my own, excuse my soliciting your Interest for Promotion in the Military Line for myself; I am now in treaty for the purchase of a Company in Colonel Courtlandt's Regiment, and have been fortunate enough to procure the Consent of such Officers of the Regiment as are at Schenectady; the Situation of the rest hinders me from knowing their Sentiments; A matter so unpresidented will doubtless meet with many Obstacles, so that before a final answer can be obtained, it may be too late, nay, I suspect it will be necessary to get into the Line as an Ensign in order to succeed; if your Excellency will, therefore, be kind enough to have me appointed to one of those vacancies, it may be in my Power, either in my present veiw, or on some future Occasion to purchase a Company. My intention is to dedicate my Life to the profession of arms, and having procured my father's consent, must beg leave to trouble you for your good Offices and advice, and tho late in the day, I hope to share in the Military honours of my Country; and be fortunate enough to establish some professional Reputation; My Respectfull Compliments waits upon Mrs. Clinton and the Children, and am, with much Sincerity, your Excellency's most Obedient Humble Servant

His Excellency Gov'r Clinton.

Lewis R. Morris.

[No. 3671.]

Lieutenant Weissenfels' Account for Recruiting Expenses.

The State of N. York to Sundereys, Dr. by Charles Fredrick Weissenfels, Lieut. of the 2nd N. York Regt. from Dec'r 19th 1780 to May 1st, 1781 when on Recruiting Service:

Colonel Ludinton Narrates His Troubles and Asks for More Field

Officers.

Fredericks Burgh, May 1st 1781.

Honoured Sir, I was yesterday a Comeing to wait on your Exellency, but hearing of my little Son (who is at School at Danbury) laying very dangerous with the pluricy, was obliged to turn my Course that way, for which Reason obliges me to commit my Errand in writing. Your Exellency no dought has been inform'd of our troubles of late in Regard of a large party of Robbers being for near four weeks past near me in the mountains, which has occationed me in some measure of being behind hand in turning out my men for the nine months Service, for the chief part of my Regiment has been out ever since the Robbers came among us, And, Sir, were you to be fully acquainted

with the Dificulty I now labour under you would think is impossible for me to do it, as I have but one field officer, which is Major Robinson who lives so near the lines that he has enough to take care of himself, The Circumstances of my wife and family renders it inconvenient for me to move amediately if I intend to save my life, or anything for my families support. My Captains seeing the Distresses that is daily comeing upon themselves by Reason of haveing their Sergents sued and torn to pieces for what Needsessity required them to do among the tories, while we was under the authority of Committees, and many of their best men are beat and robed by persons who say they are Refugees from below, It is only for them to call a man a tory, be him ever so good a man, himself, wife, and Children, gits beat in such a manner that he's obliged to turn out his Substance to save their lives. And at best the Regiment are verry poor when compared with other Regiments and are call'd on to raise an eaquil number with the others, when I can affirm that ten farmers in Coll. Brinckerhoff's Regiment is able to purchase the whole of mine. In this uneaquil way, I have been obliged to turn out my men untill they are so much impoverish'd that they almost dispair.

It seems the power of Earth and Hell was let loose against me and my Regiment, Even one of the most abandant Ruffins is indulged to hold me up to public view for Cowardice, for challenging him to fight a Duel. It is what I never thought on, neither did he think I did, but was let loose upon me by the Instigation of a set of Ruffins who Conspired together to take my life, and I knowing this Kees to be a transent person who had neither Connection, Credit, Money or friends, nor no place of Residence here, that it was out of my power to get Recom

pence from such a fellow as he, unless it was by giveing him a floging, and that he had put out of my power by Secreting himself. This being my Situation shall expect from your Exellency some Directions and advice by a line that will be best for me to doe. I something expect that General Swartwout will wait on you this day, who will be able to state some of the Dificulties I have mentioned, and wether it will not be best to anex my Regiment to some other Regiment, or give me some field officers, who in time of turning out my men, will be better able and more willing to assist me. Am, Sir, with due Regard your Exellency's Most Obed't and verry Hum'e Serv't

His Exelency George Clinton, Esqr.

Henry Ludinton.

[No. 3673.]

Colonel Hopkins Insists upon Resigning.

Amenia, May 1st 1781.

Sir, I wrote to your Excellency about a fortnight ago to acquaint you that the Classes of my Regiment were to Deliver their men yesterday, and requested an officer might be sent to recive them agreeable to general orders, but no man or orders came. I was greatly non-plushed & knew not what to do, but have mustered the men and ordered them to meet at Peleg Tabors near Mr. David Johnston, on Saturday this week at 10 OClock to march immediatly off, when and where I hope your Excellency will give some one orders to take care of them. I fear they will not all appear at that time as no one has the care of them. I fear they will desert, they have got their bounties.

Sir, I must still insist on resigning my Military commission as I am wore out with the trouble & expence of it. I think it unaccountable that the vacancies in my Regt. are not filled up,

when I have made so many returns & requests, and have had no adjutant for near 2 years and orders to send to my Capts. very offen indeed. Sir, I desire if any officers are appointed this way to go with these Levies, I might be informed by the bearer who they be; pray excuse the want of Paper for I have wrote up 4 quire in a short time lately in orders &c. all gratis, and know not where I can get more. I have collected some money from the delinquent classes for during the war. I am, Sir, your most

Obed't Serv't

His Excellency Gover'r Clinton.

Roswell Hopkins, Colo.

Sir, In answer to yours of the 1st Instant I have to inform you that Lieuts. Johnson, Duel & Becker of your Regt. are appointed Officers in the Levies. These will have orders to receive & march your Quota to the Place of Rendevouz. The last I received from you I answered a Day or two after it came to Hand. My Letter was forwarded by Judge Paine. If you apply to the Secry. I imagine you will find that the appointments for your Regt. agreable to your Return have long since been perfected. Agreable to a Notification in the public News Papers the Council mett at this Place on the 26th Instant. It woud have been proper to have applied to them at that Time either to have had the vacancies in your Regt. filled up or to have made your Resignation as they only have the Power of doing the former or of accepting of the latter. I am &c.

[G. C.]

There may be some other gentlemen residing within your Regt. appointed officers for the Levies but of this I cant be certain as I am neither acquainted with its Limits or their Places of Residence. [To Colonel Ludinton.]