we are not to blame. I have not time to add anything further, nor have I any news worth communicating.

Yours, affectionately,

GEORGE CLINTON.

To John McKesson, Esq., New-York.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 26, 1776. Referred to the Committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the miscarriages in Canada. ]

Philadelphia, June 26, 1776.

SIR: The unjust severity and unmerited abuse with which my character has been treated in the Colonies by persons who are either secret enemies to the glorious cause in which every virtuous American must heartily join, or whose ambition would by every means (however base) remove all obstacles to their advancement and promotion, added to the harsh treatment I have received from some part of the illustrious body over whom you preside, render it indispensably necessary that I should take some steps towards undeceiving them, satisfying the publick, and doing justice to myself and the Army in Canada. If these can be done, it must give satisfaction to every feeling heart. The honour of a soldier being the first thing he should defend, and his honesty the last he should give up, his character must ever be considered as entitled to the protection of the virtuous and the good. I have, therefore, sir, to request that you would move to the honourable Congress that the Committee appointed to examine into the affairs of Canada may be directed to look thoroughly into my conduct while I had the honour of commanding the Continental forces in that country, or that some other may be appointed for that purpose, that I may be acquitted or condemned upon just grounds and sufficient proof.

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

DAVID WOOSTER.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO CONVENTION OF NEW-YORK.

Philadelphia, June 26, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: You will perceive from the enclosed resolves which I do myself the honour of transmitting in obedience to the commands of Congress, that they have appointed not only the Field Officers in the regiment to be raised in your Colony, but likewise a number of the subalterns.

The reasons that induced Congress to take this step, as it is a deviation from rule, should be particularly mentioned. I am therefore directed to inform you that, in consequence of their being furnished with a list of the officers who had served in Canada, and the rank to which they were entitled, they have been enabled to appoint, and in fact have only appointed, such as were originally recommended and appointed by the Provincial Congress of your Colony, and have served faithfully both the last summer campaigns and through the winter. It is therefore apprehended the Congress have only prevented you in their appointments, and that the same gentlemen would have met with your approbation for their services to their country. Added to this, the last intelligence from Canada, showing our affairs to be in the most imminent danger, rendered the utmost despatch necessary, that not a moment’s time might be lost.

The other officers of the battalion I am to request you will be pleased to appoint, and to exert every nerve to equip the battalion as soon as possible. As an additional encouragement, the Congress have resolved that a bounty of ten dollars be given every soldier who shall inlist for three years.

I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Convention of New- York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, June 26, 1776.

SIR: You will perceive by the enclosed resolves, which I do myself the honour of transmitting in obedience to the commands of Congress, and to which I beg leave to request your attention, that they have come to a resolution to augment the number of troops destined for the Northern Department four thousand.

It is scarcely necessary to mention the motives on which they acted, or to explain the propriety of the measure. The arrival of General Burgoyne with a large reinforcement— the known character of that officer for action and enterprise—the defeat of General Thompson with the troops under his command, and his being made prisoner—are so many circumstances that point out the absolute necessity of being more expeditious in our preparations for the defence of that Province, and of increasing our force there. In this light I have represented the matter to the Convention of New-Hampshire and the Assemblies of Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut, to whom I have written by this express in the most pressing language, urging them to send forward their Militia. As an additional encouragement, the Congress have resolved that a bounty of ten dollars be given every soldier who shall inlist for three years.

I have also written to the Convention of New-York on the subject of the enclosed resolve, and have delivered Colonel Dubois, Colonel Bruyn, and Major Goforth, their commissions.

Should you be able, consistent with the safety of New-York, to afford any assistance to the Canada department, I am to request you will do it, and give such directions as you think will promote the publick service.

You will please to give Colonel Dubois the necessary directions respecting the raising his regiment; he will wait on you immediately on his arrival at New-York.

I have the honour to be, with esteem, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington, New-York.

P. S. I must request the favour of you to order a fresh express to proceed with the enclosed letters to the Northern Colonies.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE DELEGATES IN CONGRESS TO MESHECH WEARE.

Philadelphia, June 26, 1776.

SIR: The repeated misfortunes our Army in Canada have met with, make it necessary that a strong reinforcement should be sent there as speedily as possible. The many disadvantages we shall labour under by the enemy’s being in possession of that country and the lakes, are so obvious that it is needless to mention them. By the last accounts, General Burgoyne, with a large army, was as high up the St. Lawrence as Three Rivers, where he had defeated a detachment of two thousand men under General Thompson, and taken him prisoner. Sickness and other disasters have much dispirited our men, and unless they are speedily supported by a strong reinforcement, it is uncertain what will be the consequence. The New-England Colonies and New-York will be more immediately affected by our misfortunes there than the other Colonies; and from their situation it is likely will be able to afford the earliest assistance.

For these reasons Congress have come to the resolutions that are transmitted to you by the President, requesting that a regiment, in addition to that which was some time ago requested, be sent with all possible despatch from our Colony to join the Army in Canada. If those troops can be raised soon, it will have a tendency to raise the spirits of those already in that country, and will, in our opinion, be the only method of securing the frontiers of our Colony at the expense of the continent. We shall be exceedingly glad to know from time to time how you succeed in raising these troops. It would also be very agreeable and serviceable could we be informed of other transactions in the Colony. Please to send by first opportunity a copy of President Cutts’s commission; also any papers for showing Governour Wentworth’s authority for granting land westward of Connecticut River.

We understand Mr. Langdon intends to resign his seat in Congress; if that should be the case, we hope somebody will be immediately appointed in his room.

We have the honour to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

JOSIAH BARTLETT.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.