having authority to pursue any mode in this instance than that marked out by a resolve of Congress some considerable time ago, I hope they will pardon me when I wish them to take under consideration such parts of my letter of the 22d ultimo as relates to this subject, and for their determination upon it. I shall then have it in my power to give explicit and satisfactory answers to those who shall apply.

I am, sir, with sentiments of the greatest esteem and regard, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the President of Congress.

New-York, May 5, 1776.

SIR: When I read the letter sent to me by your Excellency’s order, it struck me with amazement to think I had committed such a crime, that had so affronted your Excellency; I therefore unfeignedly and humbly ask your Excellency’s forgiveness, as I hope to obtain it, and also that of all my superior officers who are offended with me, and promise to submit myself to such orders as I shall receive from my superior officers and cheerfully obey them; also, humbly ask for orders to follow my regiment; or, if it be more agreeable to your Excellency, to discharge me from the Continental Army, I am willing to submit to that, although I could more cheerfully follow the regiment than to return from them and company. I ask and rely on your Excellency’s pardon, and wait for orders.

This from your humble servant,

THOMAS GROVER.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esquire.

Conscious of the crime I have been guilty of, in behaving disrespectfully to the Captain set over me by the authority of the honourable the Continental Congress, and in refusing all due obedience to my said Captain, I humbly intercede with his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief for forgiveness, and promise, for the future, to pay all due respect and obedience to my Captain, and to all my superior officers whom it shall please the honourable the Continental Congress to appoint to command over me, or who may be appointed under their authority by the General Commander-in-Chief of their Army.

Given under my hand, at New-York, this 8th day of May, 1776.

THOMAS GROVER.

Cambridge, April 12, 1776.

SIR: In the written instructions which his Excellency General Washington was pleased to give to me, it is expressly ordered that you go immediately for New-York, by the most direct road.

You will therefore set out as soon as possible, and proceed with the utmost expedition for that place.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

HENRY KNOX.

To Lieutenant-Colonel William Burbeck.

Cambridge, April 12, 1776.

SIR: I see, by your instructions from his Excellency, I am ordered to New-York directly. When I came out of Boston, the Provincial Congress voted me one hundred and fifty pounds a year during the war, and four shillings sterling a day for life. It would be ungenerous in me to leave their service, as they have provided so well for me; if I leave their service, the four shillings a day is lost to me. As I am advanced in years I am unwilling to part with it. I am not able to set out directly to New-York, because I am finishing the drafts for cannon, mortars and carriages, for the Province. I hope, sir, the above will excuse me for not complying with your orders.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

WILLIAM BURBECK.

To Colonel Henry Knox.

MINUTES RESPECTING THE MODE OF TREATING PRISONERS IN ENGLAND.

It is the custom in England and France to send every person, soldier or sailor, under the degree of a commissioned officer, to some inland place, where there is an old castle, commonly surrounded with a high stone wall, and oftentimes with a moat, comprehending a pretty large space of ground, where they are confined as in a debtor’s jail, with a strong guard of militia without side, surrounded with sentries, where they are maintained by a Commissary, who contracts for their support. The officers are sent upon their parole to some inland town, as far distant as possible from their men, where they are allowed to negotiate their bills of exchange, but are confined in jail upon non-payment. Cartels for exchange of prisoners are always settled between State and State at war; but in the last war between England and France, such cartel was not settled until the latter end of it, England having seized so many prisoners before the declaration of war, that France had no equivalent to exchange, or considered it as an act contrary to the law of nations, and would not, until obliged by necessity, submit to a cartel, which at length was settled by General Conway.

An account is kept in Europe of the expenses of maintaining prisoners of war, by both sides, which is settled and the balance paid at the peace. England ought to be obliged to acknowledge us as an independent State, at least so far as respects prisoners of war; otherwise, the treatment she shows to our soldiers or seamen in her hands ought to be exactly observed upon our part to those we take prisoners from them.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 6, 1776.

The Colonels and Commanding-Officers of Regiments are again reminded of the propriety of immediately providing their men with clothing and necessaries, that they may be ready to march, or embark, upon the shortest notice. The General wishes to impress this strongly upon the minds of the Colonels, because no excuse will be taken to delay their departure the moment that it becomes necessary. It is recommended to those corps which are not already supplied with uniforms to provide hunting-shirts for their men.

Colonel Hand’s and Colonel Little’s Regiments to be mustered upon Thursday morning, at Long-Island. The Colonels to acquaint Commissary-General Moylan with the places where, and the hour when, it is most convenient for the mustering, and to provide their rolls accordingly.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 7, 1776.

Every Regiment encamped in the line, and every Regiment in the Brigade upon Long-Island, exclusive of their quarter and rear guards, are to mount a picket every evening at retreat beating at sunset, consisting of one Captain, two Subalterns, three Sergeants, one drum, one fife, and fifty rank and file. They are to lay upon their arms, and be ready to turn out at a minute’s notice. One Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, and one Major, to mount every evening at sunset as Field-Officers of the picket. Immediately upon any alarm or order from the Brigadier-General of the day, the pickets are to form in the front of their respective encampments, and there wait the orders of the Field-Officer commanding the picket; the Field-Officer commanding the picket is instantly to obey the orders of the Brigadier-General of the day.

A Brigadier-General to mount every morning, at ten o’clock, who will receive all reports, visit all the out-guards in the day time, and report all extraordinaries to the Commander-in-Chief.

A Brigade-Major of the day is constantly to attend Head-Quarters, to receive all extraordinary orders, and to distribute them immediately to the Brigades.

The Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Major of the same picket, the former to go the grand rounds, and the two latter the visiting rounds of the camp.

Brigadier-General Greene will order the same picket to be mounted by the Regiments in his Brigade as are mounted by those in the grand camp; he will also direct one Field-Officer to mount daily to command them. General Greene will report all extraordinaries to the Commander-in-Chief.

Colonel Prescott, or officer commanding upon Nutten, or Governour’s Island, and the officer commanding at Red-Hook, to report all extraordinaries to the Commander-in Chief, upon any appearance of an enemy; the commanding