FOURTH REGIMENT.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM TICONDEROGA, DATED AUGUST 4, 1775.

Two persons who have lately come from St. John’s (being examined under oath before the General) give accounts that the King’s Troops are well fortified at St. John’s; that there is at that place four hundred and seventy Regulars, and one hundred and ten at Chambly, about twelve miles distant; about twenty at Montreal, and one company at Quebeck; forty Indians at St. John’s; Colonel Guy Johnson and Colonel Claus, with five hundred Indians, just arrived at Montreal, and just going to join the English rebels against us. One of these men was at Montreal, and saw Johnson and his Indians. They appear to be two sensible men and give a very direct account. There are two large and strong vessels near finished at St. John’s, to carry about fourteen or sixteen carriage guns each, and they are every day in expectation of being joined by about four thousand Regulars that are come into the river, and then to come against us. The Canadians are determined not to fight against us unless forced by a formidable Army. About three weeks ago an attempt was made to force the Canadians to take up arms, and they were about to hang some in every Parish, when the Canadians rose in a body of near three thousand men, disarmed the officer that was after recruits, and made him flee, being determined to defend themselves in the best manner they could by a full resistance, rather than be forced to arm against the Colonies. The common people there cannot bear to have the old French laws take place again amongst them, as they will be thereby plunged into enormous taxes. We had a few days ago two men who went down the lake with an Indian boy from Doctor Wheelock’s college, intending to land him about thirty miles this side of St. John’s, who are taken by a scout of the enemy, and held prisoners.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

Lebanon, August 4, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 22d ult., enclosing a copy from the Minutes, in Congress, July 19th, 1775, is received.

I wrote the 31st July to General Washington, that I had not been informed of any deficiencies in the number of Troops sent from this Colony, and informed him that orders were given the 25th July last to the Colonels of the last raised Regiments, consisting of fourteen hundred men to march forthwith, to the camp before Boston. One of them marched this week, the other will follow very soon.

I gratefully acknowledge the appointment of Mr. Joseph Trumbull to be Commissary-General to the American Army. The performance of his duty, answerable to expectation, will meet your approbation, and afford me peculiar satisfaction.

I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable President Hancock.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read before Congress September 13, 1775.]

Camp at Cambridge, August 4, 1775.

SIR: I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 24th July, accompanied by two hundred and eightyfour commissions, which are yet much short of the necessary number. I am much honoured by the confidence reposed in me of appointing the several officers recommended in mine of the 10th ultimo, and shall endeavour to select such persons as are best qualified to fill those important posts. General Thomas has accepted his commission, and I have heard nothing of his retirement since, so that I suppose he is satisfied.

In the renewal of these commissions some difficulties occur, in which I should be glad to know the pleasure of the honourable Congress. The General Officers of the Massachusetts have Regiments; those of Connecticut have both Regiments and Companies, and the other Field-Officers have Companies each. From Rhode-Island the General Officer has no Regiment, but the Field-Officers have Companies, But I do not find they have, or expect pay under more than one commission. Should the commissions now to be delivered supersede these different