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Quebeck, September 6, 1775.
DEAR SIR: I enclose you a charter-party for a vessel, taken up by order of Major-General Carleton, to transport some live stock, purchased by a contribution in this Province, for the use of the sick and wounded soldiers of His Majesty' s Forces at Boston; also, bills of lading. The vessel belongs to Tom Dunn, your old friend, though chartered by Mr˙ Grant; and I am to beg you will do every good office in your power to the master, either by employing the
The Rebels have taken post at Point-au-Fer, and an invasion of the Province is expected. Should that take place, I am apt to think the Canadians will lay down their arms and not fire a shot. Their minds are all poisoned by emissaries from New-England, and the damned rascals of merchants here and at Montreal. General Carleton is, I believe, afraid to order out the Militia, lest they should refuse to obey. In short, the Quebeck Bill is of no use; on the contrary, the Canadians talk of that damned absurd word liberty.
Mr˙ Dunn desires me to mention to you a Captain Venture, who comes out with a ship from London. If you can be of any use to him, he will take it as a particular favour; he would be fit to command an armed vessel.
In one of my former letters I begged you would remember my brother. If you can serve him in the commissary way, I shall ever acknowledge it. He is from Albany. Mr˙ Porter knows where he is, at Burlington, New-Jersey. I am sure you will excuse this application. It will be hard if you and my friend Chamier cannot, between you, do something for him. I can venture to promise he is capable, and he has promised me not to be lazy.
Remember me to all with you, and believe me yours, very sincerely,
THOMAS GAMBLE.
To Major Shirreff, Deputy Quartermaster-General.
Letter from Major Gamble to Major Sheriff
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vessel, should he return this fall to Quebeck, or by assisting him to get out of the port of Boston with a little pitch and tar, with wine, candles, and some other articles that are much wanted here. The freight Mr˙ Dunn begs you will pay at Boston, as per agreement with Mr˙ Grant, to enable the master to purchase a cargo at your port, as it was the hopes of making something, by the profits of her cargo back, that induced Dunn and Grant to let me have her; and it makes no difference to the Crown whether it is paid at Boston or by me here; in short, Dunn writes to you on the subject, and to his letter I refer you.