& useless. His Excellency, therefore, desires that you will without delay take the necessary measures respect'g them, that they may be deliv'd out to the Troops who now stand in the utmost need of them. I am, &c.

Peter T. Curtenius, Esqr.

[No. 3443.]

R. Benson.

WASHINGTON ASKS FOR A PERMANENT ARMY.

The Enemy Contemplating Sending Fresh Reinforcements-The Danger to Our Army in Temporary Enlistments.

Circular,

Philadelphia December 22, 1780.

Sir, Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed, the Copy of an Act of Congress of this Day, together with the Extract of a Letter from the Commander in Chief of the 15th Instant, to which the Act refers.

The Nature & Importance of the Subject is so fully stated in the Inclosures, and the Necessity of a Compliance with the Requisition so obvious it would be superfluous to attempt any additional Motives to call forth the effectual Exertions of the respective States to compleat their Quotas of the federal Army with the necessary Supplies. I have the Honor to be, with every Sentiment of respect & Esteem, your Excellency's most obedient Servant

Sam. Huntington, President.

His Excellency, The Governor of New York.

In Congress December 22d 1780.

Resolved, That the paragraph of the letter from the Commander in Chief of the 15th Instant, which points out the pressing necessity of effectual measures for recruiting the army to its

full complement be immediately communicated to the respective legislatures or executives: and they are earnestly required by the most decided & vigorous exertions not only to urge forward the levying their respective quotas of troops without loss of time; but to furnish the supplies of provisions and money assigned for their support, with such punctuality as will put the commander in chief in a condition with the co-operation of our ally, under the divine blessing to compel the enemy to relinquish their object of subjugating these States & secure to us an honorable & permanent peace. And Congress once more remind the States that the public safety essentially depends on their complying without reserve or delay with the measures adopted for an active & decisive campaign.

Extract from the minutes.

Chas. Thomson, Secy.

Extract of a Letter from Genl. Washington dated New Windsor Dec'r 15th 1780:

"A paragraph in the enclosed New York paper confirms that part of the letter of the 17th of Octo'r from Europe, which your Excellency has been pleased to transmit to me, which mentions the intention of the British administration to send further reinforcements to America. This is a matter which cannot in my opinion be too soon communicated to the several States with a pressing solicitation to take measures that will effectually fill up their regiments in the course of the winter. From what I can learn, some are putting the matter upon the very precarious footing of voluntary enlistments, and others substituting fines where the men demanded are not produced in the several districts. I am very much mistaken if by the first mode any con

siderable number of men are to be raised at this time of day, and, from the latitude given in the last, money will in many instances be paid to excuse personal service. The last hope of the Enemy is built upon our inability to raise a new army, and they are probably preparing to push us in our enfeebled State. The means of re-establishing ourselves with proper & spirited exertions are within our reach; and should they in the spring instead of only the remnants of our veteran regiments meet battalions filled with men whose services are permanent, they must either give up their object of choice, or with the assistance of our allies, we shall be in a condition to force them to it.

"The accession of Holland & Portugal to the Northern League of neutrality will be undoubtedly very embarrassing to Great Britain. But this I think may be relied upon that the more she is insulted & oppressed by the European powers, the more she will endeavour to revenge herself upon us. She can make no impression upon them, and she will, therefore, bend her whole force against us, in hopes of possessing herself of such an extent of territory in America as will enable her to insist upon terms, should a negociation take place which may be highly derogatory to the honor and interests of these States."

[Nos. 3444-3445.]

Governor Clinton Asks the Coöperation of Governor Trumbull Orders to Major John Davis.

Poughkeepsie Dec'r 22d 1780.

S'r, Haveing received information that a Quantity of Cloth and other goods suitable for cloathing the Troops belonging to

this State may be obtained in the County of Suffolk, I have given my warrant of impress to Major John Davis, & have taken the liberty to direct him to apply to your Excellency for such assistance of Boats and men as he may find necessary to accomplish the bussiness, and to request that your Excellency will afford him the Protection of your government in landing and securing the goods, till I can have an opportunity of sending teams for them. The Line of New York, owing to the unhappy situation of the state, have suffered more for want of cloathing, than that of any other State; we have been disapointed in our expectations of relief from every other quarter, and should this also fail us, I fear the consequences will be very disagreeable.

I cannot in the least doubt, but your Excellency will afford every assistance that is consistent with the laws of your State. I have the Honor to be, with the highest Sentiments of Respect & Esteem, your Excellency's most &c.

His Excellency Gov'r Trumbull.

Geo: Clinton.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAJOR JOHN DAVIS.

Pokeepsie Dec'r 22d 1780.

Sir, You herewith receive my Impress Warrant of equal Date authorizing you to impress for the Use & Service of the Army any Quantity of Cloathing Blanketts &ca. which may be found within the County of Suffolk with a Letter to his Excellency Governor Trumbull requesting the aid & Protection of his State in carrying the same into Execution, & also a Letter to the Hon'ble Israel L'homedue recommending you to his Advice as to the most elligible mode of Conducting this Business by which you will be governed. You will therefore imme.

diately proceed to Mr. L'homedue's at Middle Town & disclose to him the several Papers on this Subject who will give you every Assistance as well in procuring the aid & Sanction of the Government of Connecticut which as the goods must be landed in & brought through that State you will readily [see] to be essentially necessary as in the future management of the Business.

You will take special Care that your Impress be as little Burthensome to the Inhabitants as possible & on the Receipt of the Articles Impressed you are to deliver to the Proprietors Certificates particularly specifying the Quantity & Quality of each that Payment for the same be made so as to do them ample Justice. You are to use every possible precaution ag't the Cloathing &c. which you may impress falling into the Hands of the Enemy & to this End you are to be particularly careful & vigillant in crossing the Sound & as soon as they are landed on the Connecticut shore you are to have them transported a Distance into the Country on the Route towards Hartford. 1 have Reason to hope that his Excellency Governor Trumbull will order you a sufficient number of Boats & Men for this Service but shoud this not be the Case I have not the least Doubt but you will be able to procure Boats & raise a Party sufficient to work them & protect you in the Execution of this Service from among the subjects of this State now residing in Connecticut in whose Zeal & attachment I place great Confidence. There will be Expences attending this Business which at present it is not convenient to make the advances which woud be necessary to defray the same. You will be therefore under the necessity of borrowing a Sum sufficient in Suffolk County & of passing your obligation for the same payable at a future Day with the