what a situation shall I then be in? A sum granted in addition, on my own application, and nothing appears but I am satisfied. This will by no means do for me to rely on. Since I left Philadelphia, General Washington desired me to write to some of my friends in Congress, proposing the lowest terms that would satisfy me; and that some gentlemen he had spoken to seemed willing to satisfy me. I want nothing but to be saved the risk of such sums of money as must necessarily pass through my hands. As a merchant, you are well acquainted with the established rule of that risk, being one per cent, for receiving and paying, or half per cent, for receiving only. The sum passing through my hands is great; and though the business, in addition to the risk, is enough to harass a man to death, yet I am willing, in support of the present cause, to give up half of the established risk and all my services, and to do the whole for half per cent, on the moneys paid to me or my order by the Treasurers and Paymasters. This, I suppose, will amount to about two thousand five hundred pounds per annum—sometimes more, and it may be less; and if the idea of a commission is so peculiarly disagreeable in my case, I must submit, though with reluctance, that the sum be divided by twelve, and turned into monthly wages. For many reasons, I think it better to be a commission; one especially I will mention, as when reduced to wages, and compared with the General Officers, it may give umbrage; when that comparison, in the other way, will scarce ever be made. If it is said why should it be more than an officer’s pay? I answer, my department is mere mercantile; the risk is the whole sum wished for, nay, double it. I have nothing for my services, nor can I expect any share in the honours of my country, which, in case of good behaviour in the officer, is sure to him.

I have given you my mind on the subject with freedom, which is always best in this as in every other matter. I have noticed you before, and I have noticed General Washington, and have shown him this letter, that I should give up my office the moment I could do it without injury to the general cause, which I apprehend may be by the time my first year’s service is expired, which now draws near, unless I could have what was a just and reasonable recompense for my risk and services, and have the afore-mentioned galling distinctions removed, which are peculiar to me, and which give me more uneasiness than everything else. My country is entitled to my services. I am willing to serve on a footing with others; but they cannot, they must not, expect me to serve in so troublesome an office for nothing, and bear the risks of it more than one year. General Washington has this day ordered me to provide for Canada; my burdens are increasing. I shall by and by drag heavily on, unless I have these matters settled to satisfaction, or I can be disengaged from the business. If the latter should be the case, I hope some person will be preferred to it who will serve with that integrity and disinterestedness I have done, and with more abilities; and that it may not fall into hands who would undertake it without wages, and cut and carve from their employers or the troops, or both, a compensation adequate to their own desires, and who, for these reasons, wish for my resignation, and will forward it with all their interest. I wish to be set above temptation, and to serve, while I do serve, with honour and integrity; longer than I can do so, be assured, I will not act.

I am, most respectfully, dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JOSEPH TRUMBULL.

To John Hancock, Esq., President of Congress.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

New-York, June 10, 1776.

SIR: Before this I expect you have received the resolve of Congress for augmenting our Army here and in Canada, with their requisition for the quota of men to be furnished by your Colony. I must beg leave to add, that from intelligence I have just received, and a variety of circumstances combining to confirm it, General Howe, with the fleet from Halifax, or some other armament, is hourly expected at the Hook, with designs, doubtless, to make an impression here and possess themselves of this Colony, of the last importance to us in the present controversy. Our works, are extensive and many, and the troops here but few for their defence, being greatly reduced by the regiments detached on the Canada expedition. In this critical conjuncture of affairs, the experience I have had of your zeal and readiness to assist the common cause induces me to request the most speedy and early succours that can be obtained from your Colony, and that the Militia be forwarded, one battalion after another, as fast as they can possibly be raised, without waiting to make up the whole complement to be furnished for this place before any of them march. I would advise that they come properly provided with field and other officers, and that the person appointed by the Colony to command the whole, be here a day or two before them, to receive his orders, and be in readiness to take the command on their arrival. It will be proper, too, that notice be sent a day or two before their coming, that provision may be made for subsisting and disposing of them in proper places.

I have written a similar letter to the Jersey Convention, praying aid from them. I am, sir, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR SCHUYLER.

SIR: Immediately upon receipt of this order, you are to repair to Long-Island, and take upon you the command of three companies belonging to your regiment, posted toward the east end thereof, for the defence of the inhabitants, protection of the stock, &c. To effect these ends, you are to use every means in your power, as it is of great importance to prevent the enemy from obtaining supplies of fresh provisions, and other necessaries. You are also to prevent, as far as in your power lies, every kind of correspondence and intercourse between the inhabitants and the enemy, seizing upon, and carrying before the Committees of Safety for trial, all those who shall be detected in such infamous practices.

You are to see that your men are kept close to their duty, and not suffered, under any pretence, to be absent on furlough, but in cases of great and real necessity, and then that not more than two at a time from each company be indulged.

You are to view the men and inspect their arms so soon as you arrive at their respective posts, and make exact returns thereof. Make your quarters as centrical as you can, and advise me from time to time of all remarkable occurrences;

Given under my hand at Head-Quarters, in New-York, this 10th day of June, 1776.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major Peter Schuyler, Third New-York.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COMMISSIONERS IN THE HIGH LANDS.

New-York, June 10, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Unacquainted as I am with the situation of the posts in the Highlands, I can do no more than desire you will pursue, and with as much despatch as possible, the plan of work pointed out in the within directions.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Mr. William Bedlow, and the other Commissioners at the Forts Montgomery and Constitution.

PLAN REFERRED TO IN THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS.

SIR: Until your Excellency has leisure to determine on a further plan for the security of the pass through the Highlands, I would advise (in order to give Fort Constitution some degree of security against a surprise, to which it at present is liable in almost every part) that the Battery on the high clift, marked B in the plan No. 3, be completed, so as to mount three guns in front, and one on each flank; and that then the other sides of the hill on which it is erected be enclosed by a breastwork of logs of about one foot thick and seven feet high, in the form that Colonel Putnam and myself pointed out on the spot, in the presence of Colonel Livingston and the Commissioners, and is nearly represented by the black lines I have now marked round the letter B.

That the Battery A be extended westward to the foot of the hill B, with four embrasures; and on the northeastward in the manner as marked at G. The whole ground fronting