Dear Sir,
It is with inexpressible Regret we are under the Necessity of demanding a Party of Men from your Army to cut off the necessary Communication between St Johns & Laprairie Chamblee &c Your Manifesto came safe to Hand, & dispatched them off to the different Parishes with all possible Care and Expedition. The Canadians are all Friends and a Spirit of Freedom seems to reign amongst them. Col [Ethan] Allen, Major [John] Brown, and myself set off this Morning with a Party of Canadians with Intention to go to your Army; but we having a Party of Indians waiting for us the same Side of the River, we thought it most prudent to retire, in order if possible, to raise a more considerable Party of Men. The Canadians, at any Rate, are determined not to take up Arms against you, but immediately upon the Arrival of a Party from your Army, I make no Doubt of joining you with a considerable Party of Canadians. Our Attempt in getting to your Army, and the Failure thereof, has deprived me of the Honour of seeing you for the present. We shall drop down the River Chamblee as far as my House, where a Number of Canadians are waiting for me, and expect a Party of your Men before they will stir. I shall notwithstanding keep up a Spirit of Faction amongst them, till I can hear what Advances you are making towards a general Attack upon St Johns. I had the pleasure of acquainting you in my former of the absolute Necessity of taking the armed Vessels at the Mouth of Sorrel River which will effectually prevent the Escape of the Troops of Chamblee & Montreal going to Quebec. There are still Provisions and warlike Stores on Board said Vessels, and apprehend the taking the same to be of as much Consequence, as blocking up the Communication between Montreal & St Johns &c. They are but slenderly manned, and make no Doubt a Dozen of Men might take one of them without Bloodshed. I can easily furnish any Party you may send with what Provisions they may want. We wait with the utmost Impatience your Answer, till when I am with sincere Wishes for the Success of your Arms. Yours &c
[Endorsed] Read in Congress Octr 9th 1775.
