Philip Schuyler to John Jay, 1 February 1778
Albany, February 1, 177[8]
Dear Sir
It is whispered here that an Expedition into Canada is to take place under the Command of the Marquis Fayette, Gen l . Conway & Gen: Starke with 3000 Men. 1 Entre nous I may venture my Opinion, which Is that the body is Insufficient should they be able to penetrate Into Canada, which I much doubt, as nothing (as far as I can learn) has been prepared: the men are In want of the proper Cloathing to bear up against the rigour of the season in that Severe Climate. There is not a sufficient quantity of provisions in that part of the Country whence It be Conveyed In Sleds–no forrage Is Collected, no ^ Snow ^ Shoes are prepared, no hatchetts, no Ice Spurs or creepers, no Carriages fixed for transporting the Cannons, and ^ besides ^ a variety of other articles Indispensably necessary for Such an Enterprize; but should we be able to Obviate every difficulty, I fear the plundering Spirit of the people ^ who are Chiefly to be Militia ^ will Injure us In the Opinion of the Canadians.– I hear M r . Duer is to be of the party. 2
People here are very uneasy and much Alarmed at the profusion with which the public Money is Expended and I think not without reason The Expences of the last Year are, I guess, in this department only at least five times as much as they amounted to In the most Expensive Year last war when we had an Army of Sixteen thousand men and went Into Canada, the whole of that Years Expenditure which was 1759. In the Quarter Masters Barrack Masters & forrage Masters Departments which Included all transportation did not Exceed £145000 Currency. I Sincerely wish Congress would adopt Measures that had a tendency to Induce OEconomy into the Military Departments. If they do not we shall Surely Conquer ourselves.
It is said that Abraham Yates will be put into nomination for the office of Lieu t . Governor. 3
I hope soon to have the pleasure of a visit from You.– Compliments to the Chancellor– I am Dear Sir Affectionately Yours &c. &c. &c.
Ph. Schuyler
Hono: John Jay Esq r . &c. &c.