[No. 3180.] Difficulties in the Way of Raising Supplies in Westchester County. Bedford, 29th August 1780. Honored Sir, I am under the disagreeable necessity of Repre senting to your Excellency the embarrassment and Difficulty I labour under. Have been lately honored with the appointment of assistant State Agent for West Chester County, which I willingly accepted, flattering myself that the present method adopted for procuring supplies for the army, the Encouragement given of payment in new bills equal to gold and silver, and assisted by the law to prevent the monopoly of Cattle &c. would enable the purchaser to procure more ample supplies for the army than has been for these two years past. But am unhappily disappointed in the County, although there is at this time in this county, not less than three Hundred head of good beef cattle for sale, which I have endeavoured by every encouragement and persuasive means in my Power to purchase, but lately have had the mortification to see the troops commanded by Col. Shelden, for several days together destitute of beef, and their resentment (when short of provisions) is wholly bent against the publick purchaser, when it is,out of the power of the assistant to procure them any relief, but by the voluntary consent of the possessor, which is seldom to be met with at these times. Every method is now taken to evade the law for preventing the monopoly of cattle and Beef, and although we daily see beef cattle removed from Place to place, find it extreemly difficult to procure full evidence that they were purchased with intent to sell again, and let the number of cattle or quantity of beef be ever so great, the purchaser is not subject to any penalty unless full evidence of the possessor's intenton. Many persons in this County through fear, or some other motives came into allegiance with this state that have been considered as disaffected to the well being of it. Those persons mostly refuse to sell their produce for any thing but hard money, and it is almost generally the case in this County that those that offer to sell for paper money demand much higher prices than they know is in the power of the Publick purchaser to allow; this being the case especially at this time, and the Troops often suffer for want of provisions when there is a plenty in the neighbourhood for sale. I was under the disagreeable necessity, two days ago, to impress two pair of fatt oxen for the relief of the Troops, and thereby exposed myself to the law, which is rather disagreeable; those matters I submit to your Excellency's consideration and pray (if consistant with justice) that your Excellency will grant me an impress warrant to indemnify me in the abovementioned impress which I do acknowledge nothing but necessity would Justify. And further, that your Excellency would grant an impress warrant to some person in this County (under such Restrictions as you may think proper) to impress provisions or forage to supply real necessity. I would not wish to trouble you Excellency on this occasion, but can find no relief elsewhere; shall be exceeding glad to have your advice by the Bearer, Mr. John Sackett, and such further relief as my necessities require. And am with respect and Esteem, your Excellency's most Obed't Serv't Saml. Townsend, A. S. Agent: His Excellency George Clinton. [No. 3181.] The New York Party in Cumberland County Retain Luke Knoulton as Their Agent to Attend Congress. Brattleboro' 30th August 1780. Sir, The professed Subjects of New York in this County think themselves so materially interested in the speedy Determina tion of the Controversy respecting a new State, and in some Questions which may be agitated at the Trial, that they have appointed Luke Knoulton, Esqr., their agent to attend at Philadelphia at their own Expence. As Mr. Knoulton has resided in the County from the beginning of the Disturbances, and is a gentleman of Penetration and Probity, we flatter ourselves he may be useful to the Delegates either in refreshing their Memories, or in acquainting them with some Circumstances which may not have come to their Knowledge. We have requested Mr. Knoulton to wait upon your Excellency in his way to Philadelphia to be informed what Prospect there is of Congress entering upon the Business at present: and if he should proceed further, we shall be much obliged by your Excellency's favoring him with a Line to the Delegates. We have the Honor to be, With the highest respect, Your Excellency's most Obedient humble Serv'ts By order of the Com: John Sergeant, Chairman P. T. His Excellency, George Clinton, Esqr. [No. 3182.] Mrs. Edgar Applies for a Pass to Canada for Herself and Family. Sir, Your Excellency is now addressed by the unhappy Relict of Mr. David Edgar, formerly a majestrate and reputable Trader in this City, who Died in the month of September, 1776, leaving me, his disconsolate widow, in very low circumstances, to support myself and four Children; our property being in Canada, in the hands of my Husband's Brother and partner, Mr. Wm. Edgar, who carried on the Indian Trade in that Country, on their joint account, for many years preceding the Commencement of the present war, and is still engaged in it. That property on which our support depended, being, by the war, put entirely out of my reach, it has been with much difficulty that I have kept House, in Decency, since my Husband's Death; but now, finding my utmost Efforts unequal to the task, I have no alternative, but either to remain here, and behold misery and want staring us in the face; or else remove to Canada with my Family, where I hope to find very considerable property, in the hands of an affectionate Brother-in-law and faithfull partner. I assure you, Sir, it is with great regret that I quit a place where I have lived in friendly intercourse, with a Social Sett of acquaintances, for upwards of Twenty years past; but the distress which the Exhausted state of my finances would unavoidably involve me in, constrains me for the present to leave them, whilst I lament the necessity of my doing so. Underneath I take the liberty of noting down the names and ages of my Children respectively, for your Excellency's Information; those, a white Servant woman, named Mary McCord, and an old negro man, named Cuff, (who has lived with me for Eighteen years) compose the whole of my Family. The most favourable Season for our undertaking so long a journey and voyage across the northern Lakes is now arrived; wherefore, after having taken my Case into your humane consideration; I hope, and humbly entreat, your Excellency will be favourably pleased to order me to be accommodated with a pass and flag for the removal of myself and family, and our Baggage, hence to Canada, and any injunctions proper or necessary to lay us under, shall be religiously observed. Hoping for your favour able determination, and that I shall soon be happily made acquainted therewith, I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, Your Excellency's Suplicant, and most Obedient Servant. Jean Edgar. Albany, 31st Aug'st 1780. Hanah aged 18 years; James Greg 14; Jane 121; David 10. His Excellency, Geo. Clinton, Esqr. [No. 3183.] The Irrepressible du Simitiere Explains to Governor Clinton His Fiasco with Congress. Sir, Although I have not been favoured with a written answer to the letter I did myself the honour to write to your Excellency in date of the 30th April last, yet I have reason to believe from the verbal message Mr. Denning delivered me some time ago that it has reached your Excellency's hands. This gentleman mentioned in general that your Excellency had some curiosities ready to send me, but could not remember the particulars. I readily acknowledge my gratitude for so much attention considering the important occupations that engross your Excellency's time, but I must also confess that ever since the reception of your Excellency's last letter of the 23d of February last which announced them, I have somewhat boasted of what fine curiosities I dayly expected, and that before some ladies whom I have put off from seeing my collection untill the reception of them, but now having waited so long, they ask me whether my curiosities are arrived or what's become of them, that they will no longer wait to see my collection &c. and I have not a word to say, wishing only that your Excellency might find an early and safe opportunity to forward them to me. We have had public accounts of your Excellency's expedition after Johnson but the ennemy fled with too great precipitation |