without employ, having received no orders to fortify; at Ticonderoga about six hundred, in the same state; at Fort George, upwards of three hundred men; some few employed in building batteaus, and on scouting parties. Very little provision at any of the places; none made for the sick, which are daily increasing; only five hundred weight of gunpowder at all the places, and no Engineer or Gunner at either. Great want of discipline and regularity among the troops. On the other hand, the enemy at St. John’s indefatigable in fortifying, and collecting timber (supposed) for building a vessel. The disposition of the Canadians and Indians, from the latest accounts, very favourable. A promise has, however, been extorted from the latter to defend Governour Carleton if attacked, in Montreal; this of course.

By giving up the command, I have been prevented receiving regular intelligence as heretofore; the latest near twenty days since.

I have received no answer to my letter of the 13th June, by Captain Oswald. Can only add, I am, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

To the Honourable Continental Congress.

P. S. I had forgot to inform you my Regiment is disbanded.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Albany, July 11, 1775.

SIR: The person that commanded the sloop on Lake Champlain has left her. It is more than probable that I shall not be able to procure at Ticonderoga such a person as I should wish to command her. I entreat you, therefore, to send me with all possible despatch, a person fit to confer such an important command upon. You will please to transmit me an account of the agreement you may enter into with him.

You will please to observe that I have ordered one hundred fat cattle from Connecticut, and five hundred barrels of flour to be purchased here, as part of the estimate I gave in to you at New-York.

The powder from Pennsylvania is not yet arrived: please to forward it by the first opportunity. I am, Sir, your most humble, obedient servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire, President of the New-York Provincial Congress.

P. S. Please to forward the packet that will be delivered you to Mr. Hancock, by a safe hand.

ELISHA PHELPS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Albany, July 11, 1775.

HONOURED GENTLEMEN: Before your favour of the 29th June last came to hand, I was possessed of the little stores Mr. Bleecker had on hand, which was pork principally; and as it did not in any wise answer, agreeable to the act of our Assembly I thought it my duty to apply immediately to the Committee here. They informed they had no orders to purchase, though some of the gentlemen gave it as their private opinion that I should provide agreeable to act of Assembly; whose advice I have followed as far as lay in my power, as I was informed the Army suffered to that degree as threatened mutiny, if flour, &c., could not be forwarded. It was with difficulty I procured ten barrels at that time, and ten more at Schenectady. I have forwarded with all possible despatch all the provisions I could obtain.

Since my return to the General, of the 10th instant, I have sent forward sixty-two barrels flour, and Mr. French about thirty barrels more. The General has, to my great satisfaction, ordered the Committee to purchase flour for me.

I am desired by Colonel Hinman to send up rum and hospital stores, agreeable to act of our Assembly; but these articles are not to be had here, and the Army thinks me in the fault, and I cannot conceive that I am authorized by my commission to purchase stores, though I have presumed it on my self on this emergency, as I am expressly ordered to receive and forward, &c., from the Provincial Convention of New-York to the Fourth Regiment, &c.

I have likewise, a few days ago, received a commission, as Commissary for the Boston forces on this station, to receive and forward &c., &c. I hope you, gentlemen, in your wisdom, will point out ways and means that those necessaries may be purchased and forwarded agreeable to what those soldiers may reasonably expect from the acts of the New-England Provinces; and you may rely on my doing my utmost in the execution of my office and trust; while I am, gentlemen, with the greatest esteem, your most obedient, and very humble servant,

ELISHA PHELPS.

To the Hon. Provincial Convention at New-York.

N. B. I have thought proper to transmit a copy of the above to his Honour the Governor of Connecticut.

COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF BRADFORD TO MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE 0F SAFETY.

In Committee of Correspondence, Bradford, July 4, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to your address to us directed, respecting Captain Gages’s Company deserting the cause of their Country, which has given us and the Town great uneasiness, and before we received your letter, as well as since, we have exerted ourselves to the utmost of our power to make them that you call deserters return to their duty; and can assure your Honours, that almost all those persons have re-enlisted themselves, or provided persons that have enlisted in their room; for, upon our receipt of your letter, we called the Town together, and proposed to them, according to the nota bene in your letter, that they would undoubtedly be entitled to and receive pay for their whole services; they were encouraged, and we expect they will march to join the Army, if the weather permits, to-morrow, the fifth instant. Many are the reasons the men give for their coming home; but the greatest is, that the field-officers of the Regiment kept them in ignorance with respect to the validity of the old enlistments; and being informed they were not valid, they left on a sudden, without consideration of what effect it might have on the grand cause we are engaged in. But, gentlemen, they are almost all returning to their duty, except a few who were disaffected with the service, and were the chief instruments of their coming away, preferring their own interest to that of the publick, (which we will endeavour they shall be made a publick example of,) and as the others are returning to their duty, and we doubt not will do it cheerfully, we hope you will receive them into favour, as if this had never happened.

We are, gentlemen, with great respect, your very humble servants,

THOMAS KIMBALL, Chairman.

To the Committee of Safety in Cambridge.

EDMUND BRIDGE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Watertown, July 11, 1775.

HONOURED GENTLEMEN: Plunged into the deepest distress, and in danger of perishing by famine from the want of provisions, we cannot support the clamours of our wives and children for bread. To you, gentlemen, next to Heaven, we address our prayers for support. The inhabitants of Powanalborough, in the midst of calamity, have been applied to by General Gage; he offers to supply us with provisions, if we will send his troops a supply of fuel. We cannot comply with his demands; we would not contribute to the support of the enemies of our Country. Pray direct us what course to pursue; give us bread, and we will cheerfully sacrifice our lives, our all, in the common cause. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.

EDMUND BRIDGE.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay.

PHILADELPHIA MILITARY ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting of the Officers of the Military Association for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, held at Carpenter’s Hall, July 12, 1775:

Resolved, That this body invite the Committees of the City and liberties and County of Philadelphia, and the Officers of the several Battalions in the said County, to meet together, with this body, at the College-Hall in this City, on next Saturday week, at nine o’clock in the morning,