[No. 3067.]

Lewis R. Morris, M. B.

[No. 3068-3069-3070.]

Colonel Hopkins Writes to Governor Clinton of the Levies and Includes a Communication Touching on Militia Draft Certificates -Governor Clinton's Reply.

Amenia, July 12th, 1780.

Sir, In Obedience to Brigade Orders of the 30th ult. I now return to your Excellency the number of Casses in my regiment for raising the present Levies for three months; the number is Sixty two; the men are to be Delivered the 14th Instant at Major Cook's & the 15th at Capt. Roger Sutherland's to such Officer as your Excellcey shall appoint. I am, Sir, your most obedient Hum. Serv't,

His Excellency Gov'r Clinton.

Roswell Hopkins, Colo.

May it Please your Excellency, We, the Subscribers, beg leave to inform your Excellency that Difficultys have arose in this · Regiment respecting Exemption from Militia Drafts Certificates which have been transferred for a valuable Consideration by the procurer to another Person-that is whether the Purchaser of such Certificate is by act of the Legislature, Pass'd the 25th of March 1778, for Exempting persons from Drafts are as much exempted from Militia Duty as the first Procurers would be in case he had not transfer'd it. There being several such Instances in the Regiments and different Opinions in the Matter which is likely to produce uneasiness, and we being Inform'd that it has been the Practice in other Regiments to exempt the Purchasers of such Certificates. There is James Hildreth & Lemuel Brush--under this predicament the men that they purchas'd of, have done duty in this regiment ever since they transfer'd their Certificates to the present Holders. As their appears to be no fraud or collusion respecting the said James Hildreth and

Brush, we pray your Excellency's advice and Direction respecting such purchas'd Certificates which will oblige your Excellency's Most Obedient Humble Servants

Roswell Hopkins, Colo.

William Barker, Lt. Colo.

Brinton Paine, Major.

Amenia, July 12 1780.

Eben. Husted, Maj'r.

His Excellency Gov'r Clinton.

thes may sartify that I am knoing to the truth of what is in the above, as I then Commanded the Ridgment & am knoing to theas 2 men menched dus now due duty in the Ridgment.

David Sutherland.

Poukeepsie 13th July 1780.

Sir, I am this Moment favoured with your two Letters of equal Date. His Excellency Genl. Washington in Consideration of the Busy Season of the year & other Reasons has prolonged the Day for the Levies to rendevous at Fishkill till 25th Instant. This I notified Brig'r Genl. Swartwoudt of by after Orders which I concluded he had issued to his Brigade. I will send an Officer to receive & take Charge of your men in Season to march them to the Place of Rendevous. This Delay I flatter myself will be agreable as they may be employed in gathering in the Harvests & it will afford them Time fully to prepare & provide themselves for the Campaign which is the more necessary as they are not to be relieved.

I wish it was in my Power to relieve Mr. Brush & Hildridge as I believe they meant to act honestly & uprightly; but it is not as they have not proceeded agreeable to Law and none but such

are exempted neither am I vested with any Discretionary Power of determining in such Cases. I have explained myself more fully to Mr. Brush & am, Sir, your &c.

[To Colonel Hopkins.]

[No. 3071.]

[G. C.]

Colonel Van Ness' Letter with the Number of Levies to be Raised in His Regiment.

Claverack District, July 13th 1780. Sir, In pursuance of your Excellency's General orders of the 24th Ulto. I take the liberty to inform your Excellency that the Field officers of my Regiment have divided the same into Classes agreeable to law and that the number of men to be raised out of the same amounts to forty, who are directed to be prepared to march to the place of rendezvous on Tuesday next. I have the honor to be, your Excellency's most obed't h'ble serv't,

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

Peter Van Ness.

[No. 3072.]

REPORTED ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH FLEET. Washington's Appeal for the Employment of "All Our Zeal and All

Our Exertions."

In Committee of Congress

Preakness, State of New Jersey July 13 1780.

Sir, We do ourselves the honor to enclose your Excellency copy of a letter of this date, from the Commander in Chief. You sir, are so fully impressed with the necessity of improving every moment to promote the great object of the present Campaign,

it will be needless to aduce any arguments, in support of the sentiments contained in the general's letter. Permit us only to observe that in proportion, as any state is deficient in the number of men and quantum of supplies for the army, our prospect of success will be diminished, and should unhappily your state rely that the exertions of other states, will be Competent to the business and the same opinion entertained by others, it is evident that disgrace and ruin must be the portion of this Country. Persuaded that your feelings will revolt at the mere Idea, we rely with Confidence, that not a moment's time will be lost, in fulfilling the engagements of your state, and in a perfect Compliance with the requisitions of this Committee, as specified in former applications for any extra supplies or services.

Your Excellency will not conclude us too importunate in the repeated reiterations on this important subject, as we are convinced that the occasion will justify us in this address. We have the honor to be, with great respect & Esteem, your Excellency's most Obt. H'ble serv'ts

His Excellency, George Clinton, Esqr.

Ph: Schuyler,

Nath'l Peabody

Head Quarters 13th July 1780.

Gentlemen, We have received intelligence, through different channels from New-York, that the Gaudaloupe had arrived there on Sunday morning, and brought an account that she had fallen in with a large French fleet,* consisting of several sail of the

From headquarters, under date of July 15, 1780, Washington transmitted joined plan to Lafayette:

the sub

The Marquis de Lafayette will be pleased to communicate the following general ideas to Count de Rochambeau and Chevalier de Ternay, as the sentiments of the

underwritten.

1. In any operation, and under all circumstances, a decisive naval superiority is to be