Letter from General Schuyler to General Gates: Has sent his resignation -- a step which Congress drove him to

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Albany, September 26, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: Your favours of the 22d and 23d instant I had the pleasure to receive on the 25th, with the papers they enclosed, copies of which I have transmitted to Congress.

I have not yet seen Antoine Girard, the Canadian, mentioned in your letter.

I can readily conceive, my dear sir, that you have neither sought nor solicited the command in this department, but it must devolve of course on you, as I have sent my resignation — a step which Congress drove me to by what I conceive a most unjustifiable want of attention to the most reasonable requests repeatedly made. But although I feel a resentment for ill usage, I can never forget my duty to my country, and whoever you shall appoint to command in this place will, if he chooses to accept of it, experience every assistance in my power to give.

I hope you have before this received the first parcel of cordage you wrote for. I have sent boats express for what was mentioned in the list enclosed in your last letter.

What few troops are here cannot be spared. They are hardly sufficient for the indispensably necessary duty of the place. The Militia, I doubt not, will march with the utmost expedition as soon as they shall be called upon. It will be necessary, as soon as you want their aid, not only to let me know it, but also to send expresses to the New-England States, by the way of Skenesborough.

I enclose you sundry resolutions of Congress, transmitted me by General Washington, by which you will perceive that Congress have resolved to send you the ammunition wrote for; but when it was to leave Philadelphia, I do not know, as I am not honoured with a line from thence. It will be forwarded from hence without any delay, and under the best escort I can afford.

Mr˙ Livingston has sent to Esopus and Poughkeepsie for wine; not a gallon is to be had in this place.

Dr˙ Stringer, in a letter of the 19th instant, from Boston, advises me that he is likely to succeed in procuring a very considerable quantity of such medicines as we stand most in need of, and that he will hasten up with them. Dr˙ Lyn is out on the same errand.

You will please to publish in orders such of the resolutions of Congress as are necessary so to be. For God' s sake, try to keep the Pennsylvania and New-Jersey regiments in service until every possibility of the enemy' s crossing the Lake this campaign disappears. They may, as you imagine, soon make the attempt. I rather wish they would, than delay it five or six weeks longer, as I fear too many of our troops will leave you by that time.

Adieu, my dear General, and believe me, with every friendly wish, your obedient, humble servant,

PH˙ SCHUYLER.

To Hon˙ General Gates.