The Virginia Gazette

NEW YORK, September 11.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Albany, September 2.

By an express arrived last night we hear there has been a skirmish near St. John's, between a reconnoitring party of our men in a boat, and a boat of regulars, Canadians, and Indians. The general's letter on the occasion mentions, that the captain of our party was killed (one Baker) and a number of whites and two Indians of the enemy were slain; that general Montgomery, with 1200 men, set off the first of the week for St. John's, and were to muster on the isle of Noix, until joined by general Schuyler, who, with about as many more men, has by this time arrived; so that within a very few days it is possible the blow will be struck, which shall determine the fate of three provinces. And here I must wait, an idle listener to news, I merely because hard necessity ties me down, as our men cannot yet march for the want of their campaign equipage.

Extract of a letter from the same gentleman, September 5.

Before you get this you will hear of the unhappy affair of capt. Baker, near St. John's. It seems Baker had often been sent out by general Schuyler, to make observations, but always with strict orders never to molest either Canadians or Indians. The last tour he made was without any orders from the general, and landing somewhere on the shore of the lake, he indiscreetly, or wickedly, snapped his firelock at some Indians he saw near him; immediately he was fired at and slain, on which his people returned the fire, and killed two of the savages. This matter was immediately represented in its true colours, by the commissioners of Indian affairs, to the Six Nations, now on congress in this city, who thanked them for their candour; and in order to put out the flame which this unhappy affair could not help kindling, a lieutenant sets out to-day with four Mohawk Indians, and an interpreter, to join general Schuyler, wherever he shall be, to endeavour to make up matters. This affair was prodigiously misrepresented here at first.