GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Received April 18, 1776.—Referred to Mr. Reed, Mr. Clinton, and Mr. Braxton.]

New-York, April 15, 1776.

SIR: I am now to inform you that, on the 4th instant, I set out from Cambridge, and arrived here on Saturday last. I came through Providence, Norwich, and New-London, in order to see and expedite the embarcation of the troops. The Third Brigade, under the command of General Greene, was at New-London when I left it, where there was a suffi cient number of transports to embark them, and most pro bably would have arrived here before this, had it not been for a snow-storm which happened the night they sailed, which dispersed them, and I fear has done them some in jury. General Spencer, with the last brigade, marched from Rlioxbury the day I left Cambridge, and would be at New-London, ready to embark in the return transports which brought General Sullivan’s division to this place. The whole of the troops may be reasonably expected here in the course of this week. The badness of the roads, and difficulty of procuring teams for bringing the stores, baggage, fcc, have greatly prolonged their arrival at this place.

I have not had time since I came to look fully about me, but find many works of defence begun, and some finished. The troops are much dispersed, some on Long-Island, others on Staten-Island, &c.

I have ordered four battalions from hence to Canada, and am taking measures to have them forwarded to Albany, by water, with all possible expedition. This will greatly expe dite their arrival, and ease the men of much fatigue. I have written to General Schuyler of their coming, that he may have necessary measures taken to hurry their march to General Thomas.

I am informed by General Putnam, that the Militia that were called in for the support of this town, in case the Min isterial Army had arrived before our troops, are all discharged, it being unnecessary to keep them longer. All the sbips-of-war, besides the Asia, moved out of this harbour on Saturday, and the Asia yesterday, some of which are now below the Narrows, and the rest gone to sea.

Your favour of the 10th instant, by Major Sherburne, directed to General Putnam, or the commanding officer here, came to hand on Saturday evening, with three boxes of money, which I shall deliver the Paymaster as soon as he arrives, and transmit you his receipt for the same.

Having received information from hence before my de parture from Cambridge, that thirty pieces of heavy cannon were wanting, and essentially necessary for the defence of this place, in addition to those already here, I took the liberty of applying to Admiral Hopkins, whom I saw at New-London, for that number, with the mortars and stores he brought from Providence, a list of which he had trans mitted you. He told me that, as many were wanting for the defence of Providence River and the harbour at New-Lon don, it was uncertain whether I could have all I wanted, but that he would send me all that could be spared.

I have not been able to get a return of the troops since I came; as soon as I do, I will send it to you.

I am, sir, with great respect and esteem, your most obe dient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable the President of Congress.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, New-York, April 14, 1776.

(Parole, New- York)

(Countersign, Prosperity)

The General compliments the officers who have succes sively commanded at this post, and returns his thanks to them, and to all the officers and soldiers under their com mand, for the many works of defence which have been so expeditiously erected, and doubts not but the same spirit of zeal for the service will continue to animate their future conduct.

Exact returns of all the Regiments and Corps to be made up and sent to the Adjutant-General, as soon as possible. The commanding officers at the outposts are also to send a report of the numbers under their command, where and how disposed of. Exact returns also of all the ordnance and military stores, provisions, stores in the department of the Quartermaster-General, &c., to be forthwith delivered to the Commander-in-Chief, signed by the proper officer of the head of each department.

All persons infected with the small-pox are to be imme diately removed to a secure place, to be provided by the Quartermaster-General, who will consult the Magistrates of the city thereupon. A proper guard, to be composed of men who have had that disorder, to be fixed at this Hospi tal, to prevent any intercourse but such as the manager shall license.

Pay abstracts are to be made out for each Regiment and Corps in this department, to the 1st of April, exclusive, (each month separate,) and lodged with Major Harrison, Aid-de-Camp to the General, that provision may be made for payment.

As the General is unacquainted at present with the various orders for the good government of the troops here, or the reasons which induced the giving of them; he directs that those, and all General Orders, be duly attended to and obeyed, until countermanded by himself.

The General flatters himself that he shall hear no com plaints from the citizens of abuse or ill treatment, in any re spect whatsoever; but that every officer and soldier, of every rank and denomination, will pride themselves (as men con tending in the glorious cause of liberty ought to do) in an orderly, decent, and regular deportment.

One Captain, four Subalterns, four Sergeants, four Cor porals, two Drums, and one hundred Privates, to parade this afternoon, at four o’clock, to go as guard to Governour’s Island.

Two Field-Officers, four Captains, eight Subalterns, six teen Sergeants, four Drums and Fifes, and four hundred men, from eath’s and Lord Stirling’s Brigades, to parade at six o’clock, to-morrow morning, with three days’ provisions, to go as a working party to Governour’s Island. General Put nam will order boats to be ready at the ferry to transport them.

For the future, the Commissary-General is not to issue any rum to working parties, unless the return is signed by the officer commanding the whole party.

Head-Quarters, New-York, April 15, 1776.

(Parole, Philadelphia.)

(Countersign, Norfolk,)

The Quartermaster-General is immediately to provide transports to convey four Regiments to Albany. Poor’s, Patterson’s, Greaton’s, and Bond’s Regiments, are to hold themselves in readiness to embark at an hour’s warning. They are to take with them their camp equipage, which the Quartermaster-General will furnish, taking the Colonels, or commanding officers’ receipt for the tents, &c., supplied to each corps.

An exact return to be made this evening by the Majors of Brigade of all the guards; where mounted, and number of sentries furnished by each guard.

The Quartermaster-General is immediately to provide six whale-boats for the publick service; he will report when they are ready to be employed.

The Majors of Brigade are to attend at the Adjutant-General’s Office, near Head-Quarters, at eleven o’clock, every forenoon, to receive the General Orders of the day. Such Brigade-Majors as are at a remote distance from the town may send an Orderly Adjutant to act for them.

Brigadier-General Thompson is to command the Brigade going to Albany; he will receive his orders as soon as the troops are embarked.

As the Army at this place is lately strongly reinforced, and more of the Continental established Regiments hourly expected, it is no longer necessary to detain any of the Mili tia; therefore Colonel Martin, with four companies of Mili tia, from Sussex County, in New-Jersey, are dismissed, with the General’s thanks for the spirit with which they stepped forward in the service of their country on this occasion, and for their good behaviour and service since they joined the Army.

The officers and soldiers of Poor’s, Patterson’s, Greaton’s, and Bond’s Regiments, to be immediately taken off duty.