respect, whilst my sincerest wishes attend your Excellency's preservation and Success. As to this great city, we enjoy in it, it is true a kind of peace, as the ennemy has not made any incursions in this State; but we have not been without apprehensions from that quarter, as to the Situation of our internal affairs; it is wretched, our government weakly supported, the paper money entirely out of credit and its circulation almost stopt; in a word, all public affairs are in confusion, and every expedient attempted to remedy the disorders seems to encrease it; our resources failing for want of credit in the government and no prospect of bettering ourselves; the people at large are weary of the war, great part of that virtuous spirit of patriotism which animated thousands in the first years of this contest is evaporated! and what remain is by far too small a proportion for the urgencies of our distressed Situation, We are besides in the midst of a multitude of internal and secret ennemies, to which must be added that every individual, (generally speaking) seems to be solely attach'd to what can benefit his own self, in short nothing but a powerful assistance from the allies of these States, and their success over our enemies, can give a favourable turn to our affairs, retrieve our credit and enable us to terminate this grand struggle by an honourable peace. So far, for public affairs.

As to the exterior appearance of things in this city, it is very far from denoting distress; the harbour full of Shipping, new vessels continually building, the stores and shops full and abounding with goods of all kinds, business going on as brisk as ever, houses, stores &c. building, our markets affording the greatest plenty of every article one can desire and as for luxury and extravagance in dresses, equipages, entertainments &c. &c.

it is carried to the highest pitch, in short, if one has but money, and that hard species, he may enjoy all the pleasures of life as well as in the profoundest peace, but for all that, as riches were never more unequally divided that at present, there is a great deal of private distress among individuals. By the inclosed State of the public accounts of this State your Excellency will form some idea of our public affairs. I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble Servant

P. E. Du Simitiere.

his Excellency Governor Clinton &c. &c. &c.

Pokeepsie 29th Sep'r 1781. Dear Sir, I have now to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 15th May last & the Pleasure of transmitting you by the Bearer, my Friend Doctor Tappen, an Indian Mask, a Couple of Belts, a Stone Hatchet and an ornamented Indian Pouch, some of which may be thought worthy of a Place in your Curious Collection. I shall use my Endeavours to procure for you any Books that may have been published in the Indian Languages. A scalp, decorating, Skalping Knife in its Sheath, with a Council pipe I am already promised, but they are not yet come to Hand; as soon as I receive them, which I expect will be in the Course of the Winter they shall be forwarded.

We look to your Quarter for news; in this we are merely on the Defensive and as the Enemy, except small marauding Par ties & the Traitor Arnold's Expedition ag't New London, of which I presume you have the Particulars, have confined themselves within their own Lines I have nothing worth mentioning. I am, with great Regard, your most Obed't Serv't

Peter E. Du Simitiere, Esqr.

[G. C.]

[No. 3716.]

Colonel Greene Surprised and Killed by De Lancey at Pines Bridge-The Governor's Instructions as to Levies.

Bedford, May 15th 1781.

Dear Sir, I have nothing new in this Qarter, only of Coll. Delancey surprising of Coll. Green* at Pines Brige and killing him with sevrel more of his offers and men, with six and thirty Prisners taken; thare has a flete of shiping saled from New York three days ago with sum troops; thare destations is not known, nor could I obtain thar numbers, Coll. Drack's Rig ment is to turn out thurty three men and Coll. Crane about twenty seven; Coll. Thoms about 13 men. I have reseivd from the difrent Rigments about forty nine men and Exspect the rist in a few days, when I will make your Excellency, return of all the men under my command. Capt. Willems sent to me his two Lut. with about 36 men, and by nixt Monday he is to have the ris of his men. I send by the barer, John Smith, only

* Colonel Christopher Greene of Rhode Island. Greene was held in high estimation by Washington. He had distinguished himself at Fort Mercer on the Delaware by withstanding the assault of Count Donop. For an excellent account of the Surprise of Colonel Greene at Pines Bridge, May 14, 1781, the reader is referred to a pamphlet prepared by Mr. M. D. Raymond of Tarrytown, N. Y., and read before the Sons of the Revolution of New York, April 26, 1902.

Col. H. Lee gives the following account of the affair:

"The enemy crossed the Croton before daylight and hastening his advance reached our station with the dawn of day unperceived. As he approached the farm house where Col. Greene was quartered the noise of troops was heard, which was the first intimation of the fatal design. Greene and Major Flagg immediately prepared themselves for defense; but they were too late, so expeditious was the progress of the enemy. Flagg discharged his pistols and instantly afterwards fell mortally wounded, when the ruffians (unworthy the appellation of soldiers) burst open the door of Col. Greene's apartments. Here the gallant veteran singly received them with his drawn sword. Several fell beneath the arm accustomed to conquer, till at length, overpowered by numbers and faint from the loss of blood streaming from his wounds, barbarity triumphed over valor. His right arm was almost cut off in two places; the left in one; a severe cut on the left shoulder; a sword thrust through the abdomen, a bayonet thrust in the right side, and another through the abdomen; several sword cuts on the head, and many in different parts of the body.

"Thus cruelly mangled fell the generous conqueror of Count Donop, whose wounds, as well as those of his unfortunate associates, had been tenderly dressed as soon as the battle terminated, and whose pains and sorrows had been as tenderly assuaged. How different was the relentless fury here displayed!

"The Commander-in-Chief heard with anguish and indignation of the death of his loved, his faithful friend and soldier, in whose feelings the army sincerely participated."

one news paper, of the latest I could get, but in a short time, it will be in my Power to get them every week; and likewiss send you the last news from New York of thare movements. I am, Dear Sir, your Excellency's most humbel servent

His Excellency Gorg. Clinton, Esq.

Rich'd Sackett.

Pokeepsie 18th May 1781.

Dear Sir, I have received & thank you for your Favour of the 15th & shall be blidged by your continuing to communicate the earliest Intelligence with the York Papers as they come to Hand. I am happy to learn that the Levies of your County are so near Compleat & I have hopes that the Detachment from Dutchess will soon join you. It is my Desire that they be disposed of so as to give the best general Security to the different exposed Settlements & that you woud procure a Meeting of the Field Officers of the different Regts. & be governed as far as may be with their advice, on forming the Disposition, as this will be most likely to give Sattisfaction & make your Command agreable. I am &c.

[To Captain Sackett.]

[No. 3717.]

[G. C.]

Congressional Legislation for Raising Funds.

Albany, May 15th 1781.

D'r Col: By Mr. Sebring I wrote you a few Days ago and agreable to your request inclosed an account of the Taxes laid & paid into the Treasury. I omitted mentioning two Tax Laws, which tho' they had yet brought nothing into the Treasury, may

be necessary for the Governor's information. The Titles of

them are,

"An act approving of the act of Congress of the 18th Day of March 1780, relative to the Finances of the United States, and making provision for redeeming the proportion of this State of the Bills of Credit, to be emitted in pursuance of the said act of Congress" passed June 15th 1780.

"By this Law there was ordered the raising the Sum of 2,500,000 Dollars by the 1st October; 2,500,000 Dollars more by the 1st January last; & 2,500,000 Dollars more by the 1st April last.

"An act for raising by Tax a Sum equal to 150,000 Dollars in specie" passed the 10th October 1780. I am yours &c. G. Bancker.

Col: Benson.

[No. 3718.]

Micah Townsend Roughly Treated by Westchester Refugees-He Brings the Case of Colonel Holmes Before the Governor.

Fishkill, 16th May 1781.

Sir, I have to thank your Excellency a thousand times for your kind Permission to go to Long Island, as I have been enabled to do my Business to my entire Satisfaction & should now wait on your Excellency to return you my thanks in Person, but have been detained at least a Fortnight longer than I wished, & left Mrs. Townsend in such Circumstances, that I feel great anxiety to be at home as speedily as possible.

I met with abuse from some of ye W. Chester Refugees; in the City have been once carried before his Worship, & have rea son to think my life was in danger from a son of Lounsberry & others when I came out, which was oblidged to do by way of