Letter from General Schuyler to General Gates

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Albany, July 13, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I arrived here at two yesterday afternoon. The latest accounts from New York are of Tuesday last. The enemy were landed on Staten Island to the number of about seven thousand, and, it is thought, were waiting for reinforcements. A body of them also debarked on Long Island, but did not remain long, being apprehensive of an attack from some of our troops who were on their march toward them. A small tender of theirs, in going up the Kills between Bergen Point and Staten Island, has been sunk, either by our batteries or some craft we had there.

The Mayor of New York, Forbes, and the other conspirators, are still confined. I cannot learn what is to be their fate.

I have this morning sent you three hundred and forty-eight felling axes and fifty spades, and have written to Connecticut and the western towns of the Massachusetts, to collect and immediately forward whatever they can. All the blacksmiths are at work in this place and in Schenectady, and I hope to collect some in the country, having given orders for that purpose.

On the 2d instant, Congress declared the American Colonies free and independent States; and it is said that there was not one dissenting Colony.

No lead is yet arrived here. I have again requested General Washington to send whatever he can spare. I have repeated my orders for a full supply of fresh provisions to be immediately sent; pray let the pork be husbanded as much as possible, as I fear we shall not be able to procure much more. Permit me to remind you to order all the brick from Crown Point, as well those wrought up into chimnies as the others.

The bearer, Major Ely, is sent by the Colony of Connecticut to give his assistance as a physician who has had much experience in the fatal malady which so greatly distresses us. Permit me to recommend him to your attention.

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I have written Governour Trumbull and President Powell, and pointed out the disposition we have made of the Army, and observed on the good prospect we have of eradicating the small-pox and preventing its seizing the Militia.

A quantity of lead is just arrived and shall be forwarded to you without delay.

We are this moment informed by Mr˙ Wray, who left New York on Tuesday, that a fleet of seventeen French men-of-war was arrived at Rhode Island, with Mr˙ Deane on board. The account has been repeated to him on his way up. I hope for the pleasure of a confirmation of this account.

I shall desire the Postmaster here to send you all the letters for the Army, with a blank commission for a Postmaster, to be filled up by you.

Pay my respects to General Arnold.

I am, dear sir, with great truth and sincerity, your most obedient humble servant,
PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Hon˙ General Gates.