To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 7 May 1776
From Richard Bache
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Phila: 7th: May 1776
Dear and Honored Sir
I am favored by yours of the 18th. Ultimo from Lake George; this I hope will find you well at Montreal. Yesterday the Alarm Guns were fired, which put the Town into some Consternation for a short time, the Alarm was on Account of three Men of War which were at the Capes, coming up the Bay, we now suppose for Water; should they attempt to come up the River we are ready to receive them. The Roebuck, which by my last I informed you was ashore in the Bay got off again without sustaining any Damage; Capt. Barry is return’d from his Cruize, having sprung his foremast.7 You will see by the Papers What a formidable Armament we are daily to expect, 45,000, Commisioners at least, of different Nations that is to say Hessians Hannoverians &c. &c. Commanded by Lord How, it is said. We are all well and send our joint Love and Duty. I am Dear sir Yours Affectionately
Rich Bache
Addressed: Benjn. Franklin Esqr. / Montreal8
7. Capt. John Barry, in the continental brig Lexington, had lost his foremast while being chased; he returned from his cruise on May 5. Naval Docs., IV, 1415.
8. On the address sheet is a jotting in BF’s hand: “Our Accts with Congress. What News from Johnson Hall.” The accounts were presumably the commissioners’ and Johnson Hall a synonym for British dealings with the Indians.