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MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOHN STUAIIT, V. O.
United States of America or either of them, and not to depart the Limits of tlie Town of Schenec-tady without Permission from one of the Members of this Board.”'
He returned accordingly to his assigned residence whence lie writes on the 28 th Sept, following.“ My situation is rather disagreable, being deserted by almost all my Congregation. Thereremains only three families, the others having, at different times, joined the Kings Forces. I havenot preached within these last two years” 1 2 The winter of 1778, was thus passed in Schenectady ,and as the country to the west was about to become the theatre of war, M r Stuart ventured to moveto Albany in the early part of the summer of 1779. But he was ordered back on the 24 th June tohis old quarters. 3
In the spring of 1780, the Indians again made their appearance cn the Mohawk river , infuriatedrather than humbled by the punishment which Gen. Sullivan had inflicted on them in the courseof the preceding summer. The situation of affairs in the neighborhood of Schenectady obligedM r Stuart early in June once more to abandon his house and take sanctuary in Albany . Soimminent was the danger that the guns of the enemy were heard for several hours previous to hisretirement, and he adds, “ we could see several houses in flames from our windows.” 4
During this sojourn he experienced much civility from Genl Schuyler and obtained permissionto visit Philadelphia . Happening to pass whilst in that city through one of its thoroughfares, hisprogress was arrested by a crowd which a young man was haranguing, at the moment, on thecourse of public events. Hearing a remark from a bystander flattering to the personal appearanceof the orator, M r Stuart unguardedly made a caustic though humorous remark on the same subject,and then proceeded to his Lodgings. The observation circulating through the crowd, arousedconsiderable indignation and the meeting adjourned for the purpose of inflicting personal chastise-ment on the person who had been so bold as to utter it. M r Stuart received timely notice from afriend of these hostile intentions, but nothing could prevail on him to retreat before the impendingdanger. He resolved to face it, not to fly from it. Fortunately, the Rev. M r White and othersinterfered, and the indignation oft the people was appeased. 5
On his return to the North, he found matters in nowise improved, and thereupon made uphis mind to emigrate to Canada . He communicated his resolution to M r White in these words :—
“ I arrived here safe in eight days from the time I parted with you, and found my family well, and after being sufficientlyaffrighted, the enemy having been within twenty miles of this place, had within one mile of my house in the country withoutdoing me any damage. The particulars you have heard I suppose,—they retreated with the loss of about 80 taken, & few ornone killed. **** Considering the present situation of affairs in this part of the Province, I am fully persuaded, that I cannotpossibly live here secure, either in regard to ourselves or property during the ensuing season;—this place is likely to be afrontier, & will probably be burnt if the enemy can effect it. X have lost a considerable part of my stock while in Philadel-phia , partly by public and partly by private robbers. For these and other weighty reasons, maturely weighed, I haveresolved (with the approbation & consent of Mrs. Stuart) to emigrate to Canada ; and have made application for an exchange,which X have reason to believe, will be granted.”6
In conformity with this view he made the following application in the course of the ensuing springto Governor Clinton :—•
1 Minutes of Commrs. for Detecting Conspiracies (in State Lib.) i, 69, 87, 88.
2 Rev. Mr. Stuart to Rev. Mr. (afterwards Bishop) White. 28 Sept 1778. The extracts from this correspondence,inserted in this Memoir, have been obligingly furnished by Geo. Okill Stuart, Esq., of Quebec , grandson of the Rev. Mr.Stuart.
3 Min. of Coro, of Consp. ii. 28 June 1779.
6 Letter of G. 0. Stuart, Esq.
4 Letter of 12 June 1780.
6 Letter of Nov. 13. 1780.