Lcger, who had been sent up the St. Lawrence by Burgoyne, with instructions to cross Lake Ontario to Oswego, penetrate

THE HUDSON.

tlie Mohawk valley from that point, form an alliance with the Tories antl Indians, and press forward to Albany with destructive energy, had actually appeared before Port Schuyler, where the village of Eome now stands. The people of the Mohawk valley were wild with consternation, and sent swift messengers to General Schuyler, imploring immediate assistance. The prudent foresight and far-reaching humanity of that officer at once dictated his course. He called a council of officers at his quarters, and proposed sending a detachment immediately to the relief of Port Schuyler.

DERRICK SWART'S HOUSE AT STILLWATER.

They opposed him with the argument that his whole force was insufficient to stay the progress of Burgoyne. Schuyler persisted in his opinion, and earnestly besought them to second his views. His political enemies had already sown the seeds of distrust concerning his intentions ; and as he was pacing the floor in anxious solicitude, he heard fi'om one of his subordinate officers the half- whispered remark, " He means to weaken the army." Never was a thought more unjust and ungenerous ! Wheeling suddenly toward the slanderer and those around him, and unconsciously biting into several pieces a pipe that he was smoking, Schuyler indignantly

THE HUDSON.

exclaimed, "Gentlemen, I shall take the responsibility upon myself; where is the brigadier that will take command of the relief ? I shall beat up for volunteers to-morrow."