his arms and ammunition, he confessed that he has a gun, pistol, sword, powder, and ball, but refused informing the Committee where they are; and as Haines is a single man, the Committee think it highly improbable that his arms can be found. We enclose you an affidavit, which induces us to think him a very dangerous man, and therefore send him to you, to be dealt with as you think proper. After reading the affidavit, we think it needless to acquaint you that his conduct (by the best information we can get) has been very extraordinary; such as going armed, and giving out threats against some of the Committee, and the Connecticut Troops, &c.

The Committee think it extremely necessary, for the safety of the County, that the commissions for the Militia officers should be immediately forwarded.

We are, Gentlemen, your most humble servants.

By order of the Committee:

GILBERT DRAKE, Chairman.

To the Committee of Safety for the Province of New-York.

WESTCHESTERCounty, ss.

Eunice Purdy, of Rye, in the said County, Spinster, being duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith: That on or about the 2d of September, instant, Godfrey Haines was at Daniel Purdy’s, at Rye, and in conversation at that time said he understood that the Committee or Congress had made a law to oblige all to train under them; and that, “damn them, if they came after him, they should either kill him, or he would kill some of them;“and that, dead or alive, he would be revenged; and that he had enough in his pocket for five or six of them. That he also damned the Congresses and Committees frequently, and said that he had as lief be in hell as in the hands of the Congress or Committee; that they should see if they were not all cut down in a fortnight, at farthest; that he wished the men of war would come along the Sound, and that he would be one to show them whom to fire upon; and that he wished they had raised their Company three months ago, for then the matter would have been settled before that time. And farther this deponent saith not.

EUNICE PURDY.

Sworn the 28th of September, 1775, before me,

GILBERT DRAKE.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read October 9, 1775.]

Ticonderoga, September 29, 1775.

SIR: I am this moment favoured with a letter from General Montgomery, enclosing sundry papers, copies of which are enclosed.

Of the articles wanted by Captain Lamb, I can only furnish about five hundred pounds of powder, leaving not an ounce at this place, one thirteen-inch mortar, and about one hundred fusees; these to go to-morrow.

The money the Caughnawagas received was four hundred Pounds, which I desired General Montgomery to give them, for themselves and the other six Canadian tribes.

The prisoners mentioned in General Montgomery’s letter are Neil McFall, Sergeant, and James Anderson, Corporal, of Captain Swan’s Company, of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment; Thomas Goone, Gunner, and Matthew Bell, John Boetle, Osburn Frederick, and Robert Knox, Matrosses, of Captain Jones’s Company, Royal Artillery; Thomas Donohue, Meshech Seers, William Elphinston, Pierre Marrasee, John Larue, Joseph Lamote, Jean Orillat, and Francois L’ Ozeau.

Since the arrival of Easton’s people, taken notice of in General Montgomery’s letter, all the provision mentioned in my letter of the 28th instant is arrived at the Army, so that I beg you will not be under any apprehensions on that account. I foresaw that it would be the case immediately on my arrival here, and took every measure I possibly could to guard against it. Besides what was gone before, I have sent off four batteaus to-day; and nine, instead of ten, which General Montgomery has sent me, will return to-morrow—six with provisions, and the other three with artillery stores, and a re-enforcement of one hundred good men of the third New-York Regiment.

I beg the explicit directions of Congress on that paragraph of General Montgomery’s letter marked (a,) and I most sincerely join him in the wish contained in the next.

I have sent to New-York and Albany, express, for powder; I hope some will be sent.

I am now drove to the disagreeable necessity of employing all my blacksmiths in making nails, as I cannot build a boat for want of them. Had I strength to get out of my room, I should not be tormented so much as I am by a parcel of scoundrel artificers, taken out of the troops.

I am too much indisposed to-day to enter upon the matters I promised in my last. I shall only observe that the pay of the officers is so amazingly low, that I fear few gentlemen will engage for the winter service.

I am, Sir, with the utmost esteem, your and the Congress’s most obedient and very humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLETI.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. I shall send the prisoners to Connecticut, except Elphinston whose parents are at New-York.

GENERAL MONTGOMERY TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Camp south side of St. John’s, September 24, 1775.

MY DEAR GENERAL: I take the opportunity of Mr. Trumbull’s return to acquaint you that a succession of bad weather and our own feebleness have hitherto kept us back in our operations. However, I expect to set our mortars to work to-night; a gun battery I have not yet been able to think of.

This morning, the Caughnawagas received their money. They assure me that all the Western Indians and Six Nations are departed home. Philip Phelps, one of their headmen, was at Montreal the day before yesterday. He believes the Governour was on board ship, as he did not see him. He saw Guy Johnson, who told him he himself was going away.

Major Brown was lucky enough to take a quantity of stores designed for the Indians, who had been prevailed on to come to La Prairie, in order to march against us, by Mr. Carleton. That project is now at an end.

I send you the prisoners who have been taken. I have told them they were to go to Connecticut. Among them are two Canadian merchants, who made a desperate resistance. They were furnished with the Governour’s proclamation, which I send you.

You have enclosed Colonel Allen’s last letter to me, which will give you an idea of the inclinations of the people in that quarter. I have favourable accounts from La Prairie, where Brown now is.

Could I depend on the troops, I might venture to promise success; but, alas, I can say nothing pleasing on that head. The other night, Captain Motte, of the First Regiment of Yorkers, basely deserted the mortar battery, without ever having been attacked, came into camp, and made me a formal report that the enemy had rushed into the work, and that his men had left him. An hour after, his Lieutenant came in, with about half the party, brought in some tools which he had picked up after his Captain had ran away, and honestly told me there had been no enemy there. Were I furnished with powers for that purpose, he should not live an hour after his trial, if the court condemn him; but I must transmit the court-martial to you.

I have been obliged to go on half allowance of pork; I had but thirteen barrels when Easton’s people arrived. I now send ten boats. Flour is six livres per bushel in Canada.

I believe we have had but one man killed; you know we lake good care of ourselves.

( a ) It is almost time to think of politics. I shall endeavour, if successful, to have Deputies sent from Canada to the Congress, giving them assurances that, before an accommodation takes place, Canada must have a free Government; that the Congress will as soon give up the Massachusetts Government to the resentment of the Ministry, as relinquish this point.

I could wish to have three members of the Congress as a council immediately, lest I should make any faux pas. Shall I not see you soon? I wish exceedingly to have the burden off my shoulders.

I believe I have touched on every point I had to communicate.