[No. 3784.]

John Fish to Governor Clinton Concerning the Exchange of Captain Townsend and a Flag.

Bedford June 23rd 1781.

Hon'd Sir, Mrs. Townsend is very desirous of obtaining a Flag to the Enemy, for the Purpose of Conversing with Delancey on the Subject of Capt. Townsend's Parole, or Exchange, as all hopes of Colo. Skinners effecting it are now Blasted. It appears by information the matter lays solely in the Breast of Delancey. Capt. Hunter has spoke with Skinner since his return from New York; his advice was, that this Method should be pursued, with the proviso, the person going, shou'd be authorized to make Proposals of some certain Person, or Persons, that there was at least a probability of his Excepting. Cannot this be done, or wou'd it not be Adviseable? I am Anxious that nothing should be left unturned in Endeavoring to release him, that there is the least probability of succeeding in, as I have some time past determined to quit this Business. I should be glad to know whether your Excellency, Cou'd Consistantly grant a Flag for this Purpose to Capt. Hunter & myself, or wether it would be likely to answer any End. I am with all due respect, Your Excellencys most Obedient Humb'l Serv't

His Excellency George Clinton, Esq.

[No. 3785.]

Richbill Williams' Successful Petition for Pardon.

To the honorable the Legislature of the State of New York in Senate and Assembly convened. The humble Petition of Richbill Williams humbly herewith:

That your Petitioner was sent within the enemy's lines in the year 1778 by the Commissioners for detecting Conspiracies &c.,

by virtue of a law authorizing them to call upon persons of suspicious and equivocal Characters and tender them an oath of Allegiance and directing them to send such as refused the oath within the Enemys Lines.

That your Petitioner being unlearned, and ignorant of the merits of the Controversy between Great Britain and America, and giving too much heed to evil and designing men, had scruples of conscience against taking the oath when it was tendered him.

That having been a short time with the Enemy, your Petitioner returned determined to cast himself upon the Mercy of his Country, and become a faithful subject of the State.

That your Petitioner was apprehended, tried upon the foresaid Law, convicted and sentenced to imprisonment during life. That your Petitioner has in consequence of the said Sentence been confined for near three years; has expended his substance and is reduced to the necessity of being supported by the Charity of Friends.

That your Petitioner is advanced in years, and laboring under infirmities, has but a few Days left him to spend in this world, and is capable of doing little for or against his Country. That little however, which is in his power he is willing to do for his Country.

Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that the honorable Legislature in their great Clemency will commisserate his case, pardon his offence, and discharge him from Prison, & suffer him to pass the few days he has to live with his Family and Friends and Your Petitioner as in duty bound shall every pray.

Poughkeepsie Goal June 23d 1781.

his

Richbill X Williams.

mark

The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Richbill

Williams-Report:

That having made perticular Enquiry respecting the petitioner and Duly Considering all Circumstances of his case, the Committee are of Opinion that he is a proper object of pardon and have Directed me to move for leave to bring in a bill for that purpose.

I, therefore, move for leave to bring in a bill for the pardon of Richbill Williams.

[No. 3786.]

Return of Provisions.

Return of Provisions purchased and Delivered under the direction of Undy Hay, Agent for the State of New York from Aug't. 1780 to 24 June 1781, for which Vouchers have not yet been procured.

[No. 3788.]

Colonel Udny Hay's Circular Letter to His Assistants.

(Circular)

Poughkeepsie 24 June 1781. Sir, I have already wrote in so pressing terms on the Necessity of getting in all the vouchers, necessary for the support of your Accounts in the Business of the Agency, that any farther Arguments must, in a great measure, appear altogether useless, but as so few of the Gentlemen with whom I am connected have as yet complied with my Requisition on that Score, it becomes my duty to put you in Mind, that it is far from being Improbable that the Principals of the Public Departments may object to the acknowledging Vouchers of such sub-ordinate Officers for Articles rec'd by them, as before these vouchers can be presented by me, may have left the service, and in all such cases the loss wou'd very justly fall on the Person by whose means the Voucher had been so long detain'd. I hope, therefore, that due Regard to your own Interest and Inclination to serve the State, as well as to enable me to settle my Accounts with the Public Officers, as far as reasonably can be expected, will prove sufficient Inducements for your Immediate Compliance, by forwarding your Vouchers to me with all convenient. Dispatch.

Sundry Members of both Houses of the Legislature have urged the propriety of my coming to an Immediate Settlement with the Quarter Master & Commissary General and I have therefore laid this Letter before that honorable Body, as a Proof on a future Day (should it be necessary) that the Delay has not been owing to any fault of mine. I am with Esteem, Sir, Your most obed't Servant Signed, Udny Hay

Asst's. Purchasers of Provisions & Forage.

P. S.: As the Letter is Circular, these Gentlemen who have already delivered in most of their Vouchers, will not esteem it designed for them, in any other View, but as a guide for their future Conduct.