keep it, at every hazard, until I have further advice and orders from you, and the general assembly of Connecticut. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient, humble servant, BENEDICT ARNOLD. P. S. It is impossible to advise you how many cannon are here and at Crown Point, as many of them are buried in the ruins; there are a large number of iron and some brass cannon and mortars, &c., lying on the edge of the lake, which, as the lake is high, are covered with water. The confusion we have been in, has prevented my getting proper information, further than that there are many cannon, shells, mortars, &c., which may be very serviceable to our army at Cambridge.1 To the Committee of Safety, Cambridge. B. A. Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety. TICONDEROGA, May 14, 1775. GENTLEMEN :-My last was of the 11th instant, per express; since which, a party of men have seized on Crown Point, in which they took eleven prisoners, and found sixty-one pieces of cannon serviceable, and fifty-three unfit for service. I ordered a party to Skenesborough, who have made Major Skene prisoner, and seized a small schooner, which has just arrived here. I intend setting out in her directly, with a batteau and fifty men, to take possession of the sloop, which we are advised this morning, by the post, is at St. Johns, loaded with provisions, &c., waiting a wind for this place. Inclosed is a list of cannon, &c. here, though imperfect, as we have found many pieces not included, and some are on the edge of the lake covered with water. 1 am, with the assistance of Mr. Bernard Romans, making preparation at Fort George, for transporting to Albany those cannon that will be serviceable to our army at Cambridge. I have about one hundred men here, and expect more every minute. Mr. Allen's party is decreasing, and the dispute between us subsiding. I am extremely sorry matters have not been transacted with more prudence and judgment. I have done every thing in my power, and put up with many insults to preserve peace, and serve the public. I hope soon to be properly released from this troublesome business, and that some proper person may be appointed in my room, till which I am, very respectfully, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble servant, BENEDICT ARNOLD. (1) The answer to this letter is inserted in the Journal of the Provincial Congress, ante page 250. P. S. Since writing the above, Mr. Romans concludes on going to Albany to forward carriages for the cannon, &c., and provisions, which will be soon wanted. I beg leave to observe, he has been of great service here, and I think him a very spirited, judicious gentleman, who has the service of the country much at heart, and hope he will meet proper encouragement. B. A. List of Cannon, Mortars, and Stores, taken at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, May 11, 1775: At Crown Point-Two iron twenty-four pounders: one iron twenty-four, useless: one brass twenty-four, serviceable: four iron eighteens, and fourteen iron twelves, not examined, but appearing good: four French iron twelves, useless: eight French twelves and eighteens, not examined, but appearing good: seven long nines, double fortified, and good: twelve long nines, serviceable: two long nines, mounted: thirty-three long sixes and nines, useless: seven long nines and twelves, useless: two long sixes, good: two short sixes, bad: three short sixes, not examined: three short sixes, useless: one English thirteen inch mortar: one French thirteen inch, two French eight inch, and two eight inch howitzers, all serviceable. At Ticonderoga-Three long eighteen pounders, good: two French eighteens, bad: two French twelves, bad, and two good: six French twelves, double fortified, good, and two bad: twelve long nines, good, and five bad: eighteen sixes, bad: nine fours, good: one six, good: nineteen swivels, good: two wall pieces, good: two French twelves, bad: one thirteen inch mortar and bed, good: one seven inch and bed, good: one seven inch howitzer, good: twenty-eight iron truck wheels: ten carriages, fit for use: forty-two port fires: five copper ladles, with staves: twelve copper ladles without staves: seventeen lintstocks: one hundred, eighteen pound shot: five hundred and fifty, twelve pound shot: two hundred and forty, nine pound shot: one thousand four hundred and thirty, six pound shot: one hundred and sixty eight, quilted grape shot: nine tons lead balls: three thousand seven hundred pounds iron balls: twenty-eight barrels powder, damaged nine hundred and six shells: thirty thousand flints. Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety. CROWN POINT, May 19, 1775. GENTLEMEN:-My last was of the 14th instant, by Mr. Romans, via New Haven. I then acquainted you of the occasion of delay in not carrying your orders into execution. The afternoon of the same day, being joined by Captains Brown and Oswald, with fifty men enlisted on the road, they having taken possession of a small schooner at Skenesborough, we immediately proceeded on our way to St. Johns, and at eight o'clock, P. M. the 17th instant, arrived within thirty miles of St. Johns. The weather proving calm, we manned out two small batteaux with thirty-five men, and the next morning, at six o'clock, arrived at St. Johns, surprised and took a sergeant and his party of twelve men, the king's sloop of about seventy tons, with two brass six pounders and seven men, without any loss on either side. The captain was gone to Montreal, and was hourly expected, with a large detachment for Ticonderoga, a number of guns and carriages for the sloop, which was just fixed for sailing; add to this, there were a captain and forty men at Chambleé, twelve miles distant from St. Johns, who were expected there every minute with the party: so that it seemed to be a mere interposition of Providence that we arrived in so fortunate an hour. We took such stores on board as were valuable, and the wind proving favorable, in two hours after our arrival, weighed anchor for this place, with the sloop and four of the king's batteaux, having destroyed five others: so that there is not left a single batteau for the king's troops, Canadians or Indians, to cross the lake in, if they have any such intention. I must, in justice to Col. Allen, observe, that he left Crown Point soon after me for St Johns, with one hundred and fifty men, and on my return I met him five leagues this side, and supplied him with provisions, his men being in a starving condition. He informed me of his intention of proceeding on to St. Johns with eighty or one hundred men, and keeping possession there. It appeared to me a wild, impracticable scheme, and provided it could be carried into execution, of no consequence, so long as we are masters of the lake; and of that I make no doubt, as I am determined to arm the sloop and schooner immediately. I wrote you, gentlemen, in my former letters, that I should be extremely glad to be superseded in my command here, as I find it next to impossible to repair the old fort at Ticonderoga, and am not qualified to direct in building a new one. I am really of opinion, it will be necessary to employ one thousand or fifteen hundred men here this summer, in which I have the pleasure of being joined in sentiment by Mr. Romans, who is esteemed an able engineer. I am making all possible provision for wheel carriages, &c., to carry such cannon, &c. to Albany, as can be spared here and will be serviceable to our army at Cambridge. 1 must refer you for particulars to the bearer, Capt. Jonathan Brown, who has been very active and serviceable, and is a prudent and good officer, and beg leave to observe, I have had intimations given me, that some persons had determined to apply to you and the Provincial Congress, to injure me in your esteem, by misrepresenting matters of fact. I know of no other motive they can have, only my refusing them commissions, for the very simple reason, that I did not think them qualified. However, gentlemen, I have the satisfaction of imagining I am employed by gentlemen of so much candor, that my conduct will not be condemned until I have the opportunity of being heard. I am, with the greatest respect, Gentlemen, Your most devoted and very humble servant, P. S. Enclosed is a memorandum of such cannon, &c. as I intend sending to Cambridge: also of such as are here. By a return from Montreal to General Gage, I find there are seven hundred and seventeen men in Canada, of the 7th and 26th regiments, including seventy, whom we have taken prisoners. To the Committee of Safety, Cambridge. Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety. CROWN POINT, MAY 23, 1775. GENTLEMEN:-My last was of the 19th instant, by Capt. Jonathan Brown. I then advised you of my taking possession of the king's sloop, &c., and that, on the 18th instant, on my return from St. Johns, Colonel Allen, with about eighty or one hundred men, passed me, with the intention of making a stand at St. Johns, and not being able to dissuade him from so rash a purpose, I supplied him with provision, &c. Yesterday he arrived at Ticonde1 roga with his party, and says, that on the evening of the 18th instant, he arrived with his party at St Johns, and hearing of a detachment of men on the road from Montreal, he laid an ambush for them: but his people being so much fatigued, when the party was about one mile distant, he thought proper to retreat, and crossed the lake at St. Johns, where they continued through the night: at dawn the next day, they were, when asleep, saluted with a discharge of grape shot from six field pieces, and a discharge of small arms from about two hundred regulars. They made a precipitate retreat and left behind three men. Immediately on this advice, I proceeded here with the sloop and schooner, as well armed as possible under our circumstances, and eighty men, which, with the party here before, make near one hundred and fifty men, with whom I am determined to make a stand here to secure the cannon, it being impossible to remove them at present. I am in hourly expectation of two or three hundred men more. Most of those here have enlisted. Colonel Allen's men are, in general, gone home. As the regulars have good information of our strength and movements, I am apprehensive of their paying us a visit, provided they can get batteaux from Montreal to St. Johns. I shall make every possible preparation to give them a warm reception. I have commissioned Capt. John Stone in the sloop, and Capt. Isaac Mathews in the schooner, and have written to New York for a number of gunners and seamen, to man the two vessels, being in great want of them at present, and obliged to stay on board one of them myself. As soon as a sufficient number of men arrive, I shall lose no time in carrying your orders into execution, in regard to the cannon. This morning, very luckily, an escort of provisions, five barrels of pork, and thirty barrels of flour, arrived here, as a present from Albany, under the care of Capt. Elijah Phelps, the last barrel of our pork being broached. I have ordered fifty 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 honor to be, most respectfully, Hon. Gov. Trumbull. Your honor's most obedient and humble servant, HENRY REMSEN, Deputy Chairman. 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 execution: 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 possession 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. |