But there is another mutter, which I would not choose to make publick, and that is, you cannot command the Militia throughout the County. Your Government is not firmly enough established for the people to yield a willing obedience; and I think it dangerous at this critical time to put it to the test. A successful resistance in one instance might be attended with very serious consequences. I can appeal to some of you that I have made the Militia of the County the object of my attention for some time, and the result of my observations and reflections has been, that, as they are now circumstanced, we shall derive very little, if any, advantage from them in the present conflict.

Upon the whole, considering how critical affairs are become with respect to us, and that by these ships sailing up the river the seat of war is in some measure transferred to our own borders, it is high time, nay, it will not admit of the least delay, to provide for the safety of the County in some way independent of the Militia. Do not let the fear of expense deter you. Our all is at stake, and I am not convinced that the least expensive mode of warfare is by suffering the whole body of farmers to be called out and harassed upon every occasion.

I remain your very humble servant,

EGBERT BENSON.

To the Representatives of the County of Dutchess, in the Convention of the State of New-York.

N. B. The Militia from the extreme part of the County have marched to the southward. Should they not have been kept as a reserve, in case of a disaster to the northward?

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ALBANY, DATED JULY 15, 1776.

Last Saturday evening a plot was discovered here, (by confession of two Tories,) that this week the town was to be set on fire in different places, and the Magazine blown up. Yesterday between two and three hundred men went out with their arms to take up those scoundrels, who, by information, were skulking in the woods, &c., and they have taken several of them. As there are no soldiers in town, the inhabitants watch twenty-four hours round, to guard the Tory Jail, Magazine, &c.

GENERAL WATERBURY TO GENERAL GATES.

Skenesborough, July 15, 1776.

DEAR SIR: After suitable regards to your Excellency, I here send a return of the number of men, and their occupation, now at this place, and likewise the quantity of provision of all sorts as given in to me. I must likewise acquaint your Excellency that I think the business is going on very lively, according to the number of men. Colonel Schuyler and myself have viewed the ground east of the Mill, and we think it proper to have a small guard placed there, with a breastwork, to keep the Indians from burning the Mills, and I shall do it as soon as possible. I hope the men from Connecticut will be in soon, as we may go on with more speed; and am, with the greatest esteem, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

DAVID WATERBURY, Jun.

To the Hon. Major-General Gates, Ticonderoga.

P. S. Colonel Schuyler desired I would mention it to your Excellency that he was out of rum, and that he feared the men would get sick by drinking this bad water without a little rum; therefore he would take it as a favour if some might be sent down for the labouring men. There is like-wise great want of some peas.

GENERAL GATES TO GENERAL ARNOLD.

Ticonderoga, July 15, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Last night I received your favour of the 14th. I sent you yesterday fifty-our batteaus, under the care of a Captain of Colonel Wayne's regiment. This afternoon forty more batteaus will go from hence to Crown-Point. I do not think it necessary for any of the regiments to march by land to Tyonderoga, as I will take care to supply batteaus sufficient for the conveyance of the whole. As we have so much work to do here, I cannot see how a regiment can be spared to remain at Crown-Point. The vessels will be there as soon as possible. I hope the Commodore will sail tomorrow; and if our naval force cannot protect that part of the lake from invasion, I do not think one regiment will be able to do it.

I shall not approve or disapprove of Colonel Campbell's court-martial; that must be left to General Schuyler, to whom it is referred. Colonel Hazen complains of several irregularities in the proceedings against him, and in particular of his not being tried by a court composed entirely of Field-Officers. Where this can be done, a Colonel has an undoubted right to demand it. Colonel Hazen further alleges, that the members of the court ordered for his trial are not taken from the roll of duty, but named by his accuser. This (if a fact) is also very irregular. Colonel Campbell may be sent here, his arrest continued.

I am, sir, &c.,

HORATIO GATES.

To General Arnold.

GENERAL GATES TO GENERAL WATERBURY.

Tyonderoga, July 15, 1776.

DEAR SIR: As the communication to Skenesborough from this place becomes an object of such importance, and the conveyance of provisions and stores by that communication will be so very necessary if we make our stand at the place proposed, it is essential that the road from Cheshire's to Fort Edward be immediately repaired and rendered easy for carriages. The obstructions in Wood Creek, by the trees which may have fallen across, must likewise be immediately removed. You will be pleased to stop a part of the Militia sufficient for this purpose, and urge the matter with all possible despatch. I should think it proper that the York Militia, and such part of the Connecticut as are necessary, should be stopped for this purpose. You will likewise post three companies of a regiment with a field-officer at Cheshire's Mill, and the other field-officers and remainder of the regiment at Skenesborough Mills, and let them erect some little works at each place for their defence. The tools necessary I will, as soon as it is in my power, supply you with; in the mean time you will endeavour to collect all that you possibly can. General Schuyler has engaged to send me a number of axes from Albany as soon as possible, but they cannot arrive yet.

I am, dear sir, your very obedient servant,

HORATIO GATES.

To Brigadier-General Waterbury.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO GENERAL GATES.

Crown-Point, July 15, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I received your favours of the 13th and 14th instant last evening, also a letter this minute respecting the cattle. I am heartily rejoiced at the good news from New-York by General Waterbury. I make no doubt the enemy will be baffled in all their efforts. The Paymaster is gone this minute for Ticonderoga. Two companies of the train went off early this morning. Six regiments were ordered off; so many artillery stores, &c., were remaining, that only four could be supplied with batteaus. If batteaus arrive this evening, the whole will go off tomorrow morning. Tomorrow I expect to have the pleasure of seeing you.

We want oars for near thirty batteaus lying here, which are at present useless, as none can be procured. We have few cattle on hand; eight or ten yoke may be procured, which the Commissary will send to Ticonderoga. Tomorrow Colonel Bedel and Major Butterfield are ordered up, and go off immediately. You may depend on my utmost exertion in forwarding our naval armament, on which I think much depends.

I shall detain the inhabitants brought up from below for the present, and shall be obliged to leave a small party here. I am at a loss whether I shall remove the families on the Point or not; most of them are inimical. I will forward on the troops as fast as possible. All that are able will be sent off by land.

I am, with great esteem and affection, dear General, your obedient humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

P. S. If oars can be spared, pray send us one hundred and fifty.