waiting at this place for Governor Trumbull & Council to determine whether the Permitts your Excellency granted to sundry persons to remove from Long Island, shall be usefull to them; was in hopes a road would have been opened shortly, whereby the necessity of asking a passport through this State would be avoided, but the situation of those men on the Island demand their speedy.removal. From them is to be expected a large addition to the Cloathing already lodged at Poughkeepsie.

Col. Floyd has advised to Changing the place of landing the goods and fixed on Fairfield, as we have met with some difficulty at Middletown, and threats of seizure the next time. Major Davis desired me to ask your Excellency if there was any prospects of obtaining the men he Mentioned. They have become more necessary than heretofore as the plunderers now practice laying in wait in the middle of the Island for the Waggons, and we apprehend the loosing a Quantity of Goods, by that means; a large contract is made and a third part of the amount is to be ready the last of this month, if your Excellency cannot prevail to have the Continental troops requested; a Subaltern's Command of the New levies would answer in their stead; and beg leave to intimate (if your Excellency grants us those troops) that Capt. Codwise may command them, being not only acquainted with us but with many Characters on the Island. As soon as I have Governor Trumbull's answer, shall proceed to Fairfield and endeavor to get Lieut. Brewster of the train (stationed at that place) to convey us across the Sound; from whom Capt. Codwise or any other officer your Excellency shall order, may hear of us. I wish to provide against every mischief that likely may happen, as the Concern on the State Account, independent of the goods, from the persons moving by your permission, will

be worth near four thousand Pounds first cost.

respect, Your Excellencys Most Obed. Humbl. Servt.

[No. 3920.]

I am with

Congress Vetoes the Attempt of Vermont to Seize a Slice of New York Territory.

By the United States in Congress Assembled, Augt. 21st, 1781.

On a reconsideration of the Resolution respecting the New Hampshire Grants it was altered & agreed to as follows:

It being the fixed purpose of Congress to adhere to the Guarantee to the States of New Hampshire and New York contained in the Resolution of the seventh instant.

Resolved, that it be an indispensable Preliminary to the Recognition of the Independence of the People inhabiting the Territory called Vermont, and their admission into the Federal Union, that they explicitly relinquish all Demand of Lands or Jurisdiction on the East side of the west banks of Connecticut River, and on the west side of a Line beginning at the Northwest Corner of the State of Massachusetts, thence running Twenty Miles East of Hudsons River, & so far as said River runs North. Easterly in its General course. Thence by the west Bounds of the Townships granted by the late Government of New Hampshire to the River running from South Bay to Lake Champlain, thence along the said River to Lake Champlain, thence along the Waters of Lake Champlain to the Latitude 45 Degrees north excepting a Neck of Land between Missiskay Bay and the Waters of Lake Champlain.

Extract from the minutes.

Geo. Bond, Depy. Sec.

[No. 3921.]

Colonel Udny Hay to Governor Clinton, Requesting Specie to Pay for

Flour Casks.

(Answered in Person.)

Poughkeepsie 21 August 1781.

Sir, Having assured the Financier General there was a great probability of my furnishing from this State three thousand barrells of flour by the middle of next month, provided I could be furnished with Casks or a sufficient sum of money to purchase them, He desired the Commissary General to furnish me with all the empty casks he could, which I find will not exceed two hundred. My sole dependance, therefore, must be upon your Excellencys supplying me with a sufficient sum of hard money for the purpose of buying the necessary number of casks, as in case of failure in the Commissary General, I am referred by Mr. Morris, to your Excellency for such a supply. Let me

request you will favour me with an immediate answer as the time in which the business is to be done elapses very fast.

I have the honour to be your Excellency's most Obed. & very

humble servt.

Governor Clinton.

[No. 3922.]

Governor Clinton Requests General McDougall at West Point to Hold Jacob Storm, a Prisoner, for Robbery.

Augt. 21st, 1781.

Sir, Among the Prisoners in custody of the Provost lately sent from Camp to West Point, I am informed there is one Jacob Storm, who last spring was concerned in the Commission of several atrocious Robberies in this County, Particularly those of Comfort Sands & Zachaus Newcombe, Esquires. Least this fellow may be returned as a Prisoner of War & by being exchanged as such escape the punishment due to his crimes, I have sent the bearer, Capt. Dodge, to your Post, & if upon inquiry, the above Information should prove true, I have to request that you will be pleased to give him such assistance as shall be necessary to have Storm conveyed safely to this Place.

To Genl. McDougall.

[No. 3923.]

Colonel Fred. Weissenfels Commends His Levies to Governor Clinton and Suggests Several Young Men for Commissions - The Governor's Reply.

Fishkill, August 21st, 1781.

Sir, Mr. Welch is returned from his route and waits upon your Excellency with his report. Mr. Loudon did not print last week but I have taken care that the several Colonels of militia have sufficient Notice to Govern themselves.

The best Levies, with respect to the Exterior appearance, I believe, that have been raised in this State, I have the honor to Command, and hope the most of them serve from Principle, which will Promiss success; the arms are in good order and all Bayonetted, and the officers I flatter myself will do honor to their respective commands.

I have examined the affair of Mr. Welch and believe his Crime Comitted in the regular service, does not amount, to a disgrace, but he may fill his post as an adjutant, if your Excellency would Please to appoint him. I judge him capable. A quartermaster will soon be very necessary, and I beg leave to recommend Lt. Mott for that Post, if we are regulated by the Regular Troops, the adjutant and quartermaster are officers Exclusive of the Company officers.

If your Excellency has no particular Gentlemen in View, to fill the post of a Surgeon, I have presumed, to recommend Henry Buck.

If I had a list of the several Militia regiments, and the Quotas they were to furnish the several Countys, I schould in my last return made the deficiencys known to your Excellency.

I expect this day an order from the General of the Department, Amunition and other necessarys, but am at a loss, when ordered to march, how to transport the baggage, which hoever small will want some carriage.

Winslow is well secured; and I have discovered him to belong formerly to Colo. Courtland's Regiment; whether he is deserter, or a three year's man I am not able to say, I have secured the villain well.

I waite your Excellencys order and am with sincerest Respect Your Excellency's most obiedient Humble servant

DRAFT OF GOVERNOR CLINTON'S REPLY.

Sir, I am favored with your letter by Mr. Welsh. As I am not able at present to convene a Council of Appointment, I must leave it to you to nominate such of the Officers as you shall judge best qualified to act as Adjt. & Qu. Master. I doubt not they will be approved in form on the Meeting of the Council. With Respect to a surgeon I have no other objection agt. Doctor Buck than that I have been informed he engaged in the former levies and received a Bounty. If this is so, it would be improper to give him the Appointment you recommend him for in your Regiment. I have not rec'd of the Commanding Officers of the Militia Regt. returns of the Quotas of Men they are respectively to furnish. I presume Genl. Swarthoudt will be able to furnish you with those of this County. I am &c.

[No. 3924.].

General Scott and Mr. Ward to the Governor Relative to Colonel Hay and the Forage Question.

Fish Kill, 22d Augt. 1781.

Sir, Agreable to the Notice which you have seen in Loudou's paper, we have had a meeting of the Refugees, at which Col. Hay attended. A Copy of the Acts of this meeting will be transmitted to you without Delay. We have many reasons to wish that Colonel Hay should wait on Congress,-which he will explain to you. We therefore, request, if you should not see it improper, that you will give him a line to Justify him in his Absence from duty on the spot, & in the Expences which will necessary attend his Journey.

We are with the greatest Respect Your Excellency's most obedt servants.

Stephen Ward.

Jno. Morin Scott.

His Excellency, The Gov.