It was decided to send a strong expsdition against tlie Iroquois settlements, and utterly destroy their towns and crops, more especially in the territory of the Senecas and Cayugas. It was no small task to equip a large force and traverse an almost unknown, and altogether unmapped, wilderness whidh was wholly without roads, in the face of an active and vigilant as well as relentless foe. The command of the expedition was tendered to Genei'al Gates because of his rank. In reply to the tender of the command Genso NEW YORK STATE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

era] Gates wrote to Washington as follows : " Last night I had the honor of your Excellency's letter. The man who undertakes the Indian service should enjoy health and strength, requisites 1 do not possess. It therefore grieves me that your Excellency should offer me the only command to which I am entirely unequal. In obedience to your command I have forwarded your letter to General Sullivan." Washington had evidently anticipated that Gates would not accept the command as he had enclosed in his letter to him a communication that was to be forwarded to Sullivan in case Gates declined the service. It was this letter to which Gates referred in his reply to Was'hington. No doubt it was fortunate for the country that the command of the expedition devolved upon some other person than Gates Washington felt somewhat hurt at the tone of the letter he received from Gates, and in a communication to the President of Congress he said, " My letter to him on the occasion I believe you will think was conceived in very candid and polite terms, and merited a different answer from the one given to it." In his instructions to Sullivan Washington wrote as follows : " Sir :-- The expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the Six Nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents.