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but all present agreed that we should not be able to get any to the eastward on better terms. What our success will be to the westward, I cannot guess; I fear not much, as even the Oneidas, who are our best friends, do not choose to leave their own country. It is the general opinion of the people in Tryon County and here, that whilst Lady Johnson is kept a kind of hostage, Sir John (who can, by means of the Mohawks, receive intelligence from her as often as she may please to send it) will not carry matters to excess, and 1 have been entreated to keep her here. But as it was a matter of delicacy, when Mr. Watts delivered me your Excellency’s letter I proposed that security should be given that Lady Johnson should be forthcoming when called upon; and besides the above reasons, I was the more induced to this request, as 1 was informed, from good authority, that she exults in the prospect she has of soon hearing that Sir John will ravage the country on the Mohawk River. Mr. Watts declined giving any security, and soon after wrote me a note, (a copy of which I enclose with copy of my answer,) and afterwards a second, which I also answered, as you will see by the enclosed. I find that since it has been hinted that she is a good security to prevent the effects of her husband’s virulence, she is very anxious to go down, and which induces me to wish to keep her here. The villain that murdered Colonel Parsons’s brother is here. The Colonel desired me to send him to New-York I wait your Excellency’s directions. I am, dear sir, with every friendly wish, and every respectful sentiment, your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servant, PHILIP SCHUYLER. To His Excellency General Washington. MR. WATTS TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. Mr. Watts’s compliments to General Schuyler, informs him he leaves Albany this evening with Captain Van Buren. If want of time prevents him being particular, Mr. Watts will mention to General Washington the reasons why General Schuyler does not comply with his request for Lady Johnson to go to New-York. Saturday, June 15, 1776. GENERAL SCHUYLER TO ROBERT WATTS. Albany, June 15, 1776. SIR: I have received your note, and shall take the earliest opportunity of advising General Washington of the reasons which induce me not to permit Lady Johnson to leave Albany on any other terms than what I proposed to you. You will therefore please not to give yourself the unnecessary trouble of giving General Washington my reasons. I am, sir, your humble servant, PHILIP SCHUYLER. To Mr. Robert Watts. ROBERT WATTS TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. Albany, June 15, 1776. SIR: As you will not consent to Lady Johnson’s going to New-York without giving two gentlemen as securities, I shall take it as a favour if you will let me know as soon as possible, by a line, what engagements they are to be under, as I cannot apply to any gentleman until you inform me. I am, sir, your humble servant, ROBERT WATTS. To General Schuyler. GENERAL SCHUYLER TO ROBERT WATTS. Albany, June 15, 1776. SIR: You cannot fail of recollecting what engagements I expected the gentlemen should enter into who might become securities; but as by your former note of this day’s date you seemed altogether to decline entering into such a measure, I have since again given my sentiments to his Excellency General Washington on Lady Johnson’s situation, in a fuller manner than I did in my former letter to him; and I shall therefore not proceed any further until I receive his commands. I am, sir, your humble servant, PHILIP SCHUYLER. To Mr. Robert Watts. At a meeting of the Commissioners for transacting Indian affairs for the Northern Department, held at Albany, on Thursday, June 13, 1776—Present: General Schuyler, Volkert P. Douw, and Timothy Edwards, Esqs. General Schuyler laid before the Commissioners a Resolve of the honourable Continental Congress, transmitted to him by his Excellency General Washington; which being read, is in the following words, viz: “JUNE 3, 1776.—Resolved, That the General be empowered to employ in Canada a number of Indians, not exceeding two thousand.” “A true copy, GEORGE.WASHINGTON.” The Commissioners, after having duly considered the same, came to the following Resolutions: 1. That two Companies, to consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, three Sergeants, three Corporals, and seventy-five Privates, be raised out of the Mohekander and Connecticut Indians, with all possible expedition, and march, without further orders, to Lake George, by the way of Albany, where they will receive provision, and the billet money will cease. 2. That if such a number cannot be raised out of the said Indians, that the Companies be completed with white men living in the vicinity of said Indians, and accustomed to the woods; provided that the white men do not exceed in number the one-third part of the Indians. That the pay, provision and billet money be the same as is now given to the troops in the service of the United Colonies. That such as cannot furnish their own arms, will be supplied out of the publick stores, paying for the same out of their wages. That the Committee of Stockbridge and Mr. Edwards be requested to appoint such officers, either of white men or Indians, for the Stockbridge Company, as they shall deem best qualified for the service. That one month’s pay be advanced them, and that the same be paid into the hands of the Committee of Stock-bridge, to be by them and Mr. Edwards disposed of for such necessaries as the Companies may immediately stand in need of; and that for the remainder of each person’s advance pay, if any there be, the said Committee account with the Indians, or any persons authorized by them to receive it. That if the Company should not be complete, the advance pay for such deficiency to be by the said Committee returned to Jonathan Trumbull, Junior, Esq., Deputy-Paymaster General. That General Schuyler be requested to grant a warrant on the said Paymaster in favour of Timothy Edwards, Esq., for the said advance pay. That the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour, &c., of the Colony of Connecticut, be requested to appoint such officers, either of white men or Indians, for the Connecticut Company of Indians, as he shall deem best qualified for the service. That the like advance pay be given as to the Stockbridge Indians, to be paid, disposed of, and accounted for, by his Honour Governour Trumbull, or any person or persons he shall please to appoint for that purpose, in like manner as is mentioned with regard to the Stockbridge Company. That General Schuyler be requested to lodge a credit with the Deputy Paymaster-General, to enable his Honour to carry into execution what is requested of him. That a letter be written to his Honour Governour Trumbull and the Committee of Stockbridge, apologizing for the liberty the Commissioners take in making the above request, and to entreat his Honour and the Committee of Stockbridge to afford their assistance in this important business. General Schuyler informed the Board of Commissioners that, having received intelligence by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland and others, of the hostile intentions of some of the Western Indians, he had found it necessary, to prevent delay, to despatch a Message to the Six Nations, inviting them to a conference at the German Flats, to be held on the 1st day of next month: which Message being read, was in the words following: “Brothers, Sachems and Warriors of the SIX NATIONS: “We, your brothers, the Commissioners of Indian affairs, appointed by the Thirteen United Colonies, have been
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