Tuesday night. Our troops left Deschambault on Monday. He arrived at Three-Rivers on Wednesday, P. M. General Thomas then there with about one thousand men. Says he saw two small vessels at Escurueils, three leagues below the rapids of Richelieu. He was told the frigate arrived lies in the basin of Quebeck. It was reported in town she was only sent to see if the city was taken; if not, that General Howe and his Army were to come there.

At present we procure a little fresh provisions. We intend to proceed to the mouth of the Sorel, where our Army is collected. We have no fixed abode, being obliged to follow your example and become Generals, Commissaries, Justices of the Peace; in short, to act in twenty different capacities. Things are in great confusion, but out of confusion we hope order will rise. We have heard nothing to-day from the Cedars, from whence we conclude the report brought by Colonel Bedel is groundless. Press Congress to send paper money as well as specie; let the bills be small. Do not forget to send pork sufficient for the support of our Army here, ammunition, powder, &c.; but the Generals no doubt will write for such articles in the military as are more immediately wanted. A gondola, built to carry a twenty-four pounder, or two of them, would now be exceedingly serviceable. By what time could you furnish one? Pray fit out the Royal Savage and the other vessel as speedily as possible for war, to keep the masters of Lake Champlain. Pray send back the batteau in which Doctor Franklin and Mr. Carroll returned, and remember us most affectionately to them. We desire our respectful compliments to your family, and are, with great sincerity and regard, dear sir, your most obedient, humble servants,

To General Schuyler.

COMMISSIONERS IN CANADA TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 10, 1776. Referred to Mr. Sherman, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Sergeant, Mr. F. Lee, and Mr. Gwinnet.]

Montreal, May 17, 1776.

SIR: Dr. Franklin, who left this place the 11th instant, will give you the fullest information of the state of our affairs in this Province. We are sorry to say that they have not mended since the Doctor’s departure; we want words to describe the confusion which prevails through every department relating to the Army. Several of your officers appear to us unfit for the stations they fill. Your troops live from hand to mouth; they have of late been put to half allowance in several places; and in some they have been without pork for three or four days past. Although there is plenty of wheat and flour in the country, it was with difficulty that either could be procured, a few days ago, for ready specie; but, from General Arnold’s letters, dated the 15th instant, from the mouth of the Sorel, and which we forwarded yesterday to General Schuyler, we have reason to conclude that the Army will not want flour much longer. In our present critical situation, few, very few will accept of the Continental paper money in pay. A prosperous turn in our affairs would, we think, give it a currency in that part of the country which we possess, the most valuable and plentiful in Canada. We think it impossible to subsist your forces in Canada in any other manner than by contract; careful, active, and trusty Commissaries should be appointed to receive from the contractors, and to deliver out to the Army the provisions which they supply. Your Generals are now obliged to be contractors and commissaries; and your Commissioners, who have neither abilities nor inclination, are constrained to act as Generals. Such is the confusion which now prevails, and will prevail, till a totally new arrangement takes place, and a strict discipline is introduced into the Army; of the latter you must despair, unless soldiers can be inlisted for a term of years, or for the continuance of the war. The inlisting men for a year, or for a less time, occasioned the death of the brave Montgomery. The recent disgraceful flight is the principal source of all the disorders in your Army. The sending soldiers into Canada whose times expire in a month or two after their arrival, is only putting the Colonies to an amazing expense, to corrupt and disorder the rest. No duty must be expected from soldiers whose times are out, let their country stand ever so much in need of their services: witness the unfeeling flight and return, at this critical juncture, of all the soldiers, and greater part of the officers, who are entitled to be discharged. Warner’s Regiment was inlisted for three months only; his conduct as to the bounty money has been communicated to Congress by General Schuyler. Immediately on the arrival of the New-England troops at the camp they inoculated themselves, contrary to the General’s orders; and, we are informed, have done little or no duty. We shall take the liberty of mentioning two circumstances, which show the present state of discipline amongst your forces: Colonel Campbell brought us the first account of the precipitate flight of our Army; Colonel Bedel, who commands at the Cedars, a post of great consequence, about thirty-six miles from this city, up the St. Lawrence, being informed by two Indians that a body of savages, about one hundred, headed by some English soldiers, number unknown, were come within nine miles of his post, with an intention to attack it, brought this intelligence himself to town, and left his garrison, consisting of three hundred effective men. It is true, according to his account, they were badly provided to receive the enemy, and had been four days without any other provisions than bread. This intelligence, we conceive, might have been communicated to the commanding officer here by any other person, as well as Colonel Bedel. Colonel Paterson, who now commands in Montreal, immediately ordered a detachment from his regiment, of one hundred and fifty men, to reinforce the Cedars;a fresh supply of provisions and ammunition was sent with his detachment. We apprehend the report to be altogether groundless, or occasioned by some very trifling circumstance.

The importance of this Colony will be made known to you by Dr. Franklin; it is a fine wheat country; it produced, in 1771, for exportation four hundred and sixty thousand bushels of wheat. The Indian trade is an object already sufficient to engage the attention of the Colonies, and growing yearly of more importance. The inclinations of the common people are said to be in general with us; but they are timorous and unsteady; no assistance can be expected from them unless they find themselves supported by an army able to cope with the English forces. Should we be driven out of the country, we make no doubt considerable numbers of them would be prevailed on through fear to join the British troops.

We refer you for intelligence relating to the state of our Army below to General Arnold’s letters above-mentioned, which we make no doubt General Schuyler has forwarded to Congress. Necessity has compelled us to desire Mr. William McCarty to execute the office of Deputy Quartermaster-General, and we hope Congress will send that gentleman a commission of this date. Our Generals here exercise the power of appointing officers; but we have not, nor do we remember that they have any such power. We flatter ourselves Congress will excuse our exceeding our commission in such instances, where the publick good requires it.

In the present situation of our affairs it will not be possible for us to carry into execution the great object of our instructions, as the possession of this country must finally be decided by the sword. We think our stay here no longer of service to the publick; we are willing, however, to sacrifice our time, labour, and even our lives, for the good of our country; and we wait with impatience the further orders of Congress; and are, with great respect for yourself and Congress, sir, your most obedient, humble servants,

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esquire.

GENERAL THOMAS TO COMMISSIONERS OF CONGRESS.

Three Rivers, May 15, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I this moment received yours of the 12th instant; am much obliged to you for every hint of intelligence, and shall pay the greatest deference to your judgment in all the movements I make. In my return from Quebeck I halted at Jacques Cartier and Deschambault; which appear to me the most advantageous posts on the river St. Lawrence, to prevent the progress of the enemy into the country. I continued six days, in hopes of receiving a supply of provisions, intrenching tools, and many et ceteras; the want of which compelled me at length, with