General Heath to General Washington

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Peekskill, December 2, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 29th ultimo, and am glad to hear of your Excellency' s safe arrival at Brunswick, without the least interruption from the enemy. I am happy to find my honest endeavours to do my duty crowned with your Excellency' s approbation.

In addition to the stores which I before mentioned to have been secured and brought off, a quantity of pearl-ash, beeswax, oil, &c, and two brass patereros, which belong to the States, have been brought here. An invoice thereof is enclosed I have ordered them to Fishkill. I have also secured ten tons of lead, which is sent to the same place.

I am paying the utmost attention to the plan for obstructing Hudson' s river, and have detached General George Clinton, with two of his strongest regiments, to push this most important business. They serve for a garrison for Fort Constitution at the same time that they are at this duty.

General Scott' s brigade, Colonel Tash' s and Colonel Snider' s regiments, are gone home, except about one hundred of General Scott' s brigade that have been prevailed upon to stay a little longer. The Convention of the State of New-York had sent them an address and fifteen hundred pounds currency, as a gratuity to encourage them to continue a month longer. I did all in my power to prevail upon them, and also transmitted to General Scott your Excellency' s

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The troops now at this post are but few, and much scattered, which will put it out of our power to accomplish so much work as I fear will be expected; but no endeavours of mine shall be wanting.

I have just received a number of resolves from the Committee of Safety of the State of New-York, which I take the liberty to enclose, not knowing whether your Excellency has as yet received them.

General Lee is this day beginning to pass the river with his division; and numbers of the Northern Army we are told are on their march to join you. So that I hope soon to congratulate your Excellency on some signal victory over the enemy, unless upon the approach of the reinforcements they should give you the slip, which I rather think will be the case.

I have the honour to be, with respect and esteem, your Excellency' s most humble servant,

W˙ HEATH.

To his Excellency General Washington.