Letter from General Schuyler to Abraham Yates, Junior: By intelligence from General Gates and Colonel Dayton, the necessity of marching up the Militia is superseded

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"Albany, September 15, 1776.

"SIR: I do myself the honour to advise you that, by accounts received from General Gates and Colonel Dayton, the necessity of marching up the Militia is superseded. I have sent express to Ulster and Dutchess Counties to advise them of this, and have dismissed those that were here. The cannonade which was heard on Lake Champlain, and which was supposed to be between General Arnold and the enemy' s army, was only a fire at a party of the enemy, who attacked a boat belonging to our fleet, at Windmill Point, in which three of the crew were killed and six wounded. The fleet continues off Isle-au-Motte, and no naval force of the enemy had appeared on the 9th instant. Our army at Tyconderoga, by the last returns, consisted of twelve thousand nine hundred and seventy men, are in good spirits, and so extremely well fortified on advantageous ground, that little is to be feared, even if the enemy should be able to cross the Lake, and make an attack.

"Many important matters require immediate attention in this department, to guard the State against the attempts, which will undoubtedly be made in the winter and spring, by the enemy from the northward˙ I suggested my ideas to Congress; but as I have not been honoured with a line, in answer to my letters, for near two months past, I suppose more momentous concerns so entirely engross their attention that they have not had time to take them into consideration.

"As I accepted of a command under the fullest conviction of my incompetency, I have made more than ordinary exertions to discharge the duties of it, that, if I could not gain reputation, I might at least not reflect disgrace on you, by whose means the command was conferred.

"Unhappily for me, envy and jealousy have followed me from the beginning. Aware to what a critical situation I was elevated, with the eyes of a jealous people on me, I took every precaution that I might have it in my power to justify myself whenever my conduct should be called in question. How far I have succeeded I shall beg the Convention of this State to judge, when I shall do myself the honour to lay a variety of papers before them, which I believe will be very soon, as I have sent my resignation to Congress.

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"As the Convention is now removed to a place where they cannot be informed, by the usual channel, of what is transacting in this department, I shall do myself the honour to give them the most early information of every event as it arises.

"September 16˙ — Last evening I was honoured with the resolutions of the Convention of the 13th, conveyed to me by Mr˙ Cuyler. I am happy that there is no occasion at present for the service of the Militia. Should it become necessary, while I continue in command, (which will probably be until the 1st of October,) to call for their aid, I shall pay due attention to the information you have been pleased to give me, and not call on either Dutchess or Ulster County, unless on the most urgent necessity.

"I shall immediately despatch a proper person to purchase the medicines from the persons mentioned in your resolution; for although I am in hopes that Dr˙ Stringer, who is gone to New-England, will procure a considerable quantity there, yet the consumption in so large an army will, I fear, be far beyond what he will be able to procure.

"Enclose you copy of information given by a Hessian deserter, who lately arrived at Ticonderoga.

" I am, sir, with great respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

"PH˙ SCHUYLER.

"To the Hon˙ Abraham Yates, Jun˙, Esq˙, President of the Convention of the State of New-York."