respect to the Canada route, I conceive, sir, that yourself will be the most proper person to prevent the success of such a measure. Lest the intelligence I have received should prove false, and Sir John and party should still be lurking in the woods, I have thought it advisable, with the advice of several members of the Committee of the Mohawk District, and of Mr. Duer, to take possession of Johnson-Hall, in order to cut off the communication of provisions and intelligence from that quarter to Sir John’s party.

I have published a proclamation, requiring the wives and parents of those persons who have fled from their habitations, to repair to Johnstown, &c., a copy of which Mr. Caldwell will present you with. You may be assured that I have already pursued, and shall still continue to do so, every measure which may tend to execute your orders, and prevent the wicked designs of our enemies in this quarter. As Mr. Caldwell, the Chaplain of my regiment, has been privy and very serviceable in all my negotiations, I thought it proper that he should wait on you, to give you a detail of our situation here.

If you think it proper that we should stay here till we have obliged the Highlanders to come in, (in case they are still lurking in the woods,) or until other troops can be sent to take possession of this place, you will oblige me in ordering Mr. Caldwell to join me with all despatch, as Mr. Duer says he will soon be under a necessity of going to New-York. In case you should think it advisable for my regiment to stay here any time, we shall have occasion for a further supply of provisions from Albany, unless you can put us in some way of procuring it in this country.

For my own part, I see so plainly the bad consequences which may accrue from a neglect of vigorous measures in this quarter, that I am in hopes the Congress will think it proper to station a parcel of men here during the next season. Publick buildings in this town would, with a little expense, be made very defensible. I mention this with all submission to your better judgment. I shall, from time to time, inform you of everything which deserves your attention during my stay here; and I am, in the meantime, with the greatest respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

ELIAS DAYTON.

To General Philip Schuyler.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO COLONEL DAYTON.

Fort George, May 22, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I have requested the Committees of Albany and Tryon jointly to take such measures effectually to secure the country against the infernal machinations of the Tories, as shall appear to them most expedient; and it is the orders of Congress that the military should give aid to the civil wherever required: you will please to afford them whatever you can with the troops under your command.

I have suggested to the Secret Committee the necessity of ousting every Tory in Tryon County; I hope they will come into it, and call upon you. I need not suggest to a gentleman of your good sense, the necessity of attention and vigilance, and that regard for humanity which I trust will always characterize the friends of liberty in America.

I am, dear Colonel, your most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Colonel Elias Dayton.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO WALTER LIVINGSTON.

Fort George, May 22, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: By General Sullivan, who arrived last night, I was favoured with both your letters of the 20th instant.

I am much obliged to you for having taken prudent measures to prevent the evils that might be occasioned by the scandalous and false reports propagated to prejudice your respectable body and myself with the publick. We must bear with the caprice, jealousy and envy of our misguided friends, and pity them. Our Tory enemies we must watch with care and circumspection, and convince our countrymen by our actions, that we are true sons of liberty. I have some reason to apprehend that the Tories are not the only ones that have been assiduous in propagating this story. In the district you mention are some persons who applied for offices, which neither the Committee nor I could confer. This disappointment chagrins them, and, I believe, they have occasioned the report.

I am much obliged to Mr. Trumbull for the step he has taken. It is something singular that at the very time I was sending troops to apprehend Tories, to whom I am so obnoxious that they would not hesitate to assassinate me, the country below should be arming against me as a Tory. I am extremely sorry that the bird is flown; however, I hope still to see him in custody, unless he should have escaped to the westward. I am perfectly in sentiment with you, that the most vigorous measures ought to be pursued against Sir John Johnson and his infernal associates; and I therefore wish that a considerable sub-Committee of the Committee of the City and County of Albany was sent into Tryon County, to join the Committee of that County, and to fall upon the most effectual measures to secure the country. To prevent the necessity of sending to me, should you adopt what I recommend, and need the aid of troops, I enclose you an order to Colonel Dayton. The two companies in Tryon County raised there, you will also dispose of as you think best for the publick service.

I have sent scouting parties from this and Ticonderoga to the westward. Should Sir John and his crew be gone that way to Canada, he will in all probability fall into our hands, as I shall immediately convey the intelligence. If the Highlanders are really gone off armed, Sir John and the McDonalds have been guilty of a fraud, in not delivering up their arms last winter; and I must beg of you to signify it to the Congress, that the McDonalds may be closely confined.

Would it not be best to have all the Tories in Tryon County brought away?

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Walter Livingston, Esq., and the Gentlemen of the Secret Committee.

COLONEL DAYTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Johnston, May 24, 1776—3 o’clock P. M.

SIR: I enclose you a deposition which I have taken since I sent to you by express, and have annexed the testimony of another person, which tends to confirm the former.

I am, sir, yours, with much respect,

ELIAS DAYTON.

To General Philip Schuyler.

Depositions taken before WILLIAM DUER, MAY 23, 1776.

James Billington, of Stone Arabia, being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, made oath, that on the 23d day of May, 1776, he was informed by Bartholomew Shaver, a Sergeant in Colonel Cleek’s Regiment, that he was sent up as an express with a letter to Colonel Herkime; that he (Colonel Herkimer,) had sent an express to stop the batteaus belonging to the Indian traders at the carrying-place at Fort Stanwix; that the express, on his return, was met by an Oneida Indian, who asked him what his business was upwards; that he informed the Indian it was to stop the boats at the carrying-place, but that they refused to stop; on which the Indian informed him that he was not surprised, that these boats were intended for Sir John Johnson, whom they were to wait for at the Oneida Lake. And further this deponent saith not.

JAMES BILLINGTON.

Sworn before me, this 24th day of May, 1776.

WILLIAM DUER.

A person who came from Fort Stanwix told the Committee of Kingsland District, in presence of Mr. Vandusen, that Mr. Ellvie had told one John Roof, wagoner of Fort Stanwix, that his boats were either to stop at Oswego, or at the other end of the Oneida Lake, Mr. Vandusen does not well recollect at which of these places the man said.

The above testimony given in my presence May 23, 1776.

WILLIAM DUER.

The Committee of German Flats District have received information that a road was marked from Johnson-Hall to Fort Brewington, on the Oneida Lake.

COLONEL DAYTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Johnson, May 24, 1776.

SIR: In my letter sent yesterday by the Rev. Mr. Caldwell, informed you of my intention of possessing

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