took affords me half the satisfaction. This City, and the greatest part of the Province, would have fallen into the hands of the Colonists on the 25th last month, had not the inhabitants marched out to meet and give them battle. They fought, conquered, and saved the Province at least for a while. Colonel Allen, who commanded this despicable party of plunderers, (they were promised the plunder of the Town,) was, with most of his wretches, taken. He is now in irons on board the Gaspee.This action gave a sudden turn to the Canadians, who before, were, nine-tenths for the Bostonians.There are great numbers now in arms for the King; but the enemy have possession of the south side of the river, as low as Verchere, except the garrison of St. John’s, which they still invest, with little hopes on their side, and little fear on ours, of its being taken. The beginning of the month I was much alarmed, on receiving news from Boston that Halifax was taken. From this I was soon relieved by your most welcome letter of September the 1st, which was soon followed by those of the 16th and 21st, all which I now mean to answer. I doubt not the trade of Halifax being dull; but I shall be much disappointed in my conjectures, if it does not soon mend. I think General Gage cannot winter at Boston;consequently, that he must soon send a part of his troops to Halifax, and the rest to this Province, where they are much wanted; for, notwithstanding the Bostonians are not likely soon to take St. John’s, there is some danger of their getting this Town, and every other part of this Province, except Quebeck, unless it is soon supported by the King’s troops. As to your Province, I am not under any apprehension of its being overrun by them; they will never send men where, let their success be ever so great, they cannot support them the winter; and I further think all possibility of their succeeding will be cut off, by the Admiral’s orders to take and destroy all their vessels. I am with you of opinion, that if a land war is to be carried on, it had better be conducted through this Country, leaving the Navy to manage their sea-coast. I much fear the operations of the Army this winter will prevent your going home with Mrs. Butler.I am sorry her indisposition should make such a voyage necessary; at the same time, I shall have pleasure in seeing you there. Should that be the case, I know not any person in Halifax with whom you can confide Watson & Rashleigh’s power of attorney. Mr. Faneuil writes me of his intention to winter there, with Mrs. Faneuil.Should he arrive before your departure, pray make over our power to him. I have wrote him a line on the subject. Should he not arrive, leave the power locked up with your other papers, our accounts, &c. The ship Adamant is nearly loaded with oak timber. There will be some furs and twenty odd passengers for her. It is my design to leave Quebeck about the 10th of next month, and I hope to be home before Parliament adjourns for Christmas holydays.

I have read your address to the King, Lords, and Commons, and cannot help admiring the delightful bull, “we feel for our Mother Country, of which many of us are natives.” It is a good one. Tell my friend, Dr. Breynton, I wrote him from Quebeck on the 21st July last, per the Cellery, and did hope he would have given me a line in answer.

Pray push home every shilling of remittance which you can lay hands on; for W. & R., at these times of general want, will stand much in need of it.

Remember me to Mrs. Butler, and believe that I am, dear Sir, your faithful friend and humble servant,

BROOK WATSON

To John Butler, Esq.

Montreal, October 19, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I had the pleasure to write you from Quebeck, the 18th ultimo, per the Cellery, Captain Hardie, since which I have been much alarmed by a letter from Boston, dated the 5th ultimo, advising of Halifax being taken, but I was soon relieved, by a letter from Mr. Butler, dated the 1st of September, which was soon followed by others of the 16th and 21st, by which I learn, to my great comfort, that the Province was not in any immediate danger; nor do I conceive these people will be so mad as to send a body of men where, let their success be ever so great, they cannot winter them. Indeed, the Admiral’s orders to destroy their vessels will, if executed, effectually prevent their crossing the Bay of Fundy.It is my opinion General Gage cannot winter the Army in Boston, and that he soon will be obliged to quit it. If so, part of them must winter at Halifax, and part at Quebeck, where they are indeed much wanted; for such is the wretched state of this unhappy Province, that Colonel Allen, with a few despicable wretches, would have taken this City on the 25th ultimo, had not its inhabitants marched out to give them battle. They fought, conquered, and thereby saved the Province for a while. Allen, with his banditti, were mostly taken prisoners; he is now in chains on board the Gaspee.This little action has changed the face of things; the Canadians before were nine-tenths for the Bostonians;they are now returned to their duty. Many in arms for the King; and the Parishes which have been otherwise are daily demanding their pardon, and taking arms for the crown. St. John’s is still invested. They have in the fort eight hundred men, well fortified and appointed; there is little danger of its being taken; yet I cordially wish for a few Battalions of the King’s troops to chase them out of the Country. Our weather has been remarkably fine and mild, or they would soon be moving.

The Adamant is nearly loaded. I hope to sail from Quebeck about the 10th of next month, and to arrive in England before Parliament shall adjourn for the holydays. Let me entreat you to remit the balance of Mr. Louber-buckler’s account; every shilling is a relief at this time of general distress.

My good wishes attend Mrs. Franklin and the children; and I pray you to believe that I am, dear Sir, your faithful humble servant,

BROOK WATSON.

To Lieutenant-Governour Franklin.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Ticonderoga, November 18, 1775.

MY DEAR GENERAL: I do myself the honour to congratulate your Excellency on the surrender of Montreal.Enclose you copy of the terms that were proposed and allowed, as also copies of sundry letters from a Mr. Brook Watson, and that of General Montgomery to me; to Congress I have only sent extracts of the last, for prudential reasons. In your hands it is safe.

Since my last to your Excellency, I have been more particular on the subject which you recommended me to turn my thoughts to. I have not time to send you a copy, as I would not wish to detain the express one moment longer than what is absolutely necessary.

Your favour of the 5th I received on the 16th. If General Howe’s military abilities do not exceed that specimen of his literary ones contained in the proclamation, his generalship is not much to be dreaded.

I shall write to General Montgomery respecting the garrison of Niagara and those to the westward.

The lead left this early in September, and was immediately forwarded to Cambridge, by Mr. Phelps, the Commissary at Albany.

My best respects your Excellency will please to make to Generals Lee and Gates, and Major Mifflin.

I am, with the sincerest regard, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER

His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL MONTGOMERY TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Montreal, November 13, 1775.

MY DEAR GENERAL: The badness of the weather, and worse roads, have put it out of my power to get here before yesterday. A favourable wind the night before enabled Mr. Carleton to get away, with his little garrison, on board ten or eleven little vessels, reserved for that purpose, and to carry away the powder and other important stores. I don’t despair of getting hold of the powder yet. No diligence shall be wanting for that purpose.

By intercepted letters, I find Colonel Arnold is certainly arrived in the neighbourhood of Quebeck;that the King’s friends are exceedingly alarmed, and expect to be besieged;