we hope, Sir, it will be no discouragement to your State, to using their utmost exertions, for furnishing the remainder of their troops, to join the army as soon as possible: and that the Idea of its being probably too late, before a sufficient force can be collected to promise a successful Campaign, will be totally banished; for policy, as well as interest, dictate to us, to be always prepared to take advantage of every favourable conjuncture, and it is impossible to say how soon such a one will present itself. The General's letter treats this subject in every other respect so fully, as renders it unnecessary to add more, than, that we have the honor to be with great respect, Your Excellency's Most Obed't Humble Servant-In behalf of the Committee. His Excellency George Clinton, Esqr. Jno. Mathews. [No. 3154.] Lieutenant Governor Dudley Digges, of Virginia, Notifies Major Forsyth That Virginia Will Furnish No More Funds for the Northern Army. In Council, Richmond Aug't 17, 1780. Sir, Your Letter from Frederickburg of the ningth Instant, was this day (the Governor being absent) put into my hands by Mr. Tate. I did immediately lay the same before the Council, who after mature Deliberation, have determined that a warrant should issue upon your account to Mr. Tate, for the Sum of fifty Thousand Pounds to enable him for the present to confirm his contracts for Meat for the Convention Troops. I am directed at the same Time, to inform you, that this is the last and only Sum that can or will be given on account of the exhausted State of the Treasury for the use of the Convention Troops, a circumstance this, which it was the more necessary to inform you of, as we are told by Mr. Tate, the Bearer of your Letter, that you very soon intended to go to Philad'a and may, therefore, have an opportunity of representing to Congress or to the Commissary General of Provisions, how impracticable it will be for this State to engage to make further advances in your Department—whilst the Demands for the Southern Troops occur so frequently, as totally to exhaust our Treasury, and with it our abilities to comply with any future requisitions, at least until next Meeting of the General Assembly. Copy. [No. 3155.] Dudley Digges, L. G. Governor Clinton Informs Commissary Blaine That He Is Making Every Exertion to Collect Supplies. Poukeepsie 18th Aug't 1780. But Sir, Your Letter of the 9th Instant is this Moment delivered me; every Exertion is making for collecting the specific Supplies required of this State. The Moment this is accomplished there will not be the least Objection ag't the agent for this State extending his Purchases as much farther as the Rescources of the State will admit of & the Public Service may require. as such Extra Purchases must be made at the Expence of the United States & under the Direction of the Commissary Genl. it will be necessary that he shoud have your Order for the Purpose without which, however, pressing the Demands, I am not authorized to direct him to exceed the Requisitions made of the State. Should he receive your Orders you may rely on every Assistance in my Power to render his appointment as extensively useful as possible. I am, Sir, your most Obed't Serv't [To Commissary General Blaine.] [G. C.] [No. 3156.] The Legislature to Meet 4th September, 1780. Poukeepsie 18th Aug't 1780. Sir, I am favoured with your Letter of the 15th Instant. The Moment the new Money is issued which I have reason to expect will very soon be the Case, I will transmit you the Bounties for the Men you have inlisted out of the Levies to serve during the War on receiving Certificates of the Commanding Officer of the Batallion of such Inlistments which is necessary to enable me to draw the Money out of the Treasury. I wish at the same Time to be furnished with an account of the Expences of the several Gentlemen employed in the Recruiting Service under my Warrants that Measures may be taken to discharge the same. This I wish you to communicate to the other Gentle men concerned. I recollect the Conversation we had respecting the obtaining Species for clothing the Troops and I am fully perswaded the Plan is practicable. The Legislature is to meet the 4th of next Month when I will endeavour to have it adopted as without their approbation I woud not venture to engage in it. It must remain a Secret for many Reasons. I am Sir with great Regard yours [To Capt. Nathaniel Norton.] [G. C.] [No. 3157.] Petition from Widows and Orphans Ruined by the Ravages of the Enemy in Tryon County, for Order to Draw Provisions. To his Excellency George Clinton Esquire, Governor, and Commander in Chief of the State of New-York. The Humble Petition of Mary Tenis, Catharine Shefein, Elizabeth Browning, Catharine Ringle, Margaret Keller, Mary Clements, Elizabeth Irine, Susannah Ohene, Gertrude Stinewax, and Magdalene Snackein, Widows of New Petersburgh, Kingsland District, in the County of Tryon, and State of New-York. Humbly Sheweth, That your Poor Petitioners are all Widows, who are left with large Families of Children; our husbands are all killed by the Indians, and now lately, the Indians has Burn'd our houses and Barns, and taken away, and Destroy'd, all our Horses and Cows. And your Petitioners dare not venture home, to get our Harvest in. So that we, and our Fatherless Children are reduc'd to Poverty, and must inevitably want, if not reliev'd by your Excellencies Humanity and Bounty. Your Petitioners, begs leave to acquaint your Excellence, that General Van Rensselaer, ordered all the inhabitants of New Petersburgh to leave the Place, and we are now at Fort Dayton, with scarce anything to subsist ourselves and Children. Your Petitioners therefore Humbly Prays, that your Excellency will be pleas'd to grant, that we may draw Provision. Or order your poor Petitioners such Relief, as your Excellency out of your abundant Goodness, shall think fit. And your Petitioners, shall ever Pray. Fort Dayton, August 18th 1780. The number of those Widows, together with their Children, is Forty and four, and all of the Children incapable of earning a Livelihood. [No. 3158.] Governor Livingston Requests Permission for His Sister, Mrs. Lawrence, to Proceed to New York. Morris Town, 18 Aug't 1780. Sir, I lately received a Letter from my Sister Mrs. Lawrence, a Widow & Refugee from the City of New York & for some years last past an Inhabitant of your state. She informs me that tho' she had a very genteel competency at the Beginning of these troubles, she is at present greatly straightened by occasion of the depreciation of the money, & that she is advised by many of her Friends in New York to come into the City, giving her the strongest assurances of her receiving her house rent if she can' obtain Liberty to come in person. She would, however, not wish to stay, but is desirous of a Permission to go, & return into the State of New York after having secured her property. Such Permission, Sir, she begs me to sollicit from your Excellency. I know it is a delicate point to interfere in the Policy of other States; and would only be understood to desire the Pass so far as such Indulgence to a distressed Widow & a good whig, reduced by the fate of war from a very easy fortune to a state of Dependence, & having a fair prospect of recovering her debts by going in, is consistent with the plan which your Excellency has prescribed to yourself respecting the granting of Passports. With great respect, I have the honour to be, your Excellency's most humble Servant His Excellency Governor Clinton. Will: Livingston. |