to us in Annapolis, by Captain Stricker’s Company, or under a guard; and whatever expense may be incurred shall be fully reimbursed.

We are, &c.

To the Committees of Observation for the several Districts of Frederick County.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, March 6, 1776.

SIR: Since my last, I have had the honour of receiving your letters of the 24th and 30th of January, 9th, 14th, 18th, 21st, and 26th of February, which were communicated to Congress. On the settlements and adjustments of accounts, the Congress have not yet come to any determination; nor have they yet had time to contrive expedients for remedying the inconveniences mentioned in that of the 9th, which is referred to, and will be taken up, in a Committee of the Whole.

The Congress highly approve your care and attention in stopping Lord Drummond’s letter, and entirely concur with you in sentiment with regard to his Lordship’s officious and unwarrantable zeal.

The situation of the Middle and Southern Colonies hath engaged the attention of Congress. These are divided into two departments: the Middle, comprehending New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, under the command of a Major-General and two Brigadier-Generals; the Southern, comprehending Virginia, North and South-Carolina, and Georgia, under the command of a Major-General and four Brigadier-Generals. As there is reason to think that the force of our enemies will be directed against the Colonies in the Southern Department, Major-General Lee is appointed to that command. The Brigadier-Generals are, John Armstrong, William Thompson, Andrew Lewis, James Moore, Esq., Lord Stirling, and Robert Howe, Esq. Of these gentlemen, General Armstrong is directed to repair to South-Carolina; General Lewis and General Howe to Virginia; General Moore to North-Carolina; and General Thompson and Lord Stirling to New-York. And that our affairs in Canada may be under the direction of an able officer, and General Schuyler’s health not permitting him to go thither, or, if he could, as his presence is so necessary in New-York, the Congress have promoted Brigadier-General Thomas to the rank of a Major-General, and directed him to repair to Canada, and take the command of the Continental Forces in that quarter. I have accordingly enclosed him his commission, and am to desire you will give him orders to repair, with all expedition, to his post. To enable him to execute the purposes Congress have in view in Canada, they have ordered twelve battering-cannon to be sent from New-York, and have forwarded ten tons of powder. Of this article, we have lately received several supplies, and have some time ago ordered five tons and a half to be sent to you; which, if you have not already received, will, I hope, soon reach you. The Congress have also ordered ten tons more of powder to be sent to you, which will set out to-morrow or next day. Besides this, in the beginning of last month they ordered ten tons of saltpetre to be sent to Mr. Wisner’s, powder-mill, in the Colony of New-York; and on the 12th of the same month, ten tons to Mr. Livingston’s mill, in the same Colony, and ten tons to the Council of Massachusetts, with a desire to have it manufactured into gunpowder with all possible expedition, and sent to you for the use of the Army under your command. Besides this, I have the pleasure to inform you that the powder-mills in this Colony are employed, and more mills are building, which will be employed; so that I have strong hopes we shall soon have a plentiful supply of that necessary article.

With regard to arms, I am afraid we shall, for a time, be under some difficulty. The importation is now more precarious and dangerous. To remedy this, a Committee is appointed to contract for the making arms; and, as there is a great number of gunsmiths in this and the neighbouring Colonies, I flatter myself we shall soon be able to provide ourselves without risk or danger. But we must, like other States engaged in the like glorious struggle; contend with difficulties. By perseverance, and the blessing of God, I trust, if we continue to deserve freedom, we shall be enabled to overcome them. To that Being, in whose hands is the fate of nations, I recommend you and the Army under your command.

I have the honour to be, with every sentiment of esteem, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. The enclosed letter I request the favour you will please order to be delivered to Mr. Cushing.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS.

Philadelphia, March 6, 1776.

SIR: The situation of Canada being, at this juncture, an object of the greatest importance to the welfare of the United Colonies, the Congress have been anxious to fix upon some General Officer, whose military skill, courage, and capacity, will probably insure success to the enterprise. In Major-General Thomas they flatter themselves they will not be disappointed. Accordingly, I do myself the honour to enclose your commission; and shall only add, that Congress have the firmest reliance on your exerting yourself to the utmost.

I beg leave to refer you to General Washington for the necessary instructions on your expedition; and am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Major-General Thomas.

ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JAMES WARREN.

Philadelphia, March 6, 1776,

DEAR SIR: An express goes off in a few hours for the camp, and affords just time to hint a few things, which I beg you will communicate to the honourable House.

It is of great importance that your Militia should be well armed and equipped; and powder is essentially necessary. Without it, what will be the distresses of the sea-coast frontiers, and how can they defend themselves? I have heard of my vessel in the service of the Colony, and am apprehensive of her being detained at St . Antonio, in Spain. I saw a letter from the master to the commander of a ship arrived in this place, and find that Captain Johnson was waiting for his crew, which had been despatched from Bilboa by Messrs. Guad** ten days before, and ought to have arrived in two or three days at most. He was very uneasy, and intended to get another crew if his own did not arrive soon; and I have since heard a rumour that the vessel is detained, which there is reason to fear. She had on board four hundred and thirty barrels of powder, or, in other words, twenty-one tons and a half; and, should she arrive, will clear for the Colony seven thousand five hundred pounds lawful, estimating the powder at five shillings per pound, which is low. But this is a trifling consideration compared with other advantages. Five tons were ordered to Cambridge about a week since from the Jerseys; since which, twenty-seven tons and a half have arrived here, with about five tons of saltpetre, and three hundred stand of arms. Ten tons of this powder is also ordered to the camp at Cam­bridge; but this will not equip your Militia. Pray let a petition be immediately preferred for the return of the powder which we have lent the Continent, and I apprehend it can be obtained—I mean the powder collected from the towns in the Massachusetts. Mr. Hunt can furnish a list of the most of them. I would beg one thing further, that you will not suffer any of your stocks of ammunition to be carried out of the Colony, or into the camp, without pressing necessity, or the desire of Congress. News is just arrived of five tons more powder imported into North-Carolina, and each Colony looks out for itself, as the times require it.

The Congress have this day preferred General Tlomas, and made him a Major-General. He is ordered to proceed, without delay, to Canada; and General Lee is to go to the Southern Colonies.