Although, Sir, I am much in want of men, and would wish to have the three New-Hampshire Companies mentioned in the copy of your letter of the 27th ultimo, yet they are so happi1y posted, either to await the Misisque Indians, or to march to the relief of the inhabitants of this Colony living to the westward of where these troops are now posted, on what are commonly called the New-Hampshire Grants, that in case of an attack from the savages I have mentioned, who, if any, are most our enemies, I could wish them to remain under orders there for that purpose. I am extremely happy to learn that you are so well supplied with provisions. I have now a tolerable stock of flour, but very little pork; fat cattle are, however, coming up, so that I do not apprehend we shall suffer in that article.

My best wishes attend Colonel Reel and Major Mifflin. I am, most respectfully, your Excellency’s obedient very humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

His Excellency General Washington, &c. &c.

EDWARD MOTT TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Ticonderoga, August 6, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: Since I arrived at this place the General gave out in orders for returns to be made to him of all the forces that were first at the taking possession of those garrisons. I inquired of his Honour about the matter. He told me he had orders from the General Congress to pay off all their accounts, on which I informed him that our Government had paid considerable sums of money to some people who were in that service, and desired him not to pay any of those accounts till we knew to whom, and how much our Colony had paid. I further told him, that sundry of the people who were in that service afterwards entered into the service of the Massachusetts, under Col. Arnold; and I heard Colonel Arnold order some of them to make up their accounts from their first entering on the ground, so that I thought there was danger of great mistakes being made; on which his Honour concluded not to pay any of them until he had collected the whole, and transmitted them to your Honour and the Provincial Congress. If I have done wrong in my information to the General, your Honour will correct me.

I wrote a letter to your Honour about a month ago from Albany, informing something about the controversy that happened between Colonel Hinman and Colonel Arnold, and concluded to have given a further account from New-York, but being unwell while at New-York I neglected it. My brother and Mr. Halsey will be able to give a particular account of that affair.

I don’t find that the money sent by Colonel Easton, or by any other person, from our Colony, was improved for the payment of the people that were at the reduction of this place. I hear that I am blamed on account of Colonel Easton’s having that money from our Colony, as they say I recommended him to our Assembly. I did not in any shape recommend him, only by showing the copy of a tetter I wrote the Provincial Congress, acquainting them that he had assisted in raising men for the service, &c., and desired his own Province to reward him according to his merits.

We have had the account of the disposition of the Canadians from sundry persons lately, of which my brother can give the particulars.

Lieutenant Halsey bath been from the Company ever since the latter part of June, on board the vessels, from which service he is now discharged, and is honourably paid for; but he still talks of not joining the Company any more. If he should not, should be glad of commissions to fill the Company.

I am, Sir, with respect, your most obedient humble servant,

EDWARD MOTT.

Honourable Jonathan Trumbull.

BLADENSBURGH (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee of Bladensburgh, in Prince George’s County, on Tuesday, the 1st day of August, 1775.

Mr. CHRISTOPHER LOWNDES, Chairman,

Mr. THOMAS WILLIAMS, Clerk.

Resolved, That George Munro’s Letter to Messrs. Bruce and Ritchie be published in the Maryland Gazette; also, his Letters to the Committee.

Bladensburgh, June 18, 1775.

DEAR GENTLEMEN: I received yours of the 30th ult., by which I was glad to understand that our friend William found his way at last to peace and plenty; but on his arrival I am not surprised that he should find peace and plenty all reduced to poverty, as the war last summer has drained the country of corn and other grain; but with good luck, I hope the produce of your plantation will again enable you to live in plenty. I can assure you, my dear friends, it gives me an inward satisfaction to hear that you Think our old scheme will turn out To great advantage, although I may never have the happiness to enjoy the fruits of it along with you. I am sensible that if these disputes between the two countries were once settled, we might carry into execution a great many schemes which would turn out to our mutual advantage. But times continue to wear such a dismal aspect, that I am very much at a loss what to do. We shall see in all this summer and how thing are likely to turn out, and what A. Ross says on his return from the Mississippi, and likewise Mr. Bruce, as he intends to go down about that time; so I hope I shall then be better able to judge than at present. My father writes me in his last letter, that if I do not fine the country I am in, or my particular situation, to my mind, I may leave it, either proceeding thence to Jamaica, where my brother is, or to take the first most convenient opportunity of a Clyde ship to go home, to be fitted out next for Jamaica, or any other place to be thought most proper. He says the last of these steps he would like best, if I should find it proper to leave America; and says the confusions which are likely to prevail on the Continent for some time, and which at least will ruin trade while, they last, is the reason of this hint I give you; but says he leaves me to act as I will judge most prudent, and according to the advice of my friends present with me. He said he had thus signified his mind, that I might be in no difficulty to determine as I please. I wrote him for answer, that I should be determined by the time above mentioned what steps to take, but could not before. John Gray likewise advises me to come home to enter into copartnership with him, and to come out here to manage the business. The scheme he proposes might be carried on with a very small capita; but you know any such scheme must be put off for the present. We hear of nothing new down this way that can be depended upon. There are so many d—d lies going about the country, and in the newspapers, that it is not worth while mentioning any of them. One thing is true, that the New-Englanders have taken Fort Ticonderoga by surprise, in the night-time, when the soldiers were all asleep. There was only about forty soldiers in the fort. We have at last been obliged to muster to live on peaceable terms with the country people. Our company is commanded by Colonel Joshua Beall. We are all obliged to have a hunting-shirt, gun, bayonet, and cartridge-box; but if it is ever likely to come to blows this way, you know my determined resolution not—. I need not go any farther, as it is not advisable to trust one’s sentiments on paper, as they now open all letters to the northward, and I suppose the Committees in every other place will follow the same laudable example. A ship arrived lately in Virginia from Glasgow. The Captain, upon his arrival, sent the letters from the company by express, to their factors, but before the express reached the place where he intended, two men followed him on horseback, took the letters from him, read them, and then returned them open.

Lord Dunmore and family are all gone on board of a man-of-war.

For more news I refer you to Captain Colvin, as he says he shall write you.

I shall expect to hear from you soon. You may depend upon hearing from me as often as possible. In the mean time, believe me to be, dear gentlemen, your affectionate friend,

GEORGE MUNRO.

To Messrs. Bruce and Ritchie, on King’s Creek, and care of Alexander Ross, Esq., Fort Pitt.

P. S. I shall settle Mr. Bruce’s account with Mr. Nicholas Free.