A true copy. Attest:

JOSEPH THOMAS, Secretary.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE CAMP AT THE MOUTH OF THE SOREL, DATED MAY 14, 1776.

We have here Generals Wooster, Arnold, the Prussian General, [Woedtke,] and about fifteen hundred good troops. Two battalions are just arrived from Cambridge, and one gone to Montreal. Colonel Poor and his battalion are expected every minute, with General Thompson. Here is to be our grand stand. We are now fortifying, but the main body is not yet come up from Deschambault. There are six battalions more on their way to this place. This fortification is at the mouth of the Sorel, on the river St. Lawrence, where our provisions and stores come down into Canada. As soon as the six battalions arrive, I hope we shall be able to drive them faster than they drove us.

JONATHAN STURGES TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Fairfield, May 14, 1776.

SIR: A letter has lately been received from Captain Harding, commander of the brig Defence, one of our Colony armed vessels, that he hath taken a small sloop in the Sound with ten Tories on board, who, on examination, confessed they were bound to Long-Island, in order to join the Ministerial troops. They are in custody, and expected in town soon. At the time they were taken some of the party gave the Captain information that there was a large number at Reading, a town adjoining this, who were in the combination. Upon the receipt of Captain Harding’s letter, a party was despatched immediately to Reading, who have brought in ten of the persons named as being in the plot, and more are expected from other places. The circumstances attending this affair are not yet fully known, as those who have already been brought in have not had an examination; but we think we know enough to convince us that a horrid plot is laid by the Tories to destroy the people of the country, to co-operate with our enemies in every measure to reduce us, and that Long-Island is appointed for headquarters. We have thought it our duty to give this information, and beg leave to propose to your Excellency whether a body of the Army under your command, sent on to the Island, to spread over the whole, and break up the gang, would not be of publick service. Should your Excellency think proper to adopt this, or a like measure, our people would readily join to assist; and, upon notice of the time when, and the place where, they should land on the Island, to prevent their escape eastward, would land one hundred or more men, and also place guards on our shore at different places. We are alarmed, and engaged to do everything necessary, but submit the whole to your wise conduct; and are, with great truth and regard, your Excellency’s most humble servants.

Signed by the desire and in behalf of a number of the Committee of Inspection and other gentlemen, per

JONATHAN STURGES.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq., in New-York.

List of Tories gone from the Main to LONG-ISLAND, enclosed by JONATHAN STURGES to General WASHINGTON, MAY, 1776.

The above from information.

JONATHAN STURGES.

R. DERBY, JUN., TO THOMAS CUSHING.

Salem, May 14, 1776.

SIR: The honourable the Council, some time since, did me the honour to appoint me one of a Committee for building armed vessels; and agreeable to my directions, I have had one of said vessels completed more than three weeks ago, which vessel might now have been on a cruise against our unnatural enemies, had I been furnished with cannon and other necessary implements. I think it is of importance that no more one should be lost; and if your Honour is of the same opinion, I beg you will assist the bearer, one of the Lieutenants of the Tyrannicide, in procuring cannon for said vessel. Commodore Manly, last evening from Boston, informs me that he saw a considerable number of six-pound cannon with only one trunnion off, which is of very little consequence, as they can soon be repaired.

I have ordered the bearer, and with your leave he will tarry and see these guns put on board a boat for this place, where I have the carriages, provisions, &c., &c., for said vessel ready; six-pound shot and twelve swivel guns are also wanted, and some pistols, if to be obtained.

The plan on which these vessels were ordered to be constructed is by no means agreeable to me. I have made some little alterations in the one now completed, and have taken the freedom, in the one I am now building, to make many more: such as increasing the length six feet, two inches more dead rising, and six inches more beam. This vessel will soon be completed, and it is time even now to begin to procure materials for fixing her. I have rigging enough, but duck will be wanted. Nothing on my part shall be wanted, if it can be avoided.

Please excuse my inaccuracies, as I have written very hastily, and believe me to be, sir, your very humble servant,

R. DERBY, JUN.

To the Honourable T. Cushing, Esq.

P. S. I have not had an opportunity to see the Committee, and hope the alterations I have made, without their consent, will be overlooked, as I had no other motive in doing it but making the vessel more fit for publick service as a cruiser.

GENERAL CARLETON TO LORD GEORGE GERMAINE.

Quebeck, May 14, 1776.

MY LORD: After this town had been closely invested by the Rebels for five months, and had defeated all their attempts, the Surprise frigate, Isis, and sloop Martin, came into the basin the 6th instant. As soon as that part of the Twenty-Ninth they had on board, with their Marines, (in all about two hundred,) were landed, they, with the greatest part of the garrison, by this time much improved and in high spirits, marched out of the ports of St. Louis and St. Johns, to see what those mighty boasters were about. They were found very busy in their preparations for a retreat. A few shots being exchanged, the line inarched forward, and the plains were soon cleared of those plunderers; all their artillery, military stores, scaling-ladders, petards, &c., &c., were abandoned. The Surprise, Martin, and a Province armed vessel, went up the river, when they also quitted the Gaspé and the armed schooner Mary. The rear of the Rebels have halted at Deschambault; and the Surprise, with the other two vessels, are a little upon this side of the falls of Richelieu.

This ended our siege and blockade; during which, the mixed garrison of soldiers, sailors, British and Canadian Militia, with the artificers from Halifax and Newfoundland, showed great zeal and patience, under very severe duty and uncommon vigilance, indispensable in a place liable to be stormed, besides great labour necessary to render such attempts less practicable. Notwithstanding the inclement season, they preserved good health, and their spirits increased every day. A copy of my letter to General Howe will inform your Lordship of our situation to the defeat of the Rebels upon the 31st of December.

For three months after, they confined their operations to the preventing all supplies from coming to town, and in burning our suburbs and shipping. The latter have almost all escaped; but the greatest part of the suburbs of St. Roque and St. Johns have been burnt; the remainder was brought into town for fuel, which was much wanted.