putting a parcel of old guns I have in fighting condition; from the latter, my Lord, (so the service will in anywise admit of it,) let me entreat you to use your interest with his Excellency the General to excuse my men for some little time. The regiment is new, and, for many other reasons—such as the want of clothing, the inexperience of the officers, &c.—wants it much.

I flatter myself your Lordship will excuse me in troubling you with this letter, as I am induced to it from no other motive but the good of the country and my own honour. I can expect little of either from undisciplinarians.

I am, my Lord, with respect, your Lordship’s very humble servant,

RUDOLPHUS RlTZEMA.

To Lord Stirling.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Albany, June 24, 1776.

SIR: The post delivered me your favour of the 15th instant. As my letter to his Excellency General Washington has already taken up most of the time the post is allowed to stay, I shall only observe, that Falkner never was, nor is, a prisoner of mine; that, out of mere compassion to the man, I last winter went out of my sphere to serve and to release him, and treated him, as he frequently confessed, with the highest humanity. His behaviour since has not merited a continuance of the like; but I am incapable of resentment against such a wretch; and, if I had any, it should not be marked with cruelty. But all this is mere assertion, and if I can possibly find time, I will, by next post, furnish you with the charges against him by the Committee of Tryon, which induced them to order his last commitment, with a detail of my conduct towards him.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Nathaniel Woodhull, President.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, June 24, 1776—4 o’clock P. M.

DEAR SIR: Yesterday, at two o’clock in the afternoon, I received a line from Colonel Wynkoop, by a returning express, extract of which, together with copy of the return alluded to, I do myself the honour to enclose. Colonel Duggan, to whom he refers me for particulars, is not yet arrived. Captain Goforth, who brought the letter across Lake George, informs, as what he got from persons just arrived from Canada, that General Sullivan was making a good retreat, and that he was in no danger of sustaining loss. A report prevails here that the enemy are in possession of Montreal. I cannot trace it to its author.

Just now I had the honour of your Excellency’s favour of the 20th, continued to the 21st, covering the resolutions of Congress.

I have been so severely handled by the ague, which has not intermitted at all since Monday last until yesterday, that I have not been able to complete the intended speech to the Indians. I am now much better, and hope in a day or two to find myself perfectly freed from this disagreeable disorder, at least for some time.

I believe the reward offered by Congress to the Indians for taking officers and men in the British pay will have a good effect.

I have not ventured to send anything to Schenectady which is intended for taking post near Fort Stanwix, lest the intention should be guessed; nor will anything go from hence until we open the conference at the German Flats; then it will be pushed forward with the greatest expedition.

The Militia that this County is to furnish for the northern service are to rendezvous twenty miles above this, on Wednesday next, and to march thence to reinforce Fort George, at Ticonderoga. I have not heard a single word of any of the Eastern Militia. No field officer that we know of is yet appointed by the New-York Congress for the Militia I have mentioned.

The communication by the way of Cheshire’s and Wood Creek into Lake Champlain appeared to me of such absolute necessity that I ventured on the erection of a saw-mill at the head of the navigation, to furnish plank for the necessary works at Cheshire’s, as well as for the fortification at Ticonderoga, and the vicinity of it; part of the mill is already raised; and I hope it will be at work in ten days, at most.

One gondola is finished at Skenesborough, and a second is already planking; and I hope, if my health permit me, when I return from the westward to build one every six days.

As soon as I can find troops or other men to complete the road from Fort Edward to Cheshire’s, I shall set them about it.

There are now as many batteaus employed on Hudson’s River as are equal to all the provisions and stores that will be sent up.

I rejoice, my dear General, in the fair prospect I have of getting the better of my disorder, as every man’s service is now wanted; and be so good as to assure Congress that I shall do my best endeavours to carry every wish of theirs and yours into execution.

I am, dear sir, with the greatest respect, your Excellency’s most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

Extract of a Letter from Colonel Wynkoop to General Schuyler, dated Ticonderoga, June 20, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I received yours of the 17th instant, last evening, with a letter for General Sullivan, which I forwarded by express. Enclosed I send a return of part of my regiment and the strength of the garrison. The storehouse is full of provisions, and no men to send it off, the vessels not being come back, and I suppose detained by the commanding officer at St. Johns.

As provision is still coming, and my garrison very weak and lying on their arms at night, I beg the General will please to order up some assistance—shall prefer my own regiment, if convenient. It is very true that Captain Van Sandtvoort has inlisted nine men for three months; three of whom he has inlisted over again; his excuse is, that he did it in order to induce others; he says he discharged a man who found another in his place.

Three o’clock, June 21.—Just this moment arrived Colonel Duggan from Canada, who informs me that General Sullivan, with all his army, had retreated to Chambly, on Saturday last, and is supposed to be on his way to Isle-aux-Noix; and greatly doubt if he can be able to maintain his ground at all, as the enemy was in full pursuit of him. I shall send down all the boats that I can immediately, and Colonel Duggan will be the bearer of this, who will inform you of particulars. I am your humble servant,

CORNELIUS WYNKOOP.

JESSE RAYMOND TO COMMITTEE OF NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Norwalk, June 24, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Your favour of the 22d instant we received last evening by Mr. Sears. In compliance with which, after the intelligence communicated to us by Mr. Sears, we this day called before us Mr. Bowden, from whom it was expected by Mr. Sears that discoveries of importance with respect to his Excellency General Washington’s Life-Guards, and the destruction of the magazine, might be made, and put him under oath for that purpose, who declared he had never heard of any attempt to take away the life of the General, or any officer, or destroy the magazine, nor ever heard any one single word respecting the same. Mr. Bowden further declared, that he had frequently heard in company that some of the General’s Life-Guards had deserted, and others were uneasy and weary of the service, and would go on board the men-of-war if they could, and that there were deserters on both sides. These reports he heard principally from those that are called Tories; and he further says these reports he heard in New-York and on Long-Island, openly and publickly, but could not point out any particular person, and never supposed there to be any secret or discovery. Mr. Bowden very willingly and readily answered to every question put to him. This is all the discovery we can make.

By order of the Committee.

To Mr. Philip Livingston, John Jay, and Gouverneur Morris, New-York.