1. Clinton enclosed a copy of Lt. Col. Robert Cochran’s letter to him from Fort Schuyler, N.Y., dated 13 May: “Since I wrote you last, the heavy rains have almost ruined the Works of this Garri[s]on—Anxious to do every thing in my power, and to justify myself, I called the Officers in Garrison togather in Council to advise what was best to be done, the Result of which I enclose you. I have put the Garrison on half Allowance of Beef, and added to each ration one Quarter of a pound of flower—The Genl will doubtless consider that it is much harder for Men to be cut short of their Allowance at this post than almost any Post on the Continent, as there is nothing to be got but what they draw from the public Stores” (DLC:GW). The enclosed report from a council of artillery officers and 2d New York Regiment officers held at Fort Schuyler on Saturday, 12 May, found “that the only remaining Strength is the outside Picquets on the Glacis” and “that an attempt to repair the works cannot be made with the small number of men now in Garrison” (DLC:GW).

A second enclosed letter from Cochran to Clinton was written from Fort Schuyler on 14 May at 3:00 P.M.: “I am sorry to inform you that this day between the Hours of eleven and Twelve this Garrison took fire and Consumed every Barrack notwithstanding every exertion was made to extinguish the flames—I still remain in possession of the Works and have saved the Magazine with a Small part of the provisions, tho’ at the risque of our lives in my next shall give you every Perticular” (DLC:GW; see also n.3 below).

2. Clinton enclosed a copy of a letter New York state senator Philip Schuyler had written him from Saratoga, N.Y., at “10 oClock” on Tuesday, 15 May: “Colo. Louis is just now arrived here with two other Indians he has been hunting on the west side of the North branch of Hudsons River with seven other Indians one whereof was a Canghnawaga who left them on sunday morning on Monday morning having heard some firing he and his party marched to discover who fired after a few Miles march they were fired upon by a party of the Enemy and lost one man an onida who is either killed or made prisoner—Some of his party are gone to Schonectady—he does not know either the strength of the Enemy or what rout they intend to pursue; he fell in with them on the road Sir John Johnston came last year to Johnstown about 38 Miles from this place, believes they are a large party by their firing and transactions—and that they will very speedily attack some place either on this or the Mohawk River, I think assistance should be sent both ways and Scouts dispatched without delay from Sch⟨o⟩nectady—Colo. Van Dyck has already sent a party out towards Palmer Town—no Provisions are yet Arrived here” (DLC:GW; see also GW to Samuel Huntington, 27–28 May 1780, and n.4 to that document). Schuyler expanded on threats to the New York frontier when he wrote Clinton from Saratoga on 18 May 1781, adding that new intelligence “in some degree corroborates that given by Harris, and the person I had sent to Crown Point, it ought not to be slighted. Please to communicate it to the Governor and General Washington” (Stone, Joseph Brant description begins William L. Stone. Life of Joseph Brant—Thayendanegea: Including the Border Wars of the American Revolution. … 2 vols. New York, 1838. description ends , 2:150–51; see also Schuyler to GW, 14 May, and n.1 to that document).

3. Clinton enclosed copies of his letters to Cochran and Col. Philip Van Cortlandt written on this date (both DLC:GW). The letter to Cochran reads: “I have just now received your favor of the 13 & 14th Inst. with the disagreeable intelligence contained therein—I cannot find words to express my surprise at the unexpected accident or how a fire should break out in the middle of noon day in a Garrison where the Troops Could not possibly be absent after a most violent and incessant rain of several days and be permited to do so much damage—I am sorry to say that the several circumstances which accompanied this melancholy affair affords plausible ground for suspicion that it was not the Effect of meer accident. I hope when it comes to be examined in a Clearer point of view such lights may be thrown upon it as will remove the Suspicion for which there appears too much reason.

“I have written to his Excellency on the Subject and requested his farther orders which I expect in a few days in the mean time I would request that you keep possession of the Works, and endeavour to shelter the Troops in the best manner possible—that you collect all the Nails Hinges &c. &c. of the ruins and suffer nothing to be lost that is in your power to save—Colo. Cortlandt has my orders to afford you all the assistance in his power which time and Circumstances will admit. … P.S. It is best that You send all the Women & Children [down in the Boats]” (for the bracketed material, see Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends , 6:878–79; see also Clinton to GW, 17 May, and n.1 to that document).

Clinton’s letter to Van Cortlandt reported the fire at Fort Schuyler and admitted being “at a loss how to Act in this case untill I receive his Excellencys Directions—I think it best that the Mortar & Cannon and Military Stores should be left at Fort Herkermer as it will be easy to have them transported either up or down the river as occasion may require.

“You will proceed with the provisions to the Garrison and afford them every assistance in your power which time and Circumstances will admit—after which you will return with the Boats leaving the different Corps in their respective Stations where they will remain untill farther orders. …

“You will be very cautious on your march as by a Letter just received from Genl schuyler I find there is a Body of Enemy out” (see also n.2 above and Clinton to GW, 22–23 May, n.2).

4. Clinton wrote his brother, New York governor George Clinton, on this date to convey the same information sent GW and to request that he “wait on the General in Person, and represent to him the difficulty of rebuilding the Barracks and repairing the works at this time and under our present circumstances, and that, however necessary the Post may be, that it will be impossible to maintain it unless they are repaired; taking this Circumstances into consideration, would it not be best to remove the stores and take post at the German Flatts? this Query is suggested, the affirmative supported by the united opinions of the principle Inhabitants of this place, the principle reason for maintaining it being removed to wit: the Onida Indians returning to Schonectady. I inclose you a Letter from Genl. Schuyler for Genl. Washington, unsealed for your perusal, which you will seal and forward immediately” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends , 6:876; see also Schuyler to GW, 14 May).

5. See GW to James Clinton, 14 May.

6. James Gamble, deputy commissary general of issues, apparently balked at this assignment (see Clinton to GW, 15–18 June).

7. GW replied to Clinton on 18 May (see also George Clinton to GW, 17 May, source note).