refer these particular inimical declarations to
your House, and would be very glad to get your opinion and advice,
for our further directions. Please, also, to remember what we
mentioned to you in our former letters, of the inimical and provoking
behaviour of the tenants of said Sir John, which they still continue,
under the authority of said Sir John."[112]

The attitude of Sir John had become such that the Continental Congress
deemed it best, on December 30th to order General Schuyler "to take the
most speedy and effective measures for securing the said Arms and
Military Stores, and for disarming the said Tories, and apprehending
their chiefs."[113] The action of Congress was none too hasty; for in a
letter from Governor William Tryon of New York to the earl of Dartmouth,
under date of January 5, 1776, he encloses the following addressed to
himself:

"Sir: I hope the occasion and intention of this letter will plead my
excuse for the liberty I take in introducing to your Excellency the
bearer hereof Captain Allen McDonell who will inform you of many
particulars that cannot at this time with safety be committed to
writing. The distracted & convulsed State this unhappy country is now
worked up to, and the situation that I am in here, together with the
many Obligations our family owe to the best of Sovereigns induces me
to fall upon a plan that may I hope be of service to my country, the
propriety of which I entirely submit to Your Excellency's better
judgment, depending on that friendship which you have been pleased to
honour me with for your advice on and Representation to his Majesty
of what we propose. Having consulted with all my friends in this
quarter, among whom are many old and good Officers, most of whom have
a good deal of interests in their respective neighborhoods, and have
now a great number of men ready to compleat the plan--We must however
not think of stirring till we have a support, & supply of money,
necessaries to enable us to carry our design into execution, all of
which Mr. McDonell who will inform you of everything that has been
done in Canada that has come to our knowledge. As I find by the
papers you are soon to sail for England I despair of having the
pleasure to pay my respect to you but most sincerely wish you an
Agreeable Voyage and a happy sight of Your family & friends. I am.

Your Excellency's most obed