the State prisenors. My men are very bad clad and most part of them without shoes.

You will pleaze let Mr. Gillet know that my accounts of Issuings for this month is distroyed, but the number of men are about the same of last month. I am, Sir, with Esteem your very Humble Serv't

Colo. Livingston.

Adiel Sherwood.*

[No. 3363.]

Mrs. Colden Permitted a Pass to New York.

By His Excell'cy Geo: Clinton Esqr. Gov'r &c. &c. Permission is hereby granted to Mrs. Colden with her family & Effects, (males capable of bearing arms excepted), & provis ions for the Passage to pass to New York in the Sloop Polly Martin, navigated with two Hands whose names are mentioned in the margin, [James Totten, Charles] on her obtain❜g a Flag for the Purpose from Major Genl. Heath. The Sloop is to stop at West Point & if Genl. Heath should not be there Genl. McDougal will permit her to pass the Pemart's wharf at Peeks Kill Landing, when the master will wait on Genl. Heath at Continental Village. The master & Hands with the Sloop will make no longer stay at New York than shall be absolutely necessary for the purpose of landing the Passengers & Effects & no Person or Effects are to be brought out with the Return of the Sloop, without his Excellency's the Gov'r's Permission on any pretence whatever.

Given &c. the 12th Nov'r 1780.

By his Excell'cys Command

G. C.

R. Benson Secy.

See page 292.

1

[No. 3364.]

Governor Clinton Informs John Sloss Hobart He Should Proceed to Newport.

Nov'r 13th 1780.

Dear Sir, I have only a Moment's Time to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 6th Instant, and to give it as my Oppinion that you ought to proceed to New Port unless by your writing from Hartford to the French [Intendant] informing him of the Nature of your Commission you may receive such Answer from him as to render it unnecessary. I am &c. Judge Hobart.

G: C:

[No. 3365.]

Abuse of Ships' Papers Captured by the English. Circular, Philadelphia November 13, 1780. Sir, Congress having received Information from the Honorable, the Minister of France, of Inconveniencies & Injuries received by our Allies, resulting from the Abuse the British make of Papers & Clearances they take in American Prizes, by personating the Officers & Commanders named in such Papers, being fully acquainted with the Language & manners of our Officers and Seamen &c.

In Compliance with the request of the Minister of France, Congress have adopted the enclosed resolution, in order to detect such Abuses in future; and I am to request your Excellency's Attention to the necesary Measures for carrying the same into effectual Execution. I have the Honor to be, with the highest respect, your Excellency's most obedient Servant

Sam. Huntington, President.

His Excellency The Governor of New York.

[No. 3366.]

A Grand Foraging Expedition Meditated Below the Lines in Westchester County.

Head Quarters West Point, Nov'r 13th 1780.

Sir, I was last evening honored with yours of the 9th pr Colonel Hay; at the instant I was writeing you on the same subject. I think a very considerable advantage may be derived from a grand Forrage below the Lines, and will do every thing in my power to carry it into effect. A very considerable number of Teams will be necessary, & I request your aid to the Quartermaster's department, in such way as may be speedy and effectual. I will endeavour to order out a sufficient covereing Party. The Militia of that County will probably be wanted to assist in guarding, loading & driveing the Teams, Cattle &c., as there must be some small Parties interspersed among the Teams, as well as to form a proper chain for the security of the Forragers. I wish it may take place as soon as matters can possibly be got in readiness.

I cannot see the least inconvenience in shifting the Inhabitants, above & below the Lines, in the manner you propose; as this is a matter immediately under your jurisdiction, I have nothing to say further, only to assure you, that in this, or any other case, which you may think conducive to the interest of the State, you may depend upon every assistance in my power to effect it if necessary.

I thank you, Sir, for your intelligence from the Northward. We have no news in this Quarter. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect your Excellency's Most Obedient Servant

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

W. Heath.

[No. 3367.]

General Knox Points Out an Error in Number of Artillerymen Assigned to New York.

Head Quarters Passaic Falls, 14" Novem'r 1780.

Dear Sir, Since my letter of the 5th on the subject of the number of men necessary to compleat the Quota of your State, I have recollected a matter, in the composition of Colo. Lamb's Regt., which I wish had been attended to at that time. Two independent Companies of Pennsylvania, consisting at present of only 39 men, have been for some time past annexed to that Regiment, and are included in the number of 304 of which the Regt. as it now stands, consists. They have been always returned as part of the Quota of Pennsylvania; have been adopted and supplied by that State. They would have been, heretofore, annexed to Colo. Procter's Regt. but for some difference between the officers on account of Rank. There is a necessity for doing it now, as Lamb's Regiment has two Companies more than the establishment allows, and Procter's wants two to compleat it. The inclosed, which is the Copy of a letter from General Knox on the subject, is more full, and to which I would beg your .Excellency's reference.

From the above state, your Excellency will perceive the necessity of your making an addition of 39 men to your assessment, as Colo. Lamb's Regiment will be lessened, so many, by withdrawing the Companies beforementioned.

I have received your Excellency's favors of the 5th and 8th. By hearing nothing further from the Northward, I am in hopes the advance of the Enemy has been checked. I have the honor to be, with very great Regard, your Excellency's most obt. and humble Serv't Go. Washington.

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

(Copy)

Camp Bergen Country 13 Nov'r 1780.

Sir, I take the liberty to state, for your Excellency's consideration and decision, the case of two Companies now in Colo. Lamb's Regt. of Artillery. These Companies originally commanded by Captains Lee and Porter were raised in the State of Pennsylvania, have always been returned to the Board of War as part of the quota of that State, and for a considerable time. past adopted by it, and received the benefits of stores, clothing &c.

It has been the anxious desire of the government of Pennsylvania to have these Companies annexed to Col. Proctor's Regt. also raised in that State, and which is deficient in the number of Companies. The affair has been agitated in the Board of War and referred to Congress, and finally by the Board of War to your Excellency on the 14th of last August; as appears by the Letters and Papers herewith returned, which I received from Col. Harrison some time ago, in order to make the annexation requested. The reason which has hitherto prevented was a point of delicacy to Colo. Lamb, in taking away from his Regiment, against his consent, two Companies which had been a part of it from its first formation-and an opinion that a near arrangement of the corps would take place; when the State of Pennsylvania might be gratified without an injury to the service. In the Arrangement lately published, the Regiments of Artillery are reduced from twelve to ten Companies. These two, taken from Colo. Lamb's would reduce the Regiment to its establishment. Col. Proctor's Regt. has but eight Companies, & these two added (having two others incorporated viz. late Coren's and Jones's) would complete the number equal to the establishment.