republican and laborious hands spun the flax, and prepared the linen intended for the use of our soldiers; when exiles and fugitives, we supported with courage all the evils which are the concomitants of war. Let us not lose a moment, let us be engaged to offer the homage of our gratitude at the altar of military valor, and you, our brave deliverers, while mercenary slaves combat to cause you to share with them the irons with which they are loaded, receive with a free hand our offering, the purest which can be presented to your virtue."

From

After this publication, the ladies divided the city of Philadelphia into districts, and a select number visited every house, and received the contribution. The method proposed, of distributing their bounty to the troops, was through the medium of Mrs. Washington, but in her absence, through that of her husband, the father and friend of the soldiery. the kind and generous exertions of these ladies, the soldiers received at one time, two thousand one hundred and seven shirts, made by their own hands, and in another paper it is mentioned, that the sum total of the donations received by the ladies of Philadelphia, in their several districts, for the American army, amounts to three hundred thousand seven hundred and sixty six dollars in paper currency. Such free will offerings are examples truly worthy of imitation, and are to be considered as expressions of kindness and benevolence, which ought to be recorded to the honor of American ladies.

December 1st.-Our brigade is now ordered into the woods, in the highlands, in the rear of West Point, where we are to build log huts, for winter cantonments. We are again subjected to numerous privations and difficulties, to support which requires all our patience and fortitude. The soldiers, though very miserably clad, have been for some time obliged to bring all the wood for themselves and officers, on their backs, from a place a mile distant, and almost

half the time are kept on half allowance of bread, and entirely without rum. Twelve or fourteen months pay are now due to us, and we are destitute of clothing, and the necessaries of life. The weather is remarkably cold, and our tents are comfortless.

10th. For three days past I have not been able to procure food enough to appease my appetite; we are threatened with starvation. That a part of our army charged with the defence of a post so highly important to America, should be left in such an unprovided and destitute condition, is truly a matter of astonishment, and unless a remedy can be found, our soldiers will abandon the cause of their country, and we must submit to the yoke of Great Britain, which we so much abhor.

20th.-During the last ten days we have experienced almost continued storms of rain, high winds, and disagreeable fogs. Our canvass dwellings afford us but little protection against such powerful assailants; they are frequently rent asunder, and we are almost overwhelmed with inundation.

A very spirited and honorable enterprize has lately been planned and executed by Major Talmadge, of Colonel Sheldon's regiment of dragoons. The enemy having large magazines of forage and stores in the vicinity of fort St. George, on Long Island, he resolved to hazard the attempt to seize them by surprize. Fort St. George was stockaded, and covered a large spot of ground, having a square redoubt, with a ditch and abbatis. With about eighty dismounted dragoons, under Captain Edgar, and eight or ten on horseback, Major Talmadge passed the Sound, where it was about twenty miles from shore to shore, marched across the island in the night with such facility and address, that his enterprize was crowned with complete success. The enemy were not alarmed till too late to make much resistance; seven however were killed and wounded, and the remainder, amounting to fifty four, among whom were one lieutenant colo

nel, one captain and a subaltern, were made prisoners. The fort was demolished, two armed vessels were burnt, and a large magazine of hay, said to be three hundred tons, with stores to a large amount, shared the same fate. Major Talmadge recrossed the Sound with his brave party without the loss of a man. The Commander in Chief was so well pleased with this exploit, that he recommended Major Talmadge to the notice of Congress, and they voted him their thanks for his brave and spirited conduct.

The extraordinary patience and fortitude, which have hitherto been so honorably displayed by our officers and soldiers under their complicated distresses, appear now to be exhausted. From repeated disappointments of our hopes and expectations, the confidence of the army in public justice, and public promises, is greatly diminished, and we are reduced almost to despair.

The present crisis is alarming. Regimental officers are continually resigning their commissions, and a large proportion of those who remain have pledged themselves to follow their example, unless a redress of grievances can soon be obtained. Nothing short of what we conceive to be justly our due, a comfortable and permanent support, will retain our officers, however ardent their desire to serve their country. They exclaim, let others come and take their turn, we have served years longer than we expected, and have acquitted ourselves of duty. All the general officers belonging to New England, have united in a memorial to their respective state governments, complaining of our grievances, and requesting immediate relief, and security for the future. This memorial, being put into the mail, was taken from the Fishkill post rider, by some emissary from the enemy, and has been published in the New York papers, by which our forlorn situation has been exposed, and much exultation occasioned among those, who are watching for our destruction.

The resolution of Congress, for a new arrangement of the army, was not conformable to the expectations of the officers, and caused uneasiness among them. The Commander in Chief saw that a storm was gathering, and thought it prudent, on this occasion, to communicate his opinion to Congress, on the best means to avert it. On the 11th of October, he informed Congress, "that the general topic of declamation in the army is, that it is as hard as dishonorable, for men who had made every sacrifice to the service, to be turned out of it, at the pleasure of those in power, without an adequate compensation. Too many of the officers wish to get rid of their commissions, but they are not willing to be forced to it."

The Commander in Chief, in his communication to Congress, suggests the policy of making ample provision, both for the officers who stay, and for those who are reduced. He recommended what he thought would be the most economical, the most politic, and the most effectual provision, half pay for life. Supported," the General says, "by a prospect of a permanent dependence, the officers would be tied to the service, and would submit to many momentary privations, and to the inconveniences, which the situation of the public service make unavoidable. If the objection drawn from the principle, that this measure is incompatible with the genius of our government, be thought insurmountable, I would propose a substitute, less eligible in my opinion, but which may answer the purpose; it is to make the present half pay, for seven years, whole pay, for the same period, to be advanced at two different payments, one half in a year after the conclusion of peace, the other half in two years after."

His Excellency also takes notice of the injuries and inconveniences, which attend a continual change of officers, and consequent promotions in the army.

Soon after Congress were possessed of the sentiments of General Washington, they resolved," that

the commander in chief and commanding officer, in the northern department, direct the officers of each state, to meet and agree on the officers for the regiments to be raised by their respective states, from those who incline to continue in service, and where it cannot be done by agreement, to be determined by seniority; and make return of those who are to remain, which is to be transmitted to Congress, together with the names of the officers reduced, who are to be allowed half pay for life. That the officers, who shall continue in service to the end of the war, shall also be entitled to half pay during life, to commence from the time of their reduction.

January 1st, 1781.-On this, the first day of the new year, an arrangement of our army takes place, according to a late resolve of Congress. The supernumerary regiments are to be incorporated with those which continue on the new establishment, and the supernumerary officers are to retire from service on the establishment fixed by Congress, and are to be entitled to the same privileges and emoluments, which are to be allowed to those who continue to the end of the war. It being optional with me, either to retire or to continue in service, I shall retain my commission as surgeon to Colonel H. Jackson's regiment. We are encouraged to anticipate more favorable circumstances, and more liberal compensation, Congress having at length passed several resolves, entitling all officers who shall continue in service till the end of the war, or shall be reduced before that time, as supernumeraries, to receive half pay during life, and a certain number of acres of land, in proportion to their rank. Besides these pecuniary considerations, we are actuated by the purest principles of patriotism; having engaged in the mighty struggle, we are ambitious to persevere to the end. To be instrumental in the achievement of a glorious Independence for our country, and posterity, will be a source of infinite satisfaction, and