I now find that my conjectures, given you in a former letter, as to their numbers, were well founded, for both Allen and Warner declare that they will be obliged to recruit in New-England to complete the five hundred men to be raised; so that this intended corps will in all probability not join me, if at all, until September.

At Crown Point an intrenchment was begun to shelter the Troops, before my arrival, but nothing has been done at this place, and we are in a perfectly defenceless state. I have, however, this day begun lines, on which I propose to employ as many men as I can spare, that I may be able to make some defence, and preserve the post in case of an attack, which General Carleton must have attempted had he been informed of our real situation. A few Troops without any shelter, with little ammunition, less discipline, lulled in perfect security, might have fallen an easy prey to an enterprising man. I hope, however, soon to be in a situation to receive him properly should he venture to come aided by Canadians and Indians.

The Connecticut Troops here are destitute of tents. They are now crowded in very bad barracks, which I fear will be introductory of disease. I have written to Governour Trumbull on this head.

Enclose you a copy of a letter dated the 17th instant, I have just received from Governour Trumbull. I am very sorry that the Colony of Connecticut has made such large allowance for the daily subsistence of their men. It is difficult and expensive to procure the things they are to have agreeable to the law of their Colony here, and what is worse, other Troops that may join will certainly expect the like allowance, and a discrimination cannot be made in favour of the Troops of any particular Colony. A resolve of Congress what shall be the Continental allowance, and that no Colony should send their Troops any thing more than what shall be so prescribed, would settle the matter and prevent that jealousy which will otherwise take place.

I have sent for a man, the only one to be depended upon, to carry a letter into Canada, and to return with information. I momently expect him, and shall despatch him immediately after his arrival.

The measures I took before I left New-York and Albany, have relieved me from much anxiety on the score of provisions, with which I now hope the Troops will be better supplied. Exclusive of the extraordinary expenditures of provision, it has been so scandalously neglected at the several posts on its way up, that I shall sustain a considerable loss in the article of pork. Suspecting this, I ordered salt up before I left Saratoga, to save all that can be.

Mr. Mott of Connecticut has been appointed an Engineer by that Colony, with the rank of Colonel. What his abilities are in that way I know not, having as yet seen none of his works. I beg to know if his appointment is to be confirmed by Congress.

The only Troops from this Colony that have yet joined the Army, are those mentioned in the return I had the honour to send you, which were enlisted by order of the Albany Committee previous to the order of Congress for raising Troops in it.

The person I sent for to go to Canada is so lame that he cannot stir. I shall venture a letter with the Frenchman who brought me the intelligence I have given you, and despatch him to day.

There are such a variety of persons employed in providing these Troops, that they involve me in great difficulties. No less than fifty milch cows are sent up for the use of Colonel Hinman’s Regiment, (our working cattle and the fat cattle have hardly any feed, occasioned by the severest drought ever known in this country;) I have ordered them back to New-England as useless to the men, distressing to the service, and as what would be another source of uneasiness, if we should be joined by other Troops.

A set of people in this country, calling themselves a Committee-of-War, by what authority I know not, have taken Colonel Skene’s forge and farm into possession, under pretence of working it for the publick; but as it has turned out, to embezzle every thing. I have given orders for them to quit it, and to restore it to Colonel Skene’s agent, or overseer, that no disgrace may be brought on our cause by such lawless proceedings.

Since the return I had the honour of sending to you, eight batteaus, built on Lake George, have been brought here, each capable of carrying twenty men and twenty day’s; provisions.

I am, Sir, with the most sincere respect, your most obedient and most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Ticonderoga, July 21, 1775.

SIR: I am just favoured with a line from Governour Trumbull; the enclosed is part of what he writes me, and of what I have said on that subject to the Continental Congress.

It is not easy to conceive the difficulties I labour under for want of many of the articles contained in the estimate which I had the honour to deliver you on the 3d instant, especially for the intrenching tools and materials for building.

The swivel guns and the lead I find a sufficiency of here, you will therefore please to order these, if not already sent, to be stopped; instead thereof to add one ton of oakum, twenty barrels of pitch, ten lanterns, and two pair of fort colours. The truck carriages were to be sent provided they were ready made; as they are not, you will please to take no farther notice of them.

By a letter from Mr. Curtenius, of the 10th, I find be has delayed sending the oars, on account of the heavy expense of carriage; but even in that case they will come cheaper than to make them here by the workmen from New-York.

I am very anxious to have the New-York Troops with me. Their arrival will, therefore, afford me great satisfaction. I hope some are on their way up. I have appointed a very good man as a sutler to supply them here, who is now preparing for their reception. Too many of them are very disadvantageous to the soldiers, and destructive to the service.

Intelligence which I have received from Canada advises that a numerous body of Indians are there; that Governour Carleton attempted to engage them against us; that he believed he would have little success; that some of the young men inclined to take up the hatchet, but that the elderly opposed it; that the Canadians are averse to enter into the controversy, the noblesse and very lower order excepted.

I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

Peter V. Brugh Livingston, Esq.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Ticonderoga, July 21, 1775.

SIR: Your Honour’s letter of the 17th instant was delivered this morning. I shall immediately write on the subject of providing for the Troops to the New-York Congress, and enclose so much of your letter as relates to that subject. It gave me pain to learn that not less than fifty cows were driving up here, for the use of Colonel Hinman’s Regiment. Our working cattle are in a starving condition, the country being parched up by the excessive droughts, and such an additional number of cattle would destroy the little feed we have left, and be of very little use to the Troops. These would be sufficient reasons to order them back; but if grass was plenty here I would not wish to have them; troops from New-York are coming up, and such a discrimination in the allowance would create me much trouble. I am happy to find Colonel Hinman and several of his officers quite agree in sentiment with me. I am informed the cows are in good order, and that they may be soon made beef; I have, therefore, directed Major Sheldon, who, I understand, has charge of them, to put them into pasture Wherever he can get it, until he shall receive your Honour’s direction how to dispose of them.

It is much to be lamented that we are so totally unprepared to avail ourselves of the favourable disposition of the Canadians. I was in hopes to have found something done to enable the Troops to move, but every thing is wanted; I am destitute of every material for making the necessary preparations. I hope, however, in a little while, to make all obstacles vanish; much may be done when people set