Letter from Robert H. Harrison to General Ward: The General requests his most careful attention to the works necessary for the defence of Boston; and hopes they are now strong enough to render the Town entirely secure

v5:1023

New-York, April 22, 1776.

SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 12th instant, and to inform you that it is not in his power, at this time, to forward the supply of cash you ask for, having found and received here a much smaller sum, in proportion to your demands; than what he left for your department, which he hoped would have been equal to every present claim. But if not, his Excellency apprehends that no great inconvenience can arise to the regiments stationed in and about Boston, to wait a little time for pay for March, until money can be sent for that purpose. If they should be in great want, and very importunate, he doubts not but the honourable General Court will, on your application, lend a sufficient sum to pay them, on promise of repayment when money comes to hand.

In a letter his Excellency received from Congress, of the 6th of March, they mention five and a half tons of powder to have been sent him the day before, and that it would be followed in a day or two after by ten tons more. Five tons having only arrived before his departure from Cambridge, he desires you will inform him whether any more has come since he left it, and what quantity, having heard nothing more of the ten tons, save that a small part of it was stopped on the road.

His Excellency requests your most careful attention to the works necessary for the defence of Boston; and is hopeful that, ere now, they are so strong and far advanced as to render the town entirely secure. He wishes you to favour him with every interesting occurrence from time to time, and by the earliest opportunities.

The enclosed warrant is for Daniel Rogers, Esq˙, which you will please to deliver him.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

ROBERT H˙ HARRISON, Aid-de-Camp.

To Major-General Ward, Boston.