George Washington,

Concerning Arms in the hands of the People -

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Journals of the Continental Congress,
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1775

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"...At the same Court, Hate-evil Colston of Colo. Nixon's Regiment was tried for entering the house of Reuben Crosby, an Inhabitant of Frederick'sburgh, by force of Arms in company with one more, and taking from thence about three hundred dollars in Continental Money, one Musquet...."

“...He is determined to make Examples which will deter the boldest and most harden'd offenders. Men who are called out by their Country to defend the Rights and Property of their fellow Citizens, who are abandoned enough to violate those Rights and plunder that Property deserve and shall receive no Mercy.”

- George Washington, October 23, 1778, General Orders. [The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.]

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"...General Washington is chosen commander-in-chief, General Ward the first major-general, and General Lee the second, (the last has not yet accepted,) and Major Gates adjutant-general. Lee and Gates are experienced officers. We have proceeded no further as yet...."

"...There is something charming to me in the conduct of Washington. A gentleman of one of the first fortunes upon the continent, leaving his delicious retirement, his family and friends, sacrificing his ease, and hazarding all in the cause of his country! His views are noble and disinterested. He declared, when he accepted the mighty trust, that he would lay before us an exact account of his expenses, and not accept a shilling for pay...."

- John Adams, June 18, 1775 letter to Elbridge Gerry. [Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 1.]

There are many people in this country that have contended that the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms has always been contingent upon militia duty. This contention is plainly baseless and false. To the people that make such erroneous claims, the following TRUTHS are submitted:

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to William Fairfax,

Alexandria, August 11, 1754.

"...An account must be first sent of the quantity which is wanted; this, added to the carriage up, with the necessary Tools, &c., that must be had, as well as the time of bringing them round, will, I believe, advance us into that season, when it is usual, in more moderate climates, to retreat into Winter Quarters, but here, with us, to begin a campaign.⁶²

[Note 62: There was a misunderstanding between the governor and the House of Burgesses, which prevented any appropriation of money at this juncture. It had been a custom in former times that when the governor signed a patent for land, he should receive a fee of a pistole* (about $3.60) for every such signature, which was a perquisite of his office. This fee had been revived by Governor Dinwiddie, but the House of Burgesses considered it an onerous exaction, and determined to resist it. As the governor refused to sign patents on any other terms, the burgesses had the year before passed some spirited resolves, and sent an agent to England with a petition to the King's Council that this custom might be abolished. The agent was Peyton Randolph, then attorney general of Virginia, and afterwards president of the first American Congress. While he was absent, the governor wrote to a correspondent in England: "I have had a great deal of trouble and uneasiness from the factious disputes and violent heats of a most impudent troublesome party here, in regard to that silly fee of a pistole; they are very full of the success of their agent, which I give small notice to." The attorney general returned, without effecting his whole object, but the board of trade made new regulations, by which relief was afforded in certain cases, and the fee was prohibited except where the quantity of land patented was more than zoo acres. (See Journal of the House of Burgesses, November, 1753.) ...]

* Editorial Note - Although the "pistole" referred to is more than likely "a coin, sometimes called a doubloon, and worth roughly the purchase price of a cow." Its mention does allow for the introduction of some facts. For, it was indeed the RIGHT of an English subject to "have arms for their defense". To Wit;

"That the subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law..."

- English Bill of Rights of 1689.

The above therefore firmly establishes that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" is a preexistent right. And, as pointed out by the eminent Mr. Tucker below, a Natural Right as well.

In order to gain a proper perspective as to the true intent of our Second Amendment, in comparison to the English Right, (as stipulated above). It is necessary to recur to a very knowledgeable authority on the subject. The man being quoted was present at the debates concerning our Constitution and Bill of Rights. And, was and still is, a highly respected legal scholar;

"The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, and this without any qualification as to their condition or degree, as is the case in the British government...."

"....This may be considered as the true palladium of liberty....The right of self-defense is the first law of nature; in most governments it has been the study of rulers to confine this right within the narrowest limits possible. Whenever standing armies are kept up, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any color or pretext whatsoever, prohibited, liberty, if not already annihilated, is on the brink of destruction."

- St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries, (1803).

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to Andrew Lewis,

October 27, 1755.

You are hereby ordered to send out Parties to gather the Corn at the Plantations of those people, who are supposed to be killed or taken prisoners by the Indians, and have it secured for the Publick; taking a particular account of what is gathered from each Plantation. You are also to send out small Parties to Protect the Country People, while they gather their their Corn that is near the Fort. When the Indians arrive with Captain Montour or Gist, you are to see them properly provided with all necessaries, and use your utmost endeavours to see them duly encouraged; and the Officers are all desired to take notice of them and treat them kindly, as their assistance at this time is absolutely necessary. As there are several people near this place who were killed by the Indians, and have not yet been buried, you are to send out a Party for that purpose. You are to collect all the Arms which have been given out to the Country People, and Fuses (intended for the Indians) which were delivered to the Sergeants here, and return them to the Stores. You are to cause the Bottom on the other side of the Creek to be cleared immediately; which the frequent alarms and hard Duty, have hitherto prevented. You are to see that the Blankets belonging to the Publick, which the Officers made use of on the march, be immediately restored; and you are to deliver to the most needy of the men of the Virginia Regiment, Shoes and Blankets.

The Officers to take notice what men are Served. You are to see that the Articles of War are frequently read to the men.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie,

Winchester, April 7, 1756.

"...I have ordered the party there to be made as strong as time and our present circumstances will afford, for fear they should attempt to execute the orders of Dumas. I have also ordered up an officer and twenty recruits to assist Joseph Edwards, and the people on those waters. The people of this town are under dreadful apprehensions of an attack, and all the roads between this and Fort Cumberland are much infested. As I apprehend you will be obliged to draft men, I hope care will be taken that none are chosen but active, resolute men,--men, who are practised to arms, and are marksmen...."

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington, May 26, 1756, Evening Orders

As many Draughts are expected up for the Regiment immediately the Commissary is to call in all the Countrys Arms, which he has delivered out of the Stores, upon receipts given to the people. If the people of the Town or Country, have any Arms, clothes, Blankets, &c. &c. belonging to the Soldiers, which they have bought; they are desired to give them in immediately to the commanding officers: If they are found in their possession after issuing this Order; they must expect to be prosecuted to the utmost riguor of the Law; which has laid a penalty of twenty pounds (upon any person who buys or exchanges any Arms, Clothes &c. with a Soldier;) to be paid to the Informer.***

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie,

Winchester, June 25, 1756.

"...Two hundred and forty-six draughts are the total number brought in, out of which number several have deserted. Three were discharged, being quite unfit for service, (and indeed several more ought to be, if men were not so scarce,) and there remain now in confinement six Quakers, who will neither bear arms, work, receive provisions or pay, or do any thing that tends, in any respect, to self-defence. I should be glad of your Honor's directions how to proceed with them.⁷⁶ I cannot yet return to your Honor the names of the volunteers, that will be appointed to the vacancies, but as soon as I arrive at Fort Cumberland shall acquaint you according to request."

[Note 76: "If the six Quakers will not fight you must compel them to work on the forts, to carry timber, &c.; if this will not do confine them with a short allowance of bread and water, till you bring them to reason."-- Dinwiddie to Washington. July 1, 1756.]

Letters to Washington and Accompanying Papers. Published by the Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Edited by Stanislaus Murray Hamilton.

Robert Dinwiddie to George Washington,

WILLIAMSBURG July 1st: 1756

SIR

Last Night I recd: Yrs of the 25th: Ulto.--I am sorry for the Delay of the Waggon with the Tools probably occasion'd by the badness of the Horses, but I hope e'er this they are with You.

I approve of Your consulting at a Council of War in regard to building of Forts, which I fear will be attended with very great Delays from the small number of Men You have, & I think it will not be proper to divide Yr. Men at too great Distances therefore You must build them one after another, so that on occasion You may collect a proper number to repell any Forces that may appear against You. As the Six Nations have sumon'd the Delawares & Shawnesse to Onondago, I hope they will comply therewith & in course be ordered to live peaceably with us.

Inclos'd You have a Letr. to Capt. Hogg & another to the Commanding Officer of the Militia in Augusta; & I desire You will give Ct. Hogg Your Opinion & Direction in regard to building of Forts on their Frontiers, which I hope will answer the Intent of protecting our Frontiers by Forts. I very much approve of the Field Officers having each a Company, which You may now put in execution, tho' I am sorry to think we have so many Officers & so few Rank & File. --

I am surpriz'd there are no more than 246 draughted Men & so bad as three to be discharg'd, send me an Acct. of the Number from each County--If the six Quakers will not fight You must compell them to work on the Forts, to carry morter Timber &c. if this will not do confine them with a short Allowance of Bread & Water till You bring them to reason or provide others in their room².

[Note 2: 1 Washington had written to Dinwiddie, June 25, "There remain in confinement six Quakers, who will neither bear arms, work, receive provisions, or pay, or do anything that tends, in any respect, to self-defence. I should be glad of your Honor's directions how to proceed with them."]

I am glad Gov. Sharpe is building a Fort which will be so useful, but the Assembly of Myld allow no more than 1100 to enlist & maintain 200 Men build a Fort & three Block Houses & I daresay the Gov. will not exceed the Note of Assembly.²

[Note 2: 2 The Assembly of Maryland had passed a bill for raising forty thousand pounds for his Majesty's service. Eleven thousand to be appropriated to building a fort on the frontiers, and twenty-five thousand for carrying on any expedition for the public service, in which the other colonies might join. The Governor was authorized also to raise two hundred men to be employed in constructing the fort. Acts of Assembly passed in May, 1756.]

I consulted the Treasurer³ now here, about the Militia, & he is of Opinion they will all desert therefore he & I agree that those that will not remain shd. be return'd to their Counties, & that You write to the Lieut.s of those Countys to make Draughts from their Militia agreeable to the Act of Assembly & send them up to You by the Major of each County but if You can prevail on any of them to remain till Decr. let them know they will be paid as Militia to that Time--I recomend to You to persuade those that are Tradesmen & can handle the ax &c. to remain in building of Forts & You may augmt. their Pay as You & they can agree--I am fully convinc'd the few Men You will have remaing. are not sufficient for Defence & building the Forts, nor can I at present propose any Method to augmt. Your Regmt. I am really ashamed of the dastardly pusillanimous Spirit of the People in general at this time of Danger. & we must depend much more on the Protection of Heaven, than on the second means expected from us by God.--I recomend You to his guidance, & wishing You Health I remain

[Note 3: 3 1John Robinson, who held the position of Treasurer of the Colony as well as Speaker of the House of Burgesses.]

... Sir
... Your most hble Servt.
... ROBT. DINWIDDIE
I hope You will send me a
proper Roll of all our Men
by this Expres--We have no
Acct. of Lord Loudon's arrival

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie,

June 10, 1757.

"...I am importuned by the country people inhabiting the small Forts, for Supplies of ammunition*. I have refused them all, until I know your Sentiments. Ammunition is not to be purchased; and indeed some of them are too poor to buy, if it was. Therefore they apply to me. If your Honor thinks proper to order me to deliver it out to such people as I conceive will appropriate it to a good use, and in such quantities as we may be able to spare, I will do it; but not without...."

*- Why would "the country people" want ammunition if they had nothing to use it in?

Letters to Washington and Accompanying Papers. Published by the Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Edited by Stanislaus Murray Hamilton.

William Denny to John Stanwix,

[Note 3: 3 Lieutenant-Governor of Pennsylvania from August, 1756, to October, 1759. This, the original letter, evidently forwarded by Colonel Stanwix to Washington.]

PHILADELPHIA 7th. July 1757.

DEAR SIR

I acknowledge the Receit of your kind Letter of the Twenty Eight of June with the Papers, which I have copied and are all returned You. I am glad the Affair does not turn out so bad as was expected, tho' a great deal of Mischief may be done by such a strong Party dividing itself into small ones, and murdering the Inhabitants--Woud but the People take up Arms, and hunt the Indians as they are hunted themselves, they might better protect their Wives, Children and Plantations.

I think with Mr. Croghan that the Cherokees shoud be well rewarded, and shall recommend it to the Commissioners to furnish the necessary Presents.

I have this morning received a Letter, giving me an Account, that Teedyuscung¹ is arrived at Fort Allen, and expects One Hundred Seneca Indians there, to accompany him to the Treaty which is to be held at Easton. I will not proceed to treat till Mr. Croghan either comes to me, or I know he is at Easton. It is left to him to take which Road he pleases. Pray send an Express with my Letter to him wherever he is. He can likewise assist the Commissioners to provide things for the Cherokee Present, which may be sent up to You, if You please to take upon You the Trouble of employing some proper Person to distribute them.

[Note 1: 1 King Teedyscung, chief of the Delawares, whose behavior had already given much concern. "The King and his wild Company were perpetually drunk, very much on the gascoon, and at times abusive to the inhabitants, for they all spoke English more or less. The King was full of himself, saying frequently, that which side soever he took must stand, and the other fall; repeating it with insolence, that he came from the French, who had pressed him much to join them against the English, that now he was in the middle between the French and English, quite disengaged from both sides and whether he joined with the English or French he would publish it aloud to the World that all nations might know it." -- Diary of Major Parsons, Pennsylvania Archives, vol. ii. p. 724.]

I very much approve of your burying the bad Provisions, and ordering the Men to be supplied with good, which I shall communicate to the Commissioners with your Remarks on the new Doctrine in Service, in not trusting the Commander of a Battalion with a single Shilling of ready Money. The Governor is upon the same Footing.

Mr. Peters sends You the Gazette, in which You will see a Paragraph of the sailing of Admiral Holbourne with Fifteen Sail of the Line &c, of which I give You Joy. Capt. Rankin is a Person of Character and may be depended on.

... I am, Dear Sir, very sincerely
... Your most obedient
... humble servant
... WILLIAM DENNY.

Pray make my compliments, and say something for me to the Officers.

Please to forward the enclosed Letter to Mr. Atkin at Winchester; it comes from Sir William Johnson, & contains Matters of Consequence. If he shoud be gone, Col. Washington will send it after him wherever he is.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie,

[Fort Loudoun], October 24, 1757.

Honble. Sir: Your favour of the 19th instant was delivered to me this evening.

The raising a company of Rangers, or augmenting our strength in some other manner, is so far necessary, that without it, the remaining inhabitants of this (once fertile and populous) valley will scarcely be detained at their dwellings 'till the Spring. And, if there is no Expedition to the westward then, nor a force more considerable than Virginia can support, posted on our frontiers (if we still adhere to our destructive, defensive schemes,) there will not, next campaign I dare affirm, be one soul living on this side the Blue Ridge the ensuing autumn; unless it be the Troops in Garrison, and a few inhabitants of this town, who may shelter themselves under the protection of this fort. This I know to be the immovable determination of all the settlers of this County; which to give a more succinct account of than I cou'd in writing, was the principal among many other reasons that induced me to ask leave to come down. It was not to enjoy a party of pleasure I wanted leave of absence; I have been indulged with few of those, winter or summer! I must here add, that an incredible number of Inhabitants has fled in consequence of the two last incursions of the Enemy, of which your Honor has already been advertised. And that I have taken indefatigable pains, and found it no easy task to prevail on the bulk of the country to wait the consultations of this winter, and the event of this Spring. I do not know on whom this miserable and undone people are to rely for redress. If the Assembly are to give it to them, it is time that measures were concerting; if we are to seek it of the Commander-in-chief, it is time our grievances were made known to him: for as I before said, another campaign, such as was the last, will depopulate this country. Then let the consequences be considered, where are we to get supplies of provisions for our armies, when this valley which is the only support of them, is entirely abandoned to an Enemy, which by that means will be entirely possessed of every thing necessary to pursue their conquest; and that the adjacent counties will fly much faster than this, not being half so well settled, is a fact indisputable.

I shall also add, what I did not in my last (lest it shou'd be thought I spoke from prejudice) that Captain Hogg is the most unfit person in the world, to raise and command a company of Rangers. He in the first place is generally disliked, were he not, he has neither activity, spirit or knowledge enough of the woods, to answer this end. And again, the men most proper for such an undertaking would be backward to enlist under him, fearing his discipline; whereas, I conceive, a person in some degree upon a level with themselves wou'd have it in his power to engage for the good pay which is offered, huntsmen, who have been used to arms from their childhood, and in a particular manner acquainted with the country from which many have been drove.

These are my reasons against Capt. Hogg, and in behalf of some such person as Mr. Rutherford, to whom I have no particular attachment, or desire to serve. He refuses to accept of the second command.

I have expressed my sentiments upon this latter, as well as the first affair, with the utmost candor and sincerity; in doing which I conceive I have done no more than my duty. The whole is submitted to your Honor's better judgment.

Yesterday arrived here the Indians spoken of in the enclosed (copies of letters which came with them to me) I purchased four Horses, bridles, and saddles, for £14., and send them off to-day, escorted by an officer who is charged with the care of conducting them thro' this Colony. The Cherokees that were on the Branch, are on their return to their nation, having left this for that purpose several days ago. They met (about 8 miles beyond Fort Cumberland) a party of Indians under command of a French cadet, whom they engaged. The French cadet was killed and scalped, his orders found, which Captain Dagworthy detained, without even sending me a copy of them. I understand, however he was ordered to take a view of Fort Cumberland and then proceed into the Inhabitants, to kill, captivate, and lay waste the country.

Mr. Kennedy I shall appoint in the place of Mr. Hamilton. I am, &c.

P.S. Your Honor has not mentioned what pay the officers commissioned and non-commission'd, are to have.

I cou'd settle the provisions in dispute at Fort Cumberland, with Doctor Ross upon no other terms than these; He is to replace the flour and so much of the beef as the Marylanders used at this place, and to pay for the flour and beans. The remainder of the beef I must have transported to the Branch.

Letters to Washington and Accompanying Papers. Published by the Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Edited by Stanislaus Murray Hamilton.

Robert Dinwiddie to George Washington,

WILLIAMSBURG Novr. 2d: 1757

SIR

Yr. Letter of the 24th. ulto.: I recd.--And as You observe the absolute Necessity of having a Company of Rangers, I agree to the raising sixty, seventy or 80 Men to be Comdd. by Mr. Rutherford, but You must be certain of his raising the Men, not to load the Country with a Charge, as formerly, without Men to the different Companies;--I do not doubt of Yr. keeping them strictly to their Duty--his Pay, with first and second Lieuts. to be the same as the Officers in Your Regmt--& as the private Men are to have 12d. per Day they are to have no enlisting Money or Clothing, & if possible they are to furnish their own Arms, but if they cannot You are to supply them by delivering a Number to Ct. Rutherford, on his Receipt to restore them Causalties excepted; & they are to be provided with Provisions by the Contractor; this I hope will encourage the Settlers to rema. on their Plantations.

I always was strongly of Opinion that an Offensive War was most eligible, & I have repeatedly urg'd it, tho' always disappointed, & before I leave this I shall endeavor again to represent it to his Lordship.

You did very right in furnishing the Cherokees from Pensylvaa. with Horses &c. i wonder Ct. Gist writes Nothing of the Indians that were on the Branch, returning Home; I hope they did not go disgusted.

As formerly, I leave the Settlemt. with Dr. Ross, entirely to YrSelf, & what You do therein will be approv'd of--I am much indisposed--I remain

... Sir
Yr. Care in havg. proper ... Your mo. hble Servant
Lts. for Ct. Rutherford ... ROBT. DINWIDDIE
will be for the Public Serv.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to John Blair,

Fort Loudoun, May 4, 1758.

Honble. Sir: The enclosed letter from Capt. Waggener, will inform your Honor of a very unfortunate affair.¹⁴ From the best accounts I have been able to get, there are about 60 persons killed and missing. Immediately upon receiving this Intelligence, I sent out a Detachment of the Regiment, and some Indians, that were equipped for war, in hopes of their being able to intercept the Enemy in the retreat. I was fearful of this stroke, but not time enough to avert it, as your Honor will find by the following account which came to hand just before Capt. Waggener's letter, by Captn. McKenzie:

[Note 14: The Indian raid on Augusta County, Va., backwoods inhabitants. (See Washington's letter to Sir John St. Clair, May 4, ante.)]

"Lieutenant Gist with 6 soldiers and 30 Indians marched the 2d of April from the South Branch; and after a tedious march (occasioned by the deep snows on the mountains) got on the waters of the Monongahela, where Mr. Gist was lamed by a fall from a steep bank, and rendered incapable of marching. The white people and some of the Indians remained with him; and the rest of the Indians divided themselves into three parties and separated. Ucahula and two more went down the Monongahela in a bark canoe and landed near Ft. Duquesne, on the no. side, where they lay concealed for two days. At length an opportunity offered of attacking a canoe, in which were two French men fishing; those they killed and scalped in sight of two other canoes with French men in them, and came off safe.

"When he got about 15 miles on this side Ft. Duquesne, he came upon a large Indian Encampment, from the size of which, and the number of tracks, judged to be at least 100, making directly for the frontiers of Virginia, as they again discovered by crossing their tracks."

At present I have nothing more to add to your Honor, having written several times lately on matters, to which I have received no answer.

I had wrote thus far, and was going to send off an Express with this melancholy account, when I received advice, that the Particulars relative to those murders had been transmitted from Augusta, to your Honor. I thereupon thought it most advisable to postpone sending 'till I should receive answer to my several letters by Jenkins and Mr. Gist; which I was accordingly honored with, the 7th and last night.

May 10th. After due deliberation on your Honor's letter of the 2d by Gist, I am of opinion, that the number of Militia you have ordered for the defence of the Posts, to be evacuated by the regiment, will be sufficient, unless the completing the works at this place should be thought necessary.

As it can not be supposed that the Enemy will attempt any formidable inception after the march of our army; and as to the depredations to be feared from their small scalping-parties, it would be out of the power of thrice the proposed number (or indeed of any number) effectually to prevent them. But, as you are pleased to desire my opinion, I beg leave to offer a few, things relative to the disposition you propose.

I humbly conceive therefore, that it would be infinitely more for the interest of the service, to order the 100 from Prince William to the South Branch, and continuing Rutherford's company in its present station, making this its headquarters. For, as that company is perfectly acquainted with all that range of mountains, extending from the Potomack to the Augusta Line, and thro' which the Enemy make incursions into this settlement, they could with greater facility obstruct their inroads and assist the inhabitants of this valley (of whom they themselves form a very great part) than those who are ignorant of the ground. The militia from Prince William, equally know the Branch and this vicinity, and therefore may be supposed to do as much there, as here; whereas moving Rutherford's there, would be stripping them of those essential advantages which they may derive from their thorough knowledge of these parts, and removing them from defending their immediate rights (the sole motive of the enlisting).

One half of this company, were it continued here, might be constantly ranging, and the other left in this fort, which is centrical to their present station.

It the works here are to be completed, which from their great importance I should think highly necessary, in that event, an additional number of 60 or 80 good men from the militia, for that particular service, would be wanted; and I do not know any person so capable of directing the works as Major Joseph Stephen, of Caroline County. He formerly had the overlooking of them, and managed with remarkable industry.

A part of the militia ordered for the Branch should take post at Edwards's (on Cacapehon) and at Pearsalls, for the security of convoys passing from hence to Fort Cumberland.

I really do not know what method can be practised to compel the country people to deliver up the public arms, unless there could be a general search in every county.

Governor Dinwiddie, if I remember right, issued two or three proclamations ordering them in, to no purpose.

With regard to opening the roads, I think it would be most advisable to postpone all attempts, 'till Sir Jno. St. Clair's arrival, as he is expected so soon. For Pearsalls, altho' it is the most convenient road for the Virginia, may not be used by the northern troops; as I understand their rendezvous is ordered at Fort Frederick in Maryland. This may also (altho' I cannot yet absolutely say) render garrisons at Edwards and Pearsalls, useless, unless it be a few to preserve the forts and the families gathered into them.

As several of our best sergeants were made officers in the Carolina Regiment (besides some other vacancies in that Rank) parting with 10 for the use of the new Regiment will be a very great hardship at this juncture.

We are likewise short of our number of Drummers, and many of those we have are raw and untutored. As the General expects not regularity from the new levies, well knowing how little any attempts towards it, in a short time, would avail; I can not help being surprized at their requesting your Honor to give direction for doing what would be of no real service to the new Regiment, and would be of vast prejudice to that I have the honor to command.

In consequence of your orders for completing the Regiment (with all possible despatch) by recruiting, I sometime ago sent all the officers I could spare to those parts of the Country where there is the greatest probability of success and furnished them with all the money I had, and directions to draw upon me for whatever sum they might want for that service. I likewise engaged some of the most popular of the country gentlemen to recruit for me, giving them the same liberty to draw upon me. Well knowing the difficulty of getting any tolerable number in a short time, I exerted myself in prosecuting every measure, that afforded a prospect of success, having then not the least reason to doubt of being duly supplied with money: But how great is my surprise at that paragraph of your Honor's letter, that you can not send me any for that service. As I had immediate demands upon me, which I put off until Mr. Gist's arrival, I consulted with my officers about applying the £400, sent for contingencies, towards these demands; and enclose you their opinion on that head; and I must earnestly request, that you will be pleased to fall upon some measures of sending me 800 or 1,000 £ more; as your honor, the honor of the Colony, as well as mine, and the officers, together with that of those gentlemen above-mentioned, who I have employed, is so nearly and immediately interested in the completion of those engagements, which I have, in consequence of your orders, entered into. Surely it cannot be imagined that I can pay the money (if I had it to deposit) out of my own private fortune; nor does the shortness of the time, nor the circumstances I am under, admit of any other alternative.

I will chearfully bespeak, and can easily procure, the Stage Horses you desire; when furnished with money for that purpose.

As Jno. Berry was made a soldier (how legally the Court of Officers &c, that sent him can better declare) I must think it not only repugnant to law, but to the articles of War, and the customs of the army, to allow him to enlist in any other corps; for, by this means, if there were no other bad consequences attending it, he defrauds the Country of double-bounty-money.

I shall make a prudent use of the power you have been pleased to give me, respecting the issuing orders to the parties of militia.

Your favor of the 3d by Mr. French Mason, I have just been presented with; and would gladly have appointed him Ensign in the regiment, had not the vacancies been disposed of, in the following manner, before it came to hand, vizt.:

Capt. Lt. Bullet, to Joshua Lewis's company, Mr. Duncanson, oldest Ensign, to the Lieutenancy occasioned by this removal: and Mr. Thomas Gist and Mr. Allen, volunteers, and John McCully and John Sallard, worthy Sergeants, (all of whom had served a considerable time with credit and reputation) to be Ensigns. I had likewise before the receipt of yours, promised Major Hire,¹⁵ of this County, a gentleman of good

[Note 15: Probably John Hite, of Frederick County, Va., referred to as Colonel Hite.]

 character, the Colors that would become vacant; upon the event of Colo. Mercer's Company being filled up; as he in consideration, had engaged to recruit 50 men, for the service which I then thought would be a vast advantage. I am, &c.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to Robert Adam,

November 22, 1771, Account Book 2.

"The Gun herewith sent please to have handsomely Stock'd; let the Stock be of the same Bend, and Substance at the Britch as the old one. The Barl. to be scaled and properly cleans'd on the Inside and to have a new Lock of a piece with the Barl., the whole to be done in a compleat mann'r, with a pair of Bullet Moulds."

Letters to Washington and Accompanying Papers. Published by the Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Edited by Stanislaus Murray Hamilton.

George Mason to George Washington,

GUNSTON HALL February 6th. 1775.

"...Threatened with the Destruction of our antient Laws & Liberty, and the Loss of all that is dear to British Subjects & Freemen,--justly alarmed with the Prospect of impending Ruin,--firmly determined, at the hazard of our Lives, to transmit to our Children & Posterity those sacred Rights to which Ourselves were born; & thoroughly convinced that a well regulated Militia, composed of the Gentlemen Freeholders & other Freemen, is the natural Strength, and only safe & stable Security of a free Government..."

"...And such of us as have, or can procure Riphel (Rifle?) Guns, & understand the use of them, will be ready to form a Company of Marksmen or Light-Infantry for the said Regiment, chusing our own Officers as aforesaid, & distinguishing our Dress, when we are upon Duty, from that of the other Companies, by painted Hunting-Shirts, and Indian Boots, or Caps; as shall be found most convenient.--Which Regulation & Establishment is to be preserved & continued, until a regular and proper Militia Law for the Defence of the Country shall be enacted by the Legislature of this Colony--And we do Each of us, for ourselves respectively, promise and engage to keep a good Firelock in proper Order, & to furnish Ourselves as soon as possible with, & always keep by us, one Pound of Gun Powder, four Pounds of Lead, one Dozen Gun-Flints, & a pair of Bullet-Moulds, with a Cartouch-Box, or powder-horn & Bag for Balls--That we will use our best Endeavours to perfect Ourselves in the Military Exercise & Discipline, & therefore will pay due Obedience to our Officers, & regularly attend such private & general Musters as they shall appoint--And that we will always hold Ourselves in Readiness, in Case of Necessity, Hostile-Invasion, or real Danger, to defend & preserve to the utmost of our Power, Our Religion, the Laws of our Country, & and the just Rights & Privileges of our fellow-Subjects, Our Posterity, & Ourselves, upon the Principles of the English Constitution...."

The Diaries of George Washington. Vol. 3. Donald Jackson, ed.; Dorothy Twohig, assoc. ed. The Papers of George Washington. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1978.

Feb. 25, 1775 Diary Entry;

"Today the convention accepted an amended report of the defense committee, which recommended that each county "form one or more voluntier Companies of Infantry and Troops of Horse," that every infantryman have a rifle or firelock and a tomahawk and "be cloathed in a hunting Shirt by Way of Uniform," while the county committees were to be in charge of raising the money for munitions from among the local citizenry (VAN SCHREEVEN, 2:374--75). The convention also appointed a committee to report on manufactures, to which GW was appointed, and then chose the same seven delegates who had attended the First Continental Congress to attend the second Congress set for May. In the polling GW stood second to Peyton Randolph (VAN SCHREEVEN, 2:376). "

Delegates to Congress: Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 1

George Washington to George William Fairfax

Philadelphia May 31st. 1775.

Discusses matters pertaining to Fairfax's business affairs. Mentions Lexington and Concord and encloses affidavits taken after the engagement.(1) "General Gage acknowledges that the detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Smith was sent out to destroy private property; or, in other Words, to destroy a Magazine which self preservation obliged the Inhabitants to establish. And he also confesses, in effect at least, that his Men made a very precipitate retreat from Concord, notwithstanding the reinforcement under Lord Piercy; the last of which may serve to convince Lord Sandwich (and others of the same sentiment) that the Americans will fight for their Liberties and property however pusilanimous, in his Lordship's Eye, they may appear in other respects.

"From the best Accounts I have been able to collect of that affair; indeed from every one, I believe the fact, stripped of all colouring, to be plainly this, that if the retreat had not been as precipitate as it was (and God knows it could not well have been more so) the Ministerial Troops must have surrendered, or been totally cut off, For they had not arrived in Charlestown (under cover of their Ships) half an hour, before a powerful body of Men from Marblehead and Salem were at their heels, and must, if they had happened to have been up one hour sooner, inevitably intercepted their retreat to Charlestown. Unhappy it is though to reflect, that a Brother's Sword has been sheathed in a Brother's breast, and that, the once happy and peaceful plains of America are either to be drenched with Blood, or Inhabited by Slaves. Sad alternative! But can a virtuous Man hesitate in his choice?"

Note: 

Tr (DLC). Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 3:290 92.

1 Affidavits concerning the engagement at Lexington and Concord are printed in JCC, 2:28 44.

The Modern English Collection at the University of Virginia Electronic Text Center.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to Thomas Gage,

Head Quarters, Cambridge, August 20, 1775.

Sir: I addressed you on the 11th. Instant in Terms, which gave the fairest Scope for the Exercise of that Humanity, and Politeness, which were supposed to form a Part of your Character. I remonstrated with you on the unworthy Treatment, shewn to the officers and Citizens of America, whom the Fortune of War, Chance, or a mistaken Confidence, had thrown into your Hands.

Whether British or American Mercy, Fortitude, and Patience are most preeminent, whether our virtuous Citizens, whom the Hand of Tyranny has forced into Arms to defend their Wives, their Children, and their Property, or the mercenary Instruments of lawless Domination, avarice and Revenge, best deserve the Appellation of Rebels, and the Punishment of that Cord, which your affected Clemency has forborne to inflict: whether the Authority, under which Fact, is usurped, or founded upon the genuine Principles of Liberty, were altogether foreign to the Subject. I purposely avoided all political Disquisition; nor shall I now avail myself of those Advantages, which the sacred Cause of my Country of Liberty, and human Nature, give me over you: Much less shall I stoop to Retort and Invective. But the Intelligence you say you have received from our Army requires a Reply. I have taken Time, Sir, to make strict Inquiry, and find it has not the least Foundation in Truth. Not only your Officers and Soldiers have been treated with a Tenderness, due to Fellow-Citizens, and Brethren, but even those execrable Parricides, whose Counsels and Aid have deluged their Country with Blood, have been protected from the Fury of a justly-enraged People. Far from compelling or permitting their Assistance, I am embarrassed with the Numbers, who crowd to our Camp, animated with the purest Principles of Virtue, and Love of their Country. You advise me to give free operation to Truth, to punish misrepresentation and Falsehood. If Experience stamps Value upon Counsel, yours must have a Weight, which few can claim. You best can tell, how far the Convulsion, which has brought Such Ruin on both Countries and shaken the mighty Empire of Britain to its Foundation, may be traced to these malignant Causes.

You affect, Sir, to despise all Rank, not derived from the same Source with your own, I cannot conceive one more honourable, than that, which flows from the uncorrupted Choice of a brave and free People, the purest Source, and original Fountain of all Power. Far from making it a Plea for Cruelty, a mind of true Magnanimity, and enlarged Ideas would comprehend, and respect it.

What may have been the ministerial Views. which have precipitated the present Crisis, Lexington, Concord, and Charles Town can best declare. May that God, to whom you then appealed, judge between America, and you. Under his Providence, those who influence the Councils of America, and all the other Inhabitants of the united Colonies at the Hazard of their Lives are determined to hand down to Posterity those just and invaluable Privileges, which they received from their Ancestors.

I shall now, Sir, close my Correspondence with you, perhaps forever. If your Officers, our Prisoners, receive a Treatment from me, different from what I wish to shew them, they and you will remember the Occasion of it. I am, sir, etc.⁴

[Note 4: The draft, in the Washington Papers, is in the writing of Joseph Reed; the copy sent by Washington to Congress is in that of Edmund Randolph and is dated August 19. The letter sent is in the archives of the New York Historical Society and is dated the 20th. Washington's first letter to Gage (August 11) and Gage's answer were published by the British Government in the London Gazette about six weeks later, but the August 20 letter was ignored.]

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

“...We have taken up Arms in Defence of our Liberty, our Property; our Wives and our Children: We are determined to preserve them or die. We look forward with pleasure to that day not far remote (we hope) when the Inhabitants of America shall have one Sentiment and the full Enjoyment of the blessings of a Free Government. . . .Let no Man desert his habitation. Let no Man flee as before an Enemy.

“The cause of America and of liberty is the cause of every virtuous American Citizen Whatever may be his Religion or his descent, the United Colonies know no distinction, but such as Slavery, Corruption and Arbitrary Domination may create. Come then ye generous Citizens, range yourselves under the Standard of general Liberty, against which all the force and Artifice of Tyranny will never be able to prevail.”

- George Washington to Canadian Citizens, September 6, 1775.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to Island of Bermuda [British] Citizens,

Camp at Cambridge 3 Miles from Boston, September 6, 1775.

Gentn: [In the great Conflict, which agitates this Continent, I cannot doubt but the Assertors of Freedom and the Rights of the Constitution, are possessed of your most favorable Regards and Wishes for Success. As Descendents of Freemen and Heirs with us of the same Glorious Inheritance, we flatter ourselves that tho' divided by our Situation, we are firmly united in Sentiment; the Cause of Virtue and Liberty is Confined to no Continent or Climate, it comprehends within its capacious Limits, the Wise and good, however dispersed and seperated in Space or distance.] You need not be informed, that Violence and Rapacity of a tyrannick Ministry, have forced the Citizens of America, your Brother Colonists, into Arms; We equally detest and lament the Prevalence of those Councils, which have led to the Effusion of so much human Blood and left us no Alternative but a Civil War or a base Submission. The wise disposer of all Events has hitherto smiled upon our virtuous Efforts; Those Mercenary Troops, a few of whom lately boasted of Subjugating this vast Continent, have been check'd in their earliest Ravages and are now actually encircled in a small Space; their Arms disgraced, and Suffering all the Calamities of a Siege. The Virtue, Spirit, and Union of the Provinces leave them nothing to fear, but the Want of Amunition, The applications of our Enemies to foreign States and their Vigilance upon our Coasts, are the only Efforts they have made against us with Success. Under those Circumstances, and with these Sentiments we have turned our Eyes to you Gentlemen for Re lief, We are informed there is a very large Magazine in your Island under a very feeble Guard; We would not wish to in volve you in an Opposition, in which from your Situation, we should be unable to support you:--We knew not therefore to what Extent to sollicit your Assistance in availing ourselves of this Supply;--but if your Favor and Friendship to North America and its Liberties have not been misrepresented, I persuade myself you may, consistent with your own Safety, pro mote and further this Scheme, so as to give it the fairest prospect of Success. Be assured, that in this Case, the whole Power and Execution of my Influence will be made with the Honble. Continental Congress, that your Island may not only be Supplied with Provisions, but experience every other Mark of Affection and Friendship, which the grateful Citizens of a free Country can bestow on its Brethren and Benefactors. I am &c.⁴³

[Note 43: There is no draft of this address to the Bermuda inhabitants in the Washington Papers. The copy of it there was made by George Taylor, jr., one of Varick's writers, in 1781. (See Washington's letter to Gov. Nicholas Cooke, August 4, 1775, ante.) Capt. Abraham Whipple, of Rhode Island, sailed for Bermuda. He arrived too late, as Gage had already removed the powder.]

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington to John A. Washington,

Camp at Cambridge, October 13, 1775.

Dear Brother: Your favour of the 12th. Ulto. came safe to hand a few days ago; by it I gladly learnt that your Family were recover'd of the two complaints which had seized many of them, and confind my Sister.³⁸ I am very glad to hear also, that the Convention had come to resolutions of Arming the People, and preparing vigorously for the defence of the Colony; which, by the latest accts. from England will prove a salutary Measure.³⁹ I am also pleasd to find that the Manufactury of Arms and Ammunition have been attended to with so much care; a plenty of these and unanimity and Fortitude among ourselves must defeat every attempt that a diabolical Ministry can Invent to Inslave this great Continent. In the Manufacturing of Arms for Publick use great care should be taken to make the bores of the same size, that the same Balls may answer, otherwise great disadvantages may arise from a mixture of Cartridges.

[Note 38: Hannah Bushrod, wife of John Augustine Washington.]

[Note 39: An account of the convention is given in a letter from George Mason to Washington, Oct. 14, 1775. Mason's letter is in the Washington Papers.]

The Enemy by their not coming out, are, I suppose, afraid of us; whilst their Situation renders any attempts of ours upon them in a manner Impracticable.⁴⁰ Nothing new has happend

[Note 40: On October 18 the officers were convened a second time to hold a council respecting an attack on Boston. There was a unanimous voice against it, but there is no record of what was Washington's opinion. The question of attacking Boston had come before the committee of conference, the subject being thus stated by Washington: "The council of war, having. in consequence of an intimation from Congress, deliberated on the expediency of an attack upon the troops in the town of Boston, and determined that at present it was not practicable; the General wishes to know how far it may be deemed proper and advisable to avail himself of the season to destroy the troops who propose to winter in Boston, by bombardment (when the harbor is blocked up), or in other words, whether the loss of the town, and the property therein, are so to be considered, as that an attack upon the troops there should be avoided, when it evidently appears that the town must, of consequence, be destroyed?" The committee thought this too important to be determined by them. They, therefore, referred it to Congress, where it hung fire for a long time.
"I mean not to anticipate your determination, but only to approve your design to hover like an eagle over your prey, always ready to pounce upon it when the proper time comes. I have not forgot your proposition relative to that city; I try to pave the way for it, and wait for the season, as you do.:-- Lynch to Washington, Nov. 13, 1775.
It was not until December 22 that a resolution was reached, which appears in the printed journals, although marked "secret" in the manuscript journals. "That if General Washington and his council of war should be of opinion, that a successful attack may be made on the troops in Boston, he do it in any manner he may think expedient, notwithstanding the town and property in it may be destroyed." In communicating this resolve, President Hancock wrote: "You will notice the resolution relative to an attack upon Boston. This passed after a most serious debate in a committee of the whole house, and the execution was referred to you. May God crown your attempt with success. I most heartily wish it, though individually I may be the greatest sufferer." (President Hancock possessed a valuable property in Boston.)
It is a little remarkable that each party had conclusive reasons for avoiding to attack the other. "It is inadvisable," said General Gage in a letter to Lord Dartmouth (August 20), "to attempt penetrating the country from Boston. The enemy's forces are numerous, and such an attempt must be made under very great disadvantages; and even if successful. little would be gained by it, as neither horses, carriages, nor other means for moving forward could be procured. Our force is too small to be divided into detachments for this purpose, and success would answer no other end than to drive the rebels out of one strong-hold into another." General Howe used the same arguments on October 9-- Ford.]

since my last worth communicating; since finishing of our own Lines of Defence we, as well as the Enemy, have been busily Imployed in putting our Men under proper cover for the Winter. Our advanced Works, and theirs, are within Musket Shott of each other; we are obliged to Submit to an almost daily Cannonade without returning a Shott from our scarcity of Powder, which we are necessitated to keep for closer Work than Cannon Distance whenever the red Coat gentry pleases to step out of their Intrenchments. Seeing no prospect of this I sent a Detachment, about a Month ago into Canada by the way of Kennebec River under the Command of a Colo. Arnold, this Detachment consisted of 1000 Men and was Order'd to possess themselves of Quebec if possible, but at any rate to make a diversion in favour of General Schuyler who by this is in possession I expect of Montreal and St. Johns, as I am not altogether without hopes Colo. Arnold may be [possessed] of the Capital. If so, what a pretty hand the Ministry have made of their Canada Bill, and the Diabolical Scheme which was constructed upon it. I have also, finding we were in no danger of a visit from our Neighbours, fitted, and am fitting out, several Privateers with Soldiers (who have been bred to the Sea) and have no doubt of making Captures of several of their Transports, some of which have already fallen into our hands laden with Provisions.

I am obliged to you for your advice to My Wife, and for your Intention of visiting of her; seeing no great prospect of returning to my Family and Friends this Winter I have sent an Invitation to Mrs. Washington to come to me, altho' I fear the Season is too far advanced (especially if she should, when my Letters get home, be in New Kent, as I believe the case will be) to admit this with any tolerable degree of convenience. I have laid a state of the difficulties, however which must attend the journey before her and left it to her own choice. My Love to my Sister and the little ones are sincerely tenderd and I am with true regard Yr. Most Affecte. Brother.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington, October 31, 1775,

Head Quarters, Cambridge, October 31, 1775.

Parole Cambridge. Countersign Dedham.

As many Officers, and others, have begun to inlist men for the Continental Army, without Orders from Head Quarters; The General desires, that an immediate Stop be put thereto; that the inlistments be return'd; and that no person for the future, presume to interfere in this matter, 'till there is a proper establishment of Officers, and those Officers authorised and instructed in what manner to proceed. Commissions in the new Army are not intended merely for those, who can inlist the most men; but for such Gentlemen as are most likely to deserve them. The General would therefore, not have it even supposed, nor our Enemies encouraged to believe, that there is a Man in this army (except a few under particular circumstances) who will require to be twice asked to do what his Honour, his personal Liberty, the Welfare of his country, and the Safety of his Family so loudly demand of him: When motives powerful as these, conspire to call Men into service, and when that service is rewarded with higher pay, than private Soldiers ever yet met with in any former war: The General cannot, nor will not (until he is convinced to the contrary) harbour so despicable an Opinion of their understanding and zeal for the cause, as to believe they will desert it. As the Congress have been at so much pains to buy Goods, to cloath the Army, and the Quarter Master General, at great trouble to collect, upon the best terms he can, such Articles as are wanting for this purpose, he is directed to reserve those goods for those brave Soldiers, who are determined to stand forth in defence of their Country another year; and that he may be able to distinguish these, from such as mean to quit the Service, at the end of their present engagement, he will be furnished with the Inlistments. Any person therefore (Negroes excepted, which the Congress do not incline to inlist again) coming with a proper Order and will subscribe the Inlistment, shall be immediately supplied. That every non Commissioned Officer and Soldier may know upon what Terms it is he engages, he is hereby inform'd--That he is to be paid by the Kalender Month, at the present Rates; to wit.--Forty eight Shillings to the Serjeants, Forty-four to the Corporals, Drums and Fifes, and Forty to the privates, which pay it is expected will be regularly distributed every Month.

That each man is to furnish his own Arms (and good ones) or, if Arms is found him he is to allow Six Shillings for the use thereof during the Campaign.

That he is to pay for his Cloathing, which will be laid in for him, upon the best terms it can be bought; to do which, a Stoppage of Ten Shillings a month will be made, until the Cloathing is paid for.

That Two Dollars will be allowed every one of them, who brings a good Blanket of his own with him, and will have Liberty to carry it away at the end of the Campaign.

That the present allowance of provisions will be continued; And every man who inlists shall be indulged in a reasonable time, to visit his family in the Course of the winter, to be regulated in such a manner, as not to weaken the Army or injure the service.

The Quarter Master General in preparing Barracks for the Officers, is to assign one to each compleat Corps under the new establishment.

Washington, George, 1732-1799: The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 8, 1745-1799. [The Modern English Collection at the University of Virginia Electronic Text Center.]

George Washington To Brigadier General John Sullivan

Cambridge, November 5, 1775.

      Sir: At a time when some of our Seaport Towns are cruelly and Wantonly laid in Ashes; and ruin and Devastation denounced against others: when the Arms are demanded of the Inhabitants, and Hostages required (in effect) to surrender their Liberties. When General Howe by Proclamation, under the threat of Military Execution, has forbid the Inhabitants of Boston to leave the Town without his permission, first had and obtaind in Writing. When by another proclamation he strictly forbids any person's bringing out of that place more than Five pounds Sterlg. of their property in Specie, because truely the Ministerial Army under his Command may be injured by it; and when by a third Proclamation, (after leaving the Inhabitants no alternative) he calls upon them to take Arms, under Officers of his appointing; 'tis evident, that the most Tyrannical, and cruel system is adopted for the destruction of the rights, and liberties of this Continent, that ever disgraced the most despotick Ministry, and ought to be opposed by every Means in our Power.

      I therefore desire, that you will delay no time in causing the Seizure of every Officer of Government at Portsmouth who have given pregnant proofs of their unfriendly disposition to the Cause we are Ingaged In; and when you have secured them, take the opinion of the Provencial Congress, or Committee of Safety, in what Manner to dispose of them in that Government. I do not mean that they should be kept in close confinemt. If either of these bodies should incline to send them to any of the Interior Towns upon their Parole not to leave them 'till released, it will meet with my concurrence.

      For the present, I shall avoid giving you the like order in respect to the Tories in Portsmouth; but the day is not far of when they will meet with this, or a worse fate if there is not considerable reformation in their Conduct, of this may be assured Sir, Yr. etc. 78

     The same letter, with the necessary change to meet the geographical location, and minus the last paragraph, was dated November 12 and sent to Governor Trumbull, Governor Cooke, and William Palfrey, at Portsmouth, N.H.

      [N.H.H.S.]

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington, General Orders

Head Quarters, Cambridge, November 12, 1775.

Parole America. Countersign Freedom.

Each Colonel upon the new establishment, to come to Head Quarters, to morrow morning ten OClock, in order to receive from the Adjutant General, as many printed Inlistments, as there are commission'd Officers in his Regiment--They will therefore without delay distribute One to each Officer, who is forthwith to proceed to inlist men for their respective Regiments in the Continental Army--The Soldiers as the printed Inlistments express to be engaged to serve untill the last day of December 1776

In the General Orders of the 31st of October, it is declared, that every Non Commission'd Officer and Soldier, shall be paid by the Kalender month, as follows, to a Serjeant forty-eight Shillings, to the Corporals forty-four, and forty to each private; which pay it is expected, will be regularly distributed, every month--Each Non Commissioned Officer, and Soldier, (Drums and Fifes excepted) is to furnish his own Arms; if Arms are found him, he is to allow Six Shillings, at the end of the Campaign for the use thereof. New cloathing will forthwith be provided, for every Non Commission'd Officer and Soldier, for which an easy stoppage, of only ten Shillings a Month, will be made out of his pay, until the whole is paid. Two Dollars will be allowed to each Non Commission'd Officer, and Soldier, who provides himself with a good Blanket, and Liberty to take it away at the end of the campaign; the present ample allowance of provisions will be continued, and those who inlist, will be indulged in a reasonable time, to visit their familys, in the Course of the winter, this to be regulated in such a manner, as not to weaken the army, or injure the service.

To prevent such contentions as have arisen, from the same person being inlisted by different Officers, and for different Regiments, it is possitively ordered; upon pain of being cashiered, That no Officer knowingly presume to inlist any Soldier, who has been previously inlisted by another Officer, where such a mistake happens undesignedly, the first Inlistment is to take place--The Officers are to be careful not to inlist any person, suspected of being unfriendly to the Liberties of America, or any abandon'd vagabond to whom all Causes and Countries are equal and alike indifferent--The Rights of mankind and the freedom of America, will have Numbers sufficient to support them, without resorting to such wretched assistance--Let those who wish to put Shackles upon Freemen fill their Ranks, and place their confidence in such miscreants.

Neither Negroes, Boys unable to bare Arms, nor old men unfit to endure the fatigues of the campaign, are to be inlisted; The preferrences being given to the present Army, The Officers are vigilantly to try, what number of men can be inlisted, in the Course of this week, and make report thereof to their Colonels, who will report it to the General--This to be done every week, until the whole are compleated. The Regiments are to consist of eight Companies, each Company of a Captain, two Lieutenants, and an Ensign, four Serjeants, four Corporals, two Drums and Fifes and Seventy-six Privates; As the Regiments are compleated, they will be mustered, and then reviewed by the Commander in Chief; when a Roll of each Company, sign'd by the Captain, according to a form previously deliver'd by the Adjutant General; is to be delivered to his Excellency. The Colonel of each Regiment will receive a List of the Officers upon the New establishment from his Brigadier General. The Commissioned, non Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the present Army are, (notwithstanding their new engagement) to continue in the Regiment and Company they now belong to, until further orders. Upon any Soldier being inlisted, from the present, into the New Establishment, the Regiment he now belongs to, with his Name, Town and Country, are to be enter'd in a Roll kept for that purpose, by each Officer: A Copy of this Roll sign'd, to be sent every Saturday morning, to the Colonel of each regiment--When the new Regiments are compleated, the Colonels may upon Application, receive their Continental Commissions for themselves, and their Officers.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.

George Washington, Head Quarters, Cambridge, November 20, 1775.

Parole Essex. Countersign Falmouth.

The Colonels and commanding Officers of Regiments, upon the new Establishment, are forthwith to send one Officer from each Company upon the recruiting Service into the Country, they are to take with them a Copy of the recruiting Instructions as contain'd in General Orders of the 12th Instant, and comply strictly therewith; care to be taken not to leave any Company under the old establishment destitute of proper Officers.

As the General is informed that this is the season, in which the people of the four New England Governments, lay in Provisions, Stores &c, for the use of their families; he has recommended (in the strongest manner he is capable) the Necessity of sending Money to Camp, for the immediate payment of the Troops for the Months of October and November, and in Order to enable those, who have again inlisted, and such others as are resolved to continue in service; to do this more effectually, he has also recommended them to the Congress, for one Months advanced pay, and has no doubt himself, of its being complied with, if Money can be forwarded in time.

No Soldier whenever dismissed, is to carry away any Arms with him, that are good, and fit for service, if the Arms are his own private property, they will be appraised, and he will receive the full Value thereof: Proper persons when necessary, will be appointed to inspect, and value, the Arms, so detained.

Washington, George, 1732-1799: The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 8, 1745-1799. [The Modern English Collection at the University of Virginia Electronic Text Center.]

George Washington To Brigadier General John Sullivan

Cambridge, December 8, 1775.

Sir: The Intention of yesterday's order, respecting the Review of the Connecticut Troops, is only to afford a good oppertunity of making choice of such of their Arms as shall be found fit for the use of the New Army.

I am not without my fear that if they are appriz'd of the Intention, some of the best Arms will be Secreted; for this reason I desire you will say nothing of the matter till the Regiment (in your Brigade) is paraded, and then, in Company with the Field Officers of it, make choice of all the Arms that are good, taking the names of the Proprietors of them that they may be lodged, valued, and paid for agreeable to the General Order of the 23d. Ulto. I am Sir, etc.

Washington, George, 1732-1799: The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 8, 1745-1799. [The Modern English Collection at the University of Virginia Electronic Text Center.]

George Washington To The President of Congress

Cambridge, December 25, 1775.

Sir: I had the Honor to address myself to you the 19th instant; since which I have received undoubted Information, that the genuine instructions given to Conolly, have not reached your hands, that they are very artfully concealed in the tree of his Saddle and covered with canvass so nicely that they are scarcely discerned, that those which were found upon him, are intended to deceive if he should be caught; you will certainly have his Saddle taken to peices in order to discover this deep laid plot. 78 Inclosed is a Copy of General Howe's Letter in Answer to the one I wrote him the 18th instant; The Conduct I am to observe towards Brigadier Prescott, in consequence of these Letters, the Congress will Oblige me by determining for me. The Gentlemen by whom you sent the Money are arrived; the sum they brought tho' large, is not sufficient