BENEDICT ARNOLD TO CAPTAIN NOAH LEE.

Crown Point, May 23, 1775.

SIR: I am this minute advised by one of Colonel Allen’s party, who was taken prisoner and made his escape from St. John’s on the 18th instant, that there were then arrived at that place four hundred Regulars, and more expected, besides the Indians, who were repairing the boats, with a design to cross the lake, and, if possible, to retake Crown Point and Ticonderoga. It is my hearty desire that every man within fifty miles of Skenesborough, who can be of service, would immediately repair to Ticonderoga or Crown Point, and bring all the powder that can be found, and as many spades, pick-axes, and hoes, as they have. Let this letter be forwarded down the country, that they may send up provisions to supply the families of the upper Towns, who are obliged to come forward this way. Let them bring all the good arms they have.

BENEDICT ARNOLD, Commander-in-Chief.

Captain Noah Lee.

P. S. We have only one hundred and fifty men here and at Ticonderoga.

ALBANY COMMITTEE TO THE COMMITTEE OF PALATINE DISTRICT.

Committee Chamber, Albany, May 23, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We received yours of the 21st instant, and can assure you that we sympathise with you in your distressed and distracted situation; but at the same time must rejoice to find you so warmly engaged amidst the opposition you meet with, in the grand plan of operation generally, nay almost universally adopted through the Colonies, for the preservation of our liberty, and security of our property. Enclosed you have a copy of a letter we have sent to Colonel Guy Johnson. We have sent also a Committee to join a Committee from Schenectady to wait upon him to know the reasons of his military preparations, and the source from whence those apprehensions he has from an assault from the New-England people arose; an answer to the speech of the Indian speech, (a copy of which you have enclosed,) and an interpreter to translate it for him, and to make the Indians sensible of the nature of the dispute between the Mother Country and the Colonies.

You complain of a scarcity of ammunition amongst you. We are very sorry that though there was a free communication between you and us, we have it not in our power at present to afford you any assistance in that particular, as the New-England people have carried off almost every pound of powder that can be spared, though we understand that the Committee of Schenectady have some; but be assured that we will afford you every assistance that is in our power to give, and shall rejoice to walk hand in hand with you in every thing that shall tend to your particular advantage in so critical a situation, and promote the grand the general cause, which thousands of our neighbouring brethren are strenuously supporting, at the expense of their lives and estates. We cannot at present advise you to force a direct communication between you and us, as it may be attended with bad consequences, and perhaps it may be effected without such a risk as you must run in the attempt.

We have heard, several weeks ago, that Colonel Guy Johnson had appointed last winter to have a general Congress with the Indians this spring. We have wrote a letter to the Reverend Samuel Kirkland, missionary among the Oneida Indians, to use his influence with them to maintain peace and harmony with the white people.

A Speech of the Mohawks to the Magistrates and Committee of the Town of Schenectady, and Mayor, Corporation, and Committee of the City of Albany, &c., delivered by Little Abraham:

BROTHERS: Our present situation is very disagreeable and alarming, what we never expected; therefore desire to know what is designed by the reports that are spread amongst us. We hear that companies and troops are coming from one quarter to another, to molest us; particularly, that a large body are hourly expected from New-England to apprehend and take away by violence our Superintendent and extinguish our council fire; for what reason we know not.

Brothers: We desire you would inform us, if you know of any such design on foot, whether by the New-England people, or in your vicinity, and not deceive us in this matter, for the consequence will be important and extensive.

Brothers: We shall support and defend our Superintendent, and not see our council fire extinguished. We have no inclination or purpose of interfering in the dispute between Old England and Boston; the white people may settle their own quarrels between themselves; we shall never meddle in those matters, or be the aggressors, if we are let alone. We have, for a long time, lived in great peace with one another, and we wish ever to continue so; but should our Superintendent be taken from us, we dread the consequences; the whole Confederacy would resent it, and all their allies; and as reports now are, we should not know where to find our enemies; the innocent might fall with the guilty. We are so desirous of maintaining peace, that we are unwilling the Six Nations should know the bad reports spread amongst us, and threats given out.

Brothers: We desire you will satisfy us as to your knowledge of the foundation of these reports, and what your news is, and not deceive us in a matter of so much importance.

ABRAHAM, Chief.

[Interpreted by Samuel Kirkland, Missionary, May 20, 1775.]

An Answer to a Speech of Little Abraham, a Mohawk, to the Magistrates and Committee of the Town of Schenectady, and Mayor, Corporation, and Committee of the City of Albany:

BROTHERS: We are sorry that any reports spread amongst you should alarm you or make you uneasy. We know of no troops or companies coming from any quarter to molest you, or to apprehend and take away by violence your Superintendent, or extinguish your council fire. We have not heard, nor do we know, the New-England people ever intended to molest you or your Superintendent; nor do we believe it; for they are our friends, and they are your friends, and will do neither of us injury.

Brothers: We cannot, however, pass over in silence what probably may have given rise to such reports. We understand that two persons passing on their own business, were detained by your Superintendent, they being New-England men, which is against our laws; perhaps this may have occasioned the report.

Brothers: We are extremely well satisfied to learn that you have no inclination or purpose to interfere in the dispute between Old England and America, for you must not understand that it is with Boston alone; it is between Old England and all her Colonies; the people here are oppressed by Old England, and she sends over Troops among us to destroy us; this is the reason our people are all in alarm to defend themselves. They intend no hostilities against you; do you continue peaceable, and you need apprehend no danger; it is a dispute wherein you have nothing to do; don’t you disturb any of our people, and depend upon it they will leave you in peace.

Brothers: As we have always lived in strict friendship, so we mean to continue to live in peace, not Only with our brethren, the Mohawks, but all the Six Nations, for which reason we desire our brethren to give ear to no reports that may prevail. You can at any time satisfy yourselves more fully, if you choose to send down to us one or more of your Nation, any of whom we shall always be glad to see, to talk with them on these affairs.

Answer of the Mohawks to the Speech of the Magistrates, &c., of Albany and Schenectady.

Guy Park, May 25, 1775.

Present: Gysbert Marselis, Peter P. Schuyler, John Visher, John Roseboom, Chris. Yates, of the Committee, Colonel Johnson, Superintendent, Colonel Daniel Claus, William Allen, Esquire, of Philadelphia, with several other gentlemen.

Abraham, Chief of the Mohawks, Speaker.

BROTHERS: We are glad to meet you here at this our fire-place, where we meet to transact business. You are