General Schuyler to New-York Congress

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Albany, August 33, 1775.

SIR: I have the honour to acknowledge your favour of the 17th instant, enclosing the resolutions of Congress of the 15th, and a copy of General Washington' s letter of the 10th.

This morning Mr. Warner was with me for the clothing and blankets of the Green Mountain boys. I read your resolution to him, and delivered him six sets of warrants, filled up agreeable to the choice made by them: the seventh remains blank, as one of the Captains declined the service. And as these people could not take the field without some money to procure blankets and arms, I have advanced him five hundred pounds on their pay. I did not mention to him your resolution authorizing me to appoint the field-officers, as I cannot possibly comply with that requisition. The peculiar situation of these people, and the controversy they have had with this Colony, or with gentlemen in it, renders that matter too delicate for me to determine; and it was in this view that I begged that the warrants for the field-officers might be sent me complete, which I shall still hope to receive as soon as possible.

I am at a loss to reconcile the spirit of Mr. Lewis' s letter (to which I referred in one of mine to you) with what you say relative to an hospital in your last. By the former I was directed to address myself to you in the recess of Congress; by the latter it would appear that you have received no directions from the Continental Congress respecting this department. This alarms me much, lest you should not be able to decide on the several matters contained in the letters, copies of which I had the honour to transmit you from Ticonderoga.

Our arms, are of such a variety of bores, and as the balls we have were designed only for muskets, we cannot do any thing without the bullet moulds. I beg they may be forwarded without delay.

Immediately on my first arrival at Ticonderoga, I acquainted Governour Trumbull that Colonel Hinman' s regiment wanted tents. I have since been informed that on the Governour' s application you were to furnish them; if so, I hope they are on the way up. Half of the troops are without tents, and should they not arrive in time, I tremble for the consequences, as they must necessarily be exposed to the rains and dews, which I fear will make dreadful havock amongst them.

Albout seven hundred, Indians are now here, and we open the conference with them to-morrow.

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

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President, &c., &c.

Letter from General Schuyler to the New-York Congress. [1775-08-23] Schuyler, Philip, Major-General. [S4-V3-p0243] [Document Details][Complete Volume]