Morrison's Pensions
Lieut. Col. Claus From The Frederick Haldimand Papers
Montreal 3d May 1779
Sir
I had the Honour to recive Your
Excellencys favor of 30th Ulto last Evening, when at the same time Capt. John
the Mohawks party was arrived here with two rebel Prisoners and a Scalp which
they took of a violent Rebel that used to persecute the Friends to Government.
The prisoners they took on the high road within half a Mile of my House, one
Steward and Kennedy the latter went part of the way to Fort Stanwix with 34
Batteauss. I immediately acquainted Colo Carleton with it who ordered the Prisrs
to the Provosts.
Capt John met the Mohawk party of
16 Indians that left this a few days after him within 3 days March of the Mohawk
River and told them that the Inhabitants where upon their Guard abt Indn parties
coming from hence since Mr. Fraser was there last He gave that party one Prisoner & Scalp
wch he likewise took, which is an Indian Compliment & Custom, when war
parties meet one another that in case those going towards the Enemy should
be unsuccessfull, they might still have some Spoil to show on their Return
home. The third prisoner they left with the other party is a Master Carpenter
employed at some work they carrying on at Lake George, which he says were finished,
but was returning there to build Barracks for the Garrison, his Name is Peter
Loux. That party is expected in about 5 or 6 days, those having been 3 weeks
coming on Accot of hunting for Provisions, when I shall instantly transmit
Your Excellency what Intelligence they bring. I find by this party that the
people on the Mohawk River are entirely kept in the Dark with regard to our
Success in General having no Newspapers allowed to come among them, and the
Reinforcements lately arrived at N. York they were told was French & Spanish
Troops on whose Aid & Protection they wholly rely. The Inhabitants there
are much in dread of Capt. Brant, watching all his Motions, and well knew of
his being gone to Canada to your Excellency to apply for Troops &c and
that the present Movement at Albany &c was said to be against his party & the
Senecas and to rendezvous at Fort Stanwix; the whole party to consist of 4000
Men & 500 Batteaus. 300 Rifle Men were arrived at Albany from N. England
but when the Mohawks came away they had certain Intelligence that not a Man
was arrived there. The Prisoners say that there are abt 700 Men at Fort Stanwix
in Garrison, and they heard some of those that were to go up were to advance
to Oswego. A Scout of 30 Indians & Whites were to have gone to Carleton
Island on Snow Shoes from Fort Stanwix, but leaving by the way that the Ice
was broke up at the Island they returned without doing anything. That the party
that struck lately at Swegachy was fitted out afterwards consisting of 20 Indns
and some of the Garrison. That all the Batteaux for the Campaign were made
at Saratoga and there abouts last winter, 20 of which were transported from
Albany to Schenectady this spring and now with 14 more fitted uo at Schenect. & sent
to Fort Stanwix in with Rum & Officers Baggage, all the Boats being small
for 3 men to work, and highly loaded. That the main army under General Washington
was in the Jerseys and Pennsylvia and it was expected that Genl Clinton would
come to Albany this Summer to attack it, no rebel troops being now on Hudsons
Rivr between Albany & N York. The Prisoners know nothing about the Operations
to the Southward except they heard that one Colo Campbell had defeated the
Southern Continental Army, and that there was a Battle in the Jerseys wherein
The Rebels were worsted. This is chiefly the Substance of the Prisoners Examination
before Colonel Carleton who desired me to report it to Your Excellency; should
any thing more occur to me to get out of the Prisrs shall examine them again & report
it to Your Excelly by next post, being at present so surrounded by this party
of Johns & others that I am constantly interrupted. I have Conversed with
Colo Campbell about the Deputation of the Domicilians to the Oneidas and gave
the Heads of the party my Opinion with all the favorable News on our Side;
and I believe the Haughtiness of the Oneida rebels proceeded merely from the
Rebels promising to send this Body for their protection, but am apprehensive
they will find the Numbers much smaller than promised by the Time they arrive
in their Country wch must disgust them, and on the other hand when they hear
our Numbers at N. York of wch they were told was blocked up by the Rebels & their
Intention, which the Arrival of the Express will soon spread among the Confederacy,
I should imagine the Oneidas will be glad of an opportunity to accept with
pleasure of your Excellys terms. A body of a Couple Hundred Whites & Indians
cutting across the Country towards Schenectady would strike a Terror and occassion
a great Diversion in favor of the Indians this Expedn is said to be against,
Capt John proposes going upon a Scout to Fort George in a day or two and says
he is determined not to be idle while the Rebellion lasts and any extra service
Your Excellency may have to do for him he will be always ready to go upon.
I have the honor to be with great
Respect
Your
Excellencys
Most
Obedient and
Oblidged
hum Servant
Dan
Claus
To His Excellency
General Haldimand
&c &c &c
[On reverse side] from Lieut Col Claus of the 3d May 1779
Recd
6th
SOURCE: GENERAL FREDERICK HALDIMAND PAPERS.