arrival in camp, I delivered to Col. Gansevoort, directing him to comply with the contents: but thro' misapprehension of your intentions, he, without consulting any of the Officers, or even procuring the necessary returns, dispatched an Officer from each regiment to Fishkills, to receive their Proportions, who returned as they went, without effecting any thing.

I have, however, collected Returns from Lamb's, Spencer's & Hazen's Regiments, duplicates of which I send you enclosed; that of Livingston's Regiment I have not been able to procure, as he lies at King's Ferry, neither do I know if there are any men in it who are intitled to State Bounty.

The returns of the Brigade will be delivered you by Major Fish, as also that called for in your letter of the 19th Ulto. which untill now I believed had been forwarded long since, as Col. Gansevoort was possessed of your Requisition immediately on the receipt of it.

I forbare attempting to comprise the Intelligences of this Quarter in a Letter, as you will receive it at large from the Gentlemen who are deligated to attend the assembly: I wish they may not do more injury to the cause they profess, than if they had declined it.

The greatest Difficulty proceds from the scarcity of Provis ions in camp; this is a truth too melancholy to dwell upon. I am with perfect Esteem yours sincerely

James Clinton.

Please to make my compliments to Mrs. Clinton & the family. Gov'r Clinton.

[No. 3207.]

JAMES CLINTON THREATENS TO RESIGN.

The Governor Advises Against the Action-The Former's Son Appointed An Ensign.

Steen Rapia, Sept'r 8th 1780.

Dear Brother, My son Alexander is now in Camp, who is Desirous to enter the service to which I have no Objection, though I could have wished he had been further advanced in his education before he launched out into Life; and your sentiments on that head as Delivered me by Major Popham have Induced me to Conclude on haveing him appointed an ensign in the third or fourth Regiments, which may be done without Interfereing with the Claims of any Individual; if you approve of his appointment I hope you will have it done this session.

At the Particular request of Maj'r Popham, whose merrit and services entitle him to my esteem, I would take the oppertunity of mentioning him to you. His Situation in the army is rather Difficult; he entered the service imediately on his finishing his grammar education before he had laid any foundation for his future expectations in Life, which, as far as I can find, depend intirely on his own exertions: as he does not wish to make the profession of arms the Buisiness of his Life, it is highly neces sary to adopt some other scheme. The Law he seems to have a taste for and from his attention to Business, and natural abilities there is Reason to believe he would not discredit the Profesion.

As his finances will not support him out of the army, he would wish to enter into some Department, which at the same time that it would afford him the oppertunities of Improvement, would also furnish him with the means of supporting himself

during the time necessary for acquiring it: He has expressed an anxious desire of serving under you, if it could be effected conveniently in which I have encouraged him, convinced that you are disposed to assist him as far as in your power; however, as I am unaquainted with your present situation with Respect to aids or Secretaries, I have Concluded to wait untill I hear from you. If as a Brig'r Genl. in the Line of the army, you could take him as your aid, he then could hold his Rank in the Line and not loose the advantages of an Officer by Resignation. But if this cannot be done, and you can by any means find Buisness for him in your office as secretary, or aid, he is Determined to Resign, rather then loose the opportunity which he so ardently wishes for. As you know him as well as I, it is needless to say any thing on that head, only that I should be happy were it in my power to secure him in so material a Point. I am, with great Regard yours Sincerely

His Excellency Governor George Clinton.

James Clinton.

D'r Brother, I shoud have answered your Favours of the 8th Instant had not the Hurry of Business & the Want of a safe opportunity prevented. From the Return you furnished me with and others I have collected I have been enabled to form a genl. one for Capt. Wily's Direction in issuing the Supplies he is procuring for the Army. I sincerely wish they may be adequate to your Wants; but fear at the same Time they will not for want of Cash the Treasury being exhausted & every Effort to replenish it seems to fail.

It woud give me great Pleasure was it in my Power to serve Major Popham. I have a high Sense of his Merrit & you may

rest assured that whenever it is I will embrace the Opportunity with Pleasure. At present I have two Aids which is as many as I am authorized to employ, either of whom it woud be ungenerous to the last degree to dismiss, & since I have acted in the Civil Line I have not conceived it justifiable to charge the public with the Expence of a Brigade Major. Upon the whole I woud advise the Major to continue with you at least until the Times are a little more settled, & favourable Opportunity offers of his entring on the Study of the Law, which I woud by all means recommend to him, with more advantage than he can at present. He may rely on my Friendship & Assistance.

The Council have appointed Alex'r an Ensign in the 3d Regt. but tho he is now here with Mr. McClaghry, I have thought proper not to mention it to him or any body but yourself for obvious Reasons untill I can procure his Commission. I have heard that you have intimated Intentions of resigning owing to the Ungenerous Conduct of some of the gentlemen of your Brigade towards you. I hope this may not be the Case & that you will not think of it on any Consideration at so critical an Hour & especially as it might gratify the Views of certain Intriguing Spirits whose only Objects are their own Interest & Promotion. The Legislature are disposed to do ample Justice to their Officers & Soldiers. I am persuaded they are. I refer you to the Bearer, Capt. Machin, for what they have already done & am with great Regard yours Sincerely

[To Gen. James Clinton.]

[G. C.]

[No. 3208.]

Colonel Hay Suggests that Provision be Made to Prevent Bulls Being Furnished as Legal Tender for Cattle.

Poughkeepsie 9 Sept'r 1780.

Sir, In addition to the other applications I have taken the liberty of lately making to your Excellency, I must farther request you will lay before the Legislature the necessity of observing the law respecting the delivery of Cattle assessed in such a way as to prevent the State Agent or his assistants being under the necessity of receiving Bulls as a legal tender for Cattle; great abuses totally contrary to the intention of the law have been committed in some of the Precincts on this score.

I must likewise beg leave to observe, that unless I can be furnished with money or a farther assessment of beef Cattle is made than what the law has yett provided for, it will be totally impracticable for me to obtain the quantity required by Congress from this State. I have the honour to be with the utmost respect, Your Excellency's most obed't & very humble Ser't Udny Hay.

Governour Clinton.

[No. 3209.]

Governor Clinton Calls the Attention of Generals Arnold and Parsons to the Exposed Condition of Westchester County.

Poughkeepsie, 9th September 1780.

Sir, The extent of Country the Enemy have in the County of Westchester and the danger the well affected Inhabitants are by that means exposed to Induced us to represent this matter to your Excellency and that the Troops posted on the Easter