and perform all the different evolutions and manoeuvres, which is of more essential service than dwelling too long upon the manual exercise. He, also, recommends to the Colonels a proper attention to the clothing of their officers and men, that they may appear in a soldierlike manner.

The General desires that the Brigadiers who have not complied with the orders of the 6th instant, concerning the ammunition, and that of the 7th, respecting the arrangement of Chaplains, may be informed that he expects an immediate report from them.

Head.Quarters, Cambridge, February 21, 1776.

The General, being anxious to have the established Regiments completed, with all possible expedition, desires the Colonels and commanding officers forthwith to send an officer from each incomplete company, into the country, upon the recruiting service, who are expressly forbid inlisting any boys, old men, or slaves. Tese officers are, also, to use their best endeavour to get what good arms they can. The recruiting in camp, is, also, to be continued.

The Colonels and commanding officers of Regiments are to send to the Quartermaster-General, to-morrow morning, the names of the Sutlers licensed by them to supply their respective corps.

Head.Quarters, Cambridge, February 22, 1776.

John English, of Captain Waterman's Company, in Colonel Arnold's Regiment, tried at a late General Court-Martial, for "absenting himself from his Regiment, and inlisling in Colonel Varnum's Regiment." The Court were unanimously of opinion, that the prisoner is guilty of the crimes whereof he was accused, and adjudge him to receive ten lashes on the bare back, and order the advance pay due to him, in Colonel Arnold's Regiment, to be paid the officer who gave him the advance pay in Colonel Varnum's Regiment. The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be put in execution at guard-mounting to-morrow.

The Brigadier-Generals, with their Majors of Brigade, the Colonel of Artillery, the Quartermaster-General, with the Barrackmaster of the four Brigades in the Cambridge Department, to be at Head-Quarters to-morrow morning, at ten o'clock.

Head.Quarters, Cambridge, February 23, 1776.

Lieutenant Thomas Cummings, tried at a General Court-Martial, for "behaving in a scandalous and infamous manner, unbecoming the character of an officer and gentleman," is sentenced to be cashiered. The General approves the sentence, and orders it to take place immediately.

The General, also, confirms the sentence upon James McCormick, of Captain Farrington's Company, in Colonel Sargent's Regiment, and commands the execution of it, at the discretion of his Colonel.

Head.Quarters, Cambridge, February 24, 1776.

The General having the credit of this Army much at heart, and anxious that it should not only behave well, but look well, recommends it to, and does expect that every officer, from the highest to the lowest, doth exert himself to accomplish those ends, to attain which the Brigadiers are desired to be attentive to every matter and thing relative to their Brigades, and where orders are not, or cannot be complied with immediately, to report the reason thereof.

From henceforward it is expected that the weekly returns of every Regiment will, before they are brought in to the Commander-in-chief, be examined and certified by the Brigadier to whose Brigade they respectively belong; who is, also, to direct his Major of Brigade to keep a book, and have them regularly entered, always comparing the return to be made with the one preceding, and inquiring minutely into the cause of every change or alteration from the last. The Colonel, or commanding officer of every Regiment, is to observe the same conduct with respect to the returns of his Companies, and keep a book for the regular entry thereof. These precautions are taken to prevent the many blunders and mistakes which have heretofore happened in making out the pay-abstracts, all of which, for the future, are to be inspected by the Brigadiers, compared with their books, and certified by them, before a warrant will be granted. A very strict attention will be expected to this order; for if these books are called for, and do not correspond with this order, the officer neglecting will meet with no favour.

The commanding officer of each Regiment may apply for a warrant for five hundred dollars, to put into the hands of such officers as they send into the country on the recruiting service, to buy arms; these officers are, in an especial manner, charged to purchase no arms but such as are good and fit for immediate use; King's muskets, or guns as near that quality as can be had, should be got, and with bayonets, if possible. As there is a Committee in each of the Counties of the Massachusetts-Bay, appointed by the General Court to purchase arms for this Army, the officers are to take care not to raise the price, by bidding against each other.

Mark Noble, of Captain Noble's Company, in Colonel Patterson's Regiment, tried by a late General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Phinney was President, for "desertion," is found guilty, and sentenced to receive fifteen lashes upon his bare back, and mulcted one month's pay to defray the expense of apprehending and bringing the prisoner to camp. The General approves the sentence, and commands the execution of it, at such time and place as the Colonel of the Regiment shall direct.

Head. Quarters, Cambridge, February 25, 1776.

It being a matter of too much importance to intrust the wounds and lives of officers and soldiers to unskilful Surgeons, the General requests the Director-General and Surgeons of the Hospital, (taking, also, to their assistance such Regimental Surgeons, as, upon examination they approve of,) will sit and examine the Surgeons and Mates of the whole Army, and give certificates to those who are found qualified to discharge the duties of their office, in order that they may receive commissions. Gentlemen of candour and knowledge in their profession, will see the utility of this measure, and approve of it. None, but those who are conscious of their inability, will decline the examination.

The Surgeon of every Regiment is immediately to report to the Director-General of the Hospital, in what manner he and his Mate are at present furnished with instruments, medicines, bandages, &c., that the true state and condition may be known. The first Court of Examination will sit on Tuesday next, at the Convalescent Hospital, in Cambridge, at eleven, in the forenoon, at which all the Surgeons and their Mates, of General Sullivan's Brigade, are to attend.

Head. Quarters, Cambridge, February 26, 1776.

The commanding officers of Regiments are immediately to order all the axes, pick-axes, spades, shovels, and other intrenching tools, now in their possession, to be forthwith sent to the Quartermaster-General's Store in Cambridge.

All officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, are positively forbid playing at cards, and other games of chance. At this time of publick distress men may find enough to do in the service of their God and their country, without abandoning themselves to vice and immorality.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED WILLIAMSBURGH, VIRGINIA, FEBRUARY 27, 1776.

Colonel Corbin is returned from his fruitless journey to Lord Dunmore, who refused to give a commission for holding an Assembly, and only proposed that the principal gentlemen in the country should sign propositions for an accommodation, with which he would go home; but, we presume, he must get them signed by his old friends in the fleet, or about Norfolk, as he will get very few gentlemen's names to it. He said Commissioners were to negotiate, but did not say who they were.

His Lordship is not recalled, but has leave to go, if he chooses it. His conduct is approved of, and he has unlimited power to draw on the Treasury. Colonel Corbin says, that he, General Clinton, and Captain Hammond, all