Washington Urges Schuyler to Maintain Good Relations with the Canadians

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Washington in 1775, the period of his taking command of the army.” New York Public Library Digital Collections.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Richard Montgomery.” New York Public Library Digital Collections.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Major General Philip Schuyler” New York Public Library Digital Collections.

As General Schuyler gathered his forces at Fort Ticonderoga during the second half of August 1775, General Washington sent a letter to his Northern Department commander which emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with the native-born Canadians and the various Indian tribes which lived in Quebec Province.

"There may be some Danger that such a sudden Incursion might alarm the Canadians and detach them from that Neutrality they have hitherto observed but I should hope that with suitable Precautions and a strict Discipline observed, any Jealousies and apprehensions might be quickly removed . . . What late Accounts you have had from Canada— Your Opinion of the Temper of the Inhabitants as well as Indians upon a penetration into their Country?"

General Washington to General Schuyler, 20 August 1775

Sources

www.founders.archives.gov

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