Philip Schuyler to George Washington, 14 May 1781
From Philip Schuyler
Saratoga [N.Y.] May 14th 1781
Dear Sir
Fish and Harris were with me on the 11th the latter repeated every word of the Information heretofore said to be given by him and added that on the 10th in the afternoon he saw and conversed with a Certain Thomas Sherwood formerly of Kingsbury but now of Canada, who Informed him that he and eight others had come from the Shipping at Crown point, had landed in South bay where they had left their boat, That their business was to conduct some of the Inhabitants of Kingsbury Queensbury & Argyle to Canada1—That a number of Batteaus & a considerable quantity of provisions had been brought to St Johns,2 that a body of troops were to Cross the Lakes, but believed they would not march far into the Country until hostilities should be commenced between the state of New York and Vermont, which It was believed in Canada would take place assoon as the Vermontese had engaged the people as far west as Hudsons River to Join them.3 Harris appears to be Sincere, he is sensible and has promissed to Observe some instructions I have given him in order to gain the perfect Confidence of the Enemy, and to Obtain from them the Charge of Conveying their dispatches. He can bring full proof of Corporal Schriders Villany, but If we make use of It Harris’s Character must be known to the Enemy.
The person I dispatched to Crown point did not return until yesterday Inclose your Excellency copy of the Information he has Obtained.4
I have taken the liberty to Inclose this unsealed to His Excellency Governor Clinton for his Information.5 I am Dear Sir with perfect respect & very affectionately Your Excellencys most Obedient servant
Ph. Schuyler
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. For intelligence operations that involved John Fish and Moses Harris, Jr., see George Clinton to GW, 6 May, and n.2 to that document; see also Schuyler to GW, 4 and 9 May.
Thomas Sherwood (d. 1826) had farmed 150 acres at Kingsbury, New York. He joined the British cause in 1777 and became an ensign in the company of invalids of the Loyal Rangers in November 1781. In June 1782, Sherwood served in that regiment’s company of pensioners. He later resided in Prescott, Ontario, Canada.
2. For reports of British shipping at St. Jean, Quebec, see GW to Clinton, 15 April, n.1; see also Jacob Bayley to GW, 27 May.
3. New York governor George Clinton had written Schuyler from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on 13 May to express his belief “that the Leaders of the Faction on the Grants [Vermont], maintain a Criminal Intercourse with the Enemy both in Canada & New York” (, 6:859–60; see also Schuyler to Clinton, 19 May, in , 6:890–91).
4. Schuyler enclosed an intelligence report that he had received on 13 May: “Arrived at Crown point on Saturday the 5th Instant, found at the point a Liut. & about twenty five british, Capt. Sherwood and about thirty tories. & Six Indians, about a mile from the point lay two square rigged Vessels—Informed the Officer that I wanted to see Commodore Lutwick, answerd he was not come up, that Capt: Bagley or Baily Commanded the Snow, went on board with the Officer, the mate & several of the men knew me, The Captain ordered me victuals & Drink—asked what news I related as Instructed—what troops the rebels had at Fort Edward, answered none, that at Saratoga they had about 300 continentals that a body of new raised men I supposed 1000 or 1500 were daily expected and that then they were to march farther northward—Question are you sure that 1000 or 1500 more will come up Hudsons river than what are at Saratoga—Yes very sure several loyalists have seen the greater part of them, Question, Why, do the rebels expect an Army from Canada—Yes it is a prevailing report all thro the Country, and the rebels are preparing for them—we have also heard from Some persons from Canada that the army would come and It is my principle business here to know the truth of It, and how we shall conduct our selves. well you may Inform Your friends that an Army will Cross the Lakes early in the month of June—how Strong. About two thousand Regular troops 7 or 800 Tories and four hundred Indians all under the Command of General Powell—will the Army go down Hudsons river, I do not know; I fear such an Army is not strong enough, for the rebels in the province of New York will Soon be Joined by those from the Eastward, and allen and his Crew will also Join them. ⟨we⟩ beleive ⟨illegible⟩ he and the York Rebels are at variance—Where is General Washington—where The French, I informed them. they Enquired how we were of for provisions I answerd them truly with respect to the northern & western posts, as they could Easily have detected ⟨lies⟩, but Informed them that Gel Washington had plenty.
“This is all that was meterial, I left the point on Sunday in Company with William Brisbien and John Croswell who are now with their families the one at Palmer town the other in Argyll” (DLC:GW). For the spy that Schuyler dispatched to Crown Point, N.Y., see his letter to GW, 4 May.
5. For the transmission of this letter, see Clinton to GW, 17 May.