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Sir:—

Your return with your letter of the 2d instant I have just received, and am really concerned to find your officers are not punctual in obeying orders. Without that proper discipline can not be kept up; I conclude from your letter you have not received one I addressed to you near a month past to the care of Col. John Williams of the 9th Battalion. In it were inclosed copies of the proclamations I herewith send you, and as the one requiring the Troops to repair to Halifax has not been attended to, I must now request that you march your men immediately to Halifax except one officer from each company, whom you think best qualified to remain in the State to recruit. On your arrival there you are to apply to the commanding officer, and follow such instructions as I

shall furnish him with. If you do not get there before he may march, you will be pleased to make me a return immediately on your arrival at Halifax, and wait such orders as you may then receive from me.

The money is not yet arrived from Philadelphia, but is daily expected; on its arrival I shall order a paymaster to attend at Halifax to pay up the arrears of bounty and pay. We have just received accounts published by order of Congress, that General Howe had marched from his encampment at Brunswick nine miles on his way to Philadelphia where he was met by our brave General Washington and the American Troops who put the British to the route; that they endeavoured to return to their old quarters at Brunswick, but found three of our Regiments in possession of it, who refused to let them enter. Whereupon they were pursuing their march to Amboy, and our Troops on their heels annoying and distressing them: few it is hoped will be suffered to get on board their ships. This account is published in the Philadelphia papers of 24th June. Let me hear from you by every opportunity.

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