To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 June 1776
From Major General Israel Putnam
Head Quarters N. York June 1st 1776
Dear General
I have this moment (by Express) received the enclosed letters from Generals Schuyler and Sullivan which I think of such great Importance I shall immediately forward you, together with my answer to General Schuyler,1 I wrote you yesterday but was too late for the post, shall forward it on wt. this—since which five Ships arrived Att the Hook three of which I suppose to be Men of War, I am truly sorry for our defeat in Canada, at the Cedars—hope Congress will immediately take the Importance of that Country into serious Consideration and immediately send on Reinforcements—or I fear we shall loose what we had possession off—I am in so great haste I know not but I shall forward on some papers, which are of no Consequence—both Expresses now wait—I have the Honor to be Dear General with Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Hume servt
Israel Putnam
LS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosures were probably Schuyler’s letters to GW of 21, 24, 26 [1] [2], 27, and 28 May, and Sullivan’s letters to him of 16 and 18 May (see GW to Schuyler, 9 June 1776). Putnam wrote to Schuyler on this date: “General Washington not being here I sent forward a Number of Cannon, Two Tons of Powder, Intrenching Tools Pork &c. agreable to your desire in your last Letter—Your express this moment arrived[.] I shall forward the Letters on immediately to the General who is yet at Philadelphia with the Congress—Depend Sir, Nothing shall be wanting in my power to forward and assist the Troops gone to Canada this Campaign—Powder and Lead we shall soon forward on—The little I sent you on with the Guns &c. I hope is safe to hand before this. Provisions will be forwarded on as you could wish—And I doubt not Congress will immediately Order on a Reinforcement of men which it is not in my power to do—I beg you will write for every Article you want as soon as possible and it shall be immediately sent on. It is with pain I hear of Colo. Beadle and the brave Major Sherburne’s defeat at the Cedars—for Gods sake if possible forward on relief to the Cagnawaga’s immediately or I fear we shall lose them all—I know them to be a very brave Nation and think it of importance they should be secured to our Interest. . . . P.S. Col. Knox tells me there is plenty of Cannon for ships at Crown-point” (DLC:GW).