direct'g him to march that Part of his Regiment which lies on the River to your assistance, unless he shall have rec'd acc'ts in the Interim w'ch may render it unnecessary; and you have enclosed a Letter to Colo. Newkirk for the like Purpose wh'ch you will forward to him if you shall conceive you have occasion for his aid. Colo. Pawling with his Levies, was at Never Kill this morn'g and if quickly acquainted with the Circumstances you mention, will have it in his Power to intercept the Enemy on their Return. Colo. Cantine is also dispatched to that Qu'r to put his Regt. in motion. I am &c. [To Colonel Jansen.] [G. C.] Sir, I have just rec'd a Letter from Colo. Joh's Jansen inform'g me that the Savages have attacked him in his own House and that Firing has since been heard in the Neighbourhood. I have, therefore, to request that you will march to repel the Enemy as many Men of your Regt. as you can immediately collect leav'g Orders for the Rem'r to follow you. I am &c. [G. C.] Lt. Colo. Newkirk. Sir, I have just rec'd acc'ts of a small Party of the Enemy have'g appear'd this morning at Colo. Johnson's and of Firing being since heard in the Neighbourhood. I have, therefore, to request that you will immediately march that Part of the Regt. lying in your vicinity to repel the Enemy, unless you shall have rec'd well authenticated acc'ts of their Departure. I am Major Clark. [G. C.] [No. 3230-3231.] COLONEL HAY WRITES TWO LETTERS. One in Regard to His Brother, a Prisoner in Canada-The Other Difficulties in the Gathering of Supplies. Albany 18th Sept'r 1780. D'r Sir, I have now such information as fully convinces me my Brother has been confined in Quebec Jail from the month of March, and remained in that situation in the month of June, without even the liberty of walking in the Prison yard, or a glimpse of probability that he would be soon relieved. Mr. Robert Lewis near this place, one whom I have known for these many years, and for whose honour and Probity as a Citizen I dare vouch to your Excellency (though I will not venture to say as much for his political Character) is desirous to go to Canada to fetch his two Daughters, whose names and age you have inclosed; if he could be permitted I am confident it ought be in his power to effect an exchange for my Brother should you have no objection to the Person that may be proposed, at any rate he would undoubtedly be able to bring me the true state of his confinement, which would not only be some relief to my present anxiety, but might perhaps put it in my power by some means to procure his release; if you, my Dear Sir, have no objection to Mr. Lewis going with a flag, which I hear is to be sent next week, be so good as write him and enclos the passport directed to the care of Mr. James Caldwell, me: chant in Albany. Doctor Smith of this place, I hear has made application for liberty to retire with his family into Canada; perhaps he mig! be a proper subject to offer in exchange for my Brother, unless you have some Person, who by a longer confinement, or fro some other reason, you may think a more proper object to be exchanged for the Doctor. I am conscious you will do all you can for ine consistent with propriety and that impartiality from which I know it is needless for me to request you to deviate. Your Excellency I am convinced will easily excuse this trouble upon being informed that in the present unfortunate and affectionate Brother, I have long experienced the kind and faithful friend, the agreeable & entertaining Companion, the good & beloved Citizen, and the firm and zealous Whig, though he well knew that in the latter of these Characters he much hurt his own private interest. I am, w'h every sentiment of esteem & respect, D'r Sir, your most obed't & very humble Ser't, Governour Clinton. Udny Hay. P. S. I am informed there are near five hundred Women & Children at Saratoga barracks waiting for a passage into Canada, and allmost starving for want both of food & Cloathing. Mary Crawford, 13 years of age Last May, Elizabeth Lewis, 12 years of age Last December, 7 years in Montreal the 12th Sep'r Inst. A flag is going next week. THE SUPPLY QUESTION. Stillwater 18 Sept'r 1780. Sir, I have been with the Gentlemen of the New Hampshire Grants at Bennington, who have desired me to meet them again next Friday at the same place, where they are to call a council for the purpose of giving me every assistance in their power, which I now apprehend will be but little, not from want of inclination, but want of ability to putt any of their acts in execution; yett I think it my indispensible duty in our presen einbarrassed situation to make the tryal & wait the event, som good may, and no harm can possibly arise therefrom. I must now acquaint your Excellency that the very sam practice, which was one principal cause of the rapid deprecia tion of our continental currency, is now as prevalent as ever I mean public officers, or other personating that Character, ex ceeding the price stipulated by Congress; for I have such evi dence as convinces me of it being an indisputable fact that they are purchasing Cattle, not only to the eastward, but even from this State and the New Hampshire Grants at forty eight shil lings lawful per hundred, many of whom pay half the value in hard money; judge then, Sir, not only how very disagreeable the tenders we are permitted to make must be to the people but how improbable, nay allmost impossible it will be for us under this disadvantage to collect the Quota demanded of the State, and how much more to make any farther purchases. Your Excellency well knows how much the minds of the people of this State are already sourd by the low price they have been allowed for allmost every article they have furnish the public, in comparison with that given at same time in mos of the other States, and they are now drove allmost to despera tion by being led to believe we design to play the same gam upon them again. In the above disadvantages against being enabled to answe the intention of my appointment, the assessors in severa places have assessed many persons who have no more of th article assessed than what is sufficient to serve their familys and some who have not one particle thereof but what they ar oblidged to purchase: In short, Sir, both Cattle and wheat ar every day exported from this state to the eastward in such a degree as makes it evident, without an effectual stop is putt thereto, we cannot procure our Quota of the farmer, unless by buying from Engrossers in that quarter at perhaps double the price the Congress allows. I find many of the people about this are possessed of certificates for articles sold and services rendered to the Public many months agoe, indeed some of them several years, for which they think there is not the least probability of receiving any adequate compensation, and have, therefore, the strongest prepossession against any certificates whatever; I am really much affraid the Garrison at Fort George as well as the other Posts in that vicinity will be evacuated from a want of beef to supply the Troops who occupy them. I must again entreat your Excellency to lay before the Legis lature the necessity of adopting some mode by which I can have immediately a sum of money equal to the contingent expences that must arise in furnishing our Quota. Tight Casks ought immediately to be procured, for if a quantity of beef is not salted upon the borders of this River, the transportation of that article from the eastward will not only be atended with immense expence, but probably, as last year, with such difficulties and delays as to greatly endanger the very existence of the army left for the defence of this State in the winter. I take the opportunity of the delay made at Bennington to go to Tryon County, where my best endeavours shall be used for procuring immediately a large quantity of wheat; for though from the many impediments and obstacles, I am constantly oblidged to encounter, my spirits are much exhausted |