GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, June 12, 1776—4 o’clock P. M.

DEAR SIR: The letter which I had the honour to write you yesterday I delivered to General Wooster, who sailed this day.

I have, within this half hour, received a letter from General Arnold, of which the enclosed is a copy. I fear the next will announce the evacuation of Canada by our troops, probably with loss, as I fear that not a sufficient attention has been paid to a recommendation of mine to bring all the batteaus that could possibly be spared from Sorel to St. Johns. I shall immediately despatch an express to Fort George to send batteaus to St. Johns; but after all, the number will be very small, for want of men to navigate them; I suppose one hundred and twenty at least are at Lake George.

I am not under the least apprehension that the enemy will be able to cross Lake Champlain, provided that our Army is able to retreat into that Lake, that ammunition is speedily sent up, and a further supply of pork forwarded without delay to this place.

Your Excellency will perceive that General Arnold informs me that the enemy have the frames, &c., for gondolas on board. We should therefore build a number of these vessels with all possible despatch; one is now on the stocks, but we want people that understand the construction of them. I have some time ago begged Congress to send one express; let me entreat that some more capable persons may be sent up, and twenty shipwrights with them.

As I fear the saw-mills will not be able to saw a sufficient number of plank, I wish to have a dozen of whip-saws and files sent up with all possible despatch.

I shall order all the batteaus that do not go to St. Johns out of Lake George, to Ticonderoga, that they may be ready at that place to be sent to Skenesborough, to convey the Militia, should they be sent up.

I am, with every respectful sentiment, your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, June 12, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I had just closed my letter No. 1, when I received the enclosed from General Sullivan, which was left open for my perusal. I am extremely happy that it contains such favourable accounts, and do myself the pleasure to congratulate your Excellency. I am still in hopes, if reinforcements are soon sent, we shall hold Canada, especially as the Canadians are so friendly. I am, however, humbly of opinion that we still ought to build the gondolas, and make every preparation to prevent the enemy’s crossing the Lake and penetrating into the Colonies, which I think will certainly be our own fault if they do.

God bless you, my dear General, and believe me most fervently your obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL ARNOLD TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Montreal, June 6, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I this moment received a letter from General Sullivan, at Sorel, dated at four o’clock yesterday evening, informing me that a body of the King’s troops and a number of ships were between him and the Three Rivers, and that he soon expected to be attacked. I have sent every man that could be spared to his assistance, but am fearful he will be obliged to abandon his post. If the enemy land on that side, I am fearful they will endeavour to possess themselves of Chambly and St. Johns. If they come upon this side, (on which they are at present,) we must evacuate this town. Some days since the sick and baggage have been removed to St. Johns. I am now removing a parcel of goods I have seized for the use of the Army; I expect to have all over this evening. I shall obtain only four or five hundred men to garrison this place, until I receive orders to leave it, or am obliged to quit it by a superior force. Out of upwards of eight thousand men in this country, not five thousand effective can be mustered. The small-pox has broken out and divided the Army in such a manner that it is almost ruined. Our want of almost every necessary for the Army, and repeated misfortunes and losses, have greatly dispirited the troops. Our enemies are daily increasing, and our friends deserting us. Under these discouragements and obstacles, with a powerful Army against us, well disciplined, and wanting in no one article to carry on their operations, it will be a miracle if we keep the country; my only expectations are to secure our retreat to St. Johns, or the Isle-aux-Noix, where it will doubtless be thought necessary to make a stand; for which purpose, all the batteaus and vessels on your side the Lake that can be spared should be sent over; our gondolas we shall be obliged to destroy; others ought immediately to be taken inland, to secure the Lake. The enemy, I am well informed, have brought over a number with them, framed and done to put up in a short time. The want of a little attention in time has lost us this fine country. I hope for better things on your side, and that, in rotation of fortune, something better will turn up for us here.

In every vicissitude of fortune, I am, with great esteem and affection, dear General, your obedient, humble servant,

B. ARNOLD.

To General Philip Schuyler.

GENERAL WARD TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.—EXTRACT.

Boston, June 9, 1776.

Yesterday a ship from Scotland was taken and brought into Marblehead by the Continental armed schooners Warren and Lee. She had on board a company of Highlanders, consisting of near one hundred privates, one captain, three subalterns, and two volunteers; they inform that thirty-two sail of transports came out with them under convoy of a frigate of thirty-two guns, with three thousand Highlanders on board, all bound to Boston. They brought no papers nor letters of any consequence, and can give no intelligence of importance. The transport is said to be a very good ship, of one hundred and thirty tons burden; had on board four carriage guns, the arms and baggage belonging to the company, some tents, and clothing and provisions. The Captain’s name is Maxwell, who commands the company, and is brother to the Dutchess of Gordon.

MR. PALFREY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Sunday morning, June 16, 1776.

Mr. Palfrey presents his most respectful compliments to his Excellency General Washington, with the enclosed return of the state of his office. The Commissary-General has informed Mr. Palfrey he shall have a further demand in the course of ten days for one hundred thousand dollars, which, with the payment of the Connecticut Militia, and the remainder of the abstracts for April, will nearly if not quite exhaust the chest. Mr. P. therefore requests his Excellency to back the application he intends to make to Congress for a further supply.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

New-York, June 16, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I received your several favours of the 11th continued to the 12th, and 12th with a copy of General Arnold’s letter. The return delivered you by General Wooster, you forgot to enclose.

The account of Mr. Deane is variant from Colonel Kirk-land’s; but yet they both seem to agree in the most material points, viz: that some parts of our frontiers are to feel the effects of the savage resentment which the friends of Government have been industriously trying to call forth against us.

You have done well in your Message to the Six Nations. The sooner a conference can be held the better; and I think the most vigorous exertions necessary to secure a post, as you mention, where Fort Stanwix formerly stood, and below that, as I intimated in my last. If you can effect these, I am hopeful all their attempts in that quarter will be unavailing. I have ordered a ton of powder, half a ton of lead, five thousand flints, some cannon, intrenching tools, and a dozen whip-saws and files, to be immediately sent you, which you will receive in two or three days, with a list of them and every other article sent from hence at this time.

I have enclosed you a copy of an invoice of goods now