tion during my Captivity, and it mortifies me to find that I am reduced to such poverty from a State of affluence, which has induced me to signify to Genl. Clinton to retire, convinced as I was, that the publick Service would not be injured by it, there being other Gentlemen who would of course come in and be verry happy to continue. I propose to set out this morning for Esopus and from thence for Poughkeepsie, where I expect the Satisfaction of seeing you personally but for fear I might be unfortunately disappointed I have thought proper to leave this for your Excellency with your Brother, who can more particularly acquaint you of the motives of my conduct. I am, D'r Sir, with great Esteem and due Respect your most Obed't Serv't Jas. Bruyn.

His Excellency Geo. Clinton.

[No. 3507.]

Governor Clinton's Reply to General Washington in Regard to

Supplies.

Pokeepsie, 26th Jan'y 1781.

Dear Sir, The Express with your Excellency's Letter of the 23d Instant overtook me this afternoon on my Way to Albany about 10 Miles from this Place & I immediately returned that I might have an Opportunity of repeating my Orders to the Agent to use every possible Exertion to collect Supplies for the Army & facilitate the Transportation of them to the Posts in the Highlands. I am happy to inform your Excellency, that I mett upon the Road near two hundred Barrels of Flour, greater Part of which will reach Fishkill this Evening, & I have Reason to believe that the present Sleighing will enable us to get in such a Supply from different Quarters of the Country as to

prevent immediate Want; With respect to the Article of meat, little is to be expected of us, but I am perswaded our agent & his assistants, will use their best Endeavours to obtain as much of it as they possibly can.

I shoud in the present Critical Situation of affairs defer going to Albany, that I might be at Hand to render your Excellency every assistance in my Power in this Quarter; but from Intimations given me by Colo. Hughes lately from Albany, there is some Reason to apprehend that the Troops there may follow the Example of those of Pensylvania & Jersey. I think it my Duty, therefore, to be near them & prevent if possible the Spirit of Discontent from spreading. If your Excellency shoud have Occassion for the Assistance of any Part of the Militia in my absence, I begg you will call upon the Officers Commanding the Regiments most contiguous, as an application to me might be attended with too much Delay. I am perswaded you will dis cover a Disposition in them to comply with your Excellency's Directions. I have the Honor to be, with the greatest &c. G. [C.]

His Excellency Genl. Washington.

[No. 3508.]

Congress Acts upon Communication in Regard to Provisions from Commissary Blaine.

Philadelphia, January 27, 1781.

Sir, Enclosed is a Copy of a Letter from Col. Blaine, Commissary General, which I am directed to transmit to the several States from Pennsylvania to the Eastward.

By this you will be informed of the critical Situation of the Army respecting Provisions & other Supplies.

Congress have no other Means on which to place their Dependance at present to supply the Army but a Compliance on the Part of the States in furnishing their respective Quotas agreable to former requisitions for that Purpose.

It is, therefore, most earnestly requested that they use every possible Exertion in procuring the Provisions & Supplies requested of them respectively. I have the Honor to be, with every Sentiment of Esteem & respect, your Excellency's most obedient & most humble Servant

Sam. Huntington, President.

His Excellency The Governor of New York.

Head Quarters New Windsor Jan'y 19th 1781.

Sir, I think it my duty to inform Congress of every circumstance which concerns the supplies of our army and my uneasiness respecting them. I fear none of the states will come up to their expectations and that many fall exceedingly short. Inclosed I send you a copy of a Letter which I received from Col. Champion; it will inform you the expectations I have from that state and from many others similar information; those failures of supplies will one day or other will be attended with the most fatal consequences, to prevent which I beg Congress to write the most pressing letters to each of the states to use every pos sible exertion in procuring the provisions required with punctu ality. I expect shortly to have returns of all the state supplies furnished last year and shall transmit them to Congress, the moment I have it in my power.

The troops at West Point and those cantoned in this neighbourhood have been some time on scant allowance of bread, and

the present appearances give me little hope of a reasonable supply of beef cattle; we have no fresh meat upon hand and the troops are now fed upon what little corned and salted meat I had laid up for spring use, which is not more than twenty days support. If our situation is such in the most plentiful season of the year, and when our Magazines ought to be filled with salt provisions, I leave your excellency to judge what it must be next campaign, when three times the number of men are in the field; the consequence must undoubtedly be their dissolution for want of subsistence without the states use fourfold Exertions in facilitating their respective purchases in due time. I find a very great loss will arise upon all the Cattle which are received at the army & although I have taken every precaution and adopted every judicious measure to have proper estimates they laid much too high. Those which I have had slaughtered under the direction of careful people, have lost one fifth upon the estimated weight; the drovers had it not in their power to make proper provision of forage for the cattle upon. the communication, will add some to the loss of beef upon the cattle which have been drove late in the season.

The troops have been destitute of rum ever since they came into winter quarters. There is about 70 Hogsheads at Springfield, but I have not the least hopes of getting it brought forward before the Spring. I have the Honor to be, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's most obed't and most h'ble serv't

Sam Huntington, esqr.

Ephraim Blaine, C. G. P.

[No. 3509.]

To Expedite the Liquidation of Outstanding Accounts.

Treasury Office Janu'y 29, 1781.

Sir, By an Act of Congress of the 12th of June last, it is provided, that the Board of Treasury be authorized to apply to the Executive power of any State to appoint a Temporary Commissioner or Commissioners for the special purpose of joining with a Commissioner sent from the Board of Treasury, to receive & Liquidate the public Accounts within the State, which act is inclosed.

Application being now made to the Board and information given that sundry accounts of large amount in the Quarter Master & Commissary Lines are ready for Liquidation, in your State. The Board have to request of your Excellency to ap point a Temporary Commissioner for this purpose, that he may be duly qualified, and a Certificate of such qualification transmitted to the Board of Treasury, that they may be enabled to carry the afs'd act into Execution. I have the Honor to be with the greatest resect your most obt. humble servant

His Excellency George Clinton.

John Gibson, Presid't.

[June 12th, 1780.]

Congress took into consideration the report of thee committee respecting the settlement of outstanding accounts, and thereupon came to the following resolutions:

Whereas large accounts in the several staff departments in the army are outstanding and unsettled, and it is necessary that they be speedily and finally adjusted, in order that all disbursements may be clearly ascertained and arrears discharged: