be continued by Generals Schuyler and Gates, who are well apprized of the fatal consequences that may attend its infecting the whole Army. But a small part of the forces here have had it; were it not the case, neither policy nor prudence would allow me to send any more from hence that have seen the least of service. Too many have been already detached; to part with more would be to put all to the hazard.

The retreat of the Army from Canada, I doubt not, will occasion a general alarm to the frontier inhabitants, and our enemies, without question, will use every means they have to excite the savages against them; but I would fain hope their incursions will be prevented and repelled without much difficulty. The first opportunity I have, I will transmit a copy of your letter to Congress upon this subject, and request their attention to it.

I am, sir, with sentiments of great esteem, your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL WARD.

New-York, July 7, 1776.

SIR: I received your favour of the 30th ultimo, and I doubt not but the powder claimed by the Assembly of New-Hampshire was lent the Continent. The exposed situation of their frontiers renders every precaution necessary for their defence.

I think it would be proper to send a quantity of it to some safe place on the communication betwixt this and Boston, there to be ready in case of accident, or if it should be wanted. I therefore wish you to lodge at Norwich (which I suppose will be as secure as any other place) from three to four hundred barrels. In my letter of the 1st, I desired you to send a quantity of the Highlanders muskets that were taken. I pray your attention to my request, and that they may come with all possible expedition; the deficiency here in this essential article is greatly alarming. I am extremely sorry that your indisposition has increased, and I hope in a little time you will be relieved. It is now before Congress to determine whether the Continental Regiments at Boston should not be ordered from thence, as there is almost a moral certainty that the enemy mean not to make an attack there, but to bend their whole force against this Province. Four prisoners that fell into our hands last week, on a separate examination, agree, that General Howe, being joined by some regiments from the West-Indies, and part of the Scotch Highlanders, on his passage hither, has now about ten thousand men; that a few days before they left Halifax, an express packet arrived, ordering him to come to this place, where he would be joined by Admiral Howe, with a fleet of one hundred and fifty sail, with troops on board, which was about to sail when the packet did; that they are daily expected, which has been the reason nothing has been yet attempted. If Congress withdraw the regiments, you will be instantly relieved; and if they do not, I must send a General Officer (inconvenient as it is to spare one at this critical time) to take the command. I expect to know the result of their deliberations in a day or two. It will be right to comply with the order of the Board of War and Ordnance, and a list may be transmitted of the persons you have judged most proper to fill the vacancies.

I am, sir, with my best wishes for your recovery, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Major-General Ward.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO WILLIAM WATSON.

New-York, July 7, 1776.

SIR: I received yours of the 19th ultimo, and directed the papers you wrote for to be transmitted you, but find, upon inquiry, they are not among any in my possession now. Colonel Moylan, who used generally to receive and examine the papers appertaining to the prizes, being called upon, says that previous to his departure from Cambridge, he made up all the prize papers, and put them in such a channel as he thought most likely to convey them to the different agents. He supposes these were with the rest; he cannot recollect to whom they were delivered. If they cannot be got, you must try the legality of the captures upon such evidence as you can collect from the men who were in the vessels when they were taken, and from other circumstances. If they were going to Nova-Scotia for the purpose mentioned by the claimants, I presume it will not be difficult for them to prove it by witnesses. I am, sir, your humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COLONEL JAMES CLINTON.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 7, 1776.

SIR: I received yours by Major Rensselaer, and am pleased to find you are making the necessary preparations to repel the enemy in case of an attack. I hope you will be able to get arms sufficient for the men under your command who are destitute; but if not, you are to dismiss all those whom you cannot equip, (I mean to confine myself to the Militia wholly,) as it is equally absurd and unjust to keep men in Continental pay, who will be of no service in time of action for want of arms; it is, in fact, amusing ourselves with the appearance of strength, when at the same time we want the reality. Colonel Knox informs me he has no carriages to spare, but you can have the carriage wheels, which, with the iron, will be delivered to the care of Major Rensselaer. As to the balls for the small-arms, they should be sent if the sizes could be ascertained, so as to fit the muskets exactly; but as that cannot be done. I shall order a sufficient quantity of lead to be sent up, which you will direct to be cast into balls suitable for your purpose. You must furnish the bullet moulds in the best manner you can, as there are none here. With regard to the appointment of Doctor Tappan, I would just mention, that as it is a matter transacted between you and the Provincial Congress, in which I am quite unconnected, I would choose it should continue so; however, by renewing your application to the Congress, you will doubtless receive a satisfactory answer.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Colonel James Clinton.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

New-York, July 7, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I was yesterday honoured with your favour of the 2d instant, with the proceedings you have adopted in compliance with the requisition of Congress and my application since; for which, and your kind wishes for my success, I beg your acceptance of my most hearty thanks; and am, gentlemen, with sentiments of the greatest respect, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Hon. the General Court of Massachusetts-Bay, at Watertown.

HOSPITAL REGULATIONS.

Regulations agreed upon betwixt the Director-General of the American Hospital and the Regimental Surgeons and Mates at New-York, the day of July. 1776.

Rule 1. That every full Regiment or Battalion, provided with a Surgeon and Mate, or each Brigade, as the occasion may point out, ought to have some convenient quarters, to be appropriated by the proper Quartermaster, for the reception of such of the sick of that corps, and entitled a Regimental Hospital; which sick are to be attended by their own regimental Surgeons and Mates.

2. That it shall be the business of the Surgeons and Mates in all Regiments, to examine the soldiers in the same who are reported to be unfit for duty, and to separate from the well those who are sick, and to receive them into the Regimental Hospital.

3. That they keep a Register of those who are admitted into the Regimental Hospital, containing the patient's name, the company he belongs to, the days of his admission into and discharge from the Hospital, (agreeable to a form annexed.)

4. That he shall make daily returns of the sick in his Regiment to the commanding officer of the same, that it may be known who are fit for duty and who are not; and that such as are on the doctor's list may not be included in the provision return of the Regiment.

5. That the Surgeon shall every day prescribe the diet of each sick person under his care, according to the diet tables established in the General Hospital, or other suitable tables to be agreed on, under the titles of full diet, half diet, spare diet, dry diet, milk diet, &c.