could find it convenient to see you here on that Day. In the meantime I must request you to give every Encouragement in your Power in the Promotion of this Service. I am &c.

Major McKinstry.

G. C.

P. S. I do not apprehend that many of the reduced Officers will offer themselves for this Service. I am extremely anxious that the men be recruited without Delay, & beg you will use every Exertion for this Purpose.

[No. 3636.]

GRAVE CHARGE AGAINST ETHAN ALLEN. Accused of Entering Into Correspondence with the Enemy-Governor Clinton and Colonel Paine's Letters.

Stillwarter, April 16 Day 1781.

Dear Gov'r, On my Return home from Albany, I found a general Disatisfaction in the minds of your subjects on the east side of the River, which I find was ocasioned by Mr. Allen's spending several Days in the Difarant Districts, perswading and Deluding the people; a number of the Inhabitance of Cambridge, I ware Informd had send a petition to state of Vermont as they call it for Protection, which on my ariving at that place I found too true, but after spending some time their, I flatter myself I had such influence that I have Reason to believe they will Raise their men for the present campain; from the above place, I went to White Creek and alltho the above gentealman had been to Doctor Williams for three or four Days at a time, yet I found the people Determined to Raise their men; we clast the Regt. and some had ingaged before I left the place.

But alass, Sir, the great Distress is the want of provision; the Troops have left Fort Edward and would-have left the Barricks if I had not let them have a Barrel of meat out of my family store; the Reason why provision is not sent to these posts we know not; the Inhabitance are moving off every Day, notwithstanding every argement is used to keep them on their farms.

While I was at White Creek the Commisioners ware informd

that Genll. Allen had Rec'd letters from the enemy' ́ at New York, the inclosd is some confirmation of the matter.

We heard that the Enemy had got to Crown Point some Days ago but I beleve it is not so; if Provision should be sent heir their must be some fortification built Immediatly; we hope to have your Direction as soone as possible in the matter. Genl. Schuyler has given a warrant to Capt. Wright to Raise a Company for three years, and we hear has returnd the name of a man for Capt. which the solders hear will not go under; they have agreed to go under Capt. Holtom Dunham, who is as good a Capt. as any in Col. Van Vacter's Regt. The surcomstance of my Family is such that it is impossable for me to go in the services this campain. I shall, theirfore, expect to be excusd; the Levis from the four north Regts. in Albany County and my Regt. will make two good companys; the other officers will be returnd as soone as possable.

Before I subscribe this Letter I must once more mention the afair of Vermont; their is many in these Parts that was your frinds, that was sorry when they heard you was against Relinkquishing the jurisdiction of this state over that tract of land, but they begin to alter their minds, and I make no Doubt, will do very thing in their power to Defend this state, provided, provisions are sent in time for the troops heair.

It gives the greatest uneasiness to the people heir, to see large Quantities of flower at Mr. Palmer's mills in this place, and our garrisons breaking up for want; and now the flower is to go down to Albany, which indicates to us that their is to be none sent up to our guards above. I shall wish for a line from you. I am, your Excellency's Most Obediant most Humble Servent Brinton Paine.

His Excellency, George Clinton, Esqr.

Coll. Warner Inform'd me about the begining of March last that in consequence of his being inform'd of General Allen's receiving Letters from the Enemy, that he went to said Allen, and upon mentioning the Matter, Allen denyed that he had received any Letters, but on close examination, he confessed of having rece'd' two Letters, one of which he burnt, and the other, he delivered to the Council when sitting, in Arlington, and that Coll. Warner Inform'd me one of the Letters was from Beverly Robi[n]son, in New York.

White Creek April 12" 1781.

John Williams.

Pokeepsie 27th April 1781.

Dear Sir, Your Favour of the 15th [16th] Instant was delivered me yesterday by Genl. Ten Broeck. I am unhappy that your Private Concerns are such as not to admit of your taking a commission this Campaign, as I had placed Dependence upon your Services. I am sensible you have suffered much & I shall not, therefore, insist upon it, especially as I am perswaded, you will be much wanted at the Head of your own Regt. God only knows how we shall be supplied with Provision; with you, I am

apprehensive of the Evil Effects the Want of it may have on the Minds of the People as well as the real Injury it will be to

the service.

Dunham is appointed a Capt. in the Levies & his Commission will be forwarded to him as soon as the Sec'y can make it out. I wish you to apprize the People in your Quarter of the fatal Consequences that must result to them should they swerve from their allegiance by encouraging & uniting with the People of the Grants. I inclose a short Letter addressed to you on this Subject only of which you will make the proper use. I am, D'r Sir, with great Regard your most Obed't Serv't

[G. C.]

[To Colonel Brinton Paine.]

[No. 3637.]

Governor Trumbull Notified that Depredators from Connecticut Plunder Long Islanders.

Pokeepsie 16th April 1781.

Sir, It has been lately represented to me that several of the Inhabitants of Suffolk County whose attachment to the Cause of America is indisputable, have been divested of their Property by Parties acting under Commission from your State. While I entertain too high an Oppinion of the Justice of your Excellency & Council to believe that these Enormities are warranted by the Instructions under which these Parties act, I have the fullest Confidence that Restitution of the Property will be ordered to the Individuals who have suffered & whose Conduct has evinced an affection to the Cause of their Country. I am sensible, Sir, that the most vigorous measures are necessary to prevent all Intercourse and Trade with the Enemy, & I shall

chearfully acquiesce in any that may be necessary for this Purpose, & at the same Time affords Security to our Friends against abuses, which may tend to alienate their affections & give Strenghth to the Common Enemy. I have the Honor to be & [G. C.]

His Excellency Gov'r Trumbull.

[No. 3638.]

Governor Clinton Disapproves General Van Rensselaer's Plan to Attempt a General Round-up of Depredators.

Claverack, 16th April 1781.

Sir, Inclosed I send you two Letters from Mrs. Goes,* the one directed to his Excellency the other to me, by which you will see her request respecting her Daughter & the Effects of her deceased Husband. It is needless for me to second her application as I am sensible his Excellency will do every thing in his power to releive the afflicted when consistant with the duty he owes his country.

Robberies have been frequent in this part of the Country during last week; have done every thing in my power to apprehend the villans. Colls. Van Ness's & Van Rensselaer's Regiments have been out and scowed the whole Country between this & Dutches County; several persons have been taken upon Suspecion of being concerned but fear we shall be deficient in proof; one among them is Wilhelmus Lampman, from Lonenburgh, who says he joined the Enemy in 1777; that he left Long Island the 7th Inst. with a Design to Surrender himself; with him were found 700 False Continental Dollars; he says he parted with 320 upon the Road from New Haven to this place;

See documents 3630-3631, page 767.