to deliver up our fire-arms immediately to the persons appointed for that purpose; and that we will in future demean and conduct ourselves in such a manner as to recommend us to the friends of American liberty.

Resolved, That the above Recantations be published in the English and German newspapers.

An extract from the Minutes of the Committee:

ROBERT TRAILL, Clerk.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 14, 1776.]

Head-Quarters, New-York, June 13, 1776.

SIR: I have the honour of transmitting to Congress a letter which came by express last night from General Schuyler, enclosing the copy of a letter to him from Colonel Kirk-land. I have likewise enclosed the copy of one directed to General Putnam, or the commanding officer at New-York. The representations contained in these letters have induced me, without waiting the determination of Congress, to direct General Schuyler immediately to commence a treaty with the Six Nations, and to engage them in our interest, upon the best terms he and his colleagues in commission can procure; and I trust the urgency of the occasion will justify my proceeding to the Congress. The necessity for decision and despatch in all our measures, in my opinion, becomes every day more and more apparent.

The express, Mr. Bennett, was overtaken at Albany by General Schuyler, who had received intelligence at Fort George that a considerable body of Mohawk Indians were coming down the Mohawk River, under the conduct of Sir John Johnson. The General’s extreme hurry would not allow him to write; but it seems his intention is to collect at Albany a sufficient force to oppose Sir John Johnson. I have given him my opinion that Colonel Dayton’s Regiment should be employed in that service, and to secure the post where Fort Stanwix formerly stood.

In consequence of an information that several merchants were exporting salted pork and beef from this place, I requested the Commissary to make application to the Provincial Congress for a restraining resolution to be laid on the exportation of those articles, as I apprehended not only that the enemy might receive supplies by the capture of our vessels, but that our people might shortly expeiience a scarcity. The Provincial Congress have accordingly made a resolution (a copy of which is enclosed) to stop the exportation for fourteen days. They expect Congress will, in the mean time, frame some general regulations on this head. They are unwilling, they say, to subject their constituents to partial restraint.

I once mentioned to Congress that I thought a War Office extremely necessary, and they seemed inclined to institute one for our Army; but the affair seems to have since been dropped. Give me leave again to insist on the utility and importance of such an establishment. The more 1 reflect upon the subject, the more I am convinced of its necessity, and that affairs can never be properly conducted without it.

It is with pleasure I receive the resolve enclosed in your favour of the 11th instant. One considerable ground of dissatisfaction in the Army is thereby removed.

I have employed persons in building the gondolas and rafts, which the Congress thought necessary for the defence of this place; and in conjunction with the Provincial Congress have determined to sink chevaux-de-frise, one of which is already begun.

I am, with the utmost respect and esteem, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Hon. John Hancock, &c.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

New-York, June 13, 1776.

DEAR SIR : I last night received by Mr. Bennett your favour of the 8th instant, addressed to General Putnam, or the officer commanding here, covering one for Congress, with a copy of Colonel Kirkland’s to you; both of which I shall immediately forward to Philadelphia.

In consequence of your former letters the Commissary has been directed to continue supplies of provisions. I shall repeat the direction, and doubt not of his exertions in this instance. If its arrival at Albany ceased fora time, it might be owing to the accounts received that a good deal (particularly flour) might be had in Canada. I will speak to him about the expenditure of pork here, and request that no more be used than he may find necessary, that there may be a larger quantity for the Canada Department. I will also speak to the Quartermaster-General to provide and forward all the clothing he can get as soon as possible. As to intrenching tools, they are extremely scarce, and what wo have far too few for the works carrying on, and proper to be carried on, for the defence of this place. However, I will try to furnish you with a few more, and wish your endeavours to purchase what you can from the country people. Many of them, perhaps, will part with a spade or pick-axe, and some with both; and though many may not be collected in that way, what are will be of great service.

If the accounts of Colonel Bedel and Major Butterfield’s conduct be true, they have certainly acted a part deserving of the most exemplary notice. I hope you will take proper measures, and have good Courts appointed to bring them, and every other officer that has been or shall be guilty of mal-conduct, to trial, that they may be punished according to their offences. Our misfortunes at the Cedars were occasioned, as it is said, entirely by their base and cowardly behaviour, and cannot be ascribed to any other cause.

In my letter of the 7th, which will have reached you ere this, I enclosed a resolve of Congress for engaging the Indians (not more than two thousand) in our service. This will indicate to you their opinion; and knowing their sentiments fully upon this head, I cannot but advise that you forthwith hold a conference with the Six Nations, and any others you, with your brother Commissioners, may think necessary, and form with them an alliance, on such terms and conditions as shall seem most likely to secure their interest and friendship, without waiting the further direction of Congress—the situation of our affairs will not suffer the delay— and I am persuaded your conduct, and the speech you intend to deliver their sachems, will meet their approbation and thanks. I think that part of it which mentions the time and place of our taking post, might be omitted; but this I leave to you. I shall inform Congress of what I have written you on this subject, and of the verbal intelligence you sent me by Bennett from Albany, where you overtook him, respecting the Indians coming down the Mohawk River under Sir John Johnson, and of your preparing to resist them. I sincerely wish you success, and that their first incursions and attempts against us may be attended with their entire defeat. It will be necessary to employ Colonel Dayton and his regiment on this service, and in securing a post where Fort Stanwix formerly stood, which I esteem of much importance; but I submit it to you, who are much better acquainted with that country than I am, whether, previous to that, it will not be necessary and essential that a post be established lower down—somewhere about the Falls below the German Flats —to secure our communication with that garrison. Should this not be done, will it not be in the power of the savages to come between that and our frontiers, and intercept all supplies of men and provisions going thither?

I observe you esteem the ground opposite to Ticonderoga to be more advantageous for a post against the enemy. Messrs. Chase and Carroll had told me the same. I should think, therefore, that the place most capable of defence, and having the greatest advantages, should be improved, and necessary works thrown up with the utmost despatch. But will not both be best? Cannot Ticonderoga be kept, and this improved and maintained at the same time? I must submit this to you, and refer you to my letter of the 9th, on the subject of fortifying all the posts, and about the Engineers. If you know of any persons who can be of service in that way, do employ them. I know of none myself, nor have I one that I can possibly spare.

I have been applied to by Colonel Nicolson, who says he was appointed by Congress to the command of a regiment to be raised out of two battalions of York troops that were in Canada last year, for instructions for that purpose As this concerns the department more immediately under your direction, and with which you must be much better acquainted than I am, I did not think it right to give him any

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