Camp South Side St Johns. Octr 6th 1775.
Dear General,
Your Dilligence and Foresight have saved us from the Difficulties that threatned us. We are no longer afraid of starving. I wait now with Impatience for the Arrival of those Troops mentioned in your last, and which I believe from the Number of Boats on the Way will soon be here to take the advantageous Post I formerly spoke of on a Hill to the Westward. Since my last I have had some Proposals of an Accomodation through the Channel of the Caghnawagas from the formidable St Luke le Corne and other principal Inhabitants of Montreal. Tomorrow is appointed for a Conference at Lapraire. I have sent Major [John] Brown to manage it. Macpherson goes with him, and Mr Livingston of Chamblee will attend. The Result of this Negotiation I hope soon to make you acquainted with. Mr St Luke's Character gives me all the Reason in the World to be on my Guard against him. I shall insist on some substantial Proof of his Sincerity. Mr Livingston some Days ago took Post at Mr [Moses] Hazen's House with near 250 Canadians. They are erecting a Battery there which seems to make the Garrison very uneasy. Yesterday they attacked them with their Row Galley but were beaten back without Loss on the Side of the Canadians. No certain Intelligence yet of Arnold's Arrival, tho there are flying Reports to that Purpose. I wish he was at Quebec with all my Heart, I believe there is Nothing to oppose him. I am extremely happy that you have sent for more Powder. I believe we have not more than two Tons & a Half. This I am afraid will not do. Send as many Men as you possibly can furnish with Provisions. I am greatly in Want of them. Our Feebleness has intimidated the Canadians from embarking in so uncertain an Adventure. Were I strong enough to send 500 Men to Montreal, it would certainly declare for us, at least I have great Reason to think. The miserable Weather we have had, has distressed us much, but I hope it is now over.
Let the hard Cash come up as soon as possible, that our Reputation may hold good. Mr Carleton is not departed, as I informed you.
We want both Iron & Steel, & Turners Tools. The large Mortar is ready to play. I am&c
Richard Montgomery.
I shall send some more Boats in a few Days. [Endorsed] Read [in Continental Congress] Octr 31st
1. John Hancock Papers, III, LC. Another copy enclosed in Schuyler to Congress, October 11, 1775; Papers CC (Leters of Major General Philip Schuyler), 153, II, 314, 315, NA.
