action with Governour Carleton, at Longeuil. He made an attempt to land, with thirty-four boats full of men. Warner’s detachment, consisting of the Green Mountain Boys and Second Regiment of Yorkers, repulsed them with loss; took two Indians and two Canadians prisoners. We have buried three Indians, and it is supposed many in the boats must have been killed; we had not a man even wounded. (This, I believe, is his last effort.) One of the abovementioned prisoners I sent into the fort, to inform Major Preston of the circumstances of the action, that he might judge what prospect he could have of relief; it had the desired effect—the garrison having been on half-allowance for some time. I am making the necessary preparations to proceed immediately to Montreal, by way of La Prairie, as the enemy have armed vessels in the Sorel.

Send every body you possibly can immediately down, as it is much to be apprehended many of the men on this service will insist on returning home when their times are expired. It will not be necessary to keep people with arms for the present at Ticonderoga. Several men of rank in Canada are among the prisoners. I have permitted them to remain at Crown Point, till the return of two gentlemen they sent to their friends for money, &c.; they pleaded hard to return home, but they are too dangerous to let loose again.

I have this moment received your letter of 27th October. Not a word of Arnold yet. I have sent two expresses to him lately—one by an Indian, who promised to return with expedition. The instant I have any news of him, I will acquaint you by express. Colonel Easton and Major Brown, with their Corps, and Mr. Livingston, with, I believe, one thousand Canadians, are going towards the mouth of the Sorel, pushing Colonel Allan Maclean before them. Maclean had many Canadians, but they joined through fear of fire and sword; you may easily judge how they will fight.

I send you a list of stores, artillery, &c.; and am, my dear Sir, with respect and esteem, your much obliged humble servant,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

To General Schuyler.

P. S. Half-past six. Just received your favour of 31st October; a good deal of artillery stores, but we have not time to ascertain them. Neither Macpherson nor Renssclaer have commissions.

St. John’s, November 1, 1775.

SIR: I am credibly informed that the prisoner you permitted to pass here this evening is frequently subject to fits of insanity, and therefore cannot lay much stress on what he says.

Equally anxious to prevent the further unnecessary effusion of blood, and zealous to maintain the honour of His Majesty’s arms, I now inform you, that should no attempt be made to relieve this place within the space of four days, I will then offer to you my proposals relative to a surrender. The low state of my provisions, the destruction of artillery stores, tools, &c., are points with which the deserter was not well acquainted. In whatever way the fate of this garrison may be determined, I flatter myself it will never depend on the assembling of Canadians, who must have rendered themselves equally contemptible to both parties.

I am, Sir, your humble servant,

CHARLES PRESTON,
Major 26th Reg’t, comm’g at St. John’s.

To Brigadier-General Montgomery.

November 1, 1775.

SIR: The advanced season of the year will not admit of your proposal. I do assure you, upon the honour of a gentleman, that what the prisoner has informed you of is true, as far as has come to my knowledge; however, if it want further confirmation, Mr. Depane, of Montreal, who is also my prisoner, will, I believe, give you the same intelligence.

Having now acquitted my conscience, I must, to save time and prevent trouble, acquaint you, if you do not surrender this day, it will be unnecessary to make any future proposals; the garrison shall be prisoners of war, without the honours of war, and I cannot ensure the officers their baggage.

Should you wish to send an officer to Mr. Depane, who is on board the sloop, you have my permission. Captain Stewart carries an order for that purpose. Should you still be inclined to persist in a useless defence, you will immediately fire a cannon without shot, as a signal.

I am, Sir, your most obedient,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

To Major Preston.

ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION PROPOSED BY MAJOR CHARLES PRESTON FOR HIS MAJESTY’S FORTS AT ST. JOHN’S, IN THE PROVINCE OF CANADA.

Article 1st. All acts of hostility shall cease on both sides, till the articles of capitulation shall be agreed upon and signed.

Answer. Agreed.

Article 2d. The garrison shall be allowed all the honours of war, and suffered to proceed with their baggage and effects to the most convenient post in America; from thence to embark for Great Britain, as soon as they shall be furnished with transports and provisions by his Excellency General Gage, or Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Troops in America.

Answer. The garrison shall march out with the honours of war; this is due to their fortitude and perseverance. The non-commissioned officers and privates shall ground their arms on the plain south of the fort, and immediately embark on board such boats as shall be provided for that purpose. The officers shall keep their side arms, and their fire-arms shall be put up in a box, and delivered to them when those unhappy disputes are ended, if they do not choose to dispose of them before. The garrison must go to Connecticut Government, or such other Province as the honourable the Continental Congress shall direct; there to remain till our unhappy differences shall be compromised, or till they are exchanged. Our prisoners have been constantly treated with a brotherly affection; the effects of the garrison shall not be withheld from them.

Article 3d. An officer or Quartermaster from each Corps shall be allowed to pass to Montreal, upon parole of honour; there to transact and settle the business of his respective Corps, and to bring up their baggage, clothing, and pay; for which purpose they shall be furnished with carts and batteaus.

Answer. Agreed to in the fullest latitude.

Article 4th. The Canadian gentlemen, inhabitants, and other persons residing in this Province, and now in St. John’s, shall be permitted to return unmolested to their respective homes, with their arms and baggage, and remain secure in their property and effects.

Answer. Answered in the second article; the Canadian gentlemen and others being part of the garrison.

Article 5th. The sick and wounded shall be taken proper care of, and permitted to join their respective Corps, or return to their respective homes, upon their recovery.

Answer. The sick and wounded shall be taken care of by their own Surgeons, and when recovered follow their respective Corps.

Article 6th. As soon as the above articles shall be signed, Major Preston will deliver up the forts, with the ammunition, provisions, &c.

Answer. To-morrow morning, at eight o’clock, the garrison will march out, having first collected their baggage and effects together in a convenient place for embarkation, and leaving a guard for its protection; the officers must be upon honour, with respect to their baggage. Should any Canadian or other person effect his escape, his baggage shall be given as plunder to the troops. The Quartermaster-General, with proper Commissaries, will attend at eight o’clock, to receive the artillery, ammunition, naval stores, &c.

The deserters from the Continental Army shall not be included in the stipulation for the garrison. The commanding officer to sign and deliver the articles of capitulation by sunset this evening.

CHARLES PRESTON,
Major 26th Reg’t, comd’g at St. John’s.

St. John’s, November 2, 1775.