sion granted me, and make no scruple, but shall, in a fort-night, have my full complement of men. And if the honourable Congress shall be compliant to my entreaty, my country shall find me a strenuous supporter of its privileges.

ABRAHAM GODWIN.

To the Honourable New-York Congress.

EGBERT DUMOND TO JOHN McKESSON.

Kingston, February 13, 1770.

SIR: I am sorry to hear of the alarm at present in your city, which, beyond all doubt, must be the ruin of the place, occasioned by those rascally tories amongst us, and make no doubt but they will receive their just reward. You remember when I was in Congress last Summer, Colonel Clinton insisted on me to accept of being Lieutenant-Colonel in his regiment; my business, of being Sheriff, would not admit of my going. As I am determined, if any offers of that kind are now offered, I shall have no objections to go and defend the liberties of my country, wherever they please to order m, I need not semi any recommendations to the gentlemen of the Congress, as most part of them are well acquainted with my abilities, and my attachment to the cause of liberty, which we are now contending for. This winter, being in Philadelphia, was asked by some of the Delegates there, and told them, I had no objections. Please to mention it to Mr. Jay, and the rest of the gentlemen of your acquaintance, and especially those of Albany, Schenectady, and Tryon, and Col. Ten Broeck, of Dutchess, and shall be obliged to you for your aid in this affair, provided it is consistent with your duty. Beg a few lines from you. Excuse haste. I am, dear sir, yours, &c.

EGBERT DUMOND.

To John McKesson, Esq., at New-York.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read February 21, 1776 ]

Albany, February 13, 1776.

SIR: Mr. Macarty, who is just arrived from Canada, delivered me the enclosed. He is capable of giving information to Congress which has confirmed me in my opinion of the necessity of sending, immediately, a Committee into Canada.

The New-York Congress have sent me twelve thousand five hundred dollars, to raise a regiment in this quarter, for the Canada service. I have already too much business on my hands, without this addition; but as the General Committee of this County meet on Thursday, I will lay the request before them, and if they think it can be complied with, I will do my endeavours.

I have an infinity of trouble with those people to whom I promised a bounty to march into Canada. Enclose a Copy of a letter which I yesterday delivered Colonel Warner. I hope what I have there recommended will meet with the approbation of Congress. If he should be able to form a regiment out of the people mentioned, the number of troops in Canada will, notwithstanding, be less than what Congress intended, as two regiments cannot, by any means, be raised out of the other troops now in Canada. It will, besides, save a very considerable expense, which must necessarily accrue by his men coming away, and others being sent in lieu.

Yesterday, near thirty Oneidas and Mohawks called upon and delivered me a speech; part of it relates to Butler, who is holding a Council at Niagara. They pretend that he may do mischief there, and asked my leave to go and bring him home. I suspect he has failed in his attempts upon the Indians, and that he and his friends have fallen on this method, that he may return with safety to his family in the Mohawk's country. I am not yet determined what answer to give them; at any rate, if lie is permitted to come home, we must have some better security than his own word.

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

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

P. S. I am informed that the merchants from this place, who are gone to Canada, will certainly bring a considerable quantity of nails from there. I had thoughts of sending for a supply from thence; but, reflecting that hard cash was so difficult to be got, I think it best, upon the whole, to purchase them from the merchants, when they arrive here, although they will come higher. I shall, however, take care that I may not be disappointed in getting them, by immediately writing to General Wooster on the subject.

Yours, &c. &c.,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

Point-aux-Fer, February 7, 1776.

DEAR SIR: As so much depends upon immediate relief in Canada, and a proper arrangement in Canada to carry those intentions into execution, I cannot help being greatly alarmed and much shocked, to hear of the great confusion and irregularity now at Montreal. For particulars, refer you to Mr. Macarty, the bearer, who is a friend to the cause, and may be depended on. Unless those things are put upon a better footing, men's reputations in the service, as well as the service itself, will greatly suffer, and the Canadians will form an indifferent opinion of us.

Colonel Hazen requests me to mention this matter, and am, with respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

EDWARD ANTILL.

To General Schuyler.

Albany, February 12, 1776.

SIR: As many of the men that you raised, in consequence of my orders of the 14th January last, were not marched by the 1st February, and as I informed you, in my letter of the 25th ultimo, that I would not allow any bounty except to such as were marched by that day, and as you now inform me, that many more are marched than what you have received the bounty for, I will supply you with a further sum, on condition that such as were not marched by the first February, but are since marched, do engage to remain in the service, in Canada, or procure others in their stead, for the ensuing campaign, unless sooner discharged. You are, therefore, to make me a return of the names of all such men as were marched before the first day of February, and, also, another return of all such men as are since marched.

As soon as you arrive in Canada, you will try what number of men you can get to remain in Canada, out of those you have sent, and send me their names. All such as will remain for the campaign, you will form into companies, agreeable to the Continental regulations. If any of the men that are gone under Major Cady, will remain, you are also to send me a separate list of them. Perhaps there may be a sufficient number out of both corps to form a regiment. These returns should be sent me immediately, that I may not be at a loss to arrange the Army. I am, &c.

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Lieutenant-Colonel Warner.

GENERAL WOOSTER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read March 4, 1776.]

Montreal, February 13, 1776.

SIR: Since writing the letter to Congress enclosed with this, I have been considering of the force intended by Congress to be sent into this country. Perhaps I may be mistaken, but I cannot but be of opinion that the Ministry will send a great force into this Province in the Spring, and our every thing depends upon our having a force upon the spot superior to them. In that case we shall keep the Canadians in our interest, otherwise we may depend upon their being our enemies. They will think it necessary to exert themselves against us, in order to make their peace with their former masters. I need not mention to you the almost infinite importance of keeping this Province. Mr. Walker and Mr. Price will tell you what dependance is to be placed in the Canadians. I could wish that ten thousand men might be pushed into this country, by the first of May, which will be a respectable army. Much depends upon the good or ill success of the first encounter, should there be any. I hope, sir, that vigorous exertions for keeping this Province will be properly represented to Congress. Quebeck must be taken before May; yet we have neither proper artillery nor ammunition; however, a sufficient number of men of resolution, I hope, will effect it.