thought it best to inform you that the Continental Congress have amply provided for the defence of this Province, and have made such an arrangement of the Continental Army for the ensuing campaign, as lays an equal burden on the inhabitants of the different Colonies; in particular, that a flying camp of ten thousand men is now forming for the protection of the middle Colonies, which, we are credibly informed, is to have its chief station in this Province. We add no more, but that we trust and hope that while every Province is making the most spirited efforts, New-Jersey, in its place and duty, will be second to none.

Signed in name, and by appointment of Congress, at Burlington, June 15, 1776.

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 15, 1776.

SIR: The Congress acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 13th instant, respecting the retention of salted provisions by some persons on Long-Island.

I am directed by the Congress to inform you that, by a resolution of yesterday, a copy whereof was furnished to the Commissary-General, they depend that he will obtain the provisions desired; and that the Congress have in contemplation some more general and effectual measures for securing the live stock in certain parts of the Colony for the benefit of the Army.

Enclosed is a copy of some information obtained from Mr. Abraham Livingston, of a stock of cattle in an exposed situation in New-Jersey, of which a copy will be forwarded to the President of New-Jersey Congress, or Committee of Safety.

I have the honour to be, most respectfully, sir, your very humble servant.

To His Excellency General Washington.

COLONEL McDOUGALL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-York, June 15, 1776.

SIR: All the necessaries for soldiers’ clothing are so very high, and the pay of the Middle Department so much below the Eastern establishment, that my soldiers are kept bare of necessary clothing and other articles: a common soldier’s shirt costing from seventeen to twenty shillings currency, which is half a month’s pay. The most of the levies made in great cities are generally induced to enter the service from the sole consideration of pay; they are there-fore uneasy when it is not punctually paid, and often insolent, which provokes to correction, and this to desertion—at this crisis very injurious to the service and publick safety. There is now one month and a half pay due to my regiment. For these reasons I pray the General would order the regiment to be paid to the first current, which would advance the service and give ease and peace to the officers. I would, on this and other occasions, have made a personal application to the General, but judged this mode would be more agreeable to you, as it causes no interruption of business of more moment, and you could choose your time to determine on the subject. These reasons, I hope, will apologize for this and the other letters I have taken the liberty to write you on publick business.

I have applied to the Convention to know whether I am to continue to recruit any company of my regiment which may become incomplete by death or desertion; but they would not decide upon it, and desired me to take the General’s direction, which I beg to be favoured with.

I have the honour to be your Excellency’s very humble servant,

ALEXANDER MCDOUGALL.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOSHUA WENTWORTH.

New-York, June 15, 1776.

SIR: I received yours of the 1st instant, and am to inform you your letters of the 15th and 22d of April, advising of the capture of the brig Elizabeth, by Commodore Manly, were put into the hands of Mr. Moylan to answer; but by some means or other were not, nor can they be found. It will be, therefore, necessary to acquaint me again with the contents, if you esteem my answer to them material.

I have, agreeable to your request, transmitted you copies of such resolves of Congress respecting your department as are in my hands. They will point out the line of conduct to be observed in general cases, which, I apprehend, must be pursued. But if there is anything particular in the capture you mention which is not provided for, it will be proper that it should be forwarded me, in order to my referring it to Congress for their opinion.

It is likely the Memorial you mention, if presented, has already occasioned them to determine upon the matter. If they have not, and I find it necessary, I shall transmit them such a representation of the circumstances of this capture as you may send me, not intending to point out any rule of decision not authorized by Congress.

I am, sir, yours, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Joshua Wentworth, Esq., Portsmouth.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, June 15, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: By Captain Goforth, who arrived this morning, I am honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 9th instant, and by Mr. Watts with that of the 10th.

The resolutions of Congress for a further supply of money to be sent here, I received on the last ultimo, and despatched it by express to Canada, together with the other resolutions that were transmitted me by the same conveyance.

I am happy that your Excellency approves of my conduct in leaving Colonel Dayton in Tryon County. It is more than probable, from the intelligence I have sent you Excellency in my several letters since my return to this place, that he will, of necessity, remain in that quarter for some time at least, if not during the whole campaign.

When I begged your Excellency for a reinforcement to keep up the communication, &c., I think I observed that if any came up, and they were more than sufficient, I would forward on Van Schaick’s. The exchanged prisoners arriving, I immediately sent Major Curtis, and four companies of Van Schaick’s, to Canada, and have since ordered the prisoners back, agreeable to a request of General Sullivan, signified to me by Major Sherburne, and am now forwarding the provisions and garrisoning Fort George and Ticonderogd with part of the remainder of Van Schaicks, and four companies of Wynkoop’s, two being in Tryon County, and two upon duty and in batteaus here.

Part of what General Sullivan has informed your Excellency respecting Van Schaick’s, Wynkoop’s, the wagoners, batteaumen, and wagonmaster, is very true, and I doubt not but the whole of his information would have been so, had he been truly informed, which, I presume, nay, I am sure, he was not; to evince which, I enter into a detail, because my feelings induce me to do justice to every man, whatever his station in life may be; and when I censure and applaud, it is always from the heart.

The raising of Colonel Van Schaick’s Regiment was, in the first instance, left to the New-York Provincial Congress. They requested me to lake it in hand, and sent up the money Congress had advanced to them for that purpose. Lest the service should suffer by the delay which would necessarily be occasioned by my refusal, I applied to the Committee of this County, and entreated them to recommend such persons out of the several districts as were most likely to raise the men speedily. This was done, and I think the warrants for inlisting were granted on the 15th of February. And although I incorporated Curtis’s, * McCracken’s, and Mills’s companies, to whom I had given inlisting orders in November last, for the winter service, yet the regiment is far from being complete, as your Excellency has seen by Colonel Van Schaick’s return; since which several are deserted.

When General Sullivan was at Albany, Van Schaick’s Regiment had left it, and was disposed of at the various posts, from Half-Moon to Crown Point included. Hence they could not furnish “a man for guard, or any other duty.” But I suppose General Sullivan was informed that Van Schaick’s Regiment was there, because he was, as he is still,

* Curtis is promoted, Mills dead, Van Rensselaer and Mason have succeeded.