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choice, managed by persons whom we love, revere, and can confide in, has charms in it for which men will fight. Two young gentlemen from South-Carolina, in this city, who were in Charlestown when their new Constitution was promulgated, and when their new Governour, and Council, and Assembly, walked out in procession, attended by the Guards, company of Cadets, Light-Horse, &c., told me that they were beheld by the people with transports and tears of joy. The people gazed at them with a kind of rapture. They both told me, that the reflection that these were gentlemen whom they all loved, esteemed, and revered; gentlemen of their own choice, whom they could trust, and whom they could displace if any of them should behave amiss, affected them so that they could not help crying. They say their people will never give up this Government. One of these gentlemen is a relation of yours, a Mr. Smith, son of Mr. Thomas Smith. I shall give him this letter or another to you. A privateer, fitted out here by Colonel Roberdeau and Major Bayard, since our resolve for privateering, I am this moment informed has taken a valuable prize. This is en couragement at the beginning. WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO MESHECH WEARE. Philadelphia, May 17, 1776. SIR: The enclosed resolution of Congress should have gone yesterday, but I had sent off my letter before I discovered the omission. Congress have reserved to themselves the appointment of Field Officers, but they are nominated by the Assembly, Convention, or Committee of the Colony where the regiments are raised. It will therefore be necessary that the names of the Field Officers should be transmitted here, in order that the commissions may be filled up. The President will forward to you blank commissions for the other officers. When I think of the number of arms and men gone from the Eastern Colonies, I cannot help feeling for their situation, if a powerful attack should be made there; but I doubt not proper steps are taken to furnish arms. I think every person who can do anything towards making arms should be employed in that business. Britain will no doubt exert her utmost efforts for our destruction; but if they are repulsed in the manner I expect this campaign, I am very confident they never will attempt another. This summer will, in all probability, be the warmest America ever saw. May the Supreme Government of the Universe protect and defend us, guide our counsels, and prosper our arms. I am, with great respect, your most obedient servant, WILLIAM WHIPPLE. To the Honourable Meshech Weare, Esq. P. S. May 18.—Colonel Bartlett arrived last evening very much fatigued. GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. New-York, May 17, 1776. DEAR SIR: I this morning received your favour of the 13th instant, with its enclosures, conveying intelligence of the melancholy situation of our affairs in Canada, and am not without my fears, I confess, that the prospect we had of possessing that country, of such importance in the present controversy, is almost over, or at least that it will be effected with much more difficulty and effusion of blood than were necessary, had our exertions been timely applied. However, we must not despair; a manly and spirited opposition can only ensure success, and prevent the enemy from improving the advantage they have obtained. I have forwarded the letters to Congress, and their answer to you and the honourable Commissioners I will transmit you as soon as they come to hand. I am fully sensible that this unfortunate event has greatly deranged our schemes, and will involve you in difficulties only to be obviated by your zeal and assiduity, which I am well satisfied will not be wanting in this or any other instances, where the good of your country requires them. Notwithstanding the most diligent pains, but a small part of the nails you wrote for is yet collected; nor will there be a possibility of getting half the quantity. The Quartermaster expects that they will be here to-day, when they will be instantly forwarded with the five tons of lead. I am, sir, with sentiments of much esteem and regard, your most humble servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON. To General Schuyler. P. S. The nails are embarked; twenty-seven and a half casks. You have the amount and quality enclosed with Thomas Warner’s receipts, and also for five tons of lead. GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SULLIVAN. New-York, May 17, 1776. SIR: Your favour of the 14th instant I received this morning, and am exceedingly sorry for the sad reverse of fortune in our affairs in Canada. They are rather alarming, but I still hope our vigorous exertions will be attended with success, notwithstanding the present unpromising appearances, and that we shall yet acquire and maintain possession of that country, so important to us in the present contest. I have transmitted the intelligence to Congress, with your orders from General Schuyler, whose direction you must follow until I send you their determination, or my commands to the contrary. I am, dear sir, &c., GEORGE WASHINGTON. To General Sullivan. GENERAL WASHINGTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. New-York, May 17, 1776. SIR: As I have no doubt of the willingness of the Militia of this city to join in its defence against the attempts of the enemies of America, it is highly necessary, in order to avoid confusion in the time of any alarm, that the posts of the several regiments of Militia be fixed on in conjunction with those of the Continental Army, and that they be allotted to the brigades most convenient to their several situations; and as I am now arranging that part of the business of the Army, it will, I presume, be proper that directions be given to the commanding officers of the several corps to take the stations that I shall assign, and to obey the orders they may, in time of danger, receive from me or the Brigadier-Generals of the Continental Army. The like measure will be equally necessary with regard to the Militia of Kings County, and part of Queens County, on Long-Island, and also the Militia of Staten-Island; and I am persuaded that the mention of a matter so obviously necessary, will be sufficient to induce the Congress of this Province to give such directions as are proper on this occasion. I am, sir, yours, &c., GEORGE WASHINGTON. To the Honourable the President of the Convention of New-York. GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PHILIP VAN RENSSELAER. New-York, May 17, 1776. SIR: I received your favour of the 6th instant, and am of opinion, as you have not a sufficient number of armourers at Albany to repair the whole of the arms in. your possession, that whatever more you have than can be repaired in a convenient time, had better be sent immediately to the armourers here. This will save much time, which would be lost were the armourers to go from hence and return again. I am, sir, yours, &c., GEORGE WASHINGTON. To Philip Van Rensselaer, Esq., Commissary of Military Stores, Albany. GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. [Read May 18, 1776. Referred to Mr. William Livingston, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. R. Morris, Mr. Duane, Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. Rut-lodge, and Mr. R. Livingston.] New-York, May 17, 1776. SIR: I this moment received, by express from General Schuyler of the 13th instant, an account of the melancholy prospect and reverse of our affairs in Canada; and presuming that the letters which accompany this will give Congress full information on the subject, I shall only add, that General Schuyler, in pursuance of orders from the honourable Commissioners, has directed Brigadier-General Sullivan to halt his brigade; as a further reinforcement, on account of
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