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[Read February 21, 1776 ]
Albany, February 13, 1776.
SIR: Mr˙ Macarty, who is just arrived from Canada, delivered me the enclosed. He is capable of giving information to Congress which has confirmed me in my opinion of the necessity of sending, immediately, a Committee into Canada.
The New-York Congress have sent me twelve thousand five hundred dollars, to raise a regiment in this quarter, for the Canada service. I have already too much business on my hands, without this addition; but as the General Committee of this County meet on Thursday, I will lay the request before them, and if they think it can be complied with, I will do my endeavours.
I have an infinity of trouble with those people to whom I promised a bounty to march into Canada. Enclose a Copy of a letter which I yesterday delivered Colonel Warner. I hope what I have there recommended will meet with the approbation of Congress. If he should be able to form a regiment out of the people mentioned, the number of troops in Canada will, notwithstanding, be less than what Congress intended, as two regiments cannot, by any means, be raised out of the other troops now in Canada. It will, besides, save a very considerable expense, which must necessarily accrue by his men coming away, and others being sent in lieu.
Yesterday, near thirty Oneidas and Mohawks called upon and delivered me a speech; part of it relates to Butler, who is holding a Council at Niagara. They pretend that he may do mischief there, and asked my leave to go and bring him home. I suspect he has failed in his attempts upon the Indiana, and that he and his friends have fallen on this method, that he may return with safety to his family in the Mohawk' s country. I am not yet determined what answer to give them; at any rate, if he is permitted to come home, we must have some belter security than his own word.
I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient, humble servant,
PHILIP SCHUYLER.
To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq˙, &c.
P˙ S. I am informed that the merchants from this place, who are gone to Canada, will certainly bring a considerable
Yours, &c˙ &c˙, PHILIP SCHUYLER.
Letter from General Schuyler to the President of Congress
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quantity of nails from there. I had thoughts of sending for a supply from thence; but, reflecting that hard cash was so difficult to be got, I think it best, upon the whole, to purchase them from the merchants, when they arrive here, although they will come higher. I shall, however, take care that I may not be disappointed in getting them, by immediately writing to General Wooster on the subject.