General Schuyler to Continental Congress

v2:1760

Ticonderoga, July 31, 1775.

SIR: Yesterday the enclosed letter and papers were delivered me. The warrants for the Captains and Lieutenants to enlist the men, have not yet been sent up; but that no delay might thereby be occasioned, I have directed them to proceed to make the levies, and have given them assurances that they should have the commissions. A controversy has arisen between Allen and Warner; the former, you will perceive, has been left out altogether by the Green Mountain Boys. What the consequences will be I cannot pretend to say.

I have a boat on stocks, sixty feet in length, which I hope to finish by this day week. I suppose she will carry between two and three hundred men. Another of the same size is to be put up to-day, so that I hope soon to have vessels enough to move on. If any more powder can be got, I hope it will be sent, as not above a ton will be left, if so much, when the Troops are completed, to a pound a man.

Enclose you copies of two letters; one from Commissary Phelps, and the other from Commissary Strong. The former, Mr˙ Livingston acquaints me, refuses to resign the department into his hands. I have sent orders to him requiring his compliance. I doubt whether they will be obeyed. If not, it is more than probable that the service will essentially suffer.

I have written to Mr˙ Strong, that Mr˙ Livingston will take the pork, flour, and cattle, he mentions; his letter is not the most decent, and as such I have treated it in my answer to him.

As I did not wish that Mr˙ Livingston should dismiss any person that had been employed by the Colony of Connecticut, I wrote him as soon as I was informed of his appointment. Mr˙ Phelps must continue in employment, and I think you had best send him to Fort George, to take charge of your branch there.

I should not have troubled you with these letters, but that you may from them see the necessity of some general resolution of Congress, to cure all this jarring.

I am, Sir, your Honour' s most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

Honourable John Hancock, President, &c.