I have the Pleasure to acquaint you that a Number of Gentlemen from Connecticut went from this Place last Tuesday Morning [May 2], having been joined by Colonel [James] Easton, Captain [Israel] Dickinson and Mr. [John] Brown, with 40 soldiers, on an Expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, expecting to be reinforced by a thousand Men from the [New Hampshire] Grants above here, a Post having previously taken his Departure to inform Col. Ethan Allen of the Design, and desiring him to hold his Green Mountain Boys in actual Readiness. The expedition has been carried on with the utmost Secrecy, as they are in Hopes of taking those Forts by Surprise. We expect they will reach those Forts by Saturday next, or Lord's day at farthest. ー The Plan was concerted at Hartford last Saturday [April 29] by the Governor and Council; Col. [John] Hancock, and Mr. Adams, and others from our Province being present.2 Three Hundred Pounds were drawn immediately out of the Treasury for the aforesaid Purpose, and committed to these gentlemen that were here. We earnestly pray for success to this important Expedition, as the taking those Places would afford us a Key to all Canada. Should Success attend this Expedition, we expect a strong Reinforcement will be sent from the Western Part of Connecticut to keep those Forts, and to repair and fortify them well.
1. New England Chronicle, Cambridge, May 12 to May 18, 1775.
2. The Massachusetts delegates were enroute to the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia, and both John and Samuel Adams could have been present.