I cannot close this without representing to you the wanton abuses that are practised on the Lines, by persons who stile themselves refugees &c. which are loudly complained of both by the officers and well affected inhabitants. These people are represented as devoting themselves to an almost continual plundering of the Inhabitants below the Lines in a manner disgraceful to the laws of humanity, honor or arms. I am informed that there is great reason to suspect that some of these people have driven off the Cattle of the Inhabitants above the Lines, and having got them on the other side of Croton, have kindled fires, discharged muskets &c. and then drove the cattle up, pretending that they had defeated a party of cow boys, and retook the cattle, which they claim as lawfull prize, and sell at vendue. Thus plunder being the object, every one who is exposed, when it can be done with impunity will be plundered. I submit this to your Excellency's consideration, and as soon as I am honored with your pleasure, will take such measures as will effectually correct and prevent such scandalous practices in future. I have the honor to be, with great respect and esteem your Excellency's most obedient Servant

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

W. Heath.

General Washington Informs William Denning that Waste is One of the Greatest Faults in Supplies.

Sir

Head Quarters, Prekaness 2 Novem'r 1780

I was a few days ago favored with yours of the 21st ulto. I have not the least doubt but there is too general an inattention to the care of Stores at most of our Magazines and Distant posts, but it is much to be regretted that the Deputies residing

at those places have so many plausible pretences for throwing the ill condition of what can be found in their possession upon those from whom they received them. In the article of flour particularly, which is most subject to waste, the fault in a great measure originates with the Miller who is shamefully careless of the make and security of the Casks. The notice, however, which you have taken of what came under your own inspection, will I hope, be attended with good effects, as it will put the head of the Department upon making inquiry into the apparent causes of neglect, when you saw the provision, and giving directions for more care in the future.

Col❜o Stewart has always appeared to me to be active and dilligent in the prosecution of his business, but it is possible that there may be want of conduct in some of his Deputies. I can myself in some measure, account for the Condition of the Stores at Hacketts and Pittstown when you last saw them. They had just then been removed in the greatest hurry from Morris Town to avoid the destruction with which they were threatened by the move of the Enemy into Jersey. What the Deputy told you of the Impossibility of procuring Guards to secure and assist in storing the provisions was absolutely true. Our strength has scarcely ever allowed of making the necessary detachments for the safety of our Magazines, but just at the time to which you refer, our whole collected Force in Jersey did not amount to one half of that of the Enemy.

I shall take occasion to mention the substance of your information to Colo Stewart and shall desire him to have matters put under better regulations in future. I shall at the same time let him know, that what you have done is not with intent of criminating him, but from what you very properly conceive to be the

duty of every 'good citizen-to represent to the proper authority

what he sees amiss in public affairs.

I am with great Respect, Sir, Your most ob't Serv't,

To William Denning Esq.

G: Washington.

[No. 3330.]

General James Clinton Ordered to the Command of Albany.

Pokeepsie, 2d Nov'r 1780.

Dear Sir, Your Favour of the 27th ulto. did not reach me until my Return to this Place. Genl. Ten Broeck gave me Reason to expect the Pleasure of seeing you in Albany which induced me to continue there a Day longer than I intended; hav ing been called from Home so soon after the rising of the Legislature as to prevent me from carrying into Execution any Part of the public Business with [which] they had charged me, it was necessary that my absence shoud be as short as possible; other wise I shoud have done my Pleasure of waiting upon you at Saratoga; be assured I found myself much disposed to the Jaunt.

Those

My Brother is now on his Way to take the Command at Albany; but has no Troops with him, nor can I learn that he has reason to expect any. Orders for raising Levies for the Defence of the Frontiers were issued before the Legislature rose. for the Northward from this County have marched some Days since, but it is to be feared the Late call of the Militia to the Northward & Westward will delay this Business in Gen). Ten Broeck's & Rensselaer's Brigades.

I am uninformed of the mode in which the Indians are to be supplied with Provissions; if through the State Agent I will read illy give him any proper Directions on the Subject which you may

conceive necessary.

But if through Mr. Farlan who if I recollect Right informed me, he was appointed to supply them I cannot possibly Interpose. The Winter Supplies for Fort Schuyler is yet to be collected.

Wisenfelts Regt. which is to garrisson that Post, waits at Schenectady to escort them up & unless they can be procured very soon (of which there is but little prospect) the Post I fear will be abandoned.

I have signified to my Brother, my Consent to the Removal of the Women to Canada whose Husbands are with the Enemy in that Quarter, those mentioned in your Letter excepted, & I have taken the Liberty of recommending him to you for your Advice as to the most proper mode of conducting this Business. That which will be attended with least Trouble & Expence must be preferred, as there is no Provission for this Service. I am &c. [G. C.]

[To General Schuyler.]

[No. 3331.]

The Peculiar Case of Adam Shades-Captain Bleeker's Account of Shoes and Deserters.

Albany 2d Nov'r 1780.

Sir, Agreeable to Coll. Cortlandt's Orders, I have the Honor to transmit your Excellency an Account of Shoes deliverd the Drafts from the State of New York, together with a List of some Deserters; the Intention of this Return is, that Stoppages' be made for the Shoes, that they might be replacd.

Among the Prisoners which were lately sent down from the Westward, I am inform'd that a certain Adam Shades is included. This Man is enlisted in my Comp'y for the war, and was unfortunately, made Prisoner by the Sayages on the 3d July

1777. I have frequently been told by Persons, which have return'd from Canada, during his Captivity with them, that he refus'd with great Firmness, to engage with the Enemy; however, I suppose from his long Confinement, severe Treatment, & the Expectation of being able to make his Escape he has undertaken their Service. This being effected, I make no doubt, was he permitted to return to his Regiment, he would do his Duty as a faithful Soldier. I am, your Excellency's very humble Servant

Leon. Bleeker, Capt. 3d N. York, Regt.

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

S Acc't of Shoes d'd the Levies 23d Sept'r 1780:

Capt. Fowler's Comp'y-Serjeant Duboys, Jacob Ronduss, Thos. Sun, Stephen Smith, Edm'd Weatherhead, Will'm Bussing. Duboys'-Thomas West or Nut, James Cornhill, Abiather

Odle.

Delavan's Comp'y-Ezekiel Greag, Jno. Campbell, Jos'h Jones, Jos'h Bennett, Will'm Barrett, Cornelius Hageman, Jno. Bay, Sam'l Church, David Quick, Jno. Cunningham, Thomas Airs. Bleeker's Andrew Stoutenburgh, James Slouter, Cornelius Van Sice, Jno. Nicolls, Robert Knowlton. One pair Each.

Deserted from My Comp'y 6th Aug't '80-Stephen Little Eleazer Corey, Jonathan Tallman, Isaic Hoard.

Little & Corey took public Arms, Accoutrements & Ammunition with them.

Leon Bleeker, Capt. 3d New York, Regt.