Details
SCHUYLER, Philip (1733-1804), Major General, Continental Army. Autograph draft letter signed ("Ph: Schuyler") to Charles Thomson, Secretary and the Congress of the United States, Albany, 3 March 1785. 1½ pages, folio, large section of text crossed out and re-written on verso, docketed "Letter to Congress."
AN ELDERLY GENERAL DECLINES A PUBLIC POST OFFERED BY CONGRESS. An important draft letter, in which Schuyler, one of the oldest officers serving in the Continental Army, notifies Congress he is unable to accept the command offered him: "Yesterday I was honored with your letter...covering the Acts of Congress.... Reduced to the painful necessity of a sedentary life by chronic disorders, the severity of which does not afford me the most remote prospect of every again entering on any scene of life where personal activity is requisite [following passage crossed out:] In this situation Congress will readily perceive that I could not accomplish their views...please signify to that Honourable body that I respectfully decline the appointment...." On the verso is the substituted passage, with differences from the deleted last paragraph.
Schuyler had been in command of the Northern Department during the late war, but after the evacuation of Ticonderoga to Burgoyne, was relieved of command and replaced by Horatio Gates. He remained active in military affairs, though, and continued to hold a variety of public offices until his deteriorating health prevented his doing so.
AN ELDERLY GENERAL DECLINES A PUBLIC POST OFFERED BY CONGRESS. An important draft letter, in which Schuyler, one of the oldest officers serving in the Continental Army, notifies Congress he is unable to accept the command offered him: "Yesterday I was honored with your letter...covering the Acts of Congress.... Reduced to the painful necessity of a sedentary life by chronic disorders, the severity of which does not afford me the most remote prospect of every again entering on any scene of life where personal activity is requisite [following passage crossed out:] In this situation Congress will readily perceive that I could not accomplish their views...please signify to that Honourable body that I respectfully decline the appointment...." On the verso is the substituted passage, with differences from the deleted last paragraph.
Schuyler had been in command of the Northern Department during the late war, but after the evacuation of Ticonderoga to Burgoyne, was relieved of command and replaced by Horatio Gates. He remained active in military affairs, though, and continued to hold a variety of public offices until his deteriorating health prevented his doing so.