Dear Sir

I have the pleasure acquainting you, we still hold Our Ground, before Quebec, & keep the enemy closely blockaded, tho' we have received, but a small reinforcement of One hundred & fifty Men from Montreal ー The enemy have within this Ten Days, sallied Out twice at Pallace Gate, with abt Four, or five, hundred Men, with a view of seizing two field pieces, we have on that side, Our Men Advanced briskly to Attack them, when they made a precipitate retreat under cover of their Guns. I make no Doubt of holding Our Ground, as we expect a reinforcement daily, which we are anxiously waiting for, as the Duty is very severe. ー

I have taken the liberty In former Letters to the Hble. Contl. Congress to give my Opinion in regard to Men and Measures, necessary for the reduction of Quebec the Necessary ways, & means for suporting those Men, I have omitted, as Genl Montgomery in his Life time Transmitted you his sentiments on the Matter, as well as on the necessary measures For forming a lasting union between this Country & the Colonies. ー I have only to observe if the Capital is taken, I believe Paper money will soon have a Currency. ー

Major John Brown, who Came down with Genl Montgomery, with about One hundred, & Sixty Men, Collected from different Regiments, Now Assumes, and Insists on the Title of Colonel, which he says the General promised him at Montreal, that the General promised him promotion, He told me some time before his death. when Major Brown wrote to remind him of his promise, the General handed me his Letter, & told me at the same time, as Colo [James] Easton and Major Brown were publickly Impeached with plundering the Officers, Baggage taken at Sorell, Contrary to Articles of Capitulation, and to the great scandal of the American Army, He could Not in Conscience or honour, promote him (Majr Brown) untill those, Matters were Cleared up, He then sent for Major Brown & told him his Sentiments on the Matter very freely, after which I heard of no further application for Promotion. This Transaction, Colo [Donald] Campbell, Major Duboys [Lewis Dubois], and Several Gentlemen were knowing to ー As Colo Easton, & Major Brown, have doubtless a sufficient Share of Modest Merit to apply to the Honble Continental Congress for promotion, I think it my Duty to say the Charge before mentioned is the Publick Topic of Conversation at Montreal, & among the officers of the Army in General, and as such Conduct, is unbecomeing the Character of Gentlemen or Soldiers, I believe It would give great disgust to the Army in General If those Gentlemen were promoted before those matters were Cleared up. ー

This will be Dld you by Mr David Hopkins, a Gentleman who came out a Volunteer wth me, his Spirited Conduct both on Our March and Since Our Arrival in this Country, merit my recommendation to your Notice, of which I think him worthy ー I am with great respect & Esteem, Dr Sir [&c.]

P S The Contents of the Inclosed Letter I do not wish to be kept from the Gentlemen mentioned therein, the Publick Interest is my chief motive for writing. I should despise myself was I capable of asserting a thing in prejudice of any Gentlemen without sufficient reason to make it publick.

B. Arnold