George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 30 May 1781
To Philip Schuyler
Head Quarters New Windsor 30th May 1781.
Dear Sir
I have recd your favors of the 14th 21st and 22d instants. From circumstances it appears that the last should have been dated upon the 21st also.1
There is little doubt but the enemy are preparing to cross the Lake with as much force as they can spare, but I cannot beleive in such numbers as Higginbottom reports. His account is very contradictory—He says at one time that 4000 Men were already assembled at Crown point, and on his particular examination before you, he recites the different places of Cantonment of the Regiments which were still in Canada—However, that we may be prepared to give them as good a reception as our small force and as our other plans will admit, I hold the six Companies of Van Schaicks Regiment which are here and Hazens Regiment in readiness to move at a Moments warning.2
There are conjectures, but I cannot say I have confidence in the Reports, that the Enemy are about to evacuate New York.3 If they do this, it must be with an intent to secure as much as they possibly can to the southward and perhaps enter into a negociation, full handed. By the latest accounts from the southward, General Greene was near Campden, before which he had had a sharp Action with Lord Rawdon4—Lord Cornwallis seemed to be moving towards Hallifax.5 The British in Virginia were still at petersburgh on the 18th under the command of Arnold—Genl Phillips having died of a fever a few days before.6 We have not yet heard what has become of the detachment which sailed from New York on the 13th.7
You may assure the person who found the Mortars of the reward you promised him, and more in proportion for any further discoveries. I will send you the Money by the first safe opportunity, or give it to you, when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you this way at the meeting of the Assembly.8 I am with very sincere Regard Dear Sir Yr most obt and humble Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC: Hamilton-McLane Family Papers; Df, DLC:GW; copy, CSmH; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Schuyler replied to GW in a letter dated 8–9 June.
2. See General Orders, 28 and 30 May and 1 June.
3. For these erroneous reports, see Arthur St. Clair to GW, 21 May, and n.2 to that document.
4. GW refers to the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill, S.C. (see Nathanael Greene to Samuel Huntington, 27 April, printed as an enclosure with Greene to GW, same date).
5. For reports of this advance toward Halifax, N.C., see Lafayette to GW, 8 May, and n.2 to that document.
6. See Lafayette to GW, 17 and 18 May.
7. GW refers to an enemy embarkation at New York City bound for Virginia (see William Heath to GW, 1 May, n.1).
8. GW later met Schuyler at Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (see GW to Schuyler, 19 June, and n.1 to that document). For the discovery of the mortars, see Schuyler to GW, 21 May (second letter), postscript.