To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 1 February 1777
From Major General Philip Schuyler
Albany [N.Y.] February 1 1777.
Sir
Yesterday Mr Kirkland the Indian Missionary in the Service of the United States with nine Indians arrived here from Oneida & Fort Schuyler. Your Excellency will perceive by the enclosed, which is Copy of a Paper he delivered me, that It corroborates the Intelligence I have heretofore received that the Enemy intend to attack Tyonderoga as soon as they shall be able to cross Lake Champlain on the Ice,1 In Consequence of this Information I have again written to the Eastern States and to the Convention of this, to afford me all the Assistance in their Power,2 But I fear if any is sent, it will come too late, as I apprehend that the Lake will be passible in a Fortnight at farthest, I wish Your Excellency to second my Application that such a Body of Men may be sent up as will probably prevent the Enemy from Attempting Any Thing farther, if they should possess themselves of Tyonderoga, For if they should come to this Place, Fear and that Attention which most Men pay to the Security of their property will, I apprehend, bring on such a General Defection as to threaten Ruin to the Liberties of America. I am Dr Sir with sincere Esteem Your Excellencys Most Obedt Humble servt
Ph: Schuyler
LS, DLC:GW; LB, NN: Schuyler Papers.
1. Schuyler enclosed Samuel Kirkland’s letter to him of 25 Jan. from Oneida informing him that Loyalist colonel John Butler had invited a number of Indian “Chiefs and Head Warriors” to repair to Niagara during the second week of February in an effort to realign the Six Nations politically with the British crown. Kirkland conveyed expressions of goodwill to the American cause from many tribes but cautioned that a general attack toward Ticonderoga was designed toward the close of February by “Regulars Canadians & Indians” (DLC:GW).
2. For two of Schuyler’s letters to the eastern states requesting reinforcements for Ticonderoga, see Schuyler to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 31 Jan., in MHi: Trumbull Papers, and Schuyler to Meshech Weare, 31 Jan., in , 8:480. The Connecticut council of war read Schuyler’s letter to Trumbull on 6 Feb. but took no action (see , 408; see also Trumbull to GW, 7 Feb., and Trumbull to Schuyler, 11 Feb., in MHi: Trumbull Papers). Although New Hampshire committee of safety chairman Nicholas Gilman informed Schuyler on 8 Feb. that his state could not provide any assistance, Schuyler reiterated his request for reinforcements in a letter to Gilman of 17 Feb. (see , 8:493–94). Schuyler’s letter to the New York committee of safety of this date was referred to a subcommittee for consideration on 4 Feb., and when the subcommittee reported back on 9 Feb. the committee of safety passed resolutions empowering Schuyler to call out one-fifth of the militia from Albany, Tryon, Charlotte, Gloucester, and Cumberland “whenever he shall think the same absolutely necessary” (, 1:795, 800). The Massachusetts council resolved on 8 Feb. to reinforce the northern army with the new Continental recruits (see “Mass. Council Journal,” Feb.–Oct. 1777 sess., 13–14).