by a letter from General Sullivan of the 18th ultimo, dated at Albany, that these regiments were not to be found on the strictest inquiry he could make; that Colonel Van Schaick, who was there, never furnished a single man for guard, or any other duty, after he got there; and that Lieutenant-Colonel Cortlandt, of Wynkoop’s Regiment, when he applied for pay for two companies, said to be in Tryon County to keep the Tories in order, informed him they had neither arms nor ammunition; that in some companies there was not a man present fit for duty, and that in others there were not more than eleven, and in some less. He also complains of the great waste of pork, by the wagoners drawing out the brine to lighten the carriage; and, in his letter two days before, charges the batteaumen and the wagonmaster with indolence and a strange neglect of duty. I well know, my dear sir, that the multiplicity of matters you are engaged in will necessarily put it in the power of those who are not influenced by principles of honesty and justice, to practise many impositions; but I must beg you will turn your attention as much as possible to these things, and reform such abuses as have already happened, or prevent them in future.

I am very doubtful whether the flour you seem to think may be had in Canada can be got. The Commissioners’ letters, as late as the 28th ultimo, seem to preclude every such hope.

I esteem it a matter of importance not only to fortify and secure Ticonderoga, but every other post on the communication; and that you should garrison them with men under judicious and spirited officers, to be fixed there, who might be called to account for misconduct, which is difficult to do where they are shifting and changing continually, and who would esteem it their indispensable duty to carry on and maintain the works against any surprises or attacks that may be attempted. I have written to Congress to appoint Engineers, if they can fix upon proper persons for the office. If you know of any, you had better employ them. I am confident Congress will allow them the usual pay.

When I came from Philadelphia I left the Indians there, and doubt not but Congress will use their endeavours to prevent them returning for some time. I showed them what you said upon the subject. I have spoken to the Quartermaster about a proper person to superintend the building of gondolas, but he knows of none. There is a man who came to direct the building of some here; and if any of the carpenters shall be deemed qualified, after seeing the model, I will send you one. I have written to Philadelphia for a supply of flints, which shall be forwarded you as soon as possible, and will give direction that you be furnished with a quantity of necessary medicines. With respect to St. Luke La Corne, Major Campbell, and the other prisoners at Esopus, I think it will be prudent for you to remove them, or such of them as you apprehend dangerous, to some other secure place, and they should be under a suitable and trusty guard. Your continuing to build batteaus appears a necessary measure, as a sufficient number should be had to transport over troops going to Canada or coming from thence, if they should ever be under the disagreeable necessity of evacuating the possession they now have to the enemy—an event I sincerely wish not to happen, but which, from the melancholy complexion of things in that quarter, I conceive possible.

I have been much surprised at not receiving a more perfect and explicit account of the defeat of Colonel Bedel and his party at the Cedars. I should have thought some of the officers in command there would, and ought to have transmitted it immediately; but as they have not, it is probable I should have long remained in doubt as to the event, had not the Commissioners called on me to-day; nor should I consider my not having a return of the arms, stores, &c., in Canada, a matter of less wonder, had I not been accustomed to the neglect. If it is not become too inveterate, I wish it could be got the better of. It is certainly of much importance and necessary to be known frequently.

Since mine of the 21st and yours of the 31st ultimo, Captains Swann and Dundee, with three privates, have been here, having a permit to go to Philadelphia. They came down the North River from Albany (I believe) to this place, where, I make no doubt, they reconnoitred all our works, and in their passage those at the Highlands. This indulgence I conceive of such infinite prejudice to our cause, for the reasons I have assigned, and many more that may be added, that I hope it will never be granted again. I wish you to notify the several Committees in the neighbourhood of Albany, having the care of prisoners, of the injurious consequences which must necessarily result from such a license, to prevent their allowing it to any on future applications.

As Congress have resolved on a large augmentation of the Army in Canada, as you will see by the copy of their vote transmitted in my last, it seems material that you should advise with the Commissary in that department, and Mr. Trumbull there, and concert a plan for their subsistence. If they cannot be supplied plentifully with provisions, their going will be of more injury than benefit, and increase the distress of the whole.

In your favour of the 28th, you are desirous that a Court of Inquiry should be ordered respecting the charges contained in the informations I enclosed you in mine of the 21st. If you conceive it necessary, I will do it with pleasure, if you will point out the mode to be pursued; to me, the matters objected to you appear so uncertain, vague, and incredible, that there is nothing to found the proceedings on, were there the most distant necessity for the scrutiny. By reason of a paragraph in your letter of the 31st, I mentioned the matter to Congress, to whom I had the honour of writing this day; and when at Philadelphia communicated it to some of them, on their reading your first letter in which mention was made of the subject. In doing this, and giving you the information I had received, I consider myself as having only discharged the duties of justice and of friendship.

I am sorry for the attack you have had of the ague, and wishing you a perfect recovery, I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major-General Schuyler.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL WOOSTER.

New-York, June 9, 1776.

SIR: The Congress have been pleased to direct your recall, as you will perceive by the enclosed copy of their resolution. I am. therefore, in compliance with their command, to make it my request that you immediately repair to Head-Quarters, at New-York.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Brigadier-General Wooster, in Canada.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.

Head-Quarters, June 9, 1776.

SIR: I herewith transmit you the resolutions of Congress for several augmentations of the Army. With respect to Canada, I must inform you that the last accounts abound with complaints of the deplorable scarcity of provisions which our men labour under, and mention the impossibility of procuring relief in that Colony. You will, therefore, with all expedition, forward a supply of meat and flour (particularly of the latter) to Albany. As there is a reinforcement of six thousand men shortly to be sent to Canada, there is a prospect of the want of necessaries still being increased. In making provision for the troops already there, you must have a view to the augmentation, which I fear will be sent before any preparation can be made for them by Mr. Price.

As to the flying-camp, it is probable its first station will be in the neighbourhood of Amboy.

I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Joseph Trumbull, Esquire, Commissary-General.

P. S. I am informed that several merchants are about to purchase salt pork for exportation; and I would recommend it to you immediately to apply to the Provincial Congress to take some measures to prevent them, as there is not only a probability that it will fall into the hands of the enemy, but we may ere long experience the want of it ourselves.

GENERAL WARD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Boston, June 9, 1776.

SIR: Yours of the 28th of May I received last evening, and shall give immediate attention to all your directions. I sent forward, the first of last week, under the care of General