for him to pursue, in order to complete the wishes of his superiors. Unfortunately for me, I have seldom, very seldom indeed, had half an hour to myself in any period of this campaign. Judge of my situation at this moment. General Wooster’s Regiment, detained here for three days by violent gales and heavy rains, are now in doubt whether they will proceed to the Army at St. John’s. The General’s Secretary and his Chaplain inform me, that many of the officers and most of the men apprehend being detained in Canada all winter; that they may be prevented by frost from returning; that they will perish with cold or with sickness; that if the Army should be under the necessity of retreating from St. John’s, many must fall a sacrifice to the enemy, as there will not be boats sufficient to bring them away (although we really have craft sufficient for a thousand more than the Army consists of;) that none but the General, his Secretary and Chaplain, have any inclination to proceed. The weather is now clearing, the wind favourable, and I wait in the most distressing anxiety for the morrow to see the event.

I shall despatch a copy of your letter to General Montgomery, for him to execute such of the orders it contains as relate to the affairs of Canada, &c. I am happy that Congress has so just a sense of that gentleman’s abilities and zeal. His being in this Army has been the source of vast consolation to me. I hope his health will be continued to him, that he may be enabled to support that variety of fatigue, both of mind and body, to which he is every moment exposed.

Were it possible to foresee the result of our operations at St. John’s, I should be able to determine if it was necessary to build any vessels of war on Lake Champlain; at present I am at a loss what to do; but lest any detriment should arise to the publick from the dilemma I am in, if it is the intention of Congress to prepare timber for constructing such vessels, without waiting the event of our operations, the difference of time it will take in my sending to New-York for carpenters, or Congress sending there on receipt of this, and ordering them up, cannot be much; permit me, however, to observe, that all that can be done this fall will be to hew the timber, and prepare roads to draw it out in winter, so that the shipwrights may begin their work in April. I say this is all that can be done, for no plank are to be had here; and if there was, winter is so severe in this latitude that no building can be carried on.

If the ton of powder mentioned in your letter should be sent here, it will be vastly short of what this garrison and Fort George ought to have, should we be unfortunate at St. John’s; should we succeed, a vastly greater quantity will be wanted in Canada.

Congress mentions a garrison for Crown Point. I suppose that is founded on a supposition that there is a fortification at that place, whereas in fact there is none. It may be possible this fall to enclose the barracks with a picket; but that is the most that can be done, and very much indeed is wanted here more (unless Canada should be ours) than can be at any rate completed this campaign.

Sunday, October 22d.—The wind, at south, is so violent that no boat can cross from this to Fort George. I therefore detain the express.

One o’clock.—General Wooster’s Regiment is just sailed. They are gone with the greatest reluctance. The Parson has been indefatigable to persuade them to move. They consist of three hundred and thirty-five, officers included; ninety-eight having returned home, discharged between Albany and Fort George, and fifty-one sick and sham sick are left here.

There are still many more cannon here that can be mounted. I propose sending the spare ones to Fort George, unless Congress should disapprove of it.

I had forgot to observe, that in the order of Congress, which directs me to consult with my principal officers as to the number of troops, and the best method of procuring what will be necessary for the defence of Canada, should we obtain it, and for the posts of Crown Point and Ticondcroga, nothing is said of the pay; whence I conclude that their intention is, that it should remain as at present. But I really believe that many officers will refuse to remain in the service on account of the pay, which is so small that they cannot subsist upon it like gentlemen.

October 25.—I beg leave to remind Congress of the necessity of an immediate attention to what I said in mine of the 5th instant, respecting the paying of the troops, at least so far as concerns those who are willing to receive the Continental pay here, or at such places where they may be discharged or re-enlist. When soldiers find that they must return home without their pay, or are not paid off when asked to re-enlist, they will seldom re-enlist in the service, for the suspicions of men are very much in proportion to their ignorance. And I assure you that many are now discharged, naked and penniless, who may have money due to them, and which I would readily take the trouble to pay or cause to be paid, if I could ascertain what was their due. Some who are discharged are now offering their wages for two-thirds of it.

October 26, two o’clock, P. M,—This moment an express arrived from General Montgomery. Copy of his letter, and the papers enclosed in it, I do myself the honour to transmit you. Although I lament the necessity that has drove us to arms, I must congratulate you on this success of the American arms, and on the prospect there is of more. I shall send the prisoners as soon as they arrive here to Albany, the men from thence to Connecticut, and the officers either to that Colony, New-Jersey, or Pennsylvania, as they may choose, unless I should receive your orders in time to the contrary. I will not detain the express a moment, and therefore shall only add that I remain, with great respect and esteem, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., &c.

P. S. I also send the colours taken at Chambly.

GENERAL MONTGOMERY TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Camp before St. John’s, October 20, 1775.

DEAR GENERAL: I have the pleasure to acquaint you with the surrender of Chambly to Major Brown and Major Livingston, which last headed about three hundred Canadians. We had not above fifty of our troops. Indeed it was the plan of the Canadians, who carried down the artillery past the Fort of St. John’s, in batteaus. I send you the colours of the Seventh Regiment, and a list of stores taken. Major Brown assures me we have gotten six tons of powder, which, with the blessing of God, will finish our business here. Major Brown offered his service on this occasion: upon this and all other occasions I have found him active and intelligent.

The enemy’s schooner is sunk. They have not been very anxious to save her, else they might easily have protracted her fate. I must now think, unless some unlucky accident befalls us, we shall accomplish our business here, as I shall set to work in earnest on this side the water. The troops in high spirits. Colonel Warner has had a little brush with a party from Montreal. The enemy retired with the loss of five prisoners and some killed. Some of the prisoners ( Canadians ) are dangerous enemies, and must be taken care of— La Mouche, one of them. The Caughnawagas have desired one hundred men from us. I have complied with their request, and am glad to find they put so much confidence in us, and are so much afraid of Mr. Carlelon; not that I think they had any thing to apprehend; he has too much business on his hands already to wish to make more enemies.

I shall endeavour, by means of the Chambly garrison, to obtain better treatment for Allen and the other prisoners, as well Canadians as our own troops.

I shall send off the prisoners as soon as possible. Their number of women and quantity of baggage is astonishing. Be so good as to let Captain Willet return with his company immediately if it can be done. He conducts the prisoners.

The commanding officer at St. John’s has been so polite as to let our batteaus pass to the head of the rapids, in order to take in the baggage of the Chambly garrison. He behaved very genteelly to Lieutenant Lockwood, of Waterbury’s, who went in with the request from Major Stopford. The Major is a man of family in Ireland, But one man killed since my last. Let us have rum, my dear General, else we shall never be able to go through our business.

I am much chagrined at your relapse; that you may