ported them to General Wayne, still keeping them in their own hands. This conduct, instead of shutting the door to negotiation with the Enemy, seems to carry a threat, that if we do not comply with their terms, they know from what quarter, they can obtain protection and redress.

Previous to the receipt of this last intelligence, I had ordered a Detachment to be in readiness to march from the Troops in this Vicinity, which is still held under marching Orders. But I am extremely embarrassed, and waiting with the utmost anxiety for further advises. Under these circumstances, I need not enumerate my choice of difficulties from every quarter, among which, the perplexities arising on the score of Provision, are not the most inconsiderable.

Should it become absolutely necessary for the Detachment to march, the garrison of West Point, you must be sensible, will be left in a very weak situation. I wish, therefore, to be informed by your Excellency, whether any force of Militia could be thrown into the garrison; in what time it could be done upon such an emergency, and what numbers might be depended upon. I should be much obliged by having your answer as soon as is convenient. I have the honor to be, With great esteem & respect your Excellency's most Obed't Humble Servant

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

Go. Washington.

Pokeepsie, 15th Jan'y 1781.

Dear Sir, I am unhappy to learn by your Excellency's Letter of the 13th which came to Hand late yesterday Evening, that the Accounts from the Pensylvania Line are not so favorable as they had been first represented.

I have not for some considerable Time had occasion to call upon the Militia most contiguous to the Posts in the Highlands; I may, therefore, be deceived with Respect to their present Temper & Disposition; but judging from their former alacrity I am lead to believe we shall be able to throw into the Garrisson upwards of one thousand Men in the Course of three or four Days, some of them may reach West Point\the same Day they have notice to march, & the greater Part the next. This, however, is on a Presumption that the Time for which they may be wanted will be so short as to render the Preparations which it might be proper for them to make were they to continue any considerable Time in service unnecessary. Some of the Officers of most authority & Influence are attending the Legislature at Albany & shoud it be determined to call out any Part of the Militia on the present Emergency, I wish to be informed of it as early as convenient as their absence will render my personal attention to the Business necessary. I begg leave to inform your Excellency that I do not propose setting out for Albany before the Middle of next Week. I am, with Sentiments

[G. C.]

To General Washington.]

[No. 3489.]

Judge Yates' Letter, Relating to the Appropriation of Continental Cattle by One Hasbrouck.

Albany January 13th 1781.

Sir, I do myself the honor of enclosing copies of examinations* taken at Kingston of two persons who were attainded of Felony. By these it appears that Cornelius Haasbrook, Jun'r,,

* Depositions omitted.-STATE HISTORIAN.

has received, & also advised to be taken, a number of Conti nental cattle, and altho's he is punished as an accessory before the fact to the felony, yet the public may require of him a restitution of the Cattle, or the payment of the value thereof. It is from this Consideration, that I lay before your Excellency these facts, that Congress may upon your Excellency's repre sentation, appoint pursuant to a law of this State a procurator or attorney, for the purpose of commencing suits ag't him. I am with the greatest esteem your Excellency's most obed't and humb'e Ser.

Robert Yates.

P. S. In addition to his purgation the court have ordered Haasbrook a confinem't of two months, from the 3d Instant. His Excellency George Clinton Esqr.

[No. 3490.]

The Petitions of William Hutton and of William Bell.

To his Exellency the governor in Chif.

Honred Sir, I take this opertunity to let you know how I and others is used, by, I kno not whom, or for what, but I being a human Cretur I must feel and Cry tirany, tirany; as I am unhumenly Confined for not perjuring my self, Contrary to all laws human or Devin. I would ask the legslator if evr thy seed the lik patronised in Arestotel or Cato or Sineka or any of the anshents or the hathens. I need not ask for won Instance of the lik in the Cristan world; no whear shall we look for an instance of the lik Crueltys as this land groans under; it must

great and good allys and the pop and his herarechy

ir and fether ordor; I am surprised that we have

been so active scolars of that mistry of iniquty that Cris in Corners, with ther iniqusions and puting peopl to the rack for the surmises of man or men; this is such apriltis as I as a Cristian heas solmly sworn against long ago, and as a subject of Great Britan of leat, sir, I am willing to submit to moral govrment, if I comit any moral transgresion, and I will not submit my Conshence to any man or men, for I have been confined theas six months by the tirany of a Court mershel, and now by the arbtry pleasur of men called Comishionars, I lead a petiton befor your honor, which you refired mee to the Judges, but I could find no man to do me Justis, but hear, I find anof to opress mee into it, as the coman father of the contry; honred, sir, this is not the Keeas of mee alon, ther is severals that hear grons undr the seam opresion. If pesebal living be had, I have long begod for, and would beg that I may be honeribly sent out of the contry, as my famely will sun be in such a kes as canot be moved in an ordinary way, and is now in a pittifull and destitut situasion, being drove from their dewelling, and now but sikly women and small children, the oldest boy being but ten years old. Sir, your Judgment on the whol will gretly obledg your humbl surveant and Innossant sufferor.

William Hutton.

Citty hall, Genwary 15, 1781.

N. B. honored, sir, my particqular cas is, I have been thes five months confined and can have no hearing by no means. I have sinc been robed of allmost evry thing, even the shift of my wiffs back. I humbly beg to be sent honorably out of the Contry with my famely or have a peasobl living in it giving moral secqurity that I will do you no harm; your honors Con

sidrasion and a Delivranc from a dolfull geol will greatly obledg

your humbl suplicants and sufferors.

Citty hall, Genwary 15 1781.

William Bell.

[No. 3491.]

Charlotte Precinct's Tory Assessment.

Dutchchess County.

As assesment of the Estates of such Parsons in Charlottee Precint whose sons have gone of to and joined the Enemy Pursuant to an act of the Legislature of the State of New York. passed the Ninth of October A D 1780.