GENERAL WASHINGTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, May 19, 1776.

SIR: Having reason to believe, from intelligence lately received, that the time is not far distant when the arrival of a considerable armament may be expected, I must again repeat my applications on the subject of arms, and entreat your honourable body to use their utmost exertions that a supply may be obtained for the regiments of this Colony, which, in general, are extremely deficient, some of them almost destitute. I trust your own feelings will readily suggest I have sufficient cause of anxiety and concern upon this occasion, and will furnish an apology for my so often troubling you. I have tried, I have pursued every measure my judgment led to, without being able to procure a sufficient quantity; nor have I any power to apply to but you, from which I can promise myself the least prospect of success. I would also take the liberty of praying your endeavours to procure a quantity of intrenching tools, viz: spades and shovels, as our operations go on much slower than they would if we had more of them, which, at a crisis like this, is exceedingly alarming, when the utmost labour and industry will not more than complete the necessary works of defence by the time the enemy may attempt an invasion. The Quartermaster assures me that he has taken every possible method in his power to get them, but without success; which is the reason of my requesting an exertion of your interest.

I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the President of the New-York Convention.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO GENERAL WARD.

New-York, May 19, 1776.

SIR: His Excellency received your favour of the 12th instant, with the accounts from England, containing intelligence of an important nature, which were immediately forwarded to Congress.

His Excellency desires that you will remain at Boston, and use your best endeavours to carry on the works for the defence of the town and harbour with all possible despatch, until you are relieved; which, he imagines, will not be long first, as he has had advice that Congress have made a late appointment of some General officers, and design that two shall repair to Boston. He also desires that you will give orders to the several Colonels to recruit their regiments to the establishment as fast as possible. For every good man inlisted, who shall pass muster, the officer who shall recruit will be allowed one dollar and a third. This, he hopes, will excite a spirit of industry in the officers, and which he wishes you to inform them of.

I am, sir, very respectfully, yours, &c.

To Major-General Ward, Boston.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO COLONEL LIVINGSTON.

New-York, May 19, 1776.

SIR: His Excellency received your favour of the 14th instant, with its enclosures, and is sorry the garrisons under your command are in the disagreeable situation you mention.

In respect to arms, it is not in his power to give you any relief at this time, not being able to supply the deficiency in the regiments here, particularly those of this Colony, which are almost destitute.

As to an infirmary, he wishes and desires that you and the Surgeon will contrive some place for the sick, that they may be separated from the well, lest some injurious consequences follow from their being together.

He intends going up ere long if nothing occurs to prevent him, or will send a person to view the fortifications, and see what improvements may be made tending to make them more defensible.

There are not a sufficient number of boats here for the demands; some more are expected, and when they come, if they can possibly be spared, your requisition will be complied with.

The Deputy Commissary has been spoken to, and ordered to supply the garrisons with rum and fresh provisions immediately.

His Excellency is at a loss to know what money it is the Committee have not supplied you with, or on what account they are to do it. It will be necessary, on your applications to him for that article, to transmit an account stated, showing how or for what it is due, to found a warrant upon.

I am, sir, yours, &c.

R. H. HARRISON.

To Lieutenant-Colonel Henry B. Livingston, Third New-York.

P. S. There are no tents just at this time; the Quartermaster will be ordered to procure them as soon as he can.

WILLIAM PALFREY TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read May 21, 1776.]

New-York, May 19, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed I send you my weekly account, from the 12th to the 18th instant inclusive. I have not yet received the direction of Congress respecting the payment of the troops at Boston. You will oblige me by favouring me with it as soon as possible.

I also enclose you a copy of a letter I have just received from a particular friend of mine at Bristol, (not Mr. Cruger,) the contents of which appear to me of so important a nature that I think it my duty to transmit the same to you to be laid before the honourable Congress. The gentleman who wrote it is a man of character and note in Bristol, particularly connected with Alderman Bull, and a warm friend to America.

I am, with the utmost respect, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

WILLIAM PALFREY.

To John Hancock, Esq., President of Congress.

Bristol, February 16, 1776.

DEAR SIR: It gave me pleasure to hear of your safe arrival in America. On the receipt of your letter, your friend,* agreeable to your request, gave me early information. I fully expected to have received a line from you direct; but the situation of affairs may probably have prevented; or if you have written, it may have been intercepted and detained, as I have reason to believe several of my letters have met with the like fate. I could not suffer this opportunity to escape me, as it is most likely the communication will be soon entirely at an end. By accident I saw one of your papers, in which your appointment was announced; and have since made several inquiries respecting you, but without effect.

The bearer of this will, I hope, deliver it into your own hands, and furnish you with a full account of his reception here. Happily for him, it was very different from his expectations. Colonel Allen, and the prisoners with him, who were brought over with Brook Watson, remained some time at Pendennis Castle, in Cornwall. Administration were embarrassed. They have at length ordered them back in the Solitary man-of-war. She has arrived, from whence she goes direct to Boston. The people of Dublin collected upwards of one hundred pounds for their relief, and it was sent to Cork for them. Our friends in London attended to their case while here, and would have exerted every nerve to effect their release had they not been so unexpectedly removed. The people are in sentiment nearly as when you left England. Party divisions have been carried to a much greater height, through the conduct of Government in obtaining a set of fulsome addresses approving of the American war. The effect these were expected to have on the publick at large was entirely counteracted by the vigorous exertions of many of our friends, who obtained in England an equal number of petitions of a conciliatory nature. This is now generally subsiding, as Scotland has completed her number.

My opinion is the same as when I had the pleasure of conversing with you. The power of the Crown is so great, and the corruption of the people so general, that nothing can be expected on this side the water. The salvation of American freedom and the restoration of our Constitution, strange as it may seem, depend on your success. Hitherto you have had a variety of circumstances concurring in your favour, and I hope the approaching summer will open upon you every cheering prospect. The heavens have fought on your side. Many transports have been disabled and wrecked at home. This campaign will determine the contest,

*Mr. Parker from London.