warded, and what cannon and mortars. I think it of the greatest importance that whatever is sent should be here by the 1st of March, when we expect, if properly assisted, to erect batteries and cannonade the town, which will doubtless be desperately maintained,

Mr. Pelissier, of Three-Rivers, has sent to me to know the size of our mortars and cannon, as he is about casting shells and shot. You will, therefore, be good enough to inform me what size the mortars and cannon are of, which will be sent across the Lake.

I forgot to mention to you, in my last, that we have several prisoners from among the soldiery confined, whose crimes require a General Court-Matrial, and, as I have never received your orders for calling one, they cannot be tried.

I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

To General Schuyler.

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 gentleman. I was very happy to receive the cash, which was greatly wanted, and more so to hear that a large reinforcement is 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 that 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 the 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, also, be 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 the country will be inclined to follow the example, and by degrees they may posssibly 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 maybe 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 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 with 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 WOOSTER.

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 need of more.

Colonel Campbell sent in to Governour Carleton, by the flag of truce which came out for the prisoners' baggage, that he would gladly pay the value of General Montgomery's watch, if it could be procured, the consequence of which was, they sent out the watch without requiring pay, and I now send it to you by Colonel Ritzema.

Montreal, January 29, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I wrote you the 27th instant, since which I have received the papers and letters of our dear deceased General Montgomery, all which, except some few, which contain instructions for our operations in this country I now forward you by Major Ogden. I am informed that he commonly burnt all confidential letters from friends as he received them, so that there are none left, unless there I may be some in the packet to Mr. Livingston.

I shall take particular care of his effects and Captain Macpherson's when I receive them. The Army accounts, receipt's, &c., I shall be obliged to keep, for a few days, till I can get them copied, to prevent impositions. I have also received letters from Colonel Arnold, with an estimate of such artillery stores, &c., as he thinks necessary for the reduction of Quebeck, together with an inventory of such artillery ammunition, stores, &c., as are at St. Foy's and Pointaux-Trembles. As I find the return of stores which has been made from St. John's is an imperfect one, I shall, tomorrow, send Major Lockwood to St. John's, in company with Major Ogden, (who will be on his way to the Colonies,) where he will make out, and enclose to you, an exact inventory of all the artillery, ammunition, stores, &c., which are in this Province in our possession. We have but one piece of cannon larger than a twelve-pounder, and that is a brass twenty-four. If it is possible to send us a few heavy cannon across the Lake, I think they will be highly necessary, as our small ones will make but little impression upon such a strong fortified place as Quebeck; besides, it will hardly answer to strip this garrison and St. John's entirely.

I enclose you a letter from Colonel Arnold to Congress, with Iris estimate, &c. You will see its contents, and if you think proper, send with it the inventory which Major Lockwood will make out. There is no need of suggesting to you; the almost infinite importance of taking possession of that, town, before they can obtain a reinforcement in the Spring, and therefore, the most vigorous measures ought to be used, and the greatest expedition in forwarding every thing necessary; more especially, as the Canadians and our friends here assure me, that by the middle of March the roads from this to Quebeck are impassable.

Of the few men who have arrived here, I find several of them have bad arms, and are obliged to wait in this place to have them repaired, and even then they are but bad. I could wish they might be better furnished, if it were possible, before they come into this country. I hope, before