Colonel St. Clair to President of Congress

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COLONEL ST˙ CLAIR TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read January 31,1776.]

Lancaster, January 27, 1776.

SIR: On my arrival here, I found the Committee of this place, and the officers of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment, in some dispute, occasioned by one of my officers having inlisted a Sergeant and a Drummer belonging to that corps. The officers had applied to the Committee to order them to be dismissed, alleging that the inlisting them was a breach of the capitulation.

It is rather my sentiment that the inlisting the prisoners is improper; but, as we were much in want of sergeants and drums, and had no directions respecting these people, and as the thing was done, I put it on this issue, that I should write the matter to you, and if the inlistment was disapproved of, the men should be returned.

If you will please, sir, to inform the Committee of Lancaster, they will acquaint Captain Watson, with whom the recruits are.

I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

ARTHUR ST˙ CLAIR.

To John Hancock, Esq˙, President of the Continental Congress.