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New-York, June 16, 1776.
DEAR SIR: I received your several favours of the 11th continued to the 12th, and 12th with a copy of GeneralArnold' s letter. The return delivered you by GeneralWooster, you forgot to enclose.
The account of Mr˙Deane is variant from ColonelKirkland' s; but yet they both seem to agree in the most material points, viz: that some parts of our frontiers are to feel the effects of the savage resentment which the friends of Government have been industriously trying to call forth against us.
You have done well in your Message to theSix Nations. The sooner a conference can be held the better; and I think the most vigorous exertions necessary to secure a post, as you mention, whereFort Stanvix formerly stood, and below that, as I intimated in my last. If you can effect these, I am hopeful all their attempts in that quarter will be unavailing. I have ordered a ton of powder, half a ton of lead, five thousand flints, some cannon, intrenching tools, and a dozen whip-saws and files, to be immediately sent you, which you will receive in two or three days, with a list of them and every other article sent from hence at this time.
I have enclosed you a copy of an invoice of goods now
TheIndians are here, just returned fromPhiladelphia. I will communicate to them your wishes for their return, and give direction that every mark of respect be shown them by those who go with them.
I have requested the Paymaster to procure, if possible, as much hard money as will discharge Mr˙Black' s claim. How he will succeed, I cannot tell. If he can get it, it shall be forwarded as soon as a proper conveyance can be had. In regard to a person to superintend the building of gondolas, and other carpenters to carry on the works, I refer you to my letter of the 9th; and shall only add, that they cannot be now had, every one qualified for the business being employed here.
The intelligence contained in GeneralSullivan' s letter is extremely pleasing, and I sincerely wish his most sanguine hopes may be more than answered. If the affection of theCanadians can be engaged — and he seems to have no doubt of it — it will be of much importance, and probably the means of retrieving our misfortunes in that quarter. I find, by GeneralArnold' s letter to GeneralSullivan, ColonelBedel, MajorButterfield, and CaptainYoung, are gone to theSorel for trial. If their conduct was as base and infamous as represented, it will surely meet with an exemplary punishment. Men who will not discharge the duty they owe their country from principle, must be influenced to it by other motives, or at least be prevented from betraying our most valuable rights by a cowardly and disgraceful behaviour.
Enclosed you have an extract of a letter I received by last night' s post from GeneralWard, from which we may reasonably conjecture that the rest of the transports which sailed with the one taken, will not be long before they arrive. It seems evident they expected to find GeneralHowe atBoston; and I am hopeful some others, under this idea, will fall into our hands. There are also accounts in town of two or three valuable prizes more being taken to the eastward — one with several light cannon, another aWest-Indian, homeward-bound, with a quantity of dollars and sugars; but I fear, though the accounts seem particular, that they want confirmation, as GeneralWard mentions nothing of them. I am, dear sir, &c˙,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
To GeneralSchuyler.
P˙ S. The whip-saws, I fear, can' t be got: the Quartermaster say' s he has tried without success.
Letter from General Washington to General Schuyler
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in the hands of Mr˙Robert Henry, which he offered the Quartermaster-General this week on moderate terms, as the Quartermaster informs me. It certainly will be proper that you purchase them, or such of them as will suit the Army inCanada; and it will be less troublesome and expensive than sending articles from hence, supposing they can be procured, and that can be had either inAlbany or its vicinity, rather than to send here for them; for I am really so immersed in business, and have such a variety of things to attend to, that I scarcely know which way to turn myself. Perhaps, if you make a strict inquiry, you may obtain not only more goods, but other necessaries.