Johnson-Hall; a guard and sentries are so placed as to intercept effectually any communication with any part of the country. Previous to this, I sent an officer with a letter to Lady Johnson, informing her of my design, and requesting all the keys, in order to examine Sir John’s papers. Colonel White, Major Barber, and myself, waited upon her shortly after. She immediately produced all the keys, with a considerable number of papers. The letters were carefully perused in presence of herself, and a few selected, copies of which I transmit you by this express, retaining the originals in my own hands until I shall have the pleasure of seeing or conveying them more safely to you. The house also was examined in every part. Since Mr. Caldwell left this place, I am more assured that Sir John, with his party, marched from these settlements on Monday last for Niagara or Canada. Lady Johnson assures me he is on his road to Niagara, and that we shall soon hear where he is. As the guards and sentries round the Hall must increase the pain of her situation, I have requested her to remove to Albany, where, as I understand, she has several friends. To this she seems averse, but for what reason I know not; and I would therefore be glad to receive your direction on this head also.

In consequence of an express despatched Colonel Herkimer, I understand he has collected his Militia, in order to prevent Sir John’s escaping through that part of the country.

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

ELIAS DAYTON.

To General Philip Schuyler.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO COLONEL DAYTON.

Fort George, May 25, 1776—11 o’clock A. M.

SIR: Your letter of yesterday’s date was just now delivered me; that by Mr. Caldwell is not come to hand. The declarations of Lady Johnson, that Sir John is gone to Niagara, and that we shall soon hear where he is, induces me to believe that he will be joined by a party from Niagara, perhaps at Oswego, under Major Hamilton, of which I had a hint in a letter from Canada, which arrived about twelve last night. I therefore think it advisable that Lady Johnson should be moved to Albany without delay, in the most easy and commodious manner to her. You will also move all the Highlanders and their families to that place; this done, you will post yourself in the most advantageous place on the Mohawk River, to secure that part of the country and awe the enemy; and remain there until further orders, advising me of the place. It may be necessary to remove all the Tories out of Tryon County; on this you will advise with the Committees of Tryon and Albany, as well as on the most eligible place for you to occupy. Should Sir John fall into your hands, you will send him down under such a guard as that there may be no danger of a rescue.

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Colonel Elias Dayton.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO COLONEL DAYTON.

Fort George, May 27, 1776.

SIR: Since my last, which was of the 25th instant, by Mr. Fonda, I am favoured with yours sent by Mr. Caldwell to Albany, and this day delivered to me by Mr. Yates.

I am perfectly happy that your operations in Tryon County have been conducted with that prudence which distinguishes the officer and the man of sense. From a conviction that these qualities were happily combined in you, I expected what I have experienced,

I am favoured with a letter from Mr. Caldwell, in which he suggests the propriety of suffering such Highlanders to remain at their habitations as have not fled. I enter fully into his idea; but prudence dictates that this should be done under certain restrictions. These people have been taught to consider us in politicks in the same light that Papists consider Protestants in a religious relation, viz: that no faith is to be kept with either. I do not, therefore, think it prudent to suffer any of the men to remain, unless a competent number of hostages are given, at least five out of a hundred, on condition of being put to death if those that remain should take up arms, or in anywise assist the enemies of our country. A small body of troops, as Mr. Caldwell observes, may keep them in awe; but if an equal body of the enemy should appear, the balance as to numbers, by the junction of those left, would be against us. I am, however, so well aware of the absurdity of judging with precision in these matters at the distance we are from one another, that prudence obliges me to leave these matters to your judgment, to act as circumstances may occur. Notwithstanding the orders contained in my letter of the 25th instant, when I directed in the letter above quoted to post yourself in the most advantageous place on the Mohawk River, I did not mean to confine you to the banks of the river, that expression being used frequently for all that country which lies west of Schenectady. I mention this, lest you should take it in its literal sense.

I am so perfectly in sentiment with you on the necessity of keeping a force in that part of the country, that I have already advised his Excellency General Washington of my orders for you to remain there, and prayed to know his pleasure.

The scouts I have had out from hence for several days past are returned. By the report of the officer, he has been careful and diligent, but cannot discover anything of Sir John or his party, although he has been twelve miles above Sacandaga.

I am, dear sir, with great esteem, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Colonel Elias Dayton.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO WALTER LIVINGSTON.

Fort George, May 27, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I was yesterday honoured with your favour of the 23d. You were perfectly right to open Sir John Johnson’s letter. I wish, for the sake of human nature, that he had acted more becoming its dignity. He has stamped himself with infamy.

You will perceive by the enclosed copy of the letter to Colonel Dayton, that I have ordered him to remain in Tryon County. He will not be moved from thence unless by General Washington’s orders, or unless you may think his stay unnecessary, which I hope may be the case soon, that he may join his brigade in Canada, where I wish to see our field as respectable as possible.

I am, with great truth, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Walter Livingston, Esquire, and the Gentlemen of the Committee.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE COMMITTEE OF ALBANY.

Fort George, May 27, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I am honoured with your letter of the 25th instant, enclosing a copy of the Committee of Tryon’s to you, of the 21st instant, Douw’s note desiring your advice on the former, and yours of the 25th to the Committee of Tryon in consequence thereof.

Your advice to let them pass with such merchandise as is manifestly intended for trade with the Indians, was extremely proper for you to give, under the information you had, as it put it out of the power of the upper nations to say that we meant to have no intercourse with them; but since some of them have actually joined the King’s troops above Montreal, I do not now think it prudent that any batteaus should be permitted to pass Fort Stanwix, unless such as are designed to trade with the Six Nations; besides, we may excuse ourselves to the Indians on the breach of promise that those traders have been guilty of, and inform them that they had very little intended for them.

I wish, therefore, that my sentiments should be conveyed to the Committee of Tryon the soonest possible, unless you and Mr. Douw should think them imprudent, and tending to the detriment of the service.

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Committee of Albany.

GENTLEMEN: Since writing you on the other side, I have received the enclosed, by which you will perceive the necessity of stopping all such batteaus as were designed for the upper country; and I beg you will send by express to the Committee of Tryon County, and to Colonel Dayton.

It is absolutely necessary that our Militia should be put