Fay & several other of their Leaders in a number of Sleighs, set out with a Flagg for Canada this Winter but were prevented by the Badness of the Ice from proceeding. They openly deny the Authority of Congress & avow their Right of making a separate Peace. The Enemy last Fall, under Carlton passed by their Settlements near the Lake which were most accessable & destroyed ours on the Bank of Hudson's River. I most sincerely wish for a speedy Decission of our Controversy with these People. I shoud be happy if it might be a just and Honorable one for the State, but I am perswaded at the same that any Decission that can be made, not extend'g their original Claim, will be preferrable to Delay. They now daily gain Strength at our Expence & while the matter hangs in Suspence, it excites Divisions on the Subject among ourselves, which I am apprehensive will have an unhappy Influence on our public affairs.

The Legislature have granted a Credit on the Treasury in Favour of each of their Delegates to the amount of £300, but I am sorry to inform you that there is not one farthing in it, nor is there the most remote prospect of its being in a better Condition, until the new money intended to be emitted by the State is brought into Circulation. They have not appointed any additional Delegates.

The Chancellor, I am informed does not intend to give his attendance at Congress. Mr. L'Homedieu has been with the Legislature ever since the 1st of January & I cannot learn that Genl. Scott has it in Contemplation to return to Philadelphia, hat I have little prospect of relieving you, tho I am perve a just Claim to a Respite or of the Representa

being continued until the next meet'g of the

s appointed by their adjournm't on the first

Wednesday in June next & the appointm't of some additional

members. I am &c.

[To James Duane.]

[No. 3620.]

[G. C.]

Colone! Udny Hay Files His Returns with an Apology.

Poughkeepsie, 6th April 1781.

Sir, Enclosed I have the Honour to transmit your Excellency returns of Provisions, short Forage and Hay up to the first of Jan. which, as I had it in my power, I acknowledge ought to have been sent you before now, and must request your forgiveness of the neglect, as it arose entirely from my having delivered to the Legislature in Albany, during your absence from thence, those returns which were designed for your Excellency's perusal. I have rec'd since that time, returns from only very few of the assistants, but from those I have rec'd and other informal information, am well convinced, but very little has been collected since; as, however, the new law respecting wheat and flour has been begun to be putt in execution, and as I have as forcibly as in my power enjoined the execution thereof, as far as depends on those I am connected with, I am in hopes that the returns up to the first of May (which I shall insist on being transmitted me as early in that month as possible) will be very considerable, of which your Excellency may rely on having the earliest notice in my power to give.

If there is any farther intelligence respecting the business of the Agency which you would wish to be acquainted with, I shall be happy in communicating it, either verbally or in writing, as you may think best, being with every sentiment of respect, Your Excellency's most obedient and very humble Ser't,

Udny Hay.

Governour Clinton.

General Return of Provisions &c. Purchased and Delivered, under the Direction of Udny Hay Agent for the State of New York, from Aug't to 31" December 1780, Inclusive.

Barrels

Cwts. Qrs.

lbs. Cwts. Qrs. lbs. Bushels Number Pounds Barrels Bags Cwts. Qre. lbs. Cwts. Qrs.

lbs. Number Pounds

General Return of Hay Purchased and Delivered, under the

Direction of Udny Hay, Agent for the State of New York, from Aug't to 31st Dec'r 1780, Inclusive.

Congress Issues Instructions to Privateers.

By the UNITED STATES In Congress Assembled, April 7, 1781.

BE it ordained, and it is hereby ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, that the following Instructions be observed by the Captains or Commanders of private armed vessels, commissioned by letters of marque or general reprisals, or otherwise by the authority of the United States in Congress assembled.

First. You may by force of arms attack, subdue, and seize all ships, vessels, and goods, belonging to the king or crown of Great-Britain, or to his subjects, or others inhabiting within any of the territories or possessions of the aforesaid king of GreatBritain, on the high seas, or between high-water and low-water marks. And you may also annoy the enemy by all means in your power, by land as well as by water, taking care not to infringe or violate the laws of nations, or laws of neutrality.

Second. You are to pay a sacred regard to the rights of neutral powers; and the usage and customs of civilized nations; and on no pretence whatever, presume to take or seize any ships or vessels belonging to the subjects of princes or powers in alliance with these United States; except they are employed in carrying contraband goods or soldiers to our enemies; and in such case you are to conform to the stipulations contained in the treaties subsisting between such princes or powers, and these states: And you are not to capture, seize or plunder any ships or vessels of our enemies, being under the protection of neutral coasts, nations or princes, under the pains and penalties expressed in a proclamation issued by the Congress of the United States, the ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight. Third. You shall permit all neutral vessels freely to navigate on the high-seas, or coasts of America, except such as are employed in carrying contraband goods or sol

diers to the enemies of these United States.

Fourth.

You shall not seize or capture any effects belonging to the subjects of the belligerent powers on board neutral vessels, excepting contraband goods; and you are carefully to observe, that the term contraband is confined to those articles which are expressly declared to be such in the treaty of amity and commerce, of the sixty day of February, One thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, between these United States and his most Christian Majesty, namely: arms, great guns, bombs with their fuses and other things belonging to them, cannon-balls, gun-powder, matches, pikes, swords, lances, spears, halberts, morters, petards, grenadoes, salt-petre, muskets, musket-ball, bucklers, helmets, breast-plates, coats of mail, and the like kind of arms, proper for arming soldiers, musket-rests, belts, horses with their furniture, and all other warlike

instruments whatever.

Fifth, You shall bring all such ships and vessels as you shall seize or capture, with their guns, rigging, tackle, apparel and furniture, and lagings, to judgment in any of