ular to advise you of, respecting the enemy, more than that they are advancing this way; part of them have passed the Passaic; and I suppose the main body that they have on this side the North River would have done the same before now, (as they are coming on,) had their progress not been retarded by the weather, which has been rainy for several days past. I have scouts and detachments constantly out to harrass them and watch their motions, and to gain, if possible, intelligence of their designs. By a letter from the Board of War on the subject of an exchange, they mention that several of the prisoners in our hands have enlisted. It is a measure, I think, that cannot be justified, though the precedent is furnished on the side of the enemy; nor do I conceive it good in point of policy. But, as it has been done, I shall leave it with Congress to order them to be returned or not, as they shall judge fit. I have the honor to be, &c.'

Lond. ed. vol. i.

p.

322.

Wash. Writ.

SAME to GENERAL LEE.

**

*

NEWARK, 27 November, 1776.

DEAR SIR, I last night received the favor of your letter of the 25th. My former letters were so full and explicit, as to the necessity of your marching as early as possible, that it is unnecessary to add more on that head. I confess I expected you would have been sooner in motion. The force here, when joined by yours, will not be adequate to any great opposition. At present it is weak; and it has been owing more to the badness of the weather, that the enemy's progress has been checked, than to any resistance we could make. They are now pushing this way; part of them have passed the Passaic. Their plan is not entirely unfolded, but I shall not be surprised, if Philadelphia should turn out to be the object of their movement. The distress of the troops for want of clothes I feel much; but what can I do?'

Wash. Writ.

Sparks, vol. iv.

SAME to the PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

p. 193.

BRUNSWICK, 30 November, 1776.

'SIR, I have been honored with your favor of the 26th, and with its enclosures, by which, I perceive the measures that have been adopted for forwarding a reinforcement of militia.* Their arrival is much to be wished, the situation of our affairs being truly alarming, and such as demands the earliest aids. As General Mifflin's presence may have a happy influence on the disposition and temper of many of the Associators, I shall not direct his return so long as he can be done without, and till it becomes indispensably necessary. On Thursday morning [28th] I left Newark, and arrived here yesterday with the troops that were there. It

* See the Resolves, November 25, p. 337,

was the opinion of all the Generals, who were with me, that a retreat to this place was requisite, and founded in necessity, as our force was by no means sufficient to make a stand, with the least probability of success, against an enemy much superior in numbers, and whose advanced guards were entering the town by the time our rear got out.

'I hoped we should meet with large and early succors by this time; but as yet no great number of the militia of this State has come in; nor have I much reason to expect, that any considerable aid will be derived from the counties which lie beyond the river, and in which the enemy are. Their situation will prevent it in a great measure from those parts where they are, provided the inclination of the people were good. Added to this, I have no assurances, that more than a very few of the troops composing the Flying Camp will remain after the time of their engagement is out; so far from it, I am told, that some of General Ewing's brigade, who stand engaged to the 1st of January, are now going away. If those go whose service expires this day, our force will be reduced to a mere handful.

'From intelligence received this morning, one division of the enemy was advanced last night as far as Elizabethtown, and some of their Quartermasters had proceeded about four or five miles on this side, to provide barns, &c., for their accommodation.

*

* I do not know how far their views extend; but I doubt not, they mean to push every advantage resulting from the small number and state of our troops.

'I early began to forward part of the stores from this place towards Philadelphia. Many are gone; the rest we are removing, and hope to secure. I am, &c.

I have written to Governor Livingston, who is exerting himself to throw in every assistance, and to have guards placed at the ferries, to prevent the return of the soldiers who are not discharged.'

Lond. ed. vol. i. p. 323.

Wash. Writ.

The following are some of the Proceedings of Congress to meet the exigencies, after the General passed over from New York into New Jersey.

November 18. A letter, of the 14th, from General Washington; one of the 6th, from General Gates; one of the 11th, from General Schuyler at Albany; one of the 16th, from General Stephen, at Amboy; were read:

'Ordered, That the letters from General Washington, General Schuyler, General Gates, and Brigadier General Stephen be referred to the Board of War.

November 19. The Board of War brought in a Report, which was taken into consideration; whereupon,

'Resolved, That one hundred 3-pounders, fifty 6-pounders, fifty

12-pounders, thirteen 18-pounders, and thirteen 24-pounders, all of brass, be immediately provided as field artillery, for the use of the armies of the United States:

That the Secret Committee be directed to take the most effectual measures for procuring the said brass artillery; that the said Committee confer with the Committee for procuring cannon, and consult with them, how many they can provide.

November 21. As the necessity of obtaining an army immediately, to oppose the designs of the enemy, is so evident and pressing as to render it proper to give all possible facility to that business;

'Resolved, That each State be at liberty to direct their recruiting officers to enlist their men either for the war or three years, upon the respective bounties offered by Congress, without presenting enlisting rolls for both terms, according to a former Resolution; keeping it always in view, that, in the opinion of Congress, the public service will be best promoted by enlistments for the war, if the recruiting service is not retarded thereby.

November 22. เ Congress, taking into consideration the present state of the army, of which some parts have already disbanded, and others will probably do so when the times they engaged for shall expire, which must soon happen; so that there is great danger that the enemy must be opposed either by unequal numbers, or by militia, not only a more expensive but a less efficacious aid than regular forces; and there being good grounds to hope that vigorous efforts, at this critical conjuncture, may bring the war to a speedy as well as happy conclusion,

'Resolved, That blank commissions be sent to General Washington, and that he be empowered to insert therein the names of such officers as he shall think fit, not revoking those appointments which have been made by Commissioners, from any of the United States; and the general Commissioners, and Officers, are conjured to recruit, by all the means in their power, the regiments now or lately in the camp; and that a committee of three be appointed to repair to Head-Quarters, and, consulting with the General, assist in the accomplishment of this necessary business.

"Ordered, That the said committee make particular inquiry why the troops are not paid, and that they inquire into, and redress, to the utmost of their power, the just grievances of the soldiers.

November 23. 'Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed, with full powers, to devise and execute measures for effectually reinforcing General Washington, and obstructing the progress of General Howe's army; and they are ordered to proceed immediately to this business.

'Resolved, That the Board of War be directed to order the Virginia battalion, on the Eastern Shore, and the two Pennsylvania

battalions, commanded by Colonel Mackay and Colonel Cooke, to march with all possible expedition; the former to Philadelphia, and the two latter by the nearest route to Brunswick, in New Jersey, or to join General Washington wherever he may be; and that the said Board use every means in their power to expedite the march of these troops; and they are ordered to attend immediately to this business.

The better to oppose the progress of the enemy,

'Resolved, That General Washington be directed to order, under his immediate command, such of the forces, now in the Northern Department,* as have been raised in the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and that the commanding officer, in the Northern Department, be directed to apply to the Legislatures of the Eastern States, to afford him such assistance as he may stand in need of.

'Resolved, That by anything heretofore done, it is not intended. to prejudice or strengthen the right or claim of the United States, or any of them, to any lands in America, nor to determine in what proportion or manner the expenses of the war shall be raised or adjusted, except as to the first three millions of dollars, emitted by Congress, and a farther emission of three millions of dollars, on December 26, 1775.

November 25. A letter of the 23d, from General Washington, at New York, was read:

'Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of the whole Congress; and that General Mifflin, who brought the letter, be desired to attend the said committee.†

The Resolutions reported from the committee of the whole, being read, were agreed to, as follows:

'Resolved, That the Council of Safety of Pennsylvania be requested to call forth, immediately, the Associators in the city and liberties of Philadelphia, and in the counties of Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, and Northampton, to continue in the service of the United States, six weeks from the time they join the army, unless sooner discharged by Congress:

'That the volunteers who shall enroll to serve the United States to the 10th of March next, shall, nevertheless, be discharged as soon as the situation of public affairs will possibly admit; it being the intention of Congress to detain them no longer than the present emergency shall render it absolutely necessary:

'That the Board of War be directed to order the German battalion to march immediately, and join General Washington:

That the said Board write to Governor Henry, of Virginia, and

It appears by the letter, November 27, p. 333, that the General had anticipated this Resolve.

In regard to General Mifflin at that juncture, see the letters, November 23, 30, pp. 323, 334; also the Resolve, November 25, p. 338.

request him to order the light-horse, in the service of that State, to march, with all possible expedition, to join General Washington:

That the said Board order Brigadier-General Roche de Fermoy, to repair immediately to General Washington, instead of going to the Northward:

'Resolved, That General Mifflin be directed to stay in the city of Philadelphia until General Washington shall require his attendance at the Camp, and that General Washington be informed of this by the President.

November 26. The Board of War brought in a Report, which was taken into consideration; whereupon,

'Resolved, That a regiment of artillery, to be armed with muskets and bayonets, instead of fusees, be raised in the State of Virginia, on Continental establishment; the two companies, already raised there, to be part of the said regiment; which is to be composed of one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, one major, and ten companies, each to consist of one captain, three lieutenants, one serjeant, four bombardiers, eight gunners, four corporals, and fortyeight matrosses.

Congress resolved itself into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration the state of the army:

*

'The Resolutions reported from the committee of the whole, being read, were agreed to as follows:

'Resolved, That the Cannon Committee be directed to inquire what quantity of cannon are on board the prize-ship that arrived yesterday, in the port of Philadelphia; and, if they are fit for fieldartillery, to take measures to have them mounted on proper carriages, and sent to General Washington:

6

That the Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania be requested to give immediate direction, that the brass field-pieces with the artillery companies, or the field-pieces singly, if there be no such companies belonging to this State, be, with all possible expedition, sent to General Washington's army in New Jersey; and that they be assured, that, as soon as the situation of affairs will admit, they shall be returned, or others in lieu of the said field-pieces:

'That Mr. Mease, the Continental Commissary in the city of Philadelphia, be directed to go to the several shops and stores in the said city, and purchase, for the use of the army of the United States, such articles as are necessary for them, at this and the approaching season of the year; and that he be empowered to employ as many persons as he shall judge necessary to assist him in

this service:

That the Council of Safety of Pennsylvania be requested, with all possible expedition, to cause application to be made to the housekeepers and others in the said State, for as many blankets