must never expect that they will regain our friendship; that, as the Mohawk warriors have, from the beginning, been our enemies, and joined with the King’s troops, and have fought against us, without the least cause given them for such conduct, they must all immediately join the enemy, or recall those that are already with them, and give hostages for their future good behaviour; that if they choose to join Sir John Johnson, they shall be furnished with batteaus to go to him, but that they must never expect to return to their families, or ever hope for a reconciliation with us.

I do not think that any part less decisive will keep the Mohawks, Senecas, Cayugas, and part of the Onondagas, neutral; and this may perhaps induce them to join us, especially as Mr. Kirkland informs me that the Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Ochgugues, and the Caughnawagas of Canada, have entered into a defensive league to support each other against the other nations; being resolved that, if the others join the King’s party, they would die with the Americans in the contest; but as this was communicated in confidence by the chiefs of the Oneida nation, he did not choose to commit it to paper, and entreats that no mention may be made of it, lest the confederacy should be attacked by the others. I have read this to Mr. Kirkland, to prevent mistakes, and he agrees it is what the sachems informed him. I hope to be at Albany on Monday, to advise on this matter with my colleagues in office; but should they be of the same opinion, and think it necessary to convene the Indians, I yet will not advise to deliver a speech in the spirit I have above-mentioned until the approbation of Congress is obtained. I shall, however, make every preparation for taking post at Fort Stanwix, and hope to conduct it in such a manner, and with so much celerity, as to impress on the Indians an idea that we are capable of acting with vigour, and that we do not mean to be trifled with.

I have received no advices from Canada since Messrs. Chase and Carroll arrived.

But little flour is as yet sent forward, as we had none at this or the adjacent posts when the account of the scarcity in Canada arrived here. Wagons are, however, on the way up; and I am informed that a considerable quantity is coming up in batteaus. Some will be here this evening.

As no pork arrived at Albany between the 29th ultimo and 6th instant, I begin to be apprehensive of a scarcity in that article. I enclose you a return of what has been sent from hence since the 1st day of June inclusive, by which it appears that two thousand one hundred and eighty barrels of pork have been sent from hence since the 13th ultimo; two thousand one hundred and fifty of which I suppose to have been forwarded from Ticonderoga; so that with what was issued here to Thompson’s and Sullivan’s Brigades, the Army is now supplied with pork to the 7th July, allowing ten thousand a day to be issued; and that allowance must be made to such wretched economists as many of our officers and most of our soldiery are. As delay in our western operations may be attended with great disadvantages, I shall advise to send for the Indians immediately, and therefore hope to be favoured with an answer to this the very soonest possible.

I am most unluckily attacked by the ague, at a time when my presence is necessary at so many different places. I hope, however, it will not render me incapable of attending to my duty.

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. Since writing the above twelve barrels of pork and one hundred and one of flour are arrived, as noted in the return which will go off to-morrow.

Return of Provisions received and forwarded from 1st JUNE to the 8th inclusive.

JAMES LAMB, Commissary.

SAMUEL KIRKLAND TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

[Read in Congress June 13, 1776.]

Lake George, June 8, 1776.

SIR: I left the Oneida country the 29th of May. In my way down waited on Colonel Dayton, at Johnstown; acquainted him with the conduct of the Mohawks in their late conference with him at that place, as related to the Oneidas by a head warrior of the Onondagas, who was present. The Mohawks were impudent—insulting to a very great degree. However, can assure your Honour their conduct on that occasion was condemned and utterly disapproved by the Oneidas, in full council.

The Oneidas and Tuscaroras have expressed great concern on account of Colonel Butler’s growing strength and influence at Niagara. He has, by threats and proffers, prevailed upon the greater part of the Senecas, Cayugas, and Onondagas, to renounce the cause of the Colonies, and engage on the King’s side, as they call it. By the last accounts from Niagara, upwards of one hundred have inlisted into the King’s service, and are now acting against us. The war-hatchet has been sent to the Chippewas and Ottawas; some of their tribes have received it. Should Colonel Butler get a reinforcement at Niagara, with a supply of provisions, our Indian friends say our frontiers will soon feel his resentment, particularly the back parts of New-York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The Oneidas, with some others, have often mentioned with surprise our apparent delay, and want of resolution. They say, the lenity and forbearance shown the Mohawks, after their repeated breaches of promise, and acting against us, is, by our enemy Indians, imputed to cowardice in us, want of a manly spirit, or being engaged in a bad cause. I can assure your Honour, it is the opinion of many of their chiefs that the Mohawks in general have forfeited their liberties by their repeated breaches of the covenant entered into with the Commissioners at Albany, and acting against us in one part and another. The Oneidas, and some others, have intimated as much to the Mohawks themselves, in private conferences.

The Indians are now generally of opinion that it is impracticable for them to continue much longer in a state of neutrality, and that it has now become necessary for the Commissioners to call upon the Six Nations, and demand who are friends and who are not; and if a party of live hundred men, with two or three Rifle companies, were sent to Fort Stanwix, it would annoy our enemy and strengthen our friends, and protect that part of our frontiers. And I must say, from a regard to my fellow-men, that if this matter should be long delayed, it is my real opinion we shall soon hear of hostilities committed upon those defenceless frontiers. Upon a short conference with Mr. Dunn, he was persuaded that a speedy meeting of the Commissioners was necessary. He accordingly sent for Mr. Edwards, and forwarded my letter to your Honour, on the same head with his request for a speedy meeting, which letter, I understand, has not come to hand.

Your Honour’s most obedient and very humble servant,

S. KIRKLAND.

To General Schuyler.

COMMODORE HOPKINS TO STEPHEN HOPKINS.

Providence, June 8, 1776.

DEAR BROTHER: I received your kind letter of the 31st May, and observe the contents; and as for the Southern Colonies being uneasy, it is no more than, from the circumstances of things, I before apprehended; but it was not in my power to prevent it; but if they think I am partial in favour of the Northern Colonies, they are greatly mistaken.

When I went to the southward, I intended to go from New-Providence to Georgia, had I not received intelligence, three or four days before I sailed, that a frigate of twenty-eight guns had arrived there, which made the force, in my opinion, too strong for us. At Virginia they were likewise too strong. In Delaware and New-York it would not do to attempt. Rhode-Island, I was sensible, was stronger than we, but the force there was nearer equal than any where else, which was the reason of my attempting there, which answered no other end than the British naval force quitting the Government.