Naval Documents of The American Revolution, Volume 1 ... - Ibiblio

1276 AMERICAN THEATRE
molasses, belonging to Patuxet, in Providence, from the West-Indies, and the two
small sloops that landed the people.
1. New York Gazette, Sept. 11, 1775. Account was from New London and dated Sept. 1, 1775.
Gentlemen Ticonderoga August 3 1st 1775
Captain [Remember] Baker of the unenlisted Green Mountain Boys, having
been heretofore employed by me on Scout to Canada with the only View to gain
Intelligence, and with express Orders not to molest the Canadians or Indians,
lately went into that Country without my Leave with a Party of five Men, and
discovering a Boat manned by an equal Number of Indians (by authentic Intelligence
sent me from Canada, I learn of the Cagnawaga Tribe) attempted to
fire on them, but his Gun missing and, he putting his Head from behind the
Tree where he stood, in Order to hammer his Flint, received a Shot in his Forehead,
and instantly expired - Upon which his Party returned the Fire and
unfortunately killed two of the Indians. This Event my Canadian correspondent
informs me has induced some of the Indians of that Tribe to join the regular
Forces at St Johns. What the Con:;equence of Baker's Imprudence may
be, it is hard to forsee. It behoves however to attempt to eradicate from the
Minds of the Indians any evil Impressions they may have imbibed from this
mortifying Circumstance. But what Measures to take to gain so desirable an
End, I am utterly at a Loss to determine. Perhaps a few Indians of the six
Nations might be willing to join the Army under my Command in a peaceable
Message to those of Canada. And as this Account will most certainly reach
the six Nations, I believe it may be most prudent to prepare them for it in such
a Manner as you who can be assisted with the best Advice at Albany shall
determine. You will be pleased to forward a Copy of this Letter by Express
to Congress, to whom I would have wrote, was not my Time so wholly engrossed
in the necessary Preparation for moving the Remainder of the Army which I
have ordered to embark this Afternoon & tomorrow Morning and with which
I propose to take Possession of t,he Isle au Noix, till more Artillery can be sent
me, I having sent down only four twelve Pounders, the others not being in
Readiness.
I am Gent. [&c.]
Ph. Schuyler.
Please to communicate no more of this Letter than is absolutely necessary
to any Body.
To Oliver Wolcott, Turbot Francis & Volcklet P. Downs Esqrs Commissioners
for Indian
1. President's Letter Book, 111, LC.
2. Congress authorized three departments to deal with the Indians on July 12, 1775, and
the gentlemen listed above, plus General Schuyler and Joseph Hawley, were named
commissioners for the Northern Department the following day. The Journal of
Congress spells Downs's Christian name, "Volkert." See Sept 6, 1775, vol. 11, for
conveyance of a copy of the above to Congress.