Estimate showing the value of different species of Provisions to be given in lieu of another, or the value of one specie to be given in lieu of the whole species, according to the bill of fare settled by the honourable the Continental Congress, the 9th of NOVEMBER, 1775, viz:

Two pounds of bread, or flour, and one pound of pork, are equal to one ration of all species.

One pound of bread, or flour, one pound of pork, and two pints of peas, are equal to one ration of all species.

One pound of bread, or flour, twelve ounces of pork, and six ounces of butler, are equal to one ration of all species.

One pound of bread, or flour, one and-a-balf pounds of beef, a half-pint of rice, or one pint Indian meal, are equal to one ration of all species.

One pound of bread, or flour, one and-a-half pounds of beef, one quart of spruce beer, or cider, or one gill of rum, are equal to one ration of all species.

Five pounds of bread, or flour, are equal to one ration.

Three pounds of beef are equal to one ration.

Twenty-eight ounces of pork are equal to one ration.

Sixteen ounces of butler are equal to one ration.

One gallon and a half-pint of peas are equal to one ration.

Four pints of rice are equal to one ration.

Eight pints of Indian meal are equal to one ration.

GENERAL, ARNOLD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Camp before Quebeck, February 27, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I wrote you the 14th ultimo, of our situation and prospects, since which nothing of consequence has occurred here. The enemy, to the number of about five hundred, have twice sallied out at Palace-Gate, with design of seizing our field-pieces, near the Nunnery, but, on our troops advancing to attack them, they made a precipitate retreat under cover of their guns. Desertions from the garrison are frequent, by which we learn they are much distressed for fuel, and must soon burn their houses and ships. Two officers taken at St. John's were lately sent with a flag to the walls, with a view of getting their families at liberty, but were refused admittance, which, I am told by several deserters, incensed the inhabitants very much, and caused a great uneasiness in the garrison, who, I believe, begin to grow heartily tired of salt provisions and confinement, We have received a reinforcement of four hundred men; many are daily coining in. I hope in the course of this month we shall have four or five thousand men. I am fearful we shall not be supplied with shot, shells, mortars, &c., I am, therefore, preparing ladders for an assault if necessary; the extensiveness of their works I think will render their defence impracticable.

I have, this minute, the pleasure of your favour of the 27th ultimo. 1 am greatly obliged to you for your good wishes, and the concern you express for me. Sensible of the vast importance of this country, you may be assured my utmost exertions will not be wanting to effect your wishes, in adding it to the United Colonies. I am fully of your opinion, that the balance will turn in whose favour it belongs. The repeated successes of our raw, undisciplined troops, over the flower of the British army; the many unexpected and remarkable occurrences in our favour, are plain proofs of the overruling hand of Providence, and justly demands our warmest gratitude to Heaven, which I make no doubt will crown our virtuous efforts with success. No doubt Administration will exert themselves in sending a large force this way in the spring; but if we are fortunate enough to reduce the city before they arrive, I make no doubt of keeping it, as we shall have the interest of the country in general, to which the raising two regiments of Canadians (which Congress have ordered) will not a little conduce.

I am sorry to inform you, notwithstanding every precaution that could be used, the small-pox has crept in among the troops; we have near one hundred men in the Hospital; in general it is favourable, very few have died. I have moved the inhabitants of the vicinity of Quebeck into the country, and hope to prevent its spreading any further.

The severity of the climate, the troops very illy clad, and worse paid; the trouble of reconciling matters among the inhabitants, and lately an uneasiness among some of the New-York, and other officers, who think themselves neglected in the new arrangement, while those who deserted the cause and went home last fall, have been promoted; in short, the choice of difficulties I have had to encounter, has rendered it so very perplexing, that I have often been at a loss how to conduct matters.

As General Schuyler's ill slate of health will not permit his coming this way, I was in hopes General Lee, or some experienced officer, would have been sent to take the command here. The service requires a person of greater abilities and experience than I can pretend to. General Wooster writes me his intention of coming down here; I am afraid he will not be able to leave Montreal.

I have the pleasure to inform you my wound is entirely healed, and I am able to hobble about my room, though my leg is a little contracted and weak. I hope soon to be fit for action. We are waiting impatiently, expecting to hear of some capital blow being struck with you.

I beg my compliments to the gentlemen of your family, and am, with great respect and esteem, dear General, yourobedient, and very humble servant,

B.ARNOLD.

To General Washington.

EDWARD WILLIAMS TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Hartford, February 27, 1776.

SIR: I find myself under the necessity of applying to you by letter, as the restrictions I am laid under by this Committee deprive me at present of a personal interview, which I requested on my arrival here near a fortnight ago. The artillery, which belonged to the late garrison at St. John's, were, by some mistake, during my absence, separated from Major Preston and the rest of the garrison. They are at present dispersed so far beyond the limits assigned to me, that it is out of my power to discharge the trust reposed in me as their commanding officer, to see them properly taken care of, or to be answerable for their good conduct.

John Miller, matross in my company, by trade a carpenter, is gone to work at some very considerable distance, forty or fifty miles from this place, without the knowledge or consent of Lieutenant Smith, who he ought to have applied to; nor can any of the gentlemen of this Committee inform me whether he obtained a pass from them. Three men, billeted at or near Windsor, have sold the new clothing, which I had just supplied them with, though they received two months' subsistence at the same time; yet these men expect, no doubt, that Government will continue to clothe and pay them. These, sir, are grievances which I hope you will redress, by ordering, or at least requesting, that no person whatever shall purchase any clothing or necessaries from a soldier.

The troops under Major Preston, at Lancaster, being all quartered together, are properly inspected and kept in good order by their officers; and as the Artillery now in this Province are under the same capitulation, I must beg of you to order them to be billeted within my limits, that I may discharge my duty to them, agreeable to the spirit and design of the capitulation, which provided for the garrison being together. In the mean time I must request your leave for Lieutenant Smith and myself, to go to Canaan and Salisbury, &c., on Monday next, in order to pay the men some subsistence, particularly as some of them have families and are in want of many necessaries. We shall return on Wednesday or Thursday. The orders of Congress, respecting the limits assigned to us, will not, I apprehend, be infringed by this leave, as that order is general, and, consequently, leaves particular exceptions to the judgment of the Governour.

If you think proper to send me the order for removing the men within my limits, I can have it executed while I am upon the spot. I have only further to beg the favour of you, to send me your leave to come to Lebanon, as soon as convenient, as the shortest and easiest matters become long and difficult to settle by letter.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

EDWARD WILLIAMS.

To His Excellency Governour Trumbull, at Lebanon.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, February 27, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Last night I received your favour of the