The Newport Gazette

NEW YORK, May 7.

On Tuesday last arrived here, the brig Badger, Capt. Hugh Reilly, from Greenock, which she left the 27th of February; by her we have papers to the 2d of that month, from which we have selected the following advices.

Instructions to Sir Guy Carleton, relative to the operations of the army under Lieutenant General Burgoyne.

Extract of a letter from Lord George Germain to Gen. Carleton, dated Whitehall, March 6, 1777.

Your letter on the 22d of August. The dispatch of 1776 was intrusted to the care of Captain Le Maitre, one of your aide de camp. After having been three times in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, by bad weather he had the mortification to find it impossible to make his passage to Quebec, and therefore returned to England with my dispatch, which, though it was presented by that accident from reaching your hands in due time, I nevertheless think proper to transmit to you, by this the earliest opportunity.

You will be informed by the contents thereof, that as soon as you should have driven the rebel forces from the frontiers of Canada, it was his Majesty's pleasure that you should return to Quebec, and take with you such part of your army as, in your judgment and discretion, appeared necessary for the defence of the province. That you should detach Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, or such other officer as you should think most proper, with the remainder of the troops, and direct the officer so detached to proceed with all possible expedition to join General Howe, and to put himself under his command.

With a view of quelling the rebellion as soon as possible, it is become highly necessary that the most speedy junction of the two armies should be effected: and therefore, as the security and good government of Canada absolutely require your presence there, it is the King's determination to leave about three thousand men under your command, for the defence and service of that province, and to employ the remainder of your army upon two expeditions. The one under the command of Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, who is to force his way to Albany; and the other under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel St. Leger, who is to make a diversion on the Mohawk River.

As this plan cannot be advantageously executed without the assistance of Canadians and Indians, his Majesty strongly recommends it to your care, to furnish both expeditions with good and sufficient bodies of those men; and I am happy in knowing that your influence among them is so great, that there can be no room to apprehend you will find it difficult to fulfill his Majesty's expectations.

In order that no time may be lost in entering upon these important undertakings, General Burgoyne has received orders to sail forthwith for Quebec: and that the intended operations may be maturely considered, and afterwards carried on in such a manner as is most likely to be followed by success, he is directed to consult with you on the subject, and to form and adjust the same as you both shall think most conducive to his Majesty's service.

I am also to acquaint you, that as soon as you shall have fully regulated every thing relative to the said expeditions, (and the King relies upon your zeal, that you will be as expeditious as the nature of the business will admit) it is his Majesty's pleasure, that you detain for the Canada service,

The 7th regiment, deducting 100 men for the expedition to the Mohawk 460

Battalion companies of the 29th and 31st regiments 886

Battalion companies of the 34th, deducting 100 for the expedition to the Mohawk: 348

11 additional companies from Great-Britain, 616

Detachments from the two brigades 300

Detachments from the German troops 650

Royal Highland Emigrants 500

3770

You will naturally conclude, that this allotment for Canada has not been made, without properly weighing several duties which are likely to be required. His Majesty has not only considered the several garrisons and posts which it may be necessary for you to take, viz. Quebec, Chambly, the dissatisfied parishes of Port Levi, Montreal, and posts between that town and Oswegatchie, Trois Rivieres, Isle-aux-Noix, La Prairie, Vercheres, and some other small upon the south shore of St. Lawrence,

opposite the Isle of Montreal, with posts of communication to St. John's; but he has also reflected, that the several operations which will be carrying on in the different parts of America, must necessarily confine the attention of the rebels to the respective scenes of action, and secure Canada from external attacks, and that the internal quiet, which at present prevails, is not likely to be interrupted, or, if interrupted, will soon be restored, by your influence over the inhabitants; he therefore trusts that three thousand men will be quite sufficient to answer every possible demand.

It is likewise his Majesty's pleasure, that you put under the command of Lieut. General Burgoyne.

The grenadiers and light infantry of the army, except of the 8th regiments, and 24th regiment,

as the advanced corps under the command of Brigadier General Fraser 1568

First brigade, battalion companies, of the 9th, 21st and 47th regiments, deducting a detachment of 50 from each corps, to remain in Canada

Second brigade, battalion companies, of the 20th, 53d and 62d regiments, deducting 50 from each corps, to remain as above 1194

All the German troops, except the Hanau Chasseurs, and a detachment of 650 321

The Artillery excepting such parts as shall be necessary for the defence of Canada 7173

Together with as many Canadians and Indians as may be thought necessary for this service, and after having furnished him in the fullest and completest manner with artillery, stores, provisions, and every other article necessary for his expedition, and secured to him every assistance which it is in your power to afford and procure, you are to give him orders to pass Lake Champlain, and from thence by the most vigorous exertion of the force under his command, to proceed with all expedition to Albany, and put himself under the command of Sir William Howe.

From the King's knowledge of the preparations made by you last year to secure the communication of the Lakes, and attention to this part of the service during the winter, his Majesty is led to expect that every thing will be ready for General Burgoyne's passing the Lake by the time you and he shall have adjusted the plan of the expedition.

It is the King's further pleasure, that you put under the command of Lieutenant Colonel St. Leger,

Detachment from the 8th regiment

Detachment from the 34th regiment

Sir J. Johnstone's regiment of New York

Hanau Chasseurs

Together with a sufficient number of Canadians and Indians; and after having furnished him with proper artillery, provisions, and every other necessary for his expedition, and secured every assistance in your power to afford, you are to give him orders to proceed forthwith to go up, and down the Mohawk River to Albany, and put himself under the command of Sir William Howe.

Hence by the first packet; but I shall write to Sir William Howe nevertheless since I cannot give the earliest intelligence of this measure by you.
Direct Lieutenant General Burgoyne, and Lieutenant Colonel St. Leger, to neglect no opportunity of doing the same, that they may receive instructions from Sir William Howe. You will at the same time inform them that until they shall have received orders from Sir William Howe, it is his Majesty's pleasure that they act as exigencies may require, and in such manner as they shall judge most proper, for making an impression on the rebels, and bringing them to obedience. But that in so doing, they must never lose view of their intended junctions with Sir William Howe, as their principal objects.

In case Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, or Lieutenant-Colonel St. Leger, should happen to die, or be rendered, through illness, incapable of executing these great trusts, you are to nominate to the respective command, such officer or officers as you shall think best qualified to supply the place of those whom his Majesty has, in his wisdom, at present appointed to conduct those expeditions.