Philip Schuyler to John Jay, 4 August 1777

Stilwater August 4 th : 1777

Dear Sir

Your Favor inclosing Holt–€™s papers of the 28 th July I received on my way down from Moses Creek, and you will readily excuse my not having acknowledged it sooner, when you reflect that with a retreating Army an Officer that commands has seldom a Moment–€™s Time to himself. 1 I have not one.

I am much obliged by the Measures you have taken to exculpate me, at least from the Charge of having ordered the Retreat–€”as soon as I can have an Hour or two, which, I hope, will be to Morrow, I shall send you Extracts of all my Orders relative to Tyconderoga, since my Return from Philadelphia, and a short Account, from Memory, of what Measures I took as early as the Beginning of November last, for the Security of that post. The Letters I have written and the Orders I have issued for that purpose, previous to my Departure for Philadelphia, would make a little Volume; and, I trust redound much to my Credit. 2

If we should be enabled to force Burgoyne at this post and he meet with a Check it must be fatal to him; but unhappily such a Langor prevails, especially in the Eastern States, that they seem to have given up the Cause for lost–€” If they would pour forth part of those Thousands which they still have at Home (for not ^ one ^ in ten, Boys, Negroes and old Men excepted, of the Troops raised in their States are Natives) we shou–€™d still not only save our Country, but give a deadly Blow to the Enemy, for if Burgoyne was obliged to retreat the whole of the six Nations, I believe would join us and we should have Nothing more to fear in this Quarter. 3 Adieu I am DrSir with every friendly Wish Your affectionate humble Servant

Ph. Schuyler

Honble. John Jay Esq r .