11To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 2 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 4th Ultimo, on the Subject of the Cannon. I should not have been So long Silent on this matter, but that none of the brass cannon were finished, till a few days ago, and the Convention were So much out of temper, by the powder lent to the Continental army not being repaid, which they greatly wanted for their own defence, that I thought it most expedient to...
12To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 20 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was this moment honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 13th Instant; on the Subject of Cannon and shells. I should long ere now have forwarded the latter, agreeable to Colonel Knox’s memorandum, if I had not been interdicted by a former favor. you may rest assured that all Posible dispatch will be given to expedite the shells; but as the men of warr’s boats often Row gard to where the...
13To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 13 February 1776 (Jay Papers)
Yesterday we made a Convention. I have the pleasure to inform you it will be a full one a day or two They have such a spirit as will m[ain]tain the reputation of the Colony and the Common Un[ion.] When Mr Deane was here in the Course of the winter on the business of the Navey; I suggested to him the Propriety of geting a Copy of Lieu t . OBrien’s Naval evolutions, to be reprinted. He approved...
14To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 7 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
While I am waiting for General Lee, Just at the Point of his departure, I am induced to put a few incoherent thoughts together. I fear the Confederacy will Suffer by altering General Lee’s destination, from Canada. The officer who is to command there should speak french, if such an officer can be procured; a frenchman’s eyes sparkles when he is addressed in that Language. Many ^ reasons ^...
15To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
I received your favor of the 13 th , and am greatly pleased with the resolution of Congress interdicting the military to impose Tests, General ^ Lee ^ sent Col Sears on that extraordinary business without consulting the Convention, as he was near departing and the Colony is so much Suspected they Judged it best to pass the matter over; but I am perswaded it will be the last instance of their...
16To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
I wrote you this morning pretty fully. I then forgot to inform you, that I got M r . Nichol’s provided for, in the Second Company of first Regiment; I wish he may retrieve his Character. There is great want of Artillery officers and men in Canad; none are Yet gone to that important Service. A Captain Momain, who speaks French, is appointed to an Artillery Company in the Continental Service,...
17To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 16 April 1776 (Jay Papers)
Your four last favors are now before me; my long Silence was owing to what you ascribed it. I have however Stole a moment, to peruse your Letters, and to return you some answer. We have two sloops and a peteauger armed on account of the Colony, ready to Saile on a Cruze. They have been detained for want of a regulation for the Seamen’s pay. One of the Sloops carries Six four Pounders, & the...
18To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the four Battalions raised last Year in this Colony have been allowed but a single Ration; nor have they had any allowance for billetting Money even while they were recruiting. The Expences they were exposed to in the Northern Campaign were great; far beyond those in the English Colonies; owing to the high Charges attending the Carriage of the Necessaries they wanted on that...
19To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 15 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
All the necessaries for Soldiers Cloathing, are so very high and the Pay of the middle department so much below the Eastern Establishment, that my Soldiers are kept bare of necessary Cloathing and other Articles; a Common Soldiers Shirt Costing from 17/ to 20/ Currency, which is half a Months pay. The most of the Levies made in great Cities are generally induced to enter the Service from the...
20To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 26 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
All the Non-commissioned officers, rank and file of my Regiment, are enlisted without time, except one company, recruited before the instructions for raising the four Regiments, Issued from Congress. And I doubt not to be able to engage this on the same Establishment. By the instructions to Colonel Dubois, I observe, he is authorised to give Ten Dollars bounty, to Such Soldiers as shall enlist...