USA > Massachusetts > The journals of each Provincial congress of Massachusetts in 1774 and 1775, and of the Committee of safety, with an appendix, containing the proceedings of the county conventions-narratives of the events of the nineteenth of April, 1775 > Part 78
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I am yours, &c. B. ARNOLD.
Gov. Trumbull to the Provincial Congress.
HARTFORD, MAY 25, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- Your letter of the 17th instant, with the enclosed resolve of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay, was delivered to me by Col. Easton, and communicated to the general assembly, who have desired me to return their congratulations on the reduction of Ticonderoga, a for- tress truly important, and to assure you they entertain a proper sense of the merit of those officers and soldiers by whose bravery and good conduct it was achieved. As this advantage was gained by the united councils and enterprise of a number of private gentlemen in your province, New Hamp- shire, New York, and this colony, prompted only by a zeal for the liberty of their country, without public authority to our knowledge, and is of great and general importance to the united colonies, it was thought best to take the advice of the Continental Congress upon the manner of treating it in future, both by the general assembly of this colony and the committee of New York, as well as by you. Despatches were accordingly sent to Phila-
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delphia, and the sentiments of the Continental Congress tltereon have been received this day, by express, with a letter from the committee of New York, copies of which, enelosed, are herewith sent you.
By them you will see, the present enstody of that fortress is committed to the province of New York, with the assistance of the New England eol- onies, if needed. The general assembly of this eolony behold your situa- tion with eoueern, and a fixed resolution to contribute every thing in their power to your defenee and preservation, and as far as pertains to them, are willing and desirous you should have the benefit of such artillery as may be spared froin the fortresses of Crown l'oint and Ticonderoga ; but, as they do not consider themselves as entitled to the command of those places, they eannot take upou themselves to give orders for the removal of the heavy eannon that may be spared, without the concurrence of the other colonies interested in them.
The necessity of seeuring and maintaining the posts on the lakes, for the defence of the frontiers, becomes daily more evident, from the reiterated in- telligenee we receive, of the plan formed by our enemies to distress us, by inroads of Canadians and savages, from the province of Quebee, upon the adjacent settlements. The enelosed copy of a letter from our delegates at- tending at New York, to communicate measures with the Provincial Con- gress in that eity, throws an additional light on this subjeet, and is thought worthy to be communicated to you. Whilst the designs of our enemies against us, fill us with eoneeru, we cannot omit to observe the smiles of Providenee upon us, in revealing their wieked plans, and hitherto prosper- ing the attempts of the colonies to frustrate them. With a humble relianee on the continuanee of divine favor and protection in the eause, of the jus- tiee of which a doubt eannot be entertained, the general assembly of this eolony are ready to cooperate with the other colonies, in every exertion for their common defenee, and to contribute their proportion of men and other necessaries, for maintaining the posts on the frontiers, or defending or re- pelling invasions in any other quarter, agreeably to the advice of the Conti- nental Congress.
I am, Gentlemen, in behalf of the general assembly of this eolony,
Your most obedient humble servant,
To the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts.
JONATHAN TRUMBULL.
Committee of New York to Gov. Trumbull.
NEW YORK, MAY 22, 1775.
HONORED SIR :- I ain directed by the general committee of association for this eity and eounty, to transmit to your honor the enelosed authentic copy of a resolution of the Continental Congress, received by express, and 89
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to inform your honor, that in consequence thereof, we immediately shipped to Albany one hundred barrels of pork, and that a select committee has been appointed to purchase and forward, without delay, cordage, oakum, pitch, guns, and every other necessary that may be wanted from hence, to carry into execution the aforesaid resolution.
. We have also, by express, desired our brethren of Albany to give their aid and assistance.
I have the lionor to be, most respectfully,
Your honor's most obedient and humble servant,
HENRY REMSEN, Deputy Chairman. Hon. Gov. Trumbull.
Resolution of the Continental Congress.
IN CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1775.
Whereas, there is indubitable evidence that a design is formed by the British ministry, of making a cruel invasion, from the province of Quebec, upon these colonies, for the purpose of destroying our lives and liberties, and some steps have actually been taken, to carry the said design into exe- cution : and whereas, several inhabitants of the northern colonies residing in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, immediately exposed to incursions, impelled by a just regard for the defence and preservation of themselves and their countrymen from such imminent dangers and calamities, have taken pos- session of that post, in which was lodged a quantity of cannon and military stores, that would certainly have been used in the intended invasion of these colonies : this Congress earnestly recommend it to the committees of the cities and counties of New York and Albany, immediately to cause the said cannon and stores to be removed from Ticonderoga to the south end of Lake George, and, if necessary, to apply to the colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, and Connecticut, for such an additional body of forces as will be sufficient to establish a strong post at that place, effectually to secure the said cannon and stores, or so many of them as it may be judged proper to keep there ; and that an exact inventory be taken of all such cannon and stores, in order that they may be safely returned, when the restoration of the former harmony between Great Britain and the colonies, so ardently wished for by the latter, shall render it prudent and consistent with the overruling law of self-preservation.
A true copy from the minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
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TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
Committee of Connecticut to the General Assembly.
NEW YORK, MAY 23, 177.5.
SIR :- We arrived in this city last evening, and have the satisfaction to in- form you, that the committee of New York have complied with the direc- tions of the Continental Congress, as to furnishing our forces at Ticondero- ga with provisions.
The Provincial Convention of this province are now sitting, but have not got through the business of examining certificates, &c. We have not, therefore, as yet, laid our appointment before them. We have had a personal conference with Mr. Price, an eminent English merchant of Mon- treal, who is sent by the English merchants of that place, express to the Continental Congress, with intelligence of a most interesting nature. He informs us, that all the French officers of Canada are now in actual pay un- der General Carlton ; that St. Luke La Corne, who was superintendent of all the Indians in Canada, while it was in the hands of the French, and is father in law of Mr. Campbell, who is superintendent under his majesty, has sent belts to the northern tribes, as far up as the falls of St. Mary and Michilimakinak, to engage them to take up arms against the New England colonies, but the event of that embassy is not yet known : that a similar ap- plication had been made to the tribes nearer to the frontiers of the English settlements, but with little success, as not more than forty Indians could be found that would engage in the measures : that the plan of operations in Canada is, to procure the savages to join with the Canadians in hostilities against the rebels of New England.
Mr. Price gives it as his opinion, that the Canadian peasants will not, but with the utmost reluctance, engage against the colonists, but that the no- blesse are our bitter enemies : he also says, that General Carlton was ex- pected at Montreal in a day or two after he left that place, which was the 11th of May instant, and that he was to take up his residence there for this sum- mer.
We are now about to take up lodgings in the heart of the city, where we shall have an opportunity of conversing with the citizens, and of learning their true spirit.
The Provincial Convention of New Jersey meet this day : we propose to wait on them sometime this week.
We can, at present, give you no just account of the state of the cause of liberty in this city, but hope, from the little information we have already had, that there will not be so general a defectior as was apprehended.
We are, Sir, with due respect, your most obedient humble servants,
NATHANIEL WALES, JR., THADDEUS BURR, PIERPONT EDWARDS.
To the Hon. William Williams, Esq.,
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Connecticut.
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Congress of New York to the Committee of Safety.
In Provincial Congress, New York, May 26, 1775.
BRETHREN :- Having received a minute of the grand Continental Con- gress, of which we send you a copy herewith ; we wrote a letter to the gov- ernor and company of the colony of Connecticut, of which we also send you a copy.
We do not doubt of your ready concurrence in the measures recommend- ed by that august body, in which we do entirely acquiesce.
We pray you to act on this occasion with prudence and expedition, espe- cially as we have received intimations from our brethren in Connecticut, that they cannot send a sufficient force for the purposes mentioned to them in our letter. And we beg leave to assure you, that we are affectionately your friends and brethren in the general cause of frecdom.
We are, Gentlemen, your humble servants,
P. V. B. LIVINGSTON, President.
To Joseph Warren, Esquire, and others, the Committee of Safety for the Colony of Massachusetts Bay.
Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety.
Crown Point, May 26, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- My last was of the 23d instant ; I then advised you of the situation of matters here ; since which, there has been no material altera- tion. Very few men have arrived; we have fixed the sloop with six car- riage and twelve swivel guns; the schooner with four carriage and eight swivel ; both vessels are in good order, and tolerably well manned, eight gentlemen having arrived from Hartford, who are seamen. I have sent two ten inch iron mortars, two eiglit inch brass mortars, and two eight inch howitzers to Ticonderoga, to be forwarded to Fort George. You may de- pend on my sending the cannon from this place as soon as possible. There are three thirteen inch iron mortars here. I beg to know what I shall do with them. I have received large donations of flour, pork, peas, &c., from Albany, near seventy barrels, and I am informed, there is a large quantity on the road from that place, and a quantity supplied from Connecticut. The advices I received from Butterfield, and communicated in the postscript of my last of the 23d instant, prove to be premature. I have good intelligence from a batteau immediately from St. Johns, which place she left the 19th instant, that the regulars were returned to Chamblee.
1 am, with great respect, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,
BENEDICT ARNOLD.
To the Committee of Safety, Cambridge.
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'TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
General Assembly of Connecticut to the Provincial Congress.
Hartford, May 27, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- You have, doubtless, received the advice of the Continen- tal Congress, relative to the important fortresses and posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. We esteem it necessary to be guided by their opinion in every important transaction, and have great satisfaction in their approbation of the capture made of those posts; and their advice relating to the remnov- ing the cannon, &c., to the south end of Lake George, and making a stand there, must probably be complied with, unless they, upon further consider- ation, shall alter their opinion, and advise to making the stand at one or both the aforesaid forts, which this house and assembly judge to be much more expedient, on many obvious accounts, and have, several days since, signified their opinion to our delegates at said Congress, and from thence, and for other reasons, hope for their concurrence.
The bearer, Capt. Phelps, who has been very active and useful in the cap- tures, is just arrived with important advices from Col. Arnold, of an expect- ed attack, spcedily from Governor Carlton, and is charged with the saine advices from Mr. Arnold to you. In consequence of them, and the imminent danger the people there are exposed to, our assembly have just ordered five hundred pounds of our pittance of powder, to be forthwith sent thein ; and also, have ordered four companies to march, for their present relief, and have advised the New York Provincial Congress of this step ; and also, are now despatching advices of the same to the Continental Congress, again set- ting forth the advantage of maintaining a post at Ticonderoga or Crown Point, and suggesting our wishes, that they reconsider their advice.
In the mean time, you may be assured that we have no such claim to the acquisition or the command of thein as in the least degree to interfere with any measures you may think proper to adopt relating to thein, and consider what we have done as a small and temporary relief.
I am, Gentlemen, in the name and belialf of the house of representatives, your most obedient and humble servant, by their order,
WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Speaker.1
Governor Trumbull to the Provincial Congress.
Hartford, May 29, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- I am desired to inclose to you, a copy of a letter from the Congress of New York to this assembly, dated 25th instant, which you will receive herewith, per Mr. Brown, who is on his return from the Continen- tal Congress. The contents of the above mentioned letter were iminediately taken into consideration by this assembly; in consequence whereof, they
(1) The answer to this letter is printed in the Journals of the Provincial Congress, page 288.
1
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TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
came into the following resolutions, That one thousand men, including four hundred which we had before ordered, under command of Col. Hin- man, should marclı, 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 order- ed 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 be- ing 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 tlie 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 liave 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 informned there are not five hundred pounds of powder in the city of New York : but at the same time, are advis- ed, that means are taking to supply them with that very important article.
I am, witli 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-
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five, a copy of which we do herewith transmit you, we are informed, that Ticonderoga hath been taken by sundry inhabitants of the northern colo- nies ; and from the minute aforesaid, we are assured that this measure was for the common safety of the Aineriean colonies. In pursuance of the di- reetions 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 ap- pointed 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 reluetanee at the idea of ordering any of their troops to march within the bounds of this eol- ony, for the purpose of defending the fort at Ticonderoga, and the cannon and stores above inentioned 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 forees 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 or- dered provisions to be conveyed to 'Ticonderoga and Lake George, and we shall continue to furnish sneh supplies as we shall deem necessary.
You will be pleased, gentlemen, to appoint trusty commanders over your forees destined for the purposes above mentioned; and we do assure you of our willingness that they shall take the command at those places while gar- risoned 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,
P. V. B. LIVINGSTON, President.
By order of the Congress,
JOHN McKISSON, ROBERT BENSON, S
Secretaries.
P. S. We pray you to use every effort to preserve and improve the pre- sent 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 ineursions 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
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advice, via Albany, that the Continental Congress had recommended the re- moving 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 Ticondero- ga, to the honorable Provincial Congress and Committee of Safety, at Water- town 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 Con- gress 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 deliver- ed the letter to the governor, liis 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
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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 expeet no provision from Conneetient will be made for me, and the men that were with me from this provinee at the taking of said fort, which were about fifty, and about one hundred who have gone as a reenforcement, ex- eept the paying thein till about this time. Though Connecticut will raise inen and assist in the defence of that fortress, yet they expect that our eon- gress will properly offieer and organize the men they send, and also pay then.
It is agreed, on all hands, the fortress must be maintained, as it is of infi- nite importance to the general eause. I have no doubt but very violent at- tempts 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 tine, I would just hint to your honors, that I should be willing to serve iny country in the capacity I stand in at home, as the head of a regiment on this northern expedition. Should you see fit to grat- ify 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 mnost 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 prudenee for the safety of what are already made, that you in your wisdom shall direct.
As to other regimental offieers, Capt. Israel Dickinson and Jolin 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, gentleinen, what is now wanted, is, that you put that fortress into the best posture of defence, in conjunction with Conneetieut : that you properly offieer one or more regiments: as there must be order and com- mand 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 per- sou, who is well known to General Pomeroy.
I am, Gentlemen, your liumble servant,
JAMES EASTON.
N. B. 'Tis necessary that provisions for the troops be provided immedi- ately, and also a number of the military laws lately made by the Congress.
J. EASTON.
90
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TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
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 Con- gress, 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.
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