The above reasons alone I hope will be sufficient to induce you to exert yourselves; for if our new army are not ready to take the field early in the spring, we shall lose all the advantages which I may say,we have providentially gained this winter. While our dependance is upon militia, we have a full army one day and scarce any the next; and I am much afraid, that the enemy one day or other, taking advantage of one of these temporary weaknesses will make themselves masters of our magazines,of stores, arms,and artillery.Nothing but their ignorance of our numbers protects us at this very time. When, on the contrary, had we six or eight thousand regular troops, or could the militia who were with me a few days ago, have been prevailed upon to stay, we could have struck such a stroke, as would have inevitably ruined the army of the enemy in their divided state.

I am not without hopes, that by creating a powerful diversion on the side of New-York, we may still keep their force divided between that province and this; if so, and a good body of troops could be thrown in to me before the roads will be in a condition for the enemy with their reduced waggon and artillery horses, to move out, it perhaps may not be out of my power to strike a decisive blow before spring. This is another and a forcible reason to induce you to send your new levies forward with all expedition. While the men are raising, I beg you will spare no pains to make collections of all things necessary for their equipment; not only of such as they convey with them into the field, but for their use and convenience while they are there, such as spare shoes, stockings and shirts; the want of which has been the ruin of the old army.

If these articles are provided and put into the hands of the Regimental Quarter-Masters, they can always be delivered out when wanted, and stoppages made by the paymasters. I expect the Clothier General will be with the army in a few days, when

I shall give him directions to allot a portion of the clothing, lately taken and purchased for the public, to each state.

I am yr. mo. ob. hl. ser.
G. WASHINGTON.

Hon. President of the Convention of

New-Hampshire.

Head Quarters, Morristown, Jan. 31st, 1777. GENTLEMEN,-The great countenance and protection shewn and given to deserters, by persons in the different neighborhoods from whence they originally came, has made that vice so prevalent in the army, that unless some very effectual means are fallen upon to prevent it, our new army will scarcely be raised, before it will dwindle and waste away, from that cause alone.

I know of no remedy so effectual, as for the different States, immediately to pass Laws, laying a very severe penalty upon those who harbour, or fail to give information against deserters, knowing them to be such, and strictly enjoining all Justices of the Peace, and officers of the militia, to keep a watchful eye over, and apprehend all such persons as shall return from the army without a discharge.

In order that this most salutary measure may be carried speedily into execution, I have not only desired Congress to recommend it to the different States, but have myself wrote circular letters to them all, pressing their compliance with my request. Desertion must cease, of course, when the deserters find they have no shelter.

I am, Gentlemen,

your most obedient servant,

G. WASHINGTON. The Speaker and Assembly of New-Hampshire.

Head Quarters, Morristown, Feb 7th, 1777. GENTLEMEN,-As the arrival of a sufficient quantity of small arms from Europe in time to arm the continental troops is a matter of great uncertainty, proper steps should be taken immediately in your state to collect all that can be purchased from private people.

The custom of hiring them for the campaign is attended with many bad consequences; the owners take little care of them and carry them away, or seli and change them when they please.

Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the firelock; no trash or light arms should on any account be received in the public store. If they are not substantial both in stock, lock, and barrel, they should be thrown upon the hands of the com missary who purchased them.

I am, with the greatest esteem and regard, your most obedient, humble servant, G. WASHINGTON.

Hon. Convention of New-Hampshire,

Morristown, July 7th, 1777.

SIR, I make no doubt but you will have heard before this that the Enemy have evacuated Jersey. This information, I should have done myself the pleasure of transmitting you by the first opportunity after the event, had not my attention been employed in making a new disposition of the army, and had I apprehended it materially interesting that it should come immediately from myself.

When General Howe withdrew his forces from this State, and went to Staten Island, from the intelligence received at that time from General St. Clair at Tyconderoga, that the Canada army were on the Lake and approaching that post, and from every other circumstance, it appeared extremely

probable, nay, almost certain to me, and to all the General and other officers possessed of the facts, that General Howe's first and immediate movement would be up the North river, and that the two armies meant to co-operate and favour each other's attack. This, I say, was my opinion, and that of my officers at that time, from a full consideration of the intelligence we then had. But I confess, however satisfied I then was upon this subject, I am now in extreme doubt, respecting his intended operations. Having heard nothing from Tyconderoga since the 26th ult., nor any further accounts of the enemy's approach, we are left to conjecture, whether their appearance on the lake was with a view to a serious and real attack, or whether to amuse and draw our attention that way, whilst a stroke is meditating against some other place.This uncertainty is rendered considerably greater by the concurrent accounts of deserters who have escaped from New-York and Staten Island in the course of a few days past. From their information and a variety of circumstances, such as, that births are fitting up for the light horse, on board the transports-provender taking in and providing for three or four weeks-the embarkation of the officers' baggage, with their names and corps indorsed the ships watering, &c., it would seem more probable that General Howe has in contemplation some other object than the North river. Whether he has, or what it is, however, is yet entirely unknown. I have thought it my duty, however, to give you this information, that if he should once more turn his arms against the eastern States, you may not be surprised, and that matters may be put in the best train, circumstances will admit, to receive him. On my part, no exertions in my power shall be wanting, to counteract his plans wheresoever they are directed, and to render every ser

vice compatible with our general line of defence and the interest of the States at large.

I have the honor to be

with great respect,

Sirs,

Your most obedient servant,

G. WASHINGTON.

The Hon. the Convention or Council of
Safety of New-Hampshire.

Head Quarters, Valley-Forge, Dec. 29th, 1777. GENTLEMEN,—I take the liberty of transmitting you the inclosed return, which contains a state of the New-Hampshire regiments. By this you will discover how deficient, how exceedingly short they are of the complement of men, which of right, according to the establishment, they ought to have. This information, I have thought it my duty to lay before you, that it may have that attention which its importance demands; and in full hope, that the most early and vigorous measures will be adopted, not only to make the regiments more respectable, but complete. The necessity and expediency of this procedure are too obvious to need arguments. Should we have a respectable force to commence an early campaign with, before the enemy are reinforced, I trust we shall have an opportunity of striking a favorable and an happy stroke. But if we should be obliged to defer it, it will not be very easy to describe with any degree of precision, what disagreeable consequences may result from it. We may rest assured, that Britain will strain every nerve to send from home and abroad, as early as possible, all the troops it shall be in her power to raise or procure. Her views and schemes for subjugating these States, and bringing them under her despotick rule will be unceasing and unremitted. Nor should we, in my my opinion, turn our expecta