Letter from General Schuyler to General Washington

v4:666

Albany, January 13, 1776.

I wish I had no occasion to send my dear General this melancholy account. My amiable friend, the gallant Montgomery, is no more; the brave Arnold is wounded; and we have met with a severe check, in an unsuccessful attempt on Quebeck. May Heaven be graciously pleased that the misfortune may terminate here. I tremble for our people in Canada; and nothing, my dear sir, seems left, to prevent the most fatal consequences, but an immediate reinforcement, that is nowhere to be had, but from you, and the only route, that which I have pointed out in my letter to Congress, copy of which you have enclosed. Nor do I think that a less number than I have mentioned will suffice. Should your Excellency think proper to send the troops, you will please to let me know it by Express, that I may send provisions to Onion River.

Congress has wrote to me on the subject of my request to retire. Our affairs are much worse than when I made the request; this is motive sufficient for me to continue to serve my country in any way I can be thought most serviceable, but my utmost can be but little, weak and indisposed as I am.

The clothing is gone to Cambridge.

I am your Excellency' s most obedient and most humble servant,
PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.