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 79
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
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 encloscd, that a party of Canadians made an attack upon our reconnoitering party. Since that, Mr. Ferris, an inhabitant of the New Hampshire Grants, has
715
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
been at Montreal, and returned to this place ; he is a man I can confide in, and be informs that Saint Luke La Corne, who acted many barbarities to- wards our people the last war, for which he was sainted, has been using his ntmost influence to exeite the Conadious and Indians to take part in the war against the united colonies; and that he, and Cupt McCoy who com- manded the Canadian attack, have made but little proficiency. Most of the said party of Canadians were appointed officers, but could procure but very few soldiers and not one Indian. Saint Luke advises, that some in every parish be immediately executed, except they will join the king's troops. There are lately come to Saint Jolins, near two hundred regulars, and join- ed Capt. MeCoy's party of about fifty Canadians, who have been mentioned as assailants on the reconnoitering party, and they are there fortifying. I still retain my sentiments thnt policy demands that the colonies advance an army of two or three thousand men into Canada and environ Montreal. This will inevitably fix and confirm the Canadians and Indians in our inter- est. Nothing gives me so much concern, as the mistaken policy in our worthy Congress and assemblies, who, for want of the real knowledge of certain facts, imagine, that to push an army thither would offend the Cana- dians and incense them against the colonies. The armed vessels are ad- vanced to the north part of the lake to command it, and, consequently, to guard the frontier settlements thereon. We hear that Col. Hinman is ap- pointed commander in chief of this department, and is marching hither with a thousand men. These are joyful tidings to us. We hope they will prove true ; for we cannot long conduet our army without it be regularly organized with officers and under pay.
I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,
JAMES EASTON.
To the honorable the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress, or, Committee of Safety, at Watertown and Cambridge.
Proclamation of Cols. Allen and Easton.
Ticonderoga, June 1, 1775.
To our worthy and respectable friends and countrymen, the French people of Canada, Greeting :
FRIENDS, FELLOW SUBJECTS, AND COUNTRYMEN :- You are, undoubtedly, more or less acquainted with the unnatural and unhappy controversy sub- sisting between Great Britain and her colonies, the particulars of which, in this letter, we do not pretend to expatiate upon ; but refer you to the consid- eration of the justice and equitableness of our cause from your former ac- quaintance with the merits of it. We need only observe, that the inhabi- tants of the colonies viewed the controversy on their part to be justifiable in the sight of God and all unprejudiced and honest men, that have or may
716
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
have opportunity and ability to examine into the ground of it. Fixed in this principle, those inhabitants are resolved to vindicate their cause at the liaz- ard of their lives and fortunes, but have not the least disposition to injure, molest, or, in any way, deprive our fellow subjects, the Canadians, of either liberty or property; nor have they any design to wage war with them; and, on the other hand, from all the intelligence that the inhabitants of the said colonies have received from the Canadians, it has appeared that they were alike disposed for friendship, or at least neutrality, and not at all disposed to take part with the king's troops in the present civil war against the colonies. We were, nevertheless, surprised to hear, that a number of about thirty Canadians, attaekcd our rceonnoitering party, consisting of four men ; fired on and pursued them until they returned the fire. This is the account of the party who have all arrived at head quarters. We desire to know of any gentleman of the Canadians, the facts of the case, if they be different : as one story'must be allowed to be good till another is told. Our general or- ders to the soldiers were, that they should not, on pain of death, molest or kill any of your people. But if it shall appear, upon examination, that the reconnoitering party commenced hostilities against you, they shall suffer, agreeably to the sentence of a court martial : for our special orders from the colonies were, to befriend and protect you, if need be, so that if you desire their friendship, you are invited to embrace it : for nothing can he more unde- sirable to the inhabitants of these colonies, than a war with their fellow sub- jeets, the Canadians, or with the Indians. You are, undoubtedly, very sensi- ble that a war has already commenced between Great Britain and the colo- nies : hostilities have already begun. To fight the king's troops has become inevitable. The colonies cannot avoid it. But pray, is it necessary the peo- ple of your country and ours should buteher cach other? God forbid. There are no controversies subsisting between us. Pray let old England and the colonies fight it out, and the Canadians stand by and see what the arın of flesh can do. We are apprehensive, that the conduct of your people be- fore complained of, had not a general approbation, and are still confident, that your country, as sneh, will not wage war with the colonies, or approve of the aforesaid hostile conduct of your people ; as we conceive it impolitie, to the last degree, for the Canadians to enter into a bloody war with the English colonies, without either provocation or motive ; but every motive of interest, virtue, and honor, to dissuade you from it. To conclude, we appre- hend St. Luke La Corne, Monsieur Ronvelo, and Capt. McCoy, the last of whom commanded the Canadian party aforesaid, and probably some others, whose interest it is to irritate and excite your people to take up arms against the colonies, have inveigled some of the baser sort already to attack the said four men as before related. We expect, gentlemen, as to these particulars, you will, in good time, favor us with an answer, and in the interim, we sub- scribe ourselves your unfeigned friends,
ETHAN ALLEN, ? At present, the principal Command- JAMES EASTON, S ing Officers of the Army.
717
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
A copy of the letter that we sent to the Canadians, to be communicated 10 them in print, translated into French hy the favor of Mr. Walker, our friend at Montreal. This we submit to your honor's consideration.
Yours, at command,
ETHAN ALLEN, JAMES EASTON.
Report of the Committee sent to Ticonderoga.
Cambridge, July 6, 1775.
The committee appointed to proceed to the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, &c.,I beg leave to report, that they proceeded through the new settlements called the New Hampshire Grants, and carefully observed the road through the same, and find that there is a good road from Williams- town to the place where the road crosseth the river called Paulet river, which is about fifteen miles from Skenesborough ; from thence to the falls at Wood Creek near Major Skene's house, the road is not feasible, and is unfit for carriages, but cattle may be driven that way very well.
Your committee, having taken with them the copies of the commission and instructions from the committee of safety to Col Benedict Arnold, and informed themselves, as fully as they were able, in what manner he had ex- ceuted his said commission and instructions, have found that he was with Col. Allen, and others at the time the fort was reduced; but do not find that he had any men under his command at the time of the reduction of those fortresses ; but find that he did, afterwards, possess himself of the sloop on the lake. At Saint Jolins we found the said Arnold, claiming the command of said sloop, and a schooner, which is said to be the property of Major Skene; and also all the posts and fortresses at the south end of Lake Cham- plain and Lake George, although Col. Hinman was at Ticonderoga, with near a thousand men under his command at the several posts.
Your committee informed the said Arnold of their commission, and, at his request, gave him a copy of their instructions; upon reading of which, he seemed greatly disconcerted, and declared he would not be second in command to any person whomsoever; and after some time contemplating upon the matter, resigned his post, and gave your committee his resignation under his hand, dated the 24th of June ; which is submitted, and, at the same time, he ordered his men to be disbanded, which he said were between two and three hundred. Your committee, not finding any meu regularly un- der said Arnold, by reason of his so disbanding them, appointed Col. Eas- ton, who was at Ticonderoga, to take the command under Col. Hinman, who was the principal commanding officer, at those posts, of the Connecticut for- ces, and endeavored to give the officers and men who had served under
(1) The instructions to Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and James Sullivan, Esquires, the committee, are entered in the Journals of Congress, June 13, 1775, ante page 327.
718
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
said Arnold, an opportunity to reenlist ; of whom, numbers enlisted and sev- eral of the officers agreed to hold their command under the new appoint- ment.
Your committee, having taken a critical survey of the garrison and posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, found them in a very defenceless state, and after consulting with Col. Hinman, were of opinion, upon the whole, that it is necessary to retain in the service of this colony, for the present, the number of four hundred men, as the committee were informed from intelli- gence from Canada, that great preparations were making and all endeavors used to bring over the Canadians and savages to be inimical to these colo- nies.
Your committee laving found Capt. Noble at the Point, with a number of men who had been under said Arnold, willing to engage in the service, we paid to said Noble, one hundred pounds, to be delivered to the men, as ad- vance pay ; and appointed Mr. William Satterly, a worthy man, to muster them and inspect their arms; and took Capt. Noble's and Satterly's receipt for the same, and their promise to apply it for that purpose.
Your committee returning to Ticonderoga, and Col. Easton being there, they paid into his hands the sum of two hundred and eighty pounds, to be applied for the purpose aforesaid, and took his reccipt and promise so to do ; and appointed Mr. Jonas Fay, a respectable person, to muster the men and their arms, all except Capt. Noble's company. We also paid into the hands of one Remember Baker, said to be a good officer, who engaged a certain number of men under Col. Easton, the sum of twenty pounds, and took his receipt and promise to apply said money as advance pay to said men; which completes the whole of the mnoncy delivered to said committee for the pur- poses aforesaid.
Your committee have engaged to Col. Easton, that the remaining part of the advance pay should be immediately sent to him.
Your committee found, that as soon as Col. Arnold had disbanded his men, some of them became dissatisfied and mutinous, and many of them signified to the committee, that they had been informed that they were to be defrauded of their pay for past services. The committec, in order to quiet them, engaged, under their hands, in behalf of the colony of the Massachu- setts Bay, that as soon as the rolls should be made up and properly authen- ticated, they should be paid for their past services, and all those who should engage anew, should have the same bounty and wages as is promised to those who serve within said colony.
Your committee inquired of Mr. Henry Bleeker, of Albany, how the men at those posts were supplied with provisions; who informed us, that he act- ed under his brother, who was commissioner of supplies from New York; that all the inen at those stations, of whatsoever colony, were supplied by him, without distinction, and that he should continue so to supply, until otherwise directcd.
Your committee appointed Timothy Edwards, and Samuel Brown, Esq'rs, a committee to supply the men under Col. Easton's command, with such
719
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
necessaries as should not be supplied from New York ; and appointed Capt. Elisha Phelps, to act as commissary under them, to deal out to the men whatsoever should be supplied by the said Edwards and Brown.
Your committee, being of opinion, that a major should be appointed under Col. Easton, and one surgeon to the battalion, and having inquired into the disposition of the officers and men who have engaged, have appointed John Brown, Esq., as major, and Mr. Jonas Fay, as surgeon.
Your committee, when they had received Col. Arnold's resignation, di- rected him to return to Congress and render an account of his proccedings, agreeably to their instructions, a copy of which order is herewith submitted.
Your committee made au examination of the military storcs at those posts, a schedule whereof is herewith delivered, excepting some lead and iron balls, and old chains, which have been dug out of the ruins of Crown Point fort.
Your committec, finding that the men at those stations had not a sufficicn- cy of gunpowder to defend the posts, and upon a careful inquiry not finding any at Albany, have directed said committee of supplies to supply two hun- dred weight from some of the town stocks in the county of Berkshire, on the credit of the colony.
Your committee are of opinion, that the maintaining of those posts is of the utmost importance to the security of the colony of New York and the New England colonies, which was a sufficient inducement to the committec to continue in the pay of this colony the number of men before mentioned. The fortresses not being at present tenable, then there must be a sufficient number of men to command the lake, and prevent the enemy from landing.
Your committee are of opinion, that the best security of those posts in there present state, is by arnacd vessels of various construction, to be kept constantly cruising on the lake, and small boats with swivel guns to act as scouts, which will effectually prevent the army from sudden surprisc.
Your committee havc, agrceably to their instructions, advised the Hlon. American Congress, the Hon. Convention of the colony of New York, and the governor of Connecticut, by respectfully signifying to them, their opin- ion of the importance of the maintaining those posts, and the measures for cffccting the samc.
All which is humbly submitted,
WALTER SPOONER, by order.
Return of Ordnance Stores at Crown Point.
Seven punches for vents of guns ; three scoops for shells ; one pair brass scales ; fourteen mallets ; one sct of measures for powder ; three hundred and ten pounds of slow match; one hundred, cighiteen-pound shot; five hundred and eighty, twelve-pound shot; five hundred and eighty, ninc-pound shot ; five hundred and eighty, six-pound shot ; one thousand four hundred
720
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
and thirty grape shot ; sixty-eight, eight-inch shells ; three hundred and sev- enty, six-inch shells; six sponges with ramrods; six waggon bodies; nine hundred and six wheels; twenty-two wadhooks with ramrods; one cross- cut saw ; one whip saw.
Stores at Ticonderoga.
Three guns and triangles ; six gages for twelve-pound shot ; three copper hoops ; six copper ladles; twelve iron ladles; shells, shot, &c., in vast quantities.
June 23, 1775.
The Committee to Benedict Arnold.
CROWN POINT, JUNE 23, 1775.
SIR :- You having signified to the committee who are appointed and di- rected by the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts Bay, to inquire into the state of the fortresses of Crown Point, Ticonderoga, &c. and the appenda- ges thereof, your resolution to resign all your command of the said for- tresses, and the vessels and stores thereunto belonging, for reasons under your hand expressed, this is to inform you, that it is the expectation of the Provincial Congress aforesaid, that the chief officer of the Connecticut forces at those stations, will command the same for the present: and the committee accordingly expect that you will conform yourself to the direc- tions of said Congress in that behalf, and deliver the same to such chief officer of the Connecticut forces, or his order, for which this shall be your authority. The committee expect that you will, as soon as may be, lay an account of your disbursements before the Provincial Congress, agreeably to our instructions, a copy whereof is lodged with you.
By order of the committee.
Col. Benedict Arnold.
WALTER SPOONER, Chairman.
The Committee to the Continental Congress.
TICONDEROGA, JUNE 23, 1775.
To the honorable the President, and the members of the American Congress, now sitting at Philadelphia.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONORS :- The Congress of the colony of the Mas- sachusetts Bay, on the fourteenth day of June last, appointed Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and James Sullivan, a committee to repair to the fortresses of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, to inquire into the importance of holding those posts, and also into the method by which they may be maintained ; to establish there, in the pay of said colo-
721
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
ny, so many men to defend the same posts as they should judge necessary, not exceeding four hundred; and the said committee were also, by said Congress directed, when they should have made themselves fully acquaint- cd with the situation and importance of said posts, respectfully to signify their thoughts thereon to your honors.
Wherefore, by order of said committee, I take leave to inform you, that it is the opinion of said committee, such is the importance of those fortresses, that should they onee be in the hands of the enemies to America, the colo- ny of New York, together with the New England colonics, would be in continual danger of having depredations committed ou them, by the regu- lar forces, who would be possessed of those garrisons; and should the Ca- nadiaus and savages, who, we liope, are not yet at enmity with us, be in- clined to take part with the ministerial army, the distress of the colonies, before mentioned, must he extremely great.
A garrison at the south end of Lake George, however tenable, could be of but little serviec to the New England colonies : because the most easy route for an army from Quebce into New England, would be through Lake Champlain to South Bay, from whence they might travel hy land through the new settlements of New York into the New England governments, destroy the frontier towns in their march, drive the farmers from their fields, prevent the large supplies of wheat and other necessaries which may soon be expected from these new settlements, and send distress and famine into the heart of the country : and this all without being, ou a right line, within many miles of the south end of Lake George.
I am also directed, hy said committee, to signify to your honors, that it is the opinion of the committee, that the defence of those fortresses must be supported hy holding cominand of Lake Champlain, which, they conceive, may be most easily done, by having vessels, of various constructions, well manned and armed, floating there : for which purpose, the committee have stationed four hundred men there, which are all that the embarrassed eir- cumstances of our colony can at present admit of, to co-operate with ucar a thousand, under the command of Col. Hinman, who is sent to those posts by the government of Connecticut ; but whether the forces now on the lake are sufficient for the purposes aforementioned, your honors will judge.
I am, in behalf of the committee,
Your honors' most humble servant,
WALTER SPOONER, Chairman.
To the honorable Continental Congress.
91
722
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
The Committee to Gov. Trumbull.
SPRINGFIELD, JULY 3, 1775.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONORS :- When the Congress of the colony of the Massachusetts Bay were informed that your government had sent Col. Hinman to Lake Champlain, with a thousand men, to defend the important posts there, it was with the deepest concern that they saw he was not com- mander in chief of the fortresses and their appendages : and immediately despatched a committee, whereof I had the honor to be chairman, to let the commander of their forces know that it was the expectation of our Con- gress, that the commander in chief of the Connecticut forces should be over our officers and privates : the committee was also ordered respectfully to signify to your honor, their opinion of the necessity of holding those for- tresses, as also of the most expedient method to do it.
Whereupon, they proceeded, and at Crown Point let Col. Arnold know, that it was expected that he should give up the command of the garrison, &c. to Col. Hinman, and be under him as officer there : but he declined it : declarcd he would not be second to any man : disbanded his forces, and re- signed his commission. A majority of his men engaged anew under Col. James Easton, who the committee appointed under the commander of the forces of your government, on Lake Champlain, and to be regulated by your martial laws; and the committee left the garrison and appendages in peace, with much satisfaction, commanded by Col. Hinman, who, they are confident, is fully equal to the appointment.
.
The committee also order me to inform your honor, that it is their opin- ion, that the abandoning the posts on Lake Champlain, would probably prove the utter ruin of the New England governments, and that they appre- hend armed vessels, floating batteries, &c. will be the surest means of com- manding the lakes. The committee would write your honor more fully on the subject, but they are convinced, from the letters you have favored our Congress with, that you are fully possessed of the importance of holding those fortresses.
Justice compels the committee to let your honor know, that on Col. Ar- nold's refusing to serve under Col. Hinman, a mutiny arose among some of Arnold's men, who would not engage anew in our service, which seemed to be attended with dangerous symptoms, but by the noble exertions of the officers of your government, with those of Judge Duer, of Charlotte coun- ty, in the colony of New York, and the ample support by them rendered to the committee, in the most difficult situation, it was happily quelled ; the par- ticulars of it are too tedious and disagreeable to trouble your honor's atten- tion, while you have constantly business of the last importance before you.
But thus much the committee order me to take leave to say, that from the polite, generous and manly disposition of Col. Hinman, and the officers in the Connecticut forces under him, we may gather the most happy pros-
-
723
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
pects of a campaign in the northward replete with honor and interest to the colonies.
I am, in behalf of the committee,
Your honor's most obedient servant,
Hon. Jonathan Trumbull.
WALTER SPOONER, Chairman.
The Committee to the Congress of New York.
SPRINGFIELD, JULY 3, 1775.
To the honorable the President and Members of the Convention of the Colony of New York.
GENTLEMEN :- Notwithstanding the many calamities that the colony of the Massachusetts Bay now struggles under, the Congress there are reso- lutely determined to leave nothing within their power undone, which may have even a probablo tendency to preserve the rights and property of the American colonies. In pursuance of this resolution, they, on the 14th day of June, appointed a committee, whereof I have the honor to be chairman, to proceed to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, to inquire into the importance of holding those posts, and, among other things, respectfully to signify to you their thoughts on the subject. The committee have made such inqui- ries as they were directed to prosecute, and have ordered me to take leave to inform you, that it is their opinion, should the fortresses on Lake Cham- plain fall into the hands of our enemies, the colony of New York, with the New England colonies, must be in the utmost insecurity, for the enemy might land at the southern end of a part of tho waters of Lake Champlain, called South Bay, from whence, as Fort Edward is razed to the foundation, there is nothing to check them, or prevent their spreading firo and devasta- tion down to Albany, and over all the frontier towns eastward, in New York and the New England colonies: wherefore, it is the opinion of the commit- tee, that all possible care ought to be taken to keep the command of Lake Champlain, which, perhaps, may be more easily effected by armed vessels of various constructions, than otherwise.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.