the scarcity of provisions, would not relieve, but contribute greatly to distress our troops already in Canada. Before he received these orders, all the brigade, except Dayton’s and Wayne’s Regiments, had left Albany; but I suppose he will be able to stop their march.

By my letter of the 15th, Congress will perceive the quantity of pork already gone from hence; and the Commissary has assured me that he will forward a further supply as soon as it can possibly be collected. I had also directed five tons of lead to be sent General Schuyler, for the Canada expedition, before I received this unfortunate account, which was as much as could be spared for the present, our stock being inconsiderable in proportion to the demand we may reasonably expect for it; and shall do everything in my power to relieve our affairs from their present distressed and melancholy situation in that quarter, which occur to me and appear necessary.

I am also to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of the 10th and 13th instant, with their several enclosures; the money accompanying the letter came to the Paymaster’s hands safe.

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

GEORGE WAHINGTON.

To the Honourable John Hancock, &c.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 12, 1776.

The Carpenters, Boat-Builders, and Painters, who were selected for the publick service this morning by Major-Ge-neral Putnam, are to parade to-morrow morning, at sunrise, in the street opposite to General Putnam’s, where they will receive his orders.

Corporal John Crossby, of Captain Ledyard’s Company, in Colonel McDougall’s Regiment, tried at a late General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Huntington was President, for “desertion:” The Court find the prisoner guilty of the charge, and do sentence him to be reduced to a private, and mulcted one month’s pay. The General approves the above sentence, and orders it to take place immediately.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 13, 1776.

Major-General Putnam, with the Brigadiers-General Spencer and Lord Stirling, to examine and make report of the proper places to be fixed upon for the particular alarm posts of each Regiment.

Colonel Webb’s and Colonel Nixon’s Regiments to be mustered Wednesday morning, at eight o’clock, upon their regimental parades, in the front of their encampment.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 14, 1776.

Christian Mazure, of Captain Wylly’s Company, in Colonel McDougall’s Regiment, tried at a late General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Huntington was President, for “desertion:” The Court find the prisoner guilty of the charge, and do sentence him to receive twenty lashes on his bare back.

John McFarling, of Captain Sharpen’s Company, in Colonel Dayton’s Regiment, tried by the above General Court-Martial for “desertion,” is acquitted by the Court.

John Cooper, of Captain varick’s Company, in Colonel McDougall’s Regiment, tried by the above Court-Martial for “mutiny:” The Court finding the prisoner guilty of the charge, do sentence him to receive fifteen lashes on the bare back, for said offence.

James McDonald, of Captain Horton’s Company, in Colonel Ritzema’s Regiment, tried by the above General Court-Martial for “threatening the life of Lieutenant Young and others of the said Company,” is found guilty by the Court, and sentenced to be confined eight days on bread and water, for said offence.

The General approves the foregoing sentences, and orders them to be put in execution to-morrow morning, at guard mounting.

One Colonel and one Quartermaster from each Brigade, to attend a Committee from the Congress of this city, to-morrow morning, at seven o’clock, to take cognizance of the: damage done to certain houses where the troops have been quartered. The Chairman of the Committee will meet the Colonels at the Exchange, at the time appointed.

The General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Huntington was President, is dissolved.

A General Court-Martial of the Line, consisting of one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, one Major, and ten Captains, to sit to-morrow morning, at ten o’clock, to try all such prisoners as shall be brought before them. All evidences and persons concerned to attend the Court.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 15, 1776.

The Continental Congress having ordered Friday, the 17th instant, to be observed as a day of “Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, humbly to supplicate the mercy of Almighty God, that it would please him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and to prosper the arms of the United Colonies, and finally establish the peace and freedom of America, upon a solid and lasting foundation:” the General commands all officers and soldiers to pay strict obedience to the orders of the Continental Congress, and by their unfeigned and pious observance of their religious duties, incline the Lord and Giver of victory to prosper our arms.

The Regiment of Artillery to be mustered Sunday morning, at eight o’clock, upon the Common, where the Commissary-General of Musters will attend.

The Company of Artillery commanded by Captain Hamilton, to be mustered at ten o’clock, next Sunday morning, upon the Common, near the Laboratory.

Lieutenant Howe and Ensign Kennedy, of Colonel Ward’s Regiment, with the same Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers who were employed by the orders of the 8th instant in cutting pickets, are to parade at General Putnam’s quarters, to-morrow morning, at sunrise, with four days’ provisions ready dressed, to go upon the same duty as before.

The officers of all guards are to make their reports to the Colonel of the picket, by nine o’clock in the morning. The Colonel of the picket to make a report of all those reports collected in one, to the Brigadier of the day, at ten o’clock precisely.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 16, 1776.

Robert Hanson Harrison, Esquire, is appointed Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, in the room of Joseph Reed, Esquire, whose private concerns will not permit him to continue in that office.

Any orders delivered by Caleb Gibbs and George Lewis, Esqs., (officers of the General’s guard,) are to be attended to in the same manner as if sent by an Aid-de-Camp.

The Congress having given directions for the discharge of the Militia and the Minute-men in this District, the battalion of the Militia of this City are dismissed accordingly, and have the General’s thanks for their masterly manner of executing the work on Bayard’s Hill.

Some errors having happened in drawing the pay of the Quartermasters of several Regiments, the mistakes are to be rectified and they allowed their dues.

As the troops are to be exempt from all duties of fatigue; to-morrow, the Regiments are to parade on their regimental parades, and to be marched from thence a little before ten, to hear divine service from their respective Chaplains.

For the future there is to be no expense of ammunition at the interment of any officer or soldier of the Continental Army, unless expressly ordered by the Commander-in-Chief.

Uriah Chamberlain, of Captain Hamilton’s Company of Artillery, tried at a late General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Huntington was President, for “desertion:” The Court find the prisoner guilty of the charge, and do sentence him to receive thirty-nine lashes on the bare back, for said offence. The General approves the above sentence, and orders it to be put in execution, on Saturday morning next, at guard mounting.

Head-Quarters, New-York, May 17, 1776.

Captain Wolverton’s Company, of New-Jersey, is to join General Greene’s Brigade. The Captain to take his orders from the General respecting his post.