John’s were, ten days ago, not begun planking, and that a number of Canadians were ready to join us on our arrival at St. John’s. Pray send up the cartridge paper and artillery stores with the utmost speed, as I should be sorry to remain a moment longer at Ticonderoga than what is absolutely necessary.

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

PH. SCHUYLER

To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

NEW-MARLBOROUGH COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS

New-Marlborough, August 20, 1775.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to your order the South District of the Precinct of New-Marlborough met on the 20th of this instant, and chose, by plurality of voices, the following officers for their Militia, viz: Mr. Lewis Dubois, Captain; Mr. Caleb Merrit, First Lieutenant; Dr. Abijah Perkins, Second Lieutenant; Mr. Matthew Wygant, Ensign.

We are, Gentlemen, your very humble servants,

JOHN SMITH,

For the Committee of New-Marlborough.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GENERAL GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, AUGUST 20, 1775.

Mr. Washington, who commands the Rebel Army, has written to me on the subject of the treatment of the Rebel prisoners in our custody, a copy of whose letter* I transmit to your Lordship, together with a copy of my answer.† Major Skene, made prisoner at Philadelphia, is sent into Connecticut, where he is to be confined with some others; and I understand they make war like savages, making captives of women and children.

The Rebels are very numerous, and continue to throw up works in some points nearer to the Town than before. Their advanced parties have been drove back, both at Boston and Charlestown, and their posts destroyed. They landed a large body a second time at the Light-House, where they made prisoners of a few marines posted there by the Admiral, and ten or twelve carpenters who were repairing the house.

A fleet of transports that had been out in search of live stock is just returned, with about eighteen hundred sheep, and above an hundred head of oxen, which will be some relief to the troops in general, and of great benefit to the hospitals.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Head-Quarters, Cambridge, August 20, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Since my last of the 15th instant, I have been favoured with yours of the 6th. I am much concerned to find the supplies ordered have been so much delayed. By this time I hope Colonel McDougall, whose zeal is unquestionable, has joined you with every thing necessary for prosecuting your plan. Several of the Delegates from Philadelphia, who have visited our camp, assure me that powder is forwarded to you, and the daily arrivals of that article give us reason to hope we shall soon have a very ample supply. Animated with the goodness of our cause, and the best wishes of your countrymen, I am sure you will not let any difficulties not insuperable damp your ardour. Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.

In my last, a copy of which is enclosed, I sent you an account of the arrival of several St. François Indians in our camp, and their friendly dispositions. You have also a copy of the resolution of Congress, by which you will find it is their intention only to seek a neutrality of the Indian nations, unless the ministerial agents should engage them in hostilities, or enter into an offensive alliance with them. I have been, therefore, embarrassed in giving them an answer when they have tendered their services and assistance. As your situation enables you best to know the motions of the Governour and the Agents, I proposed to them to go home by way of Ticonderoga, referring them to you for an answer, which you would give according to the intelligence you have had, and the judgment you have formed of the transactions among the Indians; but as they do not seem in any hurry to leave our camp, your answer by the return of this express may possibly reach me before they return, and alter their route. Four of their company still remain in our camp, and propose to stay some time with us.

The design of this express is to communicate to you a plan of an expedition which has engaged my thoughts for several days. It is to penetrate into Canada by way of Kennebeck River, and so to Quebeck by a route ninety miles below Montreal. I can very well spare a detachment for this purpose, of one thousand or twelve hundred men; and the land carriage by the route proposed is too inconsiderable to make an objection. If you are resolved to proceed, which I gather from your last letter is your intention, it would make a diversion which would distract Carleton, and facilitate your views. He must either break up and follow this party to Quebeck, by which he will leave you free passage, or he must suffer that important place to fall into our hands, an event which would have a decisive effect and influence on the publick interests. There may be some danger that such a sudden incursion might alarm the Canadians, and detach them from that neutrality which they have hitherto observed, but I should hope that with suitable precautions, and a strict discipline preserved, any apprehensions and jealousies might be removed. The few whom I have consulted upon it approve it much, but the final determination is deferred until I hear from you. You will therefore, by the return of this messenger, inform me of your ultimate resolution. If you mean to proceed, acquaint me as particularly as you can with the time and force; what late accounts you have had from Canada, and your opinion as to the sentiments of the inhabitants as well as those of the Indians, upon a penetration into their country; what number of troops are at Quebeck, and whether any men-of-war, with all other circumstances which may be material in the consideration of a step of such importance. Not a moment’s time is to be lost in the preparation for this enterprise, if the advices received from you favour it. With the utmost expedition the season will be considerably advanced, so that you will dismiss the express as soon as possible.

While the three New-Hampshire Companies remain in their present station, they will not be considered as composing a part of the Continental Army, but as a militia under the direction and pay of the Colony whose inhabitants they are, or for whose defence they are stationed; so that it will not be proper for me to give any orders respecting them.

We still continue in the same situation as to the enemy as when I wrote you last, but we have had six and a half tons of powder from the southward, which is a very seasonable supply. We are not able to learn any thing farther of the intentions of the enemy, and they are too strongly posted for us to attempt any thing upon them at present.

My best wishes attend you, and believe me, with much truth and regard, my dear Sir, your very obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

General Schuyler, per express.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON TO THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY FOR SOUTH-CAROLINA, DATED LAWSON’S FOKK, AUGUST 21, 1775.

Unless our friends in the country find that the non-subscribers are debarred all communication with Charlestown, and all trade with the country stores, they will be much chagrined, and bad consequences may ensue; in particular, I most earnestly recommend that no more goods be allowed to be sent up to McLaurin’s store. His partner in town is one Mc Curry or Curry, some such name. This man has signed the Association, and under this sanction he means to supply McLaurin’s, by which means the Dutch will be encouraged to persevere in their obstinacy. And I beg leave to caution you even against McLaurin’s signing the Association, if he should think proper to do so to procure goods, for the Dutch agree if there should be a necessity, that he should be allowed to subscribe, and then they would be supplied as usual, without their acceding to the Association.

*Dated Cambridge, August 11, 1775.

†Dated Boston, August 13, 1775.

*