GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE COMMITTEE OF ALBANY.

Ticondecroga, November 18, 1775.

SIR; You will please communicate to the Committee of the City and County of Albany the further success of our arms. General Montgomery possessed himself of Montreal on the 13th instant. Colonel Arnold is arrived at Quebeck; so that in all probability the entire possession of Canada, as formerly limited, will be in our possession soon, if not already; events which, I hope, will have a tendency to bring the Ministry of our Sovereign to reasonable terms.

That Heaven may again, and speedily, reunite us in every bond of affection and interest; that the British Empire may become the envy and admiration of the universe, and flourish until the omnipotent Master thereof shall be pleased to put his fiat on all earthly empires, is the sincere wish of yours, &c.

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Committee of Albany.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read November 29, 1775.]

Ticonderoga, November 18, 1775.

SIR: I do myself the honour to congratulate Congress on the reduction of Montreal. I enclose the copy of the terms the inhabitants wished to have, and of General Montgomery’s answer, together with copies of sundry letters from Mr. Brook Watson, “whose zeal (as General Montgomery, en badinage, expresses himself) is only to be equalled by his sincerity.”

General Carleton took the advantage of a favourable wind to go down the St. Lawrence the evening before General Montgomery arrived. He took with him his garrison, on board of ten or eleven small craft, reserved for that purpose, and to carry away the powder and other important stores. General Montgomery is nevertheless in hopes of possessing himself of the powder. I am sure no diligence will be wanting on his part to eflect it.

“By intercepted letter, I find (says our General) that Colonel Arnold is certainly arrived in the neighbourhood of Quebeck. That those who are mimical to our cause are exceedingly alarmed, and expect to be besieged;” which (he assures me) they will be if the severe season holds off, and he can prevail on the troops to accompany him. He adds:

“The Lizard, man-of-war, is arrived at Quebeck, with twenty thousand Pounds and one hundred marines. They have had some other little re-enforcements and recruits from Colonel Maclean’s Regiment, called the Emigrants, which, together with artificers and sailors, may amount in all to four hundred and fifty men.

“One of the brigs which sailed some time since from England, is arrived with clothing and arms.

“I can’t help feeling great uneasiness till I know the determination of the troops with respect to engaging for six months longer. I was obliged to promise all such their dismission as chose it. I make no doubt of retaining the ground already gotten; but it is of the utmost importance to finish this business at once, that the Ministry may have no hopes left of carrying on their plan in this important quarter. At any rate, it will be highly expedient to throw in a large body of troops, as soon as the ice will bear, in order to make a vigorous attack on Quebeck before the arrival of succours in the spring, should it not fall into our hands this winter; but should this instance of good fortune crown our labours, some advantageous post must be chosen below Quebeck, where a large corps of troops, strongly posted, a boom over a narrow channel, and floating batteries, may baffle all attempts from Europe. I am told a difficult pass, termed the Traverse, will answer this purpose. I shall clothe the troops completely who engage again.

“I find, with pleasure, that my politicks have squared with the views of Congress, and shall lose no time in calling a Convention, when my intended expedition is finished.

“Will not your health permit you to reside at Montreal this winter? I must go home, if I walk by the side of the lake. I am weary of power, and totally want that patience and temper requisite to such a command.”

It is impossible, Sir, to conceive the variety of difficulties he has had to encounter. Prudence forbids me to be particular, and I am not at all surprised at the last declaration of his. My sentiments, on this head, exactly coincide with his, and so must those of every man of sentiment, who is drove to the necessity of wheedling, coaxing, and even lying, as we have both been under the necessity of doing, in order to carry on the service. I shall, however, do every thing in my power to put a finishing stroke to the campaign, and make the best arrangement in my power in order to ensure success to the next; this done, I must beg leave to retire. In a. gentleman of General Montgomery’s abilities, the Colonies will sustain an essential loss; it is, however, a consolation that you have many other able and experienced commanders. Permit me to suggest that it would be highly proper to determine on one to command in Canada, should he come away.

Since your letter of the 12th ultimo, I have not been honoured with a line from Congress. I am consequently without their determination on that part of mine of the 5th of October, which relates to the payment of the troops, and which I again mentioned in mine of the 21st and 22d— a matter of much more moment than at first view it appears to be; for unless the mode of paying the troops, which I then pointed out, or something similar to it, be adopted, not only a very considerable sum of money will be lost to the publick, but the troops cannot be paid off.

I am unhappy to find the apprehensions I expressed in a letter of the 20th ult., that few of the troops to the northward would re-engage, is on the point of being realized. They have such an intemperate desire to return home, that nothing can equal it.

As our paper currency will not pass in Canada, there will be an absolute necessity of sending a very considerable sum in specie; for if the Canadians should entertain an opinion of our inability in point of cash, I fear they will not adhere to us with that firmness we could wish; especially as they will be informed of the intended emoluments of the Ministry in their favour.

I have sent Captain Curtis, of Colonel Hinman’s Regiment, (who is the only officer of that Regiment, as yet returned, willing to remain in the service,) to recruit. Enclose you copy of my orders to him; necessity, occasioned by the impossibility of hearing from Congress in time, as the season is so far advanced, must be my apology for this measure, which, I conceived, could not be dispensed with.

I have given the like orders to Captain Mills and Captain Rosekrans, of Colonel Holme’s Regiment, proposing to raise four Companies of seventy-five men, officers included, for this post and Fort George, as those works, which I proposed in my last, cannot be carried on without this number of men, and even more.

I send on Captain Livingston, (who brought me General Montgomery’s despatches, with these,) a gentlemen whose alertness and zeal has caused him to be distinguished in the Army.

I have a variety of regulations in contemplation, but time does not permit me to communicate them; and, indeed, I believe it will not be necessary that I should, as I hope to be honoured with a Committee of Congress.

I am, Sir, with the must profound respect to Congress and to you, your most obedient and most humble servant.

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

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

P. S. I have ordered the Commissary-General to purchase a thousand barrels of pork, and three thousand bushels of salt, and to get it at Albany, if possible, before the navigation of Hudson’s River ceases for this year, that it may be brought up to Fort George in the course of the winter. I durst not venture to order up a greater quantity of salt, although I think much more should be sent, lest the intercourse between Albany and New-York should be cut off by the ships of war. This appears to me a very capital matter; for without that necessary article, it will be with the utmost difficulty that an Army can be supported in this quarter.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF MONTREAL.

November 12, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: My anxiety for the fate of Montreal induces me to request that you will exert yourselves among the inhabitants to prevail on them to enter into such measures