COLONEL ARNOLD TO COLONEL GREENE AND OTHERS.

GENTLEMEN: I arrived here last night. Captain Hanchet informs me the roads through the woods are well spotted, and not so bad but men will make greater despatch than by water. The carrying places from lake to lake are so many and difficult, that I think the whole will get forward much sooner by leaving all the batteaus. If there are any people sick, you will perhaps be under a necessity of bringing on some batteaus. We are now near by the stream, which is about six miles to the lake. I believe the walking here is pretty good, if you go a little back from the stream. When you arrive at the lake, the walking is very good; the land rises gently, with a good road; I am told good all the way down.

I have heard nothing from Jackson. Lieutenant Steele has gone over the pond. His party are here, and most of them going forward. I shall proceed with what men I have, as fast as possible, to the inhabitants, to send back provisions. Pray make all possible despatch.

I am, Gentlemen, your humble servant,

B. ARNOLD

To Colonels Greene, Enos, and the Captains in the rear of the Detachment.

COLONEL ARNOLD TO THE FIELD-OFFICERS AND CAPTAINS IN THE DETACHMENT.

Chaudiere River, October 27, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I have this moment arrived here, and met my express from the French inhabitants, who, he tells me, are rejoiced to hear we are coming, and that they will gladly supply us with provisions. He says there are few or no Regulars at Quebeck, which may be easily taken. I have just met Lieutenants Steele and Church, and am determined to proceed as fast as possible, with four batteaus and fifteen men, to the inhabitants, and send back provisions as soon as possible. I hope to be there in three days, as my express tells me we can go most of the way by water. You must all of you keep the east side of the lake. You will find only one small river until you reach the crotch, which is just above the inhabitants. I hope, in six days from this time, to have provisions half way up the river. Pray make all possible despatch.

If any Companies, on their arrival at the river, have more than four or five days’ provisions, let it be despatched to others, or left for their coming on.

I am, Gentlemen, your humble servant,

B. A RNOLD.

P.S. The bearer, Isaac Hull, I have sent back, in order to direct the people in coming from the carrying place to Chaudiere Pond. From the west side of the great carrying place, before they come to the meadows, strike off to the right hand, and keep about a north and by east course, which will escape the low swampy land and save a very great distance, and about six miles will bring you to the pond. By no means keep the brook, which will carry you into a swamp, out of which it will be impossible for you to get.

N. B. To be sent on, that the whole may see it.

COLONEL ARNOLD TO COLONEL ENOS.

Chaudiere Pond, October 27, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Forward on the enclosed letter to his Excellency General Washington, by express. If you have any officer who is not hearty and well, send him; and give orders to take particular care of the sick, and those who are returning, as well as of any other matters that are necessary. I hope soon to see you in Quebeck; and am, dear Sir, your humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

To Colonel Enos.

COLONEL ARNOLD TO THE OFFICERS OF THE DETACHMENT.

Sartigan, October 31, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I have now sent forward, for the use of the detachment, five barrels and two tierces, and five hundred pounds of flour, by Lieutenant Church, Mr. Barrin, and eight Frenchmen, and shall immediately forward on more as far as the falls. Those who have provisions to reach the falls will let this pass on for the rear; and those who want will take sparingly as possible, that the whole may meet with relief. The inhabitants received us kindly, and appear friendly in offering us provisions, &c. Pray make all possible despatch.

I am, Gentlemen, yours, &c.,

B. ARNOLD.

COSMOPOLITAN, NO. I.

To the Inhabitants of the AMERICAN Colonies.

Friends and Fellow-Citizens:

By the splendid monuments of Grecian antiquity, we learn, at Athens—that seat of science, that nursery of freedom, that mistress of the world, now in ruins—there was a custom, in times of trouble and general calamity, to invite, by the publick crier, every person, of whatever age, quality, degree, or profession, to give his opinion with freedom and plainness, for the good of the State. Unaspiring to opinions upon difficult and intricate questions, leaving plans and measures to the invention and wisdom of deep politicians and the united efforts of our assembled Delegates, not long since, without fee or reward, expectation or prospect, I assumed my pen in opposition to Ministerial hirelings, and the tools and minions of despotick sway. Having delineated our rights, and scanned the pretences for infringing them, 1 stopped short, and retired from the publick view. Something more may yet be done. The duty of a citizen is undischarged but in constant struggles in his Country’s cause. My present design is to cast in a mite to rouse the attention, increase the vigilance, and set in motion the wheels of reflection, among the various classes of men, especially the yeomanry of America, against the wanton ebullitions of undelegated power, and the increasing torrent of Britannick oppression. Not doubting the sincerity of the heart, you will excuse, from a principle of tenderness, the want of elocution and polished sentiment in one whose highest ambition is the service of the publick; who, although he has neither that experience of years, which adds weight to counsel, and authority to debate, had rather wander abroad in a rustick dress, than to enjoy that silent glow of the recluse speculator, which, being confined to the narrow circle of his own breast, must, void of utility, soon perish.

We have, my dear friends, passed the Rubicon; the die is up. There is but a single alternative: either in the blaze of war to submit our cause to the great arbiter of battles, or resign ourselves and ours into the unrelenting hands of the proud and the cruel, to be by them butchered as sheep, or, like machines, disposed of in servile drudgery, or the infamous business of enslaving others. There is no retrospect; our choice is easy, our duty plain. It was the opinion of David, a brave and magnanimous prince, a great statesman, and a good soldier, that it was better to fall into the hands of God than into the hands of men. Being thoroughly convinced that the assumed right of Parliament is ill-founded, that her claim is usurpation, or exercised power, tyranny, and cruelty, we bottom on the unshaken rock of eternal truth, in defence of our own rights, the rights of humanity, and the rights of heaven. Let this prepare us for every hazardous and manly achievement. Reason, self-preservation points out the way, and a consciousness of rectitude ought to supply us with ardour, resolution, and fortitude. The calls of the community, the business of the day, is level to every man’s eye. Our rights are invaded; they must be defended. The heavy stroke of Ministerial vengeance, which is aimed at our vitals, must be repelled, although, in its rebound, it should plunge Great Britain into the vast ocean of her own misconduct. The dispute is become too serious to think of temporizing accommodations or partial contracted negotiations. The exigencies of the times require something bold, something decisive. Mysteries and unintelligible refinement may amuse the curious, secure a party, or conceal a tyrant. Interest and faction may be their advocates; honour and honesty despise them.

There are those who solace themselves in the pleasing expectation that Great Britain will reverse her measures, and meet us again upon equitable terms; an expectation irrational in itself, and dangerous to the community. It is