As Montgomery’s troops languished around Fort St. John in late October 1775, Washington sent a letter to Schuyler asking if Montgomery might bypass the British outpost without compromising the success of the campaign.
"I look upon the Interests & Salvation of our bleeding Country in a great Degree to depend upon your Success, I know you feel its Importance as connected not only with your own Honour & Happiness but the public Welfare, so that you can want no Incitements to press on, if it be possible— My Anxiety suggests some Doubts, which your better Acquaintance with the Country will enable you to remove— Would it not have been practicable to pass St John’s; either leaving Force enough for a Blockade or if you would not spare the Men passing it wholly possessing yourself of Montreal and the surrounding Country? Would not St John’s have fallen of Course, or what would have been the probable Consequences?"
General Washington to General Schuyler, 26 October 1775www.founders.archives.gov