as follows: to land as near the fort as we did the first time we went down; the two row-galleys, carrying a twelve-pounder each, and well manned. The sloop and schooner, and ten batteaus, with picked men, to lie in the river, ready to attack the enemy’s schooner, which is complete and carries sixteen guns, in case she should attempt to destroy our boats or get to the southward of them, and thereby effectually cut off all communication between this place and the Army. After this naval arrangement, which will take three hundred and fifty men, five hundred men to be sent, as a corps of observation, to intercept any succours between St. John’s and Chambly, and to keep as near the former as possible; two hundred men at the proposed landing, to cover the boats and secure a retreat for the men in the vessels and boats, should the enemy’s vessel be too many for them; the remainder of the Army to invest the place, make the approaches, and erect the batteries.

You will perceive, by No. 5, that some of the enemy’s boats fired on our people. Captain Douglass, who commands one of our armed boats, pointed and fired a twelve-pounder, loaded with balls and grape-shot, at them, and we have accounts that about thirty of the unfriendly Canadians were killed or drowned. In the first engagement, on the 7th, we killed them six Indians, two Caughnawagas, as many Mohawks, (Daniel, and William a bastard son of Sir William Johnson’s,) one Canassadaga, and one Huron; and we are informed by a Canassadaga and Huron whom I left at Isle-aux-Noix, that not an Indian remained at St. John’s, and which I believe to be true. Four Deputies, who were sent by the Six Nations, and left Isle-aux-Noix on the 10th, to request the Canadian Indians to remain neuter, were not returned when I left Isle-aux-Noix. I have taken the liberty to desire General Montgomery to make a present, in the name of the Congress, to the Canadian Indians, if he should think it necessary.

Since the affair of the 10th, the Army at Isle-aux-Noix, which then consisted of thirteen hundred and ninety-four effectives, all ranks included, has been re-enforced by Captain Livingston’s Company of New-Yorkers, nearly complete; on the 16th by Colonel Warner, whom I met an hour after my departure, with one hundred and seventy Green Mountain Boys, being the first that have appeared of that boasted corps. He left this with about fifty more, but they mutinied, and the remainder are at Crown Point. Captain Allen’s Company, of the same corps, arrived here last night, every man of which was raised in Connecticut. About one hundred men of Colonel Bedell’s, from New-Hampshire, (this corps was to have been up a fortnight before, the remainder, one hundred and fifty of that body, were yet to come,) joined the 16th at night; and I suppose the Artillery Company, under Captain Lamb, will join them to-day. These last were indispensably necessary, as we had none that knew any thing of the matter: so that the whole re-enforcement consists of about four hundred. Yesterday I sent off sixty of Easton’s, and one hundred and forty more are just embarking. This is the whole of that corps. About one hundred and twenty-five of the First New-York Battalion will embark early to-morrow, together with the Company of Green Mountain Boys, consisting of about seventy. Two hundred and sixty of the Third New-York Battalion remain here, which I will forward on as soon as I can procure craft, which is building slowly, as most of the carpenters are gone home sick.

Your Excellency’s letter of the 8th instant, I received yesterday. I am happy to learn that the Troops under the command of Colonel Arnold were to march so soon. I hope our people will commit no depredations in Canada. All possible care will be taken of it; but yet I have many fears on that score, as they stole thirty-two sheep at Isle-aux-Noix, contrary to the most pointed orders.

Be assured, Sir, that I shall not fail of giving you the most early intelligence of every occurrence worthy your attention.

I find myself much better, as the fever has left me, and hope soon to return where I ought and wish to be, unless a barbarous relapse should dash this cup of hope from my lips. The number of sick is incredible, and I have very little assistance to afford them. I wish I could make you a return of the Army under my command, but I cannot get one. A great deal of foul play is carrying on.

I am indebted to General Lee and Colonel Reed for a letter, but I am too feeble to write. Be pleased to assure them of my respect, and be so good as to make my compliments acceptable to all the gentlemen of your suit.

I am, my dear Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

His Excellency General Washington.

COLONEL ETHAN ALLEN TO GENERAL MONTGOMERY.

St. Tuors, September 20, 1775.

EXCELLENT SIR: I am now in the Parish of St. Tuors, four leagues from Sorel, to the south; have two hundred and fifty Canadians under arms; as I march, they gather fast. There are the objects of taking the vessels in Sorel, and General Carleton; these objects I pass by, to assist the Army besieging St. John’s. If this place be taken, the country is ours; if we miscarry in this, all other achievements will profit but little. I am fearful our Army may be too sickly, and that the siege may be hard; therefore, choose to assist in conquering St. John’s, which of consequence conquers the whole. You may rely on it that I shall join you in about three days, with five hundred or more Canadian volunteers. I could raise one or two thousand in a week’s time, but will first visit the Army with a less number, and if necessary will go again recruiting. Those that used to be enemies to our cause come cap in hand to me; and I swear by the Lord I can raise three times the number of our Army in Canada, provided you continue the siege; all depends on that. It is the advice of the officers with me, that I speedily repair to the Army. God grant you wisdom, fortitude, and every accomplishment of a victorious General; the eyes of all America, nay, of Europe, are or will be on the economy of this Army, and the consequences attending it.

I am your most obedient humble servant,

ETHAN ALLEN.

P. S. I have purchased six hogsheads of rum, and sent a Sergeant with a small party to deliver it at Head-Quarters; Mr. Livingston and others under him will provide what fresh beef you need; as to bread and flour, I am forwarding what I can. You may rely on my utmost attention to this object, as well as raising auxiliaries. I know the ground is swampy, and bad for raising batteries, but pray let no object of obstruction be insurmountable. The glory of a victory which will be attended with such important consequences, will crown all our fatigues, risks, and labours; to fail of victory will be an eternal disgrace, but to obtain it will elevate us on the wings of fame.

Yours, &c.,

ETHAN ALLEN.

HENRY LAURENS, PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF SAFETY, TO WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON.

Charlestown, September 21, 1775.

SIR: We refer to our last, dated the 15th, by your messenger from Ninety-Six, which we hope has reached you; and that you are now on your way to meet those Indians, who, led by Captain Pearis, came from the Cherokees at your command, and who have, in the utmost anxiety and impatience, been many days waiting for you.

We have several copies of intercepted letters from the Superintendent at St. Augustine, to his agents in the Nation; they look so much like design to amuse us, that we hold it unnecessary to trouble you with them; but, since you have entered upon that branch, a caution against every stratagem may not be unnecessary. Pearis applies for a commission to the Good Warriour; if one is granted, it must be special: and you will be the best judge of the necessary terms; we have therefore referred him to you.

Colonel Wofford has likewise applied for commissions, in order to erect a whole Regiment in the Colony’s service, from Fletchall’s District. For that purpose we send you thirty-four, signed by us, and blanks left for you to fill up. You will keep a copy of the names of officers, &c., as formerly directed.

We are called together by an alarming account, which threatens the destruction of this Town by three frigates and a bomb ketch; we hope it may prove a groundless report, but it becomes us to act instantly, as if it was real.