What we shall do for Provissions (tho the Country abounds with it) God only knows. The Assessments come in so slowly notwithstanding every Endeavour to hasten them that no cer tain Dependance can be placed upon them. The Cattle when received are scarcely worth killing. The Mills for want of Water unable to grind the Wheat. I have this Moment, received a very pressing Letter from Genl. Heath, who commands in the Highlands, on the Subject of his Wants, by which I am informed that his sole Dependance for Bread is on this State. It is not in my Power to relieve him. Your Letters fully confirm me in what I had some Reason to suspect on the first Incursions of the Enemy respecting the Conduct of Allen. I wish this matter may be fully investigated & I begg that it may continue to ingage your attention. Your Letter to the Commander in Chief shall be immediately for warded. If the present alarm proves as serious as it is to be apprehended I will see you soon, if my Health will enable me. I am &c. Genl. Schuyler. [No. 3252.] G: C: The Troublesome Question of Dealing with Tory Families. Hon'd Sir, We are unhapily situated in this County by keeping so many Disaffected Familys amongst us and it is with regret we inform your Excellency that the act provided for sending them off appears to us very deficient. Many of these disaffected Families are not able to transport themselves ten miles (& yet as capable of doing us hurt as the Richer kind). Others are able defray the Expences of themselves & something to spare: we should be glad to divide what they have amongst them so as to carry the whole off but in doing of this we must act without Law. We would, therefore, pray your Excellency to give us your advice, by Lieut. Bradnor if there is no prospect of an amendment being made to the act soon. The Necessity of their being sent off immediately is Notorious, as we are fully convinced they Harbour & give Intelligence to the Enemy daily. We have also a number of men who we belive do infinitely moore damage than the Women; some of them have applied to go off. We should be very glad to know whether we are to provide a flagg to send them off or where we are to apply for one; we are With Respect Your Excell'ys Most Obt. Humbl. Serv'ts Peter S. Deygert, Zeph. Batcheller. Gov'r Clinton. [No. 3253.] Petition from Tryon County for Relief. Tryon County 6th October 1780. The Petition of the Inhabitants of Tryon County Humbly Sheweth, That your Petitioners have during this Campaign Labour'd under the most dreadful Difficulties; that Several of thier principal Settlements, Viz: Conawaga, Conajohary have been Entirely Destroy'd, whereby a great Number of Families were forced to leave the County, in order to Seek Refuge in some other parts, more remote from our Cruel savage Emies, that still the greatest number Trusting in the prouidence of God: and the Protection of thier Country, did Rather Choose to stay in defence of thier Property, Rights and Liberties, than to give way, to Thoughts unbecoming a people, that is Determined to be free, and would rather share the goodwill and Dangers of thier fellow Brethren, in the County, than to be a burden upon the public. That it most seasonably happened, by your Excellency's Paternal Care which they have so often Experienced, that Troops have been sent up to their assistance time Enough to Enable and protect them, to gather thier grain, whereof a vast Quantity stands now dispersed, all over the several settlements of thier County, stacked up in thier fields and Round the Different Forts; That this happy Circumstance, and the prospect that the Sufferers Could find Shelter, and Refuge with Those, who Enjoy thier Houses, whereof thier is a Considerable Number, have been the support of thier hopes and perseverance, But that thier firm Resolution is quite shaken, when they Find, that the time of the Troops which were sent to their protection is almost Expired, at a Time when the Enemy is in the verge of thier settlements, has in the sight of a number of the best Troops and most vigilant Officers, burn'd Kill'd and Taken Prisnors, of which almost every day brings a new Instance; that your Petitioners, have Inteligence that this is the Sixth Day, since Brandt, had left Niagara with a large body of Men, with an Intent to Invade our County, that your Petitioners Presume, if that should be the Case, as they have the greatest Reason to believe it will be some time this Fall, then it would be in the power of the Enemy to Destroy almost all the grain Colected, besides the Rest of the settlements yet standing, if seasonable and Effectual measures is not Immediately adopted, to prevent it. Your Petitioners are, therefore, under the most Dreadfull apprehensions, and presume to lay thier Case, once more before your Excellency, appealing to your Known Humanity, Craving your Excellency's Kind Interposition with the Legislature, & the Commander in Chief, to have such relief granted as our Case requires and you in your wisdom shall see meet, Your Excellency's Humble Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever Pray. Signed in behalf of the Inhabitants Tryon County. Jacob Klock, Colo., J. Daniel Gros, Minister, Jelles Fonda, Adam Conderman, Adam his Leyp, Nicholas Coppernoll, Dommas X Godman, John Kaselman, John Backus, Samuel marck Vanetta left, John Snell, Henrich Laux, Willem Laux, John Ziellen, Adam Kruge, his George X Relinan, Jur., Peitder K. Deygert. mark Circular. [No. 3254.] Reorganization of the Army by Congress. Philadelphia October 6, 1780. Sir, Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed an act of Congress of the 21 ulto, containing a new Arrangement of the Army. Special reasons have delayed the sending it forward until this Time. By this Arrangement the Number of Battalions is greatly reduced, and of Consequence many of the Officers now retained in the Service must retire for the present; but after just & equitable Compensation is made to them, the Saving of Expence will be very great. Congress are extremely anxious, not only to avoid the Dangers & Embarrassments heretofore experienced by Delays in recruiting the Army until the Opening of the Campaign, but also to establish a permanent Army, of Troops engaged for the War; to consist of such Numbers as may be adequate to the Service, and at the same Time not exceed the Ability of the States to raise & support and constantly recruit so as to keep up the Number. It is recommended to the States in the most pressing manner to have their regiments completed & in the Field by the first of January next at farthest. The Commander in Chief will cause immediate returns to be made of the Deficiencies of each State according to this Arrangement. You will observe, Sir, that the respective States are to select from the Line of the Army, the Number of Officers to command the several regiments to them respectively assigned; taking notice that no new Appointment is to be made, of higher rank than Lieut. Colonel Commandant, for substantial reasons supposed to be known to all the States. But the first & immediate Object, is to complete the regiments to their full Number of non Commissioned Officers & Privates; which is recommended in the most pressing manner as of the greatest Importance. I have the Honor to be with every Sentiment of Esteem & respect your Excellency's most obedient Servant Sam. Huntington, President. His Excellency the Governor of New York. ACT OF CONGRESS FIXING THE ARMY ESTABLISHMENT. *In Congress Sept'r 21st 1780. Resolved, That the regular army of the United States from and after the first day of January next consist of: 4 Regiments of Cavalry or Light dragoons; 4 Regiments of artillery; 49 Regiments of Infantry, exclusive of Colo. Hazen's Regt. hereafter mentioned; 1 Regiment of artificers. Numbered as document 3235 Clinton MSS. That each regiment of Cavalry or Light dragoons consist of six troops, and that each troop consist of 64 non-commissioned officers & privates with the same number of commissioned officers as at present. That each regiment of artillery consist of nine companies, and that each company consist of 65 non-commissioned officers and matrosses with the same number of commissioned officers as at present. That each regiment of infantry consist of nine companies, and each company of 64 non-commissioned officers & privates, and that the regiment of artificers consist of eight companies and each company of 60 non-commissioned officers and privates. That the several States furnish the following quota viz: New Hampshire 2 Regiments of Infantry. Massachusetts Bay 10 Regiments of Infantry & one of artil lery. Rhode Island &c. 1 Regiment of Infantry. Connecticut 5 Regts. of Infantry & one of Cavalry. New York 2 Regts. of Infantry & one of artillery. New Jersey 2 Regts. of Infantry. Pensylvania 6 Regts. of Infantry, one of artillery, one of cav alry & one of artificers. Delaware 1 Regt. of Infantry. Maryland 5 Regts. of Infantry. Virginia 8 Regts. of Infantry, one of artillery and two of cavalry. North Carolina 4 Regts. of Infantry. South Carolina 2 Regts. of Infantry. Georgia 1 Regt. of Infantry. That the States select from the line of the army a proper |