transmitted the same to you. The 1st instant he arrived at the camp before Quebeck. On the 2d, I had, on an alarm, occasion to mount my horse, who unluckily fell on me, and violently bruised my lame leg and ancle, which confined me until the 12th, at which time I left the camp, and arrived here yesterday. Had I been able to take an active part, I should by no means have left the camp; but as General Wooster did not think proper to consult me in any of his matters, I was convinced I should be of more service here than in the camp, and he very readily granted me leave of absence until recovered of my lameness.

Enclosed is a list of our force before Quebeck; which I am sorry to say is so very inconsiderable, and illy supplied with every requisite to carry on a siege, that I am very dubious of their success. The 2d instant, we opened a battery of three guns, and one howitzer, on Point Levi; another battery of six guns, two howitzers, and two small mortars, on the Heights of Abraham, and one of two guns at the traverse, were nearly completed when I came away. To supply the whole, there are only three or four tons of powder and ten or twelve of shot, no Engineer, and few artillery-men. Two fire-ships—one at Orleans, and one at Point-aux-Trembles —were nearly completed, to attempt burning their ships, as soon as the ice will admit of it. We have few seamen (and not one good commander) to man those vessels, or I should conceive great hopes of their success.

Our Army are supplied with provisions to the 10th of May, after which time their only resource for meat is from below. This country (which is not plentiful at best) is nearly exhausted of beef. We can procure a supply of flour, if furnished with cash. I am now stretching our credit for that purpose, which is at a low ebb.

I cannot help lamenting that more effectual measures have not been adopted to secure this country in our interest, an object which appears to me of the highest importance to the Colonies. Colonel Hazen, who is a sensible judicious officer, and well acquainted with this country, has shown me his letter to you of the 1st instant. I am sorry to say I think most of his remarks but too true; and that if we are not immediately supported with eight or ten thousand men, a good train of artillery, well served, and a military chest well furnished, the Ministerial troops, if they attempt it, will regain this country, and we shall be obliged to quit it; the fatal consequences of which are too obvious.

On my way up I carefully examined the Rapids of Richelieu, fifteen leagues above Quebeck, which appear to me a very important post. The channel runs near the shore, and few ships can go up without anchoring near the shore, at the foot of the Rapids, where a battery of ten or twelve guns, and three or four gondolas above, will, in my opinion, effectually secure the pass, as no ships larger than a frigate can go up. I have despatched Lieutenant Johnson, of the train, to Crown-Point, for four eighteen and eleven twelve-pounders, with what shot are at that place, for the above purpose, as we have very little time to fortify. I have directed him to bring down a gondola, which, I am told, is at Crown-Point. We ought to have six or eight of them immediately, to secure the river, and prevent our communication being cut off with the Army before Quebeck. The row-galley that was at St. John’s has been driven over the fall and stove to pieces, and the gondola cut to pieces, so that we have only one gondola, mounting a twelve-pounder, in a shattered condition. Timber and plank for those ordered to be built here have been procured, and nothing will be done until they arrive from below. Intrenching tools are much wanted; we have very few.

I have found it necessary to order Colonel Bedel, with two hundred men, to the Cedars, a very important post, fifteen leagues above this, to prevent any goods being sent to the upper country, and to guard against a surprise from the enemy or their Indians. I have also sent a Captain and sixty men to Carrinyon. We have left at this garrison about five hundred men, about half of whom are waiting an opportunity to return home. We are waiting with the greatest anxiety to receive supplies of money and ammunition from below. Everything is at a stand for want of those resources, and if not obtained soon, our affairs in this country will be entirely ruined.

I am, with great respect and esteem, dear General, your obedient and humble servant,

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

To General Schuyler.

A Return of the Troops before Quebeck, in the service of the United Colonies, MARCH 30, 1776.

Since which, have joined of different Regiments, 350.

N. B. Fifteen hundred of the above men are at liberty the 15th of April; probably one-half of them will be retained in the service.

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

EXTRACT OF A JOURNAL, ETC.

March 21 st, 1776.—Set out from Kanonwaroharo in company with the Oneidas and the deputation from the seven Tribes in Canada, to attend the meeting of the Six Nations at their Central Council-House at Onondaga. In our way we stopped at Kanaghsorage, a small village inhabited by the Onondagas and Tuscaroras, about sixteen miles west of Oneida. Here we spent four days. The two first were taken up in condoling the death of Tharondawagon, the principal Tuscarora Sachem, who lately died at the German Flats. We were joined in the condolence by a large party of the Quigogas, who overtook us here on their return home from the Settlements upon the Mohawk River. The two last were waiting for replies to several messages, which, both before and after our arrival, had been despatched from this place to Onondaga. The Mohawks, it seems, who came from Niagara to attend the Congress at Onondaga, in one of their drunken frolicks, threatened to take my life if I presumed to appear at the Council. The Sachems heard it with concern; and, as soon as they were sober, asked them whether it was really their fixed design. They assured the Chiefs it was, and that my life should end upon my arrival at Onondaga. The Sachems seeing them determined in their bloody purpose, immediately despatched an express to this place, to prevent my proceeding any further, declaring that my death would be the certain consequence of my appearing at their meeting. This the people of the place informed us of upon our arrival, and also that they had immediately despatched a messenger to Onondaga, desiring to know what they intended to do in the affair, and whether they thought themselves able to recapitulate the speeches made by the Commissioners, without any assistance; adding, that if they could do it themselves, they would consent to my being absent. They assured us that they expected an answer every minute. But no answer arriving, the Oneidas despatched another message to the Onondagas, desiring to be informed whether it was their full determination that I should not attend the Council, and declared that they would not move from this place until they received an answer. While we were waiting, arrived Little Abraham, the Mohawk Sachem, on his way to the meeting, accompanied by a certain Mohawk lately from Niagara, who was confederated with the murderous villains at Onondaga.

There was a meeting called upon their arrival; when Little Abraham publickly questioned the Mohawk, whether he knew of any such designs being formed against me. He assured him it would be in vain to lie or equivocate in the affair, for that the truth would appear. The fellow appeared somewhat embarrassed, but at last confessed that they had, in their way from Niagara, in conjunction with some of the Senecas, agreed to make me a prisoner if I came to Onondaga, or to kill me in case my friends should interpose in my behalf. They seemed not only to think his account