some measures are shortly taken, we must no doubt give way and retire in the Interiour parts of the Country; in the same Law your Excellency will observe that the power is Invested in the Gouvenour, or Commissioners to be appointed by him, for the purpose of accommidateing persons with homes, whome are distitute; if this matter is shortly done, probably we may by our exertions stop the further progress of the Enemy. Capt. Sackett, the bearer, will give your Excellency further Information respecting the matter; there is one Whitmore now confind in Poughkeepsie Gaol, whom I could wish he could be Parol'd. The bearer, Capt. Sackett, will further Inform your Excellency of his conduct. The Leavies from my own Regt. have been ready to join this two weeks, for want knowledge whom is the persons that are to take the Command of them; they are entirely useless, and the County raveged for want of them. I am, Sir, your Excellencey's most Obt. Hum. Ser't

To his Excellency Gouvenour Clinton.

Thos. Thomas.

Salem, W't Chester County, Apl. 25th 1781.

S'r, Your Excellency is not unacquainted of my application to the Council of Appointment for the purpose of haveing three persons appointed in order to take Charge of Boats to cruise the Sound, or on the Land, if required, which is agreeable to the plan that Connecticut adopts. Should those appointments be made, should take it as a particular favour, the Commissions could be Forwarded by the Bearer, Capt. Sackett, as the gun boat and Whail Boats are now ready to cruise agains the Enemy. I am, Sir, your Excellency most obedient Hum. Ser't Thos. Thomas.

To his Excellency Gouvenour Clinton.

Pokeepsie, 30th April 1781. Sir, Your two Letters of the 25th Instant by Capt. Sackett is (sic) received. Of the three Persons appointed in Albany to command armed Boats in the Sound, one, I understand, is lately hanged by DeLancy & the other, to wit, Hunt, has joined the Enemy. The Commission for the other Capt. Sackett can have, by applying to the Secry. Capts. Sackett, Williams & Codwise are to command the Levies intended for the protection of your County; Sackett's Company will be composed of those raised in your County; the other Companies will be formed of the residue and of those raised in Dutchess, of which you will have a full third Part. It is impossible for me to do any thing about removing the Disafected from the Lines, until I am furnished with a Copy of the Law, as I am ignorant of the Powers granted me, & I am much mistaken if they are such as will answer your Ideas. As Whitmore is committed by the Com'rs of Conspiracies, I have not authority to enlarge him. I am, Sir, your most Obed't Serv't

Colo. Thomas.

[No. 3656.]

[G. C.]

Colonel Hathorn Announces His Determination to Resign.

Fredericksburgh 25th April 1781.

Sir, I have had the honour of commanding a Regiment of Mili tia in Orange County since the year 1775 during which time my Endeavours were not wanting to Support the Credit of so Impor tant and Honorable a Commission. Officers in that Station on the present Establishment are in a singular and very disagreeable Situation, more especially if the fortune of War should

throw them into the hands of the enemy. Instances, recent at this day evinces it. No doubt the Legislature had an Eye to this, as an amendment of the Militia Law very justly in part has Provided for it. The duties required of the officers commanding Regiments are accumulated to a burthen too heavy for my narrow Shoulders to Support. The other Business assigned to me is more than Sufficient to engroce all my thought and attention; its obvious that the Business of my Military Commission have suffered and been greatly neglected.

If no Military operation will be deranged and the Publick in no degree Injured, by Indulging me with a resignation of my Military Commission will give me great ease and contribute to an Interest Inadequate to Support the credit and dignity of so honorable a commission.

Permit me to think that a Colonel of a Regiment, ought to be a Supernumerary especially when no danger can possibly arise and the office as well served by the Lieut. Colonel. I should do violence to my own conscience as well as tending to impose on the gentleman whose conduct at the head of the Militia as an officer, is endearing to the Soldier and real friend to his country, was I not convinced that, this will be the case in the present Instance.

I hope the above facts will give Sufficient Weight to Warrant my request, that your Excell'y will lay them before the Hon'ble the Council of Appointment, and second their being granted; it will be a Service ever acknowledged. By your Excellency's and the Council's most obedient and Humble Servant

His Excell'y Governor Clinton.

John Hathorn, Col.

[No. 3657.]

Major De Witt in Want of Ammunition. Marble Town, April 25th 1781. Sir, Agreeable to your order, I shall endeavour to have the men who are Rais'd out of Cols. Snyder's & Cantine's Regts. Mustered and Drawn out on the frontiers as soon as possible. I conceive it will be dificult to git the men Billited, as many of the frontier inhabitants have been Distress'd by the enemy who will not be able to contribute to their Subsistance. I am at Loss to know how to supply the men with ammunition, as their is no public store in this Quarter. I am, with due Respect, your Excellency's Most obed't Humb'e Sarv't,

His Excellency George Clinton.

Thos. De Witt.

[No. 3658.]

Colonel Malcom's Officers Inquisitive About Their Pay.

Wallkill, Aprile 26th 1781.

Dear Gov'r, I am called upon two or three times every week, sometimes much oftener, by the officers of the levies. I beg to know what prospect of getting the pay, that I may give them that much satisfaction. It is in vain to tell them I have nothing to do with the matter, and that I want my own pay as much as they want theirs.

My neighbour, Mr. Yeoman, (the bearer) has made an impru dent bargain, and it every day seems to grow worse; nothing will content him but an application to you, who he imagines knows every thing, & hath the power to do every thing. He is a poor honest man, with a large family, and if the Commissioner woud be as favorable to him as the law admits, perhaps he

might obtain a present settlement, if not he will be greatly distressed. I have the Honor to be, with much Respect, your Excellency's most obed't H'ble Serv't

W. Malcom.

Congress I imagine have discoverd their error in my case; it is now turned over to the Board of war, and I hope will be settled to my satisfaction. The Board is to delay the determination untill they know my inclination."

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

[No. 3659.]

The Governor Acts with Firmness in the Attempt of Vermont to Expand Its Territory.

(Copy)

Poughkeepsie 27th April 1781.

*Sir, By a printed Paper, dated at Windsor, the 10th Instant, purporting to be proceedings of the Legislature of Vermont, it would appear that the Inhabitants of the Districts of Cambridge, Granville &c. &c. have by their Letters and Petitions, solicited an Extension and Exercise of the Jurisdiction of that usurped Government over them. On such Evidence, I am loth to believe that any of the Subjects of those Districts can have been so lost to a Sense of their Duty and allegiance as to have given the least countenance or encouragement to a measure not only tending to obstruct the Peace & good government of this State; but extreamly dangerous to the general Confederacy of the United States. Lest, however, there should be any, who, by the Deception and Artifices of designing men or who from

• Endorsement: Copy of Letter from his Excell'cy the Governor, to Brinton Paine, John J. Bleecker, Alex'r Webster, Jno. Younglove & Jno. McClung Esqrs. Justices of the Peace, relative to Information that the Inhabitants of Cambridge, Granville &c. &c. have by Letters & Petitions solicited the usurped gov't of Vermont to extend & exercize their Jurisdiction over them.