arrival, that there has been no opportunity for this as yet, and therefore must defer at present giving you the advice you request. Your application for money is now under the consideration of a Committee of Congress.

We conclude, with great respect, your Honours’ most obedient humble servants,

JOHN HANCOCK,
THOMAS CUSHING.

To the Honourable the Council of Massachusetts-Bay.

WALTER LIVINGSTON TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read November 30, 1775.]

Albany, November 24, 1775.

SIR: Before the receipt of your letter respecting the disposition of the prisoners taken at Chambly and St. John’ s, those from the former place were arrived in Connecticut, and there distributed in the several Townships, by order of his Honour Governour Trumbull; those taken at St. John’ s were sailed from this about four hours, and were ordered to land at Hoffman’ s, in Dutchess County, and to proceed from thence to Canaan, there to be subject to the directions of Governour Trumbull. On the receipt of the orders from Congress, I immediately wrote, by express, to Captain Mott, who commanded the guard, not to land the men, but to proceed with his sloop to New-Windsor, and there disembark them. I was under apprehensions, if they were suffered to pass our fort in the Highlands, they would rise and sail down to the man-of-war; therefore ordered them to stop on this side, to prevent their passing the fort unnoticed. I sent to the commanding officer in that garrison not to let any sloops pass downwards, without previously sending on board, till he had an account of the prisoners being landed; and to send the women, children, and baggage to Amboy, from thence to Bordentown and Philadelphia, will save at least three hundred Pounds. Captain Mott will want his whole guard to march the prisoners through a woody country. I therefore ordered him to apply for a party of Minute-Men, to be commanded by a Captain, to escort the officers to Lebanon.

I sent Captain Mott a copy of my letter and of the resolves of Congress, both of which I desired him to send to Governour Trumbull, that he might know why Major-General Schuyler’ s orders were not complied with. Captain Mott took with him eight days provisions, which will not be sufficient; yet, as matters were circumstanced, I could not send an additional supply, without detaining them, as there was no sloop ready to sail from hence. I have requested Captain Mott to put the commissioned officers on their parole, according to the first resolve. I have ordered two months’ provisions, for one thousand men, to be landed at the fort in the Highlands, in compliance with a late resolve of Congress.

I am your and the Congress’ s most obedient and most humble servant,

WALTER LIVINGSTON, Dep. Com. Gen.

To the Hon. John Hancock.

P. S. On receiving my commission, I wrote a letter to Congress returning them thanks for the employment; which letter I always imagined they had received, till yesterday, when I was informed by Robert R. Livingston, Jun., Esq., one of the members, and to whom I enclosed it, that it never came to his hands. [ hope none of the members will impute my seeming negligence to want of respect.

JACOB BAYLEY TO COLONEL LITTLE.

Newbury, November 24, 1775.

SIR: Means have been taken, I don’t doubt, to secure the conquest at Canada, and also to connect that Colony with ours; yet, as I am nigh to it, and somewhat acquainted with that country, would beg leave to let you know my thoughts of the matter. I say to you, as I need some one of my acquaintance who may be able to assert my sincerity, I am not able any other way to improve the one talent I have, being settled in so remote a part of the country, and since the war applying myself wholly in carrying on the settlement of this country, so that of late I have had but little acquaintance with gentlemen who now are at the head of Colony affairs.

I must suppose that it will be needful that a body of men are the next spring stationed in Canada; for, if the whole is not subdued this season, it must be done. If taken, must be kept from France, as well as England. It would not surprise me, if, after the French had assisted us to drive off the Regulars, they should take it out of our hands for France. Of what vast importance to us is that country, and how easy it is defended; but one fortress commands the whole from any foreign power, and whatever nation or people holds that fortress commands all the back settlements of the United Colonies, and the most extensive fur and skin trade in the universe: I cannot but be thankful. The counsels of our adversaries are turned into foolishness, in respect to Canada; for if they had taken possession of Quebeck and New-York, with what strength they brought to Boston, how would the matter have been by this time with the Colonies? But Providence has interfered in our behalf. I would not lose so precious a jewel as Canada. The great difficulty we have, or shall have, to keep it, is for want of a communication, by land, into that country, altogether by land; which we may have from the St. John’ s, which will not exceed ninety miles— by which quick intelligence and an army may be thrown into that country from this in six days. No danger then of a fleet and army from Britain or France. We can provide here for any number on their march, and when in Canada, there is no want of a road; also will connect these people with ours. Trade might be carried on, or proposed, which will secure the trading part. Our people, doubtless, are amongst them, which will wear out their Popish bigotry; until that is the case, no great trust to the French. Supposing we set up for independency, how much value is the fur and skin trade of that vast extensive river, lakes, and country, (doubtless a million a year.) On the whole, considering every circumstance, convenience, and situation, I could heartily urge that you use your endeavour that such a road be thought of and done early, as early as April. I would do all in my power to forward it. The course from this is nearly forty degrees northwest to Montreal. We are sixty miles east of Crown Point; nearly north from Hartford; northwest from Boston one hundred and forty miles; from Newbury northwesterly one hundred and twenty-five miles; about the same distance from Portsmouth. But the maps will inform. Dr. Langton’ s is a very good one. If you remember, it is but two years last October that you, Esquire Stevens, and myself, sent a surveyor, chainman, & c., who measured and marked a road to Missisque Bay; and it is undoubtedly good for a road, so far, which is two-thirds of the way. Indeed, our line terminated forty-five degrees north latitude. I had thoughts that the road could be carried to the east of Missisque Bay. But there is danger of drowned land: should it be so, a ferry at the mouth of Missisque River, which will be but three-quarters of a mile; cross Windmill Point another ferry of the same width; then a good road may be had to Canada, at thirty miles distance, about six miles above Montreal. But I would, if practicable, make a road without being troubled with water. Water carriage is good, and answers an excellent end; but what I would is, that if we have a sudden call from Canada, we may repair thither without any hinderance. For suppose Canada to be in our hands next May or June, we are certain a fleet and army are in the mouth of the St. Lawrence, destined to reduce Quebeck An army sufficient to repel might be sent this way seasonable; and I must think that in the hands of the Ministry it is their greatest advantage against, and in our hands as much and more, if can be: and I have always wondered that the wise heads against us, if any there be, had not struck on New-York and Quebeck, which would have cut off the communication between the north and south Colonies, and harassed our frontiers, which are of a great extent. The Indians would have been in their favour. We could not have stood out till now; therefore let us make by the advantage they have given us. I don’t know the situation of the entrance into York, but I should think, if possible, that harbour ought to be secured, for divers reasons. York is of more consequence to us than all the harbours to the east. How easy would it have been for