What Lawyer to advise you to engage in the Room of the Attorney Genl. I know not, you are much better acquainted with the Abilities of the Gentlemen at your Bar than I am, and know better how to chuse. Mr. Mercer it cannot possible be, because he is a party, and I believe has engaged both Mr. Pendleton and Mr. Wythe on his Side. the person next in reputation (if those Gentlemen are retaind) should meet our choice; and him, as above, you can better point out than I can.

All my Military Operations have been so restraind for want of Powder, that little has been done to effect till within these eight days; when determining to take Post on Dorchester Neck (South of Boston, and with our other Works in a manner encircling of it) I found it necessary to draw of the Enemys attention from that spot as much as possible; in order to this, and at the sametime to harrass them, I began on Saturday Night the 2d. Instt. a Canonade and Bombardment of Boston, continu'd it on Sunday Night, and on Monday Night without the least Intermission, during which time (that is on Monday Night) I began my Works on Dorchester, and had so effectually diverted their attention from my main design that before Morning we were so securely fixed as to bid them defiance, however upon discovering what we were about the next Morning, they made great preparation to come out and attack the Work, and had Imbarkd 3000 Men in Transports for the purpose; whilst all their light Infantry and Grenadiers were to have Imbark'd in Flat bottomd Boats to their aid, but a storm which arose, or an appearance which they liked not, in our preparation to receive them, occasioned a disimbarkation and now they are preparing with the utmost precipitation to quit the Town; for what other place time only can tell; but as New York is most likely to be their object, I shall endeavour to meet them there. Our loss in this whole Canonade has been 6 killed and about

as many wounded. theirs we know not, except that Six Men in one Barrack, and by one Ball, had all their Legs taken off. Mrs. Washington joins me in respectful Complimts. to Mrs. Tayloe, yourself and Family, and to yr. good Neighbours at Sabine Hall. I am etc."

52

*To MAJOR GENERAL ARTEMAS WARD

53

Cambridge, March 24, 1776.

Sir: I shall be obliged to you to send the Inclosed Letter to Colo. Quincy, either to Night, or early in the Morning. As these favourable Winds do not waft the fleet from Nantasket, my Suspicion's are more and more roused. I wish therefore the Fire Rafts talked of by Colo. Tupper, could be attempted in a Windy, or dark Night, I think this would discover their designs if no other good effect resulted from it. I am etc.

[MS. H.S.]

TO MAJOR GENERAL ARTEMAS WARD

Providence, April 6, 1776. Sir: I have given such instructions to Mr. Park" the assistant Quarter Master General that if he pays a proper attention to them you will have Little trouble, with his department, however I would recommend to you to keep him attentive to his duty, and as it is probable he may want more money to defray the necessary expences, of the Army you will grant him a warrant, for what he may have occasion for, I shall Sett off this evening for Norwich, there is a Letter inclosing a Key for Mr.

"From a photostat of the original kindly laoned by Mrs. J. Clayton Mitchell, of Lloyds, Va., through Dr. Josiah H. Penniman, provost of the University of Pennsylvania.

53

Josiah Quincy. (See Washington's lette rto Josiah Quincy, March 24, 1776 (vol 4, p. 421).

54

Maj. John Parke.

Austin, which I pray you will forward to him on receipt, there were a great number of Kettles and other articles belonging to the Camp Laying about Roxborough Church, your hinting to Mr. Parke that great Care shoud be had of these things, may be of Service. I am, etc."

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS

New York, May 9, 1776.

Sir: When I was on the Road from Cambridge to this Place, I received a Letter from a Gentleman who subscribed it, Le Baron de Calbiac. He therein mentions that he was a Captain of Dragoons in the French Service, that he comes to offer his Service to the United Colonies, that he attempted to come about the latter End of November, was taken by an English Frigate commanded by Capt. Young with 160 Fusees and 20 Barrels of Powder, that he got his Liberty thro the Friendship of Captn. Young, got to Dominique, from thence to Guadaloupe, took Passage again on Board of a Vessel bound to Philadelphia or New London, which by contrary Winds was obliged to put into Bedford Harbour to the Eastward. He has a Pass from the Governor of Guadaloupe, which gives him his Title. He desires a Line to you from me, and what I have mentioned is all I know of the Bearer. I am etc.56

TO REVEREND WILLIAM GORDON

New York, May 13, 1776.

... No matter from what cause your promptness to work proceeded, whether from the Salem acc't of an Invasion, or the

5

In the writing of Stephen Moylan. From a facsimile of the original in the Frederick S. Peck Collection, of Barrington, R. I.

The text is from President John Hancock's letter-book, transferred to the Library of Congress from the Massachusetts Historical Society.

NEW YORK DEFENSES

58

525

59

57

general Plan of Security; which common prudence rendered obviously necessary for the preservation of every capital place. If the work is done, I will not quarrel about the motives, for you may be assured it was no small degree of vexation to me, to hear (as I did from various hands) of the slothful manner in which they were executing. I could not help writing to Gen' Ward " on this Subject, and roundly to the Engineer, under whose conduct the Fortifications were going on... It is but too common for Men under accusation to endeavour to exculpate themselves by charging others. I would therefore ask, if Gen'l W—5o is judged an improper person to Command five Regiments in a peaceable Camp, or Garrison, (for in truth I did not, nor do not, expect any further attempt will be made upon Boston) why was he appointed to the first Military Command in the Massachusetts Government? by whom was he appointed in the first Instance? and by whom supported in the next? Could I think the Second Officer in Command; an Officer of their own Creating, an improper person to Intrust the immediate defence of the Government to, admitting that active Scenes were like to follow. If on the other hand they were not, and my opinion had coincided with theirs respecting Gen'l W-was it not prudent in me to bring active officers into active service? consider the matter in either point of view then and I think reason will acquit me, but free People will judge freely, and I do not condemn them for it, it is the only way to bring matters to a fair discussion..

...

We have not been idle since I came here, nor were they before. Many capital works of defence are Erected, and others Erecting. Ten or twelve days [more will, I think, put us in a respectable posture for defending this City and the passage of

58

See Washington's letter to Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward, May 9, 1776 (vol. 5, p. 25).

See Washington's letter to Col. Richard Gridley, Apr. 28, 1776 (vol. 4, p. 528). General Ward.

the North River. Our force tho', I should add, is considerable reduced by the two Brigades which have been sent to Canada; consisting of ten of our strongest Regiments, undr. the Command of Genls. Sullivan and Thompson.

The fortunate discovery, of the Intentions of Ministry, in Lord George Germains Letter to Govr. Eden is to be Rank'd among many other signal Interpositions of Providence, and must serve to inspire every reflecting Mind with Confidence. No Man has a more perfect Reliance on the alwise, and powerful dispensations of the Supreme Being than I have nor thinks his aid more necessary. the favourable Sentiments you say the Gentlemen of Providence are pleased to entertain of me are exceedingly flattering, and when by an attentive observance, and discharge of my duty I can acquire the good wishes and prayers of our American Friends I shall think myself] double happy; happy in their good opinion, happy; in a conscious Integrity

61

60

To JOHN JAY

Head Quarters, June 29, 1776.

Genl. Washington presents his complimts. to Mr. Livingston 1 and Mr. Jay; thanks them most cordially for their kind Information and Invitation; but is so exceedingly hurried just at this time, that it is not in his power to attend the examination of G. Forbes."2 He begs it may go on, and will take it exceedingly kind if Forbes and the examination when taken, be sent to head Quarters at half after four o'clock, when the General will have an officer or two present to question him, and com

From the extracts printed in an auction catalogue, 1937. The portion in brackets is facsimiled therein from the original, which is entirely in the writing of Washington. 81 Robert R. Livingston.

62

'Gilbert Forbes, a gunsmith of New York City.