afford them every assistance in your power which time and circumstances will admit; after which you will return with the Boats leaving the different corps in their respective stations where they will remain untill farther orders.

If the Levies should be ordered by Colo. Willett to take post on the Mohawk River, then Vandeburgh's Company will man the Boats and bring them to Schonectady as another Escort must go up in short time. You will be very cautious as you march, as by a Letter just received from Genl. Schuyler, I find there is a Body of Enemy out.

Colo. Cortlandt.

(Copy)

Saratoga, Tuesday Evening 15 May 1781, 10 oClock. Dear Sir, Colo. Louis is just now arrived here with two other Indians; he has been hunting on the west side of the north Branch of Hudson's River, with seven other Indians, one whereof was a Caghnawaga, who left them on Sunday morning. On Monday morning having heard some firing, he and his party marched to discover who fired; after a few miles march, they were fired upon by a party of the Enemy and lost one man, an Onida, who is either killed or made prisoner; some of his party are gone to Schonectady; he does not know either the strength of the Enemy, or what rout they intend to pursue; he fell in with them on the road. Sir John Johnson, came last year to Johnstown, about 38 miles from this place; believes they are a large Body by their firing and transactions; and that they will very speedily attack some place either on this or the Mohawk River. I think assistance should be sent both ways and Scouts dispatched without delay from Schonectady. Colo. Van Dyck

has already sent a party out towards Palmer Town; no provisions are yet arrived here. I am &c.

Genl. Clinton.

(Copy)

[No. 3720.]

Ph: Schuyler.

Captain Williams Accuses Colonel Ludinton of Dilatoriness.

Fishkill May 16th 1781.

D'r Sir, Agreable to your Exlancey's order, I wated on Colo. Luddenton to Receive the Lavies from his Ridgment; he promisd to have them Ready the next week, but hearing he made no stur, I sent Lt. Dyckman to know when I might expect them, but he could not see him. I then went myself several times before I could see him; he at lenght set a day to Receive them but nighther he nor his men mad ther appearance. I cald on him the nex day to know the Reason, but he was out of the way. I then concluded to report him but by chance I met him on the Road; he then promisd to turn them out the twenty first of the month. Should I bee disapointed again, I shall wait on your exlancey with the perticular and remain, with the greatest esteem, your exlancey's most obediant and most umble serv't D'nl Williams.

His exlancey Governor Clinton.

[No. 3721.]

General Clinton Makes Certain Suggestions Consequent upon the Destruction of Fort Schuyler.

Albany, May 17th 1781.

Dear Sir, Since my last to you of yesterday, another Express

has been received from Fort Schuyler. Copies of the contents

I send you under a flying seal, for your Perusal, and have to request that you seal & forward them to the General.

I informed you yesterday of the general prevailing opinion among the better part of the People in this Quarter, respecting Fort Schuyler. The recent Loss of the Barracks and ruinous State of the works have confirmed them in the propriety, aud even the necessity of removing the Garrison to the German Flatts, near Fort Herkimer, where they are disposed to afford every assistance in their power to erect a formidable work, confident that it will be able to give more Protection, not only to that perticular Quarter but also to the whole western Frontier. I must confess that this has long been my opinion.

I have not hinted it to the General, as I conceive it will come better from you, who are acquainted with every perticular circumstance respecting it, and many Difficulties we shall labour under in puting it in any tollerable State of Defence.

As I have directed the Troops to keep Possession of the works, untill I shall receive Instructions from Head Quarters, I wish you may have it in your power to have a conference with the General on the subject, and transmit to me the result of it without Delay. I am, yours affectionately

Gov'r Clinton.

[No. 3722.]

James Clinton.

Copy of Parole of Jonathon Duglas.

I Jonathon Duglas have taken this oath to his Majesty, the King of Great Britain, before Joseph Beaty, Captain of his Majesty's Royal Rangers.

I solomly and volunturly in the presence of Almighty God, to sware to return on the Parole of Honour to Canada within ten

weeks from this date, unless sonner discharged, & further do sware never to aid nor assist in any shape or manor whatsoever, against his Majesty's or any of his subject, during my prole or till properly exchanged.

Copy

May 17th 1781.

Joseph Beaty, Capt. King Royal Rangers.

[No. 3723.]

Captain Elsworth's Complaint Against the Livingston Manor Levies. To his Excelency Govenor George Clinton:

May it Please your Excellency: According to your orders, I have attended the Regt. of Militia belongin in the Manner Liv ingston. Last Friday being the day appointed to muster, we attended & mustered out of forty seven Classes, thirty two, including Lieut. Codwise, Lieut. Handricks, myself and one John Lawrence, who had orders from your Excellency to come & wait on you. There remains twenty eight Classes, who produced an able bodyed man, acquiped according to Genl. Orders; after we had done mustereing, I ordered no man to be absent, but to remain where they was, that we where to march the next day at eight OClock, but instead of finding the whole number I found but sixteen which I ordered Lieut. Handricks to march to Albany. I have been inform by a waggoner who went up with them, that four more had left the Lieut. before he reached Albany. Yesterday, being another day appointed for mustering, meet again and mustered five men, whom I intend to march with this day with four Prisoners, whom the Chancelor has desired me to deliver in Albany Goal; if I cant receive no more man than from this Regt. in my Company, it will be exceeding small; it wont consist of more than twenty, including the non

commissioned off'rs, & I expect half of them will desert, as they appear to be a pack of villins, who has no regard for their Countrey. There is now ten classes delinquent, which I dont expect of which one will serve because they dare the officers to take them or strain any goods or Chattles from them, and indeed I dont think there is an Officer to attempt any thing of the kind, unless it is Majors Tenbroeck or Jansen, whom I look upon to be the only wigs in the Mannor that is officers, I have always heard of the Livingstons being in favor of their Countrey, but find them to the contrary, except it is the Chancelor, whose Class has delivered a Man; as for the Rest they all refuse to pay their Proportion. I am, Sir, with Esteem your Exc. Serv't

Major Jansen's 17th May 1781.

Peter Elsworth.

[No. 3724.]

Mat Visscher's Communication Concerning Vermont and the Leaders.

Albany, 18th May 1781.

Dear Sir, I yesterday saw Copy* of the articles agreed upon by the Convention of Committees who sat lately at Cambridge, Copy of which will be delivered your Excellency by Capt. Black, to whom I have given it for perusal. I enclose your Excellency Memorandum of Mr. Clark respecting the Correspondence of Vermont with the enemy.

The Districts are to meet on Tuesday next for the purpose of approving or disapproving the proceedings of the Convention. The Sloop is waiting, therefore, cannot enlarge. I am, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's most obt. Serv't

His Excellency George Clinton, Esqr.

See document 3714, page 865.

Mat: Visscher.