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Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 1
Contents:
U.S. History
The Commissioners in Canada to General Schuyler.
Montreal, 10 May, 1776.
DEAR SIR,
Colonel Campbell arrived here early this morning from Quebec. He informs that five ships of war arrived there last Monday, the 5th, about sunrise, namely, two large ships, two frigates, and a tender. The enemy made a sally on Monday, between ten and eleven o’clock, in a body, supposed not to be less than a thousand. Our forces were so dispersed, that not more than two hundred could be collected at head-quarters.
In this situation a retreat was inevitable, and made in the utmost precipitation and confusion, with the loss of our cannon on the batteries, provisions, five hundred stand of small arms, and a bateau load of powder, going down with Colonel Allen. Colonel Campbell believes the loss of men inconsiderable, except the sick in the respective hospitals, amounting in the whole to about two hundred, so ill as not to be removed, who have fallen into the enemy’s hands.
Our army are now on their way to the mouth of the Sorel, where they propose to make a stand. Colonel Greaton’s battalion is arrived there; and we expect the residue of the brigade under the command of General Thompson, is arrived before this at St. John’s. From the present appearance of things it is very probable we shall be under the necessity of abandoning Canada, at least all except that part which lies on the Sorel. We may certainly keep possession of St. John’s till the enemy can bring up against that post a superior force, and an artillery to besiege it.
A further reënforcement will further increase our distress; an immediate supply of provisions from over the Lakes is absolutely necessary for the preservation of the troops already in this Province. As we shall be obliged to evacuate all this country, except that part of it already mentioned, no provisions can be drawn from Canada; the subsistence, therefore, of our army will entirely depend on the supplies it can receive, and that immediately, from Ticonderoga.
We need not mention the propriety of immediately fitting out the vessels at the place to bring over our provisions, and the sending off bateaux, and constructing more, for drawing the troops out of Canada, should we be constrained, by superior force, to take that measure; and in the interim to bring provisions.
It is probable, a considerable part of the bateaux now on the St. Lawrence will be destroyed, or fall into the enemy’s hands. We mention this circumstance to show the necessity of constructing more.
We can form no opinion of the force brought into Quebec by the enemy. Colonel Campbell mentions that information, received at our camp before Quebec, was, that fifteen sail of ships were in the river, though only five were come up, as before mentioned.
We received your favor of the 2d instant, directed to B. F. We are, with great respect and regards, dear Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servants,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
SAMUEL CHASE,
CHARLES CARROLL.
Contents:
Chicago: Benjamin Franklin, "The Commissioners in Canada to General Schuyler.," Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 1 in Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, ed. Jared Sparks (Freeport, NY: Books for Libraries Press, 1853), 512–513. Original Sources, accessed May 4, 2024, http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=VPI2D8DB2B21LL2.
MLA: Franklin, Benjamin. "The Commissioners in Canada to General Schuyler." Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 1, in Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, edited by Jared Sparks, Vol. 1, Freeport, NY, Books for Libraries Press, 1853, pp. 512–513. Original Sources. 4 May. 2024. http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=VPI2D8DB2B21LL2.
Harvard: Franklin, B, 'The Commissioners in Canada to General Schuyler.' in Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 1. cited in 1853, Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, ed. , Books for Libraries Press, Freeport, NY, pp.512–513. Original Sources, retrieved 4 May 2024, from http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=VPI2D8DB2B21LL2.
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