apolygy & let the troubles that have attended me already atone for the groundless suspicion that has so artful & Desinedly been maintained against me. I am, Gent. your most obedient Hum'le Serv't, To the Board of Commisioners at Albany." John D. Goes. (Copy) [No. 3195.] Mathew Goes Appeals to the Governor from Goshen Jail. Goshen Goal, 3 September 1780. Sir, Mr. Van Schaack shewed me a letter he lately received from Colo. Benson, wherein the Colo. says "that he is desired by your Excellency to remind Mr. Van Schaack that he had for two years past been indulgd on his Parole, and that your Excellency has not been informed of any endeavours on his part being made to effect an exchange, and that if it is considered that during this time many of the faithfull subjects of this state have been consantly kept in close confinement &c." with all deference, may it pleas your Excellency, this does not immediately apply to me; because about a twelve month ago, being wearied out by the expence I was at, by being from home, and the difficulty of supporting my family in my absence, I made application to your Excellency for leave to go down to New York to negotiate my Exchange. Not hearing from your Excellency on this subject and having been since December last, near eight months at home, and under no restrictions, I flattered myself the Idea of Exchanging us was laid aside. Whatever reasons, therefor, that may apply to others for this close confinement I hope upon your Excellencey's recollection of my application for an Exchange, *See page 266. that my present punishment may be mitigated, and that I may have leave to go on parole home, where I shall remain, untill the answer for an Exchange may arive. I remain with the greatest Respect Sir, your Excellencey's most Obedient Servent Excellency Governor Clinton. [No. 3196.] Mathew Goes, Jur. Rank and Authority of Governors of States When Acting in the Field with Troops. Circular, Philadelphia September 3, 1780. Sir, Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed an act of Congress of the 25 Ulto, ascertaining the Rank of the Gov. ernors or Presidents of the several States, whenever they shall act in the Field together, or in Conjunction with the Continental Army. The same Rule hath been heretofore adopted in particular Cases, as just & necessary and hath given Satisfaction. It is now deemed expedient to adopt the same as a general Rule, which it is supposed will meet with Approbation in the respective States. I have the honor to be with the highest respect your Excellency's most obedient Servant Sam. Huntington, President. His Excellency George Clinton Esquire. In Congress August 25th 1780. Resolved, That when the Governors or Presidents of two or more States act in the field together, he who has been longest in Office, shall take rank of all other Governors or presidents except the Governor or president of the State in which they are, who in his own State, notwithstanding he may be youngest in office, always takes rank. Resolved, That whenever the Governors or presidents of States act in conjunction with Continental troops, they shall for the time they so act in conjunction have the rank of Major Genl. in the line of the army. Provided, always that nothing in the above resolutions shall exclude the Governor of any State from a separate command over the militia of the State in which he presides, where not inconsistent with the particular views of the Commander in Chief. Extract from the minutes. Chas. Thomson, Sec'y. [No. 3197.] General Robert Van Rensselaer Makes Report of the Situation in the Mohawk Valley. Fort Rensselaer, Sept'r 4th '80. Dear Gov'r, The Reports of the Enimy Intentions are still vague and uncertain; some say Sir John is coming by the way of Lake Champlain, Brant and Butler from the westward; small parties are frequently seen upon the Frontiers. Last Thursday they attacked the House of one Sheel about three Miles North of Fort Herkimer. The House was bravely defended by the Man, his two son, and wife; he supposes they killed and wounded fifteen or sixteen of the Enimy. They left one killed and one wounded on the ground; the Prisoner says the party consisted of thirty six British Troops and thirty Indians. Capt'n Allen of the Levies went the next Day in pursuit of them with fourty Men, who was not returned yesterday even'g. On Saturday last, I sent of Twelve Boats with Provision for Fort Schuyler, Escorted by two hundred Men under the Command of Collo. Brown, of the Massechutsets Levies, which leaves the Frontiers verry thin of Men. I have also sent out a Scout to Unedilla and Ocquage, at which places I am suspicious they make their Rendevouz. I am anxious to hear from your Quarter, and shall esteem it a particular favour to hear from you. I am, Dear Gov'r, your most obed't humb. Serv't, His Excellency Governor Clinton. Robt. V'n Rensselaer. [No. 3198.] Cornwall Sands Requests His Bill for Provisions to Troops Be Paid in Specie. New Cornwall, the 4 Sept. 1780. S'r, I wrote you by Capt. David Reynolds near 12 month past, Inclosed an accompt of Provisions I Purchased and furnish'd the Troops with by Collo. Woodhull's order at the time Fort Montgomery was taken. I Rec'd for answer Verbelly, by Capt. Reynolds, that your Excellency expected more acc'ts of a Similar nature, and that in a Short Time you would Transmit mine to me with Orders for payment. Since which I have heard nothing further about it. Your Excellency will please to remember the word Depriciation was a Stranger with us at that time but has been so Common since that its Intirely wore out. Hope if your Excellency should Order me paid it will be in Specia that has never Suffered Depreciation. I am, S'r, your Excellency's most Obedi't Humble Serv't His Excellency, George Clinton, Esqr. Cornwall Sands. [Nos. 3199 and 3192.] A FRONTIERSMAN'S GALLANT DEFENSE. With His Two Sons He Holds the Enemy at Bay for Several Hours and Finally Forces Him to Retire. Albany September 5th 1780. Sir, At the desire of Colo. Bellinger I have the pleasure to Enclose your Excellency a Letter containing an account of a Gallant affair which happened near the German Flatts. I have yesterday been informed by Capt. James Watson, one of the purchasing Commissaries for the State of Conecticut, that no salt meat could be had at any of the magazines in that State & that the order sent for that purpose by his Excellency General Washington would be returned. It is with the utmost concern that I inform your Excellency that, notwithstanding, the impress Warrants put into the hands of the persons appointed for procuring supplies of provisions for the use of the Troops in this Quarter, nothing has yet been produced in Consequence of them. I have for some time past, caused repeated applications to be made for provisions for the Northern & Western Frontier posts in this Quarter, who have for this month past been illy supplied but these to no purpose. The time in which Fort Schuyler ought to be supplied with provisions until the first of February next is rapidly advancing & I have not even a distant prospect of a supply for that Garrison until the 1st of December next, & by a Letter I have received lately from Fort Schuyler I find the minds of that Garrison are more disaffected to their situation & Circumstances than ever the true reason of Brant's appearing with his party before the Garrison was the fullest assurance had been given him that they would join him to a man. Indeed from their situation & the great dificulty I have been under in procuring only a few pair of |