[No. 3872.]

Henry Wisner to Governor Clinton-Levies of Colonel Allison's Regiment and Beef for the Troops-The Governor's Reply.

Fishkill, August 6th 1781.

Dear Sir, I Being at Fishkill, think it my duty to inform your Excellency that it is near a week past Since Major Hetfield informed me that the whole of the Recruits of his Regiment were raised, except 2 Or 3, and that he expected them in every hour. So that I make no Doubt But that the Whole are on the ground By this Time as he sent them to Peempack as fast as they ware Raised; he told me that he knew of no person Being yet appointed to muster them But expected they would be mustered at some place on the frontiers. If your Excellency has not fixed on any person for that purpose I can very justly recommend Major Dewitt as he is very exact about what sort of men he Receives: I believe him to be a faithful good officer. His Behaviour has been exceptionably good, While on our frontiers.

I Received a few lines from him 2 or 3 Days since. He informs me that 3 Indians had then made their appearance on the west Banks of Delawar, and that he had 40 of his men there in pursuit of them. Wat success they have had I have not heard. The want of beef for the support of the troops there is very great: not a single hoof can be had on the Credit of the State. Mr. Wood has by my advice purchased to the amount of about one hundred pounds and given his own Bond to the Different persons payable in a few months in Silver Dollars. I expect to be equally Concerned with him in the Risk. More Cattle can be had on the same Conditions But on no meathod short of that. The Beef now purchased on that footing will last about one month from this time. There is several persons tennants to

Delancey who are fating cattle to Rais Money to pay for their farms; if any meathod can be provided by which those Cattle might be turned that way I Believe a pretty good suply might be got that way.

I am With all Due Respect your Excellency's most obedient Humble Servant.

GOVERNOR CLINTON'S REPLY.

Pokeepsie, 10th Augt. 1781.

Dear Sir, I am this moment favored with your letter of the 6th instant. I am happy to be informed that the levies of your Regt. is so nearly compleated. I some time since issued an order to Major DeWitt to receive and muster them but as it is probable it may not have been received, I now enclose a Duplicate which I beg you will be so good as to forward by a safe Conveyance. The good character you give Major DeWitt affords me great Pleasure, as his Attention to Duty and prudent Conduct will insure him the Confidence of the Inhabitants & facilitate his Command. I am sensible of the Difficulties which attend the supplying the troops on the Frontiers with Meat and I have urged the Agent in the most pressing Terms to use every Exertion for that Purpose. I am.

[No. 3873.]

Peremptory Orders to Major Buntschoten.

August 6th 1781.

Major Buntschoten will immediately proceed to the command'g officers of the several Regiments in Dutchess County who have not yet furnished their full Quota of Levies agreeable

to his Excellency's Orders of the 22nd of March last and demand of them in the most peremptory manner that they forthwith cause detachments to be made from the respective delinquent Classes agreable to Law. Such Officers as shall neglect a prompt compliance with these Orders may rest assured that the Treasurer will be directed to prosecute for the Fines imposed on them by the said Law without further notice. Major Buntschoten will make report to his Excellency, as soon as possible of the result of this Business.

[No. 3874.]

Colonel Marinus Willett to Governor Clinton Concerning Levies, Defence of the Frontier and New Officers.

Albany, 6 Augt. 81.

Sir, I expect this letter will be handed to you by the Attorney General. I have had some talk with him about my situation and the need I stand in of some Cash. He promises me to acquaint your Excellency of the substance of my Conversation with him. And he tells me he thinks you are authorized to order us money on account. If upon examination this should appear to be the case I need say nothing more than I have already said, except that the difficulty of doing almost every kind of business is rendered greater for want of Cash.

The Regiments of Colonels Whiting, Van Ness, Van Alstine and Henry Rensselaer, of Claverack have forwarded the most of their new levies. I have received none from any other Regiments, but am doing all I can to press them in this business. By Governor Hancock's letter you will see how the reinforcements from the Eastward stands. I can hear of none moving this way. Should the necessary orders from the Commander in

Chief be not yet forwarded, your Excellency will perceive the propriety of endeavoring to have it done without loss of time.

Colonel Lush will forward to you a list of the Officers appointed to take charge of the new levies. I beg leave to remind your Excellency that Lieutenant Abram A. Fonda, John Low and Bartel Hendricks were received and have done duty in the former levies in the place of some Lieutenants who did not accept of their appointments, but have not yet received Commissions.

Tomorrow or next day I propose to set out for Tryon County When I shall visit every post in the County, make some distribution of the ordnance which is at present at Fort Herkemer a part of which ought before this time to have been removed but which has been out of power for want of strength. I am Your Excellencie's most obedient and very humble servant.

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

Governor John Hancock Expresses Surprise to Colonel Willett Over the Massachusetts Troops Delay.

Boston, Augt. 2d 1781.

Sir, Imediately upon the resolve of the General Court for Raising the Men for the Continental Army, I issued orders to the several Brigadiers requiring them to procure the Men as speedily as Possible, and to order their march to West or to such other place as His Excellency General Washington should direct. I concluded the men were marched some time ago, and am surprised at the delay. I will write to the Brigadiers and hasten their march, but their particular destination must be determined by the orders of General Washington. The General sometime ago wrote me he should order a part of our Militia

to Albany, & they are engaged for any service & to march to such places as he shall please to Direct. I will give effectual orders for the Imediate march of the Men.

I wish you happy and am with Sentiments of Esteem, Sir, Your very Humble Ser't

Marinus Willett, Esqr. Albany. Coppy.

[No. 3875.]

Levies in Swartout's Brigade.

Return of the levies, Received at Fishkill from the Diferent Regts in General Swartout's Brigade, to continue in Service

Fishkill Augt. 7th 1781 Christopher Codwise, Capt. & M. Mastr.

[No. 3876.]

Colonel Hay to Governor Clinton Concerning Confiscated Estates and Colonel Pickering.

Fishkill, Tuesday morning [Aug. 7, 1781.]

Dear Sir, By a Conversation with an old friend of mine, who you will have an opportunity of seeing at my house to-day, I suspect that the present dispute with Col. Pickering is but a prelude to an attempt for wresting from us the confiscated. Estates. I could wish you would take an opportunity of hearing him on the occasion which will better enable you to form a proper Judgment. I am very certain the ideas he holds forth are not his own though I cannot form the least opinion from whence he has got them.

I am most respectfully Your Excellency's most obed't humble Sev't

Governor Clinton.