To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 7 October 1778
From Major General Philip Schuyler
Fredericksburgh, Octo: 7th 1778
Dear Sir
I have communi[ca]ted to Colo: Harrisson my sentiments on the Subject of General Starks letter respecting the post at Fort Edward.1
Permit me to Suggest to Your Excellency that If an Attempt should be made On Canada either the ensuing winter or Spring that It will be necessary as early as possible to provide boards In the Vicinity of Fort Ann for the purpose of building Storehouses at Skensborough to receive a Magazine of provisions and other Stores, Shelter for the Men that are to Guard them, and for boats to Send on Supplies when the Army shall be In Canada, near Fort Ann is an exceeding good Sawmill belonging to the public which I believe requires very Little If any repair, near It is a good Blockhouse erected to Cover the Mill which will afford Comfortable Shelter for fifty men, Warners regiment which I understand is at Fort Edward might give a detatchment to Guard the Mill and Aid the Workmen, there are Also two other Mills about Six miles South of Fort Ann—belonging to Jones and Huffnagle these might Also be set to work If your Excellency thinks proper that any or all of them should be Employed Colo: Lewis ought to be advised of It the Soonest possible, If orders are given him on this head and I am Informed of It I will give him some advice that may expedite the Business.
The Legislature of this State is Convened at Poughkipsie and many of my friends are there, I Intreat Permission to pass a few days at that place.2 I have the honor to be with perfect respect and Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servant
Ph: Schuyler
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Schuyler is referring to Brig. Gen. John Stark’s letter to GW of 28 September. In the letter that Schuyler wrote to GW’s secretary, Robert Hanson Harrison, on the morning of 7 Oct. in reply to an unidentified letter from Harrison to Schuyler of 6 Oct., he says: “As the Enemy will probably continue to keep their Shipping at Crown point until the Middle of November I think It would not be prudent to withdraw the troops from Fort Edward before that time and Altho It may be necessary Even In Winter to leave some troops In that quarter, yet there will be no Occassion of building barracks at Fort Edward as very good ones Sufficient for three hundred men are erected at Saratoga which is but twelve miles on this Side of Fort Edward.
“I think one hundred men would Suffice for the Security of the Country Altho more would be required for some other purposes on the Subject of which I do myself the honor to write his Excellency” (DLC:GW). GW followed Schuyler’s advice on this matter when he wrote to Stark about it on 8 October.
2. The New York general assembly sat from 1 Oct. to 23 November.