CHAPTER XXI. GATES SENT TO PHILADELPHIA WITH THE CANADA DESPATCHES—PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF MAJOR-GENERAL—WASHINGTON SUMMONED TO PHILADELPHIA—PUTNAM LEFT IN COMMAND—CONFERENCE WITH CONGRESS—ARMY ARRANGEMENTS—A BOARD OF WAR INSTITUTED—THE CLINTONS OF NEW YORK—MRS. WASHINGTON INOCULATED—REED MADE ADJUTANT-GENERAL. As the reverses in Canada would affect the fortunes of the Revolution elsewhere, Washington sent General Gates to lay the despatches concerning them, before Congress. “His military experience,” said he, “and intimate acquaintance with the situation of our affairs, will enable him to give Congress the fullest satisfaction about the measures necessary to be adopted at this alarming crisis; and, with his zeal and attachment to the cause of America, he will have a claim to their notice and favors.” Scarce had Gates departed on his mission (May 19th), when Washington himself received a summons to Philadelphia, to advise with Congress concerning the opening campaign. He was informed also that Gates, on the 16th of May, had been promoted to the rank of major-general, and Mifflin to that of brigadier-general, and a wish was intimated that they might take the command of Boston. Washington prepared to proceed to Philadelphia. His general orders issued on the 19th of May, show the anxious situation of affairs at New York. In case of an alarm the respective regiments were to draw up opposite to their encampments or quarters, until ordered to repair to the alarm posts. The alarm signals for regulars, militia, and the inhabitants of the city, were, in the daytime—two cannon fired from the rampart at Fort George, and a flag hoisted on the top of Washington’s head-quarters. In the night—two cannon fired as above, and two lighted lanterns hoisted on the top of head-quarters.[69] In his parting instructions to Putnam, who, as the oldest major-general in the city, would have the command during his absence, Washington informed him of the intention of the Provincial Congress of New York to seize the principal tories, and disaffected persons in the city, and the surrounding country, especially on Long Island, and authorized him to afford military aid, if required, to carry the same into execution. He was also to send Lord Stirling, Colonel Putnam the engineer, and Colonel Knox, if he could be spared, up to the Highlands, to examine the state of the forts and garrisons, and report what was necessary to put them in a posture of defence. Their garrisons were chiefly composed of parts of a regiment of New York troops, commanded by Colonel James Clinton, of Ulster County, and were said to be sufficient. The general, accompanied by Mrs. Washington, departed from New York on the 21st of May, and they were invited by Mr. Hancock, the President of Congress, to be his guests during their sojourn at Philadelphia.