"First: That Sir John Johnson and the rest of the gentlemen expect that all such arms of every kind as are their own property may remain in their possession; all the other arms shall be delivered up to such person or persons as may be appointed for that purpose; as to military stores belonging to the Crown, Sir John has not any.
"Secondly: Answered in the first.
"Thirdly: Sir John expects that he will not be confined to any certain County, but be at liberty to go where he pleases.
"Fourthly: The Scotch inhabitants will deliver up their arms of what kind soever they may be, and they will each solemnly promise that they will not at any time hereafter, during the continuance of this unhappy contest, take up arms without the permission of the Continental Congress or of their general officers. Hostages they are not in a capacity to give—no one man having command over another, or power sufficient to deliver such. Therefore this part of the article to be passed over, or the whole included—women and children to be required, being a requisition so inhuman as we hope the General will dispense with.
"Fifthly: Answered in the fourth,
"Sixthly: Sir John has not any blankets, strouds, or other presents, intended for the Indians.
"Seventhly: If the above proposals are agreed to and signed by the General, Sir John and the people referred to will rely on the assurances of protection given by the General.
"[Signed] John Johnson, Allan McDonell. "To the Hon. Philip Schuyler, Major-general"
This answer was in all respects unsatisfactory, as will appear by the annexed letter from General Schuyler in reply:—
"General Schuyler to Sir John Johnson, Baronet.
Caughnawaga, Jan. 18th, 8 o'clock, P. M., 1776.