fending our Magazine. As there were several French prisoners in town, who will, doubtless, be tampered with, and may not be proof against their artifice, I have thought proper to send an express, on purpose that you may guard against their plots. I find, by an exact return made the 2d instant, we have not quite eight hundred men, including Colonel Livingston's Regiment of about two hundred. Some of the country people have come in to our assistance. In general, they appear friendly, and concerned for us; many offer to join us who have no arms. I have given out several commissions to the inhabitants, who are raising men. We are entirely out of lead. Enclosed is a list of sundry articles much wanted, which, with such as have been wrote for before, I make no doubt you will order as soon as may be. I am very anxious to see you here. The burden lies very heavy on me, considering my present circumstances; I find myself unequal to the task. My wound is in a fair way and less painful. I hope the express will meet you on your way down, and am, very respectfully, dear General, your most obedient and very humble servant,

B. ARNOLD, Colonel, &c.

To General Wooster.

We have drubbed the Rebels. We have taken seven hundred killed, wounded and prisoners, and their General, Montgomery. It remains with you to completely drive away our enemies. We fear nothing here, and will soon give you proofs, my dear fellow-citizens. Signalize yourselves to retrieve the honour of the Canadians, and to gain every happiness to your Parish. The others will all follow your example. Two hundred men will destroy the remains of these miserable wretches, for you will raise all the other Parishes coming down.

LANAUDIERE, JUN.

The 4th, in the evening.

SPEECH TO THE SIX NATIONS SENT BY MR. DEANE, JANUARY 21, 1776.

Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors of the Six-Nations:

When we had the pleasure of meeting you last at Albany, we promised to send our brother Deane to you, that when any thing happened he might inform you, that no false reports, contrived by wicked men, might come to your ears. He now carries you a belt with this speech; open your ears and listen attentively to what he shall say, for he repeats my words.

Brothers, our great Council at Philadelphia have been informed that many wicked men, in the County of Tryon, were preparing themselves for war against us—that they had procured arms, and would attack us with the first favourable opportunity. They ordered me to inquire into the matter, and told me that I must carry up my warriors, that I might be able to secure some of the head men amongst them, and disarm the others.

Brothers, when I received this order from our Great Council-Fire, I said to myself, our brothers, the Mohawks, will be alarmed to see so many warriors march into the country in which they live; I must, therefore, send them a speech and belt, which I did by Mr. Bleecker, and I desired that our brothers, the Mohawks, would send it on to the end of the house of the Six Nations. When I had taken this precaution, that our brothers, the Mohawks, might not be offended, I marched my warriors up to Scke-nectady; from thence 1 sent a letter to Sir John Johnson, informing him that I would settle the matter without shedding blood if I could, and, therefore, invited him to meet (Tie. He accordingly came, and we had an interview in a small house near by Colonel Johnson's, and there I proposed terms of peace and reconciliation, and desired his, answer by the next night. When his answer came, it did hot please me, and I sent three of our counsellors to bring him to reason, for my warriors grew very impatient, and I did not want that his blood should be shed. He grew wise, at last, and consented that all the Scotch people should be disarmed, and that I should take six of them prisoners, and that he would not interfere if I disarmed his other friends, who had hostile designs against us.

Brothers, our brothers, the Mohawks, desired me to show some kindness to Sir John. I was glad that they asked the favour, because I knew that he had relations amongst them, and that I might have an opportunity of showing my respect to our Mohawk brethren, and I granted it. But, brothers, he did not deserve it, for we found out that he had given guns to the Scotch people, and to many others who were not our friends, and had prepared his great guns. 1 could hardly restrain my warriors when they found he had done this. The designs of which said military preparations, they judged, were intended against them. But as I had given my word that he should not be hurt, provided he delivered up the guns and cannon, my warriors did not touch him, and he is now safe at home, and I and my warriors are returning home.

Brothers, I have thus opened the path of peace which we promised you last Summer should be kept open, and which these wicked men designed to stop up, that we might not any more eat, and drink, and smoke with our loving brothers, the Six Nations. It is now again clear, and no obstacles remain, and we can go to you and you can come to us.

Brothers, your brother, Mr. Deane, will inform you of my kind expressions and intentions towards all my brethren of the Six Nations; and I now again assure you, on the behalf of the Thirteen United Colonies, that they love and respect you, and will strictly abide by every agreement they have made, and they have not the least doubt but you will faithfully perform the same.

Farewell, brothers. May God keep you in his protection, and make you a happy people,

GOVERNOUR COOKE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Providence, January 25, 1776.

SIR: I have consulted the General Committee upon the subject of your letter of the 16th instant. For many years past the inhabitants of this Colony, surrounded on the land side by Connecticut and the Massachusetts-Bay, thinking themselves in a perfect state of security, entirely neglected military discipline, and disposed of their arms so generally, that, at the breaking out of the present war, the Colony was, in a manner, disarmed. We have taken every method in our power by purchasing, by employing manufacturers, and by importation, to procure a sufficient quantity, but are still so deficient that the same arms which have been rated at six and eight dollars, at Cambridge, are readily bought here at ten and twelve. Indeed, we shall scarcely be able to find arms for the troops we have ordered to be raised for our immediate defence. Besides which, the peculiar situation of the Colony requires that every man in it should be furnished; and the Assembly have, accordingly, ordered that every man should be furnished by the 15th day of April next, under severe penalties. In these circumstances I do not think your Excellency can depend upon any supplies of muskets from this Colony.

I am, with great respect, sir, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

NICHOLAS COOKE.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Cambridge, January 25 1776.

SIR: I received your favour of the 22d instant, and am much obliged by your assurance that the three regiments of Militia for this camp will be raised as fast as possible; they are much wanted. I wish it was in my power to facilitate their march, by sending a necessary supply of money for it; but it is not, as our Treasury is exhausted. I hope in a little time it will be replenished, with a sufficient sum to answer every demand.

I am sorry that arms are so scarce with you that none can be furnished on account of the Continent, at this critical period. I know not what will be done. Those of the three regiments they will be allowed to carry away, when their service is ended, unless they choose to sell them. I will gladly buy, but never had an idea of detaining them against their consent.

For the arms which were detained and appraised, I have given warrants to the several Colonels to whose regiments they belonged, upon the Paymaster-General, as fast as the