Point Levi, November 13, 1775.

DEAR SIR: The foregoing is a copy of my last, by the two Indians you sent by express the 29th ult., who, I hear this moment, are taken five leagues above this; since which, I have waited two or three days for the rear to come up, and in preparing ladders, &c. The winds have been so high these three nights, that I have not been able to cross the river. I have near forty canoes ready; and, as the wind has moderated, I design crossing this evening. The Hunter, sloop, and Lizard, frigate, lie opposite, to prevent us, but make no doubt I shall be able to avoid them. I this moment received the agreeable intelligence ( via Sorel) that you are in possession of St. John’s, and have invested Montreal. I can give no intelligence, save that the merchant ships are busy, day and night, in loading, and four have already sailed. I am yours, &c.,

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

To General Montgomery.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Ticonderoga, November 22, 1775.

I have the happiness, my dear General, to enclose you a letter from Colonel Arnold, and a copy of one of his to General Montgomery, with a copy of that gentleman’s to me. Whatever may be Colonel Arnold’s fate at Quebeck, his merit is very great, in marching such a body of troops through a country scarcely trodden by human foot. May Heaven still continue to smile on our arms, until we have obtained that justice which is so justly our due.

I momently expect a Committee of Congress. The gentlemen left Philadelphia on the 11th instant.

I lament that I cannot return any boats to St. John’s, as I am left almost alone here. Nothing can surpass the impatience of the troops, from the New-England Colonies, to get to their firesides. Near three hundred of them arrived a few days ago, unable to do any duty. But as soon as I administered that grand specifick, a discharge, they instantly acquired health, and, rather than be detained a few days to cross Lake George, they undertook a march from here of two hundred miles with the greatest alacrity.

Our Army requires to be put on quite a different footing. Gentlemen in command find it very disagreeable to coax, to wheedle, and even to lie, to carry on the service. Habituated to order, I cannot without the most extreme pain see that disregard of discipline, confusion, and inattention, which reigns so general in this quarter, and am therefore determined to retire. Of this resolution I have advised Congress.

I am, dear Sir, with the most unfeigned sentiments of esteem and respect, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

General Washington.

COLONEL ARNOLD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Point Levi, November 8, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: My last letter was of the 27th ultimo, from Chaudiere Pond, advising your Excellency that as the detachment were short of provisions, by reason of losing many of our batteaus, I had ordered Colonel Enos to send back the sick and feeble, and those of his division who could not be supplied with fifteen days’ provisions, and that I intended proceeding the next day, with fifteen men, to Sartigan, to send back provisions to the detachment. I accordingly set out the 28th, early in the morning, and descended the river, amazingly rapid and rocky for about twenty miles, where we had the misfortune to stave three of our batteaus and lose their provisions, &c., but happily no lives. I then divided the little provisions left, and proceeded on with the two remaining batteaus and six men, and very fortunately reached the French inhabitants the 30th, at night, who received us in the most hospitable manner, and sent off early the next morning a supply of fresh provisions, flour, &c., to the detachment, who are all happily arrived (except one man drowned, one or two sick, and Colonel Enos’s division, who, I am surprised to hear, are all gone back,) and are here and within two or three days’ march. I have this minute received a letter from Brigadier-General Montgomery, advising of the reduction of Chambly, &c.

I have had about forty savages joined me, and intend, as soon as possible, crossing the St. Lawrence. I am just informed, by a friend from Quebeck, that a frigate of twenty-six guns, and two transports with one hundred and fifty recruits, arrived there last Sunday, which, with another small frigate, and four or five small armed vessels up the river, is all the force they have, except the inhabitants, very few of whom have taken up arms, and those by compulsion, who declare (except a few English) that they will lay them down whenever attacked. The Town is very short of provisions, but well fortified. I shall endeavour to cut off their communication with the country, and which I hope to be able to effect, and bring them to terms, or at least keep them in close quarters until the arrival of General Montgomery, which I wait with impatience. I hope at any rate to be able to effect a junction with him at Montreal.

I am, with the greatest respect, your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant.

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

His Excellency General Washington.

Point Levi, November 13, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: The foregoing is a copy of my last of the 8th instant, by an express sent me by General Montgomery, who, I am this moment informed, was taken fifteen leagues above this, on his return. I have waited three days for the rear to come up, and in preparing scaling ladders, &c.

The wind has been so high these three nights that I have not been able to cross the river, but is now moderated, and intend crossing this evening, with about forty canoes; to prevent which, the Hunter, sloop, and Lizard, frigate, lie opposite; however, expect to be able to evade them. I have received the agreeable intelligence that St. John’s is in our hands, and Montreal invested. The merchant ships in the harbour (about fifteen) are loading day and night, and four already sailed.

I am, very respectfully, your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble servant.

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

His Excellency General Washington.

CONNECTICUT COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Wednesday, November 22, 1775.

At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safety, at Lebanon, present:

His Honour the Governour, Jabez Huntington, William Williams, Nathaniel Wales, Jedediah Elderkin, Joshua West, Benjamin Huntington, Esquires.

His Honour laid before us many Letters and Answers from the Congress, General Washington, General Schuyler, &c.

Dr. Church having arrived in this Town yesterday, sent by General Washington, under guard of Captain Putnam, a Sergeant, and seven men, pursuant to a Resolve of the General Congress of the following tenor, (enclosed by said General,) viz:

“Philadelphia, November 6, 1775.

“Resolved, That Dr. Church be closely confined in some secure Jail in the Colony of Connecticut, without the use of pen, ink, and paper, and that no person be allowed to converse with him, except in the presence and hearing of a Magistrate of the Town, or the Sheriff of the County where he shall be confined, and in the English language, until further orders from this or a future Congress.

“By order of Congress:

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“Attest;

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

And underwritten:

“SIR: In consequence of the above resolve, I now transmit to your care Dr. Church, under the guard of Captain Israel Putnam, a Sergeant, and seven men. You will please to comply in every particular with the above Resolution of Congress.

“I am, with great respect, Sir, your most humble and obedient servant,

“GEORGE WASHWGTON.”

The foregoing being laid before this Board, for advice, &c., on. consideration,

Voted and Resolved, That said Dr. Church be committed