Governour Trumbull to Massachusetts Congress

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Lebanon, June 19, 1775, 7 o' clock, A˙ M˙

SIR: Enclosed are copies of notes taken by the Provincial Congress at New-York, of the intelligence brought by Captain Thomson of the embarkation of four Regiments from Ireland for New-York; in consequence whereof Major General Wooster is requested by that Congress to march immediately within five miles of the City; and the latter informs me that Capt˙ Sears informed him that the people of New-York intend to quarter our Troops in the City.

The military stores which were at Turtle-Bay have fallen into the hands of General Wooster, consisting of too many articles to be enumerated: among which is about five hundred good horse harnesses; a very considerable number of thirteen and ten inch carcasses; stinkpots, all well charged; a very great plenty of grape shot; cannon balls, from twenty-four pounders down to three, &c˙, &c.

The Provincial Congress of New-York forwarded for the use of your camp at Cambridge, six hundred and sixty-five pounds of powder, which came as far as Stanford. They desired the same quantity might be forwarded from our eastern magazine. The Governour with his Council here agreed on Saturday last to send from Norwich, immediately after receiving your letter of Mr˙ Gerry, of 17th June, seven and eight o' clock P˙ M˙ I sent to Norwich direction to forward the same night and day. The remainder of Colonel Parsons' s Regiment were ordered to march forthwith to join the rest at camp, with one pound of powder, three pounds of ball, and six flints each. I have sent to hasten them.

I have this moment received advice from Col˙Arnold, at Crown Point, of 13th inst˙, that the Indians of the Caughnawaga Tribe are determined not to assist the King' s Troops, and have passed a law that the first of their tribe who takes up arms against us shall be put to death, which, he says, is confirmed by five chiefs of that tribe. These, with their families, press hard for our Army to march into Canada, as they are much disgusted with the regular troops. Three Indians sent by him to Canada, it seems, have been much abused by the regulars, and are returned, and confirm that account. It is also confirmed, he says, by a gentleman of probity at Montreal; and that numbers of the Canadians have expected our Army there, and are impatient of our delay, being determined to join us as soon as sufficient force appears to support them; that Governour Carleton by every art can raise no more than twenty Canadians of the noblesse; that he threatens to burn Montreal if the merchants will not defend the City in case of an attack; that he has only five hundred and fifty effective men, and thinks it would be very easy to possess ourselves of the whole country.

Colonel Hinman writes that he is in quiet possession of Ticonderoga, and does not find that there are any enemies about him.

I am, with great truth and regard, gentlemen, your obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

To the Honourable Joseph Warren, President of the Provincial Congress, Watertown.