Whatever expense accrues now must be defrayed by the members of the Committee out of their own pockets, which we conceive to be exceedingly hard upon us, considering the expense we already are at in attending the Committee, without any hope of compensation in the nature of wages. Indeed, we are in so much danger from the disaffected persons in the County, that we shall be soon obliged to take some spirited measures respecting them. Those measures, however, we shall be unable to pursue without a proper supply of cash. You may be assured it will be expended with the utmost parsimony, and a proper account will be rendered of it. You will be pleased to favour us with an answer as speedily as possible.

I remain your very humble servant,

By order of the Committee:

E. BENSON, Ch’n.

To the Gentlemen attending as Deputies, from the County of Dutchess, in Provincial Congress.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN AT TICONDEROGA TO HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, DATED AUGUST 31, 1775.

Colonels Waterbury and Ritzma, under the command of General Montgomery, embarked on Monday night, with twelve hundred men, for the Isle-au-Noix, near St. John’s, to stop our enemies’ strong vessels by pickets and booms, till the Army and artillery are ready. Your countrymen with united voices cry aloud for your utmost exertion in this time of need, inter arma silent leges. Pray, to arms, to arms, my friend! Give your Country testimony of your attachment to the cause in which we are engaged; supineness and lukewarmness breathe destruction to a free people. Our all is at stake. I had rather never again return from the field than live and die a slave.

I am on the eve of embarkation with the remainder of the Army and nine or ten pieces of artillery; four twelve-pounders are gone. You will soon hear of very bloody scenes. Hostilities are already commenced in this quarter. I hope in five days to be one of the possessors of Montreal. The Indian Convention will be very favourable to our cause. Gage has got two thousand nine hundred and fifty barrels of flour from Philadelphia.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Ticonderoga, August 31, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I arrived here last night, and immediately issued my orders for sending you the lead, (my former ones not having come to hand;) it will leave Crown Point this afternoon, and be forwarded without loss of time to you.

General Montgomery leaves Crown Point to-day, with twelve hundred men and four twelve-pounders. I follow him this evening, and have ordered the whole strength I can spare to join me at Isle-au-Noix without delay. When they arrive there, which I hope will be in five days, I shall then be near two thousand strong. I am still of opinion that the Canadians and Indians will be friendly to us, unless the imprudence of a Captain Baker, who, without my leave, went upon a scout, and, contrary to the most pointed and express orders, seeing some people in a boat that belonged to us, attempted to fire on them, but his gun missing fire, he was instantly shot through the head and expired. His party consisted of five men, and the other of an equal number; only one of whom, an Indian, was seen to paddle off.

I will neither detain your Excellency nor waste my time (which is precious) in giving you a detail of the many wants I labour under. I hope they will serve for an evening chat at some future day.

You would have cause to blame me for not sending a return of the Forces under my command, but I cannot get one that may in the least be depended upon. I know the reason, but so critical is my situation that I sacrifice every thing to the grand object.

I have sent on only four twelve-pounders, and expect to have no more than six; but I have promised not to complain. Adieu, my dear General.

I am, with the most respectful sentiments, your most obedient servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

General Washington.

P. S. My situation will apologize for this blotted scrawl. Since writing the above, I have received the papers of which a copy is enclosed.

MAJOR JOHN BROWN TO GENERAL MONTGOMERY.

SIR: This minute Sergeant Griffin arrived from St. John’s, where he has been sent by Captain Stewart as a spy. He brings intelligence that the two vessels building there are very forward, that their hulls seem to be finished, being blacked up to their gunwales, and that their masts are preparing; that they appear of large size. This, Sir, is alarming news indeed, if true, which I have no reason to doubt; they will be ready to sail in one week, or ten days at most, for by Griffin’s account, as well as others, the workmen are extremely busy and assiduous, working till after dark every night. These vessels, when on the lake, will effectually command it, and the expedition is up for this year, provided that no re-enforcement comes to Canada this year.

I went with Captain Stewart yesterday, and sounded the channel near the point next below Windmill Point. Am of opinion that a stand may be made there; but should better judges think the Isle-au-Noix, or some place below that, better to intrench and effectually stop the enemy’s vessels coming up, I shall perfectly agree with them. If the Army are not ready to march within the time abovementioned, a plan of this kind must be executed, or we lose all, i. e. the command of the lake, which is tantamount.

Beg your Honour’s pardon for writing in a dictatorial style; should not attempt it were it not demonstration that the vessels mentioned at St. John’s, with what armed batteaus the enemy can easily furnish, can easily sweep this lake in its present condition. I therefore humbly beseech that some effectual measure may be immediately entered into to keep the command of this lake; which, I believe, may most readily and effectually be done by sending some part of the Army immediately into Canada, as I cannot consider the enemy powerful as yet; shall be willing to lead the way on the shortest notice. I hear that two Regiments are coming to join this Army, via Cohos and Onion River; the bearer will inform more particularly concerning this matter. I hope to set off to-morrow for Crown Point.

I am, Sir, with great respect, your Honour’s most obedient humble servant,

JOHN BROWN.

To Brigadier-General Montgomery.

JAMES LIVINGSTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

August, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I had the pleasure to write you by Major Brown, and in your absence had the honour of an answer thereto from Brigadier-General Montgomery, since which nothing material has happened in this part. A few Indians from the Castle of St. Louis have joined the Troops at St. John’s, owing in a great measure to two of their tribe being killed upon their last scouting party near Point-au-Fer. The number of their tribe, supposing they were all joined, does not consist of two hundred effective men, together with a few of the St. François Indians. The Upper Country Indians are mostly returned, so that, with what Colonel Johnson brought with him by the way of Oswego, they may amount to about four or five hundred. The Canadians have waited with the utmost impatience your coming, and begin to despair of seeing you, though I hope to revive their spirits by sending circular letters to the Captains of the different Parishes, of your coming soon to relieve them. The harvest has been very favourable here, though attended with some rain, and expect it will be finished nearly about the time you may arrive at St. John’s, which I hope will be in about a fortnight, at farthest. I shall endeavour to join the party you propose sending this side the river, with what men I can muster, to block up the communication from Montreal to St. John’s, &c. You will be kind enough to send an express a day or two before the party arrives, that I may get the necessary provisions ready. I had the pleasure to acquaint you in my last of the number of troops at the three different posts, viz: Montreal, Chambly, and St. John’s; they are