good many, and took thirty prisoners, and routed the rest, and are advancing to the main body. A party of one hundred and fifty men is gone to reinforce our party. We expect further news very soon. If we carry our point, I think Quebeck will soon be our own.

J. B.

EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF CAPTAIN GOFORTH.

Reports are various with respect to Indians. Some say five thousand are coming down to cut off Montreal; others say they are to pass Montreal, come to Three-Rivers, and hasten to Quebeck to the relief of their father, (Carleton,) who is now confined within the walls, and must be relieved, or they will lose all their trade. Whether reality or fiction, time will soon discover. Should have written to the General before now about some flagrant abuses that have been committed by the private soldiers on their march to Quebeck, had I not expected to have had the honour to receive him at this place before now. A Priest‘s house has been entered with great violence, and his watch plundered from him. At another house they run in debt about twenty shillings, (English,) and because the man wanted to be paid, ran him through the neck with a bayonet. Women and children have been terrified, and forced, with the point of the bayonet, to furnish horses for private soldiers without any prospect of pay. I have, not had it in my power to discover the offenders, but have issued a proclamation. Captain Stoup, of the Jersey Forces, left with me a silver tablespoon, which he thinks was taken by one of his men from some inhabitant of Montreal. Please to advertise it, that the owner, sending the marks, may have it again.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL THOMPSON.

Fort George, April 12, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I enclose you a letter from General Washington, which I have taken the liberty to leave open for your perusal. Should he not have reached New-York, you will please seal and forward it to him, by express, wherever he may be; as also that of Mr. Hancock. If there is a possibility of sparing troops from New- York, they will certainly be sent. I wish you, therefore, to detain all the vessels you can to transport them to Albany, until the return of your expresses from Congress or the General, excepting such as may be employed in transporting provisions, which must be sent up with all possible despatch; together with two or three tons of powder, if it can be spared.

I am informed that the garrisons at the posts in the Highlands are very weak. If so, you will please to send a reinforcement, under the command of an active officer.

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Brigadier-General Thompson, or Officer commanding at New-York.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Fort George, April 12, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: Yesterday I had the honour to receive your favour of the 3d instant, by Bennet, who overtook me on my way to this place. All is in readiness to move, as soon as the lakes open, which, I hope, will be in a day or two. General Thomas is here, six companies of Burrel’s Regiment from Connecticut, two companies of the First Pennsylvania Battalion, and three of the New-Jersey. The remainder of these corps are gone on, whereof two companies are about forty-five miles below Crown-Point; the rest have reached Canada. We have also here two companies of Van Schaick‘s, of this Colony; and five companies of the Second Pennsylvania Battalion are at Fort-Edward, waiting for the lake to open, as I have no quarters for them at this place. The remainder of Van Schaick’s are not yet raised; and two companies of the First Pennsylvania Battalion are on their way from New-York.

I should be extremely happy, my dear General, to pay my devoirs to you at New-York, but I do not see a possibility of quitting this quarter, without risking all in Canada; unless some other General Officer should relieve me, I shall, therefore, presume to remain, unless I receive your further orders.

Four o’clock, P. M.—This moment the post from Canada is arrived. I enclose you copies of all the papers I received. The intelligence they afford is so alarming, that I beg leave to repeat my wish that a considerable body of troops should be immediately sent up.

I have stopped the courier at this place, and he goes back immediately to advise our friends in Canada that the troops now here will soon be in Canada; and I have presumed to add, that they will be followed by three or four thousand more. This intelligence will keep up their spirits, and intimidate our enemies.

I have heretofore observed to your Excellency that I had never received a return of the Army in Canada. I am, on that account, still incapable of letting you know the strength of our Army there. I am equally in the dark with respect to the arrangement made in officering the two regiments that were to be raised out of the troops that wintered there.

The provisions at these posts is very trifling. None of what General Lee has contracted for, is come to Albany; and, unless a speedy supply is sent up, our troops in Canada must suffer. I have written on this subject to General Thompson, before I left Albany; and although I make not the least doubt but that he will forward it, if he can, yet I beg leave to mention it, lest he should forget to mention it on the arrival of his superior officer at New- York.

I am seized with a copious scorbutick eruption, which I have frequently experienced, and imagined it threw off some other more disagreeable disorder. I believe it will not confine me, or prevent me from doing my duty.

I am, dear General, most sincerely, your obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL WARD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Boston, April 12, 1776.

SIR: I am to inform your Excellency that Colonel Warren, the Paymaster-General, acquaints me he has not money enough left in the Treasury (since what was drawn for the Commissary and Quartermaster) to pay the five regiments which remain here for the month of March.

Mr. Quartermaster Parke had a warrant for five thousand five hundred pounds twelve shillings, and Mr. Commissary Avery had a warrant for four thousand five hundred pounds, to defray the expenses in their several departments; and they both assured me that they could not do with less.

Your Excellency will be pleased to give the necessary directions with respect to a supply of money.

I am, your Excellency’s obedient, humble servant,

ARTEMAS WARD.

To General Washington.

GENERAL WARD TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read April 23, 1776.]

Boston, April 12, 1776.

SIR: Some time since, I wrote you, requesting leave to resign my command in the Army, on account of my ill state of health, and desiring some person might be appointed in my place; but, as yet, have had no answer.

I must renew my request, for the same reason. I cannot be content to continue in office, when I am conscious I am not able to do the duties of the same; for I think it would be dishonourable.

Devoutly praying for the Divine blessing on our righteous cause, I subscribe myself your most obedient and very humble servant

ARTEMAS WARD.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. Dr. Tucker, and about twenty-four men, the day before yesterday, in whaleboats, near Cohasset, took one of the enemy‘s vessels, two hundred tons burden, laden with rum, valued at six thousand pounds sterling, and carried her into Cohasset.

COLONEL KNOX TO COLONEL BURBECK.

Cambridge, April 12, 1776.

SIR: In the written instructions which his Excellency General Washington was pleased to give to me, it is expressly ordered that you are to go immediately for New-York by the most direct road.

You will, therefore, set out as soon as possible, and proceed, with the utmost expedition, for that place.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

HENRYKNOX.

To Lieutenant-Colonel William Burbeck.