Return of the Regiments going on command to CANADA, April 28, 1776.

HORATIO GATES, Adjutant-General

COLONEL NICOLL TO GENERAL, WASHINGTON.

Fort Constitution, April 30, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: Enclosed you have a return of the state of the fortifications under my command; by which you will readily see that the men in general are very deficient in arms, and more especially the standing companies. I think it would be prudent to have them armed as soon as possible, as there are many disaffected persons in the adjacent Counties of Westchester and Dutchess, who, in case of an attack at New-York, (if they knew our weakness,) might attempt to take the garrisons by surprise. I have been informed that one Captain Menos, a half-pay officer from Dutchess County, has gone off, about the 20th instant, with forty men, supposed to join the Ministerial Army.

There is no ammunition at Fort Montgomery for small arms, but one quarter-cask of powder, and forty-eight pounds of musket balls, which I got of the Commissioners; and they produced instructions from Congress not to let any of the powder be made use of without their further order; but as there was a necessity for it, I prevailed with them to let it go. I have given orders to Lieutenant Stephens (of the artillery) to have it made up into cartridges for the use of that garrison. Gun-flints we are destitute of. No physician has been ordered here yet, and a number of the men in garrison are sick and lame, and cannot have proper means used for their recovery.

The time for which one of the Minute-Companies, now at this fortress, is inlisted, will expire in about fifteen days. If your Excellency thinks it proper more should be called in, I should be glad of an order for that purpose as soon as possible. In the mean time you may rest assured, sir, that nothing shall be wanting on my part to secure the different posts under my command; and for that purpose the work shall be forwarded to the utmost of my power.

I am, with the greatest esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble servant,

ISAAC NICOLL, Commanding Officer.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq., Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, at Head-Quarters, New-York..

WILLIAM BEDLOW TO JOHN BERRIEN.

Fort Constitution, April 30, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Yours of the 24th and 26th instant, have received, with the two padlocks. We note your answer from the Committee of Safety respecting the proposed barrack near the battery on Bun’s Hill, and readily obey that and every other direction from that honourable Board; but we should be wanting in the duty of our office not to mention, that the battery ordered by the Continental Congress, of eighteen pieces of heavy cannon, to be erected on said hill, will be the most respectable at this post. The barracks now here will be at too great a distance for relief, in case of an attempt to surprise it by night. This the Engineer (who, we are informed, is the chief in the Continental service, and came here with Major-General Thompson, to view this post, in their way to Canada) joined us in; and, also, thought it absolutely necessary, that a block-house, or small redoubt, should be erected on the high rock, between the Gravel-Hills and the other works to the westward, in order to keep open the communication between both, and cover the Gravel-Hill. A block-house, we judged, would be expensive; so are about a redoubt of four cannon, to be built of those large pieces of timber which had been ordered by Romans, and which we have no other use for at present, filled in with earth. This eminence on the rock, Engineer Smith, and every gentleman of the Continental Congress and officers of the Army who have come here, have always pointed out to us to be fortified. Four guns here, with fourteen on the Gravel-Hill, will make out the eighteen ordered by the Continental Congress. The necessity of having the battery on the Gravel-Hill as well taken care of in winter as summer, arises from our being surrounded with a number of disaffected people, who might, in one hour, at night, de-stoy it.

We are obliged to you for the information respecting our accounts, and flatter ourselves that the Committee of Safety have that confidence in us, to think that we shall be extremely careful in not putting the publick to any unnecessary expense. We beg you will get the check-book, with the bag it was in, and send us, as we kept no copy of it. Brewer, the carpenter, Colonel McDougall’s negro, Col-rain Time, with others that were and are here employed, we want, in order to settle their accounts.

From the Continental Congress’s resolves of February 15th, sent us by the Provincial Congress, we are to erect a work on the east side of the river, opposite the West-Point, to mount thirty cannon. Will not a barrack be wanting there? As we have many very good six and four-pounders here, should be glad to know from the Committee of Safety, if we may make carriages for them, as they will be wanted; doubtless we shall not get heavy cannon for all the works. We had forgot to mention that we are satisfied respecting Mr. McCarty’s account for the boards by McKey, and beg you will settle it with him, or his order. It is not our fault it was not paid long ago. We wrote to him last fall about it, but never received any answer.

We are, dear sir, with regard, your humble servants,

WILLIAM BEDLOW.

To John Berrien, Esq., Commissioner of Fortifications of Hudson’s River.

CAPTAIN BELKNAP TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Fort Montgomery, April 30, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: This morning my Lieutenant arrived from New-York, by which I am informed that I am in Colonel Clinton’s Regiment, with which I am well satisfied. But by a list of the arrangements in his regiment, it appears I am the fifth Captain in rank, and Captain William Jackson the fourth; therefore in rank before me. You may remember, gentlemen, that I waited on you immediately on filling up my company; which was the 9th of March. Captain Jackson had not then waited on you, neither was his company filled at that time. My company by the 10th of March was in actual service. You will please to remember, at the same time, that I mentioned that in particular, and insisted