direction about it; but if the fact is so, I desire that you will give him such orders, that the views of Congress may be carried into execution, as you judge necessary. In like manner I have had several applications from officers coming from the Canada Department, for pay that became due them, which I did not conceive myself at liberty to comply with, being ignorant of their appointments or service; and as they will perhaps apply to you for certificates to lay before me, I wish you to be very explicit as to the time of their being in office, and from which their pay is due.

I am yours, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGT0N.

To General Schuyler.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

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

SIR : I am informed that a number of persons on Long-Island (by character not the most friendly to the cause of the United Colonies) have in their hands considerable quantities of pork and other provisions, which they refuse to part with for Continental Bills. They may have other reasons for their conduct still more detrimental, and therefore I must beg the interposition of your Congress in this matter, so as to prevent the evils which are much to be apprehended. The Commissary-General will purchase all the provisions at good prices, and give them Continental Bills in pay. Gold and silver he has none. The provisions are wanted for the Army, and those who are well-wishers to the cause, and live in exposed situations, will undoubtedly be glad to dispose of them. The disadvantages which may result to the publick by leaving them in the hands of those of a different complexion, are too obvious to need animadversion.

I have your report respecting the obstruction of the navigation of the Hudson River under consideration, and am pursuing measures to carry it into execution with all possible despatch. With great respect, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON

To the President of the New-York Congress.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.

New-York, June 13, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Having received intelligence of the unfortunate death of General Thomas, occasioned by the small-pox he had taken, the command of the Army in Canada devolves on you. I am, therefore, to request your most strenuous exertions to retrieve our circumstances in that quarter from the melancholy situation they are now in, and for performing the arduous task of bringing order out of confusion. I confess there is more room for enterprise and activity than I could wish, but then you will remember that you and your colleagues will be entitled to the grateful thanks of your country in proportion to the services you render.

Being extremely hurried in sending despatches to Congress and General Schuyler, I have not time to write you so fully as I could wish, and therefore shall only add my request that you, from time to time, make me regular returns of the strength of the Army, military stores, and every material occurrence; and wishing you and your brothers, under the direction of a gracious Providence, to lead your arms to conquest and victory, I am, dear sir, yours, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Sullivan.

MEMORIAL OF MRS. LAMB, WIFE OF MAJOR LAMB, PRISONER IN QUEBECK.

To His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq., General and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces of the United Colonies :

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY : The Memorial of Catharine, the wife of Captain, now Major John Lamb, Commander of the Continental Artillery in the Northern Department, most respectfully showeth :

That her husband, urged by the insults and injuries offeed his country, at an early period drew his sword in her cause, and in the gallant but unfortunate attack on the city of Quebeck, the brave little corps in which he had the honour to serve, in a noble conflict for publick liberty, were compelled, by superiority in number, to surrender their own. Such was the tale of war, that then the husband, the father, a patriot soldier, was led a wounded captive into the regions of despotism, where he has been immured near half a year, waiting for that freedom which, it is fervently wished, the success of your arms may obtain, both for him and his country.

Your Memorialist, labouring under many difficulties which arise from her husband’s situation, is under the necessity of applying to your Excellency for the monthly payment of seven pounds, New-York currency, which her husband, before his departure, had allowed her out of his pay, but which Colonel McDougall thinks himself no longer authorized to deliver to her.

Having likewise been informed that her said husband, though a prisoner, is entitled to receive a pecuniary equivalent for his rations, she entreats your Excellency to direct that she may receive that equivalent, as an addition to her support; which is now become very precarious, her husband being unable to remedy, in this respect, a deficiency of the power of attorney which he invested her with—a deficiency which brave men disdain to foresee.

CATHARINE LAMB.

New-York, June, 1776.

CAPTAIN SACKETT AND OTHERS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, June 13, 1776.

GENTLEMEN : We, the officers of the Fourth Regiment, that served in Canada last winter, beg leave to address you, to know (as our Regiment is disbanded) if there is any further service for us, as our commissions are in force until revoked by Congress. We are still willing to serve, and must say we think the hardships we have undergone since we have been in Canada must have been a convincing proof that we are disposed to exert ourselves to the utmost in defence of our country.

We would beg the favour of your determination, that if there is no further service for us, we may retire to our respective homes.

We are, with due respect, sirs, your most obedient, humble servants,

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress for the Colony of New-York.

CAPTAIN SACKETT AND OTHERS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-York, June 13, 1776

SIR : Permit us, the officers of the Fourth Regiment of the New-York troops that have served in Canada, to address you at this time. Our regiment is disbanded—our commissions are in force until revoked by Congress. We have applied to the Congress of this Province, and they refer us to your Excellency for orders in what manner to proceed. We are still willing to exert ourselves in the service of our country, and think the unparalleled hardships that we have undergone in Canada must be a convincing proof that we are disposed to exert ourselves to the utmost in the cause we are engaged in.

Your directions will be acknowledged by your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servants,

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq., Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

THE INTEREST OF AMERICA.

The important day is come, or near at hand, that America is to assume a form of Government for herself. We should be very desirous to know what form is best; and that surely is best which is most natural, easy, cheap, and which best secures the rights of the people. We should always keep in mind that great truth, viz : that the good of the people