every man knows his duty; it was like departing your country, with your wives, your servants, your household furniture, and all your encumbrances. The officers, who felt the disgrace of their retreat, did their utmost to keep up appearances. The men, who thought they were changing for the better, strove to take the advantage of the present times, and were kept from plunder and drink with difficulty. In bad plight we go to Halifax. What supply we are to expect there I do not know; our expectations are not very sanguine. The neglect shown us bears hard on us all; the soldiers think themselves betrayed, the officers all blame the Admiralty, and your friend, Lord S—, is universally execrated. The sea officers complained they were hurried out of England in a most shameful condition, not half manned, and ill provided. Fleet and Army complain of each other, and both of the people at home. If we fare as ill at Halifax as we have done here lately, I fear we shall have great desertion, as the opportunity will be more convenient.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read April 2, 1776.—Referred to Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jay, Mr. Wilson.]

Cambridge, March 24, 1776.

SIR: When I had the honour to address you the 19th instant, upon the evacuation of the town of Boston by the Ministerial Army, I fully expected, as their retreat and embarkation were hurried and precipitate, that before now they would have departed the harbour, and been far on their passage to the place of destination; but, to my surprise and disappointment, the fleet is still in Nantasket-Road. The purpose inducing their stay is altogether unknown; nor can I suggest any satisfactory reason for it. On Wednesday night last, before the whole of the fleet fell down to Nantasket, they demolished the Castle, and houses belonging to it, by burning them down, and the several fortifications. They left a great number of the cannon, but have rendered all of them, except a very few, entirely useless, by breaking off the trunnions, and those they spiked up, but may be made serviceable again. Some are already done.

There are several vessels in the docks, which were taken by the enemy, some with, and others without, cargoes, which different persons claim as their property and right. Are they to be restored to the former owners, on making proof of their title, or to belong to the Continent, as captures made from the enemy? I wish Congress would direct a mode of proceeding against them, and establish a rule for decision. They appear to me to be highly necessary. In like manner, some of the cannon which are in Boston are said to have come from the Castle. Supposing them, with those remaining at the Castle, to have been purchased by, and provided originally at the expense of this Province, are they now to be considered as belonging to it, or to the publick? I beg leave to refer the matter to the opinion of Congress, and pray their direction how I am to conduct respecting them.

It having been suggested to me that there was considerable property, &c., belonging to persons who had, from the first of the present unhappy contest, manifested an unfriendly and inveterate disposition, in the town of Boston, I thought it prudent to write to the honourable General Court upon the subject, that it might be inquired after and secured; a copy of the letter I herewith send you, and submit it to Congress, through you, whether they will not determine how it is to be disposed of, and as to the appropriation of the money arising from the sale of the same.

As soon as the town was abandoned by the enemy, I judged it advisable to secure the several Heights, lest the enemy should attempt to return; and for this purpose have caused a large and strong work to be thrown up on Fort-Hill, a post of great importance, as it commands the whole harbour, and, when fortified, if properly supported, will greatly annoy any fleet the enemy may send against the town, and render the landing of their troops exceedingly difficult, if not impracticable. This work is almost done, and in a little time will be complete. And that the communication between the town and country may be free and open, I have ordered all the lines upon the Neck to be immediately destroyed, and the other works on the sides of the town facing the country, that the inhabitants from the latter may not be impeded, and afforded an easy entrance in case the enemy should gain possession at any future time. These matters I conceived to be within the line of my duty; of which I advised the General Court, and recommended to their attention such other measures as they might think necessary for securing the town against the hostile designs of the enemy.

I have just got an inventory of stores and property belonging to the Crown, which the enemy left in Boston, at the Castle, and at Bunker Hill, which I have the honour to transmit you; and shall give strict orders that a careful attention be had to any more that may be found. I shall take such precautions respecting them that they may be secure, and turn to the publick advantage as much as possible, or as circumstances will admit of.

A Mr. Bulfinch, from Boston, who acted as clerk to Mr.—, having put into my hands a list of rations drawn the Saturday before the troops evacuated the town, I have enclosed it for your inspection. He says neither the Staff Officers or women are included in the list; from which it appears that their number was greater than we had an idea of.

Major-General Ward and Brigadier-General Frye are desirous of leaving the service, and for that purpose have requested me to lay the matter before Congress, that they may be allowed to resign their commissions. The papers containing their applications you will herewith receive; they will give you full and a more particular information upon the subject, and therefore shall take the liberty of referring you to them.

I would mention to Congress that the Commissary of Artillery Stores has informed me, that whatever powder has been sent to this camp has always come without any bill ascertaining the number of casks or quantity. This, it is probable, has proceeded from forgetfulness or inattention in the persons appointed to send it, or to the negligence of those who brought it, though they have declared otherwise, and that they never had any. As it may prevent in some measure embezzlements, (though I do not suspect any to have been made,) and the Commissary will know what and how much to receive, and be enabled to discover mistakes, if any should happen, I shall be glad if you will direct a bill of parcels to be always sent in future.

There have been so many accounts from England, all agreeing that Commissioners are coming to America, to propose terms for an accommodation, (as they say,) that I am inclined to think the time of their arrival not very far off. If they come to Boston, which probably will be the case, (if they come to America at all,) I shall be under such embarrassment respecting the manner of receiving them, and the mode of treatment that ought to be used, I therefore pray that Congress will give me directions, and point out the line of conduct to be pursued. Whether they are to be considered as Ambassadors, and to have a pass, or permit, for repairing through the country to Philadelphia, or to any other place, or whether they are to be restrained in any, and what manner, I shall anxiously wait their orders; and whatever they are, comply with them literally.

I have the honour to be, with great esteem, sir, your most humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable the President of Congress.

Cambridge, March 21, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Ere now I was in hopes of congratulating you on the departure of the Ministerial Troops, not only from your capital, but country. That they still remain in the harbour, after having been five days embarked, affords matter for speculation, and, collected as their force is now, of apprehension. This circumstance, the security of Boston by a work on Fort-Hill, and demolition of the lines on the Neck, and preservation of the; stores for Continental use belonging to the King, by a proper search after them, rendered it indispensably necessary for me to throw more troops into the town immediately, (it coming within the line of my duty;) but notwithstanding all the precaution which I have endeavoured to use, to restrain and limit the intercourse between the town and country and Army for a few days, I greatly fear that the small-pox will be communicated to both.

So soon as the fleets sail, my attention must be turned to another quarter, and most of the Continental Regiments, now here, marched off. It may be necessary, therefore, for you, gentlemen, to consider the state of your harbour, and think

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