cause of America, and disgraceful to the authors of them. I have pointed out to the several Colonels and commanding officers of corps, in language as pointedly as I could, the pernicious consequences of such a fatal dissension, and I hope it will soon be eradicated.

I arrived here about ten yesterday morning, in hopes to have found the Six Nations here before me; but I fear the whole will not be here until the last of the week. Mr. Peter Ryckman, a trader of Albany, who has been detained at Niagara since last year, on a well-grounded suspicion of his affection to the American cause, and from apprehensions that his influence among the Indians would be exerted in our favour, has found means to make his escape, and arrived here last night, attended by twenty-one Seneca warriors. He left Niagara on the 27th ultimo, and tarried ten days in some of the Seneca villages. He advises that the garrison consists of about two hundred men; that the fort is well repaired; that they were not under any apprehensions of a visit from us; but that in the beginning of May they were in great want of provision, and the soldiers wished for our coming; that Colonel Butler had frequently attempted to engage the Indians against us; that they constantly refused to comply, greatly commending us for recommending neutrality to them, and severely reprimanding him for some scurrility thrown out against us; that a Seneca sachem, named Cajaghsoda, from some town towards the Ohio, (a man of great influence and much respected by all the nations,) in a long speech inveighed bitterly against Butler for attempting to make the Indians parties in the war, and concluded with declaring that he would not interfere, but let the father and son (as he expressed himself) settle their difference between them; that this man opened the eyes of the Indians to their true interest; that the few Indians that went down to Canada had been kept drunk for some time before, and went contrary to the inclinations of the sachems of all the Six Nations; that the Council at Onondaga had sent a sachem of note express to Niagara to bring away two sachems, whom Butler, by dint of money and liquor, has kept about him all this spring. Ryckman understands and speaks the Indian language very well, and he assures us that he does not believe that the upper nations of the Six can be brought to act against us. If so, the more western nations will not be suffered to harass our frontiers. He advises that we should be liberal at this treaty.

The goods we have brought up are neither such nor so many as we could wish; for although we have about seven hundred pounds' worth, yet as the price of goods is so extravagantly high, they will not be considered by the Indians as of more value than half that sum. I have therefore despatched an express this morning to General Gates for some Indian goods that were brought from Canada, and have ordered up fifteen hundred dollars in specie. If our treaty turns out favourable, I shall propose to my colleagues to publish such parts of it as will dispel the fears of the frontier inhabitants, without waiting for the determination of Congress, as the apprehensions of those people are very high. If, however, Congress should not approve of this measure, I believe there will be time sufficient to advise us of it before it can take place.

Mr. Ryckman observes, that Cajaghsada, the Seneca sachem above mentioned, has been at Congress, and believes he will pay another visit, and wishes that particular attention should be paid him. He lives near Pittsborough. Perhaps it might be well to send a message to him, thanking him for his conduct at Niagara, and that it was communicated by Ryckman, whose Indian name is Queder.

I am, dear sir, with every wish for your health and happiness, and with the greatest respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Hon. John Hancock.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

German-Flats, July 17, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Your favours of the 5th and 12th instant, by Captains Window and Lester, were sent me from Albany, and received this day. I have written to my Secretary to give those gentlemen the fullest assurances that your wishes with regard to them will be fully complied with, and that they will certainly receive every assistance the Hospital can afford, in case of sickness, in the same manner as the soldiers have; so that I hope they have already marched, without any difficulty.

I arrived here yesterday, and found very few Indians. This day, about one hundred and fifty Indians have come in, and we expect a numerous body of them in a few days. Mr. Ryckman, a trader from Albany, who has been detained at Niagara by the British officer commanding there, since last year, because he was a friend to our cause, and had influence among the savages, has found means to make his escape, and arrived here last night, accompanied by twenty-one warriors of the Seneca nation. The account he brings of the temper of the Senecas (the nation who could distress us most) is very favourable; and he assures me that he has reason to believe the Indians will not attack our frontiers.

Numerous and formidable as our enemies are, I cannot despair of success against them, provided we are unanimous. I mention this, because of the unhappy dissensions in the Northern Army, where some unfriendly or unthinking people have set up Colonial distinctions. I have always deprecated every attempt to divide us, by that or any other means; and when I was last at Crown-Point, I convened the commanding officer of every corps, and pointed out, in the most forcible manner I was capable of, the danger of such distinctions, and how much and how justly the enemy would exult to learn it. The goodness of your heart, my dear sir, and your zeal for our cause, will induce you to give me all the assistance in your power to eradicate this evil. But whilst I entreat you to recommend to the troops from your Colony to cultivate harmony, I would not wish to be understood that they have been the promoters or principal supporters of the unhappy dissensions; on the contrary, I have reason to believe them as little culpable as any.

I am, dear sir, with every friendly wish, and with great esteem and respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable Governour Trumbull.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL GATES.

German-Flats, July 17, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I was in hopes to have found the greater part of the Six Nations here, as I did not arrive until yesterday; but a few only, as yet, have repaired to this place. The meeting will, however, from all the information I have received, be a numerous one.

Last evening, Mr. Peter Ryckman arrived here. He is a trader of Albany, and has been detained at Niagara by the commanding officer there, on a well-grounded suspicion that he was a friend to our cause. He left Niagara on the 27th ultimo, and remained ten days with the Senecas on his way down, and was accompanied to this place by twenty-one warriors of that nation. He advises that the Senecas are extremely well pleased with the measure we have adopted, in asking nothing more than a neutrality; and he does not believe that they can be induced to act against us, as the Crown agent, Colonel Butler, has several times in vain attempted to make them take the hatchet, and has been as often disappointed and even rebuked by them.

The few goods we have been able to collect at Albany are greatly inadequate to our wants. I must therefore entreat you to send all the Indian goods which General Arnold brought from Montreal, to this place, with all the despatch possible; and that they may not be delayed on the way, permit me to beg you to send an active and early-rising officer with them, to accompany them all the way here.

I hope your endeavours to establish good order, and to eradicate the dangerous jealousy which has unhappily arisen amongst the troops, will meet with the desired success.

The five officers, who went off from Lebanon, in Pennsylvania, were met by Mr. Ryckman, on his way from Niagara.

I am, dear sir, most sincerely, your obedient, humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable General Gates.

GENERAL GATES TO GENERAL WATERBURY.

Tyonderoga, July 17, 1776.

DEAR SIR: This will be delivered to you by Dr. Ely, sent here by Governour Trumbull, and the authority of Connecticut, to concert with me the best means to prevent