Samuel Chase to Richard Henry Lee

I thank You for your Letter of the 3rd of April which Mcfinie delivered Me last Tuesday.¹ Our Letters to Congress will give You all the Information in our Power relative to our Affairs in this Colony.

I am at a Loss to express my Astonishmt. at the Conduct of Congress. Almost two Months ago they voted 4 Battalions, and since 6 more Battalions for this Country, without the least provisions for their Support.

We have now 4,000 Troops in Canada & not a Mouthful of food. Pork is not to be procured. Wheat may be bought for Specie, but we have none. Necessity has compelled Us to take provisions. Will this contribute to regain the Affections of this people? I entirely agree with You as to the Importance of fortifying the pass at De Chambault. On the Day after We arrived, it was determined to possess that post and Jacques Cartier - but how can it be done? On Tuesday Colo. Maxwell was at Jacques Cartier with a small force and Genl. Thomas was at De Chambault with 900 Men. They have none or very little provisions. They have no Cannon or a few pieces without Carriages (the greater part of the Carriages fell into the Enemies Hands) and they have but little powder. Eight Tons came with Us, We lost one, but can get no certain account of the rest. Nothing is wanting but a Wind for the Enemies frigates to pass the falls of Richlieu, & then all Communication by water will be cut off.

General Arnolds Letter will give You all we know of our affairs below. I beg You would seriously attend to our Letters to Congress. Our affairs here are almost desperate. Unless immediate attention is given to this Country it will not only be lost to Us, but added to the Enemy. For the Love of your Country cease the keen Encounter of your Tongues, discard your Tongue Artillery and send Us some field or We are undone. My God, an Army of 10,000 without provisions or powder! Remember our Army are naked, I mean the fugitives from Quebec.

I hope I shall be excused in Saying the Congress are not a fit Body to act as a Council of War. They are too large, too slow and their Resolutions can never be kept secret. Pray divide your Business into different Departments, a War office, a Treasury Board, et et. Follow the British Regulation as to your Army. They have not one officer too many. There must be a regimental paymaster. I am not able to point out the Remedy, but I see our affairs in so miserable a Condition, that I think they are almost desperate.

Since the above Mr. McCord, of Credit, arrived here; he left Loretto on Monday, he was told by some French people, our friends, who came out of Quebec on Sunday, that only one frigate & one Transport with only two Companies of the 29th Regiment, had arrived there from Halifax; that they came to see if the City was taken; that it was reported in the City, that Genl. Howe & his Army would come there - that there was no account of more ships arrived below. He left Jacques Cartier on Tuesday afternoon; our Troops had left it the Sunday before, he got to De Chambault on Tuesday night; our Troops had left it on Monday. He arrived at Three Rivers Wesday at 4 o'Clock P.M. That Genl. Thomas was there, that the Canadians in general were friendly - he was told the frigate that came in, lies in the Bason of Quebec. That he saw two small vessells at anchor at Aux Ecurueil, abot. 3 Leagues below the Rapids.

Mr. Murdock Steward, a Gent. of veracity - he left Three Rivers yesday Morning, the 16th, That Genl. Thomas was there with about 1000 Men.

I have been called at least twenty Times since I began this Scrawl - to act as Commissary, Genl, Justice, et et - in short I act in as many Capacities as Moliers Cook. Farewell, tell Mr. J. Adams he is indebted to Me several Letters.

Your affectionate & obedt. Servt.

Saml Chase