racterize me, that the measure seemed not only prudent, but indispensably necessary, for a variety of reasons, against which those you have given do not, in my opinion, bear a sufficient weight to alter it—some of which are evidently nugatory, and all of which might be contrasted with much more cogent ones in support of the resolution. I assure you at the same time, that if I were convinced of the impropriety of the measure, I should not be in the least tenacious of supporting my opinion, but immediately give way to conviction, and rescind the resolution so far as it depended on me to do it.

I am happy, gentlemen, that you declare your readiness to obey the resolution of the General Officers, although it does not meet your approbation—a sentiment which every good officer ought not only to entertain, but to inculcate on others, as a principle on which the preservation of every, army, in a very great measure, depends. Such a sentiment will always induce me, and, I dare say, every other General Officer, to receive with patience and pleasure the advice of his officers, and act accordingly, where I or they are convinced.

I am, gentlemen, with great respect, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To Colonel Stark and the other gentlemen who signed the remonstrance to General Schuyler, dated the 9th July

DEAR GENERAL: The command of the Army in Canada having unexpectedly devolved on me, I with reluctance accepted the arduous task; and however unsuccessful I may have been in my attempts, yet I may venture to say that the ill success never happened by my rashness, imprudence, or cowardice. I must beg leave further to add, that I am not conscious, in any one instance since I was honoured with a commission from Congress, that I have neglected or refused to do my duty; for the truth of which I appeal to the candour of those officers with whom I have had the pleasure to serve. I readily confess that I ever was desirous of some officer of superior rank to relieve me from the disagreeable command, and should with pleasure have remained in the Army and served under him; but Congress having thought proper to supersede me by appointing General Gates, (who ad not, by the rank they were pleased formerly to confer on us, the same pretensions as myself,) I can construe this in no other light but by supposing Congress was apprehensive that I was not equal to the trust they were pleased to repose in me. If this be the case, I am bound in justice to my country to relinquish a command to which I am not equal. If this was not the foundation, and they had not such an opinion of me, surely my honour calls upon me to leave the service after a person is put over me without any impeachment of my conduct. I should not have the least objection to being commanded by General Gates, as I have no personal objections to him, and would willingly have served under him, had he in the first instance held a commission superior to the one Congress was pleased to honour me with. But this not being the case, and the procedure so strong an implication against my conduct or abilities, I must beg leave to quit this department, with my family and baggage, as I cannot with honour act in future, and shall, as soon as possible, repair to Congress, and petition for leave to resign my commission.

This indulgence, dear General, shall ever be acknowledged by your most obedient servant,

JOHN SULLIVAN.

To the Hon. Major-General Schuyler.

DEAR SIR: Your letter of yesterday's date was delivered me this morning.

The merits of the reasons which induce you to ask leave of absence from the Army, I would not by any means wish to enter into. It is, however, a justice I owe you to declare, that your conduct since the command of the Army in Canada devolved on you, has been perfectly agreeable to me, and that every manœuvre of yours, as far as they have come to my knowledge, and I am capable of judging, has been conducted with a prudence and discernment that leave your character as an officer unimpeached.

Although I most sincerely wish you to remain with the Army, yet as I wish to evince the utmost tenderness to the feelings of every gentleman who conceives himself injured, I cannot withhold my consent to your waiting on the Commander-in-Chief, with such gentlemen of your suite as you choose should follow you. I am, &c.,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To General Sullivan.

[No. 6.]

Minutes of a Council of General Officers.

At a Council of General Officers, held at Crown-Point, July 8, 1776:

Present: Major-General Schuyler, Major-General Gates, Brigadier-General Sullivan, Brigadier-General Arnold.

The inhabitants residing on the east side of Lake Champlain having, by Colonel Warner, and several other gentlemen, represented the distressed situation of the inhabitants, and that they will be under the necessity of quitting their habitations, unless a body of men is stationed on the east side of Lake Champlain, and to the northward of the settlements, to prevent the incursions of the savages, and that they were willing to raise a body of men for the purpose on the Continental pay, Major-General Schuyler informed the Court that he was not empowered by Congress to raise any men for that or any other purpose, and therefore requested the opinion of the Court on the following questions:

Whether, the weak state of the Army considered, and the fatal consequences that may result from the inhabitants' above alluded to quitting their habitations, and thereby alarming and creating terror in the more southern inhabitants, it would not be advisable to raise a body of men for the purposes above mentioned from among said inhabitants?

Resolved, That it is advisable to raise out of the said inhabitants six Companies, to consist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, three Sergeants, three Corporals, and fifty Privates; and that General Schuyler, or officer commanding, issue warrants for the purpose.

Resolved, That General Schuyler immediately transmit a copy of this Resolution to Congress, praying to be immediately informed if they should disapprove of this measure.

[No. 7.]

List of Articles wanted for Gondolas, armed Vessels, and Batteries, viz:

30 Anchors for Gondolas, 200 lbs. to 250 lbs.

40 do. do. 100 lbs. to 150 lbs.

30 Hawsers, 4½ to 5½ inches, 50 or 60 fathoms.

40 do. 4 to 4½ do. 50 to 100 fathoms.

200 double Blocks, 5 ½ to 8 inches.

300 Single Blocks, 4½ to 9 inches.

4 coils Spun Yarn, 2 and 3 threads. 10 dozen Ham-line to be sent. 10 dozen Marline to be sent. 50 half-hour Glasses. 10 Spy Glasses. 200 Buckets.

40 small Colours, (Continental,) some red and blue, for signals.

60 iron Pots, 4 to 6 gallons each. ½ dozen Lead Lines.

1 dozen Lines for Pendants and Ensign Halyards.

6 dozen deep wooden Bowls.

Pistols and Cutlasses. Small Tacks arid Pump Nails.

Linseed Oil, Blacking, and White Lead.

I dozen hand Speaking Trumpets.

6 dozen Sail Needles.

½ dozen Bolt-rope Needles; ½ dozen Marline Needles.

I side Pump Leather. 6 Fishing Nets with Ropes.

60 coils Slow Match for the Artillery.