for, though they have been helped out by a collection of sails from the seaport towns, the number is far short of our necessities. The colleges and houses of this town are necessarily occupied by the troops; which affords another reason for keeping our present station. But I most sincerely wish the whole army was properly provided to take the field, as I am well assured, that, besides greater expedition and activity in case of alarm, it would highly conduce to health and discipline. As materials are not to be had here, I would beg leave to recommend the procuring of a farther supply from Philadelphia, as soon as possible.

I should be extremely deficient in gratitude, as well as justice, if I did not take the first opportunity to acknowledge the readiness and attention, which the Provincial Congress and different committees have shown, to make every thing as convenient and agreeable as possible.* But there is a vital and inherent principle of delay incompatible with military service, in transacting business through such numerous and different channels. I esteem it, therefore, my duty to represent the inconvenience, which must unavoidably ensue from a dependence on a number of persons for supplies; and submit it to the consideration of Congress, whether the

* Before General Washington left Philadelphia, he requested the Massachusetts delegates in Congress to recommend to him such bodies of men, and individuals, as he might apply to with confidence in that colony. They answered him in writing, and referred him particularly to the Committee on the State of the Province, the Committee of Safety, and the Committee of Supplies. They moreover enumerated the following gentlemen, as worthy and trusty friends of the cause, on whose judgment and fidelity he might rely, namely, Bowdoin, Sever, Dexter, Greenleaf, Pitts, Otis, of the late council; John Winthrop; Joseph Hawley, of Northampton; James Warren, of Plymouth; Colonel Palmer, of Braintree; Colonel Örne and Elbridge Gerry, of Marblehead; Dr. Warren, Dr. Church, John Pitts, Dr. Chauncy, Dr. Cooper, of Boston; Dr. Langdon, President of Harvard College; and Colonel Foster, of Brookfield. -MS. Letter,

June 22d.

public service will not be best promoted by appointing a commissary-general for these purposes. We have a striking instance of the preference of such a mode, in the establishment of Connecticut, as their troops are extremely well provided under the direction of Mr. Trumbull, and he has at different times assisted others with various articles. Should my sentiments happily coincide with those of your Honors on this subject, I beg leave to recommend Mr. Trumbull as a very proper person for this department. In the arrangement of troops collected under such circumstances, and upon the spur of immediate necessity, several appointments have been omitted, which appear to be indispensably necessary for the good government of the army, particularly a quartermaster-general, a commissary of musters, and a commissary of artillery. These I must particularly recommend to the notice and provision of the Congress.*

I find myself already much embarrassed, for want of a military chest. These embarrassments will increase every day. I must therefore most earnestly request, that money may be forwarded as soon as possible. The want of this most necessary article will, I fear, produce great inconveniences, if not prevented by an early attention. I find the army in general, and the troops raised in Massachusetts in particular, very deficient in necessary clothing. Upon inquiry, there appears no probability of obtaining any supplies in this quarter; and, on the best consideration of this matter I am able to form, I am of opinion that a number of hunting-shirts, not less than ten thousand, would in a great degree remove this difficulty, in the cheapest and quickest manner. I know nothing, in a speculative view, more trivial,

When this application was considered by Congress, the appointment of these officers was left to the Commander-in-chief.

yet which, if put in practice, would have a happier tendency to unite the men, and abolish those provincial distinctions, that lead to jealousy and dissatisfaction.

In a former part of this letter, I mentioned the want of engineers. I can hardly express the disappointment I have experienced on this subject, the skill of those we have being very imperfect, and confined to the mere manual exercise of cannon; whereas the war in which we are engaged requires a knowledge, comprehending the duties of the field, and fortification. If any persons thus qualified are to be found in the southern colonies, it would be of great public service to forward them with all expedition.

Upon the article of ammunition, I must reëcho the former complaints on this subject. We are so exceedingly destitute, that our artillery will be of little use, without a supply both large and seasonable. What we have must be reserved for the small arms, and that managed with the utmost frugality.

I am very sorry to observe, that the appointment of general officers, in the provinces of Massachusetts and Connecticut, has not corresponded with the wishes and judgment of either the civil or military. The great dissatisfaction expressed on this subject, and the apparent danger of throwing the whole army into the utmost disorder, together with the strong representations made by the Provincial Congress, have induced me to retain the commissions in my hands until the pleasure of the Continental Congress should be further known, except General Putnam's, which was given the day I came to the camp, and before I was apprized of these disgusts. In such a step, I must beg the Congress will do me the justice to believe, that I have been actuated solely by a regard to the public good.

I have not, nor could I have, any private attachments;

every gentleman in appointment was a stranger to me, but from character; I must, therefore, rely upon the candor and indulgence of Congress, for their most favorable construction of my conduct in this particular. General Spencer's disgust was so great at General Putnam's promotion, that he left the army without visiting me, or making known his intention in any respect.

General Pomroy had also retired before my arrival, occasioned, as it is said, by some disappointment from the Provincial Congress. General Thomas is much esteemed, and most earnestly desired to continue in the service; and, as far as my opportunities have enabled me to judge, I must join in the general opinion, that he is an able, good officer; and his resignation would be a public loss. The postponing of him to Pomroy and Heath, whom he has commanded, would make his continuance very difficult, and probably operate on his mind, as the like circumstance did on that of Spencer.

*

The state of the army you will find ascertained with tolerable precision in the returns, which accompany this letter. Upon finding the number of men to fall so far

Eight brigadier-generals for the Continental army were chosen by Congress on the 22d of June, in the following order. Seth Pomroy, of Massachusetts; Richard Montgomery, of New York; David Wooster, of Connecticut; William Heath, of Massachusetts; Joseph Spencer, of Connecticut; John Thomas, of Massachusetts; John Sullivan, of New Hampshire; Nathanael Greene, of Rhode Island. The commissions for these officers had been brought to camp by General Washington. He found great uneasiness prevailing, as to the comparative rank conferred by these appointments. The difficulties were in some degree removed by Pomroy's declining to serve, and by Spencer's consenting to take rank after Putnam. By this arrangement Thomas was made the first brigadier-general. — Journal of Congress, July 19th.-Pomroy behaved with great courage at the battle of Bunker's Hill, and although he declined joining the Continental army, yet he headed the militia of his neighbourhood, who marched to the Hudson River, when New Jersey was overrun by the enemy. He never returned from that expedition. He died at Peekskill in New York. -Swett's History of Bunker-Hill Battle, 2d ed. pp. 8, 53.

'short of the establishment, and below all expectation, I immediately called a council of the general officers, whose opinion, as to the mode of filling up the regiments, and providing for the present exigency, I have the honor of enclosing, together with the best judgment we are able to form of the ministerial troops. From the number of boys, deserters, and negroes, that have been enlisted in the troops of this province, I entertain some doubts whether the number required can be raised here; and all the general officers agree, that no dependence can be put on the militia, for a continuance in camp, or regularity and discipline during the short time they may stay. This unhappy and devoted province has been so long in a state of anarchy, and the yoke of ministerial oppression has been laid so heavily on it, that great allowances are to be made for troops raised under such circumstances. The deficiency of numbers, discipline, and stores, can only lead to this conclusion, that their spirit has exceeded their strength. But, at the same time, I would humbly submit to the consideration. of Congress the propriety of making some further provision of men from the other colonies. If these regiments should be completed to their establishment, the dismission of those unfit for duty, on account of their age and character, would occasion a considerable reduction; and, at all events, they have been enlisted upon such terms, that they may be disbanded when other troops arrive. But should my apprehensions be realized, and the regiments here not be filled up, the public cause would suffer by an absolute dependence upon so doubtful an event, unless some provision is made against such a disappointment.

It requires no military skill to judge of the difficulty of introducing proper discipline and subordination into an army, while we have the enemy in view, and are in