Letter from General Washington to General Schuyler

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New York, July 15, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Enclosed you will receive a letter from Congress, which came to hand this morning, with a copy of some resolves, to which you will pay your attention, as their execution will be under your direction.

I have also enclosed a letter for General Burgoyne, which I request you to seal and forward to him as soon as you have perused the important and necessary resolves (of July 10) it contains. The spirited measures Congress have entered into, I am hopeful, will make the British troops more regardful of that faith which ought to be preserved inviolate between nations, and that the rights of humanity may not be infracted in future.

Admiral Howe arrived on Friday last, and we hourly expect his fleet. The same day, just before he came in, two ships-of-war, one of forty and the other of twenty guns, and three tenders, passed our batteries without any certain damage that I could perceive, though an incessant fire was kept up. They availed themselves of a brisk and favourable wind and tide. Our last intelligence is, that they are at Taupan Bay. You may readily conjecture a variety of bad purposes intended by this manoeuvre.

I am, dear sir, yours, &c˙, GO˙ WASHINGTON.

To General Schuyler.

P˙ S˙ I wrote to Fort Constitution, and directed that intelligence should be forwarded respecting the ships passing by us to Albany, that precautions might be used to prevent vessels falling into their hands. You will give further directions in this matter.