To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, [September 1780]
From Philip Schuyler
[Saratoga, New York, September, 1780]1
My dear Sir,
Your favor of the 17th2 I received on that day. That of the 13th3 has taken a tour to Albany and was delivered me this moment, with one Inclosed for Betsy.
Commissioners will be appointed to meet the Eastern Convention.4 I believe Judge Hubbard,5 Mr Benson6 the Attorney General and myself will go, the two Gentlemen I have mentioned are as deeply Impressed as men can be with the necessity of more power in the directing Council or what would be better in our present Situation. The lower house are for It, but the upper timid altho heartily disposed to every measure which will give Vigor.
I was too much Indisposed to undertake the Journey to Hartford.7 and Continue so much so that I am obliged to quit this before the Legislature rises.
I am Informed Gates is to have the thanks of the Senate for not despairing of the Commonwealth, but that they do not mean to tread wholly in the Steps of the romans and Confine him to subordinate Commands; he is to have a potent army and to drive Cornwallis and his Crew into the Sea with more rapidity than he flew to Hillsborough.8
Pray Intreat the General and the Gentlemen of his family to accept of my best wishes, in which you always partake.
I am Dr Sir Affectionately yours, &c. &c
P. Schuyler
Colo Hamilton.
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. In , I, 169, this letter is dated 1780. The letter was probably written sometime between September 20 and September 26 as it was on the latter date that Schuyler was chosen as a commissioner to attend the proposed convention at Hartford.
2. Letter not found.
3. Letter not found.
4. For a discussion of the convention which met in November at Hartford and to which Schuyler is referring, see Schuyler to H, September 10, 1780, note 2.
5. John Sloss Hobart, who served in the New York legislature until 1777, when he was appointed a justice of the Supreme Court of New York.
6. Egbert Benson, attorney general of New York from 1777 to 1789.
7. Schuyler is referring to the journey to Hartford that he had hoped to make to meet Washington and the French officers (see Schuyler to H, September 16, 1780).
8. Gates fled to Hillsborough (or Hillsboro), North Carolina, following the defeat of the American forces under his command at Camden, South Carolina on August 16, 1780.