to excite you to the greatest vigour and diligence on this occasion.

The Congress having tried every method to collect hard money for the Army in Canada, without success, are determined not to relinquish the expedition or give it up. They have therefore resolved to supply our troops there with provisions and clothing from the other Colonies, if they cannot be had in that country; of which resolution I sent this morning an account to General Schuyler, accompanied with several other resolutions, with regard to the situation of affairs in that quarter. Upon the whole, it seems, from the latest intelligence, that nothing but the greatest exertions of capacity and vigour will ever retrieve our misfortunes in Canada. The eyes of the Continent are upon you. Display, therefore, I entreat you, for your own honour and the good of your country, those military qualities which you certainly possess. There are still laurels to be acquired in Canada, which I have the most pleasing hope are reserved for you, as the command of the expedition is now given to you.

I have nothing further to add, but that I am commanded by Congress to direct you will carry the enclosed resolves into execution as speedily as possible.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Major-General Thomas, Canada.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Philadelphia, May 24, 1776.

SIR: I did myself the honour of writing to you this morning, and at the same time transmitted all the hard money that was in the Treasury, amounting to sixteen hundred and sixty-two pounds one shilling and three pence, which I hope you will duly receive.

The Congress have this day come to the enclosed resolutions, which I am commanded to forward to you by express, as containing matters of the highest importance to the welfare of these United Colonies. It must no doubt have occurred to you, sir, that should our enemies get possession of any one Province, which may not only supply them with provisions, &c., but from which they may harass the adjacent country, the preservation of American liberty would be rendered thereby much more difficult and precarious. It is this circumstance which at present gives perhaps a greater weight to the war in Canada than in any other part of America, as the danger of our enemies’ getting footing there is much greater. The consequences, too, in case they succeed in that Province would be much more fatal, as we may expect, if that event takes place, to have all the Canadians and Indians join against us.

It is not conceivable in my mind that there was ever a time or situation that called for more vigorous and decisive measures than the present in Canada. Our enemies seem determined to prosecute their plans against us with the greatest violence; while their schemes are kept so enveloped in darkness that there is no possibility of finding them out. This much only we may be sure of: that they will aim the most deadly blows at our devoted country. It is our duty, therefore, to shield and protect her from all evil, but especially in those parts where she is the most vulnerable. Whether or not the Province of Canada is this part I shall leave it to you to determine.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Major-General Schuyler, Albany.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL THOMAS.

Philadelphia, May 24, 1776.

SIR: I received your favour of the 8th, instant, with its enclosures, confirming the melancholy intelligence I had before heard of your having been obliged to raise the siege of Quebeck, and to make a precipitate retreat, with the loss of the cannon in the batteaus, and interception of the powder going from General Schuyler. This unfortunate affair has given a sad shock to our schemes in that quarter, and blasted the hope we entertained of reducing that fortress and the whole of Canada to our possession.

From your representation, things must have been found in great disorder, and such as to have made a retreat almost inevitable. But, nevertheless, it is hoped you will be able to make a good stand yet, and, by that means, secure a large or all the upper part of the country. That being a matter of the utmost importance in the present contest, it is my wish and that of Congress, that you take an advantageous post as far down the river as possible, so as not to preclude you from a retreat, if it should be ever necessary, or from getting proper supplies of provisions. The lower down you can maintain a stand the more advantageous will it be, as all the country above will most probably take part with us, and from which we may draw some assistance and support, and considering all below as entirely within the power of the enemy, and of course, in their favour.

This misfortune must be repaired, if possible, by our more vigorous exertions; and trusting that nothing will be wanting on your part or in your power to advance our country’s cause, I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major-General Thomas.

Memorial from the Committee of Inspection and Observation of the City and Liberties of PHILADELPHIA.*

[Read May 25, 1776, and ordered to lie on the table.]

To the Honourable Congress of the United Colonies of NORTH-AMERICA:

The Memorial of the Committee of Inspection and Observation of the City and Liberties of PHILADELPHIA, respectfully showeth:

That they beheld, with great affliction, the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania withdraw from its union with the other Colonies, in consequence of their Instructions to their Delegates upon the resolve of the Congress of the 15th instant, “for suppressing all authority derived from the Crown of Great Britain in the United Colonies.”

That they consider the safety, liberty, and future welfare of this Colony as inseparably connected with its union with the other Colonies.

That they have always esteemed their chief happiness to consist in the faithful execution of such of the resolves of Congress as tended to maintain the said Union.

That in consequence of the defection of the Delegates appointed by the Assembly of Pennsylvania from the union with the other Colonies, they apprehend an appeal was made to the people.

That, in consequence of a request of a large majority of the inhabitants of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, on the 20th instant, the Committee have issued letters (by virtue of a power given them in a Provincial Convention held at Philadelphia, January, 1775) for calling a conference of the Committees of the Province, in order to collect the sense of the inhabitants upon the aforesaid resolve of Congress, and if possible to bring about a reunion of the Province with the other Colonies, by calling a Provincial Convention, in order to form a Government for that purpose.

That they have heard with great surprise that the Assembly of this Province are about to present a Memorial to your honourable body, in consequence of a Remonstrance delivered to them from a number of the inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia, in which they are said to request an explanation of your resolve of the 15th instant.

That the Remonstrance on which this Memorial is founded strikes directly at the union of the Colonies, by praying for the continuance of a Government in this Province which is supported in its Executive parts entirely by a Governour and officers who hold all their power under the authority of the King of Great Britain.

That the said Remonstrance has been obtained by unfair representations and indefatigable industry; and is signed chiefly by those people who hold offices under the Crown, or persons connected with them, or by those who have uniformly opposed every measure adopted by the Congress, (Petitions to the King only excepted,) or by those who have published testimonies manifestly injurious to many of those steps that have been taken in this Province in support of the Union and defence of the Colonies.

*A copy to be delivered to Mr. R. Morris, who requests the same in behalf of the Assembly of Pennsylvania.