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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875


Item 758 of 2186
Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 6 January 1, 1777 - April 30, 1777 --Philip Schuyler to Thomas Wharton
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Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 6 January 1, 1777 - April 30, 1777
Philip Schuyler to Thomas Wharton



Sir Philadelphia April 10t. 1777.
The Honorable Continental Congress having ordered me to carry into Execution their Intensions conveyed in the inclosed Resolutions, My total Ignorance of the Country renders it necessary that I should immediately take Measures for obtaining the requisite Information. I must therefore beg the Favor of an early Conference with your Excellency and Council of Safety on that and other Matters. If I can be honored with a Conference you will please to signify the Time and place to Major Rensselaer my aid de Camp, who waits on you for that purpose.(1) I am Sir, very respectfully, Your Excellency's most obdt. hble Servant,
Ph. Schuyler

LB (NN). Addressed: "To his Excellency Thomas Wharton Esqr., President of the State of Pennsylvania."
1 The resolves enclosed by Schuyler were passed on April 10 and directed him to take certain steps to repel a reported British advance on Philadelphia. JCC,

Page 569

APRIL 10, 1777

Link to date-related documents.



7:250-51. For the origins of this minor crisis and the effect it had on Congress relations with the government of Pennsylvania, see Committee of Congress to George Washington, April 10, note and William Duer to the New York Convention, April 17, 1777, note 1. Schuyler, who had returned to Congress on April 7 seeking vindication of his conduct as commander of the northern military department, was acting in a dual capacity as delegate from New York and commander of the Continental forces in Philadelphia. Despite dissatisfaction with Schuyler among a significant number of delegates, particularly those from New England, Congress gave him this command because the military exigencies of the moment seemed to require the services of an officer of his rank and experience. See JCC 7:230, 251, 255, 271, 298; and Schuyler's Memorial to Congress, May 6, 1777.

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