pany, was ordered in quest of the principal persons mentioned in the information. About ten o'clock at night embarked in three batteaus, crossed the river, and marched about twelve miles to Boucharville, where we surprised and took St. Luke La Corne, his son-in-law, Major Campbell, and several others, whom we brought to General Wooster, who ordered them to La Prairie, in order to be sent down to one of the United Colonies.

I do not think the information was supported by sufficient evidence, but it was such as made it indispensable for the General to act as he did; and St. Luke La Corne was known to be a very dangerous person in Canada. Our garrison is weak, but General Wooster is taking the most prudent and spirited measures to put in the best order of defence possible. I hope a full conviction of the very great importance of this place, and the necessity of a powerful army to defend the possession, in obtaining which Providence has favoured us in so remarkable a manner, will stimulate the United Colonies to send speedy and ample supplies of men, well fitted with every article necessary to that end; ten thousand men will secure the country against all attempts that may be made to retake it from them.

COMMITTEE OF THE ASSEMBLY TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Hartford, December 2, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: The enclosed letter was delivered to the Pay-table last evening, but, as we are not empowered to take the publick moneys into our hands, or proceed to Roxbury as desired, must refer the matter entirely to your Honour's direction. Should it be thought best that somebody go down, it appears to us that it must be such as have been most conversant with the papers and accounts, and that not less than two hands will be sufficient for the purpose of settling and paying, but submit the propriety and direction of the whole to your Honour.

And are, with great regard, your most obedient humble servants,

WM. PITKIN,

T. SEYMOUR,

O. ELLSWORTH.

P. S. We beg leave to observe to your Honour that the Captains of the several companies are now charged with a number of guns and accoutrements bought by the Colony. These they must be accountable for at settlement, unless somebody is empowered to receive the same, whose receipt may discharge the Paymasters.

T. S.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Cambridge, December 2, 1775.

SIR: The reason of my giving you the trouble of this is the late extraordinary and reprehensible conduct of some of the Connecticut troops. Some time ago, apprehending that some of them might be inclined to go home when their time of inlistment should be up, I applied to the officers of the several regiments to know whether it would be agreeable to the men to continue until the first of January, or until a sufficient number of other forces could be raised to supply their places; who informed me that they believed the whole of them would readily stay till that could be effected. Having discovered last week that they were very uneasy to leave the service, and determined upon it, I thought it expedient to summon the general officers at head-quarters, and invited a delegation of the General Court to be present, that suitable measures might be adopted for the defence and support of our lines. The result was, that three thousand Minute-men and Militia of this Province, and two thousand men from New-Hampshire, should be called in by the 10th instant for that purpose. With this determination the Connecticut troops were made acquainted, and requested and ordered to remain here, as the time of most of them would not be out before the 10th, when they would be relieved. Notwithstanding this, yesterday morning most of them resolved to leave the camp; many went off, and the utmost vigilance and industry were used to apprehend them; several got away with their arms and ammunition. I have enclosed you a list of the names of some of them in General Putnam's regiment, only, who escaped, and submit to your judgment whether some example should not be made of these men, who have basely deserted the cause of their country at this critical juncture, when the enemy are receiving reinforcements.

I have the pleasure to inform you that one of our armed vessels, the Lee, Captain Manly, took and brought in the other day a valuable store-ship, bound to Boston.

I am, &c.,

G. WASHINGTON.

To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Governour, &c.

COLONEL MOYLAN TO WILLIAM BARTLETT.

Cambridge, December 2, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I have examined the papers belonging to the sloop Phoebe, and, from them and other circumstances, it does not appear that Captain Broughton had good reason for making seizure of her. Added to this, Governour Cooke, of Rhode-Island, has wrote a letter to his Excellency by Mr. James Aborn, who is really the owner of this sloop, though she was, in order to protect her from the enemy, made over to Mr. Enoch Rust, of Nova-Scotia. It is, therefore, his Excellency's orders that you deliver the sloop aforesaid, with her cargo and appurtenances, to Mr. Aborn or Captain Hawkins, who will deliver you this, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant, at the same time taking a receipt for the same.

I am, with great regard, yours, &c.,

STEPHEN MOYLAN.

William Bartlett, Esq., Beverley.

COLONEL MOYLAN TO WILLIAM BARTLETT.

Cambridge, December 2, 1775.

SIR: It being now under consideration of Congress the mode of disposing of such vessels and crews as are taken in supplying the enemy, it is his Excellency's pleasure that Captain Hunter and his crew return to you; that their private adventure be given them, with liberty to dispose thereof as they think proper, and that they be treated with all humanity due to fellow-citizens in distress. If you think proper, you may let them live on board the vessel until further orders. Your attention and activity give much pleasure to the General, which he desires me to inform you of.

I am, with great regard, sir, your most obedient servant,

S. MOYLAN.

To Wm. Bartlett, Esq., Agent for the Brigantine Nancy.

To Captain John Glover, the same.

ELEAZAR WHEELOCK TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Dartmouth College, December 2, 1775.

MUCH HONOURED AND RESPECTED SIR: On the 13th ult. the famous Major Rogers came to my house from a tavern in the neighbourhood, where he called for refreshment. I had never before seen him. He was in but ordinary habit for one of his character. He treated me with great respect; said he came from London in July, and had spent twenty days with the Congress, in Philadelphia, and I forget how many at New-York; had been offered and urged to take a commission in favour of the Colonies, but, as he was now in half pay from the Crown, he thought proper not to accept it; that he had fought two battles in Algiers, under the Dey; that he was now on a design to take care of some large grants of land made to him; that he was now going to visit his sister, at Moor's Town, and then return by Merrimack River, to visit his wife, whom he had not yet seen since his return from England; that he had got a pass or license to travel from the Continental Congress; that he came in to offer his service to procure a large interest for this College; that the reputation of it was great in England; that Lord Dartmouth, and many other noblemen, had spoken of it, in his hearing, with expressions of highest esteem and respect; that Capt. Holland, Surveyor-General, now at New-York, was a great friend to me and the College, and would assist me in the affair; and that now was the most favourable time to apply for a large grant of lands for it.

I thanked him for expressions of his kindness, but, after