of the County, &c. That an importation, in the proper and legal sense of the word, is here meant, cannot admit of a doubt, since neither of the alternatives imposed on the owner, of reshipping or delivering the goods to the Committee, can possibly take place without an actual unloading of the cargo, for which purpose an entry was absolutely necessary, and therefore must have been intended by the Congress.

As to the objection that proper evidences cannot be given to the neighbouring Colonies, that the goods are sent back unless they go in the same bottom, we think it must be effectually removed, by having the matter transacted under the inspection of some of the Committee, in the way we propose. Besides, we cannot help observing, that the grand object of the Congress seems to have been the sending the goods back; and as it must be immaterial in what vessel they are carried, this may well account for their leaving that circumstance to the discretion of the owner. And as we are disposed to comply not only with the express words of the Congress, but likewise with the very spirit thereof, we shall therefore think ourselves ill used, if we are obliged to carry the goods back in the same bottom, which will be laying a very heavy burthen on, that we and many more believe was not intended by the Congress.

We have no objection to your publishing this letter, as we are free the publick should have an opportunity of judging thereof. We may further inform you, that the proprietors of the goods are quite free that they be reshipped in the manner here proposed.

MURRAY, SANSOM, & Co.,
WM. M. BUSSELL.

JOHN LAMB TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, June 2, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: As I embarked very early in the cause of liberty, and have ever defended the rights of America by every means in my power, so I am still actuated, both by principle and inclination, to exert myself to the utmost of my abilities, in preserving the freedom of my country; and as it is highly probable that troops will soon be raised in this Colony, I take the liberty to tender you my best services. Should you think me worthy your confidence, I flatter myself that my future conduct will evince it has not been placed on an improper object. At the same time, I must beg leave to observe, that I should incline to serve in the Artillery department, having made that branch of military science more particularly my study.

I am, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

JOHN LAMB.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress for the Colony of New- York.

ETHAN ALLEN TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Crown Point, June 2, 1775.

RESPECTABLE GENTLEMEN: Before this time you have undoubtedly received intelligence not only of the taking the fortified places on Lake Champlain, but also the armed sloop and boats therein, and the taking possession of a schooner, (the property of Major Skene,) which we have armed and manned, and of the conversion of them, with a large train of artillery’, to the defence of the liberty and constitutional rights of America. You have likewise been undoubtedly informed that the expedition was undertaken at the special encouragement and request of a number of respectable gentlemen in the Colony of Connecticut. The pork forwarded to subsist the Army by your Honours’ direction, evinces your approbation of the procedure; and as it was a private expedition, and common fame reports, that there are a number of overgrown tories in the Province, your Honours will the readier excuse me in not first taking your advice in the matter, lest the enterprises might have been prevented by their treachery. It is here reported that some of them have been lately savingly converted, and that Others have lost their influence. If, in those achievements, there be any thing honorary, the subjects of your Government, viz: the New-Hampshire settlers, are justly entitled to a. large share, as they had a great majority of numbers of the soldiery, as well as the command in making those acquisitions; and as your Honours’ justify and approve the same, I desire and expect your Honours already have, or soon will lay before the Grand Continental Congress, the great disadvantage it must inevitably be to the Colonies to evacuate Lake Champlain, and give up to the enemies of our Country those invaluable acquisitions, the key of either Canada or of our Country, according as which party holds the same in possession and makes a proper improvement of it. The key is ours as yet, and provided the Colonies would suddenly push an Army of two or three thousand men into Canada, they might make a conquest of all that would oppose them in the extensive Province of Quebeck, except a re-enforcement from England should prevent it. Such a diversion would weaken General Gage or insure us; of Canada. I wish to God America would, at this critical juncture, exert herself agreeable to the indignity offered her by a tyrannical Ministry. She might rise on eagles’ wings, and mount up to glory, freedom, and immortal honour, if she did but know and exert her strength. Fame is now hovering over her head. A vast continent must now sink to slavery, poverty, horrour, and bondage, or rise to unconquerable freedom, immense wealth, inexpressible felicity, and immortal fame.

I will lay my life on it, that with fifteen hundred men and a proper train of artillery, I will take Montreal. Provided I could thus be furnished, and if an Army could command the field, it would be no insuperable difficulty to take Quebeck. This object should be pursued, though it should take ten thousand men to accomplish the end proposed; for England cannot spare but a certain number of her Troops. Nay, she has but a small number that are disciplined, and it is as long as it is broad; the more that are sent to Quebeck the less they can send to Boston, or any other part of the continent. And there will be this unspeakable advantage in directing the war into Canada, that, instead of turning the Canadians and Indians against us, (as is wrongly suggested by many,) it would unavoidably attach and connect them to our interest. Our friends in Canada can never help us till we first help them, except in a passive or inactive manner. There are now about seven hundred regular Troops in Canada. I have lately had sundry conferences with the Indians; they are very friendly. Captain Abraham Ninham, a Stockbridge Indian, and Mr. Winthrop Hoit, who has sundry years lived with the Caughnawagoes in the capacity of a prisoner, and was made an adopted son to a motherly squaw of that tribe, have both been gone ten days to treat with the Indians, as our ambassadors of peace and friendship. I expect, in a few weeks, to hear from them. By them I sent a friendly letter to the Indians, which Mr. Hoit can explain to them in Indian, The thing that so unites the temper of the Indians to us, is our taking the sovereignty of Lake Champlain. They have wit enough to make a good bargain, and stand by the strongest side. Much the same may be said of the Canadians. They have no personal controversy with us, but act on political principles. If we evacuate Lake Champlain and retire to Lake George, Governour Carleton can by intrigue, and will not fail to draw them into his interest. If we hold the supremacy, we shall do the same, for cunning and power are but the same thing, be It exercised by either Carleton or us: but cunning without power can hold no equal contest with that which is armed with it.

It may be thought that to push an Army into Canada would be too premature and imprudent. If so, I propose to make a stand at the Isle-au-Noix, which the French fortified by intrenchment the last war, and greatly fatigued our large Army to take it; it is about fifteen miles this side. St. John’s, and is an island in the river, on which a small artillery placed would command it. An establishment of a frontier so far north, would not only better secure our own frontier, but put it into our power better to work our policy with the Canadians and Indians; or, if need be, to make incursions into the territory of Canada; the same as they could into our Country, provided they had the sovereignty of Lake Champlain, and had erected head quarters at or near Skenesborough. Our only having it in our power thus to make incursions into Canada might probably be the very reason why it would be unnecessary so to do, even if the Canadians should prove more refractory than I think for. Lastly, with submission, I would propose to your Honours to raise a small regiment of Rangers, which I could easily do, and that mostly in the Counties of Albany and Charlotte,