Philip Schuyler letter to George Washington, 12 April 1776

Fort George, 12 April, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL,

Yesterday I had the honor to receive your favor of the 3d instant, by Bennet, who overtook me on my way to this place. All is in readiness to move, as soon as the Lakes open, which, I hope, will be in a day or two. General Thomas is here, six companies of Burrell's regiment from Connecticut, two companies of the First Pennsylvania Battalion, and three of the New Jersey. The remainder of these corps arc gone on, whereof two companies are about forty-five miles below Crown Point; the rest have reached Canada, We have also here two companies of Van Schaick s, of this Colony; and five companies of the Second Pennsylvania Battalion are at Fort Edward, waiting for the Lake to open, as I have no quarters for them at this place. The remainder of Van Schaick's are not yet raised; and two companies of the First Pennsylvania Battalion are on their way from New York.

I should be extremely happy, my dear General, to pay my devoirs to you at New York; but I do not see a possibility of quitting this quarter, without risking all in Canada. Unless some other general officer should relieve me, I shall, therefore, presume to remain, unless I receive your further orders.

Four o clock, P. M. This moment the post from Canada is arrived. I inclose you copies of all the papers I received. The intelligence they afford is so alarming., that I beg leave to repeat my wish that a considerable body of troops should be immediately sent up.

I have stopped the courier at this place, and he goes back immediately to advise our friends in Canada, that the troops now here will soon be in Canada; and I have presumed to add, that they will be followed by three or four thousand more. This intelligence will keep up their spirits, and intimidate our enemies.

I have, heretofore, observed to your Excellency, that I had never received a return of the army in Canada. I am, on that account, still incapable of let ting you know the strength of our army there. I am equally in the dark with respect to the arrangement made in officering the two regiments that were to be raised out of the troops that wintered there.

The provisions at these posts are very trifling. None of what General Lee has contracted for is come to Albany; and, unless a speedy supply is sent up, our troops in Canada must suffer. I have written on this subject to General Thompson before I left Albany; and although I make not the least doubt but that he will forward it, if he can, yet I beg leave to mention it, lest he should forget to mention it on the arrival of his superior officer at New York.

I am seized with a copious scorbutic eruption, which I have frequently experienced, and imagined it threw off some other more disagreeable disorder. I believe it will not confine me, or prevent me from doing my duty. I am, dear General, most sincerely, Your obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.