to se them go of and what thay should carry of that exchanged teams with the twiggs from blow; we agreed that they should carry six month provishons with them, if they had not receved a sufisence from the parson below, one cow to fore in a famely and so in proposhon and two old horses.

Ginll. Heath refuses to let the famely pass his gards with the above articels; we shall be carfull of what they carry below; all that we requst of you, Sir, is to desire Ginll. Heath to order his gard to promit the parsons to pass his gards, which will be for the safty of this Quorter; or we shall be under the Nesesety of leving the County. I remain your very Humbel Servent

To His Ex❜l Gorge Clinton.

[No. 3417.]

Samll. Drake.

Dec'r 7th 1780.

Sir, I have rec'd your favor of yesterday. I have not the least Doubt that Genl. Heath to whom I have formerly written on the subject, will readily give to the families who are to remove below the Line, in exchange for the Whig families who remove up, his pass for the Purpose, with as much Provisions as he shall conceive necessary for their immediate Subsistence. Six months Provisions would undoubtedly be too much to be taken down in the first Instance; it would be an object for the Enemy who would undoubtedly take it from them the first Opportunity, trust'g to our Humanity to afford them a new Supply. I dare say Genl. Heath on seeing this Letter, will from time to time on proper application, grant them his Pass for such further Supplies as may appear reasonable. I am &c.

Colo. Drake.

G: C:

[No. 3418.]

General Heath Skeptical Over Flags from New York.

Head Quarters West Point Dec'r 7th 1780.

Sir, Yesterday a Flag arrived at Kings Ferry from New York with several Women & Children, their effects &c. One or more of them had your permission, I beleive to come out; others are said to have been rigerously treated of late, & have been sent out. I am jealous that some of them have brought out presents. from people in New York, for their friends in the Country; but where they are mixed with the effects of those who come out, it is almost impossible to detect them. By some of the letters, there are some such articles. The women Children &c. being very uncomfortable on board, were yesterday by order of Colonel Livingston taken out of the Flag, and put on board a periauger. The former was to return immediately, the latter I shall direct to Poughkeepsie to your orders. There is only one Letter for your Excellency, which I take the liberty to inclose. The others will be sent up with people. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect your Excellency's most Obedient Servant

His Excellency Govornor Clinton.

W. Heath.

[No. 3419.]

Colonel Weissenfels Interviews an Oneida Indian and Forwards the Result to Governor Clinton.

Fort Schuyler, 9th Decembr. 1780.

Sir, The Sixth instant, two Onidas, three women, and two Children the Family of Jacob Reed, arrived here, under the Sanction of a Flagg from Niagara, he answered to the inclosed interrogations, which I have the honor to transmitt and judge it

proper to send said Jacob to the Comissioners of Conspiracy's for their further Examination and intelligence.

I dont know, what Confidence can be placed, in an Indien, but am sure to view Circumstances and things on both sides, is verry Propre, as it will ennable us to steer clear of difficulties, and prevent a sanguine mind, from a Lethargic Frame.

This important Post, is verry indifferently supplied; to bear the loss of one single Convoy of Provisions, especially Flower; hoever, I hope this will not be the Case. I conceive it my Duty to send for as much Corn as I possieble can, keeping an exact account, and destroy the rest, having but four Sleighs to make use of. Your Exellency will permitt me to repeat the account, that my men are verry naked. I can hardly muster 20 fitt to go on the Corn Expedition. I have the honor, with the greatest respect to be your Exellency's most obiedient most humble Serv't

His Exellency Governor Clinton.

Fred: Weissenfels.

Interrogations by Lieut. Colo. Command't Weissenfels, to Jacob Reed, an Onida who Returned from Niagary with his wife and Children, his two sisters, and his Cousin; arrived at Fort Schuylar, December 6th 1780:

Q 1st. When did you Leave Niagara? A. The 12th of November.

Q 2nd. What Detained you so Long by the way? A. I came in a Canoe and was Oblidged to stop frequently to procure provision by hunting.

Q 3d. What ware your Intentions when you Left Niagary with your family? A. To Live and die with my Brothers, and my Country.

Q 4th. Who was with you when you came away? and Children, two Sisters, and my Cousin.

A. My wife

Q 5th. When you went away from Onida how many of your Nation went with you? A. I believe about twenty warriors.

Q 6th. What is become of them? A. One was killed, I heard with Sir John, and five with myself are Returned.

Q 7th. Who persuaded the Onida Nation to forsake their Country and joine the Enemy? A. Captain Brant, Peter and Schonada.

Q 8th. Can you Inform what force is in Niagary? A. Four hundred Tories, and Sixty Brittish, Commanded by a Captain. Q 9th. How many Indians? A. I believe 1200, weoman and Children Included.

Q 10th. Who Commanded the Tories? A. Colonel Butler. Q 11th. Who Commands the Indians? A. Colonel Guy Johnson and Brant.

Q 12th. Are the Brittish Troops and Tories all in the Fort? A. The Brittish only; the Tories are the other side the River in Barracks.

Q 13th. Where are the Indians? A. Round about the Fort, Except some Senacees, who have Returned to their Settlement, not Destroyed by Genl. Sullivan's army.

Q 14th. Were there any scouting parties out when you came away? A. Three parties of Senacees, Tuscaroras, and Mohawks. Q 15th. Do you know their Route? A. Not Exactly but to wards the Mohawk River.

Q 16th. How Long had been out when you Left Niagary? A. About 10 Days.

Q 17th. Did you hear of any parties Comeing out this winter? A. All the six Nations mean to Come out when the snow will

bear them and Lay at Onida where there is Corn and by parties. mean to Intercept the provisions sent up to Fort Schuylar.

Q. 18th. How strong in warriors? A. Between five and Six hundred.

Q 19th. Are the six Nations well provided? A. Well in every sense of the word.

Q 20th. Did you find the Corn standing at Onida? A. All in good order except the white Corn.

Q 21st. What vessels of force are there at Niagary? A. One sixteen gun frigate and three small Sloops.

Q 22nd. What is become of the prisoners Lately taken at Stone Rabia, Tryon County? A. They were sent away with Capt. Powers, to Bucks Island and it is said are Cast away, as Drums, hen Coops, Tables, &c. are dailey Cast on Shore on the Lake.

Q 23d. Have the Six Nations heard of the French Aliance and their Troops and Ships at Rhode Island? A. But very Superficial, as they wish to know the truth.

Q 24th. What Expectation had Sir John, Brant, and Butler, in this Last Execution? A. It was said that they meant to Destroy Schanectady which will now take them another Campaign.

His Exellency Governor Clinton.

[Nos. 3420, 3421.]

John Tayler Recommends John N. Bleecker as the Successor of John Welles, Commissioner of Accounts, Deceased.

Dear Sir, The death of John Welles, Esqr, one of the Commissioners of Accounts has left a vacancy in that office. I Inclose a Letter from John N. Bleecker, Esqr., of this city who