to James Price, Esquire, Deputy Commissary-General, for the regulation of his conduct in that department, which I received last night, and which General Schuyler requested me to forward you. I also beg leave to lay before Congress a copy of a letter from Samuel Stringer, Director of one of the Hospitals, purporting an application for an increase of Surgeons’ mates, &c., an estimate of which is also enclosed, and submit it to them what number must be sent from hence or got elsewhere. It is highly probable that many more will be wanted in Canada, than what are already there, on account of the late augmentation of the Army; but I thought it most advisable to make his requisition known to Congress, and to take their order and direction upon it. As to the medicines, I shall speak to Doctor Morgan (not yet arrived) as soon as he comes, and order him to forward such as may be necessary, and can possibly be spared.

I have the honour to be, with sentiments of much esteem and regard, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the President of Congress.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

New-York, May 15, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I received your favours of the 3d and 4th instant, and was happy to hear of the safe arrival of the Commissioners from Congress at St. Johns, and that so many batteaus with troops had passed there the 29th ultimo. In this, I hope, the Army before Quebeck is considerably augmented. I am too well convinced there was great occasion for it. As to money, the state of our chest would not have justified a loan or supply, if Congress had not furnished you with what you received by Colonel Reed, having seldom more than will satisfy pressing claims against myself. As to pork, I refer you to my letter of the 3d instant, and can only add that the Commissary has assured me he will do all in his power to forward a supply.

In respect to the trial of Captain Romans, or any other that it may be expedient to bring to justice, I think it highly necessary; and though it may not be altogether so formal and regular, yet I shall most readily dispense with ceremonies where it will promote the publick good. I have made inquiry into our stores of lead, and find that I have it in my power to spare you about five tons, which shall be sent with the nails as soon as they can be collected, the Quartermaster having persons out in different places trying to procure them. I suppose whatever can be got will be forwarded to-morrow or next day, with the utmost expedition, as you seem to be so much in want from your letter of the 11th instant.

Your favours of the 10th came to hand last night, with their several enclosures, for which I return you my thanks; and, agreeable to your request by this morning’s post, I transmitted to Congress a copy of your orders to Mr. Price, with the several letters for them. The letter from the Commissioners, which you were kind enough to leave open for my perusal, describes matters and the situation of our affairs in Canada in so striking a light, that nothing less than the most wise and vigorous exertions of Congress and the Army there can promise success to our schemes and plans in that quarter. What might have been effected last year without much difficulty, has become an arduous and important work. However, I hope all things will yet go well.

I am exceedingly glad that so large a number of Indians was present at the review of General Sullivan’s brigade. They, probably, from the appearance of so many armed men, somewhat instructed in discipline, may have received some favourable impressions of our strength; sufficient to counter-operate all the ingenious and insidious arts of toryism. When those arrive which you mention, I shall take proper notice of them, and have necessary provision made for their entertainment.

I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Philip Schuyler.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO DOCTOR STRINGER.

New-York, May 15, 1776.

SIR: I received your letter of the 10th instant, last night, by Mr. Bennett, and this morning transmitted a copy of it, and of the estimate, to Congress for their order and direction, so far as relates to the Seniors, Mates, &c. As to the medicines, when Doctor Morgan arrives, I shall direct him to send you immediately such a supply as can be spared.

I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Doctor Samuel Stringer.

GARRET ABEEL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Committee-Chamber, New-York, May 15, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to your order of the 11th instant, we have taken into consideration his Excellency General Washington’s letter to your honourable House; and have, in consequence thereof, sent a sub-Committee to examine the state of the houses occupied by the troops in one Ward, and shall continue so to do until all the houses are inspected. When that is done, should be glad to know by what means those houses are to be cleaned, and how the expense is to be defrayed.

The sub-Committees will inform your House what condition they find the houses in, which will enable you to give direction and advice in what manner they are to be repaired and cleaned. We would just suggest that we think the Barrackmaster would be a proper person to be appointed to superintend this business of cleaning and repairs, as it is impossible for this Committee, as there is much business before them and so few of their members in town, to give their attendance respecting cleaning and repairs. All which is submitted to the wisdom of your honourable House.

By order of the General Committee:

GARRET ABEEL, Deputy Chairman.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress.

CAPTAIN HARDING TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Fairfield, May 15, 1776.

SIR: Agreeable to order, I now transmit to your Honour an account of my proceedings since my last letter, written while at Fairfield. Since which I have enlarged my number to about one hundred, and expect soon to have my complement of men. I proceeded with the brig under my command from Black-Rock Harbour, westward; and on the 12th instant espied a small sloop attempting to cross the Sound, which I brought alongside, and, on examination, found eight persons on board, who pretended they were going to New-York for shad; but on more strict inquiry, found, to my satisfaction, they were Tories from the town of Reading, in Fairfield County, bound to Long-Island, to join Peter Fairchild, a noted Tory, who had fled to the Island before. One of the eight was Samuel Hawley, whose declaration is enclosed; the contents of which declaration are a profound secret, not communicated even to my officers, choosing rather to leave the matter to your Honour’s wise direction, considering the character of a respectable gentleman who seems to be slightly pointed at.

Upon discovering that Peter Fairchild was on the Island, I ordered Lieutenant Smedley, with a number of men, to proceed to the Island in the small sloop, in order to apprehend Fairchild; but upon Mr. Hawley’s disclosing the whole scene, I hoisted a signal for Lieutenant Smedley to return, which he did immediately, and we arrived here this day; since which have despatched my orders several ways, and have brought in seven Tories more, whose names were given me by one of the eight taken on board the sloop, and expect some of the leading persons will soon be apprehended. I have ordered a small sloop to be taken into the Government service, and Lieutenant Smedley, with forty men under him, to take the sloop and proceed directly to Long-Island in pursuit of Fairchild, with directions to take one of the eight Tories taken in the little sloop, who knows the place where Fairchild is lodged, and had appointed to join him there, who is to write to Fairchild and acquaint him of his arrival; which, it is hoped, will afford Lieutenant Smedley a favourable opportunity to seize him. I have taken this step from a full conviction of the great expediency, and even necessity of the measure, and by the advice of Jonathan Sturges, Esquire, whom I have consulted on the occasion. In the beforementioned manœuvre I had an opportunity to open sundry letters passing the Sound, which have improved, but made no material discoveries. I send this to your Honour by my Clerk, and pray a copy of this

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