give him all the assistance in your power, particularly in money matters. Yesterday we opened a battery of five guns and a howitzer, and with very little effect. I attempted to summon the Governour by a flag of truce; he would not receive any letter. The enemy have very heavy metal, and I think will dismount our guns very shortly; some they have already rendered almost useless. This gives very little uneasiness; I never expected any other advantage from our artillery than to amuse the enemy and blind them as to my real intention.

I propose the first strong northwester to make two attacks by night: one, with about a third of the troops, on the lower town, having first set fire to some houses, which will, in all probability, communicate their flames to the stockade lately erected on the rock near St. Rogue; the other upon Cape Diamond bastion, by escalade. I have not time to point out my reasons for this particular attack; let it suffice that it is founded on the nature of the grounds, works, and the best intelligence I have been able to procure. However, I am not certain whether or no the troops relish this mode of proceeding; I am fully convinced of the practicability. But should it not appear in the same advantageous light to the men, I shall not press it upon them, well knowing the impossibility of making troops act with the necessary vigour on such an occasion, if their minds are possessed with imaginary terrors.

We are exceedingly weak, it is true, but the enemy are so too, in proportion to the extent of their works; and as they know not where they will be attacked, all must be guarded; indeed, their apprehensions for the lower town, induce them to bestow their greatest attention on that quarter. I hope the arms, lead and flints are on the way. I could wish for a reinforcement if to be spared. We have not much above eight hundred men fit for duty, exclusive of a few ragamuffin Canadians. I believe you will not think it proper to let the contents of this letter go abroad. Should you have no accounts of any cash on the way, I must beg you will send an express to hasten it. I shall soon be exceedingly distressed if a supply does not arrive. I must therefore beg you to raise what you can for fear of accidents. Let a considerable number of shirts be sent down as soon as possible; our men are much in want of them. I must refer you to Mr. Melchior for particulars.

Believe me, dear sir, with much esteem, yours, &c.,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

To General Wooster.

GENERAL MONTGOMERY TO GENERAL CARLETON.

Holland-House, near Quebeck,

December 16, 1775.

SIR: Notwithstanding the personal ill-treatment I have received at your hands—notwithstanding the cruelty you have shown to the unhappy prisoners you have taken, the feelings of humanity induce me to have recourse to this expedient to save you from the destruction which hangs over your wretched garrison. Give me leave to inform you that I am well acquainted with your situation. A great extent of works, in their nature incapable of defence, manned with a motley crew of sailors, most of them our friends; of citizens, who wish to see us within the walls; a few of the worst troops, that call themselves soldiers; the improbability of relief, and the certain prospect of wanting every necessary of life, should your opponents confine themselves to a simple blockade, point out the absurdity of resistance. Such is your situation. I am at the head of troops accustomed to success, confident of the righteousness of the cause they are engaged in, inured to danger and fatigue, and so highly incensed at your inhumanity, illiberal abuse, and the ungenerous means employed to prejudice them in the minds of the Canadians, that it is with difficulty I restrain them, till my batteries are ready, from assaulting your works, which would afford them a fair opportunity of ample vengeance, and just retaliation. Firing upon a flag of truce, hitherto unprecedented, even among savages, prevents my following the ordinary mode of conveying my sentiments; however I will at any rate acquit my conscience. Should your persist in an unwarrantable defence, the consequence be upon your own head. Beware of destroying stores of any sort, as you did at Montreal or in the river. If you do, by Heavens there will be no mercy, shown.

EXTRACT OF EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GERTLEMAN IN THE CONTINENTAL SERVICE, DATED BEFORE QUEBECK, DECEMBER 16, 1775.

General Carleton escaped from Montreal by paddling with his hands by our men in the night, and got safe to Quebeck, where he gave immediate orders for all that would not take up arms to leave the city.

We have, upon the Plains of Abraham, a battery of gabions, filled with snow, and water poured on till it froze quite hard, which does very well, and we have some mortars in St. Roque, behind a tory's house, at a little distance from the Palace gate, from both of which we have put them into some confusion, and set the town on fire in several places. We have roused them up these five nights successively, and I believe they are almost tired out. Yesterday we sent a flag of truce to them, which they would not receive, and it was with great difficulty the raw sailors could be prevented from firing on the person who carried it. General Montgomery, in that, offered a safe convoy to Carleton and Cramahé, Lieutenant-Governour, but he would not read it. Last Saturday night we made the Indians fire several letters into the town, with bows and arrows, which were found by the inhabitants, and are circulating through the town. One was directed to the inhabitants, informing them of our requests, and the consequence of a refusal; and another to Carleton, threatening him with immediate death unless he gave up the city. Was it not for Carleton, Cramahé, Colonel Maclean, a Scotchman, (who was taken up by the Congress at New-York, but denied interfering in the dispute, when, at the same time, he had a commission to raise men,) and Hanslie, Collector of the Customs, we should have been in Quebeck before now; but in a few nights we are to take it by storm, to play from both batteries, attack in the lower town, and scale the wall with ladders, which are almost finished. All that get safe into the city will live well, for they are allowed to plunder, and take what they please.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LIETENANT VAN WAGENEN, OF CAPTAIN QUACKENBOSS'S COMPANY OF NEW-YORKERS, DATED BEFORE QUEBECK, DECEMBER 16, 1775.

We are now before Quebeck, which makes an obstinate defence. A flag was lately sent them to surrender, but it was fired at by Carleton, and obliged to retire. Colonel Arnold, and Macpherson, our General's Aid-de-camp, were again despatched; they got to the walls, but were ordered to be gone immediately; they asked if the Governour would not receive a letter which they had for him; they were answered, No; and ordered to decamp; upon which they retired. We have thrown above two hundred shells into the town, and this morning opened a six gun battery, which is now playing on the walls. The enemy have killed ten or twelve of our men. A council of war was called last evening, when it was concluded not to storm the town until a reinforcement should arrive, as it was generally thought that they have more men within the walls than we have without.

SAMUEL NORTON TO MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

Martha's Vineyard, December 16, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: On the 24th November last, I observed a sail-boat, with six men on board, sailing from Edgartown, in pursuit of His Majesty's ship Swan, Captain James Ayscough, commanding. I being officer on guard on the east side of Holmes's Hole harbour, observed her motions; but she being so far from the shore, could not command her to, but going nearer the west side, the guard fired upon the said boat, but the people would not bring to. But keeping watch of said boat's return, I had the pleasure of seizing heron the 25th said November; and as there was no Committee of leading men in this town that would take notice of the offenders, I, by order of my commanding officer, took said offenders under examination, before a Justice of the Peace, whose affidavits I have herewith enclosed, which will show your Honours said offenders' faults.