New-England Colonies. His instructions will be laid before you, and we have no doubt you will take such measures relative thereto as will promote the general safety of these Colonies.

To the Honourable the Governour and Company of the Colony of Connecticut.

MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO COL. BENEDICT ARNOLD.

Watertown, May 27, 1775.

SIR: We have, this day, with pleasure, received your letter to the Committee of Safety, of the 19th instant, by Captain Brown, and return you our hearty thanks for your exertions in the publick cause, and fully agree with you that the interposition of Providence, in this and many other instances, is apparent, for which we have the greatest cause for thankfulness.

We are clearly of opinion that keeping Ticonderoga is a matter of great importance, and we make no doubt the honourable Continental Congress will take that affair immediately under their wise consideration, and give all necessary orders therefor, as we have addressed them most earnestly on the subject.

You inform us that you have had intimations that some persons were determined to apply, in order to injure your character. If any such applications should be made here, you may be assured we shall be so candid as not to suffer any impressions to your disadvantage, until you shall have opportunity to vindicate your conduct.

We enclose a Resolve of this Congress, appointing and directing Colonel Joseph Henshaw to repair to Hartford, and consult with the General Assembly there, upon this important matter, by which you will see the resolution this Congress has taken relative thereto.

We would just add, that the letter you refer to, of the 14th instant, by Colonel Romans, has not come to hand, so that no order can be taken thereon. We are, &c.

To Colonel Benedict Arnold, Ticonderoga.

INSTRUCTIONS TO COLONEL HENSHAW, DELEGATE TO CONNECTICUT AND CROWN POINT.

Resolved, That Colonel Joseph Henshaw be appointed and directed to repair to Hartford, and inquire whether provision is made by the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut for securing and maintaining the fortress at Ticonderoga and the adjacent posts; and if that Assembly has made provision for that purpose, the said Colonel Henshaw proceed directly to Ticonderoga and acquaint Colonel Arnold that it is the order of this Congress that he return, and render accounts of his expenses in that expedition, in order that he may be honourably discharged; but if Colonel Henshaw shall find that such provision is not made, and the General Assembly not sitting, that he proceed to Ticonderoga, and inform Colonel Arnold that it is the order of this Congress that he continue there, with such a number of forces as said Colonel Henshaw shall judge necessary, for the purpose. Nevertheless, if the said Colonel Henshaw shall find the General Assembly sitting, and nave not made such provision, that he consult with them touching this important matter, and take their proposals, and immediately make report to the Congress of this Colony.

COLONEL HENSHAW TO DR. J WARREN.

Watertown, May 28, 1775.

SIR: cannot proceed on my journey to Hartford and Crown Point through, want of the papers sent last evening to Cambridge by Mr. Gill, to be attested, Mr. Gill promised to bring me a horse and sulkey to proceed on as far as Leicester, where I shall take a horse of my own, there being none that may be obtained here. If he has not provided me with a horse and sulkey already, he knows where to do it having your directions; therefore you will please to forward the papers, with a horse and sulkey, by Mr. Gill, when I shall instantly proceed. I am your most obedient servant,

JOS. HENSHAW.

MINUTES OF COLONEL JOSEPH HENSHAW’S JOURNEY TO CONNECTICUT.

May 28, 1775.—At noon set off from Watertown for Hartford and Ticonderoga.

Wednesday noon.—Arrived at Hartford; delivered the letter to the Governour and Council, with whom had a conference respecting the fortress at Ticonderoga, before dinner.

P. M.—Attended the House, with whom conferred on the same subject, and desired a conference by a Committee, which was granted, and a joint Committee of the Council and House appointed for that purpose; from whom I understood that intelligence had been received from the Continental Congress and New-York, which had been forwarded to the Provincial Congress since my departure, that the Continental Congress had recommended to New-York to maintain the fortress, and remove such cannon as may not be wanted, &c.; that New-York had requested Connecticut to provide for the safety of the post till New-York could take it on themselves; that in consequence thereof Connecticut had ordered one thousand men to Ticonderoga, under Colonel Hinman, with artificers, and five hundred pounds of powder, provisions, &c., and were about to send up an engineer; that four Companies were raising in Albany for the same purpose; that considering the intelligence received by our Congress since my departure, it was the unanimous opinion of the Committee it would be advisable to return immediately there before I proceeded to Ticonderoga, as it would not make more than two or three days difference, and it was probable the Congress would have some fresh instructions to furnish me with from said intelligence; that Connecticut expects we shall not draw off our forces, but leave them to co-operate with theirs for the defence of the post; that a Colonel and two Majors are appointed over the Connecticut forces, &c.

Thursday, June 1.—Waited till noon for Capt. Brown, who was to meet me at Hartford, and then proceed to Ticonderoga, but he not coming, I wrote to Colonel Arnold, and left the letter, with others, for Captain Brown to take on his arrival at Hartford, and proceed to Ticonderoga, when I set off for the Congress.

COLONEL HENSHAW TO COLONEL BENEDICT ARNOLD.

Hartford, May 31, 1775.

SIR: By Captain Brown I would advise you of my consulting the General Assembly of this Colony respecting the fortress at Ticonderoga. They have ordered Colonel Hinman to take the command there with one thousand men, and four Companies raising at Albany, artificers, &c., to repair and defend that post. It is expected you will continue with Colonel Allen, and put the place in the best posture of defence you are able, and guard against any surprise from the enemy till the succours arrive, and you receive further directions from the Congress. I should have proceeded from; hence to Ticonderoga, but some events taking place since my departure from the Congress, makes it necessary for me to repair immediately thither.

I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

JOSEPH HENSHAW.

SELECTMEN OF PARTRIDGEFIELD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Partridgefield, May 27, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The Selectmen of the Town of Partridgefield having received a message from the Provincial Congress, dated at Concord, March 31, 1775, requiring the speedy payment of some money to Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stow, they immediately warned a, town-meeting, and the inhabitants being assembled, and taking into consideration the present circumstances of the Town, they unanimously voted that, considering the present circumstances of the Town, they were not able to pay the tax required of them by the Provincial Congress; and also voted that the Town Clerk should write to the Congress, and give them some information concerning the present circumstances of the Town—a specimen of which is as follows, viz: This Town is but new, and but few people in it, and the generality of them are people of low fortunes; and it

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