It is true, the accounts we have received do not fully authorize us to say that we have sustained no loss, but they hold forth: a probable ground for such conclusion. I am anxious to hear it confirmed.

I have the honour of transmitting you an extract of a letter received last night from General Ward. If the scheme the privateers had in view and the measures he had planned, have been carried into execution, the Highland corps will be ably and well disposed of, but I fear the fortunate event has not taken place.

In General Ward’s letter was enclosed one from Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, who was made prisoner with the Highland troops. I have transmitted you a copy. This will give you a full and exact account of the number of prisoners that were on board the four transports, and will prove, beyond a possibility of doubt, that the evacuation of Boston by the British troops was a matter neither known nor expected when he received his orders. Indeed, so many facts had concurred before to settle the matter, that no additional proofs were necessary.

When I had the honour of addressing you yesterday, I had only been informed of the arrival of forty-five of the fleet in the morning; since that I have received authentick intelligence from sundry persons—among them from General Greene —that one hundred and ten sail came in before night that were counted, and that more were seen about dusk in the offing. I have no doubt but the whole that sailed from Halifax are now at the Hook.

Just as I was about to conclude my letter, I received one from a gentleman upon the subject of calling the five regiments from Boston to the defence of Canada or New-York, and to have Militia raised in their lieu. I have sent you a copy, and shall only observe that I know the author well; his handwriting is quite familiar to me. He is a member of the General Court, very sensible, of great influence, and a warm and zealous friend to the cause of America. The expedient proposed by him is submitted to Congress.

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

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Extract of a letter from General Ward, dated Boston, June 23, 1776.

SIR: I have just received information from several privateers that eleven sail of transports, under convoy of a frigate, are in the Bay, standing in, and supposed to be part of the Scotch fleet. The privateers are all ordered out, and I have taken measures to secure the transports in case they should come into Nantasket Road.

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 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 of 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 may 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 of 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 these regiments, as they are. They are much better for Canada or New-York than the Militia. They are officered and well armed; the Militia to be officered, armed, and equipped. The differences are too many to be enumerated. If [ 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 little worth; but such as it is, I have given it: it may serve as a suggestion.

I am, may it please your Excellency, yours sincerely.

GENERAL ORDERS.

Head-Quarters, New-York, June 15, 1776.

Head-Quarters, New-York, June 16, 1776.

The Continental Congress have been pleased to come to the following Resolution:

“IN CONGRESS, June 10, 1776.—Resolved, That the pay of the Continental Troops in the Middle Department be henceforth the same as that of the Troops in the Eastern Department.”

The General, therefore, directs that when the pay abstracts for any of the corps of the Middle Department are made out, the Colonels, or Commanding Officers thereof, will take care that the pay of the men, from the 10th of June, be the same as those of the Eastern Regiments.

The Brigadiers are to make themselves well acquainted with the nature and situation of the grounds on the North and East Rivers, for some considerable distance about the city, with the best approaches to them, that they may know how to occupy these grounds to the best advantage if occasion should require; and they are to cause the same to be done by their respective officers in turn.

Great and crying complaints being made against the Armourers, not only for their idleness but the deceitful manner in which their work is executed, the General does, in explicit terms, assure them, that if any further complaint of either should be exhibited, he will punish them in a most exemplary manner; of this the superintendant of that branch of business is desired to make them fully acquainted.

Lieutenant Walker, of Colonel Nixon’s Regiment, tried at the General Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Parsons is President, on a charge exhibited against him by Captain Butler, of said regiment, for “maliciously and falsely accusing him of high crimes and misdemeanours, and, in consequence of which, procuring him, the said Captain Butler, to be arrested and tried at a late General Court-Martial, by which he was honourably acquitted;” the Court, after mature consideration, are of opinion that Lieutenant Walker had sufficient grounds for exhibiting a complaint against Captain Butler, and that he is not guilty of maliciously and falsely accusing Captain Butler, and therefore do acquit the prisoner of the charge against him.

The General approves of the above sentence passed against Lieutenant Walker, and orders him released from his arrest.

Bowers Laybourn and Thomas Perry, both of Captain Van Wyck’s Company and Colonel McDougall’s Regiment, tried at the above Court-Martial for “desertion, ” are found guilty, and sentenced severally to be whipped thirty-nine lashes each, on his bare back, for their respective offences.

Henry Davis, of Captain Johnson’s Company, Colonel McDougall’s Regiment, tried at the above Court-Martial, for “desertion, ” is found guilty of the same, and sentenced to be whipped thirty lashes on his bare back for said offence.

The General approves of the above sentences, and orders the corporal punishment to be executed at the usual time and place.

Lieutenant Elijah Oakley, of Captain Stenrod’s Company, in Colonel McDougall’s Regiment, tried at the General Court-Martial whereof Colonel Nixon was President, for “assaulting and beating, without provocation, one Miss Patterson, an inhabitant of the City of New-York.”; The Court are of opinion that Lieutenant Oakley is guilty of the charge brought against him, and that he has behaved unworthy the character of a gentleman and officer; and the Court adjudge that he (Lieutenant Oakley) be cashiered for