the former. Nothing can produce greater benefits than this, nor tend more to promote your military operations; whereas history and observation do sufficiently evince (they abound with numberless examples) the fatal consequences which have ever resulted from distrusts, jealousy, and disagreements among officers of these ranks. Wishing, therefore, your counsels and efforts to be founded in a happy union, and to meet the smiles of a kind Providence, I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Brigadier-General Sullivan.

P. S. Knowing your great zeal for the cause of your country and desire to render her every possible service, I must caution you not to put too much to the hazard in your exertions to establish her rights, and to receive, with a proper degree of caution, the professions the Canadians may make; they have the character of an ingenuous, artful people, and very capable of finesse and cunning. Therefore, my advice is, that you put not too much in their power, but seem to trust them, rather than do it too far. I would also have you to keep all your posts, as you go, well secured, to guard against any treacherous conduct.

G. W.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL WARD.

New-York, June 16, 1776.

SIR: I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of the 27th ultimo and of the 3d and 6th instant; and in answer to the first, I think you were right in your direction to Mr. Bartlett about the brigantine Hannah, as Mr. Morris had written for one. The two schooners, considering their force and number of men, certainly behaved extremely well in repelling the attack of such a number of boats; and it is only to be lamented that the affair was attended with the death of Captain Mugford; he seemed to deserve a better fate.

The determination of the Court of Inquiry upon Colonel Varnum’s complaint, transmitted in that of the 3d, is very different from what he expected, or I imagined it would be from his state of the case. Whether it is right or wrong, it is not in my power to determine, as the evidence which was before them is not inserted in the proceedings; which ought to have been, as I, at this distance, can have no other means to warrant me either in confirming or rejecting the sentence. I cannot but add, that it seems extraordinary to me and exceedingly strange, that Captain Lane should have been at so much trouble and expense to get the men, without having a right to them; for which reason, to discountenance a practice extremely pernicious in its nature, of one officer trying to take away and seduce the men of another, and on account of the imperfection in the proceedings in not stating the matter fully and the whole evidence, the complaint should be reheard, and everything appertaining to it—the manner of inlistment, &c.—particularly specified, for me to found my judgment on.

The arms, &c., which you sent to Norwich, as mentioned in the invoice contained in that of the 6th, are not arrived. The number of carbines is only half of what General Putnam wrote for, as I have been informed, and it is less by three hundred than I directed to be sent in my letter from Philadelphia, of the 28th ultimo. This I suppose had not come to hand when you wrote, as you have not acknowledged the receipt of it.

I have enclosed two letters for Major Small and Charles Procter, Esquire, supposed to be at Halifax, which being written with a design to procure the enlargement of Captain Procter, a prisoner on board the Mercury man-of-war, or induce them to intercede for a more humane treatment to be shown him, I request you to forward by the first opportunity, by way of Nova-Scotia.

I am this moment favoured with yours of the 9th instant, advising me of the capture made by our armed vessels of one of the transports, with a company of Highlanders on board; and I flatter myself, if our vessels keep a good lookout, as the whole fleet are bound to Boston which sailed with her, that more of them will fall into our hands. This is a further proof that Government expected General Howe was still in Boston.

I am extremely sorry that your health is more and more impaired; and having heard by letter from Colonel Hancock that Mr. Whitcomb, Colonel Whitcomb’s brother, is appointed a Brigadier-General, I shall order him to relieve you as soon as I am informed that he accepts his commission; and if he does, you may immediately call him to your assistance, before I am certified of his acceptance; this will ease you of some trouble, till I can regulate a few matters of importance here, which I hope to do in a little time.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable General Ward.

MRS. JOHNSON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, June 16, 1776.

SIR: I take the liberty of complaining to you, as it is from you I expect redress. I was compelled to leave home, much against my inclination, and am detained here by General Schuyler, who, I am convinced, acts more out of ill nature to Sir John than from any reason that either he or I have given him. As I am not allowed to return home, and my situation here made as disagreeable as it can be, by repeated messages and threats from General Schuyler, too indelicate and cruel to be expected from a gentleman, I should wish to be with my friends at New- York, and would prefer my captivity under your Excellency’s protection, to being in the power of General Schuyler, who rules with more severity than could be wished by your Excellency’s humble servant,

M. JOHNSON.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.

La Prairie, June 16, 1776—11 o’clock A. M.

DEAR SIR: I received your letter from Sorel of the 14th instant, at three o’clock, previous to which I had destroyed all the knees, &c. In the morning, I sent Captain Wilkinson express to you; at three o’clock he met the enemy at Varenne, and narrowly escaped being taken; at five he arrived at Montreal; at seven P. M. I embarked the whole garrison in eleven batteaus, and got safe over. The rain made it seven o’clock before carts could be procured at Longueil and La Prairie to carry the sick and baggage. The whole are safe here, with some rum, molasses, wine, &c., seized at Montreal. The salt could not be got over. We have destroyed all the batteaus, and will break down al the bridges in our rear. I expect to be at St. Johns at five o’clock this evening. We have thirty carts, which I will send to Chambly as soon as they are discharged of their loading. Four or five of the enemy’s vessels are as high as Vercheres or Varenne. Our people saw their troops at the latter place, and a Frenchman from Montreal says they mounted guard there last. The number of the enemy is very considerable. No particular account has been received of their movements.

I am, very respectfully, dear sir, your obedient and humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

To Brigadier-General Sullivan, Chambly.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.

St. Johns, June 16, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I have this minute received a letter from General Schuyler, advising me that the batteaus which I wrote for might be sent over the Lake and detained, for the purpose of bringing a number of the Militia who are ordered into this country. I suppose he has written you fully on the matter. We have about nine hundred barrels of pork and eighty barrels of flour here. The sloop and schooner are arrived at the Isle Motte, with a considerable quantity. The schooner is loaded with dry-goods, shot, shells, &c. I believe it will be best to send her away directly. Nothing is done yet to fortify our camp. I think it requires immediate attention. I intended going to Chambly in the morning, but expect to have the pleasure of seeing you here, where I think we are secure at present.

I am, with great respect, dear sir, your most humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

To General Sullivan, Chambly.

P. S. I have borrowed several sums of hard money. I should be glad of four or five hundred pounds, if you can spare it. Will it not be best to give our paper money a currency, by declaring those enemies who refuse it? Unless