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General Schuyler.
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. New-York, May 3, 1776. SIR: I received your favour of the 27th ultimo yesterday evening, with its several enclosures; and in part answer thereto, refer you to mine of the 29th, which will probably have come to hand ere now. But lest any accident has prevented it, I will again inform you that, in obedience to an order of Congress, I have detached six more regiments, under General Sullivan, in addition to those under General Thompson, to reinforce our Army in Canada; all of which, except for a few companies, are embarked; and as the situation of our affairs in that quarter is not so promising as we could wish, and an early arrival of them may be of infinite advantage to us, I shall repeat my request, and in full confidence trust, that you will do everything in your power to hasten their march. I have sent forward with them sixty barrels of powder, which is all that can be spared from hence at this time, which I hope will arrive safe. The Commissary I have been importunate with; he tells me eight hundred barrels of pork are gone to Albany, and that he every day expects a further quantity from Connecticut, which he will order to you as soon as it comes without stopping here. You will also receive three boxes of money, said to contain three hundred thousand dollars, which, from my letter from Congress accompanying them, are for Canada: yours probably will be more particular. But I should think, my dear sir, if the whole will not be more than sufficient to pay the troops and the claims there, (though some of it might be intended for you,) that it will be advisable to send it forward. You will have it in your power to get a further supply before long to satisfy your engagements; those in Canada, either with our men or others, should not remain unpaid at this critical and interesting period; you, however, will be better able to judge what should be done in this instance than I possibly can. With respect to your military chest, when replenished, I see no impropriety in your giving warrants as usual; it seems to be necessary, and of consequence must have my approbation. The Quartermaster has forwarded a parcel of intrenching tools and other necessaries, with about five hundred tents, the latter to be equally and properly distributed among this last detachment: no more can be had at this time. You will also receive the chain that General Lee ordered, which I think should be sent to and fixed at the place it is designed for with all possible expedition: it may be of great service and benefit. In respect to sailors to pass and cruise in the lakes, on the 24th ultimo I gave a warrant to a Captain Jacobus Wynkoop, for two hundred and seventy-six and two-thirds dollars, for a month's advance pay for himself, officers, and men, who are engaged in that service; of this I then advised you, and of their different pay, that you might take an account of it, and know what they are to receive in future. I am exceedingly sorry you should have been so indisposed. I had hoped you would get perfectly restored, so as not only to have seen the end of this campaign, but your great labour and assiduity in the cause of your country crowned with success and the blessings of freedom. You have my most fervent wishes for it. I have just received an arrangement of the companies allotted by the Committee of Safety to Colonels Wynkoop and Clinton for their regiments, a copy of which you have enclosed, by which you will see they are differently arranged from what you expected or I knew; I have therefore countermanded an order which was issued to Colonel Wynkoop before, and directed him (the companies at Albany being in his regiment) to repair immediately to you for such directions and orders respecting his regiment as you may judge necessary to give. This you will employ at the posts you mentioned for the communication. I can spare no more from hence, the ten regiments already detailed having weakened us here too much. The four companies of Colonel Clinton's Regiment at the Highland fortifications I intend shall remain there, for carrying on and garrisoning those works, and which will be joined by another. Those on Long-Island will be kept there. I am, dear sir, with sentiments of great respect, your most obedient, humble servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON. To 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 5, pp. 1179-1180
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