as we conjecture, to take off some sheep and cattle which we had previously driven off. Notwithstanding, they brought their tenders so nigh the shore as to cover the landing of the men in the barges, yet (having but a few men) we carried a firm countenance to them, and, with a few shot, (being well levelled,) they thought proper to retreat, without doing any damage with their cannon. If your Excellency can possibly spare a small detachment from the Continental forces for a few days, until the farmers can take in their crops, as it is now in the height of their harvest, you will render us an essential service; and a few days now is of the utmost consequence to them. When the harvest is in, we shall, with the utmost cheerfulness, lend every assistance in our power to promote the common weal of the community. We shall not press this matter upon your Excellency, but doubt not you will see the necessity which urges this request; and with due respect, remain your Excellency's very humble servant.

Per order of Committee:

JOHN COE, Deputy Chairman.

To His Excellency George Washington, at Head-Quarters,

P. S. We can further inform your Excellency that the enemy have sounded the channel as far up as the mouth of the Highlands.

COLONEL PORTER TO GENERAL FELLOWS.

Salisbury, Connecticut, July 16, 1776.

SIR: This instant have received a letter from the Committee of Dutchess County, (the copy of which you will see within,) desiring to have the Militia raised at the western part of Connecticut. Hope you will be good enough to join us as soon, as possible with what men you can raise.

I am your humble servant,

JOSHUA PORTER.

To Brigadier-General Fellows, at Sheffield.

Dutchess County, New-York, July 14, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I have this instant received an express from General Washington, informing that some ships of war and tenders had passed the city of New-York and sailed up Hudson's Miver, with design, as is supposed, to take possession of the posts in the Highlands, and directing me to write to you, requesting you to march immediately with what force you can collect to these posts, particularly to where the post-road between Albany and New-York crosses the mountain, called Anthony's Nose. You will please to keep an exact return of the number of men you take with you.

I am your humble servant,

EGBERT BENSON,

Chairman of the General Committee.

To the Commanding Officers of the Militia in the Western Towns of Connecticut.

GENERAL GATES TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 29, 1776, referred to the Board of War.]

Ticonderoga, July 16, 1776.

SIR: Upon my arrival at Albany the 27th ultimo, General Schuyler assumed the command of the Army in this department, alleging that the resolves of Congress, and General Washington's instructions to me, were confined to Canada. As this was not to be denied, I submitted, and went with General Schuyler and General Arnold to Crown-Point, where we found the wretched remains of what was once a very respectable body of troops. That pestilential disease, the smallpox, had taken so deep a root, that the camp had more the appearance of a general hospital than an army formed to oppose the invasion of a successful and enterprising enemy. A Council of General Officers was immediately held, wherein it was determined unanimously to retire, and take post on the strong ground opposite to the east point of Ticonderoga; to endeavour, by evey means in our power, to maintain the naval superiority of Lake Champlain, without which it is not possible, in our present circumstances, to hold any ground upon this side the carrying places leading into that lake. In consequence of these resolves, I came immediately, with General Schuyler, to Ticonderoga. We had the ground for the new encampment thoroughly examined, and commanded the troops, as they arrived from Crown-Point, to prepare to clear the ground for their taking post according to the resolution of the council of war. The next thing was, to examine our naval force upon the lake. The vessels, which should have been constantly armed as vessels of war, have hitherto been solely employed as floating wagons. Of course there was a necessity of immediately sending them from Crown-Point hither, to be armed. Carriages for their cannon were even to be made here, out of wood taken from the stump. This is so far effected, that a schooner mounting ten four and six-pounders, will be ready to sail to-morrow; the rest must wait to be fitted; and as the possession of everything here depends upon keeping the command of the water, I shall do everything our scanty means will afford to forward the work. As all the Field-cannon, with their atraile, were lost in Canada, it takes a great deal of time to fix our artillery, carriages being to be made from wood cut here; and so must our platforms for the works we have to erect.

The gondolas General Schuyler has ordered to be built, as he had no model to direct him, are in nothing but in name like those at Philadelphia. The rigging and artillery are all to be fixed here, and when done, they seem to be vessels very unwieldy to move, and very indifferent for the purpose intended. Two are finished, and two more will be finished this week. If the enemy gives us time to do all this, it will be well; if not, this wretched army will probably be yet more unfortunate. I am exerting all my powers to prevent the pestilence getting to Skenesborough, for should the Militia ordered there be infected, we shall be distressed beyond example.

General Waterbury, who arrived the day before yesterday, is gone to Skenesborough, to regulate the Militia when they arrive, and to stop them there. He has this moment sent me an officer infected with the smallpox, to be removed to the General Hospital at the south end of Lake George. Colonel Read's New-Hampshire regiment is now at the carrying place, going to the General Hospital. They have upwards of three hundred sick, and only just well men enough to row those over the lake. Thus, sir, you see the melancholy situation to which this Army is reduced.

I desire the bearer may not be detained a minute longer than to receive your despatches; and I must request, when any express is forwarded to me from Congress, that he be ordered to come the whole way, and not deliver his despatches to any other person to bring forward.

Mr. Morgan Lewis, who presents you this letter, I brought with me from New-York, and intended, conformable to the resolves of Congress and General Washington's instructions, to have appointed him my Deputy Quartermaster-General; but General Schuyler says those resolves and instructions relate only to Canada. A son of Governour Trumbull, who remains with me, and who I intended for Deputy Adjutant-General, is in the same predicament.

I am, sir, with the greatest esteem and regard, your most obedient humble servant,

HORATIO GATES.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq.

GENERAL GATES TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Ticonderoga, July 16, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed is a copy of the letter with which I have charged Mr. Lewis to the President of the honourable the Continental Congress. It is too disagreeable a tale to dwell on; I shall not therefore enlarge upon it. I beg the favour that Mr. Lewis may have your orders not to delay in New-York, but proceed immediately to Philadelphia. General Sullivan has probably, by this time, seen your Excellency; he will, no doubt, make a faithful representation of the wretch-ed state of this Army. General Schuyler assures me he has already done it. Since the beginning of May, the losses sustained by the enemy, and by death and desertion, amount to more than five thousand men; and to this must be added three thousand that are now sick. Our accounts from the enemy are lame and imperfect. It seems not to be doubted that they have a large camp at St. John's, and are labouring to get a naval force upon the lake. I shall do all in my power to procure the best intelligence of their motions. Heaven grant your Excellency a prosperous campaign, such a one as will make ample amends for the losses of the Northern Army. My affectionate compliments wait upon the gentlemen of your family, and particularly to my old friend and acquaintance, Brigadier-General Mercer.

I am, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

HORATIO Gates.

To His Excellency General Washington.