Albany, November 5, 1777.
Sir:
By inquiry, I have learned that General Patterson’s brigade, which is
the one you propose to send, is by far the weakest of the three now
here, and does not consist of more than about six hundred rank and file
fit for duty. It is true, that there is a militia regiment with it of
about two hundred; but the time of service for which this regiment is
engaged, is so near expiring, that it would be past by the time the
men could arrive at their destination.
Under these circumstances, I cannot consider it either as compatible
with the good of the service, or my instructions from His Excellency
General Washington, to consent that that brigade be selected from the
three to go to him; but I am under the necessity of desiring, by virtue
of my orders from him, that one of the others be substituted instead of
this; either General Nixon’s, or General Glover’s; and that you will be
pleased to give immediate orders for its embarkation.
Knowing that General Washington wished me to pay the greatest deference
to your judgment, I ventured so far to deviate from the instructions
he gave me, as to consent, in compliance with your opinion, that two
brigades should remain here instead of one. At the same time permit me
to observe, that I am not myself sensible of the expediency of keeping
more than one, with the detached regiments in the neighborhood of this
place; and that my ideas coincide with those gentlemen whom I have
consulted on the occasion, whose judgment I have much more reliance
upon than on my own, and who must be supposed to have a thorough
knowledge of all the circumstances. Their opinion is, that one brigade,
and the regiments before mentioned, would amply answer the purposes of
this post. When I preferred your opinion to other considerations, I did
not imagine you would pitch upon a brigade little more than half as
large as the others: and finding this to be the case, I indispensably
owe it to my duty, to desire, in His Excellency’s name, that another
may go instead of the one intended, and without loss of time. As it may
be conducive to dispatch, to send Glover’s brigade, if agreeable to
you, you will give orders accordingly.
I have the honor to be,
With real respect and esteem,
Sir, your most obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.
General Gates.