Friday, 6.—Major Meigs, with his division, went forward; Colonel Enos, with the rear division, arrived.

Saturday, 7.—The last divisions employed in examining their bread, part of which is wet and unfit for use, and carrying their baggage and provisions over the portage.

Sunday, 8.—We have not been able to get our baggage, &c., over the portage until this morning, though we have had constantly two sleds going with oxen, owing to the height of the hill and the bad road; a storm of rain prevents our proceeding this day.

Monday, 9.—Struck our tent, carried our baggage over the portage, embarked, and proceeded up about three miles, a N. N. E. course; here the river takes a remarkable turn to the E. N. E., about three-quarters of a mile, then turns W. and N. about three-quarters of a mile more, and then returns to its proper course again; we crossed the elbow over land, being about thirty rods, which saves more than a mile of rapid water; at twelve o’clock passed the seven mile stream; at three, P. M., dined on one of the islands, and at five encamped with Captain McCobb, on another island, within two miles of Caratunker, or Devil’s Falls; whole distance this day, sixteen miles; course N. N. E. easterly, the water very rapid; the land, from the mouth of the river to Caratunker Falls; appears level, and in general fertile, and tolerably well wooded, with some oak, elm, ash, beech, maple, pine, hemlock, &c.

Tuesday, 10.—At nine o’clock, A. M., arrived at Caratunker Falls; the fall of water, fifteen feet; the portage near fifty rods over; we proceeded up the river, about five miles, against a very rapid stream, course N.; here the mountains begin to appear on each side of the river, high and level on the tops, and appear well wooded; the river, from Norridgewock to the great carrying place is very irregular in width, but in general about four hundred yards, and full of small islands, which appear very fertile land; we ascended the river this day about twelve miles; in general very rapid and shallow water; encamped late in the evening, much fatigued.

Wednesday, 11.—We embarked early this morning, and proceeded up the river; the stream very rapid indeed; at ten, A. M., arrived at the great carrying place, which is very remarkable—a large brook emptying itself into the river just above, which comes from the first lake; when abreast of the carrying place, in the river, you will observe, at about four hundred yards above you, a large mountain, in shape of a sugar loaf, at the foot of which the river turns off to the eastward; this mountain, when you are at the carrying place, seems to rise out of the middle of the river— here I overtook Captain Morgan and his division, and Col. Geeene, with his division; part of each had proceeded as far as the second lake; Major Meigs arrived just before me; met Lieutenant Church, who had been at the Dead River, on a survey, and reports as follows:

From Kennebeck, over the portage, to the first pond or lake; course W., twenty-seven degrees N.; distance three-quarters of a mile, rising ground; bad road, but capable of being made good; over the first pond, half a mile, which pond is a quarter of a mile long; here our people caught a prodigious number of very fine salmon-trout, nothing being more common than a man’s taking eight or ten dozen in one hour’s time, which generally weigh half a pound apiece; the second portage is W., six degrees N. half a mile and twenty rods; very level, but rough road; the second pond is in length, from north to south, two and a half miles, and half a mile wide; the third carrying place is one mile and a quarter and forty rods; the road very bad; course W., ten degrees N.; the third pond is in length, from north to south, three miles, and two miles wide; course over it, W. by N.; the fourth or last portage is W., twenty degrees N.; distance two and three-quarter miles, and sixty rods; the first part of the road tolerably good; the last mile a savanna, wet and miry, about six or eight inches deep.

Thursday, 12.—Lieutenant Steel returned from Chaudiere Pond, and says he discovered no Indians; that the Dead River, from the last carrying place, he judges to be eighty miles, most part of the way a fine, deep river; the current hardly perceptible; some fine falls, and short carrying places, and rapid water; the carrying place from Dead River to Chaudiere Pond, about four miles; very good and even ground, most part of the way, and plenty of moose and other game on the river; this day employed Captain Goodrich’s Company in building a log house on the second portage, to accommodate the sick, eight or ten in number, who we are obliged to leave behind; also a party on the east side of the first portage, to build a small log house for men and provisions; ordered Lieutenants Steel and Church, with twenty axe-men and a surveyor, to Chaudiere Pond, to clear the portages and take a survey of the country; Lieutenant Steel to go down Chaudiere, near the inhabitants, and examine the falls, portages, &c., and return to the pond as soon as possible.

Our men are much fatigued in carrying over their batteaus, provisions, &c., the road being extremely bad; however, their spirit and industry seems to overcome every obstacle, and they appear very cheerful. We have had remarkable fine weather since we left Cambridge, and only one death has happened, and very few accidents by water, which is the more remarkable, as there seldom passes a season without some people being drowned in the Kennebeck, which is very difficult and dangerous to ascend.

Friday, 13.—This morning despatched one Eneas and another Indian with letters to some gentlemen in Quebeck, and to General Schuyler; sent a white man with them, who is to proceed as far as Sartigan, and after discovering the sentiments of the inhabitants, and procuring all the intelligence he can, is to return to us at Chaudiere Pond, where we expect to meet him in about seven or eight days; two divisions have this day reached the Dead River.

ELEAZER OSWALD, Sec’y pro tem.

COLONEL ARNOLD TO JOHN MANIR.

DEAR SIR: I am now on my march for Quebeck, with about two thousand men, where I expect to have the pleasure of seeing you soon. This detachment is designed to co-operate with General Schuyler, to frustrate the unjust and arbitrary measures of the Ministry, and restore liberty to our brethren of Canada, to whom, we make no doubt, our exertions in their favour will be acceptable; and that we shall have their assistance, or at least their friendly wishes, as the expedition is undertaken at the request of many of their principal inhabitants. I beg the favour of you, on receipt of this, which will be delivered you by one Eneas, a faithful Indian, that you would immediately write me by him of the disposition of the Canadians, the number of troops in Quebeck, by whom commanded, and every advice you have received from General Schuyler, and the situation of matters in general; what ships are at Quebeck, and, in short, what we have to expect from the Canadians and merchants in the City; whether any advice has been received of the march of this detachment. If any gentleman of my acquaintance will undertake to meet me on the road, he will be received with pleasure, and handsomely rewarded. The enclosed letter to General Schuyler, I beg the favour of you to forward by express, which charge shall be reimbursed you with thankfulness.

I am, with much esteem, dear Sir, your friend and very humble servant,

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

John Manir, Esq., or, in his absence, to Captain William Gregory, or Mr. John Maynard.

COLONEL ARNOLD TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

DEAR SIR: I make no doubt his Excellency General Washington has advised you of his ordering me, with a detachment of the Army at Cambridge, to march against Quebeck. In consequence of which, I left Cambridge on the 13th of September, and after a very fatiguing and hazardous march over a rough country, up the Kennebeck River, against a very rapid stream, through an uninhabited country, and meeting with many other difficulties, which we have happily surmounted, we have at last arrived at the Dead River, which we have examined to the Chaudiere Pond, and hope in a fortnight of having the pleasure of meeting you in Quebeck. Any intelligence or advice you can communicate will be gratefully received, as this detachment was intended to co-operate with your Army.

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