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SIR,
Inclosed is account of the charges and expenses incurred by providing for Messrs. Penet and De Pliarne, in their journey to Philadelphia, by your Excellency's direction. I have sent forward to you the bills, showing how the account arose. Please to order payment to be made, and sent to me by the post who brings this.
The battalion raising in this Colony, to march to the assistance of our friends at Canada, are enlisted to serve until the 1st of February next, with bounty, pay, wages, and allowances, agreeable to resolve of Congress, sent me by the express who last came to you this way.
Our Treasury was exhausted, and knew not how to set the troops forward, until Saturday. intelligence came to me that twelve thousand two hundred dollars were received from the Honorable Congress for that purpose. My proclamation was out some time before, and I hear that men enlist freely, and hope they will be on their march soon; have ordered them to go off by divisions, and hope nothing will retard them.
Through fear of delay, I wrote, last week, to you on the head of our payment of the troops that served under you last season ; the pay-rolls are to meet your approbation and order for payment ; and although provision is received for those going to Canada, yet there remain innumerable calls we are unable to answer without further supplies, and apprehend payment is to be made by you on those rolls.
Three battalions, raised and marching to your camp. will come on soon ; three dollars a man was paid, in part of wages, to enable them to make necessary provisions. I hear that two or three companies are gone forward, and the rest going this week.
I received a letter from Major-General Lee, dated at Stamford, January 31st, wherein he writes; U A most unexpected and severe attack of the rheumatism or gout has seized me here, and prevented me personally proceeding. I have sent Colonel Waterbury on, as he is sufficiently strong in numbers betwixt his own regiment and the volunteers. I thought it prudent to order back Ward's regiment, till they received your Honor's further orders." In another scrip, he says ; " There is a late resolve of the Continental Congress, which, had I seen before, would have stopped me. It is, that every detachment of the army is to act under the direction of the provincial Congress where it is. What then will be the use of a detachment at New York ? I answer by asking, is New York to be left to be more inimical to us than even the Province of Quebec? The policy of many there is strained to the utmost against our rights. However, I hope better things of their congress, if not perverted by artful threats and craft."
Since writing thus far, I am. informed that General Lee was carried into New York in a litter, and three members of the Continental Congress are to meet him there, to settle measures of conduct.
I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your obedient, humble servant,
- 1776
- Source:
- Correspondence of the American Revolution; Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Volume I., Jared Sparks, 1853
