^8 » NATURAL AND CIVIL 



Congress." Surrounded by the Americans whq 

 were already in possession of the works, it was 

 not in the power of the British captain to make 

 any opposition, and he surrendered his garri- 

 son prisoners of war, without knowing by what 

 authority Allen was acting, or that hostilities 

 had commenced between Britain and the colo- 

 nies. After Allen had landed with his party, 

 the boats were sent back for colonel Si th VV ar- 

 ner with the remainder of the men, who had 

 been left under his command. Warner did not 

 arrive till after the place had surrendered, but 

 he took the command of a party who set off for 

 Crown Point. At that place there were only a 

 sergeant and twelve men to perfoim garrison 

 duty. They surrendered upon the first sum- 

 mons, and Wsrner took possession of Crown 

 Point, on the same day that Tyconderoga was 

 given up. Another party surprised Skeensbo- 

 rough, made a prisoner of major Skcen,the son, 

 took possession of a strong stone house v/hich 

 he had built, secured his dependents and domes- 

 tics, and made themselves masters of that im- 

 portant harbor. 



By these enterprises the Americans had cap- 

 tured a British captain, lieutenant, and forty 

 four privates. In tlie forts they found above 

 t\vo hundred pieces of cannon, some mortars, 

 howitzers, and large quantities of ammunition 

 and military stores ; and a warehouse full of ma- 

 terials for carrying on the business of building 

 boats. Having succeeded in their attempts a- 

 gainst Tyconderoga and Crov/n Point, it was 

 still necessary in order to secure the command 

 @f lake Chuiiipluin, to get possession of an ar^ 



