gaged, expire. I have seasonably been ordering provisions to Albany (except flour) and cautioning General Stark to avail him self of the best opportunities to have them sent to those posts which will require them during the winter. I have written to the commander in chief and informed him of my intention; if he approves it, the two regiments above mentioned will garrison the northern district. Their strength will probably be between three and four hundred each; which, I think, will be sufficient during the winter. If you think otherwise, I will thank you for a hint on the subject.

I cannot spare any regular troops for other of the western frontiers, and the state must provide for them if necessary. The moment I receive the approbation of the commander in chief, I will direct General Stark to send a detachment seasonably to relieve the levies on the Mowhawk river.

The distribution of the army to winter quarters, is as follows: The Jersey line near Morristown, the New York line between that and the North river, perhaps near Pompton, the Connecticut line at the huts built by them the last year, the Rhode Island regiment brigaded with the Connecticut line, two Massachusetts brigades at West point, one near the south redoubt on the east side of the river, and one regiment in the huts built the last year by the New Hampshire troops, the second regiment light dragoons in Connecticut, the artillery at West point. Light parties will be kept on the lines below Crompond and at Bedford, for the protection of the country.

I think there will be no alteration at the Northward, unless brigadier-general Hazen's regiment should go to that quarter instead of the two New Hampshire regiments. This I shall know when I hear from the commander in chief.

I will thank you for information what places at the Northward will be most probably exposed to the incursions of the enemy during the winter, and when and in what numbers the troops will be most advantageously cantoned.

I have the honor to be, With very great respect and esteem, Your Excellency's Most obedient servant,

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

[No. 4177.]

President Hanson to Governor Clinton-With the Act of Congress Requesting the Several States to Pass Laws to Punish Violations of the Rights of Ambassadors, Etc.

(Circular.)

Sir, Your Excellency will receive enclosed herewith a copy of an Act of Congress of the 23d instant, respecting violations. of the laws of Nations, and the erection of proper tribunals for punishing them.

Such is the importance of the objects recommended in that act, and so obvious is the necessity for some regulations respecting them, that I feel satisfied they will engage the immediate attention of your Excellency and the Legislature of your State. I have the honor to be, with great respect Sir, Your Excellency's Obedient & very humble Serv't.

Philadelphia, 31* Nov., 1781.

His Excellency The Governor of New York.

ACT OF CONGRESS REQUESTING THE SEVERAL STATES TO PASS LAWS TO PUNISH ALL VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHTS OF AMBASSADORS AND ALL WHO ARE UNDER FLAGS OF TRUCE, ETC.

By the United States in Congress Assembled.

November 23d, 1781.

On a report of a Committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the States to enact laws for punishing infractions of the laws of nations

The following is inserted in pencil:

You mean 30 Nov.

My dear Sir,

30 days hath September

"April, June and November."

Resolved That it be recommended to the Legislatures of the several States to provide expeditious, exemplary and adequate punishment.

First-for the violation of safe conducts or Passports, expressly granted under the Authority of Congress to the subjects of a foreign power in time of War.

Secondly-for the commission of Acts of hostility against such as are in Amity league or truce with the United States, or who are within the same under a general implied Safe conduct.

Thirdly for the infractions of the immunities of Ambassadors and other public Ministers authorised & received as such by the United States in Congress assembled-by animadverting on violence offered to their persons, houses, carriages & property under the limitations allowed by the usages of nations, and on disturbance given to the free exercise of their religion by annulling all writs and processes at any time sued forth against an Ambassador, or other public Minister or against their goods and Chatties, or against their domestic servant, whereby his person may be arrested: And

Fourthly for Infractions of treaties and conventions to which the United States are a party.

The preceeding being only those Offences against the law of Nations which are most obvious, and public faith & safety requiring that punishment should be co-extensive with such crimes.

Resolved, That it be farther recommended to the several States, to erect a Tribunal in each state, or to vest one already existing, with power to decide on Ofences against the law of Nations not Contained in the aforegoing enumeration under convenient restrictions.

Resolved, That it be farther recommended, to authorize suits to be instituted for damages by the party injured, and for compensation to the United States for damage sustained by them from an injury done to a foreign power by a citizen. Extract from the Minutes,

Chas. Thomson, Secy.

[No. 4178.]

General John Morin Scott Impresses Upon the Mind of the Governor the Necessity of Having Cash Before Proceeding to Congress.

Fish Kill Saty. Evg. 1st Decr. 1781.

Dear Sir, Doctor McKnight will set off in the morning for Poghkepsie. I improve this opportunity to inform you that Colonel Nicolas will depart for Philadelphia on Monday, who will afford a safe means of Conveying any dispatches You may have for Congress, if you have not already sent the Matters committed to your Care by the concurrent Resolutions of the two Houses. Whether those are sent or not I should be obliged to your Excellency for directing Colonel Benson to inclose to Me all that the Legislature has charged on the Delegates, that I may transmit them to Colonel Floyd, to whom I shall write by Colonel Nicolas. As it is fixed that I go to Congress without Loss of Time, I am impatient to be gone; and as nothing but

some unforeseen Accident or the Want of Money will detain me a Moment, I shall be glad to hear when I may have the prospect of being supplied with cash; for I dare not put myself to any extraordinary Expence for the Journey till that be rendered certain. Mr. Harper, I request, may be ordered to make out the General Commissions to the Delegates immediately, that I may send it to Colonel Floyd. The Exemplifications may be made out as they are wanted. deputy and will assist-as Mrs. McKnight will go with the Doctor, and they will probably be out a Night or two, would it be amiss to send the above Matters by Berkley, lest Colonel Nicolas should be gone? I am, Sir, with great respect Your Excellency's most obt. Servt.

His Excellency Govr. Clinton.

Colonel Varick is my sworn

[No. 4179.]

James Duane Notifies Governor Clinton That New York State Papers in Congress Were Deposited in a Box with Mr. Secretary Thomson.

Manour Livingston, 2d Decemr. 1781.

Dear Sir, When we left Philadelphia we deposited the State papers in a Box with Mr. Secretary Thompson. The Key I neglected to deliver to your Excelency as I passed thro' Poghkepsie and it is now sent by Col. Troup for the use of such of the delegates as are appointed to attend Congress. In this retired Situation I can have nothing to communicate, but the sincere Respect of Mrs. Duane and myself to your Lady. My friends at Philadelphia write me nothing material.

I have the Honour to be with every sentiment of Esteem and Regard, Dear Sir,

Your Excellency's most afectionate & Obedient huml. Servant His Excelency Governour Clinton.

[No. 4180.]

Captain Daniel Williams Reports to the Governor the Desertion of Thirty Men of His Company.

Continantall Village December 2, 81.

Dear Governor: I now Address your Exlency on A Subject I trust as Disagreable to yourself as me; nigh tirty of my men Last Night Deserted, occasioned by inCurrigment given them by Milisha officers at home, that the Assembly had passed A law that they Should bee diseband at the end of Last Month, and if they would Dissert they would pertect them; Som of the Leading Men is likewise Concerd in the same by the Soldier's Accounts. I shall endevour to Apprehend them if posible and should bee glad of your Directions in the Matter and Remn your Elceneys Most obdient mble Servt

His Exey Gouvernor Clinton.

[No. 4181.]

Colonel John Cantine to Governor Clinton As to Powder.

Marbletown, Decembr. ye 3d, 1781.

Sir, Colo. Pauling (Who I spoke to on the Subject) informs me he had a Quantity of Ammunition on hand Drawn from the public stores for the use of the Levies under his command. This being an article my Regt Will greatly stand in Need of Next spring, I beg to have your opinion By the first Convenience, Whether or Not the Colo. would be justifiable to let me have it on my giving his Quarter Master a Receipt for what I take. He Wishes with me to have it remain on the frontier but at the same time Cannot Consent to Let me have it Without an order for the purpose or your advice favouring it. I am Sir, With Sentiments of Esteem,

Your most obedt. & Humbl Servt.

Govr. Clinton.