Last evening came to hand by Mr. Cobbit, the enclosed letter and invoice from General Ward, which I thought proper to keep by me till this morning, as Mr. Cobbit had an exact copy of it with him; many of the articles Colonel Knox says he wants very much for the Artillery.

The Commissary has shipped from this place seventeen hundred barrels of pork for Albany, since the 5th of April. Three large vessels are hourly expected in from Connecticut, loaded with pork, part of which he says shall be forwarded on for Albany immediately on its arrival.

We have no lead to spare in this place. Colonel Knox informs me there is a great plenty at Boston. I have sent express to General Ward for two tons to be sent immediately on; likewise Colonel Putnam’s demand, which I now enclose.

The express is just setting off for Albany; by him I shall advise General Schuyler of what I have sent forward to him. We are completing our works as fast as possible. Shall endeavour to comply with all your orders.

I am, with respect and esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient, most humble servant,

ISRAEL PUTNAM.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. I have just received advice that Captain McKay and his servant both deserted from Hartford last Sunday evening; it is suspected he is gone for Canada.

Invoice of Articles forwarded to ALBANY.

Blocks complete for two Vessels on Lake. Champlain, and for two Periaugurs:

171 feet of Blocks, 4 Serving Mallets, 5 dozen of Pearl Trucks; amount ?25 16 9.

Rigging mentioned in a letter of Captain Varick, as requested by General Schuyler:

	Cwt.	qr.	lb.
6 coils Spun Yarn,	7	2	26
2 Jib-Stays, 6½ inches, 16 fathoms,	3	2	6
200 fathoms 2-inch Rope, in 4 coils,	3	0	1
200 fathoms 2½-inch Rope, in 2 coils,	3	1	19
100 fathoms 3-inch Rope, in 1 coil,	2	2	24		£98 19 6
2 coils Ratline,	1	1	10
3½ inch Stays,	1	0	7
	23	3	10
1 dozen white Hamberline; 12 dozen Marline and Houseline
5 pieces, 192½ yards, English Duck; amount					£28 18 3.

The above articles were desired by a letter from Captain Varick, by General Schuyler’s order. That letter was dated 2d May, and the whole went to Albany in a vessel, which sailed from New-York on the morning of the 12th May, directed to Walter Livingston, Esq.

The Congress have not any Lead, and know not how to obtain it, but what remains in and on the dwelling-houses.

Colonel Malcolm has Rigging; Holland Duck, at £9, and Raven’s Duck, are in town, and may be purchased if wanted.

Colonel Putnam’s (Engineer) demand from the invoice of goods lately taken, and carried into Boston:

Sand-bags, the whole; Mantelets of cured Hides, 100; Broad-Axes, 100; Hand-Hammers, 50; Grind-Stones, 15; Hand-Hatchets, 500; Felling-Axes, 300; Hand-Bills, 500; Spades, 1000; Shovels, 500; Carpenters’ Tools, the whole the invoice contains.

Plan for General Putnam’s consideration, to employ the Armed Vessels under his command, and which will prevent the King’s Ships being supplied with fresh Provision by the enemies of AMERICA; likewise being very useful to protect the vessels bound here with Ammunition, and distress those bound here with Stores from Great Britain and WEST-INDIA ISLANDS, which are now on their way for this Port.

First. Colonel Tupper, commanding the sloop Hector, with a number of whale-boats, to protect the western shore, from Amboy down to Sandy-Hook.

Second. The armed schooner Mifflin, with four whaleboats, to attend Barren Island and Hog-Island Inlet, near Rockaway.

Third. The armed sloop General Schuyler, with two whale-boats, to attend the Inlet at Fire-Island, where vessels of ten feet water may go in, and which lies near about the middle of the south side of Long-Island.

Fourth. The armed schooner General Putnam to proceed down to Shrewsbury Inlet, Shark River, and Cranberry Inlet, even down to Egg-Harbour, on the western shore, near one hundred and forty miles range from Sandy-Hook; which will protect the western coast, and having several inlets to run the vessel in, in case they are overmatched; and which will be very useful to the vessels now expected there with ammunition.

General Putnam, in concurrence with the Committee and Colonel Tupper, approves of the within plan.

S. B. WEBB, A. D. C.

GENERAL PUTNAM TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, May 24, 1776.

SIR: It has been represented to me by Colonel Knox, commanding officer of the Continental Artillery, that there is an old house almost in ruins, so situated that in case it should take fire it would greatly endanger the great laboratory at the new Bridewell, in the Common, where a very large proportion of the fixed ammunition of the Army is now lodged; and that the danger is greatly increased by the house being possessed by some paupers, who have fire in the house frequently at night as well as by day. The property of the house is of so little value, and of so little use, that there can be no inducement to keep it at so great a risk. I must therefore hope the Congress will take proper measures for its removal.

I am your most humble servant,

ISRAEL PUTNAM.

To the President of the Congress at New-York.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Fort George, May 24, 1776.

DEAR SIR: On the 22d I was honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 17th instant; and the same evening the nails and lead arrived here; thirty-one boxes of the latter I gave in charge to Colonel Winds, who left this with his regiment yesterday morning; the remainder is gone with General Sullivan, who sailed hence with Irvine’s and Wayne’s at eight this morning. Dayton’s is not returned from Tryon County; nor have I heard what is doing there. I have batteaus sufficient to move him, but shall construct fifty more, to be employed on Lake George and Lake Champlain, in transporting provisions, &:c., for the Army.

I enclose your Excellency an estimate of the men necessary to be employed in transporting and guarding the provisions between Albany and Canada; but if flour can be procured there, nearly one-half of the number of men mentioned for the batteau service may be dispensed with, when a considerable stock is laid in, but even then I shall not have numbers sufficient, with Van Schaick’s and Wynkoop’s, to clear Wood Creek, cut the roads, repair Ticonderoga, and do the variety of work necessary in this quarter. I must therefore beg for a reinforcement.

Two Mohawk Indians came on the 21st to the landing, at the north end of Lake George, and after inquiring what news, and where the commanding officer at Ticonderoga kept, they said they were going to see him; but they soon took another route to the westward. We suppose these to be some of the Indians who went with Sir John Johnson. We have small scouting parties out; but if we should discover them, we are unable to send after them, as we have so few men here.

Mr. McNeil, who left St. Johns on Friday last, informs me that the Eighth Regiment and a number of Indians were coming down the St. Lawrence, and that a reinforcement was ordered to Colonel Bedel, who is at the Cedars; and that Warner’s Green-Mountain Boys were also to go up there.

As Ticonderoga is to be repaired, an Engineer will be wanted, and none is to be procured here.

Not having received a line from Mr. Price to advise me