chases, &c. has much business on his hands of a private nature so as to Ingrose all his time, that he also be Inform'd that he is discharged, and another appointed, all which is submitted to your pleasure and shall be much obliged if you will please to inform us what you determine on; am, with much Respect, your Obd. Hum. Ser't

Philip Cortlandt, Colo.

Peter Gansevoort, Colonel.

Fred: Weissenfels, Lt. Colo. Comand't.

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

[No. 3079.]

Enos Thompson Gives the Names of Persons Who Refused to Furnish Shirts or Overalls for the Troops.

Charlotte July 17th 1780.

Sir, In Compliance with the Directions contained in a Letter received from the Legislature of the State, I have collected what Shirts and Linnen for overalls I could, in that part of this precinct allotted me, and pursuant to my Instructions beg leave to report the Persons, whose names are at foot, as of sufficient ability (in my Judgment) who have refused to contribute. I am, Your Excellency's Obed. serv.

Israel Lewis Esqr.

Stephen Pugsley.

Enos Thompson.

Caleb Thompson.

Widow Talmage.

[To G. C.]

[No. 3080.]

Colonel John Harper Directs Certain Officers to Take Command of New Levies from Tryon County.

A Return of the Officers I have directed to take the Levies

(now raising) under their Command & which I recommend to his Excellency for to have the Appointment confirmed.

For the Tryon County Levies.

Capt. John Breadbake. Capt. Marks Demooth.

1st Lieut. Adam Helmer, 2d do John Coppernoll of Capt. Breadbake's Company.

1st Lieut. Wm. Wallace, 2d do Butterfield of Capt. Demooth's Com.

Capt. Wm. Detz, 1st Lieut. John Lawyer, 2d do Peter Hayer of the Schoharry Comp.

Fort Paris July 17th 1780.

John Harper.

[No. 3081.]

Micah Townsend Reports Relative to a Vermont Company.

Brattleboro' 19th July 1780.

Sir, The Letter from the President of Congress to Governor Chittenden, which I suppose contained Notice of the Time fixed by Congress for a Trial, I was obliged to leave with Mr. Fay, Father to the Secretary of their State, who engaged for the safe Delivery of it; the Secretary himself, and all the Members of Council, being at the Governor's at Arlington when I passed thro' Bennington.

We have procured the Men requested by your Excellency with much greater ease than I expected, although the number raised is considerably more than every 15th Man. Colo. Wells

encouraged the Business all in his Power, and voluntarily offered to, & has hired a Man himself.

I am sorry that the number of officers is so disproportioned to the Men; but as the matter was too far fixed before my Return to make an alteration without Injury to the Service, trust there will be no difficulty respecting their Pay or Rank.

There has also been a Difficulty about procuring an officer to command the company which has occasioned the Soldiers to be detained some time in this Town; I also hope your Excellency will endeavour, when the soldiers are to receive their wages & Subsistence Money, that they may not be the sufferers for a misunderstanding amongst our officers. It appears to me that the state had better advance a trifle for this company for which Congress will not give Credit, than, by making the soldiers uneasy, damp our future Exertions.

As it is not yet determined who is to command the company, I can only say that if it should be Mr. Blackslee he is the best military character we have. I have the Honor to subscribe myself, with the highest Respect, your Excellency's most obedient servant

His Exc'y Governor Clinton.

Micah Townsend.

[No. 3082.]

Governor Clinton Replies to the Field Officers Who Complained Against Captains Black and Wiley.

Pokeepsie July 19th 1780.

Gent.,* I have rec'd your Letter of the 16th Inst. Capt. Black holds his office of State Clothier by virtue of an appoint

m't of the Council of appointm't & if he has been guilty of

See page 19.

neglect or malconduct in the execution of it the charge with Evidence to support it, ought to be laid before the Council, who will meet the first of Aug't, & I have no doubt that they will take such measures as are consistent w'th Justice & will tend most to promote the public service. In the mean Time it is not in my Power to appoint another Person to do any part of the Duties of his office.

You may possibly have suff't Reasons to justify the open'g of a Letter directed to Capt. Black as State Clothier; but if the Letter you allude to, is the Leter I wrote on the 4th Inst't notifying him of the Persons appointed to receive in the several Counties the shirts & overalls collect'g for the Troops & pointing out his Duty, & it should not have been forward'd to him, his not having taken any steps to expedite this Business may be easily accounted for-as without his receiving that Letter he must yet be utterly ignorant of the measure.

With respect to the appointm't of an agent to procure necessaries for the Troops, the Power was vested in me solely by the Legislature: but from an earnest Desire of appoint'g a Person most agreable to the officers & who woud engage in the business w'th alacrity you may recollect I called upon them to recommend a gent for this office. Capt. Wiley was named & altho I was informed & his appointm't made out so long since as the 14th May last, previous to his being recommended, he had been consulted upon the occasion & was willing to accept, yet it gives me not a little Pain to observe that he has not called for his Warrant nor even appologiz'd for not having done it. I am however still equally desirous of having this Business committed to a faithful Person & will be, therefore, obliged if the officers concerned, would recommend a Gentleman qualified for the office

(in Capt. Wiley's stead) who, I may be assured, will undertake

the Business.

Mr. Tayler of Albany & Mr. Stoutenburgh & Mr. Lawrence & Capt. Woodard were Persons I had thoughts of before Capt. Wiley was recommended-tho' I am uncertain whether either of these Gent. would now serve--I wish to have your answer on this subject as soon as possible & am Gent, &c.

G: Clinton.

[To Colonels Cortlandt, Gansevoort and Weissenfels.]

[No. 3083.]

The Governor Reprimands Colonel Henry Van Rensselaer for Failing to Deliver Wheat He Has Seized.

Poughkeepsie July 19th 1780.

Sir, I am informed by Colo. Livingston that very little of the wheat seized by yourself & Mr. Dumond has as yet been delivered at his mill & that there is Reason to believe that the Possessors mean to withhold it. Colo. Hay, agent for Supplies in this State, will I expect, be your way in a few Days & will take the necessary measures for procuring it.

I must, therefore, request of you to give him your aid & Information in the execution of the Business. I am &c.

Geo: Clinton.

Colo. Henry Rensselaer, Claverack.

[No. 3084.]

Touching Supplics for Our Prisoners on Long Island.

Fishkill 19th July 1780.

Dear Sir, When I last had the pleasure of seeing you at Albany on your return from Ticonderoga I spoke to you concerning the bearer, Mr. Vandervoort, going to Long Island, to supply