at several things which I conceived claimed the attention of Congress. Enclose you, also, a list of the officers made prisoners at St John’s. The return of the non-commissioned officers and privates is either mislaid, or by mistake enclosed to Governour Trumbull.

Be so good as to assure the gentlemen of your family that they have my best wishes.

I have the honour to be your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble servant,

PHILIP SHUYLER.

General Washington.

GENERAL MONTGOMERY TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

[Extract.]

Camp near St. John’s, October 13, 1775.

DEAR GENERAL: Some time ago I informed you of my intentions to make my approaches on the west side, as soon as the expected re-enforcement enabled me to undertake it. I had had a road cut to the intended ground, and some fascines made, when I was informed, by Major Brown, that a general dissatisfaction prevailed; that unless something was undertaken in a few days there would be a mutiny; and that the universal sense of the Army was to direct all our attention to the east side. The impatience of the troops to get home has prevented their seeing the impossibility of undertaking this business sooner, the duty being hard for the troops, even on the present confined state of operations.

When I mentioned my intentions, I did not consider I was at the head of troops who carry the spirit of freedom into the field, and think for themselves.

Upon considering the fatal consequences which might flow from a want of subordination and discipline, (should this ill-humour continue, ) my unstable authority over troops of different Colonies, the insufficiency of the military law, and my own want of powers to enforce it, weak as it is, I thought it expedient to call the Field-Officers together. Enclosed I send you the result of our deliberations.

I am, &c.,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

Proceedings of a Council of War held at ST. JOHN’S, OCTOBER 13, 1775.

I proposed establishing a battery of all our spare heavy cannon on the rising ground exactly opposite the stone house in the north redoubt, (in the west face of which there is but one embrasure open, ) at the distance of about four hundred yards, securing this battery with a work capable of being well defended by two hundred men. From this battery our approaches might be continued to the ditch, and, by the time we arrived there, the fraise round the berm would be destroyed, the rampart in a ruinous state, and the large house (which is said to be their principal barrack) would be destroyed, as every shot that missed the rampart must take the house. Two four-pounders, on the east side, would answer the end of securing the west rampart in reverse, and thereby slackening the opposition of the enemy. By this mode of proceeding, if our ammunition held out, there would be, in my opinion, some prospect of success, notwithstanding the superior artillery of the garrison, which could not be mounted in its proper place time enough to prevent the erection of our battery. The Field-Officers were, to a man, of opinion that my reasons were insufficient, being afraid the designed ground was, at this season, too wet for approaches, and strongly of opinion our heavy cannon, on the east side, would more effectually distress the enemy by annoying their buildings; the fort having a gentle slope to the river, and which was urged as the strongest motive by destroying their schooner. In vain I represented that if every building was destroyed, the garrison could not surrender without a probability of an assault, which could never arise from any attack on the opposite side of the river; that the vessel could not be destroyed, because she would change her place in such a manner as to elude our batteries; that we had but little powder or time to throw away on experiments; that I had a moral certainty they would find themselves mistaken; and, finally, that they must take it upon themselves, for I would not oppose the general sense of the Army, and should enforce the measure by every effort in my power.

I cannot help observing to how little purpose I am here. Were I not afraid the example would be too generally followed, and that the publick service might suffer, I would not stay an hour at the head of troops whose operations I cannot direct. I must say I have no hopes of success, unless from the garrison’s wanting provisions.

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

DANBURY (CONNECTICUT) COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee of Inspection for the Town of Danbury, November 6, 1775:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Selectmen of Danbury, not to allow any persons from abroad to take up their residence in the said Town, unless they produce a Certificate from the Committee of Inspection, Observation, or Safety, for the Town or County from whence they remove, that they are friends to the cause of American liberty.

And it is likewise ordered, that this Resolve be published in Mr. Holt’s Journal.

SAMUEL TAYLOR, Com. Clerk.

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, RHODE-ISLAND.

An Act for the punishment of persons who shall be found guilty of holding a traitorous correspondence with the Ministry of GREAT BRITAIN, or any of their Officers or Agents, or of supplying the Ministerial Army or Navy, that now is or may be employed in AMERICA against the UNITED COLONIES, with Provisions, Cannon, Arms, Ammunition, or warlike or naval Stores, or of acting as Pilots on board any of their Ships or Vessels.

Whereas the Ministry of Great Britain have, for several years last past, steadily pursued a plan for subjecting the inhabitants of the British Colonies in America to an absolute, unconditional state of slavery, and have proceeded at length to the burning of our Towns, and spreading desolation and slaughter, as far as it hath been in their power, through the Country, in a manner totally inconsistent with the practice of civilized nations, and unworthy of the reputation formerly sustained by British troops; and whereas the aforesaid Colonies have been reduced to the fatal necessity of taking up arms in defence of those inestimable rights and liberties which they derive from the unerring laws of nature and the fundamental principles of the British Constitution, and which they cannot resign but with their lives; and whereas several of the inhabitants of the said Colonies, lost to every generous sentiment of liberty, of love to their Country and posterity, have kept up a traitorous correspondence with, and supplied the Ministerial Troops and Navy, and some of them have acted as pilots on board their ships and vessels, whereby the safety and liberties of the said Colonies may be greatly endangered:

Be it therefore enacted by this General Assembly, and by the authority thereof it is enacted, That if any of the inhabitants of the said Colonies, within this Colony, or any of the inhabitants of this Colony, within any other Colony, shall be found guilty of holding a traitorous correspondence with the Ministry of Great Britain, or any of their officers and agents, or of supplying the Ministerial Army or Navy that now is or may be employed in America, against the United Colonies, with provisions, cannon, arms, ammunition, or warlike or naval stores, or of acting as pilots on board any of their ships or vessels, he or they so offending shall suffer the pains of death, as in cases of felony, and shall forfeit his lands, goods, and chattels, to the Colony, to be disposed of by the General Assembly as they shall think fit, all necessary charges of prosecution, condemnation, and execution, being first deducted; and that all offences against this act shall be cognizable before the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Jail Delivery, of this Colony. The negotiation and treaty of the Town Council with Captain Wallace, respecting the supplying the ships of war stationed in the harbour of Newport, and the regulation thereof by the commanding officer, allowed of by this General Assembly at this present session, to be excepted out of this act.

And be it further enacted by this General Assembly,