GOVERNOR CLINTON'S REPLY. Sir, I have rec'd your letter of the 21st by Mr. Watson. I would wish with all my Heart to effect his Exchange, but I cannot consistently consent to give Mr. Taller in exchange for him while Capt. Townsend & several other of our Citizens who were taken long before him, remain Prisoners in close confinement with the Enemy, and especially as I have reason to think Mr. Teller's Importance with the Enemy equals that of Mr. Townsends with us. Mr. Watson's loss of his Horse & Time is undoubtedly a great Hardship for which the Public ought to compensate him. [No. 3838.] Major John McKinstry Seizes Cattle from a Suspected Speculator and so Reports to Governor Clinton-The Governor's Reply. Saratoga, July 22d 1781. Sir, We have yesterday made seizure of Ten Head Cattle & Thirty Four Sheep which were purchased in & about Still Water & were driving out of the State. The person pretends he purchased them for Capt. Williams who is Imployed by the French Agent, but has no written Instructions from the Agent or from Capt. Williams, if he had both I Should Esteme the Cattle forfeit unless he had your permission to purchase within the State. The Cattle & Sheep are a very seasonable supply for this Garrison, who have not had a pound of fresh beef these five weeks, but what has been taken from the Inhabitants of this Vicinity by impress. The person I suppose to be no other than one of those speculators who have given us so much trouble & have so much inhanced the price of provisions, & can be considered in no other light than a flagrant violator of our Laws--he is gone from here I suppose with a determination to apply to you for an order to regain his property. I am under no apprehension from that, as I am Convinced you will not knowingly suffer the Laws to be violated with impunity. I could wish to have your Instructions Respecting this matter as speedily as possible. I am with much Respect Your Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servant John McKinstry. P. S. I should be glad to hear if there be anything done for the further incouragement of the 3 Year's men-if a small sum of money was granted in lieu of Part of the Land the men would be recruited Immediately or only the Bounty, which must be given to raise 3 Month men in addition to the present Incouragement the men would be raised. Governor Clinton. GOVERNOR CLINTON'S REPLY. J. McK Poughkeepsie, July 26th 1781. Sir, I have rec'd your letter of the 22d Inst and a few minutes after the Person from whom you seized the Cattle & Sheep waited on me with a Letter from Colo. Wadsworth (a Copy of which is enclosed). I think it my duty to inform you that, however necess'y it may be to impress Provisions for the use of the Army, there is no law prohibiting the purchasing & removing of Cattle within this State, and that the Instructions accompanying my impress Warrants forbid the taking any which shall appear to be procured for the use of the French Army & Navy. I think at the same time the Conduct of the Person (from whom you seized the Cattle) in going to so remote a part of the State without proper written authority & where our own Troops were distressed for subsistance justified a suspicion that he intended them for some improper use, but it now appears that this is not the Case. I am sorry to hear of the Enemy's having a vessel on Lake George. It undoubtedly forebodes an intention of making Incursions into the Country; which I must recommend to you to guard ag't. by every means in your Power. The Legislature rose without making any further Provision for recruiting the 3 years Levies. From the Returns I have received it appears only seven men were actually recruited & mustered which is very discouraging. I am [No. 3839.] Lieutenant Penderson Ordered to Fishkill to Receive Levies. Gen'l Orders, Pokeepsie, 23d July 1781. Lieut John Penderson will attend at Fishkill immediately & assist in receiving the Levies there. On his arrival he will apply to the Officer there for Directions. [No. 3840.] Governor Clinton Assures Robert Morris that New York will Yield Compliance with the Requisitions of Congress Equal to Her Abilities and Resources. Poughkeepsie, July 23rd, 1781. Sir, I have had the honor of receiving your Letter of the 6th Inst previous to which, in June last, I had convened the Legislature of this State principally with a View of afford'g them an opportunity of making such further Provision as might be conceived necessary for yielding the most perfect Compliance with the Requisitions of Congress. How far the Measures they have adopted will effect this Purpose I am not able, owing to the peculiarly distressed situation of the State, to determine with precision, but I can venture to assure you, Sir, that they are fully equal to the Abilities & Resources of the State & that the strictest attention will be paid in carrying them into execution. Mr. L'hommedieu who is a Member of our Assembly now on his way to Congress, will deliver you this and be able to give you more particular Information on this subject. I am &c &c. The hon'ble Rob't Morris, Esqr. Superintendent of Finance. [No. 3841.] Colonel James Bruyn Congratulates the Governor on Colonel Willet's Victory. Kingston, July 23rd 1781. Dr Sir, Though I could not but regret the loss and unhappy fate of the two worthy Officers, Elsworth and McKean, a few days since I was made happy by the Account which Colo. Willett brought to Albany of an Action he had with a superior Number of the Enemy in which the latter were pretty severely handled; it is said their Loss consisted of not less than 90 killed and wounded, when that of ours was only 5 killed and a few wounded; the Success of this Engagement will no doubt be attended with great good Consequences and I congratulate your Excellency upon the Occasion. As I am informed of your Intentions to visit the Army, down towards New York* in the beginning of next Month and having Diary of a French officer from June 14 to August 24, 1781, presumed to be that of Baron Cromot du Bourg, aide to Rochambeau. From Providence to King's Ferry. June 14-I left (Boston) in the evening for Providence, and slept at Dhedem (Dedham) where I found the reinforcement of seven hundred men which came by the convoy, and were on their way to join the army; for want of a bed I settled myself on a chair. been anxious myself to see it since my return from Long Island, I should be happy in the Honor of escorting you provided your Excellency has not already a sufficient number of Company engaged to attend you. I am, Dr Sir, with the greatest Esteem and Respect Your Most Obedient and Humble Serv't His Excell'y Geo. Clinton. June 15-I left at four o'clock in the morning for Providence, where I arrived at eleven. There I found the army encamped, as I have stated, since the eleventh. Providence is a pretty enough little town, quite a business place before the war; there is nothing of interest in it except an extremely beautiful hospital. Two rivers meet there and flow together to the sea. June 16-17-18-I remained there. The first division, or rather the first regiment, that of Bourbonnais, with M. de Rochembeau and M. de Chatelus, encamped in the evening at Waterman's tavern; we found the roads very bad, and our artillery had great difficulty in following us. The troops marched very badly this day. Side Note. The 18 the Bourbonnais marched (M. de Rochambeau); the 19 Deux Ponts (M. de Viomenil, Baron); the 20, Soissonois (Count de Viomenil); the 21, Saintonge (M. de Custine). March of 15 miles. June 19-We continued our route, and came to Plainfield, the roads still quite bad, many stragglers; the baggage and artillery arrived; there is at Plainfield a superb position for twelve or fifteen thousand men; it is beyond the village about a mile and a half on the Road from Providence. Side Note.-March of 15 miles. June 20-We came to Windham. The village is very pretty, and there is also a very fine position this side of Windham, about a mile distant. The troops marched much better. The baggage arrived very late because of the bad roads. A very fine river flows by here. Side Note.-Nine men deserted from the regiment of Soissonnois and one from Royal Deux Ponts. March of 15 miles. June 21-We came to Bolton with the greatest difficulty imaginable, so frightful were the roads. The country all the way from Providence is covered with woods. At Polton the view is very pleasing. Side Note.-The host of M. de Rochambeau was a minister at least six feet three inches in height. This man, whose name was Cotton, offered the wife of a granadier to adopt her child, to secure his fortune and to give her for herself thirty Louis in money. She repeatedly refused. June 22-We reached Hartford easily enough; the road although heavy, was even. Side Note.-We received news which informed us that the Stanislas was the only vessel of the convoy which had not arrived. June 23-24-We halted there to rest the troops and to make the necessary repairs to the artillery and baggage. Hartford is quite a considerable place, divided by the River of the same name, large enough for vessels of some size. One of the banks is called East Hartford. June 24-In the afternoon I went to see a charming spot called Weathersfield, four miles from East Hartford. It would be impossible to find prettier houses and a more beautiful view. I went up into the steeple of the church and saw the richest country I had yet seen in America. From this spot you can see for fifty miles around. Side Note.-March of 12 miles. June 25-In the morning the army resumed its march to reach Farmington. The country is more open than that we had passed over since our departure, and the road |