Ticonderoga 12th. May 1775
Honobl Sir I make You a Present of a Major a Captain and Two Lieuts in the regular Establishment of George the Third I hope they may serve as ransoms for some of our Friends at Boston and particularly for Capt Brown of Rhodiseland a Party of men under the Command of Capt Herich has Took Posession Scenesborough Imprisoned Major Sceene and Seized a Schooner of his, I Expect in ten days Time to have it rigged and man’d and armed with 6 or 8 Pieces of Canon which with the Boat in our Possession I Purpose to make an attack on the armed Sloop of George the Third which is Now Cruising on Lake Champlain and is about Twice as bigg as the Schooner. I Hope in a Short Time to be authorized to acquaint your Hoour that Lake Champlain ^& the fortifications thereon are subjected to the Colonies The Enterprise has been approbated by the Officers and Soldiary of the Green Mountain Boys Nor do I hesitate as to the Success I Expect Lives must be Lost in the attack as the Comander of George’s Sloop is a man of Courage &c.
I Conclude Capt Warner is by this time in Possession of Crown Point the Ordnance Stores &c I Conclude Governor Carlton will Exert himself to oppose us & Command the Lake &c—Messers Hickock Halsey & Nichols have the Charge of Conducting the ^Officers{illegible} to Harford These Gentlemen have been Very Assiduous and active in the Late Expedition I depend upon Your Honours Aid and Assistance in a Situation so Contiguous to CanandaigaCanada—I Subscribe my Self Your Honours Ever Faithfull most Obedient and Humble Servant
Ethan Allen,
at Present Commander of Ticonderoga
THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE CAPTURE
A few years ago Mr. Allen French discovered the manuscript of Lieutenant Feltham’s report, which reads as follows:
New York, June 11th 1775.
“Sir