Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 3
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To MAJOR GENERAL PHILIP SCHUYLER
Cambridge Camp, August 15, 1775.

    Sir: I received your Favour of the 31st July, informing me of your Preparations to cross the Lake, 97 and inclosing the Affidavits of John Shatforth, and John Duguid. 98 Several Indians of the Tribe of St. Francis came in here Yesterday and confirm the former Accounts of the good Dispositions of the Indian Nations, and Canadians to the Interests of America. A most happy Event, on which I sincerely congratulate you. 99

[Note:To take possession of St. John's and Montreal, Canada, a move authorized by the resolve of Congress of June 27. Schuyler wrote to Washington from Ticonderoga, N.Y. (July 31): "Since my last, I have been most assiduously employed in preparing materials for building boats to convey me across the Lake. The progress has hitherto been slow, as with few hands I had all the timber to cut, and mills to repair for sawing the plank; and my draft cattle extremely weak for want of feed, the drought having scorched up every kind of herbage. I have now one boat on the stocks, which I hope will carry near three hundred men. Another is putting up to-day. Provisions of the bread kind are scarce with me, and, therefore, I have not dared to order up a thousand men, that are at Albany, lest we should starve here." ]
[Note:Of Charlotte County, N.Y. ]
[Note:"Yesterday Sen-night arrived at the camp in Cambridge, Swashan, the Chief, with four other Indians of the St. François tribe, conducted thither by Mr. Reuben Colburn, who has been honorably recompensed for his trouble. The above Indians came hither to offer their service in the cause of American liberty, have been kindly received, and are now entered the service. Swashan says he will bring one half of his tribe and has engaged 4 or 5 other tribes if they should be wanted. He says the Indians of Canada in general, and also the French, are greatly in our favor, and determined not to act against us." -- Pennsylvania Gazette, Aug. 30, 1775. ]
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I am glad to relieve you from your Anxiety, respecting Troops being sent from Boston to Quebeck. These Reports, I apprehend, took their Rise from a Fleet being fitted out about fourteen Days ago to plunder the Islands in the Sound, of their live Stock; an Expedition which they have executed with some Success, and are just returning; but you may depend on it no Troops have been detached from Boston for Canada or elsewhere. Among other Wants, of which, I find you have your Proportion, we feel that of Lead most sensibly, and as we have no Expectation of a Supply from the Southward, I have concluded to draw up on the Stock found at Ticonderoga, when it fell into our Hands. I am informed, it is considerable, and a Part of it may be spared, without exposing you to any Inconvenience. In Consequence of this I have wrote to Governor Trumbull, to take the Direction of the Transportation of it, supposing the Conveyance through Connecticut the most safe and expeditious. I expect he will write you on this Subject by this Opportunity.

    I have nothing new, my dear Sir, to write you. We are precisely in the same Situation as to Enemy, as when I wrote you last, nor can I gain any certain Intelligence of their future Intentions. The Troops from the Southward are come in very healthy and in good Order. 1 Tomorrow I expect a Supply of Powder from Philadelphia, which will be a most seasonable Releif in our present Necessity.

[Note:Capt. Daniel Morgan and his company of riflemen from Virginia arrived in camp on the 6th. -- Ford. ]

    God grant you Health and Success equal to your Merit and Wishes. -- Favour me with Intelligence as often as you can, and believe me with very sincere Regard. Dear Sir, Yours, &c.

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