me, he supposed to consist of between seven and eight hundred, there have four hundred and seventeen arrived, and there are but a few more expected. I could wish that some method might be found out to prevent any impositions of this kind. I am of opinion that we shall need a real army in this Province—a nominal one will not answer the purpose. I hope the other regiments that are ordered for this country will not turn out so lightly. I imagine you have been deceived with regard to Warner’s Regiment, as he tells me he made you a return of between seven and eight hundred.

I am very glad to hear that General Lee is coming into this Province. Perhaps it might not be amiss if the Congress should think proper to send one or two other Generals with him. It certainly will be of great consequence to our cause that we have a respectable army here this summer. We have great reason to believe that there is a correspondence kept up between some of our enemies in and about this town and the King’s Troops at Swagotcha and Niagara; and, from a number of circumstances collected from the Caughnawaga Indians, we have reason to apprehend that there is a plan concerted for those troops, in conjunction with what Canadians can be collected about those places, a number of Indian traders and their workmen, and a number of Savages, to make a descent upon this town when our troops are gone to Quebeck. Should our apprehensions prove true, it will be necessary to keep a strong garrison here. I have sent an Indian, who lately arrived here from Dr. Wheelock, (and understands English, French, and Indian,) among several of their tribes, to see whether he can find out the truth. When he returns, I shall likely be better informed.

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

DAVID WOOSTER.

To General Schuyler.

Montreal, March 13, 1776.

SIR: I have sent down Mr. Woolsey and Monsieur Beaubasin. Woolsey was taken prisoner by Major Brown, and set at liberty upon his parole of honour to do nothing against our Army. He afterwards went into Quebeck, and headed a party in an attempt to take some of General Arnold’s men prisoners, but failed in the attempt, and was afterwards taken himself. Monsieur Beaubasin is represented to be a very dangerous man, and a most inveterate enemy; who is reported to have intrigues with the Indians, and was overheard to advise the massacre of our troops. A few days since, I wrote you that we had reason to apprehend some mischief contriving against us in the upper countries; since when, a Richard Walker, one Goddard, and Lorimier, (a Frenchman and Indian interpreter,) have, in a secret manner, left this place, and gone to the upper countries. We have heard of them upon their way; and it is said that Peter Johnson (a natural son of Sir William’s, who sailed from Quebeck for England, stopped at Halifax, and has come across from that place to this, and was disguised here for some days in the dress of a Squaw) has gone with them. What designs may be forming, we cannot certainly tell; but most likely to make a descent upon this place while the most of our troops are gone to Quebeck. And really we have very few men to spare for this garrison; and there has not yet arrived from the Colonies fifteen hundred men. How many more we may expect before the lakes are impassable, we do not know; but I could wish to see them come in much faster. Will it not be well to send a body of troops to Oswego, by the way of the Mohawk River ? I am informed that the back Nations of Indians were invited down here this spring by Carleton; but am unacquainted whether any belts have ever reached them from the Congress—you, doubtless, know. If they have received none, will it not be advisable to send to them as soon as possible?

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

DAVID WOOSTER.

To General Schuyler.

GOVERNOUR COOKE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

SIR: The General Assembly of the Colony of Rhode-Island, &c, acknowledge with gratitude the timely notice you have been pleased to give them of the late movement of the Ministerial Troops. The necessary orders have, in consequence thereof, been given to the Militia of this Colony to hold themselves in readiness, should any attack or lodgment be made here by said troops. But we must inform your Excellency that the great number of troops sent out of this Colony have considerably thinned our numbers; that the troops raised and stationed within this Colony have necessitated the Colony to take the arms out of the hands of a great part of the Militia; which hath made us greatly deficient in arms. The singular situation of this Colony will, we hope, excite your Excellency’s immediate attention. Rhode-Island, and the many other islands in our bays and rivers, with the extensive sea-coast, render it very difficult to defend ourselves against the present Ministerial Forces. What our situation must be if a large armed force should make a landing upon Rhode-Island, or any other part of the Colony, your Excellency may as easily suggest as we can describe. It will, we are sure, be your Excellency’s great concern to defend every part of the Continent as far as possible. Should your Excellency see fit to order any part of the forces from the vicinity of Boston to any of the Southern Colonies, we would wish your Excellency to order their march through this Colony, by the sea-shore, that we might have the chance of their being present should the Colony be immediately invaded. And whether it may not be necessary that a considerable force should be immediately stationed here till the intention of the enemy can be known, we also submit to your Excellency. We are extremely solicitous of all the assistance your Excellency can afford us, consistently with the general good; and doubt not but the utmost attention will be paid by your Excellency to our peculiarly distressed and dangerous situation.

At the request and in behalf of the General Assembly, I subscribe myself your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

NICHOLAS COOKE.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO LORD STIRLING.

Cambridge, March 19, 1776.

MY LORD: I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 11th instant, and to give you every congratulation upon your late appointment by the honourable Congress. If the intelligence is true, and to be depended upon, which was brought by the gentlemen to New-York, I think with you, that we shall have an opportunity of securing and putting the Continent in a tolerable posture of defence, and that the operations of the summer’s campaign will not be so terrible as we were taught to expect from the accounts and denunciations which the Ministry have held forth to the publick. I have the pleasure to inform you that, on the morning of the 17th instant, General Howe, with his Army, abandoned the town of Boston without destroying it—an event of much importance, and which must be heard with great satisfaction—and that we are now in full possession. Their embarkation and retreat were hurried and precipitate; and they have left behind them stores of one thing and another to pretty considerable account; among which are several pieces of heavy cannon and one or two mortars, which are spiked. The town is in a much better situation, and less injured, than I expected from the reports I had received; though, to be sure, it is much damaged, and many houses despoiled of their valuable furniture. The fleet is still in King and Nantasket Roads; and where they intend to make a descent next, is altogether unknown; but, supposing New-York to be an object of much importance, and to be in their view, I must recommend your most strenuous and active exertions in preparing to prevent any designs or attempts they may have against it. I have detached the Riflemen and five battalions from hence to your assistance, which will be followed by others as circumstances will allow. These with what forces you have, and can assemble, if there should be an occasion, I trust will be sufficient to hinder the enemy from possessing the city, and making a lodgment, till the main body of this Army can arrive.

I am, my Lord, with great respect, your most obedient and humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Lord Stirling