RETURN OF BRASS AND IRON ORDNANCE AND MORTARS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH FORTS AT ST. JOHN’S.

Brass: Two 24-pounders, one 12-pounder, four 6-pounders, two 4-pounders, eight 3-pounders, two 8-inch howitzers.

Iron: Six 9-pounders, one 8-pounder, eleven 6-pounders, one 5-pounder, one 4-pounder, two 3-pounders.

Mortars: Three 5 1-2-inch, four 4 2-5-inch.

M. JAMES, Commissary of Art’y.

St. John’s, November 3, 1775.

AN INVENTORY OF NAVAL STORES AT FORT ST. JOHN’S.

Two 9-inch cables, 120 fathoms each; two 7-inch cables, 120 fathoms each; two 4½-inch hawsers; one coil 3½-inch rope, 120 fathoms; two coils ratline; sundries of lines and marline; two anchors, weight 4 cwt. 25 lbs.; two anchors, weight 3 cwt. 1 qr. 8 lbs.; two anchors, weight 2 cwt. 3 qrs.; one suit of sails for the Schooner Royal Savage; one square-sail for the row galley; two mariner’s compasses; three cases nails and spikes; five kegs paint; eight gallons linseed oil; three hand-leads; brushes; ten barrels pitch; one barrel rosin; one barrel tar; new blocks for the sloop on the stocks; three large iron kettles: two large iron pots; part of a cask of tallow.

Fort St. John’s, November 3, 1775.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Ticonderoga, November 7, 1775.

MY DEAR GENERAL: I had prepared an answer to your last, which I received three days ago; but as it was not copied, and having this moment received the agreeable intelligence of the reduction of St. John’s, I would not withhold from your Excellency so interesting an account, for a letter which I may hereafter send. I only enclose copies of General Montgomery’s letter, and of the papers that were enclosed in it.

Mr, Montgomery’s merit is the more, on account of the difficulties he has had to encounter. What these are, the answer to your Excellency’s, above alluded to, will point out.

I beg leave to congratulate you on this happy event, which 1 hope will be followed by the reduction of all Canada, especially should Colonel Arnold get down to the St. Lawrence.

Believe me, my dear General, that, with all those sentiments which flow from unfeigned esteem, I am your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

General Washington,

MAJOR BROWN TO GENERAL MONTGOMERY.

Sorel, November 7, 1775.

DEAR SIR; I have enclosed you a number of letters, which I took from the post at Berke, the last night, on his way from Montreal to Quebeck. I patrolled the north shore the whole of last night; took young Paterson, a merchant from Montreal to Quebeck; Mr. Woolsey, merchant, Quebeck; James Cuthbert, Esquire, counsellor and seigneur, of Berke. The two first I discharged immediately, they appearing to be on private business. Mr. Cuthbert I brought this side, and, on examination, could not prove any thing material; therefore, he is discharged on his parole,

Mr. Paterson informs that the merchants at Montreal held a council yesterday; after which, they waited on the Governour, and requested him to determine their fate. He answered, that he should quit the Town in a day or two, and they might take care of themselves. They instantly determined to apply to General Montgomery for protection, &c. You will find the Governour’s departure foretold in the letters sent you. I should have tarried the other side the river, raised a large party, and covered your landing; but, from the intelligence aforesaid, thought it not worth while. Took a good batteau the other side, &c. The shipping remain here as yet; we shall give them a few shot to-morrow morning, from a battery now erecting. We wait the General’s pleasure for further orders. Should be glad to have the honour of entering the City of Montreal with the Army, provided the Regiment remains here.

I am, Sir, with the greatest esteem, your very humble Servant,

JOHN BROWN, Major.

Brigadier-General Montgomery.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, DATED QUEBECK, NOVEMBER 7, 1775.

In my last I hinted to you the situation this country was in. Since that period tilings have grown worse, insomuch that the country is now invested in three different places. Our friends above will inevitably fall a sacrifice to a Rebel banditti, being unable to withstand such powerful opponents; while we in this place are making every preparation for an obstinate defence, being resolved to hold out to the last. So soon as this vessel sails, which I imagine will be the last this year, every citizen will betake himself to arms, as all kinds of business will then in a great measure cease. For these three months past, the inhabitants have already been doing garrison duty, as militia, in which corps I have also the honour to serve, and this day mounted guard, which comes round every fourth day.

We have at this time about forty pieces of cannon on our ramparts, and every avenue leading to the Town properly repaired. The only thing we want is men, there being no Regulars in the garrison. However, what with sailors, British settlers, and French, (though the latter cannot be much depended upon, ) we nearly muster two thousand five hundred. With this force we hope to hold out till we have a re-enforcement in the spring; but should that be late in arriving, I am afraid we shall be at last obliged to yield. Indeed, would you believe it, the French, whom the Government has done so much for, and relied upon, have taken up arms against us, several of whom are now prisoners amongst us, having been taken in a late engagement near the Town. As I shall have no opportunity of writing to Great Britain till perhaps June next, unless matters are settled at home, you will not be surprised at my silence.

INSTRUCTIONS TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN SULLIVAN.

Orders for Brigadier-General SULLIVAN, given at Head-Quarters, November 7, 1775.

You are to proceed immediately to Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, and complete the works already begun, to secure that and the other Towns at the entrance of Piscataqua River from any attacks by ships of war. For this purpose, you are to fix ships and fire-rafts in such places as you find most convenient to prevent the enemy from passing up the river. As great calamity and distress are brought upon our sea-port Towns, through the malicious endeavours and false representations of many persons holding commissions under the Crown, who, not content with bringing destruction upon some of our principal Towns, are yet using every art that malice can devise to reduce others to the same unhappy state, in hopes, by such diabolical and cruel conduct, to please an arbitrary and tyrannical Ministry, and to receive from them, in return, a continuance of such places and pensions as they now hold, at the expense of the blood and treasure of this distressed Continent: You are therefore, immediately upon your arrival in that Province, to seize such persons as hold commissions under the Crown, and are acting as avowed and open enemies to their Country, and hold them as hostages for the security of those Towns which our Ministerial enemies threaten to invade. In case any attack should be made upon Portsmouth, or other sea-ports in that quarter, you are immediately to collect such force as can be raised, to repel the invasion, and at all hazards to prevent the enemy from landing and taking possession of any ports in that quarter. When you have completed the works at Portsmouth, and secured the passage of the river there, you are to return without delay to the Army, unless you find that the enemy are about to make an immediate attack upon that or the neighbouring Towns. The above is rather to be considered as matter of advice, than orders; as I do not conceive myself authorized to involve the Continent in any expense, for the defence of Portsmouth or other place, out of the line of the great American defence, particular Colonies