last night. In consequence of which, I ordered five tons of the powder, destined for Cambridge, to proceed immediately, and the rest to follow as soon as it could be shifted into proper barrels, which would have been accomplished to-morrow, and sent forward; but on this intelligence from General Washington, and a message which this express brings from Colonel Mifflin, that everything on the road to the camp at Cambridge be stopped, and sent to this place, I have ordered the whole eleven tons of powder to be stored here.

You may depend, sir, that General Howe at first intended a feint, with hopes of preventing General Washington possessing himself of the Heights of Dorchester; and finding the bait did not take, the distress of his Army, and his uneasy situation after that post was secured, has obliged him, in the utmost hurry and confusion, to make a real embarkation of his Army. I have written a free letter to General Lee on our situation here, which, with the other from General Washington to him, (after the Congress has perused them,) you will be so good as to forward to him, if he has left Philadelphia.

I would now go into a more particular detail of matters, but the hurry of business renders it impossible. I will, at every moment’s leisure, communicate to you whatever may be of consequence.

I am, dear sir, your most humble servant,

STIRLING.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read March 29, 1776.]

Albany, March 19, 1776.

SIR: I do myself the honour to transmit you a copy of a letter, dated 5th March, from General Wooster, which I yesterday received. It is far from being improbable that the enemy have in contemplation the plan he mentions. His being aware of it will, I hope, put it in his power to render it abortive.

Colonel Warner’s conduct, in making me a return, on the 12th of February, of seven hundred and thirty-six men being engaged by him, and on which I founded a warrant for advancing pay, (a copy whereof I enclosed you in mine of the 13th ultimo,) is extremely outré, when only four hundred and seventeen were arrived on the 5th instant.

On Saturday, the 16th instant, two sloops arrived here; but that with the heavy cannon and shot is not yet come up, although I desired that she might be brought up as far as the ice would permit, to take the advantage of the first fair wind after the river opened.

The whole of the batteaus I was ordered to build will be finished in eight days, as far as they can be for want of pitch and oakum, which is not yet arrived from New-York. I have, however, a sufficiency to transport the troops now here.

I have been so continually crowded with business, that I have not had time to copy the proceedings of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs till lately, and now enclose them. I have taken no notice of the numerous meetings I have had with small parties of Indians, as they came only on begging errands. The Six Nations have sent us word that they will soon be down. They always expect presents on such occasions, but we have nothing to give them.

The Indian Department engrosses so much of the time of the acting Commissioners, that a Secretary is absolutely necessary. Should Congress be pleased to make the appointment, they will permit me to recommend Mr. Robert Yates, a gentleman in whom are happily combined great good sense, a facility in doing business, a most consummate virtue, a steady friend to the cause of America, and to whose exertions in this quarter the publick are much indebted. He has the honour to be known to most of the Delegates from this Colony.

March 20.—I have this moment received another letter from General Wooster, of the 13th instant, a copy whereof (No. 2) I also enclose. I am well convinced that General Wooster has sufficient employment in the military branch. The civil also requires great attention, in the present critical state of Canada; and I fear the most fatal consequences, if an immediate attention is not paid to it. This induces me to repeat my former request, that a Committee of Congress may be sent.

Sir John Johnson was this day in town, agreeable to my request; but his accusers did not appear. He avows that he has reported that the Indians have thrown out threats that they would fall upon us; and says it is notorious to many of our friends in the County of Tryon that they have repeatedly done it.

I am just now informed that the Indians are already on their way to this place to hold a conference with us. We shall be greatly distressed, as we have nothing to give them.

The heavy cannon arrived this morning, and they will be moved with all possible despatch to Fort George, and from thence as soon as the lakes are passable. Not a sailor for vessels, nor any artillery companies, are yet arrived here.

I have been under the necessity of repairing the old Hospital in this city to lodge the troops. Several of the men are down with the small-pox. I have had them removed to a distance from town.

Apprehensive that difficulties would arise in transporting the cannon and military stores from hence by land, at this season of the year, when the roads are almost impassable, and frequently overflowed between this and Fort Edward, I caused ten batteaus to be built; and happy it is, as the waters are now out, and many parts of the road rendered thereby impassable. In the transportation of these stores only, considerable more than the cost of the batteaus will be saved, even if the water had not rendered the roads useless; they being so very deep that carriages, at the very utmost, can carry only half loads. I hope to be able to venture a ride to Fort George by the time the cannon are moving from here, that they may not be retarded on the way, or on their arrival at that place, should the lakes be open.

If no sailors come up in time, I will man a sufficient number of the vessels with men from the troops for the present occasion.

I am, sir, most respectfully and sincerely, your most obedient and very humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

Hon. John Hancock.

Montreal, March 5, 1776.

SIR: Your favours, with the cash by Mr. Benson, came safe to hand this day at a time when greatly wanted; what we had being almost entirely expended. Whether I shall be able to borrow money of the merchants upon the plan you propose or not, I cannot yet tell. I have consulted Mr. Henry upon the subject. I think him as likely to succeed in the business as any person I can employ; yet I imagine it doubtful whether he succeeds or not, as Very few, if any, of the merchants have any remittance to make in the Colonies, and, in general, they are not disposed to assist us, when it can be avoided.

I am happy at the arrival of the Commissaries, and shall, with pleasure, publish your orders concerning that branch of business. I have no doubt but there have been many abuses, and, I fear, not a few embezzlements. I have attempted several times to make an inquiry thoroughly into the conduct of the different Commissaries; but our critical situation, and the various different kinds of business which were absolutely necessary to attend to, have prevented my taking such measures as I could have wished. There was a considerable quantity of provisions left at St. John’s, and taken in the fleet; a part of what was taken in the fleet was carried in the vessels, and has since been sent to Quebeck. There has been a number of poor families who suffered greatly about St. John’s, and a number of prisoners in the town, who have been supplied with provisions through the winter; yet I cannot but think the consumption has been greater than it ought to be. Your orders, I hope, will prevent any further waste of provisions. The cost of transporting pork across the lakes is greater than I imagined. I hope the four hundred barrels, with what we have in hand, and what can be procured here, will be sufficient for us until the lakes open. I have sent Lieutenant Johnson, of the train, to St. John’s, to forward some of the cannon and artillery stores from that place to Quebeck; a part of which have already been sent. I hope that whatever you send from Ticonderogo will arrive in a few days, or I fear the passing from this to Quebeck will be difficult. I have been very careful to take returns of all the troops, as they arrive from the Colonies. Of Colonel Warner’s Regiment, which, he tells