disarmed, will amount to above six hundred. Not being satisfied with the ammunition, &c., delivered me by Sir John, I wrote him the following Letter:

"Cagnuage, January 21, 1776.

"SIR: Although it is a well-known fact that all the Scotch people that yesterday surrendered arms, had not broad-sword swhen they came to the country, yet many of them had, and most of them were possessed of dirks; and as none have been given up of either, I will charitably believe that it was rather inattention than a wilful omission. Whether it was the former or the latter must be ascertained by their immediate compliance or non-compliance with that part of the treaty which requires that all arms, of what kind soever, should be delivered up.

"After having been informed by you, at our first interview, that the Scotch people meant to defend themselves, I was not a little surprised that no ammunition was delivered up, and that you had none to furnish them with. These observations were immediately made by others as well as me. I was too apprehensive of the consequences which might have been fatal to those people, to take notice of it on the spot. I shall, however, expect an eclaircissement on this subject, and beg that you and Mr. McDonell will give it me as soon as may be.

"I am, gentlemen, with due respect, your humble servant,

"PHILIP SCHUYLER.

"To Sir John Johnson, Baronet."

And then marched back to this place. I have bad much anxiety, and an incredible deal of trouble to prevent so large a body of men, collected on a sudden, with little discipline, from running into excesses. I am, however, happy that nothing material has happened that can reflect disgrace on our cause,

I forgot to observe, that previous to my leaving this place, I had sent a message to the Mohawks, advising them of my intended march into the County of Tryon, and assuring them that no violence was intended them, copy of which, with copy of their answer, I enclose.

After I had finished in Tryon County, I despatched Mr. Deane, the Interpreter, with a speech and belt to the Six Nations.

Congress will perceive that my speeches are very crude and inaccurate; but, although at best incompetent, yet, at this time, I have another excuse from the hurry and confusion which the command of such a multitude must necessarily create. Indeed, I never had during the whole time, less than thirty people about me, nor was it possible to retire to any place where the same inconveniency would not have attended.

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

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

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Albany, January 23, 177G.

SIR: Your favour by Bennett, of the 20th instant, he delivered me yesterday. Since General Wooster's letter of the 5th instant, I have not heard a word from Canada, whence I conclude that our affairs are not in a worse condition than when the General wrote. Part of the troops which I directed Colonel Warner to raise, are already so far advanced that I believe they will reach St. John's today or to-morrow. I believe the whole under Colonel Warner's command will amount to about seven hundred; he thinks more. A regiment is also raising in the County of Berkshire, of about that number. Part of these, also, are already marched, and a regiment is on its way from Pennsylvania, and another from New-Jersey; the two last in consequence of my former application for troops to be sent to Canada; and I learn, with pleasure, that you are raising another.

I enclose your Honour a return of what arms and accoutrements were delivered into store by the troops raised in the Colony of Connecticut. I believe they are far short of your expectations, and they are very bad, as all those that had good arms refused to deliver them. They are chiefly at this place, undergoing repairs; so that, such of your men as may not be supplied, will be provided here, on their way up. I have taken every step, the confusion and hurry of business would allow me, to prepare for the march of these troops, and I believe they will not find the difficulties any thing like so great as are generally imagined. The Tories in Tryon County are disarmed, and disarming, to the number of between six and seven hundred. I have made six of the chiefs of the Highland clan of the McDonells prisoners, and six more are to be sent me of the ancient English, Dutch, and German inhabitants.

I wish that the accounts of whatever money may be advanced to the regiment, now raising with you, should be transmitted to the Paymaster-General, that the accounts may be regularly kept and the men paid off.

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq.

GENERAL LEE TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Stamford, January 23, 1776.

SIR: Yesterday, on the road, I had the honour of receiving yours, and ought to make you a thousand apologies for not having answered it immediately; but the circumstance of being on the road, together with the necessity of finishing some despatches to General Washington, and to the Continental Congress, rendered it almost impossible.

I should certainly, sir, have apprized you of my march, had I not concluded that you would have learnt it time enough from the Congress. The letter which I have from the General, directed to the Chairman of the Committee of Safety, I was ordered to deliver with my own hand.

With respect, sir, to the alarms of the inhabitants, on the suspicion that my business was to commence active hostilities against the men-of-war in your harbour, I can assure you that they may be perfectly easy—such never was the intention of the General, and I hope you will believe that I never entertained a thought of transgressing the letter of my instructions. The motive of the General for detaching me was solely to prevent the enemy from taking post in your city, or lodging themselves in Long-Island, which we have the greatest reason to think, sir, is their design. Some subordinate purposes were likewise to be executed, which are much more proper to be communicated by word of mouth than by writing; but I give you my word that no active service is proposed, as you seem to apprehend.

If the ships-of-war are quiet I shall be quiet, but I declare solemnly, that if they make a pretext of my presence to fire on the town, the first house set in flames by their guns shall be the funeral pile of some of their best friends; but I believe, sir, the inhabitants may rest in security on this subject.

I am convinced, and every man who considers a moment must be convinced, that the destruction of the seaport towns would, if possible, be a severer stroke to the Ministry, and their instruments, than to the inhabitants themselves. The seaport towns are the only holds they have on America; they are considered as the pledges of servitude; the menacing destruction to them may be of admirable use to them, but the real destruction of them must extinguish all hopes of success.

In compliance, sir, with your request, I shall only carry with me into town a force just strong enough to secure it against any designs of the enemy until it shall please the Continental Congress to take measures for its permanent security. The main body I shall leave on the western frontiers of Connecticut, according to your directions.

I hope, sir, and persuade myself, that the Committee and inhabitants can have no objection to this plan. If Mr. Tryon and the captains of the ships-of-war are to prescribe what numbers are, and what numbers are not to enter the town, they are absolute dictators to all intents and purposes. The condition is too humiliating for freemen to put up with.

You take pains to assure me, sir, that your Congress and Committee are not less zealous in the cause of American liberty, than any representative body on the Continent. I give you my word, sir, that this assurance was unnecessary. I am not one of those who have entertained a bad opinion of the virtue of New-York, or made it