message, that if he did not join his regt. immediately, he should be ret. as a deserter. Ex't liv'd with his Father; in the spring ret. with Bennet to N. Y. Went with Arnold to Virginia, when, being out with a partie on an Excursion to Westover, Ex't & Samuel Tid, were accidentally left behind the partie & the Militia being between them and their Friends they determined as the best means to get back, to deliver themselves up as deserters; they were brought to the Governor of Virginia who gave them passes to return to the state of N. Y.; they arived in Dutchess County in February. Work'd with Johannis Kershew in Feb. & March. Tid work'd with Stephen Badgley, in Charlotte; last week near the Widow Campbell's he & Tid met with John Worden, who informed that a party was going down to N. Y. and directed them where to find them at the Cave. Monday night got to the cave, Wednesday night was taken. al April 1781. Endorsement: "read filed & Proceed'gs approv'd & sentence confirmed & ord'd to be carried into execution on the 21st Inst. by the Sherif of Dutchess." [No. 3729.] General Schuyler Forced to Abandon Saratoga for Want of Troops and Because of the Situation in Vermont. Saratoga, May 19th 1781. Dear Sir, Yesterday Major McCrakan was with me and informed me that Ethan Allen had some days ago been at White Creek attempting to seduce the Inhabitants from their alleg. iance to the state, that in conyersation with him, he asked what part the Grants would take in case the enemy attempted to penetrate into the Country. Allen replyed that he would 'neither give nor take any assistance from the state of New York. The defection from the state by the Inhabitants on the east side of Hudson's river is become very general; the convention which met at Cambridge I am informed have agreed to join themselves to the Grants and that members are chusing to go to the Vermont assembly. Yesterday Colo. V Vechten shewed me an original paper of which the following is a true copy. Resolved, that it be recommended to heads of classes to make no destraints under the authority of New York till further orders, per order of Convention. John Rogers, Chairman." The Tories are going of in numbers to the Enemy, and I find by emissaries, whom I keep amongst those that remain, that they certainly and speedily expect the greater part of the British force in Canada, to come down. As only 39 Levies are as yet come up, and that we have not above 150 Continental troops here, and none of either that I can learn, expected, I cannot in justice to myself & family, any longer risk my property here, and intend to move tomorrow, unless I receive letters this day announcing the approach of more troops. It is a mortifying reflection that so fine a country must be abandoned for want of men and provisions. Is it not possible to reinforce General Washington with a body of the neighbouring militia until the French troops arrive, to enable him to make a detatchment of Continental troops for the protection of this part of the State? I am, Dear Sir, re spectfully & sincerely your Excellency's most obed't Servant Ph: Schuyler. His Excellency Gov: Clinton. [No. 3730.] (Circular) English Abuse of Clearance Papers. Philadelphia, May 19, 1781. Sir, Your Excellency will receive enclosed, the copy of a resolve of the 17th Instant, recommending to the several Legislatures to enact Laws making further Provision (as specified in the Resolve) to guard against the Abuses & deceitful Practices of the British, by making use of Papers & Clearances they may take in American Vessels. The Measures recommended in this and the former Resolve of the 11th of November 1780 become the more necessary, as our Allies have not only suffered by the Deception of the British, but in several Instances our own People in the West Indies have also suffered from the French, under the Apprehension that they were British, for want of Evidence & proper Documents to evince the contrary. I have the Honor to be, with very great Respect your Excellency's most obedient & most humble Servant His Excellency Governor Clinton. Sam. Huntington, President. By The United States in Congress assembled, Whereas the Hon'ble the Minister of France hath represented to us, that the precautions pointed out in the Resolution of Congress of the 11th of November 1780, are insufficient to prevent the abuse which the British may make of papers or Clearances they may take in American Prizes if confined to vessels of war and not extended to merchant vessels and in general all vessels dispatched from the United States, therefore, Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to the Legislatures of the several States, that they enact Laws as soon as may be, ordering the naval officers in their respective ports to require the Master & Chief Mate of all vessels unarmed as well as armed, which shall be dispatched from their respective Ports to undersign their Clearances in the presence of the naval officer of the port, who is also to insert on the back of the clearance, a minute Description of the persons of the Master, and his mate, with their age, Stature, Complexion &c. respectively, and to certify the same under his Signature and Seal of office. Extract from the Minutes. [No. 3731.] Chas. Thomson, Sec'y. Governor Clinton Recommends the Abandonment of Fort Schuyler. Pokeepsie 19th May 1781. Dear Sir, The Barracks of Fort Schuyler were lately unfor tunately destroyed by Fire & the Works so much injured by the Heavy Rains as to render them untenable without considerable Repairs. Under these Circumstances it is a Question whether it woud not be most adviseable to abandon that Post & establish a new one at the German Flatts. I have, therefore, to request that immediately on the Receipt, hereof, you will be pleased to repair to Albany, that Brig'r Genl. Clinton, to whom the Determination of this Matter is submitted by the Commander in Chief, may avail himself of your Sentiments & advice on the Occassion, & hope you will not fail as the situation of the garrisson will not admit of Delay. I am with great esteem, D'r Sir, your most obed. serv't Brig'r Genl. Renselaer. [G. C.] [No. 3732.] Several Petitions in Favor of Mrs. Buys, under Sentence of Death. [Omitted.] [No. 3733.] Colonel Willett Writes Discouragingly of His Regiment of Levies Orders. Albany, 19th May 1781. Sir, Agreeable to my instructions I have sent officers to the regiments of militia, in the counties of Albany, Tryon, and Charlotte, and find that the County of Tryon, furnishes about sixty men, and that the County of Albany rather better than four hundred, exclusive of the regiment commanded by Colonel John Blair, which refuses to send any at present, having formed an aliance with Vermont. This is likewise the case with Charlotte County, so that the whole of the levies, which I expect to compose my regiment, (besides those that are to be sent from Dutches County) will amount to about four hundred & sixty or seventy men, and some of those are deserted. A very small number to be posted so as to range the frontiers, from Saratoga to Catskill, including Ballstown, Schohare, and the extensive settlements along the Mohawk River, where alone there are upwards of twenty Fortifications, of one sort or another, which I have been requested to place troops in. The levies in this quarter are mostly received, and I have been forming them into companies, and dissposing of them at diferent posts upon the frontiers as they arrived. I have had a meeting with some of the Field officers of the County of Tryon, the particulars of which I shall report to your Excellency in a few days. Major Schuyler has declined excepting of his Commission. Since the arrival of the warrants for Impress, the prospect of a supply of Flower brightens. But our expectations of beef are exceeding slender. I have the honor to be your Excellen cies most obedient and very humble Servant Marinus Willett. Governor Clinton. Albany, 19th May 1781. Regimental orders for Colonel Willett's regiment of levies. The following is the arrangement of the officers who compose |