[No. 3366.]

A Grand Foraging Expedition Meditated Below the Lines in Westchester County.

Head Quarters West Point, Nov'r 13th 1780.

Sir, I was last evening honored with yours of the 9th pr Colonel Hay; at the instant I was writeing you on the same subject. I think a very considerable advantage may be derived from a grand Forrage below the Lines, and will do every thing in my power to carry it into effect. A very considerable number of Teams will be necessary, & I request your aid to the Quartermaster's department, in such way as may be speedy and effectual. I will endeavour to order out a sufficient covereing Party. The Militia of that County will probably be wanted to assist in guarding, loading & driveing the Teams, Cattle &c., as there must be some small Parties interspersed among the Teams, as well as to form a proper chain for the security of the Forragers. I wish it may take place as soon as matters can possibly be got in readiness.

I cannot see the least inconvenience in shifting the Inhabitants, above & below the Lines, in the manner you propose; as this is a matter immediately under your jurisdiction, I have nothing to say further, only to assure you, that in this, or any other case, which you may think conducive to the interest of the State, you may depend upon every assistance in my power to 'effect it if necessary.

I thank you, Sir, for your intelligence from the Northward. We have no news in this Quarter. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect your Excellency's Most Obedient Servant

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

W. Heath.

[No. 3367.]

General Knox Points Out an Error in Number of Artillerymen Assigned to New York.

Head Quarters Passaic Falls, 14" Novem'r 1780.

Dear Sir, Since my letter of the 5th on the subject of the number of men necessary to compleat the Quota of your State, I have recollected a matter, in the composition of Colo. Lamb's Regt., which I wish had been attended to at that time. Two independent Companies of Pennsylvania, consisting at present of only 39 men, have been for some time past annexed to that Regiment, and are included in the number of 304 of which the Regt. as it now stands, consists. They have been always returned as part of the Quota of Pennsylvania; have been adopted and supplied by that State. They would have been, heretofore, annexed to Colo. Procter's Regt. but for some difference between the officers on account of Rank. There is a necessity for doing it now, as Lamb's Regiment has two Companies more than the establishment allows, and Procter's wants two to compleat it. The inclosed, which is the Copy of a letter from General Knox on the subject, is more full, and to which I would beg your Excellency's reference.

From the above state, your Excellency will perceive the necessity of your making an addition of 39 men to your assessment, as Colo. Lamb's Regiment will be lessened, so many, by withdrawing the Companies beforementioned.

I have received your Excellency's favors of the 5th and 8th. By hearing nothing further from the Northward, I am in hopes the advance of the Enemy has been checked. I have the honor to be, with very great Regard, your Excellency's most obt, and humble Serv't

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

(Copy)

Go. Washington.

Camp Bergen Country 13 Nov'r 1780.

Sir, I take the liberty to state, for your Excellency's consid eration and decision, the case of two Companies now in Colo. Lamb's Regt. of Artillery. These Companies originally commanded by Captains Lee and Porter were raised in the State of Pennsylvania, have always been returned to the Board of War as part of the quota of that State, and for a considerable time past adopted by it, and received the benefits of stores, clothing &c.

It has been the anxious desire of the government of Pennsylvania to have these Companies annexed to Col. Proctor's Regt. also raised in that State, and which is deficient in the number of Companies. The affair has been agitated in the Board of War and referred to Congress, and finally by the Board of War to your Excellency on the 14th of last August; as appears by the Letters and Papers herewith returned, which I received from Col. Harrison some time ago, in order to make the annexation requested. The reason which has hitherto prevented was a point of delicacy to Colo. Lamb, in taking away from his Regiment, against his consent, two Companies which had been a part of it from its first formation-and an opinion that a near arrangement of the corps would take place; when the State of Pennsylvania might be gratified without an injury to the service. In the Arrangement lately published, the Regiments of Artillery are reduced from twelve to ten Companies. These two, taken from Colo. Lamb's would reduce the Regiment to its establishment. Col. Proctor's Regt. has but eight Companies, & these two added (having two others incorporated viz. late Coren's and Jones's) would complete the number equal to the establishment.

I beg leave to observe on this state of the case, that if the two Companies should still remain in Lamb's Regiment, the service would be deprived of the number they contain, which to be sure is small, both consisting only of forty men for the war. As the State of New York is obliged to raise one Regiment of Artillery, the State of Pennsylvania (being also obliged to raise a Regiment) would consider these men as part of the present demand. I beg your Excellency's speedy determination, and am, with the highest respect, your most Obed't Serv't

His Excellency Genl. Washington.

H. Knox.

[No. 3368.]

Colonel Weissenfels to Start for Fort Schuyler, with Supplies. Fort Renselar, 15th Novembr 1780.

Sir, I Recieved your Excellency's Paket by Captain Norton, with the Warrant, and the Letter by the Express, What ever I, and the officers have whished to know, is fully explained, and no Doubt left us, but that we have a Pattron in your Exellency, who is distinguishing and redressing every grievance. I schall march to Morrow, with the Provisions I have been able to col lect, and do my self the honor of Transmitting the State of the Garrison, by Major Hughes. I am, with the greatest Esteem, your Excellency's most obiedient most humble Serv't

Fred: Weissenfels.

P. S. I aknowledge your Excellency's Promiss respecting

my Family with gratitude.

[To G. C.]

[No. 3369.]

The War Office Requests Monthly Returns of Supplies.

War Office Nov'r 15, 1780.

Sir, It is recommended in the resolution of Congress of the 25th of Feb'y last "That the several States cause monthly returns to be made to the Board of war, of all such commodities, as shall be procured for the use of the United States, specifying the quantities issued (the Board suppose the quantities delivered by the State Commissioners)' in each preceding month."

For want of such returns, the Board are extremely embarrassed in forming a judgment of the prospects the army have of being supplied; nor will it ever be in their power, if not furnished with them, to check the accounts of the Issuing Commissaries by knowing the quantities received from the States, It is also extremely difficult to direct the march of Troops without information of the Supplies obtained and places of deposit.

They, therefore, take the liberty to request, that your Excellency will be pleased to order the person in your State, whose business it is to make them, to be punctual in transmitting the returns agreeable to the resolution above recited. I have. the honor to be, with the highest respect, yr. Excellency's mo. obed. Hble. Serv't

by ord. Ben Stoddert, Secy. His Excellency Governor Clinton, of the State of New York.

[No. 3370.]

Colonel Malcom Uncertain Whether He Holds a Commission.

Pokeepsie Nov'r 15th 1780.

Gentlemen, I inclose you the Copy of a Letter from Colo.

Malcom, who lately commanded the Levies raised by this State