Excellency will know that in the Autumn Session of the Legislature I was chosen into the Senate, that I regularly attended that Session; that in the Recess of the Legislature I was employed by Authority in making Enquiries into the introduction of goods & merchandize from the Enemy, Abuses in the Commissary & Quarter Master Departments, and Infractions of the Embargo Laws. You may likewise recollect, Sir, that I attended in the Legislature the Spring following. From these circumstances you will be able to judge whether my application to public business, to say nothing of family concerns admitted of my going to Philadelphia till the summer 1779. I need not remind you that I had been but a short time there, before the operations of the enemy at Stony & Verplanc's points hurried me back with the greatest expedition, when I had the honour to join you at the Militia Camp in the Highlands. I recall these circumstances to your mind, Sir, merely to show how ill founded the Assertion which I have nientioned is, not to derive any benefit from refuting it. I most candidly acknowledge that I never had an Idea that in a Case so clearly & favorably circumstanced as mine was, the Public would pay less than it had actually received. I must further observe to your Excellency, that when I advanced the money in Boston, the Exchange there between Continental & specie was 3 for 1; and of course the 20,000 paper dollars were equall to 66663 silver ones. On the road from thence to Philadelphia I met with but a single instance where the exchange was higher. When I received the 20,000 dollars in Philadelphia in 1779, the Exchange there was from 25 to 30 for 1. Your Excellency will readily believe that I was not insensible at the time, that according to the lowest exchange at only 25 for 1, the 20,000 dollars I received were worth but 800 in specie. I am persuaded that the uniform tenor of my conduct will induce you to believe me, when I assure you that confidence in the public faith, which had then been lately renewed in the most solemn terms, a hearty desire to cooperate in the intended appreciation, and a full conviction of the justice of Congress in case the appreciation should not succeed, hindered me from taking notice, at the time, of the difference in the real value. To elucidate the subject, I shall state an Account in general terms, between the Public and myself. Considering that the Money's being left in the Public Treasury, was owing to the Public, not to me, that that circumstance operated to my disad vantage, not in my favour; and that the Public had the Benefit of it as much as if it had been received on Loan; it seems not unreasonable that I should be allowed interest from the time it was advanced to the Clothier in Boston. On this principle, the Plan of the Account will be as follows; the Dates being only ascertained, and the Calculations made accordingly. To take it in a gross way: 1778 July 16 To 20,000 dollars at 3 for 1 To interest on Do. at 6 pr ct. from 6666 2/3 specie 1779 Octbr. 16 By Cash received on the above Balance remaining 500 7166 2/3 800 6366 18 To ditto ditto 200 1000 [No. 4191.] A Statement of Governor Clinton's Financial Transactions with the State. His Excellency, George Clinton, Esqr. in Account Currant wth State of New York 16 To cash on Accot. of Contingencies Cr. 1779 April 19 1781 May 31 2000 28 To ditto on Accot. of Contingencies 1204 10 6 By Amount of your Accot. of Contingencies £2404 10 Septmr. 5 To ditto on Accot. of Contingency 1000 1780 July 10 To ditto Ballance of an Accot.of Contingencies 2314 September 22 To ditto on Account of Salary 2000 The above is a Transcript of your Acct. as far as it is entered in my Books 1779 July The following Sums pd. have not been entered for the want of proper Vouchers. 26 To cash paid Coenradt Elmendorp Amot. of an Order for so much Advanced by Jacob Cuyler Esqr. to Stephen Lush Esq. for furnishing with provisions the distressed Inhabitants on our Western frontiers Granted by Acct. & has no connection with the Govrs Acct. Memo. Your Excellency will be pleased to observe that I have set right the Monies you paid to the recruiting Offices, as thus. The 3000 Old Continental Dollars pd Lt Colbreath is also Credited above. The 2000 Old Continental Dollars pd to Capt. Norton for his recruiting Expences does not properly come in my Account, I therefore hereinclosed return the Receipt Albany 5th December 1781. Gerard Bancker, Treasr. [No. 4192.] A Request for an Indigent Family to Pass to Long Island. Sir, The Famely of Ebenezer Ryder who went from this Precinct to the Enemy some years ago, yet Remains with us, a Report having prevailed for some time past that the said Ryder was not Living, and the peculiar Helpless state the family has occasioned a Reluctance in the minds of authority Touching the measures prescribed by a Late act of the State. Ryder it seems is yet Living, has been over in a flag boat to Standford and applied to General Waterbury for permission for his Wife and Famely to Cross the Sound to Long Island from Standford: the Genl. Refuses to permitt them, unless your Excellency's Consent is obtained, in which Case has no objection; has advised Ryder to apply therefor; we think it Duty to inform your Excellency that the Removal of the Famely would be approv'd of by the Good people of the precinct as a measure tending to public good; the woman a Weekely person, has six Children, viz; 4 Sons & 2 Daughters; her Eldest Child is a Son between 15 and 16 years of age has for several years been Incapable of erning his Bread, by Reason of a fever Sore, which bids fair to Render him Incapable of supporting himself thro Life; his State is such at present that no person here would engage for his maintenance for his Labour, after this Representation of the Case your Excellency's Pleasure Touching the matter will be fully satisfing to your most obedient and very Humb'l Servt. South East Precinct 5th Decr. 1781. His Excellency Governor Clinton. Wm. Mott, Just. pease, [No. 4193.] Thomas Moffat Informs Governor Clinton That Mr. Wright Can Procure Supplies for the Army. Blooming Grove, 5 Decem., 1781. Sir, The bearer Mr. Obadiah Wright, informs me that he has it in his power to procure a very considerable quantity of Woolling Cloths, Linnens &c suitable for our Army, and will dispose of them for that purpose, if he can obtain your Excellencies permission to bring them off Long Island. Mr. Wright will inform your Excellency of the conditions upon which he will Supply the publick with those Articles which will enable you to Judge of the propriety of the measure. I am with the most profound respect, Your Excellencies most Obedient & very Huml. Servant His Excellency Governor Clinton. |