Such of these articles as are to the northward will be wanted there, and even considerably more. Besides these, the great scarcity of pork, which cannot now be got from New-York, will be an insuperable obstacle; but nevertheless, as it is probable that a very few weeks will determine whether troops can be spared from New-York or the northward, I shall make what preparations I can to carry into execution the wishes of Congress.

My long stay here must necessarily greatly retard our affairs to the northward, and distress General Gates; and I had proposed to return, if the Indians did not arrive in a day or two hence, and to leave the business to Messrs. Douw and Edwards. The Indians have prevented me, by sending a message and belt, importing that they were informed of my intentions to go down the country, and insisting that I should remain. The necessity of humouring these people, and a deference to the opinion of my colleagues, put it out of my power to comply with my wishes.

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

PH. SCHUYLER.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

German-Flats, July 20, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Both of your Excellency's favours of the 15th instant were delivered to me yesterday.

The letter for General Burgoyne, and the resolution of Congress to accompany it, were immediately despatched to General Gates, with a request to forward it without delay.

To carry into execution the resolution of Congress of the 2lst of June, respecting the mal-conduct of some of our officers in Canada, will be, as your Excellency very justly observes, "a work of difficulty and delicacy." Congress was doubtless furnished with a detail of some of the offences, and, most probably, with the names of the offenders, previous to their entering into the resolution. If these, however few they might be, were pointed out and brought to trial, others in the course of the examination might be impeached, and probably most of the offenders be discovered. Perhaps your Excellency may think proper to desire Congress to men-lion some particulars. I shall, however, as soon as I return to the Army, confer with Generals Gates and Arnold, and try to adopt such measures as will best answer the wishes of Congress.

Colonel Nicolson's case, agreeable to your orders, shall claim my earliest attention, and I will order a trial immediately on my return.

It would give me great pleasure if the situation of our affairs would admit of my doing what Congress has recommended to me, in the resolution of the 11th instant; but unless a considerable body of troops and carpenters are moved from Ticonderoga, and the variety of articles necessary for erecting fortifications at Oswego, and building galleys on Ontario, can be procured, it will not be possible to carry that resolution into execution; and I doubt much whether such a movement would he prudent at this juncture, even if intrenching tools, materials for building, and the various other necessary articles, could be spared from the northward, or elsewhere procured. A few weeks will probably bring about events that will enable us to determine with more certainty what can be done. If these should be favourable to us, I will not lose a moment thereafter, but immediately possess ourselves of Oswego, and shall therefore take measures accordingly, and make what preparations I can.

The Indians have not yet arrived; the more remote ones have sent to apologize for their tardiness on account of the death of one, and the extreme illness of another sachem; but that they propose to be here on Thursday next. Mr. Ryckman, on his return from Niagara, passed through most of the Six Nations, and he and his party were at every one of their villages entertained with the accounts brought by those that have lately returned from New-York and Philadelphia; and such is the idea they have conceived of our power and resources, that the opinion that we shall be an overmatch fur our enemies, begins pretty generally to prevail. If this be true, (and I have no reason to doubt it,) we shall meet with no trouble from the savages.

The account of the two men-of-war and three tenders passing New-York, as transmitted by your Aid-de-camp, reached Albany on Sunday last, and Colonel Van Schaick informs me that he has given the necessary directions to prevent any of our vessels falling into the enemy's hands.

I am greatly apprehensive that the service will suffer in this quarter for the want of money; very little, if any, is left in the military chest, and our debts are very considerable.

The five officers, prisoners who deserted from some part of Pennsylvania, were met by Mr. Ryckman on his way from Niagara, Would it not be proper to request General Burgoyne to deliver these and all other prisoners in Canada who have slighted their parole and joined him?

General Arnold writes me that two or three hundred swivels will be wanted, with a number of hand-grenades, Be so good as to order up all (of both) you can spare.

I am, dear sir, with every affectionate wish, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,

PH. SCHUYLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL WATERBURY TO GENERAL GATES.

Skenesborough, July 20, 1776.

SIR: I received yours by Doctor Ely, with the provision and ammunition, which came safe to hand, except the bullet-moulds and thread. The former is not wanted, as there was no bar lead sent, and there were several boxes of ball; but the latter is much wanted, and would be glad your Honour would send some by the first boat. I have sent a boat to Cheshire's for boards, and it has returned empty by reason of there being none sawed; but the mill is now got at work, and hope we shall soon be furnished.

This moment there is part of a company of carpenters from Connecticut arrived. The remainder is at Cheshire's, and I shall send a boat for them to-morrow morning. The rain has flowed so, that they cannot pass by land. I shall do everything that lies in my power to forward business for the publick good here and at Cheshire's.

I am, dear sir, your Honour's most obedient servant,

DAVID WATERBURY, Jun.

To Major-General Gates.

P. S. Some cordage is very much wanted here.

GENERAL GATES TO NATHAN CLARKE.

Tyonderoga, July 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I received your favour by the bearer, and have sent you by him the eighteen commissions filled up as you request. I have no authority to appoint any Field-Officer to command the six companies, nor do I see the necessity of it, as they are to act separately for the protection of the inhabitants in the several districts where they are posted. You will please to observe that the officers are to rank in the order you recommended. As to advancing money, I have no power or authority to do it; nor has it been done for any troops raised for the protection of the places they inhabit. When they are raised, and have served a month, they may receive a month's pay.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

HORATIO GATES, Major-General.

To Nathan Clarke, Esq., Chairman of the Committee at Manchester.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HARTLEY, GOING UPON COMMAND TO CROWN-POINT.

Upon your arrival at Crown-Point, you will post the detachment under your command in the most secure manner, taking care to preserve a communication with your batteaus and the vessels stationed at the Point.

You will constantly report all extraordinaries, and by every means in your power procure intelligence of the motions of the enemy. Such as you think of consequence must, without delay, be sent by an express-boat to Ticonderoga.

As the Indians, especially those of the Six Nations, seem strongly disposed to a neutrality, I would by no means commence hostilities against them. If they begin to act offensively against us, there is no doubt but we must repel force by force.

As the detachment under your command is meant more as an advance guard than a post to be defended to the last extremity, you are carefullfy to keep your retreat open to your batteaus; and when the enemy appear with a force to