To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 7 November 1775
From Major General Philip Schuyler
Tyonderoga [N.Y.] November 7th 1775
My Dear General
I had prepared an Answer to your last, which I Received three days ago, but as It was not Copied;1 and having this Moment received the agreable Intelligence of the reduction of St John’s, I would not withold from your Excellency so Interesting an Account, for a letter which I may hereafter send, I only Inclose Copy’s of General Montgommery’s Letter and of the papers that were Inclosed in It.2
Mr Montgommery’s merit is the more, On account of the difficulties he has had to Encounter, what these are the Answer to Your Excellency’s above Alluded to will point out.
I beg leave to Congratulate you on this happy Event which I hope will be followed by the reduction of All Canada, Especially should Colo: Arnold get down to the St Lawrence. Believe me My Dear General that with all those Sentiments which flow from unfeigned Esteem I am Your Excellencys most Obedient & most Humble Servant
Ph: Schuyler
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, NN: Schuyler Papers.
2. Schuyler enclosed copies of Richard Montgomery’s letter to him of 3 Nov., the articles of capitulation that the British commander at St. Jean, Maj. Charles Preston, signed on 2 Nov., and an inventory of naval stores at St. Jean dated 3 Nov., all of which are in DLC:GW. “I have the Pleasure,” Montgomery wrote in his letter, “to Acquaint you, the Garrison Surrendered last Night, this Morning we take possession, to Morrow I hope the Prisoners will set off. . . . I am making the necessary preparations to proceed immediately to Montreal by way of La Prairie—as the Enemy have Armed Vessels in the Sorrell—Send every body you possibly can immediately down, as it is much to be Apprehended many of the Men on this Service will insist on returning home, when their times are expired.”