remain in the service, and I think it very probable you will be employed hereafter, as I shall recommend you for the command't of any Militia which may be stationed at or near Ogdensburgh after the expiration of service of the present detachment. I am very much perplexed about Ogdensburgh. You know I cannot order out Militia for United States service, except upon requisition from the President or from some other officer upon his authority. General Dearborn has given me no information or suggestion upon that subject, but he is hourly expected here from the North when I shall make the necessary arrangements with him to reinforce you. I presume Gen'l Brown has corresponded with General Dearborn upon that subject and can advise you of the result. Should the Army establishment be enlarged this winter as I think it will, I have no objection to contribute my exertions to obtain you an appointment in the permanent service.

You must allow me here to mention, that it is impossible for me to answer all the letters I have received during the last summer. I have received from Judge Ford and others, letters cautioning me against unfavourable impressions of your official conduct from supposed rumours concerning it. I will thank you to inform the Judge that no attempts have been made to give me an unfavourable impression of your conduct, nor have I heard or believed anything which impeached your intelligence, conduct, patriotism or zeal; and my impressions have been and are much in your favour on all those points. Even had injurious representations been made to me of your conduct, I trust I have too great a sense of justice to believe or condemn upon secret and exparte representations. Whenever I shall learn anything which requires my notice, you may rely upon it

Vol. III.-14

that I shall not hesitate to communicate it directly to you or

your General in black and white.

Lt. Col. Tho's B. Benedict.

THE LADIES OF NEWBURGH AND HUDSON SEND STOCKINGS AND

MITTENS TO THE TROOPS ON THE NORTHERN FRONTIER.

Albany, December 8, 1812.

Dear Sir, By Mr. Whitlock, I have sent to your care, one Box containing about 140 pair of woolen Stockings, and 40 pair of Mittens and one tierce & half barrel containing 337 pair of socks, 50 pair of Stockings, 20 pair of Mittens, to be sent on to the commanding officers of the Militia at Franklin and Champlain, in such proportion as may be equitable and suited to their respective necessities. The box containing 140 pair of stockings & 40 pair of Mittens are presentd to the Militia by the patriotic ladies of the Village of New Burgh, and the tierce & half barrel by the patriotic ladies of the City of Hudson. A suitable letter acknowledging this instance of female generosity & patriotism ought to be addressed by the Commandant of each post to the fair donor. That for the ladies of Hudson, may be directed to John Hathaway, Esqr of Hudson, and that for the ladies of New Burgh to William Ross, Esqr. I have paid Mr. Whitlock for transporting the articles to Plattsburgh. Any expense which may be incurred in sending them from thence to Champlain & French Mills, will be chearfully paid by me, and Mr. Durand may charge it in his account of articles forwarded for the State. You will please to understand that the proportions which will be sent to each place is left to your discretion upon ascertaining the relative number & wants.

Forgive me for the liberty I take in troubling you with these few articles of comfort for our brave & patriotic Militia, & accept the assurance of my attachment and affectionate regard for yourself and your worthy family.

The Honbl'e. Peter Sailly.

[D. D. T.]

Albany, December 9, 1812.

Gentlemen: I have forwarded to the Militia of this State, remaining in service on the Champlain station, the following quantities of woolen stockings, socks and mittens, presented to them by the amiable and benevolent ladies of Hudson and New Burgh.

Our faithful and patriotic fellow Citizens, who are engaged in the arduous duty of protecting the exposed inhabitants of the Northern frontier, took the field in a mild season without a competent supply of warm clothing for a winter Campaign. Their wants and sufferings will be greatly alleviated by the seasonable donation of the ladies of Hudson and New Burgh.

Besides the comfort in point of clothing, which the Militia on duty will derive from this example of female tenderness and generosity, it evinces an approbation of their conduct and a mindfulness of their services which will cheer and support them under fatigues & hardships, and which will animate others to emulate their courage and constancy.

As the articles came to this place under your direction, I take the liberty, in behalf of our brethren in arms, of desiring you to

tender to the fair donors, a respectful acknowledgment of their County, and an assurance that it will be recollected with gratitude and affection.

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, with great respect & esteem, Your Ob't. Serv't.

John Hathaway, Esqr-Hudson

and

William Ross, Esqr-New Burgh.

Daniel D. Tompkins.

CAPTAIN MAC PHERSON DESIRES A FIELD POSITION.

Albany, December 22, 1812.

Dear Sir: Capt'n Macpherson of the Army has intimated to me a wish to be advanced to a Field appointment in the Army. He probably would wish for such appointment in the third Regiment of Artillery with which he is now stationed, at Sackets Harbour. The opportunities I have had of witnessing the conduct of Captain Macpherson both as a Gentleman and as an officer enable me to assure you that I believe him well qualified for and worthy of the promotion to which he aspires; and as he is now stationed in the District represented by you I hope you will excuse my liberty in forwarding to you this testimony in his behalf with a respectful request that you will communicate its contents to whomsoever may have charge of the War Department when this letter shall reach Washington.

The Honb. Silas Stow.

THE CASE OF MR. LEE, A BAKER AT SACKET HARBOR.

Albany, December 22, 1812.

Sir: Your letter enclosing the evidence given before a Court of Inquiry relative to the conduct of a Mr. Lee, a Baker at

Sackets Harbour was received yesterday. I have not been ablesince to form any opinion in which I have confidence upon the liability of Mr. Lee to trial by a Court Martial; although there can be no doubt that a civil remedy may be had by all those whose health has been impaired or who have been otherwise injured by his conduct. It does not appear either in the evidence or by your letter in what capacity Mr. Lee actually was-whether Baker under the Contractor, or a Mechanic who exchanged bread for flour with the soldiers &c upon private agreement with them or whether he was in a public Bakery erected for the Army at the station, or employed by your order to bake in his own premises under some general and public agreement or regulation. The precise nature of his relation to the Army must be ascertained, before it can be accurately determined whether he be liable to the 60 Article of War or not.

I shall submit the question to the Law officer of the State and will transmit the result as soon as possible.

Please to inform Capt Macpherson that I have written to Washington upon the subject of his and your late communi

cations.

Genl. Dodge.

THE GOVERNOR ASKS PRESIDENT MADISON TO APPOINT MR. WENDELL

TO THE ARMY.

Albany, December 22, 1812.

Sir: The peculiarity of the case of Mr. David S. Wendell of Troy for whom I am desirous of obtaining a Commission of Lieutenant in the Army is my apology for troubling you with this recommendation.