of a full-empowered Committee immediately to repair to this place.

Whilst I was preparing to carry into execution the resolutions of Congress respecting Tryon County, I received the two enclosed papers, marked Tryon. We have had a corroboration of these accounts, and I propose to march from hence with what of Militia I can collect; perhaps I shall something exceed the Tories in number, who, we are informed, are about seven hundred. They have cannon; we have none, and we have a very small quantity of powder. I hope, however, to give a good account of them.

The garrison of Ticonderoga leave it on Tuesday. I have only twenty men as yet arrived, of all the recruiting parties I have sent out; these, I suppose, reached Fort-George on the 11th. On the 12th I ordered them back, to aid me to carry into execution the resolution of Congress transmitted me by Mr. Tilghman. I shall send an express to countermand my orders, and to send them on to Ticonderoga.

The hurry I am in will apologize for my not answering your letter sent me by Mr. Tilghman and the other gentlemen, which I must defer to an hour less encumbered than the present.

If any troops can be spared from Jersey, entreat Congress to send them up, that Ticonderoga may have a garrison.

The money arrived yesterday, and goes off to-morrow.

I am, sir, most sincerely, your obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. Captain Hazen has stood our friend in the con test. He has been a great sufferer on the occasion; his house and furniture, I have understood, were destroyed by our troops and the Canadians, and that all his stock of cattle were killed and used by our people. If Congress means to recompense him, perhaps it would be best to have the damage ascertained by a Court of Inquiry. I mention this, lest he should be referred to me, without, at the same time, a mode of liquidating his loss should be prescribed.

TRYON COUNTY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE TO MAJOR-GENERAL SCHCYLER.

Tryon County Committee Chamber,

January 11, 1776.

HONOURABLE SIR: We have intelligence, by an inhabitant of Kingsborough, (as by the enclosed copies of affidavits will at large appear,) that inimical preparations are undertaking against the friends of the American cause in Johnstown, and, also, an ambuscade being in wait in the woods not very distant from Kingsborough, so that they may be warned to approach, and to attack with cannon-shot; to which, yet, should join the several friends of the Government within our country. We immediately, upon this information, ordered sufficient scouting parties, to spy out whether any such malicious schemes were enterprised. But, in case to be certain, you must see us in such a de fenceless situation that we hardly can resist, much less destroy, such enemies, for the utmost want of powder. We, therefore, resolved, at our Board, to apply, in such remarkable need, to your Honour, begging that you will please to take these, our distressed condition, into kind con sideration, and to succour us, as soon as possible, with such ammunition, and, also, with men, if need should require. Relying on your particular zeal for our country's cause, we do not doubt you will grant our request to the safety of our country and the real friends of its liberties.

You will be pleased to favour us with your opinion, in this important matter, with despatch; remaining, with much respect, honourable sir, your obedient, humble servants,

By order of the Committee:

ISAAC PARIS, Chairman.

P. S. It is our opinion that we cannot expect much success against such enemies in Johnstown without cannon, as they are provided there alike. Pray order two or three of nine-pounders to be sent to our use for that purpose. This moment, being about one o'clock, after midnight, arrived at our House of Convention, Colonel Frederick Vischer, of the Mohawk District, and informs us, that he as acquainted, of a credible person living in Johnstown, that there are now about six or seven hundred men ready, under arms, in Johnstown, upon some inimical intent, with out doubt.

ISAAC PARIS, Chairman.

To Major-General Schuyler.

AFFIDAVIT OF JONATHAN FRENCH.

Tryon County, N. Y., Committee Chamber,

January 11, 1776.

Jonathan French, Jr., of Kingsborough, appeareth, and informeth this Board, under oath, that he heard of a certain woman, being the wife of an inhabitant near to Johnston-Hall, (which said woman wishes the country well, on condition of not being discovered of her intelligence,) that there was a fort to be built about said Hall; and the friends on the King's side shall be notified of this plan laid by Sir John; and about three hundred Indians (of what nation she does not know) are lying in ambush, so nigh that they can be warned with a cannon shot. Within a fortnight's time, (whereof a part of the time is already past,) the fort aforesaid shall be ready, and the Scotch people of Skenesborough shall partly defend the said fort and partly join the aforesaid Indians, and the King's friends shall be invited to join.

When all be ready, there shall be communication made to the country, or, rather, to the Committee of this County; and, upon the moving of the Whigs and attacking Johns town, the Indians shall surround them, and fall, in company with the Scotch people and the Government's friends in the country, upon the said friends of liberty, and de stroy not only those, but, also, all the rest of the inhabitants of the country, being on the country's side, entirely; as, besides, they live in hopes that some of the Six-Nations will join and assist them in their schemes.

Further the deponent informs, for certainty, that one Daniel Russell, of Kingsborough, is sent abroad, with a flag and the best pair of horses of Sir John Johnston, to inlist people on their (the King's) side, but nobody, at large, knows where he is gone.

Also, there are, already, some stockades rid, to his knowledge, for the above-mentioned fort, and the Scotch people shall be employed to cut all the said stockades wanting. And further saith not.

A true copy.

JQHN EISENLORD, Clerk.

JAMES PRICE TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Montreal, January 5, 1776.

SIR: The bearer, my good friend Mr. Antill, will ac quaint you with the situation of the Army here, and the late unhappy affair at Quebeck, in which the brave General Montgomery fell; this was owing to the ill-timed ad vice of a person from Quebeck. Mr. Antill's extensive knowledge of this country gives him the advantage of any body that can be sent from hence, and will be of infinite service to the Congress, in making them thoroughly acquainted with the minds of the Canadians in general, as well as what steps will be necessary for securing this Province and uniting it to the other Colonies. He joined the General on his arrival before Quebeck, and continued with him until he fell, rendering every service in his power.

I fear the Army here will be in great want of cash; our house has advanced them, since their arrival here, up wards of twenty thousand pounds. We are now almost out of that article, and am sorry to say I do not find any of the merchants here willing to lend; however, I hope this inconvenience will be remedied by a speedy supply from the Treasury below; in the mean time, I shall do every thing in my power for the support of the Continental Army.

Have not to add, but am, respectfully, sir, your most humble servant,

JAMES PRICE.

To Major-General Schuyler, &c.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Montreal, January 5, 1776.

SIR: The enclosed letters from Colonel Arnold and Colonel Campbell will inform you of the unhappy fate of our brave and most amiable friend, General Montgomery, who, with his Aid-de-camp Macpherson, Captain Cheese-