the disaffected people taken up, I will, on any day you appoint, have all I can find within twenty miles of this place secured, which is as much as I can promise, from the number of men here. I have this moment received some interesting intelligence from below; it is, in substance, that a reinforcement of two regiments (the Twenty-Ninth and Forty-Seventh) had arrived at Quebeck, and that they still continue to fortify the town; that a person was met on the road between the Three Rivers and Quebeck, going up the country express, who, on hearing of the affair at the Cedars, returned immediately to carry the account of it to General Carleton, and it was supposed that some forces would be sent up in consequence of it. That the French people, who had taken up arms in our favour, near Quebeck, after having been some time confined, have liberty to return to their families, with orders to hold themselves in readiness when called upon. The Militia in Quebeck continue to do duty in the town as usual. General Carleton is continued in the Government of Quebeck, with a new commission, extending not only through the Government but the borders of it. That General Howe is to remain at Halifax, until he is joined by the fleet from England; that the prisoners are well treated. The officers are confined in the Seminary, and have the liberty of the gardens. That a frigate and two armed vessels were lying at Deschambault, but none had passed the rapids of Richelieu; that the enemy had two guards at Cape Rouge, the strength of which this person does not know, but they have no post farther advanced. That General Carleton has sent commissions to the different officers of Militia, re-establishing their former appointment under him, even where our troops marched through yesterday; as likewise orders to repair the roads and bridges. This intelligence comes by a person who left Quebeck on Monday.

If General Arnold still meets with opposition from the enemy above Montreal, perhaps it will be best that I join him, with five hundred men from this place, and without loss of time settle affairs in the upper country.

I am, dear gentlemen, your affectionate, humble servant,

WILLIAM THOMPSON.

To the Honourable the Commissioners.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

La Chine, May 25, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: One of our men this moment came in who was taken at the Cedars; he made his escape this morning, and says we have lost only ten privates killed, the rest are prisoners at St. Ann’s and the Cedars; the enemy lost double that number. They were last night within three miles of us, with three hundred savages, fifty regulars, and two hundred and fifty Canadians, with our two pieces of cannon; but on hearing that we had a large body of men here, they made a precipitate retreat. He left them above Point Clare; they have only twenty-one canoes, which will carry eight or nine men on an average. I intend to send off four hundred men in batteaus immediately, to proceed to the isle Perot, and endeavour to cut off the enemy’s retreat. I expect they will make some stay at Fort St. Ann’s, by which it may possibly be effected. Pray hurry on the men as fast as possible. I shall push them on from this immediately. We have so much water-craft that we can always keep up a communication between those on land and those on water, and be able to act in concert.

I am, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant,

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

To the Honourable the Commissioners.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

St. Ann’s, May 27, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I wrote you from La Chine yesterday morn-ing that the Army marched at six o’clock for this place. We arrived here with the main body at six o’clock, P. M., when we discovered several of the enemy’s batteaus taking our unhappy prisoners off an Island at one league distance from us. Words cannot express our anxiety, as it was not in our power to relieve them; our batteaus were a league behind, coming up the rapids very slowly. I sent several expresses to hurry them; however, it was sunset before they arrived, and I could embark all my people; previous to which arrived some Caughnawaga Indians, whom I had sent early in the morning to the savages, demanding a surrender of our prisoners; and, in case of refusal, and that any of them were murdered, I would sacrifice every Indian who fell into my hands, and would follow them to their towns, and destroy them by fire and sword. The answer I received was, that they had five hundred of our prisoners collected together, and that if we offered to land and attack them at Quinze Chiens, where they were posted, they would immediately kill every prisoner, and give no quarter to any who should fall into their hands hereafter. Words cannot express my feelings at the delivery of this message: torn by the conflicting passions of revenge and humanity, a sufficient force to take ample revenge, raging for action, urged me on one hand; and humanity for five hundred unhappy wretches, who were on the point of being sacrificed if our vengeance was not delayed, plead equally strong on the other. In this situation I ordered the boats to row immediately for the Island, where our prisoners had been confined; we there found five unhappy wretches, naked and almost starved; the rest, they informed me, were all taken off by the savages just before, except one or two, who, being unwell, were inhumanly butchered. I immediately ordered the boats to row for Quinze Chiens, about four miles from the Island, on the main land; there the enemy had two brass six-pounders, were intrenched round the church, and well fortified. They began firing upon us when we approached within three-quarters of a mile of the shore, with their cannon and small-arms. We rowed near in shore without returning a shot; by this time it was so dark we could not distinguish a man on shore, and as we were unacquainted with the ground, and our people much fatigued, I judged it most prudent to return to St. Ann’s. On our arrival I called a council of war, who were unanimous in attacking the enemy early in the morning. At two o’clock in the morning, Lieutenant Parke was sent to me with a flag, and articles for exchange of prisoners, entered into by Major Sherburne and Captain Forster; one article was, that there should be an exchange of prisoners of equal rank, and that our troops should be under an obligation not to take up arms again; but the King’s troops were to be at full liberty. This article I rejected, and despatched Lieutenant Parke to acquaint Captain Forster that I would enter into articles for exchange of prisoners on equal terms; which, if he refused, my determination was to attack him immediately; and if our prisoners were murdered, to sacrifice every soul who fell into our hands. Captain Forster agreed to these terms, and sent them back signed. As they were not so explicit as I judged necessary, with some alterations and explanations I returned them. Enclosed you receive a copy as finally agreed to. This matter was finished at six o’clock this evening, and to-morrow morning part of the prisoners are to be sent to Cavghnawaga. You may be surprised that six days were allowed for the delivery of the prisoners, and that hostilities should in the meantime cease; this does not include the savages. Captain Forster pretended it was not in his power to fix on any particular time for that purpose, but would engage on his honour to deliver them as soon as possible, and proposed if it could be done in less time, hostilities should then commence; of which Captain Forster is to determine, and acquaint me this evening.

The base hypocritical conduct of the King’s officers, their employing savages to screen them in their butcheries, their suffering their prisoners to be killed in cool blood, I will leave with you to comment on. I observed to Captain Forster that it appeared very extraordinary to me that he could influence the savages to deliver up the prisoners, and could not keep them from being murdered in cool blood, or prevent their being stripped naked, contrary to the agreement made with the garrison at the Cedars.

I intend being with you this evening, to consult on some effectual measures to take with these savages, and still more savage British troops, who are still at Quinze Chiens. As soon as our prisoners are released, I hope it will be in our power to take ample vengeance, or we will nobly fall in the attempt.

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

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

To the Honourable the Commissioners.

P. S. A party of fourteen or fifteen Canadians, taken at the Cedars, are excluded from the above treaty, Captain