Primary tabs
A Letter from the Committee at Albany was read, and is in the words following, to wit:
"Albany Committee Chamber, June 21, 1775.
"GENTLEMEN: Mr˙ Dirck Swart, a member of this Board, who is just returned from Crown Point, brings us the following intelligence: "That one Mr˙ Kay, who lives about forty miles up Lake Champlain, came down to Crown Point, who told Colonel Benedict Arnold and others, that he had been at Montreal for some flour; that Governour Carleton had him seized and confined for several days; that by the interposition of the English merchants of that place, he received liberty to return home, and that the merchants who procured him the pass from the Lieutenant-Governour, desired him to go down to Crown Point and Ticonderoga, with all speed, and communicate to the commander of those fortresses, that the French Caughnewaga Indians had taken up the hatchet, but that they refused to go out upon any scouts until nine of their men, who were then out, returned, and that Governour Carleton was giving them presents daily.
"We are very sorry to inform you that, from a number of corroborating circumstances, we have but too much reason to believe the above information to be true; and more especially as the Troops, which amount to about six hundred men, suffer no persons coming up the lake to pass St˙ John' s, if they can avoid it, where they are building floating batteries and boats. Mr˙ Swart also acquaints us that Mr˙ Kay said, that Governour Carleton had asked the English merchants to take up arms against the Yankees, (to make use of his own phraseology,) and that the merchants refused; upon which he told them he would set the town on fire, which the merchants said he was welcome to do; and added, that they could carry as much fire as himself. Mr˙ Kay also desired Mr˙ Swart if he should happen to meet Mr˙ Price, he should request him not to proceed, as the English, merchants in Canada conceive it unsafe for him.
"The forces above are in no proper state of defence, principally owing to the scarcity of powder, of which article
"We must also beg of you to send seventy-eight blankets for so many of the men enlisted in this County who are now at Fort George without any, as also some money to pay the companies, as they are very uneasy, and threaten to desert. Two of their officers are now in Town, and declare they dare not return without some cash to satisfy their men.
"We thought it our indispensable duty to inform you of these matters, therefore send them to you per express. By order of the Committee.
"We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants.
"SAMUEL STRINGER, Chairman.
"To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New-York."
Ordered, That Mr˙ Peter T˙ Curtenius purchase seventy-eight Blankets, and forward the same to the Committee at Albany with all possible despatch. And
Ordered, That Mr˙ Abraham Yates write a private Letter to the Committee in answer to their Letter.
Letter from the Committee at Albany
v2:1319
v2:1320
we have not been able to send up more (with the supply we have received from you) than three hundred and fifty pounds; which quantity is altogether insufficient to answer the purpose intended, and of little service in case of an attack. We can further inform you, this City is not half supplied, nor have the frontier inhabitants either powder or arms, for which application have been and daily are making to us: we must therefore beg you will afford us all the assistance in your power, and send us, per the first opportunity, such an additional quantity as you can conveniently spare.