Gentlemen

Captain [Remember] Baker of the unenlisted Green Mountain Boys, having been heretofore employed by me on Scout to Canada with the only View to gain Intelligence, and with express Orders not to molest the Canadians or Indians, lately went into that Country without my Leave with a Party of five Men, and discovering a Boat manned by an equal Number of Indians (by authentic Intelligence sent me from Canada, I learn of the Cagnawaga Tribe) attempted to fire on them, but his Gun missing and, he putting his Head from behind the Tree where he stood, in Order to hammer his Flint, received a Shot in his Forehead, and instantly expired ー Upon which his Party returned the Fire and unfortunately killed two of the Indians. This Event my Canadian correspondent informs me has induced some of the Indians of that Tribe to join the regular Forces at St Johns. What the Consequence of Baker's Imprudence may be, it is hard to forsee. It behoves however to attempt to eradicate from the Minds of the Indians any evil Impressions they may have imbibed from this mortifying Circumstance. But what Measures to take to gain so desirable an End, I am utterly at a Loss to determine. Perhaps a few Indians of the six Nations might be willing to join the Army under my Command in a peaceable Message to those of Canada. And as this Account will most certainly reach the six Nations, I believe it may be most prudent to prepare them for it in such a Manner as you who can be assisted with the best Advice at Albany shall determine. You will be pleased to forward a Copy of this Letter by Express to Congress, to whom I would have wrote, was not my Time so wholly engrossed in the necessary Preparation for moving the Remainder of the Army which I have ordered to embark this Afternoon & tomorrow Morning and with which I propose to take Possession of the Isle au Noix, till more Artillery can be sent me, I having sent down only four twelve Pounders, the others not being in Readiness.

I am Gent. [&c.]

Please to communicate no more of this Letter than is absolutely necessary to any Body.

To Oliver Wolcott, Turbot Francis & Volcklet P. Downs Esqrs Commissioners for Indian Affairs.²