There is still both beef and flour due on last year's assessment, and altho it has been said that all has been collected except from those who were assessed, and had none, yet, I certainly know that this is not the case. Colo. Hay, I think, should come up after leaving directions to forward all from below that can be procured there, esspecially beef. Only ten of the nine months men are arrived here; the inhabitants who had reassumed courage on the assurances which were given that troops would be sent up, are actually desponding and now begin rapidly to move. I even begin to think it far from eligible to remain here any longer myself, or to leave my servants here, I will, however, not move any thing but my best furniture, until towards the 20th of the month, and if by that time no assistance arrives I shall totally abandon this place. I learn that the French troops are to march to the North river; if so General Washington may perhaps spare the remainder of our state line and some additional troops; should that be his intention, and your Excellency advised of it, let me intreat you to give me the earliest notive of it, that I may make the proper use of it amongst the inhabitants. I am, Dear Sir, with great esteem, your Excellency's most obedient Servant Ph: Schuyler. His Excellency Governor Clinton &c. [No. 3692.] General Clinton Convinced the Troops Will Abandon the FrontierTories Flocking Northward. Albany, May 5th 1781. Dear Sir, I enclose a Letter to His Excellency, Genl. Wash ington, which I have left open for your Perusal, and request you to seal and send it on with any thing else you may think proper to add on the alarming Subject. From the present appearance, I am convinced the Troops will abandon the Frontier; it is absurd to suppose they can, or will exist, under their present Circumstances. However, let what may be the Consequences, I have nothing to reproach myself with; I have repeatedly call'd for assistance from every Quarter, but could obtain none. Lush informs me that he has collected all the assessed wheat, but can procure none agreeably to the late Law pass'd for that purpose; he has written Mr. Stoutenburgh on the occasion. I also send you a Copy of an Information left with me by Mr. Fish, which I have reason to depend on, as the disafected Persons are flocking to the northern Frontiers. I have been obliged to detain the Flag for a variety of Reasons, notwithstanding, the importunate Solicitation of Doctor Smith, and those nominated in the Flag. No less than four Packets from the Enemy have gon thro' this Town during the last winter. I am, Dear Sir, yours affectionately James Clinton. Gov'r Clinton. FISH'S STATEMENT. Agreeable to orders, I have been to the Frontier the Day after my arrival (which was the 29th Apl.) I was called on to see and consult with a Mr. Thomas Sherwood, and a John Stout on the 30th that Day arroved from the Shiping at Crown Point; no Packet was expected, but on a plan to seduce the Inhabitants to run into Canada and get inteligence; a part sent into the Scotch Patent this Party landed in South Bay. I learn'd from them there was another party gon into Palmer Town. I further understand by the Inhabitants that there is a large number of the Soldiers at Saratoga, waiting to know when there is a party down, and will mutiny and go off, or privately slip to them; and likewise that the Grants are ready to garrison Fort Edward and Skeensborough, as soon as the Representatives of these revolted Districts meet to form the union which will be Tuesday the 8th May 1781. That Corpl. Schrim, Mecher, Gordonein, Stouten, and one whose name is not known, who were sent on a Scout last March to Lake George & South Bay, took a party of the Enemy with a Packet, but were prevailed on to liberate them with the Packet, by a Guinea each and two silk Handkerchiefs. [No. 3693.] Colonel Morris Graham's Levies. De'r Sir, The number of men Clased on my Regement for the nine months, is 50, thirty of which will be musterd on Monday next; they will march immediate on being mustered; the others will march off on Thirsday next; the great scarsity of money with the inhabitants has bin the principle Reason for my not Complying with the general orders sooner. I am, with great Esteam your Excellency's most obed't Humb. Serv't Gov'r Clinton. [No. 3694.] Morris Graham, Col. Paul Johnson Declines Service in the Levies, but is Ordered to Temporary Duty as a Militia Officer by the Governor. To his Exelency George Clinton, Esqr. Governer &c. S'r, I am informed by Colo. Hopkins that your Exelency, together with the Honourable Council of Appointment, have seen fit to appoint me to serve in the new raised Levies this present Campaign, agreable to a Recomendation from Colo. Hopkins. Every favour of this Nature lays me under fresh obligations, but I must confess, that I think Colo. did not consult my Intrest when he wrote to your Exelency in favour of me, for although he is a Neighbour of mine, he did not so much as let me know any thing less or more, untill after he had returned my name to your Exelency, and in consequence of this way of proceeding I am laid under the disagreeable nesesity to desier the appointment may be reconsidered, as my Circumstances will not admit of my leaveing my family, for I expect that I shall be laid under the nesity to seek some place for Shelter in a few days for my self and Family, as I am at the mercy of a Landlord at present dureing pleasure. I, therefor, take the earliest opportunity to acquaint your Exelency of my Circumstances and desier that I may be excused from this Tower of duty. I am exceeding sorry it is out of my power to serve the publick at this time, as it is always my delight to be in the service. I can asure your exelency that it is not Rank or any thing of that nature that I have to dispute, it is intierly my disagreeable circumstanes. I am, S'r, your Exelency's most obedient and most Humble Servent. Amenia May 5 1781. Paul Johnson. Poughkeepsie, May 5th 1781. Sir, The Council were lead to believe that Colo. Hopkins had consulted you before he recommended you as an officer for the levies & they were moved to make the appointm't in consequence of his Recommendation, & with a view of promoting the service. However, if your situation renders it so inconvenient for you to engage in the service as you represent, you must be excused. At the same Time as an officer is wanted to collect the Levies from Colo. Hopkins' Regt. & march them to the Place of Rendezvous I must request, you, (as a militia officer) to execute this Business & them you will be at liberty to return home. I am &c. Mr. Paul Johnson. G. C. [No. 3695.] Orders to Lieutenant Hendricks. H'd Quarters, Poughkeepsie May 6th 1781. Lieut. Hendricks will act as a Lieut. in Colo. Willet's Regt. of Levies, and collect & receive the Levies from the Manor Regt. and immediately march them to the Place of Rendezvous at Albany; he will accept of none but able bodied men fit for active service & who are armed & equipped accord'g to Law. Deserters from the British army are to be rejected. [No. 3696.] Judge Robert Yates Asks for a Respite for Lampman, Convicted of Carrying Counterfeit Money. Albany May 6th 1781. Sir, Wilhelmus Lampman was last April term, tryed and convicted for bringing from Long Island 700 Dollars of couterfiet paper money knowingly, and his execution ordered on the thirty first instant. The proof against him arose from his confession made at different times. From this it appeared he was an Inhab't [of] ....ackie, [Coxsackie ?] who in the year 1777, joined the enemy while they were in Hudson's river, and remained with |