GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, June 10, 1776.

DEAR SIR: At nine this morning I arrived from Fort George, having left that yesterday in consequence of the information contained in a letter and paper sent me by the Committee of this city and County, copies of which I do myself the honour to enclose you.

I was apprehensive that something of this kind would happen, as your Excellency will perceive by recurring to some of my former letters. I shall do everything in my power to prevent the savages from succeeding, and if Dayton’s Regiment, with the Militia of Tryon and this County, drive them off, as I hope they will, I propose to take post at Fort Stanwix as soon as I shall be in a condition to do it, by the arrival of cannon, ammunition, and intrenching tools, having none of either here.

I am informed that Captain Foster, his troops, and the Indians that joined him, retired on General Arnold’s approach; failing of success, their necessity will oblige them to turn elsewhere in search of subsistence, probably the Mohawk River.

Your Excellency’s favour of the 7th instant I have this moment received. I am happy that Captain Wilkinson’s conjectures were not realized.

I assure you, my dear sir, that I do all in my power to forward and arrange matters; such a variety of business crowds upon me that I hardly know which to take in hand first; a steady perseverance will, however, I hope, carry me through, and if I can find time I will repair to Canada, though I hope and believe General Sullivan will put our affairs in good order, seconded by Generals Arnold and Thompson, who are also indefatigable. General Thomas died on the 2d instant.

So far from being able to procure two thousand Indians to join us, I shall be extremely happy if we can prevent them from acting against us, and I believe nothing will do it but the spirited measure I proposed in my last of the 8th instant to Congress, and the taking post at Fort Stanwix.

If any Militia should come up, I shall certainly employ them on the communication, and send on the troops. I have already ordered three companies of Van Schaick’s from Ticonderoga, as the exchanged prisoners were to be employed there; but if the Militia should take it in their heads to leave Fort George, Ticonderoga, &c, it will be difficult to carry on the provisions for the Army.

Yesterday morning upwards of a hundred barrels of flour left Fort George. I suppose thrice that quantity left it today, and by Saturday next I expect fifteen hundred barrels will be sent, together with three hundred barrels pork lately arrived here; after which none will be left unless a fresh supply comes from New-York, which I hope will be the soonest possible.

I do not wish that Lady Johnson should be permitted to go to any place where she may escape, as her detention may induce her husband to seek an accommodation.

I am, dear sir, with every sentiment of esteem and respect, your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUTLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

P. S. I believe I shall be under the necessity of going into Tryon County myself.

Committee-Chamber, Albany, June 8, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: We have this moment received from the Mohawk River an account of an intended attack of the upper Indians against our western frontiers, a copy of which information we herewith enclose you. We have immediately written to the Provincial Congress for a further supply of ammunition. Upon so alarming an occasion we find it necessary to apply to you for advice and assistance. We beg of you, in the most earnest manner, to give us both, together with such directions for our conduct as you may conceive will best answer the purpose of opposing the attempts of the savages and their more savage instigators.

We are, honoured sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient, humble servants.

To General Philip Schuyler.

German Flats, June 7, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: This minute an express came from one of our best Indians, with the news that a great number of the far Indians had arrived at Oneida, and were on their march down; so we sent an express yesterday to the commanding officer at Johnstown, with the news which we got yesterday from Fort Stanwix; but could get no assistance; so therefore the necessity requires that you will come up with your regiment immediately, to meet them without delay, or we shall all be slaughtered; and send the orders to the next regiment with speed.

Gentlemen, I am your humble servant,

FREDERICK BELLINGER.

To Colonel Frederick Fisher, Mohawk District.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO GENERAL SULLIVAN.

Chambly, June 10, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I went to St. Johns yesterday, where I found everything in the greatest confusion—not one stroke done to fortify the camp—the Engineer a perfect sot—at that and this near three thousand sick. I have given orders that the sick draw only half rations in future. I have ordered Colonel Antill to St. Johns, and an abattis and lines to be immediately begun, to enclose the two old forts and an encampment, sufficient to hold six thousand men. I am fully of opinion not one minute ought to be lost in securing our retreat, and saving our heavy cannon, baggage, and provisions. The enemy will never attack you at Sorel. Their force is doubtless much superior to ours, and we have no advice of any reinforcements. Shall we sacrifice the few men we have by endeavouring to keep possession of a small part of the country which can be of little or no service to us? The junction of the Canadians with the Colonies—an object which brougltt us into this country—is now at an end. Let us quit them, and secure our own country before it is too late. There will be more honour in making a safe retreat than hazarding a battle against such superiority, which will doubtless be attended with the loss of men, artillery, &c, and the only pass to our country. These arguments are not urged by fear for my personal safety: I am content to be the last man who quits this country, and fall, so that my country rise. But let us not fall all together.

The goods I seized at Montreal and sent to Chambly,

First, Twenty-Fourth, Thirty-First, Thirty-Fourth, Fifty-Third, and Sixty-Second Regiments, under embarkation orders, are destined for Canada, except the Royal Highlanders, the Foot Guards, and Burgoyne’s Light-Horse, which are to be sent to General Howe. To prevent, if possible, a famine among the King’s troops this summer in America, every individual who is going out on service with the armament under sailing orders, has six months’ provisions put on board for him from hence. What an enormous expense for victualling and tonnage only! The two Generals, Carleton and Howe, are each to be allowed four Aids-de-Camp. Two of the Hessian Major-Generals are to be appointed by our Court Lieutenant-Generals on the American service, and to have extra pay accordingly. Though there is a clause in the Hessian Treaty that no soldier shall be suffered to settle in America without the consent of his commanding officer, it is generally believed that very few will ever return, as it is most probable that those who do not get their brains knocked out will insist upon staying among their own countrymen who have emigrated there.

March 28.—Yesterday morning the Guards destined for America were mustered on Wimbledon Common by their officers, and immediately marched for Portsmouth. They had twenty field-pieces with them, and thirty wagons, which carried all their baggage. They will arrive at Portsmouth to-morrow. The brigade of Guards now on their march for Portsmouth to embark for America, are to be quartered in the Barracks of that place till the transports are ready for their reception. All the General Officers, and many others in military command in America, are, it is said, nominated as delegates in commission, to pardon the submitting Colonies. The transports which sailed with Sir Peter Parker, after they had landed the troops they had on board, were to sail for the Leeward Islands, to take in two Regiments of Foot, which are to serve in America. Upwards of fifteen hundred tons of shipping that were taken up in the river a few days since in Government service, are discharged from the employ. Letters from Cork, dated the 19th instant, mention that upwards of twelve sail of transports were then in sight of the Cove, and that a man-of-war came in that day. The Eagle man-of-war, Admiral Howe, has got no further than the Nore yet, but lies there to receive seamen from the ships in ordinary at Chatham. The Lucretia, Captain Wilson, with recruits on board, bound to America, is put into Plymouth by stress of weather, having met with some damage. The Woodland, Captain Mariners, from London, with ordnance stores, bound for Quebeck, is arrived at Portsmouth. Yesterday the common crier of this city, attended by other officers, read at the Royal Exchange and at Holborn Bars the King’s Proclamation for a further encouragement to sailors to enter on board the ships of war. It was afterwards stuck up in divers parts of the city.