the German Flats, that the Five Nations were coming down to cut them off, and to assure them that they were peaceable; and that the people of the German Flats had sent men to the Oneida nation, to inquire concerning the truth of the news they had heard upon which they were sent down. When they came down to Thompson’s, they found it was true that the Germans had fled, and were busy making a Fort at the German Flats.

They told the Germans, Have we not lately had a Council fire at the German Flats? therefore they should not give ear to any false reports, for they would always give notice of any bad news; and assured them that there was now no bad news; and the Five Nations were friendly, and that the head men were now gathered at a Council at Onondaga. They advised the people strongly not to credit any false reports, and that the people at the German Flats advised them to come down to this place and acquaint the great men here.

A true copy from the minutes:

JOHN BAY, Secretary.

Albany Committee Chamber, July 25, 1775.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Lebanon, July 28, 1775.

SIR: Your letter of the 21st is duly received. I am myself surprised at the information you give respecting the cows. On consideration of the circumstances you mention, I have wrote to Major Sheldon to stop their proceeding, and directed him to dispose of them in the best manner he can. When the provision of milk was ordered by this Colony for the use of its soldiers, our ideas extended no farther than their being employed near Boston. In a country like that, abounding with every necessary for diet, it was thought milk might be as easily procured as any other article, and might be for the health and benefit of the Troops. When the necessity of this case, with the particular circumstances attending it, is duly considered, I hope the want of this article among soldiers, who are each man contending for every thing that is dear and sacred to every individual, will occasion no murmuring or uneasiness.

I am unhappy to hear you are so unprepared to take benefit from any favourable dispositions of your Canadian neighbours; but I please myself with the confidence I have in your zeal, vigour, and activity, and with a hope that all obstacles will speedily be removed, and that a happy issue may soon attend your meditated enterprise.

I am, Sir, &c.

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

Major-General Schuyler.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Cambridge, July 28, 1775.

DEAR SIR: I wrote you yesterday by way of New-York, and in two hours afterwards was favoured with yours of the 15th and 18th instant, with their respective enclosures. I was extremely glad to find your first apprehensions of an incursion by the Indians in some degree removed by the later advices; at the same time, I think it is evident from the spirit and tenour of Colonel Johnson’s letter, that no art or influence will be left untried by him to engage them in such an enterprise. Should he once prevail upon them to dip their hands in blood, mutual hostilities will most probably ensue, and they may be led to take a more decisive part. All accounts, I think, agree, that the Canadians are not very active to engage in this unnatural contest; but I am persuaded you will not abate in the least your vigilance to expedite every movement in that quarter, notwithstanding their present pacifick appearances. I am much easier with respect to the publick interest since your arrival at Ticonderoga; as I am persuaded those abilities and that zeal for the common welfare, which have led your Country to repose such confidence in you, will be fully exerted. From my own experience, I can easily judge of your difficulties to introduce order and discipline into troops who have, from their infancy, imbibed ideas of the most contrary kind. It would be far beyond the compass of a letter for me to describe the situation of things here on my arrival; perhaps you will be only able to judge of it from my assuring you, that mine must be a portrait at full length of what you have had in miniature. Confusion and disorder reigned in every department, which in a little time must have ended either in the separation of the Army, or fatal contests with one another. The better genius of America has prevailed, and most happily, the Ministerial Troops have not availed themselves of these advantages, till I trust the opportunity is in a great measure past over. The arrangement of the General Officers in Massachusetts and Connecticut, has been very unpopular—indeed, I may say, injudicious; it is returned to Congress for farther consideration, and has much retarded my plan of discipline. However, we mend every day, and I flatter myself that in a little time we shall work up these raw materials into good stuff. I must recommend to you what I endeavour to practise myself—patience and perseverance. As to your operations, my dear Sir, I can suggest nothing which your own good judgment will not either anticipate or control from your own immediate view of things, and the instructions of the Continental Congress.

The express from hence to England, with the account of the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, has returned. It was far from making the impression generally expected here. Stocks fell but one-and-a-half per cent. General Gage’s accounts had not arrived, and the Ministry affected to treat it as a fiction. Parliament had been prorogued two days, but it was expected it would be immediately recalled. Our enemy continues strongly posted about a mile from us, both at Bunker’s Hill and Roxbury; but we are not able to get any information of their future intentions. Part of the Riflemen are come in, and the rest daily expected.

I did not expect your Returns would be very complete at first, but I must beg your attention to reforming them as soon as possible. And I beg leave to add, that I would have you scrutinize with exactness into the application of provisions and stores. I have the utmost reason to suspect irregularities and impositions here; you will be fortunate if the contagion does not reach you.

General Lee has removed about four miles from me; but I shall take the first opportunity to make your kind wishes known to him. Colonel Reed and Major Mifflin join me in their best wishes for your health and success.

I am, dear Sir, yours, &c.

GO. WASHINGTON.

To General Schuyler, Ticonderoga.

Enclosed is a copy of mine of yesterday, referred to in this.

COL. JOSEPH REED TO COLONEL BALDWIN, AT CHELSEA, ENCLOSING A LETTER FROM DR. CHURCH.

Head Quarters, July 28, 1775.

SIR: In full confidence of your prudence and secrecy as a soldier, a man of honour, and a friend to your Country, the General has directed me to communicate to you a scheme he is about to put in execution to obtain constant and authentick intelligence from Boston. The plan is this: the enclosed letter will be delivered by you to one Dewksbury, who lives about four miles from you towards Chesly Point; he will deliver it to a waterman, whom he can depend on, who will convey it to one John Carnes, a grocer, in the south part of Boston. The answers, and such intelligence as he can procure, will be forwarded to you through the same channel, which you are to transmit to his Excellency by express immediately. As the success of the project, and the life of the man in Boston, may depend upon your conduct, let it not escape you to the nearest friend on earth; and, for fear of accident, destroy this letter as soon as you are sufficiently master of its contents. When you see Dewksbury give him the above caution in the strongest terms, and so to pass from him to the other. Your good conduct and discretion in this matter will not fail to be duly noticed. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

J. REED, Secretary.

To Colonel Baldwin.

LOAMMI BALDWIN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Chelsea, July 28, 1775, half after 4 o’clock.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: Agreeable to your order, I send the following observation taken by the sentry posted upon Powderhorn Hill, from about seven o’clock, A. M., to two o’clock, P. M.: One ship gone out, three ships and two tenders coming in; about twelve boats from