GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONGRESS.

[Read in Congress July 1, 1775.]

New-York, June 29, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I did myself the honour to write you yesterday, since which I have received some intelligence which I think it my duty to lay before you.

A gentleman, a member of the Provincial Congress here, is this afternoon arrived from Albany. He advises that a few of the Oneida Indians are lately arrived at that place, in a disposition very friendly to our cause; that they have declared a desire that the Indians should be called together at Albany, or in its neighbourhood; that great attention was paid them by the Albany Committee. As so good an opportunity to conciliate their affections will, I trust, be readily embraced by your Honours, I have ventured to advise the Albany Committee to dismiss them with presents, and assurances that they will speedily be requested to meet persons appointed for the purpose of holding a conference with them, either at Albany or any other convenient place.

The troops on board the transports at Sandy-Hook, from the best intelligence I am able to procure, are destined for Boston; they have been detained to take in water, and I am well assured that they are to sail tomorrow.

Permit me, honoured Sirs, to request that I may be favoured with a copy of the arrangement of the General and Staff-Officers in your Army, of the pay allowed them, and every other officer and soldier, and receive your orders what allowance of provisions each man is to have per day, that all troops under my command may be equally provided for, to prevent uneasiness. Enclose a copy of my letter to Colonel Hinman, commanding at Ticonderoga.

I am, honoured Sirs, respectfully, your most obedient and most humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable the Continental Congress.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO COLONEL HINMAN.

New-York, June 28, 1775.

SIR: The honourable Continental Congress having been pleased to appoint me to a Major-General’s command in the American Army, and being directed to take charge of that part of it which is or may be employed in the Province of New-York, I do myself the pleasure to advise you thereof.

You will please with all expedition to make me a return of the troops under your command and their condition, specifying from which Colony they are, what number of them are at Crown Point, what at Ticonderoga, the landing on Lake George, and the south end of said lake, or at any other post you may have occupied. And that the service may not suffer for want of any thing necessary with you, I beg of you to make me a very minute return of the provision, cannon, ammunition, artillery stores, intrenching and pioneer tools, at every of the above mentioned places; as also of the number of vessels on Lake George, what kind they are, and their burden; the same of those on Lake Champlain.

As it is of the highest importance that good intelligence of General Carleton’s motions should be had, let me entreat you to spare no pains to procure the best accounts of what he is about; of the disposition of the Canadians and Savages towards us; what posts are occupied against us; if fortified, and how; the number of men with which they are garrisoned, whether of Canadians or Regular Troops; and from time to time transmit me any intelligence you may procure. Take every opportunity of giving the Canadians and Indians the strongest assurances of our friendly sentiments towards them; and if they should unfortunately have entertained any that are unfavourable from Mr. Allen’s excursion into their country, try and eradicate them by assurances that what he did was without any orders; and although I am convinced he meant to serve the cause of America by what he did, yet it may be well, if the Canadians have taken umbrage at it, to inform them that his conduct in that instance was disapproved of.

In military contests it behooves every commander to be extremely diligent, careful, and circumspect to watch every movement of his opponents; this I have confidence you will not by any means neglect any more than that of putting yourself in the best posture of defence. And as it is necessary to prepare against possible accidents, I would have you take measures to secure a retreat to the south end of Lake George or South-Bay, if at any time you should be unhappily forced to so disagreeable a step.

I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

PH.SCHUYLER.

To Colonel Hinman, commanding at Ticonderoga.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, June 29, 1775.

SIR: As I propose that the troops from Connecticut should encamp this morning, permit me to beg of you to give orders that tents to the number of two hundred and fifty, with the poles, be sent down as soon as possible to the grounds the troops are to occupy. They will also be in immediate want of fuel for dressing their victuals, and for straw to lie on.

Pray be so good as to let me know at what hour you think the tents can be at the place destined for the encampment. I am, Sir, respectfully your most obedient humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President, &c.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE.

At a meeting held at Fort. Edward, June 29, 1775, to choose three Delegates to represent the County of Charlotte at the Provincial Congress convened at the City of New-York, with Doctor John Williams and William Marsh, Esq., before chosen by a number of the inhabitants of said County:

Be it known, that Doctor George Smyth, David Watkins, and Archibald Campbell, Esquires, are duly elected, and it is the sense of the inhabitants, of the County aforesaid that the above named John Williams, William Marsh, George Smyth, David Watkins, and Archibald Campbell, they, or either of them, shall represent the said County in the Provincial Congress at New-York.

Signed by order of the County Committee:

ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, Chairman.

JACOB BAYLEY TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Newbury, June 29, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Lately we received a desire from you to send a member or two to the Provincial Congress at New-York. We met and chose one, Sir, myself; but considering our distance and the danger we might be in of a visit from Canada, thought best that I do not yet attend until we were prepared to meet with an enemy at home. I am taking what pains I can to be prepared with arms and ammunition, but as yet to but little purpose; am still apprehensive of danger from Canada, and cannot be absent. I have had intelligence from an Indian to be depended on, who informs me that they shall be forced to take up arms, if we do not help them by sending an army to Canada, and say they are both threatened and flattered; says that the French and Indians will join us, and make no doubt but Quebeck will be taken, (which is their desire,) but if it is neglected much longer it may be fatal to them and us. I have employed him to bring intelligence from Canada, and must meet him myself, and shall transmit to you. I should think that if orders were sent to me, I could raise two or three hundred men from the neighbouring Governments, which must be necessary either for our defence or to proceed to Canada.

If it is thought best to raise men, arms (at least two hundred) and powder and flints must be sent. Mr. Harvy will inform more, and take care of whatever is sent. Mean time I am endeavouring to supply ourselves from seaports eastward.

We acknowledge with gratitude the notice taken of us by you; shall acquiesce in the measures which shall be taken by you; shall attend as soon as we are in a posture of defence.

Wish prosperity to the cause of liberty and truth. Am, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

JACOB BAYLEY.

To the Provincial Congress for New-York Colony.