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I have ordered a return to be made of the state of our ma gazine; and if the powder you request can possibly be spared, you shall have it. I have writtten to Congress to know whether they would incline to send you a further reinforcement of men; but we are yet in a very uncertain situation, not knowing where the enemy may bend their force, and constant applications from all quarters of the sea-coast, for a supply of men and ammunition. The recruits that have been lately raised here are totally unfurnished with arms, and, what is still worse, we do not know where to procure them. You, who know the temper and disposition of the Savages, will, I doubt not, think with me, that it will be impossible to keep them in a state of neutrality. I have urged to Congress the necessity of engaging them on our side to prevent their taking an active part against us, which would be a most fatal stroke, under our present circumstances. The commotions among the Canadians is really alarming. I am afraid proper measures have not been taken to conciliate their affections, but rather that they have been insulted and injured, than which nothing could have a greater tendency to ruin our cause in that country; for human nature is such that it will adhere to the side from whence the best treatment is received. I therefore conjure you, sir, to recommend to the officers and soldiers, in the strongest terms, to treat all the inhabitants (Canadians, English, and Savages) with tenderness and respect, paying them punctually for what they receive, or giving them such certificates as will enable them to receive their pay. As you are perfectly well acquainted with the country and its inhabitants in and about Albany, I think it would be best for you to remain there, at least until the troops and all their supplies are forwarded from thence to Canada. Besides the four regiments ordered for that service, I shall send a company of Riflemen, a company of Artificers, and two Engineers. I beg you will continue to furnish me with intelligence of every interesting occurrence; and believe me, most affectionately, your obedient, humble servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON. To General Schuyler. ABRAHAM LIVINGSTON TO ISAAC ROOSEVELT AND OTHERS. New-York, April 19, 1776. GENTLEMEN: I am under the necessity of applying to you for the performance, on your part, of the contract between us. I have, in consequence of that contract, furnished myself with considerable supplies for the troops; and as I do not furnish near enough to bear the expenses, I am now to inform you that I shall look to you for the damages I have and may sustain from the non-compliance of your agreement with me. I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant, ABRAHAM LIVINGSTON. To Messrs. Isaac Roosevelt, Nathaniel Woodhull, Abraham Yates, Jun., Morris Graham, William Paulding. ABRAHAM LIVINGSTON TO THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. New-York, April 19, 1776. SIRS: The contract I made with the gentlemen, in behalf of the Provincial Congress of this Colony, pursuant to a resolution of the Continental Congress, not having been complied with on their part, I beg leave to lay before the Committee of Safety the following state of facts: 1st. That the day after the contract between us was signed, Mr. Carpenter Wharton came to this town as Com missary to the Pennsylvania Battalions, then expected here, which so suddenly increased the price of provisions, that I was under the absolute necessity, pursuant to my agreement, to furnish myself with a very considerable quantity thereof, and at high prices; and further, to contract to a very considerable amount, which would not have been the case had I, as was universally expected, had the market in my own hands. 2dly. That I am at an immense expense for Commissaries at the Highlands, boat hire, the heavy expenses of domesticks, and the providing for live cattle now in and near this town; which expenses amount to near as much as it would to furnish the whole Army now in and about the suburbs of this city. 3dly. That since the Minute-men have been disbanded, I have not furnished, altogether, a single full regiment, although I was to have supplied five thousand men or more. 4thly. That I cannot expect any troops will be supplied by me, if they get greater allowance from the Commissary-General, whose arrival here has also thrown me into new difficulties. 5thly. That paying me the profit I expected to have when I contracted, will not by any means compensate, without the provisions I have on hand, and have contracted for, are taken from me at the first cost and charges. 6thly. That although the cost of victualling the troops does not exceed, but is under the sum that I received from the Congress, yet if I had, according to agreement, furnished five thousand men, a considerable sum would have been due to me, which would have relieved me from many difficulties with the people with whom I have contracted. But the want of money is a small part of the difficulties I labour under, by reason of the contract. They would be better explained by ocular demonstration than I possibly can do on paper. I shall only add, further, that above a month of the time I agreed to supply the troops has elapsed, and several and material matters, more than I have already mentioned, have been omitted by Congress, for fulfilling on their part the contract between us. I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant, ABRAHAM LIVINGSTON. To the General Committee of the Colony of New-York. LIEUTENANT PAYNE TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. New-York, April 19, 1776. GENTLEMEN: As I embarked early in defending the rights of America, by every means in my power, I trust my conduct, in the late campaign against Canada, was becoming the character of a soldier. As I am still actuated by the same principle in preserving the freedom of my country, I take the liberty to express to you my inclination to continue in the service. I signified to General Schuyler I would rather serve in the Artillery, as I had made it my study while Conductor of Artillery in the Northern Department. The General gave me a line of recommendation to the honourable Provincial Congress. If the places are made up for that department, I should have no objection to serve, either to take the command of the Marines on board of one of the ships-of-war, or in a marching regiment. Should you think me worthy your confidence, T hope my future conduct will give satisfaction to my country. I flatter myself I could raise the men in a short time. I am, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant, JAMES WILLIAM PAYNE, Lieutenant. To the New-York Committee of Safety. ISAAC GEDNEY TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. White-Plains Jail, April 20, 1776. GENTLEMEN: I am to acknowledge your kindness in removing me from the New-York Jail to this place, but am still unhappy in being detained from my family, who, at this season, want my assistance very much. It is not only the aid I might give, in keeping my interest together, (all of which has been earned by the sweat of my brow,) but adding happiness to my family, and saving a large family of children from running into many vices. You, gentlemen, who have families, know the difficulty of keeping youth within bounds, when with them; much less can it be done by a mother. I have been in confinement near three months. There surely ought to be some period, some end to a man’s suffering. If you, gentlemen, think that giving you good bail for my appearance, as well as for my peaceable behaviour, will answer the intention of the law, I can, and shall with pleasure, give it, in any sum which may be asked; but to lie here confined in a jail, and know my interest daily sinking, without one single advantage to the publick that I can conceive, renders me much more unhappy than the bare suffering of being confined. If you, gentlemen, can with propriety give me enlargement, you will relieve a distressed family of a wife and seven
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