Robert Troup to John Jay, 15 May 1777
Albany. May 15. 1777.–
My dear Sir,
The Day after I arrived your Letter, to the General, came safe to Hand. He is pleased with the Contents, and doubts not you will do every Thing in your Power to promote the Good of the service.– 1
Our Remoteness from Continental Congress will frequently oblige us to ask the Assistance of your Legislature. This, I am confident, will be readily granted if they possess that Spirit which marked the Proceedings of your Late Convention.
The General has read your Constitution with Care and Attention– He really venerates it–and thinks it preserves a proper Line between Aristocracy on the one Hand, and Democracy on the other–
Since I saw you we have rec d . an Account that Cap. Whitcomb, who commands three Companies of Rangers, and who last Year killed BGen. Gordon, has brought to Ticonderoga one Captain and thirteen British Soldiers & Tories. The Officer is expected here every Hour– After he is examined I shall communicate the Particulars.– 2
Matters in this Quarter, I think, wear a favorable aspect. We have near 8000 Men at Ticonderoga, and a Surgeon of the Hospital there, who came to Town a few Days ago, says there are only 14 sick– There is no Prospect of the Enemys attacking us very soon, for it appears they are as much, if not more embarrassed than the Army under Gen l Howe.
I congratulate you on the Intelligence a French officer brings, who lately passed thro Fish-Kill on his way to Congress.– We are led to place some Confidence in it from the Declaration of a Number of Gentlemen who conversed with him.– They say he left a Fleet with 12000 Men on Board, near the Mouth of the River StLawrence, which was to proceed to Quebec with all Expedition–and that another was to sail from Brest, shortly after he left it, with 8000, but its Destination was not known. Should this be the Case GBritain must & will fall like Lucifer–never to rise again–
Yesterday I went to D r Livingstons 3 to beg the Favor of his dining with the General; but he excused himself because M rs Livingston had been riding–was somewhat fatigued, and had a slight Fever. She, I understand, is in a fair Way of recovering her Health, tho at present she is rather weak and low.–
I cannot conclude without returning you my sincerest Thanks for the great & many Favors you have from Time to Time conferred upon me– Be assured I shall always retain the most grateful Sense of them, and never shall lose an Opportunity of making every Return in My Power.
Be so kind as to present my best Respects to M rs . Jay & Miss Katy. Tell the former to kiss her little son for me the first Time she sees him, and the latter, I shall mention in my next the Success I have met with in getting her the striped Cambrick she desired.– I am, my dear Sir, your much obliged, and huble Sert–
Rob Troup