Tory. My Privy Council informed me that it had the desired effect. The Whigs were fond of it, because, if it took effect, their point was carried, and no retreat could ever take place; the Tories were fond of it, because it held up the damned reconciliation they were seeking after.

Being well informed of my success, I thought it time to sound our Colonel. I sent for him. We conversed freely upon the matter of taking up Government. He owned the necessity of it, and said it would be carried into execution, at all events, at the meeting of their Convention. He informed me that almost every person began to see the necessity; and that the instructions then drawing up for their Delegates mentioned nothing about effecting a reconciliation, but to protect and defend America. When I found him in the true way to happiness, I dismissed him and attacked others. To Tories, I painted the evils attending their present state; to Whigs, I held up the advantage of seizing the precious moment. I soon found my party increase with surprising rapidity.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Colony of NEW-YORK.

The Petition of HENRY DAWKINS, a Prisoner now in custody, in behalf of an order from the said Congress, humbly showeth:

That your Petitioner, understanding that a certain Philip Youngs is apprehended on account of being concerned with your unfortunate Petitioner in counterfeiting the Continental and other money; in order to protect the innocent, feels bound, by all the ties of humanity and conscience, to declare that the said Philip Youngs hath never, directly or indirectly, been concerned in the aforesaid counterfeiting, printing, or passing of the said bills; and that all information on that account is absolutely groundless, as your Petitioner declared the same to Captain Wool, at the house of Nathaniel Williams, at Huntington, on the Sunday your Petitioner was apprehended. Your Petitioner therefore humbly hopes that the Congress will consider the matter, and discharge the said Philip Youngs from his confinement; which obligation shall ever be acknowledged by the Congress’s distressed, humble servant,

HENRY DAWKJNS.

Old City-Hall, May 3, 1776.

To Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq., President of the Provincial Congress of the Province of New- York.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read May 14, 1776. Referred to Mr. Livingston, Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. J. Adams.]

Fort George, May 3, 1776.

SIR: I am just now honoured with your favour of the 20th of April, enclosing sundry resolutions of Congress, which I shall minutely attend to, as far as I may be able.

The lead found at Crown-Point, I have been under the necessity of ordering to Canada. It did not exceed three tons and a half, and no more can be procured there. We have not ten pounds either in Albany, Ticonderoga, Crown-Point, or this place, and we should not be long left destitute of so necessary an article.

The want of money to pay our debts, the scarcity of forage, and the immense quantity of baggage with which our troops encumber themselves, are so many sources of inexpressible distress to me. I fear that, notwithstanding every possible exertion, the Army in Canada will suffer, as the pork comes very slowly from Albany. “The people in general,” as Mr. Livingston, in a letter of the 1st instant, observes, “are resolved not to ride until they are paid off. Some thousands are now owing to them, and they have not wherewith to purchase provender.” I shall hasten to Albany the moment I have seen General Thompson from hence, and I hope to meet with some better success in forwarding provisions, as I have requested Mr. Livingston to signify to the people that money is on the way from Philadelphia, which I hope may prove true.

I do not apprehend that there is any just foundation for the fears entertained by the people of New-Jersey. About one hundred and fifty Indians are now at Albany, and I cannot believe that any hostilities will be commenced by others while they remain there. The Senecas and Cayugas are not friendly; but I believe they will not act against us, from prudential motives, and I cannot think we have anything to fear from the others.

Mr. Douw is purchasing goods at Albany, for the Indians now there. It is absolutely necessary to be done, that they may go home well satisfied.

Some of the people mentioned in the affidavit I did myself the honour to transmit you in my last, have been apprehended and lodged in Jail at Albany. I cannot learn that they had much success in procuring adherents.

The Commissioners arrived at St. John’s on the 27th; and, on the 28th ultimo, twenty-four batteaus, with troops, &c., &c., had already arrived, and the others were momently expected. I believe the whole are now before Quebeck.

I have found myself under the necessity of building a number of batteaus, far exceeding what Congress ordered. One hundred and thirty are now built, and I propose to complete them to two hundred; but if more troops should be sent, even that number will be insufficient.

Commodore Douglass is not arrived, nor is a single sailor come up; so that I shall be obliged to send on the provisions in batteaus from hence to St. John’s; and for this arduous service, I have only seventy men of the troops raised for the defence of this Colony, the others being not yet come up, if raised, which I much doubt.

I am perfectly recovered of the ague, and hope to be able to endure any fatigue, and to go through any service I may be called to.

I am, with the most unfeigned respect and esteem, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Fort George, May 3, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Since I did myself the honour to address your Excellency, on the 27th ultimo, I have had no intelligence from Quebeck.

John Carroll, in a letter of the 28th April, dated at St. John’s, has advised me of the safe arrival of himself and his brothers, the Commissioners, at that place on the preceding day. He adds, that twenty-four batteaus, with troops, had already passed that place, and that the remainder were momently expected, as the wind was fair. It continued so the 29th and 30th, so that I have great reason to believe the whole, together with the heavy cannon, are arrived before Quebeck.

In hopes of a supply of ammunition from below, I sent on all that was here, and at every other post. Mr. Wisner, in a letter of the 29th April, informs me that I may immediately expect about three tons of powder. I will detain no more here than what may barely suffice, and send the rest on to Canada. Your Excellency will please to order some lead to be forwarded to me.

Colonels Greaton and Patterson’s Regiments are arrived at Ticonderoga; the former is to move thence to-day, and the latter to-morrow. Colonel Bond’s arrived here last evening, and crosses Lake George to-day. Colonel Poor’s, which I expect to-morrow, will not be detained a moment. I shall attend General Thompson to Ticonderoga, and arrange matters in that quarter, and then hasten to Albany, to push on pork, which comes on very slowly, as the wagoners refuse to ride until they are paid off, and we have not a farthing of money. I have written to Philadelphia for it, but I fear the service will suffer before I can procure it from thence. Is it not possible to send some from the military chest with you?

Besides several deserters which we have in custody, Captain Romans and some of his men are expected here, against whom heavy and numerous complaints are lodged by the inhabitants, and I fear too well founded. On the former, I am under the necessity of ordering Courts-Martial to sit, although I know it is not strictly military, whilst your Excellency is in this Department; but the occasion, I hope, will excuse me with you. I wish some direction for my future conduct in such cases.

Our Army in Canada will expend near fifty barrels of pork per day; and before any fresh provisions can be procured there, it will be necessary to send seven thousand barrels of pork, which they will expend.