gathered, to destroy the grain which would effectually knock up our Army, as they had Information that Provisions were very scarce here and that the Crops below were very bad. Pokeepsie July 24th 1780. Gent., I have rec'd your Letter of the 22d Instant with the Enclosure. Every means which the Law has put in my Power hath been faithfully employed in draw'g out a suff't Force for the Defence of the northern & western Frontiers. Nor have I been defic't in my Representations to the Legislature & his Excellency Genl. Washington, of their exposed situation. If my orders are executed I am led to hope that they will be secured ag't the attempts of the Enemy; but if they are not, it is to be regretted; & the officers concerned must answer for the Conse quences. It is with Pain I inform you that of the Levies directed to be raised last spring, it would appear from Returns made me, that the County of Albany altho' so immediately concerned in the security of the Frontiers, are [is] upwards of 100 Deficient. While this is the case, you'l readily conceive how impossible it is for me to collect a Force competent for the Purposes mentioned in your Letter. I am &c. The Commiss'rs for Conspiracies, Albany. [No. 3095.] G: Clinton. Governor Clinton Answers an Alarming Appeal from the Northern Part of the State. To His Excellency George Clinton Esqr. Capt. General and Commander in Chief of the State of New York and Admiral of the Navy of the same. Wee, the Subscribers being appinted by the Inhabitants of the townships of Skenesborough and Granvil at a Meating legally named for that purpose and holden in Granvil the 22th instant July, as a Committee to address your Excellency in this distressing and Critical day of the Calamitys of war: Relying on your Excellencyes gracious promis at the time you was on your short expedition to Lake George, that wee should have the hapi- · ness of a small guard stationed at Skenesborough for the defence of our lives and libertyes, both Civil and ecclisiastical, against the Raviges and incurtions of a crewel and merciless enemy, which promis was cordially excepted and confidently relyed on, so that many of the frontier Inhabitants have returned with their familyes to their respective places of Residence, but much time being elapsed, wee find by sorofull experiance, that the guard distined for Skenesborough are stationed at Fort Edward, wheither it be your excellencyes orders or any misrepresentation of matter wee are ignorant, and as a people happy under your excellencyes wise goverment have gladly embraced your excellencyes orders in raising our Coto of men alloted, hoping for our defince, but find them stationed a considerable distance below us, while wee are left open to the irresistable attac of the enemy which is dayly expected; these alarming Circumstance excites your excellencyes humble petitioners to a Renewal of our former prayers that your excellency would consider our distressed Circumstances, and as additional instance of your Excellencyes goodness towards us by way of protection, to send sum immediate Relief, that may in sum Measher be a sufficient Strength against the daly expected deperdation of the enemy for which your excellencyes petitioners as in humble duly bound will ever pray &c. Jeremiah Burroughs, Isa'h Benett, John Grover, Comittee. P. S. The Impatience of your Excellencyes humble petitioners prompts them to an earnest Requst for an answer to this our humble petition by the Bairer. Poukeepsie 30th July 1780. Gentlemen, I have received your adress by Mr. Baker. It has given me great concern that no Part of the Levies for the defence of the state have been stationed for the Protection of your Settlements. My Orders to Lieut. Colo. Harper who commands them, was to pay an equal attention to every exposed Part of the Frontiers in the Distribution of his Corps & I had flattered myself that a Detachment of them were in your Neighbourhood. I have by the Bearer wrote to Capt. Chipman on the Subject, & directed him to order as large a Detachment for your Defence as can be done consistent with Justice to the other Settlements. But the amazing Delinquency in Genl. Ten Broeck's Brigade in furnishing their proportion of these Levies, will I fear unavoidably occasion the Detachment which will be ordered to your Quarter much smaller than I coud wish. You may rest assured, Gentlemen, that nothing in my Power shall be wanting to promote your Safety, & if the orders I have issued to Genl. Ten Broeck shall be executed, a force will be drawn out competent for this Purpose. I am &c. [G. C.] [No. 3096.] Colonels Cortlandt and Weissenfels' Letter Respecting the Delinquent Captain Black. Weast Point July 22d 1780. Sir, We have received your Letter of the 19th Instant, and beg leave to observe, that the Letter directed to Capt. Black, on publick Service, was handed to Ensign Tallmadge, who at Morris Town, distributed the Continental Cloathing; in the absence of Mr. Black, he gave the same to Colonel Weissenfels, observing that General Clinton's opinion was Necessary upon the subject, and perhaps he would appoint an officer, for the purpose therein Mentioned, Mr. Tallmadge, being appointed Adjutant to the Regiment, could not possibly attend. The General, parused the same and gave no deciasive answer; he soon after going away and Colonel Weissenfels, conceiving it his duty to Communicate the matter to some of the Field Officers, who were imprest, with a Renewed anxiety, for the dis tressed condition of the men, having heard nothing of Capt. Black, since the troops left Morris Town, neither knew where he might be found, believed that he was guilty of gross neglect of duty, and liable to Censure if not a dismission, but acknowledge they were ignorant of the mode how to obtain either, but in the manner they expressed themselves to your Excellency; however the duty of our several stations will not allow, time to prosecute the affair, only wish that if he could be found he may be urged on to activity; At this moment Capt. Wheyly, arrived and declares on honor that the Reason of his delay was unvolantary occasioned, by various, and unavoidable distresses when the Enemy, was in New Jersey; we hope therefore your Excellency, will be pleased to permite him to receive his Instructions, for the purpose of his appointment, as we are well satisfied that he will approve himself to our Satisfaction; We have the Honor, to be your Excellency's most obedient Humble Serv't, Philip Cortlandt, Fredr: Weissenfels. [To G. C.] |