Stuart however did not experience any inconvenience at first; indeed he remained undisturbed at Fort Hunter, for some time even after the Declaration of Independence, and constantly performed divine service without omitting the prayers for the king, as prescribed in the Liturgy. In the Spring of 1777, Gen! Herkimer received intelligence that some persons belonging to Tryon County intended to join the enemy at Niagara ; he ordered a watch on the high road, which prevented their passage, and on being fired at, they retreated and lost their bundles. On the next day, two packs of letters

1 Abstract, 1775, 2 Abstract for 1782, p, 48.

REY. JOHN STUART, D. D. 509

were picked up by a squaw not far from the road. One of these letters, though not'subseribed, was supposed almost for certain, to be the hand writing of Rev' M* Stuart, Minister of the Mohawk Castle, and the whole were forwarded to the Provincial Congress. On examination, however, the papers were found to be of such little importance that they were returned to the committee of Tryon County. M* Stuart's continued residence at Fort Hunter now became dangerous alike to himself and his family. St. Leger had raised the siege of Fort Schuyler ; Burgoyne had surrendered ; the Indians, who had hitherto protected their Minister, had abandoned their homes, & with Brant were laying waste the country between the Susquehanna and the Mohawk rivers. Mr. Stuart's connexion with the Johnson family and his relations to the Indians rendered him particularly obnoxious to the Whigs. His house was attacked, his property plundered and every indignity offered his person. His church was also plundered, then turned into a tavern and in ridicule and contempt a barrel of ram was placed on the reading desk, It was afterwards used as a stable, and finally served as a fort.