of it might be followed with the loss of this fortress and command of the lake.

I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

An Account of the voyage of Captain REMEMBER BAKER, begun the 13th day of JULY, and ended JULY 25, 1775, on LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

On the 16th instant an Indian trader informed him that general orders were given out by Governour Carleton not to fire on our people, nor to pass the line, nor even to fire on our parties, if they were even to come to St. John’s, but to take them, if possible; but that it proved to be false. This information be received from Esquire Metcalf and one Sear.

On the same day he sent two lads with an Indian boy over the line; that they did not return, but has been since informed by Frenchmen and Indians, that they were taken.

Messrs. Sear and Metcalf informed him that the Regulars were intrenched at St. John’s, with twelve cannon mounted, and four hundred and fifty men; that they keep scouts out in a large birch canoe.

That he was in company with Indians of two Nations, St. François and Conesadaga, and was treated with great civility, and was supplied with provisions by them. They informed him that seven Nations had agreed not to fight the Yankees, and have sent three men to Boston to confirm it with the Congress. The Towns are Lolet, Conesadaga, Panomscut, Caughnawaga, St. François, Wesunkanaugh, and Wolenuck; that each Town had appointed one captain and one governour, who had convened and made a governour over the whole.

REMEMBER BAKER.

Ticonderoga, July 26, 1775.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Ticonderoga, July 27, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Since my letter of yesterday I have received such intelligence as makes it indispensably necessary that not one moment’s delay should be made in forwarding me the stores mentioned in the estimate I delivered you on the 3d of July. I have a number of carpenters, and no materials to employ them. A thousand of the Connecticut Troops are ordered to join me; and I do most, most earnestly entreat that such of the men raised in this Colony as are furnished with arms, may be sent to Albany without any delay. General Montgomery is there to forward them to me.

I am, gentlemen, with great esteem and respect, your most obedient humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

The New-York Provincial Congress.

GEN. WASHINGTON TO JOHN AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON.

Camp at Cambridge, July 27, 1775.

DEAR BROTHER: On the 2d instant I arrived at this place, after passing through a great deal of delightful country, covered with grass, (although the season has been dry,) in a manner very different from our lands in Virginia.

I found a mixed multitude of people here, under very little discipline, order, or government; the enemy in possession of a place called Bunker’s Hill, on Charlestown Neck, strongly intrenched, and fortifying themselves; part of our own Army on two hills, called Winter and Prospect Hills, about a mile and a quarter from the enemy on Bunker’s Hill, in a very insecure state; another part at this village; and a third part at Roxbury, guarding the entrance in and out of Boston. My whole time since I came here, has been employed in throwing up lines of defence at these three several places, to secure, in the first instance, our own Troops from any attempts of the enemy; and, in the next place, to cut off all communication between their Troops and the country. To do this, and to prevent them from penetrating into the country with fire and sword, and to harass them if they do, is all that is expected of me. If effected, it must totally overthrow the designs of Administration, as the whole force of Great Britain in the Town and Harbour of Boston, can answer no other end than to sink her under the disgrace and weight of the expense. The enemy’s strength, including marine forces, is computed, from the best accounts I can get, at about twelve thousand men; ours, including sick and absent, at about sixteen thousand; but then we have to guard a semicircle of eight or nine miles, to every part of which we are obliged to be equally attentive; whilst they, situated as it were in the centre of the semicircle, and having the entire command of the water, can bend their whole force against any one part of it with equal facility. This renders our situation not very agreeable, though necessary. However, by incessant labour, Sundays not excepted, we are in a much better posture of defence now than when I first came. The enclosed, though rough, will give you some small idea of Boston and the bay on this side, as also of the post they have taken on Charlestown Neck at Bunker’s Hill, and of our posts.

The enemy are sickly, and in want of fresh provisions. Beef, which is chiefly got by slaughtering their milch cows in Boston, sells from one shilling to eighteen pence sterling per pound; and that it may not become cheaper, or more plenty, I have driven all the stock within a considerable distance of this place, back into the country, out of the way of the men-of-war’s boats. In short, I have done, and shall continue to do, every thing in my power to distress them. The transports have all arrived, and their whole re-enforcement is landed, so that I can see no reason why they should not, if they ever attempt it, come boldly out, and put the matter to issue at once. If they think themselves not strong enough to do this, they surely will carry their arms (having ships-of-war and transports ready) to some other part of the Continent, or relinquish the dispute; the last of which, the Ministry, unless compelled, will never agree to do. Our works and those of the enemy are so near, and the space between us so open, that each sees every thing the other is doing.

I recollect nothing more worth mentioning. I shall therefore conclude, with my best wishes and love to my sister and the family, and compliments to any inquiring friends. Your most affectionate brother,

GO. WASHINGTON.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge Camp, July 27, 1775.

SIR: Yesterday a deputation from the Provincial Congress of New-Hampshire attended me, with a request that three companies raised in their Province, and now posted on Connecticut River, at and between the two Colonies, commanded by Captain Timothy Bedell, James Osgood, and John Parker, might be continued for the security of the frontiers of that Province on the Continental establishment. As it did not appear to me that their request could be complied with, and as I apprehend you may have more immediate occasion for them than I have, I thought it proper to give you the earliest notice where they are, that if you think proper you may order them to join the Troops under your command; in which case you will please to write to Matthew Thornton, Esq., President of the Provincial Congress. Each company consists of sixty-five men, including officers, and are reported to me as able-bodied, stout, active fellows, used to the woods, capable of any duty, and having an acquaintance with Canada. But you will please to remember that they must continue under their own officers, to whom they are attached, and subject only to superiour command. We have had no transaction of any consequence since I wrote you last. Our Army is in good health and spirits, well supplied with all kinds of provisions. The situation of the enemy is directly the reverse, and we have reason to think desertions will be very great; four have come out within the last twenty-four hours.

I am, Sir, with much esteem, your most obedient servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To Philip Schuyler, Esq., Major-General, Ticonderoga.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

Camp at Cambridge, July 27, 1775.

SIR: Nothing material has occurred in either camp since I had the honour of addressing you on the twenty-first instant by express. But on Tuesday, three men-of-war and nine transports sailed out of Boston Harbour, and stood a course about east-south-east.