To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 16 November 1779
From Philip Schuyler
Philadelphia Nov: 16th 1779
Dear Sir
I arrived here last evening and learnt from some Members of Congress that the necessity of writing to Colo: Hamilton was Superceaded by a letter of Message which had been Sent him from hence Intimating that his Stay on the Sea Coast was rendered unnecessary.1
I shall take my seat In Congress this Morning2 and when the house adjourns shall Communicate your Excellency such Information on a Certain Subject as I may be Able to Obtain3 The sad reverse of fortune we have experienced In Georgia does not Seem to make an Impression here in any degree adequate to the extent of the Evils with which It will probably be attended.
Be so Good as to Intreat the Gentlemen of Your family to Accept of my best wishes And be assured My Dear Sir that I am with the most sincere Affection & Esteem Your Excellen[c]ys Most Obedient Hume servant
Ph: Schuyler
ALS, Nh-Ar: Personal Papers 1779.
1. Schuyler probably is referring to a letter from John Mitchell to GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton written at Philadelphia on 10 November. That letter in part reads: “prepaire yourself for Disagreeable news before you read any further.
“The 9th of October the Count D’Estang & General Lincoln atacked Savannah, the real Atack was made by 3200 men and two feints by a smaller force—in this asault he was defeated & lost about 500 men, Genl Polasky is Killed, the Count received two Wounds—Genl Lincoln is retreated to Puresburgh out of Georgia, & the Count was retiring on Board his ship—Major Clarkson is Just arrived with this very unfortunate and disagreeable News” (DLC: Alexander Hamilton Papers).
Hamilton had been sent to the coast to convey ideas for joint operations upon the arrival of a French fleet under Vice Admiral d’Estaing (see GW to Duportail and Hamilton, 25 Oct., n.1). D’Estaing’s decision not to sail north after the defeat at Savannah ended the reason for Hamilton’s mission. For GW’s instructions to Schuyler regarding Hamilton, see GW to Duportail and Hamilton, 11 Nov., and n.3 to that document.
2. For Schuyler’s presentation of his credentials as a delegate to Congress from New York, see 15:1272.
3. Schuyler may be alluding to GW’s proposal to institute a draft to provide recruits for the army (see GW to Samuel Huntington, 18 Nov., and the source note to that document).