Letter from General Schuyler to the President of Congress

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Sunday evening, December 31, 1775.

SIR: This moment an express arrived from General Wooster. Copy of his letter, with copy of a letter from General Montgomery to him, I now enclose you.

I cannot procure any gold or silver here to send to Canada. I am afraid it is not to be had at Philadelphia, as a considerable time has already elapsed since Congress gave me reason to hope that a supply would be sent.

I cannot, sir, help repeating my wish that a considerable force should be immediately sent into Canada; the necessity appears to me indispensable, for I do most sincerely believe that, unless such a measure be adopted, we shall severely repent of it, perhaps when too late to afford a remedy. I beg a thousand pardons of Congress for my importunity on this occasion; and I hope they will have charity enough to impute it to my zeal for the American cause.

From what I can learn, the troops that are at Ticonderoga will leave it to-morrow, and I have none to send there. The few that are here refuse to remain until Tuesday, to escort the provisions, before which I cannot move them, for want of carriages.

I have been so very long without hearing from Congress, that I am exceedingly anxious to have the honour of a line from you.

I am, sir, with sentiments of real esteem and regard, your most obedient and most humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq˙, &c.