To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 1 February 1778
From Philip Schuyler
Albany, February 1, 177[8]
Dear Sir
It is whispered here that an Expedition into Canada is to take place under the Command of the Marquis Fayette, Genl. Conway & Gen: Starke with 3000 Men.1 Entre nous I may venture my Opinion, which Is that the body is Insufficient should they be able to penetrate Into Canada, which I much doubt, as nothing (as far as I can learn) has been prepared: the men are In want of the proper Cloathing to bear up against the rigour of the season in that Severe Climate. There is not a sufficient quantity of provisions in that
part of the Country whence It be Conveyed In Sleds—no forrage Is Collected, no ^Snow^ Shoes are prepared, no hatchetts, no Ice Spurs or creepers, no Carriages fixed for transporting the Cannons, and ^besides^ a variety of other articles Indispensably necessary for Such an Enterprize; but should we be able to Obviate every difficulty, I fear the plundering Spirit of the people ^who are Chiefly to be Militia^ will Injure us In the Opinion of the Canadians.— I hear Mr. Duer is to be of the party.2
People here are very uneasy and much Alarmed at the profusion with which the public Money is Expended and I think not without reason The Expences of the last Year are, I guess, in this department only at least five times as much as they amounted to In the most Expensive Year last war when we had an Army of Sixteen thousand men and went Into Canada, the whole of that Years Expenditure which was 1759. In the Quarter Masters Barrack Masters & forrage Masters Departments which Included all transportation did not Exceed £145000 Currency. I Sincerely wish Congress would adopt Measures that had a tendency to Induce OEconomy into the Military Departments. If they do not we shall Surely Conquer ourselves.
It is said that Abraham Yates will be put into nomination for the office of Lieut. Governor.3
I hope soon to have the pleasure of a visit from You.— Compliments to the Chancellor— I am Dear Sir Affectionately Yours &c. &c. &c.
Ph. Schuyler
Hono: John Jay Esqr. &c. &c.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 7111). Addressed: “Hon. John Jay Esqr. &c &c”. Endorsed: “Gen. Schuyler / 1 Feb. 1778 / ansd. 6 Feb.” Erroneously dated 1777 by Schuyler.
1. The Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834) came to America in 1777 and was commissioned a major general by Congress in July of that year after offering to serve at his own expense. Thomas Conway (1733–1800?), an Irish Catholic raised and educated in France, in whose army he had served until coming to America in December 1776, was commissioned a major general in May 1777 on Washington’s recommendation. John Stark (1728–1822), a veteran of Rogers’ Rangers in the French and Indian Wars, having been passed over for promotion in the Continental army in 1777, had resigned his position. He received a commission as brigadier general in October 1777, after his victory at the head of the militia over a detachment from Burgoyne’s army at the battle of Bennington, August 1777.
2. In January 1778 the new Board of War, contrary to Washington’s advice, planned an invasion of Canada, which Congress authorized, electing Lafayette, Conway, and Stark to conduct the operation. However, Schuyler’s pessimism was well-grounded, and at Washington’s urging the campaign was eventually called off. See below, JJ to Lafayette, 3 Jan. 1779, and Washington to JJ, 14 Apr. 1779, ALS, NNC (EJ: 7232). , 10: 84–85.
3. Abraham Yates Jr. sought the lieutenant governorship following Clinton’s resignation from that post. Pierre Van Cortlandt, who came in second to Clinton in the election, gained the office.