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a merchant ship from Philadelphia, owned by Jeremiah Warder, of that place; that he was brought up to St. Johns, to man out the vessels built there, which were resigned to us with said garrison, and there made prisoner. Said Birchley appears to be a steady, sensible young man, and has behaved himself well since with us. Informs me he sailed from Philadelphia on board said ship, &c; that, although he is an Englishman by birth, he has been in this country from his childhood; has sailed in the employ of several merchants from that place, in particular Mr. William Morris, (in the Richard Penn,)— who he thinks is the same man who signs the Continental bills, —Mr. Warder, and others, who he thinks would give full satisfaction of his friendly disposition to the American cause, and of the manner of his coming into his Majesty’s service, if he might be permitted to go to Philadelphia. Also, one John Barber has shown me a like certificate from the same officer. He appears to be well acquainted with the principal towns in this Colony, viz: Hartford, Weathersfield, Middletown, Nevi-London, Simsbury, &c.; is certainly acquainted with many persons of note in those places; was impressed from a fishing vessel at Quebeck; professes a desire to live in the country, as he undoubtedly has since the last war. I have heard of one or two more in like circumstances, but have not seen their certificates. Those above mentioned are dated at Albany, where they were brought from the northward; they were taken from Quebeck. Captain Somes, the officer who gave the certificate, is not in this Colony. I trouble your Honour with this, at their earnest request, and desire your advice and direction. I am your Honour’s most obedient, humble servant, J.OHN WATSON. To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq. JOSEPH HAWLEY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. Watertown, June 21, 1776. GENERAL WASHINGTON: The most important matters are soon to be decided by arms. Unhappy it is for the Massachusetts, and I fear for the whole continent, that at this season we have a large and numerous Assembly. More than one-half of the House are new members. Their decisions are most afflictingly slow, when everything calls for the utmost ardour and despatch. The Lord have mercy on us! This Colony, I imagine, will raise the men required by Congress before snow falls, but in no season for the relief of either New-York or Canada. Pray, sir, consider what there is to be done. It is my clear opinion that there will not be a single company move in this Colony for either of those places this three weeks. I know, sir, it will vex you; but your Excellency will not be alone in the vexation. My soul at times is ready to die within me at the delays; at others, my blood to press out at the pores of my body. But what shall be the expedients? I never was good at them, but will venture to propose again the same I mentioned in my last, namely, that some, or all, of the five Continental Regiments here be ordered to march, without one moment’s delay, to Canada or New-York, as the exigencies require. In such case, they must be paid up their arrears, or nearly. In that way you will, in effect, get succours for New-York or Canada, or both, from this Colony. Our people are so jealous for their own safety (though you know, sir, that I judge them at present in very little danger) that they will raise the Militia for their own defence. I beg your Excellency to advert to the proposal a moment. Our own Militia are as good, for all the intents answered, or to be answered here, by those regiments, as they are. They are much better for Canada or New-York than the Militia. They are officered and organized, and well armed; the Militia to be officered, armed, and equipped. The differences are too many to be enumerated. If I may say it, I am astonished at the policy of Congress in ordering more regiments here, instead of ordering those which are here to parts where they are infinitely more needed. But my opinion is of little worth; but, such as it is, I have given it: it may serve as a suggestion. I am, may it please your Excellency, most sincerely yours, JOSEPH HAWLEY. To His Excellency General Washington CAPTAIN GOULD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. Boston, June 21, 1776. SIR: Whereas I received orders from your Excellency to march the guard under my command at General Lee’s quarters to guard the magazine at Winter-Hill, and there to stay till further orders; accordingly I did. The powder was moved into Boston; then General Ward gave orders for me to march into Boston, and be his guard. Accordingly, I marched into Boston, and remain his guard. As he expects to leave the service soon, I humbly ask the favour of your Excellency to permit me and guard to stay, as guard for the succeeding General; which favour, I think, cannot be considered unreasonable, or injurious to the service, but will be the means of helping it; and hope it will not appear so to your Excellency, when you hear my reasons: First: Because the men belong to several different regiments. Some of them are gone to Quebcck, and some to New-York, &c.; and the time of their inlistment is half expired. Some are but two or three in a regiment, and will not be likely to do much service to their respective regiments. Secondly: The men have been to the cost of procuring uniforms, and dressing well. Through the scarcity of money, I have lent them a great deal, and must unavoidably lose great part of it. Thirdly: When the men inlisted, General Lee desired me to draw them up, as he had something to say to them. Accordingly, I did; and he told them that he had a great regard for them, and that, if they would inlist into his guard, they should not join the regiments. They desired of General Lee to be an independent company, and not inlist in the regiments. He made this objection, that it could not be, for they must inlist into the regiments in order to draw the pay there; but, said he, that will make no difference, for you shall not join the regiments; and he said that it was no matter what company they were returned under, for they desired to be with me; and he promised them that I should be their officer, as they had a mind to inlist in the company with me. He said they could not all belong to one company in the regiment, but, he said, it would make no odds, for they should not join the regiments. And General Lee went to Colonel Little, and told him that it was no matter what Captain he returned me under, for I should not join the regiments. Likewise, he told him that he would not weaken his regiment of sergeants and corporals, but would appoint them himself; and he told me that he would see them paid himself, as sergeants and corporals. Accordingly, he appointed them, and they have done the duty ever since as such; and for them to be returned into the ranks must be degrading to them, and is contrary to the rules and regulations of the Army. When General Lee went away, he said he expected to return soon; and that, if he was stationed in these parts, he would send for us; but, as he went to the southward, he had not an opportunity. As we are in uniform by ourselves, and have a great mind to be as a company by ourselves, if your Excellency shall see fit to order us to the regiments, not one of the men will join the company with me. I have inlisted about sixty men, and there are about thirty with me; and as there is an opportunity for this purpose, the men will think very hard of it; and I doubt not but it will be a hinderance of the men’s reinlisting when their times are out.I am determined, if my life is spared, to continue in the service of my country. If my conduct is such that I shall be accepted, I should be glad if the men might be used so that they will stay with me; and, therefore, if your Excellency would grant this favour to us, I shall think myself bound in the strongest obligations to promote your honour, and shall think nothing too much to do for you; and am your most devoted, humble servant, BENJAMIN GOULD, Captain of General Ward’s Guards. To His Excellency General Washington. MESHECH WEARE TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. New-Hampshire, Exeter, June 21, 1776. SIR: Agreeable to directions from the Continental Congress, received a few weeks past, to collect all the hard money we could, and forward the same to Canada, to be delivered into your hands, we herewith transmit the sum of £1145 15s. 10d. , under care of Benjamin Giles and James
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