EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER IN THE CONTINENTAL ARMY, DATED TROIS RIVIERES, MARCH24, 1776.

My business at this post is to furnish horses, carriages, &c., for the passing army, and see them supplied with provisions; which business takes up almost my whole time. I have it also in my orders to call in the old commissions given to the officers of Militia in the seventeen Parishes in the District of Three Rivers, by the late Governour Carleton, and to have new officers elected. Some of them seem shy of receiving the post, being afraid either that the Ministerial Troops will drive us out of the Province, or that we, after carrying our point with Great Britain, will leave them to fall a sacrifice; but, in general, they seem to be fond of holding commissions under the Congress. In some Parishes there have been three or four candidates for the Captaincy; and I receive information that bribery and corruption is already beginning to creep into their elections. At some, the disputes run so high that I am obliged to interfere. At one, I was under the necessity of going twenty-seven miles to superintend the poll, and was obliged to give them a new election; with which they were satisfied. I have sent up about thirty names to the General, in order to get commissions under the right honourable the Continental Congress, which have been new elected, and expect soon to send more. I have been extremely sorry that our forces do not come forward faster. Of late, some have come up; but, upon the whole, I must say I think this department has been neglected.

I have troubled you with an account of all the fresh forces which have passed this post, exclusive of those who were at Montreal, who have been nearer the scene of action.—Officers are included in the account.

January 31.—Captain Seaban, from the Bay Government, (the first hero that came to our assistance,) twenty-five; Captain Smith, with nineteen.

February 9.—Lieutenants Munson and Pettibone, with part of two companies, twenty-five. 21.—Lieutenant Walker, seventeen; Captain Wetherly, thirty-three. 22.—Lieutenant Meacham, twelve. 24.—Captain Hinman, twenty-three; Captain Pierce, twenty-five; Uzziah Wright, a gentleman volunteer, eight. 26.—Lieutenant Sunderland, thirty-two; Sergeant Clark, twenty.

March 1.—Lieutenant Loomis, fifty eight; Lieutenant Talbot, with the first Pennsylvania Company, sixty; Lieutenant Deane, from the Bay Government, forty. 4.—Sergeant St. John, fifteen; Serg’nt Gideon Brenson, seven. 5.—Captain Goodridge, thirty-five; Lieutenant Frisby, thirty-one; Lieut. Walbridge, forty-nine. 6.—Captain Gideon Doud, forty-eight; Captain Wright, sixty-three. 10.—Lieutenant Hughes, from Philadelphia, sixty; Lieutenant Grant, from New-England, thirty; Major Safford, of Colonel Warner’s Regiment, sixty; Capt. Grosvenor, forty-two. 12.—Captain Jenkins, from Philadelphia, (his company chiefly passed by before,) eight; Captain Cooley, from New-England, forty. 16.—Lieutenant Yard, (the first of the Jersey forces, with an escort with provisions,) thirty-four. 17.—Major Ray, of the Jersey Battalion, one hundred and seventy-nine. 20.—Captain Carlisle, twenty-nine; Lieutenant Grant, fourteen. 22.—Lieutenant Stone, thirty-four; Captain Wait, forty-seven; Lieutenant Stainer, eighty-one. Gone from Montreal garrison, three hundred; remained, after the defeat, six hundred; by recruiting among the Canadians, five hundred. Total, two thousand seven hundred and sixty-two.

General Wooster’s baggage passed through here yesterday, and I expect to receive his Excellency at this garrison to-morrow. Passed by this post, also, Colonels Warner, Williams, Irvine, Maxwell, Wait, and Major Morris.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO LORD STIRLING.

Cambridge, March 24, 1776.

MY LORD: Since my last to you of the 19th instant, I had the pleasure to receive your favour of the 15th. It gives me vast satisfaction to find you are making such preparations as will prevent the enemy from making any lodgment there. The reinforcement gone to you from this camp will put you on so respectable a footing, that I have no doubt but you will be able to strengthen your works in such a manner that, even if General Howe should arrive before this Army, you will be able to prevent his taking post.

The fleet are now lying in Nantasket-Road. The wind has been these two days fair for them to sail, but they seem fixed. I really know not what they aim at. I have made such preparation for them, that I think it will be very difficult for them to regain the post at Boston, if they are so inclined. While they remain in sight, I must stay here to watch their motions with the Army under my command. When they move from hence, if nothing unforeseen happens, I shall make the best of my way to New-York, where I shall have great pleasure in taking your Lordship by the hand. You omitted sending the paper you refer to in your last: it will be a satisfaction to me to receive it in your next.

If this should reach you ere the departure of the powder from your place, you will do well to keep it with you.

I am, my Lord, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Lord Stirling.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOSIAH QUINCY.

Cambridge, March 24, 1776.

SIR: I am favoured with your letter of the 21st instant. It came to hand this afternoon, and I thank you for the many kind and flattering expressions it contains. To obtain the applause of deserving men is a heartfelt satisfaction—to merit it is my highest wish. If my conduct, therefore, as an instrument in the late signal interposition of Providence, hath merited the approbation of this great country, I shall esteem it one of the most fortunate and happy events of my life. I acknowledge myself your debtor for the share you have bestowed on me of it. The continuance of the fleet in Nantasket-Road affords matter for speculation; it surpasses my comprehension, and awakens all my suspicions. I have taken every step in my power to guard against surprises; but the temper of your people seems to me to be apprehensive of no danger till it stares them in the face. I do not think there is cause to apprehend such marauding parties as you dread; if any stroke is aimed, it will be a capital one; for which reason I wish to be much upon my guard, and, therefore, have appointed guard-boats, look-outs, &c. There is one evil I dread, and that is, their spies. I could wish, therefore, that the most attentive watch was kept to prevent any intercourse with the ships and the main land for this purpose; and to prevent suspected persons (for I have no doubt but that trusty soldiers, sergeants, and even commissioned officers in disguise, will be sent out) from travelling about. I wish a dozen or more of honest, sensible, and diligent men, were employed to haunt the communication between Roxbury and the different landing-places nearest the shipping, in order to question, cross-question, &c., all such persons as are unknown, and cannot give an account of themselves in a straight and satisfactory line. If you could hire men for this purpose, whilst the shipping continue where they now are, I would pay the wages you agree upon, and thank you for the trouble, as I think it a matter of some importance to prevent them from obtaining intelligence of our situation. The earliest information should also be communicated of any movements which may be discovered, and whether any of the shipping are getting out as it were by stealth.

I am exceedingly sorry to hear of your indisposition, and heartily wish you a perfect restoration to health. I should be very happy to take you by the hand before I bid adieu to the Colony; but as my motions are regulated by those of the enemy, I cannot say when or where it can happen.

In sincerity and truth, I remain, dear sir, your most obedient and obliged servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Josiah Quincy, Braintree.

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE ASSEMBLY.

Winter-Hill, March 24, 1776.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: I have an account presented me by Captain Tilton, agreeable to the direction of General Folsom, for payment of seventeen pounds twelve shillings and six pence. It consists of six articles: One bill is nine pounds ten shillings, for boarding Artillerymen sent from the Army to your assistance, and remained there three