before you a particular circumstance, attending my Captivity; (viz.): I was on the Night of the 8th July last, taken by nine armed men from this spot, & Bro't off by eight, the one that remained most certainly was the Person that took from me a valuable Horse, from sundry Circumstances I am well satisfyed it must have been done by that Person. Those that came off with me utterly refuse to tell me the Name of the Person left on. Those men took me by your Excellency's Permission; still I am sure from your Character & most Ingenious Proclamation, you will not countenance such Robbery; my Charecter you have in a Letter from Capt. Muirson of Aug'st 10th partly & may more fully obtain by Conversing with Maj'r Nat'l Delavan, who will have the Charge of this. I seek no Revenge, nor wish any punishment may follow, only pray that I may recover my Horse, (being no way able to sustain such a Loss), or receive Satisfaction, Pray let my Loss & Suffering Excuse my thus Troubling you, who am but, your most obed't Hum. Ser't

[To G. C.]

[No. 3191.]

Cyrus Punderson.

Colonel Webster Brings to the Governor's Attention Several Militia

Suggestions.

Black Creek Sep'r 1st 1780.

D'r Governor, Some time ago, one Parks, who lives near Fort Ann, was taken up by Capt. Sherwood as a person enlisting men for the Enemy. I have not heard the Issue of his Trial. I had a letter a few days ago from Major John Chipman informing me that I was to send out the 4th man and the 30th man for the Defence of the Frontiers to be relieved monthly. I returned him for answer, I had your Excellency's orders of the 10th Ulto.

and these I meant to abide by till otherways ordered. I informed him I had your orders liakways, if my Information should be such as I should judge reinforcement necessary, I should send them, which I should be cairfull to do or the whole regt. if wanted; we have lived here in perfect peace since your Excellency visited us. I wish Capt. John Hamilton's resignation may be granted as he is unfitt for duty and the rest of the officers displeased when he dos it not. The officers belonging to the Company is now Capt. Jno. Hamilton;

1 Lt. George McKnight; 2 do James Wilson;

Ensign Saml. Crosett.

Will be if Capt. Hamilton's

resignation is accepted of:

George McKnight, Capt;

James Wilson, Ist Lieut;

Samuel Crosett, 2 do;

Robert Wilson, Ensign.

Their is about seventeen families settled upon Poltney. Oliver one of the men came to me and told me they wanted to join my regiment and be under the Jurisdiction of the state of New York. This Settelment is about 10 miles NE from Skeensborough and too great a distance from any other company to be annexed to them, he asked me what steps they should take to accomplish their design. I told him my advice was that they should meet together and nominate a lieutenant and petition the Honorable Council of Appointment for his Commission, and that they should declare their willingness to be subjects of the state; they accordingly met together as appeared from their record of metting which was signed by 21 able bodied men; they chose Samuel Hyde for their Lieut. but their record was so worded that I told them by their representative, I could not present it to the Council; they cal'd themselves an Associated Comp'y. I told him that an Associated Comp'y was entitled to

some exemptions they would not want, tho the state should grant it; he said it was their Ignorance of the Law was the Cause and that they were willing to do militia duty without exception. I think it would be good policy to send Saml. Hyde a first Lieut's Commission. I am, D'r Sir, with great regard & esteem your Very obedent and Humble Servant

To His Excellency George Clinton Esquire.

Alex'r Webster.

[No. 3192.]

Consolidated with document 3199.-STATE HISTORIAN.

[No. 3193.]

Captain Cross Discredits Robert Thompson.

Hanover, Ulster County Septbr. 2d, 1780.

Sir, With all due Respect, I beg leave to aquaint your Excellency, that I have been informed a certain Robert Thompson of my Comp'y, has lately made application to you for an Exemption from militia Duty on account of a wound Rec'v'd. in his arm 10 or 12 years past; and also that he had obtained a Certificate from Doctor Grahams to that Effect. Although I had (previous to his applying) wrote to the Doctor forbiding him to grant it; assureing him that it could be sufficiently proven he was a man able bodyed and capable of all manner of hard Labour common to a farmer, I, therefore, as a friend to my Country, thought it my Duty to aquaint your Excellency with his true Character in that Point; being confident the unworthy receives no favours knowingly at your hand: If he repeats his application (as he says he will) I will undertake to make it. appear by all the most respectable of his Neighbours, that they

believe him to be one of the most capable men (as to ability of Body) that is in the Company; and also that it is the general oppinion that his complaint originates much more in Dissafection of Principle to the common Cause than Dissability of Person; much of his false assertions might be added: But I have the Honour to be, with all Due Respect: Your Excellency's most obedient Servant,

William Cross.

To His Excellency, George Clinton, Esqr. &c. &c.

[No. 3194.]

John D. Goes Takes the Oath of Allegiance to Massachusetts.

Great Barrington, Sept'm 2d, 1780.

I

Gent'n, I being alarmed at the Dangers thretening me by the Severity of your Laws, I have been obliged to leive my Family in a Sorrowfull condition, & have fled for Protection into this State, whare I have represented my Deficulties to the select men, tendered the Oath of Elegance & became a Subject, mean to settle myself hear, although to my unspeakable Damage, yet I chuse it farr better then to enter into a New Parole or whatever farther troubles might attend me in the prevarious troubles I was in by reson of that act I was called upon. I hope this kind of bannishing myself will sufficiantly suffice, as I am consianuously clear of crime whatever that might be laid to my charge, & its now out of my Power, if I was so minded to use any Influence that might be attend with Dangerous consequencis. I found in the course of my Inquiring that Doct'r Van Dick, who has been transported from Albany has returned into the Jarsies, taken protection, & lives in pease, I flatter myself, thairfore, that your Honours will be satisfied with my

apolygy & let the troubles that have attended me already atone for the groundless suspicion that has so artful & Desinedly been maintained against me. I am, Gent. your most obedient Hum'le Serv't,

To the Board of Commisioners at Albany.*

John D. Goes.

(Copy)

[No. 3195.]

Mathew Goes Appeals to the Governor from Goshen Jail.

Goshen Goal, 3 September 1780.

Sir, Mr. Van Schaack shewed me a letter he lately received from Colo. Benson, wherein the Colo. says "that he is desired by your Excellency to remind Mr. Van Schaack that he had for two years past been indulgd on his Parole, and that your Excellency has not been informed of any endeavours on his part being made to effect an exchange, and that if it is considered that during this time many of the faithfull subjects of this state have been consantly kept in close confinement &c." with all deference, may it pleas your Excellency, this does not immediately apply to me; because about a twelve month ago, being wearied out by the expence I was at, by being from home, and the difficulty of supporting my family in my absence, I made application to your Excellency for leave to go down to New York to negotiate my Exchange. Not hearing from your Excellency on this subject and having been since December last, near eight months at home, and under no restrictions, I flattered myself the Idea of Exchanging us was laid aside. Whatever reasons, therefor, that may apply to others for this close confinement I hope upon your Excellencey's recollection of my application for an Exchange,

See page 266.