Philip Schuyler to George Washington, 9 May 1781
From Philip Schuyler
Saratoga [N.Y.] May 9th 1781
Dear Sir
I had forgot to Inclose the paper alluded to in mine of the 4th and sent It after the messenger,1 by mistake General Clinton has returned It to me in a letter of his of yesterdays date.2
There is great reason to believe that the Corporal and party Charged by Harris with having released Ensign Smith after he was taken are guilty of the fact, as some of them have been seen with Such Handkerchief as Harris describes, they have also been possessed of Hard money about that time which no body here can account how they Obtained, no notice has yet been taken of them as neither Fish or Harris have been with me since I wrote your Excellency.3
The person I sent to the northward is not yet returned.4
Partys are out to try to procure some beef But I doubt much If they will be able to Obtain any in the Country.5 If they return without success I believe the troops will Immediately abandon this place, and be followed by the Inhabitants. I am Dr Sir most Sincerely & respectfully Your Excellency’s Obedient Servant
Ph: Schuyler
ALS, DLC:GW. Schuyler addressed the cover to GW at New Windsor.
1. Schuyler’s letter to GW on 4 May covered Vermont independence, provision shortages, and intelligence regarding Moses Harris, Jr.
2. Brig. Gen. James Clinton’s letter to Schuyler on 8 May has not been identified.
3. Schuyler refers to intelligence from John Fish regarding the activities of a party under Loyalist captain Thomas Smith and a bribe (see GW to George Clinton, 15 April, and George Clinton to GW, 6 May, and n.2 to that document; see also Schuyler to GW, 4 May, and n.1 to that document). For Schuyler’s intelligence gathering on the New York frontier, see , 451–52.
4. Schuyler had dispatched a spy to investigate reports of enemy shipping at Crown Point, N.Y. (see Schuyler to GW, 4 May; see also James Clinton to GW, 30 April–1 May).
5. Impress warrants had been issued for beef (see George Clinton to GW, 6 May, and n.4 to that document).