ject any decisive enterprize, we shall be obliged to employ all our force in it; if they are of a defensive kind, the protection of the frontiers, will be attended to in a manner equal to their importance, and I hope successfully.

Our stock of ammunition is more scanty than your Excellency

can have any idea of, but of this stock, small as it is, I shall order a part to be depossited at Albany for the purpose you mention.

At present the regiments of Artillery are extremely reduced, and without knowing what will be their state at the opening of the campaign, I can give no possitive answer to the application on this head, but I think it probable it will be in my power to comply with it.

The want of provision is unfortunately an evil, which every part of the army experiences, and must have fatal consequences, unless the states can hereafter generally comply better with the requisitions of Congress, or some other more competent mode can be adopted, than has hitherto obtained. But with respect to the garrison of Fort Schyler, 'till your letter arrived I had reason to suppose, it had had a supply, which would suffice 'till May. The Commissary General shall be directed to apply to the Magazine at Richmond, or any other where relief is to be procured.

I beg your Excellency to assure the Legislature of the high respect I entertain for them and the gratitude I feel for the support I have upon all occasions experienced from the state. With every sentiment of personl respect and esteem, I have the honor to be Your Excellency's most obed't and Humble servant, Go. Washington.

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

[No. 3552.]

George Clinton Disturbed-New York State Troops Have Been Ordered to Headquarters.

Albany, 20th February 1781.

Sir, On the 14th Instant, I had the Honor of addressing Letter to your Excellency by order of the Legislature, representing the distressed Situation of our Frontiers & the Danger that the Inhabitants would abandon their Habitations. Since my arrival here yesterday, I find their Fears increased, in consequence of your orders for Six Companies to march immediately to Head Quarters and of Reports which prevail, that the Enemy were preparing to cross the Lakes, which are now be come passable on the Ice, and I have this day been requested by both Houses, to write to you again upon the Subject and it is still their earnest wish that the whole State Line should remain in this Quarter.

I am apprized of the Delicate Situation in which this application must place your Excellency, anxious to afford every possible Releif to these unhappy People, at a time when you may be convinced that the general Interest of the Confederacy requires that its Force should be directed to other objects. The weak and distressed Situation of the State must be an apology for the Legislature in this Request and I have the fullest persuasion that we shall receive from you every aid which you can consistently grant. I have the Honor to be &c. &c.

His Excellency Genl. Washington.

Geo: Clinton.

[No. 3553.]

Ebenezer Mott, Released from Captivity, Declares His Intention of Continuing in the Service.

Poughkeepsie, 20th Febr. 1781.

Sir, I having Returnd from Captivity and leberated again; this to inform your Exelency that is my Desire to Continnue in the Servis agane, according as a Resolve of Congress Intitels me to, of which I make know Dobth but your Exelency will do every thing in your power to serve me. Sir, I am your Excelency's most Obedent Humble Servent

To his Exel'y Govenner Clinton.

Ebenezer Mott.

[No. 3554.]

PUBLIC CREDIT ALMOST AT AN END.

John Sloss Hobart Suggests to the Governor a Scheme by Which Any Amount of Money Can be Borrowed.

20th Feb'y 1781.

Dear sir, I have conversed with several gentlemen on the Subject of money and find them pretty generally agreed in sentiment that provided the Legislature will incorporate a Number of gentlemen and mortgage to them a specific tax, they will be able to borrow any sum of money; but since the 18th of March, public Credit is at an end, and all the Pledges that can be given in that way will be of no avail. This is a measure I wish to see adopted, as I am persuaded this and this alone will opperate as a radical remedy for all our embarrassments. The expedient we talked of when I had last the Honour of conversing with your Excellency, will be a great relief if it should succeed, and I have every reason to expect it will, but it will be only temporary, the sooner some permanent system is adopted the sooner

we shall be relieved and be in condition to bid defiance to the enemy. I have the honour, to be with great Respect, your Excellency's most obed't Serv't

Gover'r Clinton.

Jno. Sloss Hobart.

(private)

[No. 3555.]

Tory Assessment from Rhinebeck Precinct.

State of New York.

Rhinebeek Precinct, in Dutchess County 20th Feb'y 1781. Tax List of an assessment in Pursuance of an Act of the Legislature of said State, Entitled "an act to Complete the Quota of the Troops of this State, to serve in the army of the United States, during the War," Passed the 9th October, 1780; of all the Persons Resident within the Beats of the Respective Captains Companies in said Precinct, whose Son or Sons, were under age and Resided with them, have gone off to, and joined the enemy.

In the Beat of Capt. Andries Heermans Company None
In the Beat of Capt. John Clum's Company

Thomas Lewis 1 Son

Timothy Van Steenbergh 2 Sons (Very Poor)

John Rypenbergh 1 Son

Jonn Van Vredenburgh 1 Son

In the Beat of Capt Peter Westfall's Company

Jurry Adam Shoefelt 1 Son

Estates L S d

L

2886

12

16

In the Beat of Capt. Jacobus Kip's Company None

In the Beat of Capt. Abraham Kip's Company
David Dop 1 Son (Very Poor)

322

9

6

6

Benjamin V Steenbrgh Albartus Sickner Isaac Kip Jacob Hermans, Assessors.

Copy

P. D'Witt, Supervisor.

[No. 3556.]

Mrs. Snyder's Request to the Governor that Her Husband and Son be Exchanged.

Kingston, February ye 23th 1781. May it Please your Excellency: I take the freedom to address my selfe to your Excellencey, and lay my Distressed case before you and desire you will be pleased to give me your assistance, as much as lays in your Power. Doubtless you have heard that my Husband Capt. Jeremiah Snyder and my son, were taken Captives by the Enemy in May last past, and burnt down my house and all my household goods, carryed of or consumed in the flames, and now my children & self live upon the Benevolence, of my good neighbours and relations which are good stanch whigs. My husband was a very active officer in the American cause, and lived amongst a cluster of envious and rigid Tories, and by all circumstances, it appears that my Tory neighbours had pointed him out to sacrifice him and family, to satiate their vengence upon him to get him & son Prisoner in their Hands.

This is my earnest Desire and Request that you will use your Excellencey's utmost endeavour to git my husband and son exchanged as soon as possible, as I hear there is or soon will be a sartle of exchange of Prisoners; that you will be pleased to have my husband and son upon the List of the Prisoners; my husband and son as I am credible informed are in Canada. I am, and remain your ever dutifull Servant to command.

Catharina Snyder. (With a long list of friends.)

P. S. My son's name is Eias Snyder.

To His Excelency George Clinton Esq.