understand by the Inhabitants that there is a large number of the Soldiers at Saratoga, waiting to know when there is a party down, and will mutiny and go off, or privately slip to them; and likewise that the Grants are ready to garrison Fort Edward and Skeensborough, as soon as the Representatives of these revolted Districts meet to form the union which will be Tuesday the 8th May 1781. That Corpl. Schrim, Mecher, Gordonein, Stouten, and one whose name is not known, who were sent on a Scout last March to Lake George & South Bay, took a party of the Enemy with a Packet, but were prevailed on to liberate them with the Packet, by a Guinea each and two silk Handkerchiefs. [No. 3693.] Colonel Morris Graham's Levies. De'r Sir, The number of men Clased on my Regement for the nine months, is 50, thirty of which will be musterd on Monday next; they will march immediate on being mustered; the others will march off on Thirsday next; the great scarsity of money with the inhabitants has bin the principle Reason for my not Complying with the general orders sooner. I am, with great Esteam your Excellency's most obed't Humb. Serv't Gov'r Clinton. Morris Graham, Col. [No. 3694.] Paul Johnson Declines Service in the Levies, but is Ordered to Temporary Duty as a Militia Officer by the Governor. To his Exelency George Clinton, Esqr. Governer &c. S'r, I am informed by Colo. Hopkins that your Exelency, together with the Honourable Council of Appointment, have seen fit to appoint me to serve in the new raised Levies this present Campaign, agreable to a Recomendation from Colo. Hopkins. Every favour of this Nature lays me under fresh obligations, but I must confess, that I think Colo. did not consult my Intrest when he wrote to your Exelency in favour of me, for although he is a Neighbour of mine, he did not so much as let me know any thing less or more, untill after he had returned my name to your Exelency, and in consequence of this way of proceeding I am laid under the disagreeable nesesity to desier the appointment may be reconsidered, as my Circumstances will not admit of my leaveing my family, for I expect that I shall be laid under the nesity to seek some place for Shelter in a few days for my self and Family, as I am at the mercy of a Landlord at present dureing pleasure. I, therefor, take the earliest opportunity to acquaint your Exelency of my Circumstances and desier that I may be excused from this Tower of duty. I am exceeding sorry it is out of my power to serve the publick at this time, as it is always my delight to be in the service. I can asure your exelency that it is not Rank or any thing of that nature that I have to dispute, it is intierly my disagreeable circumstancs. I am, S'r, your Exelency's most obedient and most Humble Servent. Amenia May 5 1781. Paul Johnson. Poughkeepsie, May 5th 1781. Sir, The Council were lead to believe that Colo. Hopkins had consulted you before he recommended you as an officer for the levies & they were moved to make the appointm't in consequence of his Recommendation, & with a view of promoting the service. However, if your situation renders it so inconvenient for you to engage in the service as you represent, you must be excused. At the same Time as an officer is wanted to collect the Levies from Colo. Hopkins' Regt. & march them to the Place of Rendezvous I must request, you, (as a militia officer) to execute this Business & them you will be at liberty to return home. I am &c. Mr. Paul Johnson. G. C. [No. 3695.] Orders to Lieutenant Hendricks. H'd Quarters, Poughkeepsie May 6th 1781. Lieut. Hendricks will act as a Lieut. in Colo. Willet's Regt. of Levies, and collect & receive the Levies from the Manor Regt. and immediately march them to the Place of Rendezvous at Albany; he will accept of none but able bodied men fit for active service & who are armed & equipped accord'g to Law. Deserters from the British army are to be rejected. [No. 3696.] Judge Robert Yates Asks for a Respite for Lampman, Convicted of Carrying Counterfeit Money. Albany May 6th 1781. Sir, Wilhelmus Lampman was last April term, tryed and convicted for bringing from Long Island 700 Dollars of couterfiet paper money knowingly, and his execution ordered on the thirty first instant. The proof against him arose from his confession made at different times. From this it appeared he was an Inhab't [of] ......ackie, [Coxsackie ?] who in the year 1777, joined the enemy while they were in Hudson's river, and remained with them until this spring, when he quitted Long Island with intent to return home, and to surrender himself. That near Ancram, in the M. Livingston, he was met by a Captain of militia, and on suspicion was apprehended, and searched and the couterfiet money found, which he pretended he got from the Inh'ts of the Island, but denied knowing that it was couterfiet. Before the Chief Justice he afterwards on his examination declared he had received the money of one Scott, on the Island. Upon this proof he was found guilty, altho' from its defect in making out more circumstantially the scienter there was room for an acquittal. The Scott mentioned in his confession, I have heard is an Inhab't of this state, who at times goes on the Island, and is expected at Claverack in about 14 days. From him possibly, was he examined, the truth might be found. If Brother Hobart (whom I expect to be at Poughkeepsie) and who attended the Tryal should agree with me in sentiment, then I would recommend Lampman, to your Excellency for a respite of his Execution, for a month or two longer for the reasons above. I am, with the greatest respect your Excellency's Most obt. hum. Serv't His Excellency George Clinton, Esqr. [No. 3697.] Robert Yates. Washington's Vigorous Measures for Provisioning Frontier Posts. Head Quarters New Windsor, May 7th 1781. Dear Sir, I had the honor to receive, last night, your Excellency's Letter of the same date. In consequence of Brigad'r General Clinton's information of the 30th Ulto. I instantly ordered 50 Barrels of flour, & 34 of Meat (being every Barrel of the latter we had on hand) to be sent to Albany; for a partial releif of the Garrison of Fort Schuyler. I know it was very inadequate, but it was our all, since which not a Barrel of salted Provision has arrived. I have now directed 100 Barrels of flour (out of 131 which is our whole magazine) to be immediately transported to Albany. This supply, shall be followed by another of meat, if any quantity should come in from the Eastward. In the mean time, I have written, some days since, to General Clinton to draw (by military coercion if necessary) whatever supplies have been collected for the Continent, from all the Counties of Massachusetts most contiguous to him; I have also empowered him, to procure Fish by exchanging salt for them. Whatever more, within the limit of my ability, can be suggested, or done, for the security of Fort Schuyler, and the protection of the frontier, shall be most seriously attended to, and strenuously attempted by your Excellency's most Obedient, and very Humble Servant Go. Washington. P. S. I shall be extremely happy to see you, in order to converse freely on the subject of the Troops & Frontiers of this State. His Excellency Gov'r Clinton. [No. 3698.] Petition in Behalf of Zechariah Storey. [Omitted.] 54 |