which, with the blessing of God, they shall be, if the severe season holds off, and I can prevail on the troops to accompany me. The Lizard, man-of-war, is arrived there; she has brought twenty thousand Pounds sterling, and one hundred marines. They have had some other little re-enforcement of recruits, for Maclean’s Regiment, and artificers, to the amount, in all, including marines and sailors, of four hundred and fifty men. One of the brigs is arrived, with clothing and arms for the faithful Canadians, as Mr. Carleton, with propriety, terms them. This morning we have taken possession of the Town.  I send you their articles of capitulation, with my answer, and hope it may meet with approbation.

I cannot help feeling great uneasiness till I know the determination of the troops with respect to engaging for six months longer. I was obliged, at St. John’s, to promise all such their dismission as chose it, to coax them to Montreal. Indeed, Wooster’s Regiment showed the greatest uneasiness. I make no doubt of retaining as many as will hold the ground already gotten; but it is of the utmost importance to finish this business at once, that the Ministry may have no hopes left of carrying on their infernal plan in this important quarter. At any rate, it will be highly expedient to throw in a large body of troops as soon as the ice will bear, in order to make a vigorous attack on Quebeck before the arrival of succours in the spring, should it not fall into our hands this winter; but should this instance of good fortune crown our labours, some advantageous post must be chosen below Quebeck, where a large corps of troops, strongly posted, a boom over a narrow channel, and floating batteries, may baffle all attempts from Europe. I am told a difficult pass, termed the Traverse, will answer this purpose. If your health will not permit you to engage in this affair, I think Lee ought by all means to have the command here.

I send some choice letters of that worthy and steady friend to the Colonies, Brook Watson, whose zeal is only to be equalled by his sincerity. You will think them of importance enough, I believe, to be communicated to General Washington and the Congress. Your friend, Mr. William Smith, has been pretty well humbugged by this gentleman.

I am exceedingly sorry Congress have not favoured me with a Committee. It would have had a great effect with the troops, who are exceedingly turbulent, and, indeed, mutinous. My vexation and distress can only be alleviated by reflecting on the great publick advantages which must arise from my unparalleled good fortune. I shall clothe the troops completely who engage again.

I find with pleasure that my politicks have squared with the views of Congress, and shall lose no time in calling a Convention, when my intended expedition is finished. Will not your health permit you to reside at Montreal this winter? I must go home, if I walk by the side of the lake, this winter. I am weary of power, and totally want that patience and temper so requisite for such a command. I will take it as a favour if you will send Harry Livingston with your despatches for Congress.

I wish some method could be fallen upon of engaging gentlemen to serve; a point of honour and more knowledge of the world, to be found in that class of men, would greatly reform discipline, and render the troops much more tractable. The officers of the First Regiment of Yorkers, and Artillery Company, were very near a mutiny the other day, because I would not stop the clothing of the garrison of St. John’s. I would not have sullied my own reputation, nor disgraced the Continental arms, by such a breach of capitulation, for the universe; there was no driving it into their noddles, that the clothing was really the property of the soldier, that he had paid for it, and that every Regiment, in this country especially, saved a year’s clothing, to have decent clothes to wear on particular occasions.

I am, &c.,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

To General Schuyler.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Ticonderoga, November 18, 1775.

Again, my good Sir, has the Divine Providence smiled on our arms. May Heaven still prove propitious, that a speedy termination may be put to this afflicting controversy, and Britons and Americans once more regard each other with the fond tenderness of a parent and child, and jointly establish an empire on such a solid basis, that no power on earth may be able to destroy it, and that shall last until the omnipotent Being is pleased to blot out all the empires of the earth. Montreal is in our possession, on which I sincerely congratulate you. The lead from Crown Point was sent from Albany to Cambridge, very early in September; of this you will please to advise General Washington. I either enclosed to your Honour, to Congress, or General Washington, the original return of the troops taken at St. John’s. If your Honour has it, I beg you to send it to me; if not, a copy of your copy will do.

I am, with sentiments of real respect and esteem, your Honour’s most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

The Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., &c.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR COOKE.

Cambridge, November 18, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 13th instant, by Mr. Phillips, I received. In answer thereto, you will be pleased to order the officers and men that have been stationed at Block-Island to march to this camp: re-enforcements are wanting, and probably will be. When they are here, they will be incorporated into the Continental Army, if they choose it; the many circumstances attending the new arrangement of which, had, in some measure, occasioned me to forget these men before. When an account of the wages and subsistence due to them is transmitted, I shall give necessary orders for their payment. I congratulate you upon your appointment to the Government of the Colony, and am obliged by the assurances you give me of such assistance as may be in your power. I am, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Cooke, Rhode-Island.

STEPHEN MOYLAN TO WILLIAM WATSON.

Cambridge, November 18, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the 4th instant was delivered this day, by Major Soper. As it appears, by the papers he brought, that the cargo of wine, wrecked off the coast, belongs to a Thomas Satler, of Philadelphia, and that it was not intended for the enemy, it is his Excellency’s opinion that you had better have the wine stored in the most secure place you conveniently can, and that you wait for such directions as the owners will give for the further disposal thereof. I am really at a loss what instructions to give, relative to the six negroes; let them, however, be taken care of until further orders.

I am yours, &c.,

STEPHEN MOYLAN.

To William Watson, Esq., Plymouth.

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

November 18, 1775.

SIR: The enclosed papers I received a few days ago. I suppose they came from Mr. Hitchborn. He appears very certain the Preston might be taken, but from her situation, and being unrigged, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to secure her; for, as soon as daylight appears, she might be beat to pieces by the batteries of the Town, to which she would be a fair mark; or she might be retaken, by being boarded from the other ships and transports, which can furnish, together with the Town, a large body of men for that purpose. If she could be taken, but not carried off, would it not be an essential object to secure her powder and small arms? for which purpose a sufficient number of whale-boats might remove them to Chelsea in a short time, and afterwards the ship be burnt; first removing the men to Noddle-Island.

If Mr. Hitchborn’s plan be a good one, might it not be applied with a better chance of success to the taking of the Boyne, which, according to Hitchborn, lies near the west end of Spectacle-Island, rigged? If she could be taken, she might be, from her situation, not only secured, but made good use of for taking the castle; which, perhaps,