To John Jay from Philip Schuyler, 5–8 March 1779
From Philip Schuyler
Albany March 5th:[–8th] 1779.
Sir
As more than two Months are elapsed since my Resignation was laid before Congress I hope I shall not be deemed too importunate if I entreat that respectable Body to a speedy Compliance with my Request. Were it necessary, I might adduce other Reasons to point out the Necessity of my retiring from public Life, but I concieve those I gave in my Letter of the 27th. December last1 will be thought sufficient especially if I add, that my Constitution, which never was a hale one, is so much shaken by a late severe Fit of the Gout on my Stomach that it requires more Care and Attention than the Military Life would permit me to bestow on it.
In my Letter of the 27th. January,2 I advised Congress that part of the Onondagas intended to seperate from those who were Enemies to us— This has lately taken place, as you will percieve by the inclosed.
A Legacy of one thousand pounds Currency is due from me to Miss Elizabeth Bradstreet, a Daughter of the late General Bradstreet’s Wife by her first Husband—3 As I have to pay it in Specie with the Interest due on it since September 1774, and as I advanced about as much as that will amount to, whilst our Troops were in Canada, for which I took paper Money, and as I have no Means of paying off the Legacy in Specie, without the Aid of Congress, I should be exceedingly obliged if Bills on France to that Amount could be afforded me— If so, I shall entreat the Favor of one of the Gentlemen of the Committee of Foreign Correspondence to cause our Agent in France to pay the Money to Miss Bradsteet’s order, and I will either repay it in paper Currency or, if that is not acceptable, in Specie as soon as I can collect it.
March 8th: I have this Moment received an Application from Oneidas for an additional Supply of provisions for the Indians who have very little left to subsist on and will in the Course of twenty Days have Nothing as the Onondagas that are come to reside amongst them have brought no provisions with them this has added to their Distress and as neither the one or the other can go to hunt they must inevitably starve or remove to the interior part of the Country, and if they do that, the Frontiers will be still more exposed than they are at present. I therefore entreat the Direction of Congress on this Subject, with all the Dispatch possible, It being a Matter of too great Importance for me to venture a Decision upon, and yet, such is my Idea of the Necessity of supporting those people, expensive as it may be, that I shall direct the commanding Officer at Fort Schuyler not to let them suffer but in giving them Assistance to do it as from himself, until I can have the pleasure of Congress communicated.4 I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect & Esteem Your Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servant
Ph. Schuyler
His Excellency John Jay Esqr. &c.
ALS, DNA: PCC, item 153, 3: 426–29 (EJ: 11060).
3. General John Bradstreet (1711–74) enjoyed a twenty-year relationship with Schuyler in which Bradstreet was always a partner, albeit occasionally a secret partner, in Schuyler’s business ventures. Bradstreet’s will named Schuyler executor of the estate. The general’s stepdaughter Elizabeth (d. 1794) married Peter Livius. “I appoint Col. Philip Schuyler to take all my books and papers and to settle and transmit my public accounts to Charles Gould, Esq., of London. And I discharge the said Col. Schuyler from all demands and debts, except ₤1000, ‘which shall be paid to Elizabeth Bradstreet, daughter to my wife.’” He also left land to his namesake, Schuyler’s son, John Bradstreet Schuyler. See also Schuyler to JJ as President of Congress, 7 June 1779, DNA: PCC, item 153, 3: 450 (EJ: 11065); Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate’s Office, City of New York, vol. 8, 1771–76, , 32: 200–201.
4. This letter was read in Congress on 18 Mar. Congress refused to accept Schuyler’s resignation and referred the section of the letter concerning the Oneidas and Onondagas to the Board of War. The board reported to Congress on 24 Mar., and Congress empowered the commissioners for Indian affairs in the Northern Department to supply their “faithful friends the Oneidas and other friendly Indians.” , 8: 332–35, 363.