has crossed the river to the Quebeck side; that he has been near surprising the Town; that it was closely invested; that they were in the greatest confusion within, the inhabitants having refused to take arms. A scarcity of provisions and wood must bring the garrison to terms, were a blockade alone to be the measure adopted. Mr. Carleton is in slatu quo, about fifteen miles on this side Sorel, where I hope they will not let him pass. I suppose Mr. Carleton is on board the fleet, which left this upon my arrival, as I never have had any account of his making his escape.

I have not yet been able to adjust the new formed corps, or get our warm clothing ready to go down, touching which I am exceedingly impatient, Arnold having no artillery, and being in want of warm clothing.

I have appointed a Mr. Mason (one of our friends in this Town) Postmaster, till the pleasure of Congress be known, to be recommended to Dr. Franklin.

I find Mr. Price so active and intelligent, so warm a friend to the measures adopted by Congress, that I wish to have him mentioned in the strongest terms to Congress. I have set a Regiment on foot of Canadians, James Livingston, Colonel; to be engaged for twelve months, should this unhappy controversy last so long.

I have made the inhabitants acquainted with the views of Congress relative to this Province, declaring I should call a convention upon my return from Quebeck. I have had some conversation with Pierre Flacquet, a Jesuit, at the head of the society here, and esteemed a very sensible fellow. He complained of some little indignities shown their order, particularly in making part of their house the common prison, by His Majesty’s Governours. I promised redress, and hinted, at the same time, the great probability of that society enjoying their estate, (notwithstanding Sir Jeffery Amherst’s pretensions,) should this Province accede to the general union. I hope this hint may be of service, the Priests hitherto having done us all the mischief in their power; in many Parishes they will not yet give the people absolution. However, I have shown all the respect in my power to religion, and have winked at this behaviour in the Priests, for fear of giving malice a handle.

I wish I could have apprized you in time of your obligations to Captain McKay. He generously offered Mr. Carleton, if he would give him two hundred men, to go and burn the new church at Sartigan, last summer; he is so inveterate a fellow, that I think if the other prisoners should be indulged in returning to their families this winter, he ought not to be permitted to enter this Province. When a convention is assembled, I propose requesting the return of the other gentlemen on their parole.

The inhabitants are our friends on both sides of the river to Quebeck; our expresses go without interruption backwards and forwards; a young man who has got out of Quebeck informs me that the Lieutenant Governour, the Chief Justice, and several others, have put their baggage on board ship, and that no ship is permitted to sail: this looks as if they despaired of making a defence. Colonel Maclean has threatened a sortie. Arnold is apprized of it, and his troops wish for it.

I hear there is a considerable quantity of powder at Niagara; perhaps this may be thought an object worthy of attention. They have been very apprehensive of an attack from the Virginians in that quarter all this summer. I fear Carleton has thrown a great quantity of powder into the river. I have desired a severe message to be delivered to him on that subject.

Farewell, my dear Sir, and believe me, with all regard and respect, your most obedient servant,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

To General Schuyler.

P. S. Hard money, if possible, should be sent down. I can get some thousands here from Price, though not sufficient to answer all expenses, and it is too soon to offer paper.

Montreal, November 15, 1775.

The General embraces this happy occasion of making his acknowledgments to the troops, for their patience and perseverance during the course of a fatiguing campaign. They have merited the applause of their grateful countrymen. He is now ready to fulfil the engagements of the publick. Passes, together with boats and provisions, shall be furnished, upon application to commanding officers of Regiments, for such as choose to return home. Yet he entreats the troops not to lay him under the necessity of abandoning Canada; of undoing in one day what has been the work of months, and of restoring to an enraged and hitherto disappointed enemy the means of carrying a cruel war into the very bowels of their Country. Impressed with a just sense of the spirit of the troops, their attachment to the interest of the United Colonies, and of their regard to their own honour, he flatters himself that none will leave him at this critical juncture, but such whose affairs or health absolutely require their return home. He has still hopes, notwithstanding the advanced season of the year, should he be seconded by the generous valour of the troops, hitherto highly favoured by Providence, to reduce Quebeck, in conjunction with the troops which have penetrated by way of the Kennebeck River, and thereby deprive the Ministerial Army of all the footing in this important Province.

Those who engage in this honourable cause shall be furnished completely with every article of clothing necessary for the rigour of the climate, viz: a blanket coat, coat, vest, breeches, one pair stockings, two shirts, leggins, socks, shoes, mitts, and cap, at the Continental charge, and one dollar bounty. The troops are only requested to engage till the 15th of April. They shall be discharged sooner, if the expected re-enforcements arrive before that time.

JAMES VAN RENSSELAER, Aid-de-Camp.

GENERAL MONTGOMERY TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Montreal, November 20, 1775.

MY DEAR SIR: In my letter of yesterday I omitted to speak of Captain Lamb, of the artillery; I have had some difficulty in persuading him to stay. He says the pay is such a trifle that he is consuming his own property to maintain himself, and that by and by his family must starve at home.

He is absolutely necessary with this Army, if we are to have artillery. He is active, spirited, and industrious, and I do think he should have an appointment adequate to the services he has rendered. I have entreated him to stay, with assurance that I would represent his circumstances to Congress; in the mean time, I have given him a little money on account.

I hear of your bad health with the most real concern: don’t despair. Yours,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

To General Schuyler.

GENERAL MONTGOMERY TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Montreal, November 22, 1775.

MY DEAR SIR: Colonel Easton has shown so much zeal and activity in the important service he has been employed upon, that I think myself obliged to speak of him in the warmest terms of acknowledgment; and, as his character has suffered in the publick opinion by some unfortunate transaction last summer, I hope you will be kind enough to do him the justice his conduct with me has merited.

I am, & c.,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

To General Schuyler.

COLONEL ARNOLD TO GENERAL MONTGOMERY.

Colvil-Place, 1½ miles from Quebeck, Nov. 14, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I wrote you yesterday from Point Levi, by an express sent from Sorel by Colonel Easton, of my intention of crossing the St. Lawrence, which I happily effected between nine and four in the morning, without being discovered, until my party of five hundred men were nearly all over, when a frigate’s barge coming up, discovered our landing, and prevented our surprising the Town. We fired into her and killed three men. I am this minute informed, by a gentleman from Town, that Colonel Maclean had determined to pay us a visit this morning, with six hundred men and some field-pieces. We are prepared, and anxious to see him. Others from Town inform me that the inhabitants in general had laid down their arms. By the best information, they are in the greatest confusion; very short of wood and provisions, much divided, and refused provisions from the inhabitants; and if blocked up