Tionderoga October 5th, 1775.
Sir/
Yesterday Morning I received a Letter from General [Richard] Montgomery inclosing sundry Papers, Copies of which No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ー together with Copy of another Letter No 6 received this Morning and which was written before that marked No 1. I now do myself the Honor to transmit you.2
I am very apprehensive of disagreeable Consequences arising from Mr. [Ethan] Allen's Imprudence. I always dreaded his Impatience of Subordination, and it was not till after a solemn Promise made me in the Presence of several Officers that he would demean himself properly that I would permit him to attend the Army. Nor would I have consented then had not his Solicitations been backed by several Officers
By the enclosed Return No 7 ー Congress will perceive what Troops have joined the Army since I left it and what Provisions &Ca. have been forwarded to It, ー the Canadians destroy great Quantities of Provisions, and much Waste is comitted by our People, In Despight of every Order issued to prevent It, ー the Expence of this Article will amaze Congress, however if the issuing Commissaries had done their Duty and Obeyed the Orders that were given them by the Commissary General or me, I should have had it in my Power to have detected every Quarter Master or Other who has drawn greater Quantities of Provision than what was due, and the Regiments might have been charged with it.
Such Crouds of sick are daily returning from the Army that altho' I had Thoughts of leaving General Wooster's Corps at Albany, I have found it necessary to order them up, ー
I wish I could comply with General Montgomery's Requisition for Ammunition, But I have not an Ounce of Powder that I can Command nor do I expect any unless the New York Congress can send me some to whom I wrote on the 29th Ult. by Express and beged they would send five Tuns if they could in Row Boats that no Delay might be made.
The PayMaster General is now here and very much indisposed indeed, he proposed to resign the Employment, as he is apprehensive that he will not be able again to cross the Lakes. ー I am fully convinced that it will be the Case, but as a New Appointment during this Campaign, will be introductory of Confusion, I have requested him to return to Albany & have taken the Liberty to Give him an Order to appoint a Deputy
The Pay master General's Appointment I understand will not afford of his Paying a Deputy I mention this that Congress may signify their Pleasure on the Subject.
Should Congress approve of having the Troops that are, or have been employed in this Department paid by Rolls drawn in the Form of the inclosed, It will be necessary, that I should be furnished with the Accounts of what Pay only has been advanced to them, for which Purpose an Order should go to the Governor of Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay Congress, that of New York and that of New Hampshire to furnish me with the Accounts, specifying the Persons Names to whom Money has been advanced by their Order.
On farther Consideration, I find this Order will be necessary even if Congress should not think proper to adopt my Mode of Payment, for I labour under Difficulties in Complying with Applications for Money as I do not know but I may overrun the Mark.
The first One hundred thousand Dollars issued to Mr [Jonathan] Trumbull are expended, and as I shall have large Calls on me from Canada and other Quarters I beg leave to mention the Necessity there is of a fresh supply to the Military Chest in this Department.
I am rather better than when I did Myself the Honor to write you last, having Yesterday for the first Time ventured to ride out two or three hundred Yards.
Should I receive Your Orders to engage Troops for the Winter Services, I propose to give the offers of Commissions to the Officers of the Army as they stand in Rank (unless your direct otherwise) Which I hope will be agreeable I am Sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] read before Congress 16. Octr. 1775