get a little tired of the duties of it, and home-sick. These, my dear sir, are the great outlines which good men use in this affair. If Congress mark them as strongly as I do, they will not wish to starve the cause at so critical a period. If they think differently, they will direct accordingly, and I must stand corrected for the errors my zeal hath led me into.

Colonel Porter, said to be an exceeding active man, is appointed to the command of the regiment from this Government; Colonel Burrell to the one from Connecticut; Colonel Biddle to that from New-Hampshire. The two last are represented to me as men of spirit and influence; so that, from these accounts, I have no doubt of their getting into Canada in a very short time, as I have endeavoured to excite the spirit of emulation. I wish, most ardently, that the state of your health may permit you to meet them there. The possession of Qutbeck, and entire reduction of Canada this Winter, so as to have leisure to prepare for the defence of it in the Spring, is of such great and extensive importance to the well-being of America, that I wish to see matters under the direction—But I will say no more, you will come at my meaning.

I am a little embarrassed to know in what manner to conduct myself with respect to the Caughnawaga Indians now here. They have, notwithstanding the treaty of neutrality, which I find they entered into with you the other day, (agreeable to what appears to be the sense of Congress,) signified to me a desire of taking up arms in behalf of the United Colonies. The Chief of them, and whom I understand is now the first man of the nation, intends, as it is intimated to me, to apply to me for a commission, with assurances of raising four or five hundred men when he returns. My embarrassment does not proceed so much from the impropriety of encouraging these people to depart from their neutrality (accepting their own voluntary offer rather) as from the expense which probably may follow. I am sensible that if they do not desire to be idle, that they will be for or against us. I am sensible, also, that no artifices will be left unessayed to engage them against us; their proffered services, therefore, ought not to be rejected; but how far, under the little knowledge I have of these people's policy and real intentions, and your want of their aid, I ought to go, is the question that puzzles me. I will endeavour, however, to please them by yielding, in appearance, to their demands, reserving, at the same time, the power in you to regulate their numbers and movements, of which you shall be more fully informed when any thing is fixed. At present, what they have mentioned is a kind of out-door's talk. They expect and are waiting to see Colonel Bedel (who promised to meet them here) before they open themselves fully.

What can you do in compliance of Arnold's request of mortars, &c.? If Knox disfurnished you, I am almost sorry for it, as I believe I shall never get wherewithal to feed them here. I congratulate you upon the success of your expedition into Tryon County. I hope General Lee will execute a work of the same kind on Long-Island, &c. It is high time to begin with our internal foes, when we are threatened with such severity of chastisement from our kind parent without.

That the Supreme Disposer of every good may bestow health, strength, and spirits to you and your army, is the fervent wish of, dear sir, your most affectionate and obedient servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Schuyler.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL WOOSTER.

Cambridge, January 27, 1776.

SIR: On the 17th instant I received the melancholy account of the unfortunate attack on the city of Quebeck, attended with the fall of General Montgomery and others, and the misfortune of Colonel Arnold being wounded. This unhappy affair affects me in a sensible manner, and I condole with you upon the occasion.

Having received no intelligence later than the copy of Colonel Arnold's letter to you of the 2d, I would willingly hope, that he is in no worse situation than he then was, though I confess my fears have been great, lest these misfortunes should have been succeeded by others.

I need not mention to you the importance of Canada in the scale of our affairs—to whomsoever it belongs, in their favour, probably, will the balance turn. If it is ours, success will crown our virtuous struggles; if our enemy's, the contest, at best, will be doubtful, hazardous, and bloody. Government being fully convinced of these facts, will, most assuredly, send a strong and considerable reinforcement to Quebeck early in the Spring, which will render the reduction of it exceedingly difficult if not impracticable. The great and important work must, then, be accomplished in the course of the present Winter, or the rights of America may be lost forever. I must, therefore, entreat you, in case General Schuyler's indisposition should not permit him to act, to exert yourself upon the occasion as much as you possibly can, and to give ever}' assistance in your power for completing our conquest in that quarter. Three regiments are raising in this and the Governments of Connecticut and New-Hampshire, with all possible expedition, and two from Pennsylvania and the Jerseys have been ordered by Congress for this purpose, besides a number of men under the command of Colonel Warner. When these arrive and join the troops already there, I confidently hope that, should the command devolve upon you, you will not only reinstate our affairs in their former pleasing situation, but will be the happy means of adding the only link wanting in the grand chain of Continental Union. You will then have an opportunity of employing your abilities for your country's weal, and rendering her services never to be forgotten.

I am, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To General Wooster.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO COLONEL ARNOLD.

Cambridge, January 27, 1776.

DEAR SIR On the 17th instant I received the melancholy account of the unfortunate attack on the city of Quebeck, attended with the fall of General Montgomery and other brave officers and men, and your being wounded. This unhappy affair affects me in a very sensible manner, and I sincerely condole with you upon the occasion. But in the midst of distress I am happy to find that suitable honours were paid to the remains of Mr. Montgomery; and our officers and soldiers, who have fallen into their hands, treated with kindness and humanity.

Having received no intelligence later than the copy of your letter of the 2d, to General Wooster, I would fain hope that you are not in a worse situation than you then were, though I confess I have greatly feared that their misfortunes would be succeeded by others, on account of your unhappy condition and the dispirited state of the officers and men. If they have not, I trust when you are joined by three regiments now raising in this and the Governments of Connecticut and New-Hampshire, and two others, ordered by the Congress from Pennsylvania and the Jerseys with the men already sent by Colonel Warner, that these misfortunes will be done away, and things resume a more favourable and promising appearance than ever.

I need not mention to you the great importance of this place, and the consequent possession of all Canada in the scale of American affairs; you are well apprized of it. To whomsoever it belongs, in their favour, probably, will the balance turn. If it is in ours, success, I think, will most certainly crown our virtuous struggles; if it is in theirs, the contest, at least, will be doubtful, hazardous, and bloody. The glorious work must be accomplished in the course of this Winter, otherwise it will become difficult, most probably impracticable. For Administration knowing that it will be impossible ever to reduce us to a state of slavery and arbitrary rule without it, will certainly send a large reinforcement there in the Spring. I am fully convinced that your exertions will be invariably directed to this grand object; and I already view the approaching day, when you and your brave followers will enter this important Fortress with every honour and triumph attendant on victory and conquest. Then will you have added the only link wanting in the great chain of Continental Union, and rendered the freedom of your country secure.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, and the possession of those laurels which your bravery and perseverance justly merit, T am, dear sir, &c.,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Colonel Arnold.