if not disappointed, for the want of tents. The fact is, that all the tents we had, and all the materials that could be procured, have been made up into tents and forwarded, with part of our own Troops, and General Schuyler has undoubtedly ere now disposed of them as circumstances or the necessity of the service may require. We can only add, on that subject, that we shall procure materials for more tents by every means in our power, and send them up to General Schuyler as soon as possible; but we see no probability of being able to provide, at any rate, a sufficient number for the Northern Army. If, therefore, materials can be collected in any due season, in your Government, it will promote the general service to give the necessary orders for that purpose without delay.

The precaution about the pork which you permitted Mr. Van Rensselaer to purchase may be a wise one; but unless proper orders are lodged at the different landings to which it may be carted, the purpose for which it is wanted may be in a great measure defeated. Permit us, therefore, to request the favour of you to give such directions as you shall judge necessary to prevent such inconveniences and disappointments.

We have the honour to remain, with much respect, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servants.

By order:

P. V. B. LIVINGSTON, President.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour of the Colony of Connecticut.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER IN THE CONTINENTAL ARMY AT TICONDEROGA, TO HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, DATED AUGUST 25, 1775.

We arrived here last Monday evening, making a march that day of near fifty miles. We marched from Fort Edward, through the woods, to Skenesborough, there not being a sufficient number of batteaus to carry us over Lake George. We there took leave of our baggage and tents, (at Fort Edward,) and officers and men received three days’ provisions, which we put in our haversacks, and with our blankets shouldered, as we did our arms, which made a pretty good load for young soldiers, though it was not considered as burdensome by Americans engaged in so glorious a cause as we are turning out for—the freedom of the country which gave them existence—and cheerfully advanced for this place.

There area great number of workmen here, making batteaus; and there are two large open vessels finished, that will carry, I suppose, about one hundred and fifty men each. With the New-England Troops and ours, we have about twelve hundred men; and I am told that at Crown Point there are about five hundred. We expect large parties up every moment, as we are informed that we march, or rather sail, from hence on Sunday morning, for Crown Point, and are to proceed directly for St. John’s, where, I am told, are five or six hundred Regulars, with Guy Johnson, who prevailed upon a large body of the Indians, of different Tribes, to assist him in the infernal scheme of enslaving their American brethren; but Providence, in his great mercy, pointed out the path that these deluded people were to tread. Their sentiments became enlarged; they despised the artifices of venal wretches, and nobly refused taking up the hatchet against their countrymen and friends; and I am informed that Johnson could induce but very few to remain with him.

The Canadians, in general, are our firm and steady friends: that is to say, the peasants: but what they call or term in Canada the noblesse are for despotick measures, which prevents many from appearing more open than they do for us. Mr. Walker and Mr. Price, two gentlemen of reputation and worth, I am told, for expressing their sentiments relative to the freedom of America, are closely confined in Montreal jail.

We have General Montgomery here, who commands, General Schuyler being at Albany, upon a conference with some Indians. We expect him up to-morrow, when I suppose we shall have our orders for our future march. This is certain: we expect warm work at St. John’s; however, I pray and hope that in the hour of trial every man will act as a North-American; confident then am I that success will attend us.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER IN THE ARMY AT TICONDEROGA TO HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, DATED AUGUST 25, 1775.

I have now the pleasure to inform you that we arrived here on the 19th ultimo, in good spirits, though we had a very fatiguing march, being obliged to go round by Skenesborough, as there were not boats at Lake George to bring us over. Out of the four Companies, we had twelve deserted from us on their road, and the most of these were old deserters from the Regulars. We held a Court-Martial at every other stage, and gave several of the unruly ones Moses’s law, i e. thirty-nine; and they now begin to behave very well, being kept under as strict discipline as any of the Regulars. There is the greatest plenty of salt and fresh provisions here; the men have as much as they can use; a gill of rum and as much spruce beer as they can drink every day; so that they have no occasion to drink the lake water, it being reckoned very unhealthy. The number of Troops here at present is seventeen hundred men, and seven hundred at Crown Point, about fourteen miles from here. We expect this day four Companies of the Second Battalion of New-York Forces, the boats being already sent for them. We are ordered to be in readiness in eight days to sail for St. John’s, where we shall have a smart brush with the Regulars. The batteaus are now making with the greatest expedition, and I am afraid the rest of our Regiment will not be here in time. The General talks a great deal of their being so dilatory in coming up, and seems to regret very much the being obliged to go without them. There has been a French gentleman here lately, from Canada, who has put our men in great spirits, by assuring us that the greatest part of the Canadians would join us upon our arrival, but that they dare not make themselves known to be our friends till we are landed amongst them. The same gentleman, who is a person of great property there, declared that upon our arrival he would kill five fat oxen, to make a treat for the officers. As for my own part, there is nothing gives me the least uneasiness.

P. S. Since writing the above, a spy of ours arrived from St. John’s, who says that there were two vessels ready to be launched at that post, each mounting sixteen guns, in order to take possession of the lake, which would render it impossible for us, for some time, to get past; therefore we have received immediate orders to embark for that place, and are to sail to-morrow morning, the 28th.

Colonel waterbury’s Regiment of one thousand men, Captain Mott’s Company of one hundred men, and our own four Companies, with seven hundred that are now at Crown Point, and five hundred of the Mountain Boys are to join us. Our spy informs us that there were only five hundred and seventy Regulars at St. John’s, and fifty Indians; so that I am in hopes we shall meet with very little resistance; if we do, we are pretty well prepared for them. We leave five Companies of the Second Battalion of New-York Forces here, and about three Companies of the New-England Troops. This is all the intelligence I can give you at present.

COLONEL HUNTINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Rexbury Camp, August 25, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: I have your favour of the 21st instant. I have told Doctors Turner and Cogswell to make out a state of circumstances of their department. As to Armourers, I have just received some tools from Norwich, and a general order was out yesterday to the Quartermaster, to make necessary provision: hope now, though late, to have my arms in good order. I was aware of difficulties you would have in filling vacancies, from the many competitors there always will be: I wish the fittest may ever succeed. My brother Ebenezer is not without some essential qualifications: he has in several instances, whilst at this camp, exhibited evidences of his courage. Poor Tracy, my Adjutant, is very dangerously sick, and unable to attend to any business: I fear he will not recover for the present. Lieutenant Hillyer, of Captain Humphrey’s Company, an old soldier, a sensible man, and good scholar, officiates as Adjutant. I shall likely continue him, if Tracy fails, which will make a Second Lieutenantcy vacant. I am unwilling to interfere much in appointments: I should think the