GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PBESTDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 18, 1776, and referred to the Board of War.]

New-York, July 17, 1776.

SIR: I was this morning honoured with yours of the 15th instant, with sundry resolves. I perceive the measures Congress have taken to expedite the raising of the Flying-Camp, and providing it with articles of the greatest use. You will see, by a postscript to my letter of the 14th, that I had written to the commanding officer of the Pennsylvania Militia, ordering them to be inarched from Trenton to Amboy, as their remaining there could not answer the least publick good; for, having consulted with many gentlemen, I am informed if the enemy mean to direct their views towards Pennsylvania, or penetrate the Jerseys, their route will be from near Amboy, and either by the way of Brunswick or Boundbrook, the lower road from South-Amboy being through a woody, sandy country; besides, they will be then able to throw in succour here, and to receive it from hence in cases of emergency.

The Connecticut Lighthorse, mentioned in my letter of the 11th, notwithstanding their then promise to continue here for the defence of this place, are now discharged, and about to return home, having peremptorily refused all kind of fatigue duty, or even to mount guard, claiming an exemption as Troopers. Though their assistance is much needed, and might be of essential service in case of an attack, yet I judged it advisable, on their application and claim of such indulgences, to discharge them; as granting them would set an example to others, and might produce many ill consequences. The number of men included in the last return, by this, is lessened about five hundred.

I last night received a letter of the 12th instant from General Schuyler, with several enclosures, copies of which I have herewith transmitted. They will give Congress every information I have respecting the northern Army, and the situation of our affairs in that quarter, to which I beg leave to refer their attention. I cannot but express my surprise at the scarcity of provision which General Schuyler mentions, after what the Commissary assured me, and which formed a part of my letter of the 14th; he still assures me of the same. This is a distressing circumstance, as every article of provision and everything necessary for that department can have no other now than a land conveyance, the water communication from hence to Albany being entirely cut off. Congress will please to consider the enclosure No. 6, about raising six companies out of the inhabitants about the lakes, to prevent the incursions of the Indians. The General Officers, in their Minutes of Council, have determined it to be a matter of much importance, and their attention to the price of goods furnished the soldiery may be extremely necessary. They have complained much upon this head.

The retreat from Crown-Point seems to be considered in opposite views by the General and Field Officers: the former, I am satisfied, have weighed the matter well, and yet the reasons assigned by the latter against it appear strong and forcible. I hope whatever is done will be for the best.

I was apprehensive the appointment of General Gates over General Sullivan would give the latter disgust. His letter, which I transmitted to Congress, seemed to warrant the suspicion. He is not arrived yet; when he does, I shall try to settle the affair with him, and prevail on him to continue, as I think his resignation will take from the service a useful and good officer.

By a letter from the Committee of Orange County, received this morning, the men-of-war and tenders were yesterday at Haverstraw Bay, about forty miles above this. A number of men, in four barges from the tenders, attempted to land, with a view, they suppose, of taking some sheep and cattle that had been previously removed; A small number of Militia who were collected obliged them to retreat, without their doing any damage with their cannon. They were sounding the water up towards the Highlands, by which it is probable they will attempt to pass with part of the fleet, if possible.

Yesterday evening a flag came from General Howe, with a letter addressed "To George Washington, Esq., &c, &c., &c.," It was not received, on the same principle that the one from Lord Howe was refused.

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

GO. WASHINGTON.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

New-York, July 17, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Yesterday evening I was favoured with yours of the 12th instant, with its several enclosures.

As to the propriety or impropriety of giving up Crown-Point, and vacating that post, it is impossible for me to determine. My ignorance of the country, my unacquaintance with its situation, and a variety of circumstances, will not permit me to pronounce any certain opinion upon the subject, or to declare whether it might or could not be maintained against the enemy. I doubt not the measure was duly weighed by the General Officers in council, and seemed to them best calculated to secure the Colonies and prevent the enemy from penetrating into them. However, I cannot but observe, (though I do not mean to encourage in the smallest degree, or to give the least sanction to inferior officers to set up their opinions against the proceedings and councils of their superiors, knowing the dangerous tendency of such a practice,) that the reasons assigned by the officers in their remonstrance, appear to me forcible and of great weight: they coincide with my own ideas. I have ever understood Crown-Point to be an important post, and, from its situation, of the utmost consequence to us, especially if we want to keep the superiority and mastery of the Lake. If it is abandoned by us, it is natural to suppose the enemy will possess it. If they do, and my judgment does not mislead me, any vessels or galleys we employ upon the Lake will certainly be in their rear, and it will not be in our power to bring them down to Ticonderoga, or the post opposite to it, or from thence to have the least communication with them, or the means of granting them succours or supplies of any kind. Perhaps it is intended to employ the galleys only on the communication between the two posts, that of Crown-Point and the one now to be established. How far they would there answer our, views, I cannot tell. As I said before, I have not a sufficient knowledge of the several posts, or the neighbouring country, to form an accurate judgment upon the matter, and of consequence do not design anything I have said by way of direction, trusting that whatever is best to advance the interest of the important struggle we are engaged in will be done.

I am extremely sorry to hear such unfavourable accounts of the condition of the Army. Sickness of itself is sufficiently bad; but when discord and disorder are added, greater misfortunes cannot befall it, except that of a defeat. While they prevail, there is but little hope of things succeeding well. I must entreat your attention to these matters, and your exertions to introduce more discipline, and to do away the unhappy pernicious distinctions and jealousies between the troops of different Governments. Enjoin this upon the officers, and let them inculcate, and press home to the soldiers, the necessity of order and harmony among those who are embarked in one common cause, and mutually contending for all that freemen hold dear. I am persuaded, if the officers will but exert themselves, that these animosities and disorders will in a great measure subside; and nothing being more essential to the service than that they should, I am hopeful nothing on their part will be wanting to effect it.

The scarcity of provisions which you mention surprises me much. I had hoped that an ample and competent supply for a considerable time was now in store; nor can I but believe the most lavish and extravagant waste has been made of it. Not longer than three or four days ago, and just after the two men-of-war and tenders passed by, as mentioned in my last, the situation of the northern Army, in respect to this article, occurred to my mind, and induced an inquiry of the Commissary about it, being certain the water communication with Albany would be entirely cut off; and I was happy to find from him, that the supplies he had forwarded would be fully sufficient for ten thousand men for four months. This I informed Congress of as a most fortunate event. To be told now that there is none, or next to none, is so contrary to what I expected, that I am filled with wonder and astonishment. I have informed the Commissary of it, who is equally surprised; and must request, as our navigation is so circumstanced, that you will direct those whose business it is, to use every possible means to provide such supplies as may be necessary; and that proper attention be paid to the expenditure, or it will be impossible ever to subsist that Army.

As to intrenching tools, I have from time to time forwarded all that can possibly be spared. I have directed the Quar-