thrown out, and every now and then people are put under confinement by the militia. On Saturday, the 28th of October, Mr. John Dyer Mercier, as he was going into the upper Town, was laid hold of by the Town Sergeant, and conducted to the main guard and there confined, and his papers were seized and examined merely by the order of the Lieutenant-Governour, without any crime or accusation alleged against him, and at daybreak the next morning he was put on board the Hunter, sloop-of-war. This was very alarming to the citizens of Quebeck, who thereupon had a meeting, and appointed three of their number to wait on the Lieutenant-Governour, to know the cause of so remarkable a step. He made answer, “that he had sufficient reasons for what he had done, which he would communicate when and to whom he should think proper.” But he soon thought better of it; for the next morning he called together the six Captains of the British Militia, and communicated to them one or more intercepted letters, directed to Mr. Merrier, of a nature that was sufficient to warrant his being secured for the safety of the Town. But nothing was found that had proceeded from him, or that could serve as a proof to convict him of any crime. This communication gave a good deal of satisfaction. It is a piece of justice to the French inhabitants of the Province, to say that those of them who have taken arms for the defence of the Province are not corrupted in their tempers by the use of them, so as to be ready to act as the instruments of arbitrary power over their fellow-citizens, but rather decline being so employed. Of this we had lately a remarkable instance at Montreal; for General Prescott, who commands at Montreal, having thought fit to place sentinels at the fore and back doors of Mr. Walker’s house, to be a guard upon Mrs. Walker, (notwithstanding her husband is no longer with her, but a prisoner on board a sloop-of-war, ) ordered Pascal Piller, one of the French inhabitants of Montreal, who had taken arms for the defence of the City, and was willing to stand sentry in his turn on the walls, to oppose the enemy, but would not be employed as a jailor, to watch his fellow-citizens, but would sooner throw down his arms, though they were his own property, and let those persons take them who would consent to be so employed.

General Prescott, upon being told of this refusal, thought proper to drop his design of setting a guard upon Mrs. Walker, and said it was hardly worth while to watch an old woman. This certainly does honour to the spirit and temper of the French inhabitants, who have entered into the militia upon this occasion. Shortly after this affair, we heard that Fort Chambly was taken, with eight officers and sixty men. Then it was said that a plan was formed for General Carleton and Colonel Maclean to join their forces, and march to the relief of St. John’s Fort. It was given out here that General Carleton had fifteen hundred Canadians with him. Proper signals were agreed on, and General Carleton was to cross over the River St. Lawrence, with his Army, which consisted, first, of the militia of Montreal; and secondly, of a number of Canadians that he had with him, and whom he had maintained for some lime before at Montreal; and thirdly, a few troops that he had with him, who might amount to about one hundred men, and who were to have headed the Canadians; and lastly, some Indians. They accordingly set off from Montreal in high spirits, and attempted to cross the River St. Lawrence, and land at Longeuil; but they were so warmly received by the Provincials on the other side the river, that they could not make good their landing, but were thrown into great confusion, and retired with precipitation. Some of them ran aground on an island, and had like to have perished, but were saved by the New-England men. Two Indians were killed, and two more taken prisoners. The next express informed us, that upon Colonel Maclean’s party hearing of this repulse, his Canadians all left him, and retired to their homes. And the night before last, an express brought the news that the garrison of Fort St. John’s had capitulated, being starved out. and were all made prisoners of war; and that Montreal was invested, and its communication with the country entirely cut off; and that the Provincials were on St. Helen’s Island, over against the Town, and were there erecting a battery to fire upon it in case they shall refuse to capitulate; and that Governour Carleton was on board of the Fell, an armed snow.

There are also fifteen hundred Provincials arrived at Point Levi. We have, within a few days past, heard of their approach, and our guards have been doubled on that account. Our fate (at least for some time) must soon be decided. There are fifteen Commissaries appointed, consisting of the six English and six French Captains of militia, and the three Judges. Three of them sit every day, to examine into small matters, and give passes to all the canoes that come into or go out of the Town. This, with the means made use of to get Canadians from the neighbouring country to do duty in Town, has so intimidated the inhabitants of the country, that very few of them venture to come to Town; so that we have hardly a supply of provisions from hand to mouth, much less to stand out a siege.

P. S. Just now an order is come down for eight men, from each of the six Companies of the British Militia, to appear on the parade without arms, to receive one shilling and a pint of porter for the business they were to do. Orders are also given for a party of the Marines to be on the parade, armed; so we are inclined to judge the intentions of our Government to be, to force us to a defence of the Town, and sacrifice our lives and properties. The shilling and pint of porter are supposed to be considered as King’s money, to enlist us and subject us to military discipline. The Lord protect us from our enemies within and without.

Quebeck, November 9, 1775.

There are about five hundred Provincials arrived on Point Levi, opposite to the Town, by the way of Chaudiere, across the woods. Surely a miracle must have been wrought in their favour. It is an undertaking above the common race of men, in this debauched age. They have travelled through woods and bogs, and over precipices, for the space of one hundred and twenty miles, attended with every inconvenience and difficulty, to be surmounted only by men of indefatigable zeal and industry.

General Carleton is gone to Quebeck, but the Province is against him. The Quebeck Act has displeased nine-tenths of the inhabitants. Accustomed as they have been to absolute Government, they abhor tyranny under the pretence and mask of law. Lord Mansfield is said to have been the author of this bill. The present Ministers must long since have abandoned their posts, if he had not been their adviser. In the summer, the King was told he was reduced to this alternative: he must part with his Ministers or his Colonies. He has made his choice. He has kept his Ministers, and lost America.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO JONATHAN GLOVER.

Cambridge, November 9, 1775.

SIR: I am commanded by his Excellency to inform you that it is his opinion that those persons who belong to the two schooners, sent into Marblehead, be discharged, on condition they can get bondsmen for their not leaving Marble-head, and such a district about it as to you will seem proper, lest they give information to the enemy of the destination of Captains Broughton and Selman. These persons to be well looked after. As to the schooners, you will have them carefully laid up, with what unperishable articles may be on board. As to the sloop brought in by Captain Manly, it is the General’s orders that you dispose of the wood, &c., on board, on the best terms, and lay the vessel up until we can determine whether she is totally a prize, or only a retaken vessel.

I am, Sir, your most humble servant,

STEPHEN MOYLAN, Sec. pro tem.

To Jonathan Glover, Esq., Marblehead.

ROBERT H. HARRISON TO JONATHAN GLOVER.

Cambridge, November 9, 1775.

SIR: There are many transports from England and Ireland, arriving every day at Boston. Should any of the armed vessels be in your port, you will please to order them out to sea immediately. Every hour they remain in