Return of all the Troops at NEW-YORK, under the command of Brigadier-General the Earl of STIRLING, March 13, 1776.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL ALLEN TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read March 15, 1776.]

New-York, March 13, 1776.

SIR: I have the honour to acquaint you that, on my arrival here, I waited on Lord Stirling, to request his assistance in procuring sloops to convey the troops from Dobbs’s Ferry to Albany . This business being effected, I was this day preparing to set off for Albany, when I received the following orders from Lord Stirling:

“New-York, March 13, 1776.

“SIR: You are hereby ordered to direct all the companies of the Second Battalion of the Pennsylvania Troops, of which you are Lieutenant-Colonel, which are not yet embarked for Albany, to proceed immediately to this city, where quarters shall be provided for them. You are to remain at this place till further orders.

“STIRLING, Brigadier-General.

“To Lieutenant-Colonel Allen, of the Second Regiment, Pennsylvania .”

Agreeably to the above, I have despatched a messenger, with orders to the different companies, as they arrive at Hackensack, immediately to march to this place, where I shall anxiously expect to be honoured with your orders.

This unexpected delay, at so critical a season of the year, has given me much uneasiness; but my business is to obey orders, and not to judge of the propriety of them.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

WM ALLEN

To the Honourable John Hancock.

N. B. Your despatches for General Schuyler are to be forwarded to-morrow morning by Lord Stirling.

PETER T. CURTENIUS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, March 13, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeably to your request, we have made a second calculation, and will engage to furnish all the troops that shall be quartered in this city, King’s County, and Fort Constitution, for one year, from the 1st day of April’ next, at eleven pence per ration per day, provided the Congress will furnish us, at their expense, with sufficient stores at each place, and advance us a sufficient sum to lay in a stock of provisions. The ration to consist of the following kinds and quantities of provisions, viz: One pound of beef, or three-quarters of a pound pork, or one pound of salt fish, per day per man; one pound of flour or bread, per day; three pints of pease or beans per week, or vegetables equivalent; one pint of milk per day, or at the rate of one-seventy-second part of a dollar, or an equivalent in beef, pork, or butter; one quart of spruce beer or cider, per man per day, or nine gallons of molasses per one hundred men per week; half a pint of rice, or one pint of Indian meal, per man per week; three pounds of candles, to one hundred men per week; twenty-four pounds of soft, or eight pounds of hard soap, for one hundred men per week.

As to wood and straw, it is impossible to reduce them into rations; therefore, will engage to furnish them the year round, at twenty shillings per cord, and straw at three pence per bunch, exclusive of the carting, provided it is at your risk, after we have delivered it to the Barrackmaster, whose receipt shall be our voucher. This will be a proper check on us, that we do not charge too much; and, also, a check on him, that he does not give credit for too little. If all the wood was to be delivered at the barracks, and there issued out, we could make a calculation; but, after it is there, it must be carted to the different houses in the town, where the soldiers are quartered, in loads, three-quarters, and half loads; therefore, it would be best that the Barrackmaster pay the cartage, and render you an account of it.

We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

CURTENIUS & ETTING.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read March 22, 1776.]

Cambridge, March 13, 1776.

SIR: In my letter of the 7th and 9th instant, which I had the honour of addressing you, I mentioned the intelligence I had received respecting the embarkation of the troops from Boston, and fully expected before this that the