Questions for Captain Allen McLane, 29 October 1777
Questions for Captain Allen McLane
[c.29 October 1777]
1st What number of troops supposed to be in Genl Howe’s Army, and how disposed of?
2d What works thrown up in and about the City, & what cannon in them?
3d Have any detachments been made over to Jersey, & for what purpose?
4th How many men have they sent over there, & how many pieces of Cannon?
5th What kind of cannon, whether field pieces or larger Cannon?
6th What preparations are they making on the water, are they fitting out Ships, Gallies, fire rafts, or floating batteries?
7th Do they think they can stay in Philadelphia, if their shipping cannot pass the forts?
8th Are they resolved to make any farther attempts on both the Forts or either of them, and in what way, whether by storm or siege?
9th Can you discover whether they will attempt anything against the Forts and where? Observe carefully the preparations making on the river, and along the wharves, it is of great importance to know the time or near it.
10th Is there any talk of leaving Philada and by what route, observe carefully what they are doing with their waggons, whether their baggage is packed up, and what directions their waggons receive?
11th Are the Tories, and friends of the British Army, under much apprehensions of their leaving Town, and what preparations are they making to remove themselves, or their effects?
12th For what purpose is it understood, the bridge is thrown over the middle ferry, and what force is kept on the West side of the Schuylkill?
13th Has the bridge been injured by the late storm, or is it passable?
14th Where are the Grenadiers, Light Infantry, and Rangers, and are they making any preparations to move?
15th What number of men are sent over to Carpenters, and province Islands, and how often are they relieved?
16th In what condition are those banks since the late rain—Can waggons and Carriages pass, so as to transport provisions and Stores from the Ships to the Town.
17th In what condition are the Troops for provisions, and in what articles is there the greatest scarcity?
18th How are the Inhabitants situated for provisions?
19th What impression has the news of Genl Burgoyne’s surrender made on the British Army?
20th Is there any conversation in the British Army, or among the Inhabitants, of Genl Howe’s coming out to meet Genl Washington?
21st What is the British Army now employed about? Note carefully the prices of every thing.
22d Does continental money rise or fall in value, in the Town?
23d Can you learn whether there are any preparations making or any intentions to go up the Delaware, to burn the Frigates & Vessels there?
24th Find out what duty the Soldiers do, and whether they are contented, How many nights in the week, are they in bed?
25th Enquire particularly into the treatment of the prisoners, in the new Goal, so that if necessary you make oath of it!
26th Do they compel any to enlist by starving or otherwise ill treating them?
27th Find out how far the redoubts between Delaware and Schylkill are apart, and whether there are lines, or abattis between the redoubts.
Transcript, DLC: Toner Collection. This document must have been written after the news reached GW that the British had thrown up a bridge at Middle Ferry on 23–24 Oct. (see Joseph Reed to GW, 24 Oct., and note 1) but before the fall of forts Mifflin and Mercer on 15 November. Questions nos. 13 and 16 most likely refer to the severe storm that washed away the British bridge on 28 Oct., as reported in David Forman to GW, 29 Oct., and James Potter and Samuel Smith to GW, both 30 October. The questions are preceded by a heading: “Questions in writing from Genl Washington to Capt. McLane Commandant of a party of observation 1777.” A line centered after the heading, to which someone later added “& 1778,” is struck out and illegible.