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Subject: Re: [GM-L] Rev. War ~ A Letter, 1775 from Benedict Arnold to Capt. Farnswo...
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 19:06:51 EDT

Janice, I have a copy of a book published in 1938 by Doubleday, Doran &
Company, Inc. New York. It's name is "March To Quebec; Journals of the Members
of Arnold's Expedition. Compiled and Annotated by Kenneth Roberts. During
the Writing of Arundel.

I bought it online as it contains a journal written by my wife's ancestral
Grandfather, Abner Stocking, who was with Arnold on the Quebec Expedition. I
have not read the entire book, but only Stocking's journal. There is a
chapter on Col. Arnold's Letters starting on page 67. The first letter to "Capt"
Farnsworth, is on page 69, the second letter to Col. Farnsworth is on page
73, and the third letter to Col. Farnsworth is on page 76. You have written
the first letter, the second is as follows:

Second Carrying-Place, Oct. 14, 1775

Col. Farnsworth:

Sir--I wrote you on the road here to send forward to the great
carrying place all the provisions, and for that purpose to hire men
on the river well acquainted with setting up. I have thought proper
to write you again for fear my former letter should have miscar-
ried. You will hurry on the provisions as fast as possible. We have
now about twenty five day's allowance. Hope before that is gone,
to be in Quebec. However I think it necessary to have the provisions
forwarded on, that our retreat may be secured in case of any
accident.

I am Sir, your h'ble serv't.
B.
ARNOLD.

The third letter is a follows:

Dead River, 24th Oct. 1775

Col. Farnsworth,

Dear Sir--The heavy rains which have lately fallen and rendered
the river almost impassable, with many accidents have so far re-
tarded our proceeding that I find it necessary for the safety of the
detachment to send back the sick and to reduce the detachment so
as to leave fifteen day's provisions for the whole, which I make no
doubt will enable us to reach Canada. Those who are sent back you
will take all possible care of, and supply with provisions,&c. and
send back to Cambridge, as soon as possible.
I wrote you the 14th instant to send forward to the Great Carry-
ing place all the provisions you had. This I make no doubt you have
done, to secure our retreat.
I am dear Sir, your obed't serv't.

B. ARNOLD.

I have typed this pages exactly as they appear in the book. I can not
attest to the accuracy in comparison to any original documents. These, just might
be in the same location as the first one you found. I will look into any
further references to a Capt. or a Col. Farnsworth.

(Janice, I met you when Desiree was visiting you in Providence, if you
remember)
Dave from Long Island

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