and that if he were superseded, it would give him great pleasure to be superseded by a gentleman of General Gates’s character and reputation.

Both General Gates and General Schuyler declared they would lay the matter before Congress, to prevent any evil consequences from a disputed command in a critical moment; that, for the present, they would co-operate, that no evil might result to the service, and that each should write to Congress to determine the matter.

General Gates, having read this and General Schuyler’s letter to his Excellency General Washington, agreed that the matter was fairly and fully stated, and therefore declined writing.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Albany, July 1, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I was yesterday honoured with yours of the 28th, and have detained the express, as I expected some accounts from the northward, but have received none.

General Gates, General Arnold, and I, set out to-morrow morning for the Army. We suppose we shall meet it at Crown Point, as General Sullivan, in his last to me, gave reasons to believe that he would immediately remove from Isle-aux-Noix. I am very far, my dear sir, from desponding, although so many untoward circumstances have arisen to the northward, as I do not think the enemy will be able to penetrate into the more inhabited parts of the Colonies, especially if the Militia which is ordered to join us should soon arrive, which I sincerely hope they will. I have given a plan to the Committee of this County to enable them to draw forth the Militia on the shortest notice, and I believe it will be adopted. Your Colony cannot want it, as your Militia is already properly regulated. Would it not, however, be prudent to give a standing order to the Militia to march as soon as they should be certainly informed of an intended attack, without waiting for further orders?

It is a melancholy reflection that there are so many of the eastern people who have not had the small-pox. We propose to dispose of all such as not to have any intercourse with that part of the Army now infected with that disorder, unless upon the most pressing occasion, which can only happen if we should be threatened with an immediate attack by the main body of the enemy.

Four o’clock in the afternoon.—Just now received a letter from General Washington, enclosing a resolution of Congress, which I do myself the honour to transmit you. I am apprehensive that the Stockbridge Indians will take umbrage at it, and have desired Mr. Edwards to broach the matter in the least exceptionable terms, so as to give as little offence as possible.

I am, dear sir, with great truth, your Honour’s most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO MESHECH WEARE.

Albany, July 1, 1776.

SIR: I am honoured with your letter of the 21st ultimo by Benjamin Giles, Esq., who delivered me one thousand one hundred and forty-seven pounds one shilling lawful, equal to three thousand eight hundred and twenty-three dollars and a half in specie, for which I have passed duplicate receipts. I am exceedingly sorry that the necessity of any further supply of hard money seems to be unhappily superseded by our troops evacuating Canada. I do not mean this, however, as an opinion that no more ought to be sent, as Congress may have views which I am unacquainted with.

By a letter from General Sullivan, of the 24th ultimo, I have reason to believe that our Army is now on its way to Crown Point. I leave this to-morrow in order to join it. Every exertion must be made to prevent the enemy from crossing Lake Champlain, and I have a confident hope that we shall be able to retard their progress by a superior naval force, which is daily increasing, insomuch that we have already built and equipped two gondolas, and I hope to have two more every week for a succession of at least five or six weeks.

We wish much to have the expected reinforcement of Militia from the different Colonies ordered to levy them. Those from this are nearly all marched. We shall take such measures as will have the most probable tendency to prevent the small-pox from infecting these men; and we hope to succeed, provided that the men will strictly abide by the orders that will be issued.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable Meshech Weare, Esq., President of the Colony of New-Hampshire.

GENERAL SCHUYLER’S RECEIPT FOR SPECIE.

Received, Albany, July 1, 1776, from Benjamin Giles and James Betton, Esquires, in specie, the sum of one thousand one hundred and forty-seven pounds one shilling, lawful money of New-England, equal to three thousand eight hundred and twenty-three dollars and a half, it being money sent by the Assembly of the Colony of New-Hampshire by said Benjamin Giles and James Betton, Esquires, to be lodged in my hands for the use of the Army of the United American Colonies; which sum I am accountable for to this or any future Congress, and for which I have given duplicate receipts of this tenour and date.

PHILIP SCHUYLER, M. General.

COLONEL BELLOWS TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Walpole, July 1, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Being apprehensive that the inhabitants of this part of the globe may ere long be called to face the common enemy in the field, or to defend our possessions, our wives and children, from the cruelty and barbarity of the skulking savages, in order whereto it is absolutely necessary that we should be furnished with arms and ammunition: wherefore I take this opportunity to lay before you the state and condition of the regiment which I have the honour to command in regard of their military accoutrements, that, if possible, you may furnish us with the necessary means of defence. The number of training soldiers I am not able to ascertain, not having received the proper returns. Certain I am there is not less than five or six hundred, the half of whom cannot collect one ounce of powder or ball, and, it is highly probable, not a single fire-lock fit for use. Would, therefore, beseech you, if possible, to put the bearers hereof in a way to procure the above-mentioned articles, more especially ammunition, for there are many who have good arms but not ammunition; and unless we can be some way equipped, we must (should the enemy be permitted to come down upon us) quit our possessions and resort to you, which would be very disagreeable to your humble servant,

BENJ. BELLOWS, Jun., Col. 16th Regt.
Militia, Colony of New-Hampshire.

To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-Hampshire.

CAPTAIN HARDING TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Boston, July 1, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: I now enclose for your Honour’s perusal an inventory of as much of the cargoes of the ships Lord Howe, George, and brigantine Annabella, as have come to hand. Neither of the vessels are yet unloaded; there are some coals and a few other articles in each. The prize brigantine, Annabella, remains on the rocks. We hope we shall be able to get her off in the spring-tides.

I expected to have received your Honour’s orders about returning to New-London, as I believe the prospect of taking any more prizes is over. There have been ten sail men-of-war and transports cruising in the bay for some days. We suppose them to be the last of the Highland fleet. They disappeared on Friday noon, having, we suppose, received intelligence of the evacuation of Boston.

Having nothing new for your Honour’s detention, I remain your most obedient, humble servant,

SETH HARDING.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Lebanon, in Connecticut.