believe that he still wished not to embarrass me, by desiring that their suits might be postponed: & yet he himself wrote the infamous letter signed by Judge Graham in behalf of that meeting: and this letter he doubtless prepared before the refugees assembled: I observe it is dated July 30th-& the proceedings of the meeting bear date the 31st. This irritating transaction, too, your Excellency will observe was but three or four days after the matter, on his own motion, had been referred to the decision of Congress, for the purpose of effecting an amicable settlement! All these proceedings were likewise subsequent to the writing of a piece of scurrility published in Loudon's paper of the 9th of August, which was designed by the writer to represent me in a ridiculous point of light. I do not hesitate to pronounce Colo. Hay the author of it. The stile corresponds exactly with that which he exhibited at the meeting of the refugees on that same day; there are divers references in it to some letters which I wrote to Congress last March on the subject of retrenchments (some of which they were pleased to adopt) & which Colo. Hay unluckily told me he had read when in Philadelphia;— & the original appeared in the handwriting of one of his people or dependents. It was left at the printers some weeks before it was published; Loudon having refused to print it; but the person who brought it at last insisted on its being printed. The true history of the affair to which this piece alludes, is contained in the enclosed extracts of the letters of May 10th to Genl. Washington & from & to Mr. Tilghman, his aid de camp. The plan however was not pursued, & I had no other concern in the affair. I do not even recollect to have heard one word on the subject after that day, untill I was told the fish were spoiled & thrown into the river. I will only observe here, that one Monell

& another assistant of Colo. Hay were (as I have been informed) the undertakers to catch and cure the shad for the army.

As I had never injured Colo. Hay, but on the contrary, from the character given of him, had thought and spoken of him with respect, I can account for his unprovoked abuse but on one principle: His wish to oust me of my office. Early in the dispute I suspected, from his management, that this was his design, that he might come in as deputy for the State of New York, under some principal who with him was plotting to destroy my reputation, as the sure means of getting me displaced: some circumstances since made known to me, put this almost beyond a doubt. But I cannot avoid despising attempts so basely conducted, because I am sure they will be ineffectual; and because a removal from my office (so it were not with disgrace) far from distressing would rather relieve me of a very heavy and painful burthen.

I beg your Excellency's pardon for these observations, but while I continue in my present office, it is of public importance that I support my reputation; & it is on this ground alone that I trouble your Excellency with this letter & its inclosures.

I am, Sir, with the highest respect Your Excellency's most obedt. Servt.

His Excellency Governour Clinton.

Tim. Pickering, Q. M. G.

[No. 3937.]

Letter from Governor Clinton to Delegates in Congress in Favor of Dr. McCrea.

Poughkeepsie, 26th Augt. 1781.

Gentlemen, The Bearer Dr. McCrea an Inhabitant of this

State at the Commencement of the Controversy with Great

Britain, took an active & decided Part in Favour of this Country & at a very early Period entered our Service in the Line of his Profession & served with Fidelity & Reputation first Surgeon to one of our Regiments, & since as a senior Surgeon in the Hospital until the late Arrangement of the Medical Department, when he as well as many other Worthy Characters who had relinquished their private Practice & subjected themselves to the Dangers & Fatigues attending on a Military Life, were deranged and in some instances Juniors appointed in their stead. In this disagreeable situation & despairing of redress, the Doctor is induced to seek his Fortune at Sea & wishes an Appointment to a Surgeoncy on board of one of our Ships of War. From a regard to his Merits, I have taken the Liberty of recommending hun to your Attention with my fullest Persuation that you will render him any Service in promoting his Intention which may lie in your Power consistent with the Duty of your Station. I am with the highest Respect & Esteem,

[No. 3938.]

Letter from the Governor to Delegates to Rectify an Injustice to Colonel Van Schaick.

Poughkeepsie, 27th August, 1781. Gentlemen, In the Course of a few days past I have taken the liberty of addressing two Letters to you in Favour of Doctors McCrea & Young who conceive themselves much injured by the late Arrangement of the Medical Department, and it is with much regret that I now find myself under the necessity of troubling you on a similar subject. Colo. Van Schaick of this State, who as eldest Colonel in the Line of the Army, was entitled to & had every Reason to expect Promotion on the first

New Appointment of a Brigadier, has the mortification to find himself superceded by a late Promotion of a Junior Officer in the same Division, contrary to a previous Resolution of Congress on that Subject. You will be better able to judge of the feelings of a good Officer in this Situation than I am able to describe them. He cannot submit to this degradation & continue in the Army & to retire from the service at this late Hour without any compensation would be peculiarly injurious & distressing. He is now on his Way to Congress to appeal to their Justice & Redress & has requested of me to ask what I am persuaded he would receive without any interposition of mine, your Counten. ance & Assistance.

To the Delegates.

[No. 3939.]

Dr. Samuel Stringer, of Albany, Informs the Governor that a Packet of Letters was in Transit to New York from Canada.

Albany, Monday 27th Aug. 1781.

Sir, It is proper I should inform your Excellency that I have certain Inteligence that a large Packet from Canada was brought to this place yesterday, to be forwarded to New York. If you should be acquainted with the channel the Enemies Expresses generally take, 'tis possible you may make such a Disposition as to possess yourself of those Dispatches. They have had one narrow escape. As it rained hard last night from Evening, I doubt whether they are yet out of town. I am extremely sorry that I missed an opportunity of sending you this notice. by an Express, the Quartermaster (upon enquiring of him for a Conveyance) told me he had just sent off to your Excellency this morning.

I am, Sir, Yr. Excellency's most obedt. & Humble Servt.

[No. 3940.]

General Heath Forwards Several Prisoners-Notifies Governor Clinton the French Army has Crossed to the West Bank of the Hudson.

Headquarters, Peekskill, August 27, 1781.

Sir, I send to be disposed of as your Excellency may deem proper, Robert Seaman, sometime since of Delancy's corps. He was sent me yesterday under guard, with the inclosed from General Parsons.* In a letter I received last evening from Justice Honeywell, he observes as follows: "I am informed that Robert Simmon is now on his way to you a prisoner. The Commissioners of conspiracy ordered him forty miles back from the lines, but he went off into the State of Connecticut, and has continued there-"

The last evening Colonel Putnam sent up three prisoners belonging to Colonel Delancy's corps. Their names are John McFadin, James Miller & Joseph Purdy. They were taken in arms driving down about thirty sheep. They are sent to the provost at Fishkill. As they had their arms and regimentals, and were under the command of a sergeant, they consider themselves prisoners of war. If you view them in a different light, they shall be given up to your requisition.

I had yesterday six deserters from the enemy. Wormb's and Delancy's corps begin to venture out. Colonel Putnam with a strong detachment is below. A more vigilant officer cannot be placed there. We have no news at present. The French army finished crossing at Kings ferry yesterday morning. I have a letter from his Excellency General Washington this morning, dated the 26th at Ramapaugh.

Not found.