came into the following resolutions. That one thousand men, including four hundred which we had before ordered, under command of Col. Hinman, should march, as soon as possible, to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, for the support and defence of those fortresses. That they continue there until they are relieved by the province of New York, or are otherwise ordered by this assembly. That Col. Hinman take the command of our troops on those stations. That the troops be furnished with one pound of powder and three pounds of bullets to each soldier. That Col. Hinman be ordered to keep up the strictest vigilance, to prevent any hostile incursions from being made into the settlements of the province of Quebec. And, that the Provincial Congresses of New York and Massachusetts Bay, be advised of these measures; and the New York Congress be requested to forward the necessary supplies for said troops, and such other supplies of ammunition as they shall judge necessary.

Advice of these resolutions is already sent forward to New York, per Mr. Colton, your express to Philadelphia.

It is matter of doubt with us, whether the above mentioned detachment of troops ordered by this colony, will be sufficient for the important purposes for which they are destined. But we recollect that Col. Arnold is now on the spot with a commission, as we understand, to raise a regiment in the pay of your province. We are not informed how far he has proceeded in that design. If he meets with success, we flatter ourselves that his regiment, joined with the troops we have sent, will be able to maintain their ground and keep possession of those important posts.

We take the liberty to recommend to your consideration, the furnishing such additional supply of powder from you, as you shall think necessary to be sent forward for the support of those northern posts. I am very sorry to have it to say, that we are credibly informed there are not five hundred pounds of powder in the city of New York: but at the same time, are advised, that means are taking to supply them with that very important article. 1 am, with great truth and regard, Gentlemen,

Your most obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

The honorable Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay.

The Congress of New York to the Assembly of Connecticut.

In Provincial Congress, New York, May 25, 1775.

To the honorable the Governor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut :

BRETHREN:-By a minute of the grand Continental Congress of the 18th of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy

five, a copy of which we do herewith transmit you, we are informed, that Ticonderoga hath been taken by sundry inhabitants of the northern colonies; and from the minute aforesaid, we are assured that this measure was for the common safety of the American colonies. In pursuance of the directions contained in that minute, we have given the necessary orders for removing the cannon and stores, taken at that important fortress, to the south end of Lake George, and for securing them there; and we have appointed Messrs. John N. Bleeker, Henry I. Bogert, George Palmer, Dirk Swart, and Peter Lansing, superintendents of this business. There is no doubt but that our brethren of Connecticut will feel great reluctance at the idea of ordering any of their troops to march within the bounds of this colony, for the purpose of defending the fort at Ticonderoga, and the cannon and stores above mentioned at Fort George. But we pray you to cast away all fears of offending us upon this occasion. We shall be happy to hear that you have placed a part of your forces in these posts, with intent to defend them until they shall be relieved by troops from this colony.

In further pursuance of the directions of the grand Congress, we have ordered provisions to be conveyed to Ticonderoga and Lake George, and we shall continue to furnish such supplies as we shall deem necessary.

You will be pleased, gentlemen, to appoint trusty commanders over your forces destined for the purposes above mentioned; and we do assure you of our willingness that they shall take the command at those places while garrisoned by your troops.

We beg leave to assure you, that in this and all other matters, we will pay the highest attention to every recommendation of the grand Continental Congress, and that we have the honor to be,

Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants,

By order of the Congress,

P. V. B. LIVINGSTON, President.

JOHN MCKISSON,

ROBERT BENSON,

Secretaries.

P. S. We pray you to use every effort to preserve and improve the present peaceable dispositions of the Canadians and Indians, for which purpose we think it will be necessary to keep up the strictest vigilance to prevent any incursions from being made into the province of Quebec.

P. V. B. LIVINGSTON, President.

Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety.

Crown Point, May 29, 1775.

Gentlemen:—I was equally surprised and alarmed this day, on receiving

advice, via Albany, that the Continental Congress had recommended the removing of all the cannon, stores, &c., at Ticonderoga to Fort George, and evacuating Ticonderoga entirely, which being the only key of this country, leaves our very extensive frontiers open to the ravages of the enemy, and if put into execution, will be the entire ruin of five hundred families to the northward of Ticonderoga. 1 have written to the Congress and given my sentiments very freely, with your instructions to me, as I fancy they have had no intelligence of my appointment or orders. Col. Allen has entirely given up the command. I have one hundred and fifty men here, and expect, in two or three weeks, to have my regiment completed, and believe they will be joined by a thousand men from Connecticut and New York. I have sent to Lake George, six large brass and iron mortars and howitzers, and one brass and three iron twelve pounders; and shall pursue your orders with all the despatch in my power.

I am, Gentlemen, with great respect,

Your most obedient and humble servant,

BENEDICT ARNOLD.

Col. Easton to the Provincial Congress.

PITTSFIELD, MAY 30, 1775.

To the honorable Provincial Congress, now sitting at Watertown, and to the honorable Committee of Safety, at Cambridge.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONORS :- -When I arrived express from Ticonderoga, to the honorable Provincial Congress and Committee of Safety, at Watertown and Cambridge, I represented to those two honorable boards, that the reduction of that important fortress had taken its rise in the general court of the colony of Connecticut, as it was also mentioned in the letter from Capt. Mott to those two honorable boards aforesaid; upon which, the Congress passed a resolve, and the president of the Congress was ordered to write to the said general assembly, desiring them to garrison and fortify those late acquisitions, and also to bring down some of the cannon to our head quarters at Cambridge. When I arrived at the assembly, and delivered the letter to the governor, his honor told me, that the assembly had not, as an assembly, taken the matter up, but that it had its original in private persons belonging to the assembly. However, it was immediately attended to, and a committee of both houses was appointed to take the matter under consideration, and did so; but did not report till Capt. Mott came from the Continental Congress, with the approbation of that honorable body for the taking and maintaining the fortress aforesaid. The council have detained me till farther intelligence can be had from the Congress at New York, and Mr. Sheppard is sent in my stead. I am, however, sent on my way, with all haste, for Ticonderoga, without receiving said intelligence, on account of

the great danger that fortress is in of being besieged in a short time. By order of the aforesaid assembly, I have sent forward five hundred pounds of powder, under a proper guard, and shall, this day, hasten after it with all expedition.

I expect no provision from Connecticut will be made for me, and the men that were with me from this province at the taking of said fort, which were about fifty, and about one hundred who have gone as a reenforcement, except the paying them till about this time. Though Connecticut will raise men and assist in the defence of that fortress, yet they expect that our congress will properly officer and organize the men they send, and also pay them.

It is agreed, on all hands, the fortress must be maintained, as it is of infinite importance to the general cause. I have no doubt but very violent attempts will soon be made to wrest it out of our hands. As I have about one hundred and fifty men now at that fort, and shall be able to fill up a regiment in a few days time, I would just hint to your honors, that I should be willing to serve my country in the capacity I stand in at home, as the head of a regiment on this northern expedition. Should you see fit to gratify me with the command of a regiment for the fortifying and garrisoning said fortress, you may depend on my most faithful exertions to defend it, to the last extremity, against the whole weight of Canada, and on the most punctual observance of all your orders. And I shall be ready to make such farther acquisitions as shall be in my power, consistent with wisdom and prudence for the safety of what are already made, that you in your wisdom shall direct.

As to other regimental officers, Capt. Israel Dickinson and John Brown, Esq., have distinguished themselves very highly, both in council and action, and, in my humble opinion, are well qualified to command in the field. In a word, gentlemen, what is now wanted, is, that you put that fortress into the best posture of defence, in conjunction with Connecticut: that you properly officer one or more regiments: as there must be order and command in all armies, that you nominate a commander in chief: and forward pay with all expedition. I hope to receive an answer to this without any unnecessary delay. Should you see fit to appoint a chaplain to attend us, I recommend to you the Rev. Thomas Allen of this place, as a suitable person, who is well known to General Pomeroy.

I am, Gentlemen, your humble servant,

JAMES EASTON.

N. B. 'Tis necessary that provisions for the troops be provided immediately, and also a number of the military laws lately made by the Congress.

J. EASTON.

Governor Trumbull to the Provincial Congress.

Hartford, June 1, 1775.

GENTLEMEN:-Your letter of the 29th May, by Mr. Sheppard, is received, and I observe your agitation occasioned by the resolution of the General Congress, touching Ticonderoga and Crown Point. It was looked on in the same light here, and hath been repeatedly mentioned to the delegates from Connecticut, that removing from Ticonderoga to the south end of Lake George, would expose great part of the frontiers to invasion and distress, and a fort at the latter could scarcely be tenable. The expressions of the resolution are not clear. The Provincial Congress at New York, take them to mean no more than the removing the supernumerary cannon and stores from those two fortresses to the south end of Lake George; but, not to leave or abandon those two important posts. Mine of the 29th of May, by Mr. Brown, informs what hath been resolved here, which is fully approved by the Provincial Congress at New York. They express their concern to keep and maintain "the important posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point." We have received intelligence from Albany, of the readiness of that city and county to afford their utmost assistance for securing those important posts, for the common defence of our rights and liberties. Our general assembly was closed last evening. I shall be attentive to your intelligence, and will communicate to you all that appears important, that shall come first to my knowledge: please to direct for me at Lebanon. 1 congratulate you on the union and increasing harmony of these North American colonies, and the wonderful concurrence and coincidence of counsels amongst them. May our hearts be united in humble thankfulness therefor.

I am, with great truth and regard, Gentlemen,

Your most obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

The honorable Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay.

Col. Easton to the Provincial Congress.

Crown Point, June 6, 1775.

RESPECTABLE GENTLEMEN-It is of the utmost importance to the united colonies to cultivate harmony and friendship with the Canadians and their Indians. I have painfully exerted myself to procure and secure it. I have sent you a copy of a letter Col. Allen and myself wrote to the Canadians. It appears to me of importance, that your honors should be acquainted with the state of policy and of facts. You will discover, by perusing the enclosed, that a party of Canadiaus made an attack upon our reconnoitering party. Since that, Mr. Ferris, an inhabitant of the New Hampshire Grants, has