tained. On the 25th instant, Captain Seaborn, from Massachusetts, the first hero that has appeared to our assistance since the repulse at Quebeck, arrived, with twenty-seven men. His arrival had a very good effect, for on the morning of the same day was found, at the Church door, an anonymous seditious paper, very artfully written, calculated to stimulate the inhabitants to rise and cut us all off. However, I believe few of them had as much courage as the writer had ingenuity. They are now convinced the Lakes are frozen, and think the Bostonians are coming as thick as the trees in the woods. The Tories now seem quite crest-fallen.

Let not one small disaster, among so many noble deeds, discourage the Sons of Liberty; especially, considering how the small remnant of the Army left before Quebeck dare to stand their ground, and form a blockade against that almost impregnable fortress. But I perceive it is open over head, and with the help of God, and a speedy reinforcement, we shall yet catch the fox in his den.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Montreal, January 27, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 30th November I have just received.

To a man who engages in this glorious struggle from the pure principle of love to his country, if he meets with the applauses of his countrymen for any services, it must certainly give him very sensible pleasure.

My brethren, in America, were not only entitled to any little services I may have rendered them, but ever will be to my most strenuous efforts to serve them, and I shall always think myself exceeding happy, and most amply rewarded, if they prove successful.

Long before this reaches you, you will have received the news of the unhappy attack upon Quebeck. I most sincerely condole with you for the loss of the brave and most amiable General Montgomery, and the rest of the brave officers and soldiers who fell gloriously with him.

Colonel Arnold still keeps up the blockade. I have sent him all the troops that could possible be spared from this garrison. I should have immediately gone there myself, but it was thought unadvisable for me, at that time, to leave this place, which it was necessary to secure as a retreat.

Troops now begin to come in from the Colonies, and, as I have got mailers nearly settled here, I intend, in a little time, to proceed on to Quebeck.

We shall want every thing; men, money, heavy cannon, mortars, shot and shells, and a large supply of powder, as we have not more than four tons in the Province. I have wrote General Schuyler my sentiments fully, upon what may be necessary in carrying on the siege; also, the state of the Province, and what measures have been taken in it, which suppose he has communicated.

To remedy the evil of sinking so much hard cash in this country, I have advised that every article wanted in this country from the Colonies, especially all kinds of West-India goods, and liquors, and New-England rum, be brought over the Lakes, which I am convinced may be done, and sold lower than what we are now obliged to give. These articles may be then paid for in Continental money, and that, in my opinion, will go a great way towards giving it a currency.

I am, with the greatest esteem and respect, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., President of Congress.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO GENERAL SCHOYLER.

Montreal, January 27, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Your favour of the 14th instant, with the money, was delivered to me by Captain Benson, and the other gentlemen. I was very happy to receive the cash which was greatly wanted, and more so, to hear that a large reinforcement are coming on; a few have already arrived as volunteers, which adds fresh spirits to our men. With what assistance I have already supplied Colonel Arnold, and the recruits which I shall soon send him, I have great hopes he will be able to continue the blockade till we are prepared to prosecute, vigorously, different measures. By what information I have been able to procure, I fear that their provisions will last them till they can be relieved in the Spring; you will, therefore, see the necessity of forwarding heavy cannon, mortars, shells, and shot, with a large supply of powder. Colonel Ritzema, who will hand you this, will inform you how necessary a large supply of those things will be to us, in carrying on our operations.

We have, in this Province, many of the officers of the New-York battalions, who are desirous of continuing in the service, but their regiments are broken to pieces; many are returned home, and some, when their term of inlistments were out, inlisted into other corps. I could wish that those battalions could be speedily filled up, for which purpose I have consented that Colonel Ritzema should proceed to Albany, and there he will receive your directions.

I have called in most of the commissions which Carleton had given to the officers of Militia in this part of the Province, (that is, down as far as Three-Rivers,) and given out new ones, under the Congress. Those who refuse to give up their commissions under Carleton, (and I expect some will,) I shall consider as enemies to us, and as such shall make prisoners of them. I allow each Parish to choose their own officers, which, I find, pleases them much, I hope it will be attended with happy consequences, as those who take commissions under the Congress will be afraid to desert our cause, and no principle operates so strongly upon the minds of the Canadians as fear.

I am, also, about establishing a Committee of Safety in this town, which will be, also, a Committee of Correspondence. They will, by settling a thousand trifling disputes, ease me of a very great burden. But I have something further in view: when it is once established in this town, perhaps other places in this country will be inclined to follow the example, and by degrees they may possibly be led to choose a Provincial Congress, and, of course, Delegates for the Continental Congress. I confess, to me there appears at least a plausibility in the scheme. What we wish, we easily believe.

I have already wrote you, that I think it of importance to send Sutlers into this Province. You are sensible that it will be next to impossible to procure hard money sufficient for maintaining an army here, and I am convinced that many articles may be brought over the Lakes, into this Province, to great advantage. Will it not, therefore, be well to give every possible encouragement for the bringing of every article wanted in this Province from the Colonies, not only for the use of the Army, but for the people of the country. Possibly, by that means, we may gain a currency for our Continental money.

I expect, in a little time, to get matters in such a way here as to be able to leave this place, when I shall immediately proceed to our camp before Quebeck, and can then be under better advantages to determine what measures to pursue.

Mr. Pelissier, of Three-Rivers, tells me that he shall not be able to cast any shells for us till the 1st of May.

Colonel Arnold has not, as yet, sent me General Montgomery's letters and papers. When they arrive, I shall forward to you all such as are not necessary for the rule of my conduct, and shall certainly take particular care of the baggage of the dear, deceased General, and of your worthy Aid-de-camp.

Major Lockwood and Captain Rensselaer desire me to present their respects to you. I have appointed Captain Rensselaer Deputy Mustermaster-General. I found that it was impossible, consistently for the good of the service, to do any longer without one. Hope it will be approved of.

I am, dear sir, most respectfully, your very humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTEK.

To General Schuyler.

P. S. I could wish that the Paymaster may be sent over as quick as possible, as we shall be able to make some little use of Continental money in paying the troops here. As we shall be obliged to make use of a considerable part of the hard cash now received, in paying sums that we have borrowed for a few days only, we shall, in a very short time, be in very great need of more.