[No. 3269.]

The Governor Apprises Washington of the Latest Raids of the Enemy and Asks for Continental Troops.

Poukeepsie, 14th October 1780.

Dear Sir, I transmit your Excellency inclosed Copies of several Letters I received last Night at Kingston, from Colo. Malcom, Lieut't Colos. Lush & Livingston. They contain the only Accounts I have of the disagreable Situation of our affairs to the Northward & Westward. I shall immediately set out for Albany, in employ'g every Means in my Power to oppose the further Progress of the Enemy & shoud Fort Schuyler be invested as there is Reason to apprehend, I will endeavor to succour that Post. Your Excellency will be informed by one of Colo. Malcom's Letters, that Van Schaack's Regt. is left Albany & on their Way to join the army, so that our whole Dependance at present must rest on the Militia. The Levies raised for the Defence of the Frontiers compose the Garrisson of Fort Schuyler & Mohawk River, and at Schohary & are of Course very much dispersed.

If it was possible for your Excellency to spare some Continental Troops on this Occassion they woud inspire the Militia with Confidence & enable us to repel the Enemy. The Want of Supplies of every kind in that Quarter will greatly embarrass every Measure & I fear that with our utmost Exertions we shall fail in collecting a sufficiency of Provission for the Troops that it may be necessary to keep in the Field in this Emergency. It is

little remarkable that we had not the least Intelligence from the Grants of the approach of the Enemy, tho' they passed their Settlements in Boats on their way to Fort Ann; this enterprize of the Enemy is probably the effects of Arnold's Treason & when

they are informed that the capital Object of it is discovered & defeated, it is to be presumed they may be discouraged in prosecuting the full extent of their Designs tho' I think we ought not to place any relyance on this Presumption. I am &c. G: C:

His Excell'cy Genl. Washington.

[No. 3270.]

Governor Clinton's Reasons for His Inability to Meet General

Greene.

Pokeepsie, Oct. 14th 1780.

Dear Sir, I have rec'd your Letters of the 9th & 10th Inst. & am unhappy that it was not in my Power to have met you at Pokeepsie agreable to your appointment. I rec'd the information too late for the Purpose. I should do myself the Pleasure of waiting upon you at W't P't but from the Information contained in the Papers inclosed in the Letter to his Excellency Genl. Washington, (which I send under a flying Seal for your perusal & to be forwarded by Express) I find it absolutely neces sary to proceed to Albany & intend to set out this evening or in the morning. The almost total want of every species of Supplies I fear will prove fatal to us. We have not a single continental Troop there & our whole dependence is in the militia & this to oppose a very formidable body of regular Troops. I am, with great Esteem D'r S'r yours &c.

Major Genl. Greene.

G: Clinton.

forward'd by Capt. Belding.

1

[Nos. 3271-3272-3261.]

President Huntington Forwards to Governor Clinton Several Copies of Acts of Congress.

Philadelphia, October 16, 1780.

Sir, Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 14 Instant, in Answer to the Letter of the 21 of September from the Senate & Assembly of New York; signifying their Approbation that the State of New York may substitute Flour in Lieu of any quantity of Beef which may be deficient on the first Day of November next, of the Quota allotted to that State agreeable to the restrictions & Proviso expressed in the Act.

Your Excellency will also observe that the Application for the relief of the Treasury of the State of New York cannot be complied with, for the reasons assigned in the enclosed Copy above mentioned.

I have also enclosed the Copy of an Act of Congress of the 10 Instant, respecting such unappropriated Lands as may be ceded or relinquished to the United States, pursuant to the recommendation of Congress of the 6 of September last. I have the Honor to be, with the highest respect, your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant

Sam. Huntington, President.

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

In Congress Oct'r 14th 1780.

The Committee to whom was referred the Letter from the Senate and House of Assembly of the State of New York of the 21st September delivered in a report which was read whereupon Congress passed the following resolution.

Whereas the State of New York was required by an act of Congress of the 25th Feb'y last to furnish eleven thousand two hundred Ct. Wt. of beef: and whereas it will be of public advantage to procure flour as near as possible to the military posts & quarters of the army.

Resolved, That Congress do agree that the State of New York according to their proposal set forth in the letter above mentioned may substitute flour in lieu of any quantity of beef which may be deficient on the first day of November next, of the quota allotted to the said State at the rate of four dollars and an half for every hundred weight of flour, and five dollars and an half for every hundred weight of beef, provided nevertheless that the said State shall continue to provide & deliver the quantity of beef requested to be furnished by the Committee of Congress lately with the army in their letter of the second of June last and eleven hundred & twenty five head of beef cattle in addition thereto.

The Committee to whom was referred the application of the State of New York and the motion of Mr. Livingston for the relief of the Treasury of that State report as their opinion

"That if the application should be granted the like benefit may be claimed for other States; that there is reason to fear that a compliance with such demands would involve the United States in the greatest difficulties, and that it cannot therefore be complied with."

Resolved That Congress agree to the said report.

Extract from the minutes.

Chas. Thomson Sec'y.

*In Congress Oct'r 10th 1780.

Resolved, That the unappropriated lands that may be ceded or relinquished to the United States by any particular States

Numbered as document 3261 Clinton MSS. See page 287.

pursuant to the recommendation of Congress of the 6th day of Sept'r last shall be disposed of for the common benefit of the United States & be settled and formed into distinct republican States which shall become members of the foederal union & have the same rights of sovereignty, freedom & independence as the other States. That each State which shall be so formed shall contain a suitable extent of territory not less than one hundred nor more than one hundred & fifty miles square or as near thereto as circumstances will admit.

That the necessary & reasonable expences which any particular State shall have incurred since the commencement of the present war in subduing any of the British posts or in maintaining forts or garrisons within and for the defence, or in acquiring any part of the territory that may be ceded or relinquished to the United States shall be reimbursed.

That the said lands shall be granted & settled at such times & under such regulations as shall hereafter be agreed on by the United States in Congress assembled or any nine or more of them.

Extracts from the minutes.

Chas. Thomson Sec'y.

[No. 3273.]

THE ARMY IN A CRITICAL CONDITION.

Commissary General Blaine Reports to the President of Congress That the Magazines Are Destitute of the Necessaries of Life.

Philadelphia, 17th Octo'r 1780.

Sir, Permit me thro' your Excellency to remind Congress about the supplies of our army which gives me much real concern and uneasiness; they are now fed from day to day, and