Letter from General Wooster to General Schuyler

v5:417

Montreal, March 13, 1776.

SIR: I have sent down Mr˙ Woolsey and Monsieur Beaubasin. Woolsey was taken prisoner by Major Brown, and set at liberty upon his parole of honour to do nothing against our Army. He afterwards went into Quebeck, and headed a party in an attempt to take some of General Arnold' s men prisoners, but failed in the attempt, and was afterwards taken himself. Monsieur Beaubasin is represented to be a very dangerous man, and a most inveterate enemy; who is reported to have intrigues with the Indians, and was overheard to advise the massacre of our troops. A few days since, I wrote you that we had reason to apprehend some mischief contriving against us in the upper countries; since when, a Richard Walker, one Goddard, and Lorimier, (a Frenchman and Indian interpreter,) have, in a secret manner, left this place, and gone to the upper countries. We have heard of them upon their way; and it is said that Peter Johnson (a natural son of Sir William' s, who sailed from Quebeck for England, stopped at Halifax, and has come across from that place to this, and was disguised here for some days in the dress of a Squaw) has gone with them. What designs may be forming, we cannot certainly tell; but most likely to make a descent upon this place while the most of our troops are gone to Quebeck. And really we have very few men to spare for this garrison; and there has not yet arrived from the Colonies fifteen hundred men. How many more we may expect before the lakes are impassable, we do not know; but I could wish to see them come in much faster. Will it not be well to send a body of troops to Oswego, by the way of the Mohawk River? I am informed that the back Nations of Indians were invited down here this spring by Carleton; but am unacquainted whether any belts have ever reached them from the Congress — you, doubtless, know. If they have received none, will it not be advisable to send to them as soon as possible?

I am, sir, your most obedient, very humble servant,

DAVID WOOSTER.

To General Schuyler.