My Dear Sir:
I am very apprehensive the unhappy event, mentioned in your favor of the fifth instant, will draw very serious consequences in its train. It will certainly much embarrass us, and probably retard the termination of the war. It will, however, be attended with one good; the adherents, in Congress, to the gallant Commander, will not have it any longer in their power to play him off against the General. Gracious God! that any rational being should put two men in competition, one of which has commanded an army, the other only been at the head of one; for I aver, that when he was to the northward, he never made a disposition of his troops. Indeed he was incapable: he never saw an enemy, except at a good distance, and from places of perfect security. Indeed, indeed, he has not lost a whit, in my estimation, by this stroke of his.
The General will have shown you extracts from the Senate and Assembly’s Addresses to the Governor. A Committee of both Houses is appointed to report on the proceedings of the Convention: they will certainly adopt and extend the views of that Convention. Some here are for appointing a Dictator, with a Vice Dictator in each State, invested with all the powers conferred formerly by the Roman people on theirs. I made great interest to be left out of the delegation, and obtained it, although not without much difficulty. General M’Dougal is appointed in my stead: but I believe I shall be obliged to go to the eastern Convention. If so, I shall not repair to Rhode Island so soon as I intended.
Colonel Warner is wounded, and two of his officers killed near Fort Edward.
Pray make my respects acceptable to the General, to the gentlemen of the family, the Marquis, and those of his.
Adieu.
I am, dear Sir,
Very affectionately and sincerely,
Your most obedient servant,
Ph. Schuyler.
I forgot to inform the General that the Governor had sent him an extract of the proceedings of the Convention which I had promised to transmit.
SCHUYLER TO HAMILTON.
Poughkeepsie, September 16, 1780.
Dear Sir: