banish them forever. This was the full determination of the Indians when his Excellency Governour Carleton arrived at Montreal. He directly solicited the Indians for their assistance; but on their refusal, declared that since they would not assist him, he would dispossess them, and give their lands to those who would. The Sachems had Council after Council, to determine what was to be done in that critical juncture of affairs. In short, they were under so great apprehensions of danger from the Regular Troops, that once, in particular, they lay under arms all night, set out sentries in all parts of their Town, and even sent for assistance to some of the upper Towns; but being situated within about nine miles of Montreal, and so immediately exposed to the Governour’s resentment, they found themselves reduced to the disagreeable necessity either of relinquishing every thing they held dear in life, or complying in some measure with the Governour’s demands. Principles of self-preservation induced them to prefer the latter. They therefore waited on the Governour, and in two speeches, one by the Sachems of the Castle, the other delivered by the Chief Warriour, promised to espouse the ministerial cause so far as to defend the Governour, to the utmost of their power, should he be besieged in Montreal by the Provincial Troops. The Indians were dismissed with presents of provision and ammunition. Shortly after, his Excellency sent to the Sachems, desiring them to send a number of their men to St. John’s to continue some time with the Regulars. The Sachems refused it. He then desired them to send a small party, should it be only three; but they persisting in their refusal, he requested them to send a few, should they only carry their tobacco pouches; which request they also absolutely refused. Upon my leaving Canada, the Indians of Caughnawaga desired me to assure the commander at Crown Point, that if any Indians were known to commit hostilities upon the English frontiers, he might determine they were none of their people. When I left Montreal, the 14th of June, I met with a number of the principal Sachems belonging to St. Frangois, some of whom had their children then at Dartmouth College; they gave me all the assurances of their friendship I could desire, and informed me they were going to Caughnawaga to attend on a Grand Council, which was then summoned to meet from the several adjacent Towns. The Indians also informed me that the design of the Council then to meet was, that the people of their several Towns might then jointly determine to act in the approaching war only on the defensive, and that when they had concluded on that, they should send two men from each of their Towns to the Seven United Nations, and use their utmost interest with them to the same. Their influence upon these united Nations is considerable, for it is well known that the greater part of them originally belonged to the Seven United Nations. This, by the best information I could obtain, seems to be the present disposition of the Indians in Canada; but how far the force of menaces may drive, or large promises allure them, the event only can manifest. But as the fickle disposition of the Indians is so well known, it will doubtless be judged a prudent measure to provide against the worst. Some time before I left Canada, the Commissary at Montreal received orders to make provision for three hundred Indians, who were soon expected from the remote, tribes; and as I left the City, I observed a number of Indians, (should judge about forty,) whom I supposed to be an advanced party of the three hundred. It is said they are coming down to a Congress, and conjectured by our friends that the Governour designs to arm them against our frontiers. As to the state of the Army and Fortresses at Canada, it is well known that the number of regular troops is very inconsiderable, the greatest part of whom are now drawn together at St. John’s, who don’t make up a body of more than three hundred, or three hundred and fifty men. At St. John’s, which is a level, plain, they are fortifying to the best advantage which the nature of the place and their time will admit. Chamblee, a fort which the French built a few miles down the same river, is by account strong, both by nature and art, and is defended at present only by a small garrison. The fortifications at Montreal, which were originally designed only for defence against small-arms, are much out of repair. The citadel, which is situated on an eminence at the north end of the City, though weak, seems to be the place of the greatest strength. As to the fort up the River St. Lawrence, I can speak only from information, never having travelled into those parts, but have endeavoured to avail myself of their situation, present state, and importance, by conversing with gentlemen well acquainted in that country. Am informed there are four garrisoned forts to the westward of Montreal, viz: Oswego, Niagara, Detroit, and Michilimackinack, two or more of which I understand are stockaded forts, and defended by a small garrison for the purpose of protecting the fur trade. Whoever considers the almost numberless and very extensive connexions of the River St. Lawrence, the great facility with which a plentiful supply of arms and all kinds of military stores may be sent from Canada to almost the western confines of our Continent, together with the extensive fur trade, which for several years has been carried on in that country to the great emolument of Britain; but especially whoever considers the many avenue which this river, with its several dependants, affords into almost every English Colony upon the Continent, can’t but see it to be matter of very great importance to the Colonies, immediately to make themselves masters of those remote forts, which command, as it were, the whole western world of Indians. By which step they would not only secure to themselves and after generations all those advantages which are to be derived from their being in possession of a very fine extensive country, but more effectually secure their frontiers, than otherwise can be done even by many thousands of men.

REPORT OF THE CROWN POINT COMMITTEE TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Cambridge, July.6, 1775.

The Committee appointed to proceed to the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, &C., beg leave to report, that they proceeded through the new settlements, called the New-Hampshire Grants, and carefully observed the road through the same, and find that there is a good road from Williamstown to the place where the road crosseth the river called Paulet River, which is about fifteen miles from Skenesborough; from thence to the falls of Wood Creek, near Major Skene’s house, the road is not feasible, and unfit for carriages, but cattle may be drove that way very well.

Your Committee having taken with them the copies of the commission and instruction from the Committee of Safety to Colonel Benedict Arnold, and informed themselves as fully as they were able in what manner he had executed his said commission and instructions, and find that he was with Colonel Allen and others at the time the fort was reduced, but do not find that he had any men under his command at the time of the reduction of those fortresses; but find that he did afterwards possess himself of the sloop on the lake at St. John’s. We found the said Arnold claiming the command of said sloop and a schooner, which is said to be the property of Major Skene, and also all the posts and fortresses at the south end of Lake Champlain and Lake George., although Colonel Hinman was at Ticonderoga with near a thousand men under his command at the several posts.

Your Committee informed the said Arnold of their commission, and, at his request, gave him a copy of their instructions; upon reading of which he seemed greatly disconcerted, and declared he would not be second in command to any person whomsoever; and after some time contemplating upon the matter, resigned his post, and gave your Committee his resignation under his hand, dated the 24th of June, 1775, which is herewith submitted, and at the same time he ordered his men to be disbanded, which, he said, was between two and three hundred. Your Committee not finding any men regularly under said Arnold, by reason of his so disbanding them, appointed Colonel Easton, who was at Ticonderoga, to take the command, under Colonel Hinman, who was the principal commanding officer at those posts of the Connecticut forces, and endeavoured to give the officers and men who had served under said Arnold an opportunity to reengage, of which numbers enlisted, and several of the officers agreed to hold their command under the new appointment.

Your Committee having taken a critical survey of the garrison and posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point,