We have been alarmed this morning with the approach of some Indians and soldiers from Detroit and the upper garrisons, with a design to attack our post at the Cedars. We have detached one hundred and fifty men, commanded by Major Sherburne, to reinforce that garrison, already consisting of three hundred effective men. We do not believe there is much to fear from that quarter.

For God’s sake send powder and pork. You know we lost twenty barrels of the powder which lately came over the Lakes.

We are, with great estéem and sincere regard, dear sir, your most humble servants,

To the Honourable Philip Schuyler, Esq.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Sorel May 15, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I wrote you the 12th instant by express; since which I have purchased twenty-seven hundred bushels of wheat of Captain Cuthbert, at four shillings and six pence, lawful money, payable in our paper bills, bills of exchange, or an order on Congress, whichever shall be the most agreeable to you. It is now sending to the mills. I have also received two hundred bags of flour from below, and expect a quantity more every moment; also, three tons of flour, which I had engaged before I left Montreal. I make no doubt, in a few days, of collecting a magazine of flour sufficient for ten thousand men for three months.

A Commissary that I sent out to purchase provisions, returned yesterday with twenty oxen. I have put the people to half an allowance of meat, and added to their bread. I make no doubt of supporting the Army until provisions can come over the Lakes.

Mr. Bonfield, a gentleman of character, arrived here yesterday. He left Sully on Thursday last, and Deschambault on Saturday morning, where General Thomas was with only nine hundred men. Colonel Maxwell was at Jacques Cartier; but the number of men with him, Mr. Bonfield could not tell. Mr. Bonfield saw a number of the Regular officers and inhabitants of Quebeck before he left Sully, who acquainted him that on Monday, the 6th instant, arrived at Quebeck one sloop-of-war of fourteen guns, one twenty and one fifty-gun ship, from England, with two companies of the Twenty-Seventh Regiment, and one company of Marines, which were immediately landed, who, with the garrison that came out the same afternoon, made a body of one thousand men, commanded by General Carleton, from whom our people made a most precipitate retreat, without ever firing a gun.

On the 8th, arrived a frigate of thirty guns, and a large Indiaman, with five hundred men from Halifax, part of General Howe’s Army, the whole of which were on their passage for Quebeck; and six thousand Hessians, it is said, are on their way from England. If the latter is true, we shall doubtless have our hands full. Colonel Allen is come out in the ship from England, in irons, it is given out, to receive his trial for rebellion, and to be executed here.

I am sorry to inform you that all the carriages, except five, which came with the heavy cannon, were sent down as they came over the Lakes, and fell into the enemy’s hands. I have written Colonel Hazen to put others in hand immediately, to replace them. We are making every possible disposition of defence in our power, and I make no doubt of securing this post in a few days. None of the enemy’s ships have been able to ascend the Richelieu as yet. I make no doubt Mr. Price will take effectual measures to supply with provisions the garrisons of Montreal, Chambly, St. Johns, and the Cedars. Enclosed you have a letter to Mr. Evans, which fell into my hands, which contains a piece of intelligence worth noticing.

I should be glad to know your sentiments in regard to inoculation as early as possible. Will it not be best, considering the impossibility of preventing the spreading of the small-pox, to inoculate five hundred or a thousand men immediately, and send them to Montreal, and as many more every five days, until the whole receive it, which will prevent our Army being distressed hereafter; and I make no doubt we shall have more effective men in four weeks than by endeavouring to prevent the disorder spreading—a period so near that the enemy will not, with any considerable force, be able to reach this place by that time.

A Quartermaster-General and Commissary are much wanted here. I have so much on hand that I can hardly get one minute to write. You will be kind enough to excuse haste and incoherency, and believe me, with the greatest respect and esteem, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

To the Honourable the Commissioners.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Sorel, May 15, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Mr. Bonfield further acquaints me that General Carleton was to set out on Friday, from Quebeck, to attack General Thomas; of which he acquainted the latter, who was determined to make a stand, and was preparing to receive him. I have sent down from this ten batteaus. I expect to hear from him every minute, and shall give you the earliest intelligence. When I arrived here, found Major Nicholson gone past to St. Johns, with intention of going home. I immediately wrote the commanding officer there to confine him until your pleasure was known. General Wooster left this place yesterday for Chambly.

I am, respectfully, gentlemen, your humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

To the Honourable the Commissioners.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO SAMUEL CHASE.

Sorel, May 15, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I wrote you the 13th, by Captain Stoddard, and this morning by Corporal Eustis; since which I have received your agreeable favour of yesterday, for which I am much obliged to you, as well as for your kind offer of a mutual and unreserved communication of sentiments; which confidence I shall esteem an honour done me, and make no doubt it will be conducive of the publick service to keep up a friendly correspondence among the officers.

I am glad you have discovered the sentiments of the inhabitants of Montreal, which will furnish an opportunity of taking proper measures with them. I wish they may be coerced, as I am convinced they are in general our bitter enemies. Your appointment of Captain Wool is very pleasing to me; he is a spirited good officer. I yesterday repeated the order you gave Colonel Hazen, in respect of carriages. As Colonel Clinton goes home, I am glad Patterson is sent for; I believe he will give satisfaction. I had ordered six batteaus to Montreal, and will send four more. I fancy General Thompson is with you by this time. I hope you will not detain him, as he is much wanted here.

By a letter I enclosed you yesterday, you will find, if the intelligence can be depended on, that Colonel Bedel is in very little danger at his post. I am sorry to say one great object of your commission in Canada seems at a distance. Your presence, however, is absolutely necessary, and I am rejoiced to hear your determination of staying. I think it is of the last importance to complete our gondolas as soon as possible, and to erect some batteries here, and make not the least doubt of Mr. Chase’s utmost exertion in the pub-lick cause, in which we are all embarked.

The information you have received, in respect to Captain Cuthbert, is, I believe, in part true, but has originated from a private pique, and much exaggerated. You will observe I have bought his wheat from him, which he readily sold me, at the same time complained most bitterly of being threatened with the loss of his life by the same Don you mention, who, I believe, is a very bad man. Many persons in the country are seeking for private revenge under pretence of concern for the publick safety.

Mr. Conrad Gregy has voluntarily furnished us with a considerable quantity of flour. Boats are now gone for it. He appears friendly, though I believe him and Cuthbert are both Prerogative-men. I shall keep a good look-out upon them. I received a letter from Colonel Williams, acquainting me that some soldiers, returning from camp, had plundered Mr. Gregy’s house, and with difficulty even prevented from burning it. They are suicides, and will be made an example of.

I believe I know your sentiments in respect to provisions,