I do not imagine it to be correct, as without a proper Return from the Commanding Officer of the Brigade, and some information of the number, and names of such as are entitled to draw, exclusive of the Brigade, it will be impossible to exhibit a true

one.

Your Excellency will please to observe by the Calculation herein contained, that the Cartage alone, for three Months necessaries, will amount to at least Fifty Thousand Doll'rs, computing the distance two hundred Miles, and as the Teamsters are not to be procured for the whole distance, one half of the above Sum must be deposited, on the Goods being delivered at the first Stage, to pay which, I have only seven Thousand Dollars from the Treasury; I shou'd not hesitate in advancing the Cash, myself were it in my Power, but the Publick has (in New Jersey) already drained my Finances. I am sorry, at a Time, when I am convinc'd your Soul is absorbed in the distresses which the infernal Indians & Tories have brought on our Frontiers, to add to your disquietudes; but my wishes to fulfill the design of my appointment, obligates me to point out the impediments, I now foresee. Could Permission be obtained for exporting Flour, in favour of such as wou'd credit the State, to the full amount of what they advance, I make no doubt but such privelege wou'd command Goods in preference to Money, and I am of opinion, that I cou'd procure a sufficiency, on that Principal, to pay the first set of Teamsters. With respect to the Cartage, which is to be discharged here, am in hopes the Treas urer will be able to assist me, for which purpose, if consistent with your Excellency's approbation, wou'd be glad the Commissioners detain'd some Money in their Hands, if Payment shou'd be made them during my absence, as the Treasurer is too remote for a sudden call.

I have Bought one h'h'd of Tobacco, conditionally, which I am informed is of the best Quality, as the produce of this Country; I shou'd have ventured to purchase more at the price but the want of Money was a hindrance; it is charged at five Dollars p lb. I cou'd not procure any otherwise than in the way of Barter, for some Goods I have now at Hartford. I shall leave an Order with Mr. Tyson, to deliver it to the Commissary of Issues. In the mean time a Letter from your Excellency, with Instructions for my future guidance will be anxiously expected, as I fear, circumstanced as I am, that nothing can be further done, without your Excellency's assistance. I shall however make every effort to accomplish the Bussiness I go upon. Please to direct to me at Mr. Aaron Lopez's Merch't, Leicester, State of Massachusets-Bay. I am, Sir, with great Respect, Your Excellency's most Ob't and very h'ble Ser❜t

John Wiley.

P. S. On hearing the Brigade had cross'd the River, I thought most adviseable to return to Poughkeepsie, in order to have your Excellency's advice and instructions previous to my setting out. At Colonel Duboys' I learnt the unhappy occasion which render'd your Excellency's Presence necessary at the Northward; my Return was the immediate consequence. I shall proceed in half an hour for the Eastward, and will forward the goods, now at Hartford, as soon as possible.

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

J. W.

Aug't 22d 1780.

Sir, I have rec'd your Letter of the 6th Inst.; from the Estimate enclosed & from some expressions in your Letter it would appear that it extended only to the 5 cont'l Battalions; when on

perusing the Law, you will find that the Officers & Privates of Colo. Lamb's & other Corps credited to this State, are equally entitled to the Supplies directed to be furnished. I have tho't it necessary to mention this matter to you, not only that you might rectify any mistake in your estimate, but also that in the distribution of the small supply, which you mention to be on its way to Fishkill, a proper attention be paid to all who are by the Law entitled to participate. You will readily conceive that if any discrimination shall be made in issuing the first supplies, however trifling it will give rise to great murmuring & Discontent, The Legislature will meet the begin'g of next month, until which Time it will be impossible to give you any farther Instructions to or by any Means in my Power remove the embarrassm'ts under which you now labor. I am &c.

G: C:

Capt. Wiley.

[No. 3132.]

Alderman Leggett Wishes to be Released from Exile.

North Castle, August 8th 1780.

Sir, I hope your Excellency will excuse me in thus addressing you, when I inform you, Sir, that from my attachment of Friendship to my Country, I have been Exiled from my Farm, in the West Farms near West Chester, for Eleven Months past, and after repeated applications, have permission to return, and posess the same, and being so far advanced in the decline of Life, (as in the Eighty second year of my age) that I have a great desire to return to my old place of abode, when (although within the Enemy's lines) I shall ever hold to my Integrity of being always a friend to my Country,

I must beg leave to inform your Excellency, that when I left my Farm, I had permission to bring of my Stock, and other Moveables, I have, therefore, to request the favour that your Excellency will be pleased to grant leave for me to take my moveables and what small stock I have, which from my well wishes to my Country, your Excellency may be asured will not be turned any ways to the Enemy's advantage, I am, Sir with great Respect Your Excellency's most obedient Humble Servant Gabriel Leggett.

[To G. C.]

[No. 3133.]

Captain Stevenson's Return of His Company of Levies.

North Castle August 8th 1780

A Return of Capt. Benjamin Stevenson Company of New

Levies of the state of New York.

Colonel Clyde Patriotically and Characteristically Describes the Destruction of Canajoharie.

Fort Plank August ye 8th 1780

Sir, I have herby sent you acount of the fete of our Destrect. On the second Instant Joseph Brant at the head of about four Hundrad and fifty Indens and Tories, Brook in upon our Settelments and Leaid the Best Peart of the Destrict in ashes and

kild forten of the Inhabitants that we have found; took betwixt fifty and sixty, mostly weoman and child Prisnors, twelve of them they have sent back; and they kild and drove away upwards of three Hundrad heade of Cattel and Horses big and small. They have burnt fifty three Dweling Houses and as many barns, one Elegent Church, one grist Mill, two small forts, that the wemon flead out of, and have burnt allmost all the farmers wagons and Emplements they had to work with, so that the Suffirers are in a mesirable Condietion.

Nothing left to suport themselves on, but what grean they have groing, and that they are not abel to seve for want of Tools and verry fue to be had here; this affer [affair] hapned at a verry onfourtnat Hour, when all the Militia of the County was Called up to Fort Schuyler, to guard nine Battows about half Loded. It was said the Enemy intended to cut of on ther Pasidge; there was schers [scarce] a man left that was abel to go, that it seems as every thing Conspaird for our Destruction; in this quarter one holl Destrict allmost Destroid and the best Rejmt. of Militia her [here] rendrad [rendered] unabel to help themselves or the Publick; this I refere you to General Renssler for the Truth of.

This spring when we found that we were not liekly to have Eany assistance and we new that we was not abel to withstand the Enemy in oure habetions, went all to woork and bult our selves forts to live in, which we had nigh Effected and could a have seved our lives and Effects had we got Liberty to a maid use of them, but that could not be; we must all turn out, not that we had Eany thing aginst assisting the general to open the Passidge to Fort Schuylar, but still douptd what hes hap ned, when we should be gon, but it was still insisted on there