troops could be spared from that quarter and advised us by no means to call off any of the militia of our northern counties, as he conceived it to be extreemly probable that the enemy would attack Ticonderoga this winter as soon as the frost had rendered the lakes passable.

Your Excellency well remembers that we are to raise three thousand seven hundred and fifty men for the continental service. The amount of the fighting men in that part of the State yet belonging to us is not more than fifteen thousand. Wherefore after deducting our continental proportion there will not remain above eleven thousand, of which one half at least lying to the northward, the remainder is not at furthest above five thousand five hundred men, many of which are disaffected and others poor and in such a situation that if called away as militia their families must perish for want of bread, fuel, &c. Add to this that in the next campaign a great part of the wheat to supply the continental army must come from this State. It is all now in the sheaf and must be threshed and brought to market during the continuance of the snows. Under all these disadvantages we have ordered the raising one thousand men to defend the passes in the Highlands, of which we do not expect that upwards of eight hundred can take the field, while the defence of those passes requires at least four thousand.

Of the eastern militia which hath been so long expected only two regiments have yet arrived. Gen. Howe, we have been informed, hath above five thousand troops in New York, which together with the garrison of Fort Washington, Rogers's Rangers, and such troops as might perhaps be collected from Jersey, will make no inconsiderable army. On the other hand, if a considerable body of men under an active commander are posted in West Chester the enemy will not venture to leave New York without a strong garrison, or if they do then it may easily be taken from them.

We are well informed that the British army in New Jersey are cantoned out in small parties, at Borden Town, Trenton, Princeton, Brunswick, Elizabeth Town, Newark, and Hackensack, and of consequence may be easily attacked at some or other of these places. We are happy to add to these observations that we congratulate your Excellency on the advantage you have taken of this dispersed situation. And on the whole we must submit to your Excellency whether it will be proper to call off all the troops to the southward and by that means expose the barracks, stores, cannon, &c in this State, together with all the interior country against which, as we are informed from different quarters, an attack is now meditated by the enemy.

I have the honor to be &ca

His Excellency Gen. WASHINGTON.

(Copy.)

WILLIAM HEATH TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

PEEKS-KILL, Janry 2nd, 1777.

DEAR GENERAL, The day before yesterday I received the honor of yours of the 27th Dec, and most heartily congratulate your Excellency on your signal victory over the enemy at Trenton. This will be productive of the best consequences, and has already given new life to our affairs.

The last night I had the honor of yours of the 28th containing the agreable news of the retreat of Count Donnop. I am extremely sorry to acquaint your Excellency that none of the militia from Massachusetts Bay have arrived, except Col° Sparhawk's regiment, consisting of about 500 men, three companies of which I have been obliged to send to the forts on the river and one to Croten Bridge, so that only five companies out of the

nine are at this post on whom we must now depend for guards and defence. I have prevailed upon a few of the old regiments to stay ten days longer, the rest are gone home notwithstanding the most pressing perswasions.

I am informed that more of the militia are on their march on this side of Danbury for this place. I have sent an express this morning in addition to several sent before to quicken their march. As the State of New York are drawing in their militia, and your Excellency thinks that there is not the least danger of the enemy's' making a move towards this place, I shall exert my utmost endeavours to push the militia, and as soon as I can collect 1,500 of them will march as rapidly as possible. I imagine your Excellency will not think a less number sufficient to answer much purpose.

By the return of the flag which carried down M3 Inglis's family I am informed that General How is in the city preparing his dispatches for Great Britain, with so much. application that he attends to little other business.

The 156,750 dollars which your Excellency was. pleased to order to this place is not much more than half sufficient for the present emergencys. The seven regiments of Gen' Wadsworth's brigade to which five months' pay is due amounts to more than 16,000 dollars. Besides these there are five regiments of General Parsons's brigade, five of General Geo. Clinton's and one of Gen! James Clinton's, with some one, others two, three, and four months' pay due; add to this the pressing demands for the recruiting service. This must be speedily attended to or the service will be greatly injured. In ordering the paying of the money already sent I have endeavour'd to do equal justice to all the regiments. The Deputy Paymaster pro-tempore has wrote to Col° Palfrey on the subject.

The Convention of the State of New York have requested the loan of a number of small arms for some of.

their unarmed militia intended for their expedition; with reluctance I have spared them about sixty to be return'd when called for. The Committee alledged that the last spring the State had furnished many arms for the army, and that now without this assistance they could not attempt their design with a prospect of success. The Committee have engaged to be accountable for them.

I shall do all in my power to answer your Excellency's expectation, and nothing but the delay of the militia will prevent it.

I have the honor to be, with great respect and esteem, Your Excellency's most humble servt.

His Excellency Gen' WASHINGTON.

W. HEATH.

WILLIAM HEATH TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

PEEKS-KILL, Jan1y 4th, 1777.

DEAR GENERAL, I have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that Major General Lincoln has just arrived at this post. But his troops have not as yet got in, except about two regiments.

That no time should be lost I have been sending over a quantity of provisions to Haverstraw and as soon as the militia arrive in sufficient numbers shall pass over with them. A body of the militia belonging to this State have rendezvous at North Castle, and Colo. Thomas's regiment below White Plains. A number of the disaffected have been taken, and the night before last 37 recruits who were going to joyn Rogers. They were all armed with pistols, and had two muskets in the company; about 300 it is said are engaged with the enemy and are to march down from the upper part of Dutches County in small parties, lying concealed in the daytime.

We

have found out some of their stages on the roads and have a number of parties out to intercept them. We have just taken one Strang, with his warrent from Rogers to enlist men, secreted in the inside of his breeches, we also suppose him to be a spy. I have ordered a general court martial to sit this day for his tryal. I learn from some deserters that Rogers is alarmed at our motions on this side which are making towards him, and am this moment told that they have drawn in all their parties that were without Fort Independence, and it is said have removd their cannon from ye fort. The expedition to that quarter which has been long meditating by the Convention is now in a fair way to be attempted. This is to secure Rogers, and collect forrage. Upon the request of the Committee I have ordered General Parsons to take the command, and we are determined to keep the enemy within narrow limits.

I have lately been informed that your Excellency is impowered to raise 12 new regiments and to appoint the officers. I beg leave to recommend to your Excellency's notice Colonel Wm Malcom, late commander of one of the New York battallion, whose conduct I have observed to be such as I think makes it my duty to recommend him. I have the honor to be, with great respect and esteem, Your Excellency's most humble servt.

W. HEATH.

Some doubts have arisen here with respect to the arms that are lost or missing; there are a number, ought those to be paid for? The question arises what sum is to be stoped for them, and where is it to be stoped, in the hands of the deputy paymaster or with the paymaster of the regt. I should be happy to know your Excellency's opinion and direction in this matter, and as soon as agreable to your Excellency.