I am, my dear Sir, with the most earnest wishes for your recovery, your most obedient and respectful humble servant,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

To General Schuyler.

GENERAL MONTGOMERY TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Camp near St. John’s, September 21, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I have acquainted the Caughnawagas that they may go to their hunting grounds, on the Lakes, whenever they please. I beg you will give orders that they be not molested. I have told them that, so long as these troubles continue, 1 should be glad they would take passes.

I am, Sir, with respect, your most obedient

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Ticonderoga, September 29, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I am still confined with the remains of an inveterate disorder. I have this moment received a line from General Montgomery. He holds St. John’s besieged; but the weak state of our Army and artillery cause the operations to go on slowly. The Canadians are friendly to us, and join us in great numbers; but unless we succeed against St. John’s, all other operations in that quarter will avail little. We are in want of powder; and I send this by express, that you may forward me five tons, if you can. It should come in boats that can be rowed, that no delay may be made. Several rascals of the first Battalion have deserted to the enemy; and Captain Motte, of the same corps, shamefully ran away from our bomb battery, when not one of the enemy was near him.

Pray, let the powder be sent to the care of Colonel Van Schaick, at Albany.

We have taken fifteen prisoners, seven of which are soldiers, the rest unfriendly Canadians and Scotchmen, in the service of the Ministry.

I am, Gentlemen, with the most profound respect, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the New-York Provincial Congress.

P. S. Be pleased to forward the enclosed by express.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, September 29, 1775.

SIR: I have your favour of the 20th instant. It gave me great concern to hear of your very severe fit of illness. It is very agreeable to hear that, after your return, you find yourself much better, and hope soon to be able to rejoin your Army, and give a favourable account of your operations. The savages retiring from St. John’s is a good omen that they will not join against us.

I received, the 24th, a letter from Colonel Dyer, dated Philadelphia, September 15, instant, wherein he acquaints me with the account Mr. Lynch, one of the South-Carolina Delegates, who has been at Ticonderoga in the recess of the Congress, gives with respect to the Connecticut Forces under your command. He says that Colonel Hinman has not above one hundred soldiers with him; that he has suffered them to depart to their various homes, now, when their service (if ever) is wanted and required; Colonel Waterbury’s partly full, but many of our soldiers without arms; that they all refuse to be mustered, or to come under the Continental regulations. A soldier to go to war without arms is a solecism. Why they should refuse to be mustered I cannot conceive, as no disadvantage to them can possibly arise from it. It appears to me Mr. Lynch must have been grossly misinformed. In yours of the 21st of August you inform that you have ordered off Colonel Hinman’s Regiment, (excepting two Companies,) amounting to about five hundred men. In your last you mention the increase of the sick of our Troops, and your conduct with them, which is very good, but make no mention of any misconduct of Colonel Hinman. I cannot think it of him, or that any of our Troops were suffered or would go without any arms or ammunition. It is necessary this affair is set in a true light, that no damage may happen thereby to this Colony, to the Colonel, or his Regiment.

I can have no imagination that you or Colonel Hinman have or do suffer well and effective men to return home at this critical juncture. I write to Colonel Hinman upon it, requesting a true state of the facts, and desire the favour of your certificate upon the same. I was much surprised at Mr. Phelps’s complaint and distress for money to pay the people he employed, and his application to our Pay Table for it, but more so at the application of your Commissary-General for one thousand four hundred Pounds, to buy beef for your Army. I am rejoiced to hear Major Hobby and Captain Mead are out of danger. I take the liberty, by this opportunity, to recommend to your kind assistance and countenance my son, who comes out your Paymaster-General. I trust he will discharge his duty so as to meet your approbation, and merit your recommendation to the honourable General Congress of the United Colonies in America, that he may receive a meet reward for his fatigue, risk, expense, and service.

Your accounts from General Washington render it needless for me to give intelligence of the occurrences among our Forces in these parts.

Trusting in the Supreme Disposer of all events to restore to you the great blessing of health, and of an opportunity to give a favourable account of your operations, I am, with great truth and sincerity, Sir, your very obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

The Hon. Major-General Schuyler.

GOVERNOUR COOKE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Providence, September 29, 1775.

SIR: I am to inform you that there are part of two Companies of the Rhode-Island Brigade, consisting of about seventy-four men, now upon Block-Island, who were sent there to secure the stock until it could be removed. If you think proper that these men should be ordered to the camp, please to let me know it, and I shall immediately give directions for their marching.

The packet sent out to countermand Captain Whipple’s voyage to Bermuda cruised until the 27th instant, and then returned, without being able to see him. I think it probable that Captain Whipple had gained intelligence of the arrival of the packet at New-York, and pursued his voyage before the time limited for the expiration of his cruise.

We are informed that six transports, with some ships of war, are now in the Vineyard Sound, designed, without doubt, to procure another supply of fresh stock.

I am, with great esteem, Sir, your most humble and most obedient servant,

NICHOLAS COOKE.

To General Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

Cambridge, September 28, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The Indian who accompanies Mr. Kirkland is an Oneida chief of considerable rank in his own country. He has come on a visit to the camp, principally to satisfy his curiosity; but as his tribe has been very friendly to the United Colonies, and his report to his nation, at his return, will have important consequences to the publick interest, I have studiously endeavoured to make his visit agreeable.

Having expressed an inclination to pay his respects to the General Court, I thought it proper to let them know who he was, and upon what errand he came, not doubting but your honourable Board will join with me in showing him all proper civilities. I have directed a present to be prepared for him at his return.

I am, Gentlemen, with great respect and regard, your most obedient humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The Hon. James Warren, Esq., Speaker.

PETITION OF THE FIELD-OFFICERS, WINTER-HILL.

To the. Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Province of
NEW-HAMPSHIRE:

We, the Field-Officers of the several New-Hampshire Regiments stationed at Winter-Hill, beg leave to suggest