Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777-1795, 1801-1804 ...

whether it would not be advisable to do it with a Provision that he remains here till his Father Dr. Smith sends out an Exchange for his own Person.

His Excellency, George Clinton, Esqr.

On Board the Royal George, Lake Champlain, 21st August, 1781.

We the Commissioners appointed for the Exchanging of Prisoners with the Approbation of his Excellency General Haldimand, Commander in Chief of the Province of Canada Permit Adam Fonda, to go to his Home upon Parole and that he will send in Exchange for him Terence Smyth Prisoner in Albany.

In behalf of the Commissrs.

To the Authority in the City of Albany.

A. Dundas, Major.

GOVERNOR CLINTON TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Poukeepsie 7th Septr. 1781.

Gentlemen, This morning I addressed a letter to your Board requesting you to communicate with the Commanding Officer of the Department my Consent that the several Women therein mentioned should go to Canada where their Husbands or Friends are (provided you are possessed of no circumstances respecting them which would render the Indulgence improper) that he might grant them passes for the Purpose if he judged it expedient. I also informed you that I had wrote to Genl. Starke respecting Parson Stuart & Young Smith, that you might in case of any application refer them to him. I have since been favored with your letter of the 30th ultimo & now inclose you my consent that the Women & Children mentioned in the list you. transmitted, be permitted to pass to Canada, as I am not pos sessed of the last Law for sending off the Women whose Husbands are with the Enemy, but I have reason to believe it is merely a renewal of the Former, which made it the Business of an ordinary Magistrate to notify them to depart, which they were to do within 20 days or be out of the Protection of the Laws of the State. I perfectly coincide in Sentiment with you respecting Young Smith & I have so expressed myself to Genl.

Starke. Capts. Wood or Drake are the Persons Dr. Smith has despatched to have exchanged & Colo. Gordon is one of the Persons named in Stuarts Bond.

I am Gentlemen, with greatest respect Your Most Obedt. Servt.

[No. 3948.]

The Reverend John Stuart Brings Up a Matter of Exchange to Governor Clinton, and Incidentally His Reverses.

Augt. 30, 1781.

Sir, I take the Liberty of addressing your Excellency in Regard to my present Situation, hoping that your known Humanity to the distressed will prompt you to grant me Relief.

In April last, I had your Excellency's Permission to proceed to Canada by the first Flagg, having given bond in £500 to send either Messrs. Gordon, Harper, Snyder or Fonda in Exchange for me. Now, Sir, Mr. Fonda is returned in Exchange for Dr. Smith's Son, & informs that Mr. Gordon will not be given for me at present, Sir John Johnson having sent the sd. Fonda upon a verbal Promise that I should be returned in his stead. Genl. Clinton has not left my bonds here that they might be altered to suit circumstances.

Fonda informs that the Boats in which he came are to remain at Skeenesburgh until the 20th of Sepr. to take in the Prisoners in return: upon which I applied to the Commissrs. for a Permission to embrace the opportunity. They think they are not justifiable in granting it, without previously having your Excellency's orders for that Purpose, in which Case they will have no objection.

Genl. Starks waits likewise for your Pleasure on this subject. My present situation obliges me to be importunate with your

Notwithstanding the Great Majority in favour of New York they have chosen Civil and Military Officers, and are about to collect Taxes and Raise Men. A Large Number have Entered into Combination both in this District and Black Creek to oppose it with their Lives & fortunes, till Congress shall determine it. We are, therefore, desireous of your Excellency's opinion in the Matter and directions how to conduct for the future. We regret the situation we are in, as there is the greatest reason to believe the Enemy will visit us in Force, in a few days. Scarce any Amunition, tho we are about to send to Albany, in pursuance of Directions to Colo. Pain, no field Officers worth Notice in the County, nor Guards, excepting a few from Vermont for a few days in front of Us. Its true there are about 200 at Saratoga, but as the Enemy can easily penetrate between fort Edward & Skeansbrough to us without being Discovered, it w'd. be expedient that a scouting party ought to be kept in that Quarter. There are men to be raised in this District by a late Law, but the Classes are so intermixed with Vermonters, it cannot be easily done tho the friends to New York will exert themselves, And in case it can be done we must request you will send to Genl. Stark for there being placed here.

We have nothing to inform you as to News; only that there are ten Small Scouts of the Enemy Lurking about us.

Remain your Excellency's Most obed. and most Humle. Servt.

Jno. Williams.

Joseph McCraken.

Hamilt. McCallister.

Ebenzr. Russel.

John Armstrong.

N. B. Since writing orders from Vermont is received for rais

ing men.

To Governor Clinton.

to believe that enormities so contrary to the rights of the subject of a Free State & contemptuous of authority can have been sanctified by your Order or even previous knowledge. I am persuaded that the Moment you receive this Information, Frere will unless he is a person detached by Order of the Commander of the Militia Regiment to which he belongs, be immediately released and reparation made him for the injury done to him; and the Officer commanding the Party called to strict account for his conduct. From your Character I trust this intimation will have a great weight [as] with a Positive Order. I am Sir, with great regard Yours &c.

[No. 3950.]

White Creek Citizens Protest to Governor Clinton Against the Proceedings in Vermont Against New York.

White Creek, Aug. 31, 1781.

Hon. Sr., Whereas Congress hath passed certain Resolves respecting the State of Vermont, and are about to determine that matter, We tho't Expedient to transmitt you the proceedings of those who seem to favour them in there Unjust Claim, in this District, so that Congress might not be deceived by reports propagated to Injure the State of New York as well as its subjects in this Part.

When the first Meeting was held respecting the Matter, very few had any notice given them, and the Representatives were Chosen by Eight only notwithstanding there were upwards of 150 free holders.

The next Meeting the Inhabitants mett in General and when the Votes were taken, it appeared there were two for one in favor for New York. In that manner the Matter now stands.

Notwithstanding the Great Majority in favour of New York they have chosen Civil and Military Officers, and are about to collect Taxes and Raise Men. A Large Number have Entered into Combination both in this District and Black Creek to oppose it with their Lives & fortunes, till Congress shall determine it. We are, therefore, desireous of your Excellency's opinion in the Matter and directions how to conduct for the future. We regret the situation we are in, as there is the greatest reason to believe the Enemy will visit us in Force, in a few days. Scarce any Amunition, tho we are about to send to Albany, in pursuance of Directions to Colo. Pain, no field Officers worth Notice in the County, nor Guards, excepting a few from Vermont for a few days in front of Us. Its true there are about 200 at Saratoga, but as the Enemy can easily penetrate between fort Edward & Skeansbrough-to us without being Discovered, it w'd. be expedient that a scouting party ought to be kept in that Quarter. There are men to be raised in this District by a late Law, but the Classes are so intermixed with Vermonters, it cannot be easily done tho the friends to New York will exert themselves, And in case it can be done we must request you will send to Genl. Stark for there being placed here.