1. For this British raid across the New York frontier, see Clinton to GW, 30 Oct., and Seth Warner to GW, same date.

2. Schuyler’s informant left the British on Thursday, 26 October.

3. The commissioners for conspiracies at Albany on 11 Oct. had authorized Dr. George Smyth (Smith) to go to Canada with his “wife son and black servant” provided he obtained “Permission from the commanding officer of this Department” and gave “security to send out in Return” for himself and his son two prisoners from Tryon County, N.Y. (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends , 6:287–88). Col. William Malcom supplied Smyth with a “pass to Canada, by the Route most conveniant for him” on 13 Oct. (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends , 6:288). Smyth wrote Clinton from Albany on 26 Oct. that he had “Divested” all his possessions but was “Confin’d to my Roome and yard … from the malice and inhospitable machinations of a Private Enemy.” He entreated Clinton “to have Compassion” for his “in every way, Disagreeable Condition” and permit him “to retire” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends , 6:339–40; see also John Tayler to Clinton, 16 May 1780, in Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends , 5:711–13).

4. Schuyler enclosed a letter from Vermont militia general Ethan Allen to British major Christopher Carleton written from Castleton, Vt., on 27 Oct.: “I received your Letter to me with Genl Haldimands to Govr Chittenden last Eveng by Capt. Sherwood.

“Every respect will be shewn your Flag, and no Hostillities will be permitted on my part, and it is Expected you will Extend your Cessation of Hostillities agains[t] any of the Northern parts of The Frontiers of the State of Newyork during this negociation.

“Special Orders are given to prevent all Hostillities untill I receive Your answer to this—Major Clarke is appointed to deliver this to you by a Flag and wait your answer. … P.S. your letter with Genl Halldimands I have forwarded by Express to Govr Chittenden and make no doubt some proper person will be Appointed to settle a Cartel as soon as possible” (DLC:GW; see also Schuyler to GW, 12 Nov., and n.2 to that document).

Schuyler also enclosed a document with an exchange involving Ethan Allen, New York militia colonel Alexander Webster, Vermont militia major Ebenezer Allen (Ethan Allen’s cousin), and New York militia colonel John Williams (DLC:GW). Ethan Allen wrote Webster from Castleton on 29 Oct.: “Last evening I received a Flag from Major Carelton Commanding the British Troops at Crown point with a proposal from General Haldermand Commanding in Chief in Canada for Settling a Cartel for the Exchange of prisoners.

“Major Carelton has pledged his faith that no Hostilities shall be committed on any posts, or Scouts within the Limits of this State during the negotiation.

“Least your State should suffer an invasion in the Interim of time I have this day dispatched a Flag to Major Carelton Requesting that he extend Cessation of Hostilities on the Northern posts & frontiers of New York—you will therefore Conduct your affairs as to Scouts &ca only on the defensive untill you hear further from me … to be Communicated to Col. Williams and the other posts on your frontiers.”

Webster’s remarks, presumably to Williams, followed: “The above I received the 30th instant & immediately dispatched a copy for the perusal of General Schuyler, and by him to be sent to Colo: Gansewort making no doubt but the General would make it Circular in the proper Channel—I called a Counsel of my Officers—to see what we had best do (as General Allen had dismissed his Militia) upon the whole our fears were rather increased as diminished—The best accounts of the Enemys numbers is 15. or 1600 Hundred and has got a fresh Supply of provisions &c. with a reinforcement. as to numbers uncertain—In writing of this I have recieved the following Express.”

The express from Ebenezer Allen was written from “Fort Warner” on 30 Oct. at 7:00 p.m.: “By certain intelligence received by Lieut: Cox of my detachment who return’d this day at 1. OClock at Fort Vengeance from a Scout, he informs that yesterday at 2 OClock past meridian he saw five Ships some Gondolas a great number of batteaus—so that the Lake look’d black for a mile in length all sailing to the Southward—he saw them from their March at Crown point Sail some Miles. A great number of fires down towards Putnams point was burning—These are to notify you to give a good look out for I believe that they intend to make a forced March on the New York frontiers. … N.B. General Allan is on his way home I am afraid the Enemy have out Generald him.”

Webster resumed: “I remain at Granvail near Skeensborough and about three hundred Men, if the Enemy comes this way which is very likely to me unless I am im[m]ediately reinforced they will be upwards of 5. to one, I keep out a good Scouts from South to East bay. I shall be glad to be informed by the returning Express what I have to depend upon. … General Schuyler will please to read the above & if Col. Gansewort is at Fort Edward will please to send him a Copy & Send one to Genl Tin-broak who is requested to forward it to the Governor.”

Alexander Webster (1734–1810) came from Scotland to settle in Charlotte (now Salem) County, New York. An earnest patriot active in New York politics, he served as militia colonel from 1780 to 1782. Webster won numerous elections to the state legislature following the war and oversaw the sale of Loyalist properties as a state commissioner.

5. Schuyler refers to Ethan Allen (see John Mercereau to GW, 8–9 July, source note.)

6. This letter from Maj. Gen. William Heath to Col. Peter Gansevoort has not been identified. Gansevoort’s regiment remained on the frontier (see n.1 above).

7. Schuyler enclosed a document that began with Ethan Allen’s letter to Webster written at Rupert, Vt., “about break of day” on 31 Oct.: “Majr Ebr Allen who Commands at Pitsford has sent an express after me to this place informing me that one of his Scouts at one or two of the Clock P.M. of the 29th inst: from Chimney point discovered Four or five Ships & Gun boats & batteaus the Lake Covered black all making Sail to Ticonderoga Skiffs flying to & from the Vessels to the batteaus giving orders & the foregoing is quoted from his letter Verbatum.

“But I cannot imagine that Majr Carelton will violate his Truce I have sent Majr Clark with a flag to Majr Carelton particularly to confirm the Truce on my part I have given him to understand that no hostilities will be permitted on my part & likewise to intercede on the behalf of the frontiers of N. York.

“What the motion of the british may be or their design I know not you must judge for yourself & Send out Scouts to further discover the conduct of the enemy, Major Allen thinks they have a design against your state.”

The document concluded with Webster’s remarks: “I received this about this day eleven O’Clock A:M: and am persuaded our situation is truly dangerous, I expect to hear by some of my Scouts Every moment that the Enemy is at hand and If we are Obliged to leave this place the Inhabitants will move off, and there is no telling where It will end—I make no doubt but at first sight It will appear that the Grants have left us to ourselves either to stand or fall I hope the most speedy Exertions will be used to Oppose the Enemy I have out strong and Active Scouts and beg a Speedy answer. … N:B: Gen: Schuyler will please to read the Inclosed and give the Commander at Fort Edward notice and Immediately send this Forward to Gen: Ten Broeck who is requested to give the Governor notice I hope you have recieved mine of this date and will take [note] of the difference, pray favor me with a little writing paper or I shall be prevented giving Information” (DLC:GW).

8. These letters have not been identified.

The intelligence probably came from Ebenezer Clark (Clarke) of Charlotte (now Washington) County, N.Y., who served as a commissioner for conspiracies and a member of the state legislature. He previously sent letters regarding threats to the frontier (see Clark to Clinton, 2 Dec. 1778, in Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends , 4:372–73; and Clark and John Barns to Goose Van Schaick, 17 May 1780, found at Van Schaick to GW, 19 May 1780, n.1).

9. The letters from GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton to Schuyler dated 17 and 21 Oct. have not been identified. Schuyler acknowledged the one of 17 Oct., and another of 22 Oct., when he wrote Hamilton on 12 Nov. (see Hamilton Papers description begins Harold C. Syrett et al., eds. The Papers of Alexander Hamilton. 27 vols. New York, 1961–87. description ends , 2:498–500). Hamilton was engaged to Schuyler’s daughter Elizabeth (see Hamilton to GW, 19 Dec., and n.5 to that document).

10. Schuyler wrote Clinton from Saratoga on 1 Nov.: “Inclose you a letter for General Washington, the want of paper obliges me to refer you for Information to that letter.

“The militia who were ordered to remain at Fort Edward have left it to a man, and I apprehend that unless reinforcements of militia come up from below, that Colo: Gansevoort will be obliged to abandon that post; little is to be expected from the militia of this district as they attend to the removal of their Familys, a general consternation having taken place since the manoevre on the Grants. I make use of every Exertion to allay their apprehensions but with little Effect; your presence in this quarter is extreamly necessary at this Critical Conjuncture. I most earnestly wish General Washington could afford us some more Continental troops.

“The women and children who are here and whose husbands are with Enemy are extreamly burthensome and detrimental. I think it would be best to send them to New York, if they can not be forwarded to Canada and if their friends do not come and take them off. … Eleven O’Clock A.M.

“I have unsealed this letter to inform your Excellency that we have just now Intelligence that the Enemy were yesterday seen approaching Skensborough. It is, therefore, of the highest Importance that every measure should be taken to hasten on the militia. If this Intelligence be true the Enemy will probably be at Fort Edward tomorrow, or at White Creek.

“I believe it will be prudent to make the suspicions of the Grant business as little public as possible” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends , 6:364–65). Schuyler had written Clinton from Saratoga on 31 Oct.: “(Secret) … The Conduct of some people to the Eastward is alarmingly mysterious; a flag under pretext of settling a cartel with Vermont has been on the Grants. Allen has disbanded his militia, and the Enemy in number upwards of 1600, are rapidly advancing towards us. … Intreat Gen. Washington for more Continental troops, and let me beg of your Excellency to hasten up here” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends , 6:358; see n.4 above).

11. Schuyler presumably again refers to Ethan Allen.