June 16,Letter from General Washington to the President of Congress

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[Read June 18,1776. Referred to the Board of War and Ordnance.]

New-York, June 16, 1776.

SIR: I do myself the honour to transmit Congress a copy of a letter, covering copies of other papers, which I received yesterday evening from GeneralSullivan





. The intelligence communicated by him is pleasing and interesting, and such as must afford the greatest satisfaction, if the conduct theCanadians have discovered since his arrival among them is ingenuous and sincere. This account is contrasted by GeneralArnold' s letter to GeneralSchuyler, of which a copy is also transmitted.

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GeneralSullivan mentions his having given commissions to some of theCanadians, as a measure founded in necessity, and requests my approbation of it; but not considering myself empowered to say anything upon the subject, it may not be improper for Congress to give him their opinion in this instance.

I have also enclosed copies of GeneralSchuyler' s letters, received at the same time
. They contain accounts respecting theIndians variant from what were reported by Mr˙Kirkland, but amounting to the same thing — the probability of the savages attacking our frontiers.

By last night' s post I had information of a capture made by our armed vessels of one of the transports, with a company ofHighlanders on board, bound toBoston. The enclosed extract from GeneralWard' s letter to me will give you the intelligence more particularly . There are accounts in the city mentioning other valuable prizes, but as GeneralWard has said nothing of them, I fear they want authenticity.

I beg leave to mention that a further sum of money will be wanted for our military chest by the time it can be sent. The enclosed note from the Paymaster-General shows the necessity for it ; and, I may add, beside his estimate of drafts to be made, there are the claims of the Eastern troops atBoston for three or four months' pay, not included, and now due.

ColonelMagaw has arrived with part of his battalion, and byWednesday evening the whole, both of his and ColonelShea' s, will be here, as I am told.

As it is, and may be of great importance to have a communication with theJerseys andLong-Island, I have had several flat-bottom boats built for the purpose, and have thoughts of getting more forPassaick andHackinsack rivers, where they may be equally necessary for transporting our Army, or part of it, occasionally, or succours coming to or going from it.

I have the honour to be, with sentiments of the greatest respect, sir, your most obedient servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To the Hon˙John Hancock, President of Congress.