instantly, upon a signal given.

If you approve of this, you will please to fix, with General Thomas, who waits upon you on purpose, upon the signal to be given, and issue your notice thereof accordingly.

I have the honour to be, with great respect and esteem, gentlemen, your most humble and obliged servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOSEPH REED.

Cambridge, February 26, 1776.

DEAR SIR: We have, under many difficulties, on account of hard frozen ground, completed our work on Lechmere's Point. We have got some heavy pieces of ordnance placed there, two platforms fixed for mortars, and every thing for any offensive operation. Strong guards are now mounted there, and at Cobble-Hill.

About ten days ago the severe freezing weather formed some pretty strong ice from Dorchester to Boston-Neck, and from Roxbury to the Common. This, I thought, knowing the ice could not last, a favourable opportunity to make an assault upon the troops in town. I proposed it in Council; but behold, though we had been waiting all the year for this favourable event, the enterprise was thought too dangerous. Perhaps it was; perhaps the irksomeness of my situation led me to undertake more than could be war ranted by prudence. I did not think so, and I am sure yet, that the enterprise, if it had been undertaken with resolution, must have succeeded; without it, any would fail; but it is now at an end, and I am preparing to take post on Dorchester-Heights to try if the enemy will be so kind as to come out to us. Ten regiments of Militia, you must know, had come in to strengthen my hands for offensive measures; but what I have said respecting the determinations in Council, and the possessing of Dorchester-Point, is spoken under the rose. I am, &c,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Joseph Reed.