Cambridge 28th Novemr 1775.
[Extract]
Sir I had the honour of writeing to you the 19th Instant I have now to inform you that Henry Knox Esqr is gone to New york, with orders to forward to this place, what Cannon & Ordnance Stores, can be there procured, from thence, he will proceed to Genl Schuyler on the same business as you will see by the inclosed Copy of instructions which I have given him ー it would give me much Satisfaction, that this Gentleman or any other whom you may think qualifyed, was appointed to the Command of the Artillery Regiment. in my Letter to you of the 8th instant I have expressed myself fully on this Subject, which I beg Leave to recommend to your immediate Attention, as the formation of that Corps will be at a Stand, untill I Am honoured with your instructions thereon. ー
The Vessel laden with wine,2 which I advised you was wrecked on this Coast, proves to have been the property of a Thomas Salter of Philadelphia the papers relative to her & her Cargo were sent to Robert Morris Esqr who can give you every information thereon. the Schooner with the dry goods from Boston to Halifax, is given up to the Committee of Safety at Beverly, who will dispose of her & Cargo agreeable to the decision of a Court of Admiralty, and the Schooner Carried into Portsmouth by Captain [Winborn] Adams proves to be a friend, is of Course discharged ー
There are two persons engaged to go to Nova Scotia on the business recommended in your Last, by the best information we have from thence, the Stores &c have been withdrawn some-time, Should this not be the Case, it is next to an impossibility to attempt any thing there, in the present unsettled & precarious State of the Army ー
Col [Roger] Enos is arrived and under Arrest he acknowledges he had no orders for comeing away his trial cannot come on untill I hear from Colonel Arnold, from whom there is no account since I Last wrote you. ー
from what I can Collect by my enquirey Amongst the Officers, it will be impossible to get the Men to inlist for the Continuance of the War, which will be an insuperable Obstruction to the formation of the two Battallions of Marines, on the plan resolved on in Congress, as it can make no difference, I propose to proceed on the new arrangement of the Army and when Completed, enquire out such Officers & Men as are best qualifyed for that service, and endeavour to form these two Battallions out of the Whole, this appears to me the best Method & will I hope meet the aprobation of Congress. ー