GENERAL SULLIVAN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, May 14, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I this moment received from General Schuyler the enclosed melancholy account from Canada. In consequence of which, I am ordered to tarry with my brigade until the provisions are sent over; so that my departure from this place, which was to take place to-morrow, will not happen. All the brigade, except Dayton and Wayne’s, are gone on. Dayton was to have marched to-morrow morning, and Wayne, with his part of a regiment, on the next day. I am anxious to go forward, but cannot go beyond my orders; nor dare I attempt to return to York. I must content myself to remain in the centre of security till our provisions are passed over the Lake, when, perhaps, it will be too late to assist our distressed friends in Canada. I shall do everything in my power to assist in forwarding the provisions, and shall follow them as soon as possible.

I enclose your Excellency a copy of General Schuyler’s letter to me, which must be my direction till I have some directions from your Excellency. In the interim, I am, with much esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.

Fort George, May 13, 1776,

DEAR SIR: You will see by the enclosed (which after perusal you will seal and instantly forward) the dreadful situation of our troops in Canada. Agreeable to the request of the Commissioners, I have ordered your brigade to halt, as you will see by the orders which Captain Wendall carries. I wish you to march such of your brigade as may still be at Albany, except about two hundred men, to any convenient place a few miles on this side, where they may supply themselves with fuel, to save the immoderate expense their stay at Albany will occasion.

Pray visit the corps that are gone on, and give all the assistance possible to forward the provisions.

I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To General Sullivan.

P. S. As many of the intrenching tools are at Half-Moon or Stillwater, I wish the troops that have left Albany could be employed in repairing the roads.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Fort George, Monday, May 13, 1776—six o’clock, P. M.

DEAR SIR: This moment Colonel Weisenfels and Mr. Mercer arrived here with the melancholy intelligence contained in the enclosed copies of letters from the honourable the Commissioners of Congress in Canada, and General Arnold. I must of necessity comply with their request of halting the troops, otherwise those in Canada, under their present circumstances, must starve.

This event will cause such an alteration in the arrangement I have made, that I must haste to the communication below, not daring to confide so important a measure as the bringing on the provisions from Albany to any person.

Be assured, my dear General, that I shall do everything in my power to prevent the disaster a scarcity of provisions would occasion in Canada.

I am your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. Mr. Mercer is a merchant from Quebeck. He will soon be with your Excellency, and give you a minute detail. Pray order up lead, and provisions of the meat kind.

COMMISSIONERS TO CANADA TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Montreal, May 10, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Colonel Campbell arrived here early this morning from Quebeck. He informs that five ships of war arrived there last Monday, (the 6th,) about sunrise, viz: two large ships, two frigates, and a tender. The enemy made a sally on Monday, between ten and eleven o’clock, in a body supposed not to be less than a thousand. Our forces were so dispersed that not more than two hundred could be collected at Head-Quarters. In this situation, a retreat was inevitable, and made in the utmost precipitation and confusion, with the loss of our cannon on the batteries, provisions, five hundred stand of small-arms, and a batteau load of powder, going down with Colonel Allen. Colonel Campbell believes the loss of men inconsiderable, except the sick in the respective hospitals, amounting in the whole to about two hundred, so ill as not to be removed, who have fallen into the enemy’s hands.

Our Army are now on their way to the mouth of the Sorel, where they propose to make a stand. Colonel Greaton’s battalion is arrived there, and we expect the residue of the brigade, under the command of General Thompson, is arrived before this at St. Johns. From the present appearance of things, it is very probable we shall lie under the necessity of abandoning Canada, at least all except that part which lies on the Sorel. We may certainly keep possession of St. Johns until the enemy can bring up against that post a superior force, and an artillery to besiege it.

A further reinforcement will only increase our distress. An immediate supply of provisions from over the Lakes is absolutely necessary for the preservation of the troops already in this Province, as we shall be obliged to evacuate all this country, except that part of it already mentioned. No provisions can be drawn from Canada; the subsistence, therefore, of our Army will entirely depend on the supplies it can receive, and that immediately, from Ticonderoga.

We need not mention the propriety of immediately fitting out the vessels at that place to bring over provisions, and the sending off batteaus, and constructing more, for drawing the troops out of Canada, should we be constrained by superior force to take that measure, and in the interim to bring provisions. It is probable a considerable part of the batteaus now on the St. Lawrence will be destroyed, or fall into the enemy’s hands. We mention this circumstance to show the necessity of constructing more.

We can form no opinion of the force brought into Quebeck by the enemy. Colonel Campbell mentions that the information received at our camp before Quebeck was, that fifteen sail of ships were in the river, though only five were come up, as before-mentioned.

We received your favour of the 2d instant, directed to B. F.

We are, with great respect and regard, dear sir, your most obedient humble servants,

To General Schuyler.

COMMISSIONERS IN CANADA TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS

[Read May 18, 1776.]

Montreal, May 10, 1776.

SIR: By Colonel Campbell, who arrived here early this morning from Quebeck, we are informed that two men-of-war, two frigates, and one tender, arrived there early on Monday, the 6th instant. About eleven o’clock the enemy sallied out, to the number, as is supposed, of one thousand men. Our forces were so dispersed at different posts that not more than two hundred could be collected together at Head-Quarters. This small force could not resist the enemy. All our cannon, five hundred muskets, and about two hundred sick, unable to come off, have fallen into their hands. The retreat, or rather flight, was made with the utmost precipitation and confusion; however, Colonel Campbell informs us that he imagines we have lost very few men except the sick above mentioned. General Thomas was last Thursday evening at Deschambault. At a council of war it was determined, by eleven to three, to retreat to the mouth of the Sorel. This day General Arnold goes down there; and if he can get information of the enemy’s real strength, and it should be found inconsiderable, perhaps a council of war, on reconsideration, may think proper to march the Army back to Deschambault, which is now strengthened by Colonels Greaton’s, Burrell’s, and St. Clair’s Regiments.