P.S. I have received an Account which mentions that there are some Transports fitting & preparing at New York, as if they were to receive Troops.3 From the measures I have taken I hope in a day or two to obtain more particular & satisfactory information on the subject.4

I inclose Your Excellency Rivington’s papers of the 22 & 25 Instant. By the former You will find General Robertson arrived at New York on the 21st in character of Governor—and that we may conclude nothing extraordinary had happened at the Southward about the 11th of the Month.5

There is a point on which I would wish to obtain the sentiments and direction of Congress, as without them, I am like to be under some embarrassment with respect to it. I find that the States of Rhode-Island, Connecticut & Jersey—the Only Three from which I have heard upon the subject of Levies (except New York which has none to raise) have, for making up theirs, adopted the mode of voluntary inlistments for the War, under certain pecuniary bounties; Viz. Rhode Island 300—Connecticut 300—Jersey 1000 Dollars “in addition to & exclusive of the Continental bounty” as it is variously expressed; and the last Two have requested Officers to be sent from the Army on the recruiting service.6 I wish to know whether there is any Continental pecuniary bounty in such cases & what it is (for I would beg leave to observe, that I shall continue to give a bounty of Two Hundred Dollars to the Old Soldiers who will reengage for the War previous to or on the expiration of their Inlistments unless I am directed to the contrary, if any can be prevailed on to do it for this sum only) And if there is a Continental bounty, whether it is to be exclusive of what the States give and to be advanced by Warrants on the Military Chest; or inclusive, and to be passed to the Credit of the States respectively for whose quota the Recruits are inlisted as was directed on a similar occasion by the Act of the 9 of March last.7 It will also be necessary for Congress to determine, in case a Continental bounty is allowed, whether it is to extend as well to Men whose services will expire in the course of a few months, who may be reinlisted by the States by Officers sent to the Army for the purpose, which is part of the System meant to be pursued by some, as well as to those who may be engaged in the State. I also wish to know, whether the Officers who may go on the Recruiting service in consequence of requisitions from the different Governments, are to have a bounty & what from the United States⟨;⟩ or are to look only to their own States for a provision & allowance in the case. These points appear to me essential to be determined—and I would take the liberty to request that Congress will be pleased to satisfy me with respect to them, as soon as they shall judge it convenient.