Spithead of the remainder of that body, which has been some time on board the transports in the Wesel. So large a reinforcement will, I trust, enable General Howe to open the campaign with advantage, and to strike some blow which will give spirit and vigour to the friends of Government and incite them to take an active and resolute part in freeing themselves from that cruel oppression under which they have so long groaned.

The Province of New-York will certainly be a main object of the General's attention; and as I am not without hopes that before this letter comes to your hands you will have the satisfaction of seeing him, it is unnecessary for me to acquaint you further with the operations which are intended to be carried on in that Province. I shall therefore only add my most hearty wishes for their success, and that they may, in their issue, restore the blessings of peace and legal Government to his Majesty's faithful subjects.

I am, &c.,

GEORGE GEBMAINE.

To Governour Tryon.

LORD GEORGE GERMAINE TO GOVERNOUR TRYON.

Whitehall, June 11, 1776.

SIR: Your several despatches by the Swallow packet, numbered from one to nine inclusive, and two private letters dated the 17th April, were received at my office the 3d instant, and I immediately laid them before the King.

The intelligence contained in the papers you transmit with these despatches is of the greatest importance; and although you do not say what degree of credit ought to be given to it, yet, as the accounts stated to have been received at New-York of the Rebels' having met with a second repulse at Quebeck are corroborated by many circumstances, and particularly by the measures they have taken for strengthening their posts on the frontiers, we flatter ourselves that the first vessel which arrives from Quebeck will bring a confirmation of this good news. I will not, however, anticipate the consequences of an event which is not yet confirmed; but if it proves to be only in part as favourable as your intelligence represents, I shall have little doubt that our operations on that side will have all the success we could wish, and that Crown Point and Ticonderoga will be restored to his Majesty's possession before the campaign is ended.

It was to have been expected that the departure of the troops from Boston would turn the attention of the Rebels to New-York; but I trust General Howe has ere this fixed his Head-Quarters in that city, and that he will soon find himself in sufficient force to drive the Rebels out of the Province, and give effectual protection to his Majesty's loyal subjects; and I will hope that not only those who have adhered to their duty, but even many who have been misled into a concurrence with the Rebels in some of their measures, will be induced to take up arms and join the King's standard, from a just sense of the dreadful consequences which they have experienced, and which must ever follow a departure from the mode of government established by the Constitution, and an opposition to lawful authority.

Your influence and advice at such a time must be attended with the happiest effects, and I am commanded by the King to repeat to you his Majesty's great satisfaction in your continuance in your Government; and that the firm and prudent conduct you have persevered in, notwithstanding all the difficulties you have encountered and the hazards to which you have been exposed, is very much approved by the King.

The facility with which Lieutenants Campbell and Grant have inlisted men at New-York is a very pleasing proof of the good disposition of the people to return to their duty, if they were assured they might do it with safety; and I doubt not General Howe will reward the diligence of those officers, by continuing them in the command of the companies they have raised. But I must acquaint you, that in this instance, as well as in all others which may occur, the officers who are appointed to command corps raised in America, are to be on the same footing in respect to rank as the Provincial troops employed in the last war; and that they are neither to expect rank in the army after their reduction, in consequence of such commissions, or to be entitled to half-pay. I should be very glad to show every attention to your recommendation, but, from what I have told you in respect to the Lieutenants Campbell and Grant, you will readily perceive the difficulties which oppose themselves in the way of Captain Stevenson's request.

Two hundred copies of the pamphlet you mentioned in your letter of the 6th April, will be sent to you with this despatch by the packet; and I shall order five thousand more to be put on board the first ships that sail from hence for New-York. I am, &c.,

GEO. GERMAINE.

To Governour Tryon.

P. S. When I was closing my letter Major Caldwell arrived express from Quebeck, with the account of the raising the siege, which you will see in the enclosed Gazette Extraordinary; and although it shows our former intelligence to have had no foundation, it happily agrees with it in the event, on which I most heartily congratulate you.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

New-York, July 8, 1776.

SIR: Congress having resolved to raise a regiment of Germans, to counteract the designs of our enemies, I must beg leave to recommend to their notice John David wilpert, now a First Lieutenant in Colonel Shea's battalion, to the office of Captain in said regiment. I am personally acquainted with him, and know that he joined the Virginia forces under my command, in the year 1754, and continued in service the whole war, during which he conducted himself as an active, vigilant, and brave officer. He is a German, and his merit as a soldier entitles him much to the office he wishes for.

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

GO. WASHINGTON.

To John Hancock, Esq., President of Congress.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

New-York, July 8, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: At the request of an old officer of mine, and who at present is a First Lieutenant in Colonel Shea's battalion, I am induced to recommend him to your honourable Committee as a fit person to command a company in the German battalion directed by a resolution of Congress to be raised in your Province. John David Wilpert, late of your city, is the person I mean. He is a German by birth; was a soldier in his own country; served many years as an officer in the regiment I had the honour to command in the Virginia service; always supported the character of a diligent and brave officer; and, as far as I know and believe, is a man of good character. If, therefore, he could be appointed to the command of a company in the above regiment, I would, from my knowledge of the man, pledge myself for his good behaviour and meriting of it.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To the Committee of Safety for the City of Philadelphia.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COLONEL SEYMOUR.

Head-Quarters, New-York, July 8, 1776.

SIR: By a letter from his Honour Governour Trumbull, received on the 5th instant, I was informed he had ordered three regiments of Horse on to this place, (under your command,) with all possible despatch, and was desired, in case they were not wanted, to inform Colonel Silliman thereof. Accordingly, I wrote Colonel Silliman, acquainting him it was my desire the men might come on, provided they could leave or send back their horses, which letter did not go forward as soon as I intended. Major Starr this morning waited on me, informing of his arrival with fifty of the troop, and that the rest were on their march. I have ordered him to find some pasture for his horses this day, and immediately ride forward and acquaint you that there is not more forage on hand, or to be had, than is absolutely necessary for the use of our working and artillery horses; and that it is my desire your men may be halted some way in the rear of this place, and their horses sent back: otherwise the men can only be a moth and a check to the service, as they cannot act as horse-men in case of action, or if they could, forage could not be found to support them. I think it absolutely necessary the