(agreeable to a letter I formerly took the liberty of laying before you on the subject) but that the persons assessed shall be oblidged, under some certain Penalty, to deliver their quantity in such Cattle as by proper judges shall be deemed fit for the knife.

I sett off immediately for the New Hampshire grants, and upon my return shall go to the westward where I have already taken the best steps in my power to have the people sounded respecting making voluntary sales of their grain upon the security of the State.

I am sorry to be constantly troubling your Excellency upon subjects that must be so disagreeable to you, but find myself in self defence constrained to do so, and at same time am not without hopes that the Legislature will be able in some measure to remedy the defects I mention. I am w'h the utmost respect, your Excellency's most obed't & very humble Ser't

Udny Hay.

Governour Clinton.

[No. 3222.]

Expenses Attending the Construction of a Blockhouse at Palmerton. Saraghtoga 13th September 1780.

Sir, The seventh of August last his Excellency General Schuy ler wrote a Letter to the Inhabitants of Saraghtoga District directed to Derick Swart, George Palmer, Cornelius Van Veighten & John McCrea requesting the sense of the People might be taken with respect to the necessity and propriety of erecting at Blockhouse at Palmertown, at the same time signified to us your Excellency's concurrence and approbation in the measure; the Inhabitants were immediately called together, who readily

aggreed to have a house erected with all possible dispatch; the Plan of the house is twenty feet by thirty.

At this meeting of the District on the 10th of August, there was a Committee elected and appointed to superintend order and direct the Building of said house, viz. George Palmer, Esqr., Capt. Isaac Moss, Capt. Cornelius Van Den Bergh, Holtom Dun ham & William Bradshaw, which was perfected under their care and direction; apprehensive the undertaking required haste and that it was necessary to have persons employed in this Business, that would use fecility and dispatch, induced the Inhabitants to fall into this measure, not doubting but it would meet with your Excellency's approbation, and as we apprehend all expences of this kind ought to be of a publick nature, more especially when the advantages arising are for the general security, we have ventured to inclose your Excellency an account of our disbursments and time employed, that they may be laid before the Leg islature of the state for their approbation, and that such allowances may be made as shall [be] deemed equitable. We are, Sir, your most obedient Humble Servants

John McCrea; Cornelius Van Veghten; Dirck Swart; George Palmer; Isaac Moss.

To his Excellency George Clinton, Esqr.

August 14th 1780.

The State of New York Dr.

George Palmer, Isaac Moss, Cornelius Van Debergh, William Bradshaw & Holtom Dunham imployed in all 36 Days

To 50 lb. best salt pork

To 50 lb. Flower

To 40 lb. Bread

To 8 lb. Cheese & B. Salt

To 5 quarts Rum

To 3 yoak of Oxen 5 Days to draw timber

To waggon & horses for three days

To Abel Mills with waggon & horses 2 days

To Evert V Debarrak 2 days for Do

To Abraham Truax 2 days Do.

To William Ross 2 days with 3 yoak oxen Do

To Colo. V Veighten 2 days with waggon & horses

To Abraham Wendell 2 days for Do

John Winne 2 days Do

Peter Becker 2 days Do

Evert Cluet 2 days Do

To 474lb. nails of Wm. Seaymore at 2/6 hard money

To 293 Inch Boards taken from the Publick

To 105 Inch plank from Do

To a Broad ax Lost owner John Mahawney

To 1 narrow Do lost owner Evert Van Debarrack

To Capt. Asaph Putman 2 days waggon & horses.

The above services were done for the Publick at our request. George Palmer; Isaac Moss; Holtum Dunham, Superintendents.

[No. 3223.]

Colonel Alexander Webster's Plea for John Williams and His Willingness to Serve as a Subordinate.

Black Creek, Sep'r 14th 1780.

D'r Governor, As I find it Impossable for me to act both in the Civel and military Department, either at this Dificualt day is enough for any one man-I am willing and do rejoyces in our glorious Cause, but acting in more Capacities than is in my

power; with faithfulness to perform most be hurtfull to the public. I have been often Complaining that it was, out of my power to act, if it was not made easier for me, to remedy which the offecers and Soldiers in General have Signed a petition that your Excellency and to the Honourable Council of Appointment would reappoint Doctor John Williams, Collonel of the regiment. I shall have no Objection to serve as Lieut. Colo. as the Collo. is a man of Business and can make my duty Light; at presant, I must act from Colo. to Corporal or Nothing is done; it is easy to judge what Sitwation I am in and I am Certain you wiuld take pity on me, were you to know the fatigues I undergo; and as the officers and Soldiers are universally for the appointment, I hope the request will be Complied with, Notwithstanding what hath passed; its Certain the Colo. remains a stanch friend, and altho in no Comission, yet he hath been ready to forward every Expedition and as he hath merited the good opinion of both officers and Solders I hope your Excellency will, with the Council of Appointment take the matter into a Serious Consideration, as the reappointment will probably not only tend to the welfare of this County but also to the State in General. I am, with great Esteem, your Excellency's very obed't and Humble Servant

To Governor Clinton.

[No. 3224.]

Alex'r Webster.

Governor Clinton's Reply to Colonel Paterson's Letter Regarding the Operations of the Tories.

Pokeepsie, 16" Sept. 1780

Gent, I have rec'd your Letter of the 11" Inst. request'g the

appointment [of] Com'rs for the Purpose of discovering and

defeat'g the secret Designs of the Enemy in your County; before this can be done, there must be a short Law passed, author'g it, as the Number of Com'rs directed by our present Law is already complete, and as this will take some Time, I have thought it most advisable not to detain Mr. Smith, as I shall have an Opportunity of forward'g the Commission by Mr. Knoulton on his Return from Philadelphia or by some earlier safe Conveyance. I would beg Leave to observe that as Powers to be granted to the Com'rs will be extensive, it will be their Duty to be particularly prudent & careful, in putting them into Execution; and as Congress have recommended to this State, not to exert any authority over the Inhabitants of the Tract of Land commonly called the New Hampshire Grants who do not acknowledge the authority of this State until the Controversy relative to the same is settled, I am to request that those Comm'rs when appointed do not by any act contravene the above Resolution.

[To Colonel Eleazer Paterson and others.]

[G. C.]

Sir, Mr. Smith the Bearer of this Letter, has with him some Copies of the Militia Law, by w'ch you will observe that every Man in the State is to be properly armed, accoutred & provided with ammunition. I need not mention how necessary it is, that this Part of the Law be pointedly complied with, as otherwise the Militia can be but of little Service, & I have the fullest Confidence that you and the Officers under your Command, will. make use of every Means in your Power to have your Regiment equiped, displined & put in the best Order which the peculiar Situation will admit of. I am, Sir, your most Obed't Serv't

[To Colonel Eleazer Paterson.]

G. C.