[No. 3248-3249.]

General McDougall Appeals for Flour-The Governor's Reply. West Point, October 2d 1780.

Dear Sir, I should have written to you and the Legislature very fully; but the deranged State of every thing at this Post; and its dependencies call for every moment of my attention.

Two days since, more than half the flour at this Post, was ordered to the Grand Army, which was out of Bread near two days before it reached them, and yesterday I was obliged to send two days supply to the 1st Pensylvania Brigade, at Kings Ferry. These necessary Draughts from the Garrison, has reduced me to five days bread, without a prospect of a supply from the Southard, before that period expires: I must, therefore, intreat you, if you can by any Means, in your power, send down a Supply; otherwise God only knows what the Consequence, may be to the Post and the State. I am, Dear Sir, Your affectionate humble Servant

Governor Clinton.

Alex'r McDougall.

Poukeepsie 3d October 1780.

D'r Sir, The Moment I received your Letter of yesterday I transmitted a Copy of it to Colo. Hay Agent for this State. I am not informed what his present Resources are, but I have the fullest Confidence that he will make every Exertion in his Power to furnish you with a speedy Supply of Flour. It may be proper at the same time to inform you that the Place of Deposit for the specific Supplies to be furnished for the army by this State is Albany, as your Order may be necessary to Justify Colo. Hay's delivering any Part of them at a different Place.

Some Time since I received a Letter from Colo. Lewis, D. Q. Mr. Genl. at Albany a Copy of which I now inclose you. I did not conceive it proper to comply with a Request founded on Arnold's Application, but I will readilly grant my Impress Warrants for such Quantity of Boards for the Use of the Posts in the Highlands as you shall certify by Letter to me to be indispensably necessary. It is a disagreable Measure but the Necessity of the Case must Justify it. We have no Cash to buy them or any Thing else. I am, D'r Sir, &c.

[G. C.]

Genl. McDougal.

[No. 3250.]

Which Deals with the Legislature and the Mode of Treating Spies. Poukeepsie, 3d October 1780.

Sir, When I wrote you on the 16th Ultimo I expected that before this, I should have been enabled to have had appointed Commissioners in your County for detecting & defeating Conspiracies; but the Multiplicity of Important and interesting Business which at this Juncture occupies the attention of the Legislature, has hitherto prevented their making the proper Provission & as I have Reason to expect they will very soon adjourn, I despair of their entiring upon it during their present sitting. I was not without Hopes that some of the Gentlemen named in the present Commission might have been displaced so as to make Room to insert the Names of three Persons in your County but this for a variety of Reasons is also found inexpedient. Under these Circumstances I can only advise the present Civil & military Officers to vigilence & a faithful Exertion of the Authority they are vested with, and I woud fain hope they will

in this Case be able to defeat the Designs of our Secret Enemies. I woud observe to you that if any Person who has joined the Enemy shoud be found lurking secretely in the Country, these are triable by a Genl. Court Martial as Spies & subject to capital Punishment, & it is a missdemeanor of the highest Nature to knowlingly harbour or comfort them. I am with great Regard Sir your most Obed't Serv't

[G. C.]

P. S. From Accounts I have lately received from Philadelphia we have every Reason to hope a speedy & favourable Determination of the Controversy with the People of the Grants.

Colo. Paterson.

[No. 3251.]

The Governor Attacked with Rheumatism and Disturbed Over the Supply Question.

Pokeepsie, 3d Octob'r 1780.

D'r Sir, I wrote you last Night in answer to yours of the 27th Ultimo by my Brother who is on his Way to Albany to take the Command in that Quarter. I am since favoured with your two Letters of the 31st of last Month & the 1st Instant. If my Health permited I woud immediately set out for Albany; but I

am so affected with the Rhumatism occassioned by my last Jaunt & the present dark Weather, that I dare not undertake the Journey. I have communicated to my Brother the Intelligence transmitted me from your Quarter & have directed him to call on Genl. Ten Broeck & Van Renselaer for a sufficient Force from their Brigades to cover the Settlements ag't the Incursions of the Enemy & repel them, & I have wrote to those Gentlemen to comply with his Requisitions.