Thomas, who is hourly expected here; it came by an express, who told me he had orders to deliver the letter to me, and wait my answer. I apprehended there might be some mistake in the superscription. I took the liberty of opening it, which you will excuse. I am very happy to find you are in sentiments with me in regard to the small-pox. General Thompson and all the officers here agree with us. I think it advisable to inoculate Colonel Patterson’s Regiment at Montreal, Colonel Bedel’s at the Cedars, and the troops posted at ha Prairie and Longueil, at those places. It is thought most advisable to send all the troops at Montreal here, who have had the small-pox, and to send five or six hundred men from this to Montreal, who will be at no expense of getting up, as they can row themselves. It will be very difficult to provide them quarters on the Sorel, except at such a distance as will render it extremely difficult to visit and supply them with provisions and other necessaries. This difficulty will be obviated at Montreal, as they will be near together, and may be quartered on the inhabitants, (if the barracks are not sufficient,) and among the whole a sufficient number of men will be found well to keep the garrison. The distance of time you mention between inoculating them will doubtless be most prudent.

As soon as General Thomas arrives, I expect a council of war will be immediately held. I shall be for keeping Des-chambault by all means, if it can be done without too great a hazard of our Army. Our own strength (which at present is uncertain) and the advice which we may receive of the numbers and designs of the enemy, must govern our movements. I believe the difficulty of provisions may be got over; but the small-pox, and gondolas to secure our navigation and retreat, are very great obstacles in our way.

We have here about three tons of powder; there is a quantity at Chambly—how much I am uncertain. The distribution of the batteaus is already made, and twenty are sent from this to St. Johns. Immediately on my arrival here I sent to Maska, and have received from thence one hundred and seventy-six bags of flour, I believe the same you refer to. As soon as Mr. Bonfield arrives, I shall employ him to collect all the flour in this neighbourhood, who will at the same time call on Mr. Belfueil, and receive such goods as may answer our purpose. I have in contemplation the sinking a chevaux-de-frise, at the islands five miles below this, where the channel is very narrow, but the water is so high we cannot fortify at present. Two other vessels will be ordered to Montreal the first fair wind.

I beg my respectful compliments to the ladies, who, I hear, are returned with you. And am, with great affection and esteem, gentlemen, &c.,

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

To the Hon. Messrs. Chase and Carroll.

GENERAL THOMPSON TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Camp at Sorel, May 25, 1776.

DEAR GENTLEMEN: I have been up the Sorel as far as Colonel Dugan’s, and find that place very suitable to have a great part of the provisions deposited. I have therefore ordered boards to be sent down from Chambly, and will send up carpenters to-morrow, to have his barn and other houses fitted up for the reception of flour and pork; and have it sent from thence to this place occasionally. I have also sent a party to bolt all the flour as it is brought in there. Dugan’s bolting-cloth will bolt four thousand pounds in twenty-four hours, if constantly wrought, which I have ordered to be done. I have despatched people up the Sorel, to collect all the wheat on both sides of the river that can be spared for the Army, and have it sent to the mills as soon as possible. I will also fix another place for a storehouse between Dugan’s and Chambly. I have set masons to work in building ovens for the immediate use of the troops here, and have ordered ovens to be built at Dugan’s for baking hard bread, which is always useful in an Army.

Being doubtful that more provisions were drawn for sundry regiments than they were entitled to receive, I ordered the Commissary not to deliver any, unless the returns were certified by Major Scull, and find that I shall save at least three hundred rations per day by that precaution.

On ordering the Surgeons to examine the state of the sick, many have been found at the point of death, who were left by their officers, without a person to take care of them. I also discovered upwards of a hundred damned rascals crowded amongst them fit for duty. I have now got all the sick together, and appointed Doctors McKenzie, Stewart, and Marshall, to attend them, with proper nurses, &c., and hope soon to have many of them fit for duty. Regularity and discipline begin to work their way in the little Army here, and I expect in a little time to have them in pretty good order.

Colonel Maxwell, with his party, arrived here yesterday. He is very unhappy in being ordered up, and thinks that he could, with the few troops he had with him, have kept his post at Deschambault, till a reinforcement of both men and provisions could have been sent to him. He believes that, with two gondolas and a small battery on each side the river opposite to them, the pass can be supported against any number of troops or ships that the enemy can send for some weeks; and it is probable that our reinforcements, both of men and provisions, will arrive before that of the enemy.

Mr. Bonfield says that about three or four miles below the Three Rivers, the channel runs within musket-shot of the north shore; that the banks are high, and, indeed, everything in our favour to engage us to take possession of that spot, which would be taking a great and necessary step towards our going farther down the river; and, by leaving a few boats in the mouths of the rivers, under a small guard, a safe retreat can be made to this place at any time, if we are reduced to that necessity; but I hope it will not be the case. I can take from here twenty days’ provisions in pork and thirty in flour, for a thousand men, and leave enough to supply this place till more can be sent. I will, if you think proper, set out with that number of troops and some light artillery for that place as soon as Colonel De Haas arrives, whom I hope to see in a few days, or a regiment either from Pennsylvania or New-Jersey.

Enclosed you have a return of the provisions here in store, and also the quantity of ammunition. Lead we have none, and must request that a quantity, such as can be spared from Montreal, be sent down. There is certainly a large quantity of lead in the hands of those merchants who are concerned in the Indian trade; every pound of it should be secured and sent here. I am told that the Canadians below Deschambault are now taking arms against us, and we must expect it will be the case above Richelieu as soon as the enemy’s ships pass the rapids. I shall, whenever you direct, establish a foot-post betwixt this place, Montreal, and Chambly; but would recommend that the soldiers appointed to that duty be sent as well from Chambly and Montreal as this post, as they can be relieved, when necessary, more conveniently in that way than if the whole were sent from one place—for instance, the distance being forty-five miles from each place, let a Corporal and four men be stationed eleven and one-quarter miles from here, on each road, to receive and convey all despatches to the next post, which is to be fixed at the same distance. Three parties will be enough on each road, one on the road to Montreal and another to Chambly from this place; and two parties from each of the other posts will make the duty in that way easy and equal. I will order from here in any manner you think proper to direct.

Near thirty carpenters have inoculated themselves without orders. Should not their pay be stopped and provisions charged to them, till they are fit for duty? I really think that both officers and men, who have, through cowardice, obliged their General to retreat, in so disgraceful a manner, from before Quebeck, should be called to an account, particularly the Field Officers, and all pay stopped until their characters appear in a proper light. Indeed, no returns or certificates of theirs should be taken notice of; as a rascal who will run off in the time of danger, or supposed danger, is capable of any villany whatever. If the country must be evacuated, all the provisions below us should be taken, except just as much as will supply the inhabitants, that our enemies may not profit by anything we leave behind. There are no tents here for the party that came up with Colonel Max-well, and the men suffer much for want of them.

Captain Stevens goes up to provide some articles wanted for the artillery, and will return as soon as possible. One thousand weight of lead, fifty quires of cartridge-paper, and fifteen pounds of thread, wanted to complete the troops here to twenty-four rounds per man. I beg you would give directions to have those things sent. If you approve having