New-York, June 9, 1776.
    DEAR SIR: I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your several favours of the 21st, 24th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 31st ultimo, with the several papers enclosed; the whole of them, except the last, I communicated to Congress when at Philadelphia--that I did not get till on my return, but have since transmitted them a copy of it, and of the papers respecting Sir John Johnson.
    In regard to a further remittance to Canada, The Commissioners have written Congress fully on the subject, and I presume they will forward such a supply of money immediately as they think necessary. As there is but too much probability that Sir John Johnson may attempt to ravage the frontier Counties, and to excite the disaffected to take arms against us, I think it will be advisable that Colonel Dayton should remain, as you request, as long as you apprehend a necessity for it. It is not in my power to spare any more men from hence, either for the communication, or to assist in repairing Ticonderoga. The detachments already gone to Canada have weakened the force necessary for the defence of this place, considering its importance--more, perhaps, than policy will justify. Be that as it may, the reinforcements that Congress have resolved to send to Canada for keeping open the communication between that country and these Colonies, as you will see by the copy enclosed in my letter of the 7th, would supersede the necessity of men going from this camp, provided they could be spared. I should suppose that Van Schaick's and Wynkoop's Regiments, exclusive of any other men, would nearly suffice for the purposes mentioned in your several letters, or that very few men more in addition to them certainly would, if they were complete and properly employed; but I am informed

by a letter from General Sullivan of the 18th ultimo, dated at Albany, that these regiments were not to be found on the strictest inquiry he could make; that Colonel Van Schaick, who was there, never furnished a single man for guard, or any other duty, after he got there; and that Lieutenant-Colonel Cortlandt, of Wynkoop's Regiment, when he applied for pay for two companies, said to be in Tryon County to keep the Tories in order, informed him they had neither arms nor ammunition; that in some companies there was not a man present fit for duty, and that in others there were not more than eleven, and in some less. He also complains of the great wastage of pork, by the wagoners drawing out the brine to lighten the carriage; and, in his letter two days before, charges the batteaumen and the wagonmaster with indolence and a strange neglect of duty. I well know, my dear sir, that the multiplicity of matters that you are engaged in will necessarily put it in the power of those who are not influenced by principles of honesty and justice, to practise many impositions; but I must beg you will turn your attention as much as possible to these things, and reform such abuses as have already happened, or prevent them in future.
    I am very doubtful whether the flour you seem to think may be had in Canada can be got. The Commissioner's letters, as late as the 28th ultimo, seem to preclude every such hope.
    I esteem it a matter of importance not only to fortify and secure Ticonderoga, but every other post on the communication; and that you should garrison them with men under judicious and spirited officers, to be fixed there, who might be called to account for misconduct, which is difficult to do where they are shifting and changing continually, and who would esteem it their indispensable duty to carry on and maintain the works against any surprises or attacks that may be attempted. I have written to Congress to appoint Engineers, if they can fix upon proper persons for the office. If you know of any, you had better employ them. I am confident Congress will allow them the usual pay.
    When I came from Philadelphia I left the Indians there, and doubt not but Congress will use their endeavours to prevent them from returning for some time. I showed them what you said upon the subject. I have spoken to the Quartermaster about a proper person to superintend the building of gondolas, but he knows of none. There is a man who came to direct the building of some here; and if any of the carpenters shall be deemed qualified, after seeing the model, I will send you one. I have written to Philadelphia for a supply of flints, which shall be forwarded you as soon as possible, and will give direction that you will be furnished with a quantity of necessary medicines. With respect to St. Luke La Corne, Major Campbell, and the other prisoners at Esopus, I think it will be prudent for you to remove them, or such of them as you apprehend dangerous, to some other secure place, and they should be under a suitable and trusty guard. Your continuing to build batteaus appears a necessary measure, as a sufficient number should be had to transport over troops going to Canada or coming from thence, if they should ever be under the disagreeable necessity of evacuating the possession they now have to the enemy--an event I sincerely wish not to happen, but which, from the melancholy complexion of things in that quarter, I conceive possible.
    I have been much surprised at not receiving a more perfect and explicit account of the defeat of Colonel Bedel and his party at the Cedars. I should have thought some of the officers in command there would, and ought to have transmitted it immediately; but as they have not, it is probable I should have long remained in doubt as to the event, had not the Commissioners called on me to-day; nor should I consider my not having a return of the arms, stores, &c., in Canada, a matter of less wonder, had I not been accustomed to the neglect. If it is not become too inveterate, I wish it could be got the better of. It is certainly of much importance and necessary to be known frequently.
    Since mine of the 21st and yours of the 31st ultimo, Captains Swann and Dundee, with three privates, have been here, having a permit to go to Philadelphia. They came down the North River from Albany (I believe) to this place, where, I make no doubt, they reconnoitred all our works, and in their passage those at the Highlands. This indulgence I conceive of such infinite prejudice to our cause, for the reasons that I have assigned, and many more that may be added, that I hope it will never be granted again. I wish you to notify the several Committees in the neighborhood of Albany, having the care of prisoners, of the injurious consequences which must necessarily result from such a license, to prevent their allowing it to any on future applications.
    As Congress have resolved on a large augmentation of the Army in Canada, as you will see by the copy of their vote transmitted in my last, it seems material that you should advise with the Commissary in that department, and Mr. Trumbull there, and concert a plan for their subsistence. If they cannot be supplied plentifully with provisions, their going will be of more injury than benefit, and increase the distress of the whole.
    In your favour of the 28th, you are desirous that a Court of Inquiry should be ordered respecting the charges contained in the informations I enclosed you in mine of the 21st. If you conceive it necessary, I will do it with pleasure, if you will point out the mode to be pursued; to me, the matters objected to you appear so uncertain, vague, and incredible, that there is nothing to found the proceedings on, were there the most distant necessity for the scrutiny. By reason of a paragraph in your letter of the 31st, I mentioned the matter to Congress, to whom I had the honour of writing this day; and when at Philadelphia communicated it to some of them, on their reading your first letter in which mention was made of the subject. In doing this, and giving you the information I had received, I consider myself as having only discharged the duties of justice and of friendship.
    I am sorry for the attack you have had of the ague, and wishing you a perfect recovery, I am, &c.,
                                                      GEORGE WASHINGTON.
To Major-General Schuyler.

Source:

Force, Peter, American Archives: Consisting of a collection of authentick records, state papers, debates, and letters and other notices of publick affairs, the whole forming a documentary history of the origin and progress of the North American colonies; of the causes and accomplishment of the American revolution; and of the Constitution of government for the United States, to the final ratification thereof., 4th Series, M. St. Clair Clarke and Peter Force, 1837-46, Volume 6, pp. 768-770.