themselves all the means of self-defence. To the bounty of Providence we owe it that America has these in the greatest plenty.

Let us not, therefore, be wanting to ourselves, but faithfully and diligently cultivate those means; and I trust that we shall, ere long, baffle the most malicious schemes of our enraged and implacable enemies.

You will readily perceive the great importance of the enclosed resolve, wherein the Congress earnestly recommend to you to remove everything out of the way that would enable our enemies to prosecute their plans of violence against us. It is, indeed, so apparently the advantage of individuals to remove their stock and grain, that, in this instance, their interest and that of the publick are one and the same.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

(To the Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, Governour and Assembly of Connecticut, Convention of New-York, Convention of New-Jersey, &c., &c.)

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 10, 1776.]

New-York, June 7, 1776.

SIR: I do myself the honour to inform Congress that I arrived here yesterday afternoon about one o’clock, and found all in a state of peace and quiet. I had not time to view the works carrying on, and those ordered to be begun when I went away, but have reason to believe, from the report of such of the General and other officers I had the pleasure to see, that they have been prosecuted and forwarded with all possible diligence and despatch.

I am much concerned for the situation of our affairs in Canada, and am fearful ere this it is much worse than was first reported at Philadelphia. The intelligence from thence, in a letter from Captain Wilkinson, of the Second Regiment, to General Greene, is truly alarming; it not only confirms the account of Colonel Bedel and Major Sherburne’s defeat, but seems to forebode General Arnold’s, with the loss of Montreal. I have enclosed a copy of the letter, which will but too well show there is foundation for my apprehensions.

On Wednesday evening I received an express from General Schuyler, with sundry papers, respecting Sir John Johnson, which I have not time to copy, as the post is just going off, but will do myself the honour of transmitting you as soon as I possibly can.

Before I left Philadelphia, I employed a person to superintend the building of the gondolas, which Congress have resolved on for this place. He has arrived, and all things seem to be in a proper channel for facilitating the work; but when they are done, we shall be in much want of guns, having never received any of those taken by Commodore Hopkins.

Be pleased to mention me to Congress with the utmost respect; and I am, sir, with every sentiment of respect, regard, and esteem, your and their most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable the President of Congress.

P. S. I this minute received your favour of the 5th instant. I am in need of commissions, and beg Congress to point out precisely the line I am to pursue in filling them up; this I mentioned in my letter of the 11th ultimo. I am much pleased at the fortunate captures, and the generous conduct of the owners and masters for the tender of the money to Congress.

MY DEAR SIR: We are now in a sweet situation; a part of the garrison at Detroit, in conjunction with Indians and Canadians, to the amount of one thousand men, have made themselves masters of Colonel Bedel’s Regiment, who were stationed about nine miles from this place, among the cedars, and have cut off our friend Major Sherburne, with one hundred and forty men, who were detached to relieve the regiment which defended itself in a little fort. The Major, with that courage which marked his character, pushed his way, after an engagement of four hours, into the fort, and was afterwards obliged to yield, for want of ammunition and provision; since which time General Arnold, with a handful of men, have been throwing up a breastwork here, in order to stop the enemy’s progress, and had indeed meditated a plan of attacking them; but, alas, so astonishingly are matters conducted in this quarter, that notwithstanding the General’s most pressing solicitations, and the length of time since he took possession of this post, we cannot now muster more than four hundred and fifty men; whilst the proximity and movements of the enemy assure us that we shall be attacked within six hours; their drums were heard this evening at our camp, and a man of mine shot through the thigh within half a mile of it by an Indian, who took off a prisoner. But the morning dawns, that morn big with the fate of a few, a handful of brave fellows. I shall do my part; but remember, if I fall I am sacrificed. May God bless you equal to your merits. Vale.

JAMES WILKINSON.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, June 7, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I suppose you have received from the Congress two resolutions for the reinforcement of our Army in Canada; but lest you should not be apprised of them, I take the liberty to enclose you a copy. I most earnestly request you will exert every endeavour to furnish the quota expected from your Province as speedily as possible. General Schuyler is extremely importunate for a supply of men, and it is altogether out of my power to afford them from the troops here, as they by no means exceed the number requisite for the defence of this place.

I have the honour to be, with much respect, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Provincial Congress of New-York.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

New-York, June 7, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I have not time to answer your two last favours minutely, but only to acknowledge the receipt of them, being just returned from Philadelphia, and the post about to depart this morning

The situation of our affairs in Canada is truly alarming; and I greatly fear, from the intelligence transmitted from thence by Captain Wilkinson to General Greene, that ere this we have sustained further and greater misfortunes than what happened when you wrote. I have enclosed you a copy of his letter, by which you will see I have too much ground for my concern; and I sincerely wish that the next letters from the northward may not contain melancholy advices of General Arnold’s defeat and the loss of Montreal. The most vigorous exertions will be necessary to retrieve our circumstances there, and I am hopeful you will strain every nerve for that purpose; unless it can be now done, Canada will be lost forever, the fatal consequences of which every one must feel.

I have enclosed you a copy of a resolve of Congress for reinforcing the Army in Canada, and keeping up the communication with that Province. I hope the several Colonies will immediately furnish their quotas of men, which, or as many of them as may be necessary, I should imagine had better be employed at the communications, and all the in-listed soldiers sent forward to Canada. You have also another resolution for employing and engaging a number of Indians in the service. Though Congress have not particularized the mode for raising and engaging them, I would have you and the Commissioners appointed for Indian affairs, pursue such measures for the purpose as to you may seem best for securing their friendship and service. If a smaller number than two thousand will do, I would not advise more to be embodied than will be necessary.

If your presence or direction at St. Johns, or any post in Canada, could be of service, and tend to put our affairs in a better channel than they now are, I could wish you to go, as General Thomas is down in the small-pox; but I do not mean to direct or request you to do it, if you think, by remaining where you are, or not going, will be of more publick advantage, or that the cause will be injured by doing it. You will be governed by such measures as appear to you best, and the circumstance of our affairs under your management, and those in Canada, with which you must be

*