In the spring of 1780, the Indians again made their appearance on the Mohawk river, infuriated rather than humbled by the punishment which Gen. Sullivan had inflicted on them in the course of the preceding summer. The situation of affairs in the neighborhood of Schenectady obliged Mr Stuart early in June once more to abandon his house and take sanctuary in Albany. So imminent was the danger that the guns of the enemy were heard for several hours previous to his retirement, and he adds, "we could see several houses in flames from our windows.''4

During this sojourn he experienced much civility from Genl Schuyler and obtained permission to visit Philadelphia. Happen-

1 Minutes of Commrs. for Detecting Conspiracies (in State Lib.) i, 69, 87,88.

2 Rey. Mr. Stuart to Rev. Mr. (afterwards Bishop) White. 28 Sept 1778. The extracts from this correspondence, inserted in this Memoir, have been

obligingly furnished by Geo. Okill Stuart, Esq., of Quebec, grandson of the Rey. Mr. Stuart. '

3 Min. of Com. of Consp. ii. 28 June 1779. 4 Letter of 12 June 1780,

REV. JOHN STUART, D. D. 511

ing to pass whilst in that city through one of its thoroughfares, his progress was arrested by a crowd which a young man was haranguing, at the moment, on the course of public events. Hearing a remark from a bystander flattering to the personal appearance of the orator, M' Stuart unguardedly made a caustic though humorous remark on the same subject, and then proceeded to his Lodgings. The observation circulating through the crowd, aroused considerable indignation and the meeting adjourned for the purpose of inflicting personal chastisement on the person who had been so bold as to utter it. Mr Stuart received timely notice from a friend of these hostile intentions, but nothing could prevail on him to retreat before the impending danger.