of bullets to each soldier. That Colonel Hinman be ordered to keep up the strictest vigilance to prevent any hostile incursions from being made into the settlements of the Province of Quebeck, and that the Provincial Congresses of New-York and Massachusetts-Bay be advised of these measures, and the New-York Congress be requested to forward the necessary supplies for said Troops, and such other supplies of ammunition as they shall judge necessary. Advice of these resolutions is already sent forward to New-York, per Mr. Colton, your express to Philadelphia.

It is matter of doubt with us whether the above-mentioned detachment of Troops, ordered by this Colony, will be sufficient for the important purposes for which they are destined; but we recollect that Colonel Arnold is now on the spot, with a commission (as we understand) to raise a Regiment in the pay of your Province. We are not informed how far he has proceeded in that design. If he meets with success, we flatter ourselves that his Regiment, joined with the Troops we have sent, will be able to maintain their ground, and keep possession of those important posts.

We take the liberty to recommend to your consideration the furnishing such additional supply of powder from you as you shall think necessary, to be sent forwards for the support of those northern posts. I am very sorry to have it to say, that we are credibly informed there is not five hundred pounds of powder in the City of New-York; but at the same time are advised that means are taking to supply them with that very important article.

I am, with great truth and regard, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TKUMBULL,

The Hon. Provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Bay.

CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY TO THE ALBANY COMMITTEE.

Hartford, May 29, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Your favour of the 27th instant, by express, came safe to hand; the contents have been duly considered, and in reply have the pleasure to acquaint you that we had before received the resolve of the Congress at New-York, with their request to send forward some forces to the northward, to keep those important posts until such time as they might be relieved by Troops from your Colony. We have accordingly ordered one thousand Troops, under command of Colonel Hinman, to march immediately to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, furnished with one pound of powder and three pounds of ball, to each soldier, to continue there until, relieved by the Province of New-York, or are otherwise ordered; also sent forward, under the care of Colonel Easton, of Pittsfield, five hundred weight of powder for those fortresses; and forwarded advice of our doings to the Provincial Congresses, both at Massachusetts and New-York, just before the receipt of your letter, which renders it unnecessary your express should go forward to the Congress at Massachusetts-Bay. Colonel Hinman is directed to exercise the greatest vigilance that no incursions be made into the Province of Quebeck, to disturb the inhabitants there. It is hoped that the Provincial Congress at New-York will forward the supplies of provisions, and whatever may be thought necessary; and that the people in your Province, who are under the best advantage from their situation, will spare no endeavours that may be beneficial to preserve peace and harmony with the Indians, and prevent their taking part against, but rather that they take part for, the security of the liberties of these Colonies, whereon their own happiness so much depends.

WILLIAM GILLELAND TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

Near Crown Point, May 29, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: As a lover of my liberty and my country, I beg leave to offer you my warmest congratulation on the success of His Majesty’s arms, under the prudent and spirited conduct of Colonel Arnold and Mr. Ethan Allen, in reducing the important posts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and in seizing the armed sloop on this lake, and all the officers, soldiers, and military stores. These acquisitions I conceive to be highly advantageous to the Americans cause; and we all ardently hope that you, gentlemen, will order them to sufficiently supported and defended; for which purpose I imagine that a thousand men (sailors, engineers, and artillery-men, included) should be immediately stationed at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Point Aufere, and a sufficient number to man the sloop, the schooner, and the large and small boats now in our possession, and which at present gives us the mastery of the lake. Point Aufere is on the west side of this lake, seven miles south of the Canada line, whereon was built last summer a very strong stone and lime wall house, with strong ball-proof brick, sentry boxes at each corner, commanding every inch of ground about the house, having in them, and in a large dry cellar under the house, forty-four port-holes. This may, at a small expense, be made a very important post, by throwing up a breast-work, or by intrenching round the house, to be defended by a few pieces of cannon, whereby every naval irruption that may be attempted by the enemy, may be greatly obstructed, if not entirely frustrated; and we frontier inhabitant encouraged to remain on our flourishing settlements, without being alarmed at or exposed to the incursions of either the soldiery, the Canadians, or the Indians—the latter two of whom I must say, at present, have all the appearance of being neutrals, if not friends.

I must beg leave to observe to you, that there are now in these parts a very considerable number of men under the command of Mr. Ethan Allen, as brave as Hercules, and as good marksmen as can be found in America, who might prove immediately serviceable to the common cause, were they regularly embodied, and commanded by officers of their own choice, subordinate to whoever has or may be appointed commander-in-chief, or to the instructions of the Grand Congress. These men being excellent wood rangers, and particularly acquainted in the wilderness of Lake Champlain, would, in all likelihood, be more serviceable in these parts than treble their number of others not having these advantages, especially if left under the direction of their present enterprising and heroick commander, Mr. Allen.

I hope, gentlemen, you will pardon the freedom of this address, since it goes to you from one very much interested in the subject, having upwards of fifty families settled under his protection, on the most remote frontier of this Province, some of whom only ten miles south of the Canada line, the first settlement ever made under the British Government on Lake Champlain.

I have the honour to be, with the most profound respect, gentlemen, your most devoted and most obedient servant,

WILLIAM GILLELAND.

To the Hon. the Continental Congress.

New-York, May 29, 1775.

The martial spirit which prevails among the inhabitants of Somerset County, in New-Jersey, truly merits the attention of the publick. We have certain intelligence that they are forming themselves into companies, and daily exercising to become complete masters of the military discipline; and, particularly, that the Township of Bridge-water, in said County, met at Raritan, the 6th instant, and chose Mr. Abraham Ten Eyck Captain, under whose command eighty-five volunteers immediately enlisted, to be in readiness at an hour’s warning to march for the assistance of any neighbouring Colony, on any emergency. Their pay and other necessaries are provided by said Township. The other Counties and Townships, it is hoped, will follow their example, as it may be necessary to repel force by force, in order to secure our national rights and privileges.

ETHAN ALLEN TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
[Read in Congress June 10, 1775.]

Crown Point, May 29, 1775.

WORTHY GENTLEMEN: An abstract of the minutes of Council from the Continental Congress, signed per Mr. Charles Thomson, Secretary, has just come to hand, and though it approves of the taking the fortresses on Lake Champlain, and the artillery, &c., I am nevertheless much surprised that your Honours should recommend it to us to remove the artillery to the sooth end of Lake George, and there to make a stand; the consequence of which must ruin the frontier settlements, which are extended at least one hundred miles to the northward from that place. Probably