such measures for quelling the Insurrection as shall appear necessary and expedient. I must recommend to you the greatest Precaution and Circumspection in the Matter and from Time to Time report your Proceedings to me.

Albany 5 Dec. 1781.

Colo. P. Yates.

[No. 4197.]

Representative William Floyd to Governor Clinton Concerning the Action of Congress on New York's Resolutions in Regard to the Vermont Dispute.

Philadelphia, December 6th, 1781.

Sir, Since writing to your Excellency two days ago I have been honoured with your Letter of the 24th of Nov'b'r. with Several others therewith enclosed, all which are Delivered.

The Concurrent Resolves of the Senate and Assembly Respecting the New Hampshire Grants has been Read, and I did my Endeavour to have them Entered on the Journals, but Could not Succeed in that; Gentlemen who were opposed to it urged, that it was unprecedented and very Improper to Enter on their Journals, Concurrent Resolves of any State, which had a direct tendency to Criminate Certain Resolutions of Congress. It Stands Entered on the Journal that they were Read and ordered to be Filed in the Secretarie's office.

The other Resolves with your Excellency's Letter Shewing the Distressed Circumstances of our State; I have got Committed to a Special Committee and as soon as the Determination of Congress is had thereon, I will do myself the pleasure to advise you thereof.

From Sir your Most Obedt. and very humble Servt. His Excellency Governor Clinton.

[No. 4198.]

Solomon Pendleton Depicts to Governor Clinton the Situation in Vermont and Submits a Scheme to Utilize British Prisoners.

Albany, 7th Decr. 1781.

Sir, I returned last evening from the Frontiers of Vermont, where, every thing seems to be in the greatest confusion; every thing is said, and done, but what tends toward peace, and regularity. Your Exelency is undoubtedly acquainted, that all those Inhabitants that lives west of the twenty mile Line, and others without the bounds of their former Claim, are called by the Common people, Cattermounters; & those within, Vermounters. These two sets of people, are now at variance; and their enmity daily increases toward each other. The Cattermounters Compose a sort of an outrageous mob; and are supported only [by] the Gouvernor, Council, and a few hot-headed people in Vermount; but their supporters daily decrease in number and strength. I likewise find, that many of the people in, and about Bennington, and other parts of Vermount, are daily falling off from their new State; and would desert yet faster, if they were sure they should meet with pardon for their former conduct, from the State of New York. This change, is owing to the three following reasons: first, the inconsistant and troblesome conduct of the Cattermounters; who, so far overrun the bounds of political reason, that it makes them sick of their power. Secondly, the late secret negotiations with the Enemy by the Governor, Council, and a few more desining men, has disgusted those who have ever had a sincear regard for the freedom of the United States in General. And thirdly, their paper Currency, which they emited as a State, has answer'd them no better purpose, than to drain all the hard money out of their Treasury;

and in the roome of it, they have their paper Currency of no Credit. The hard money thus set on float, has gone to different States for Merchandise: so that they have now, as little hard Cash, in proportion to their wants, as the State of New York. To remedy this false step, they have laid a heavy Tax in specie; not only upon all the Inhabitants of Vermont, but likewise upon the Cattermounters, which three forths of the people of Vermount reject, as belonging to their State. I have already observed to your Excelency, that the Cattermounters are supported only by the Governor, Council and a few others, who seem to be actuated by madness, or dispare. Circumstances thus considered, I am of oppinnion, that these people will, of themselves do the business for the State of New York. It only remains, for the State to act with spirit upon the one hand; and humanity and good policy upon the other. I understand there is an application gone to your Exelency, for a Military force, to quell some disturbances that are now existing, between those people that are true to the State of New York, and the Cattermounters, which are mixed one among another; but, I am of oppinnion that this method may better be postponed to a futer day. I hope your Exelency will pardon me, for giving my oppinnion so freely; while I beg leave to asure you, that it is not my design to incroach upon your better Judgment. Inclosed I send your Exelency the Coppy of a Letter from Governor Chittenden to Mr. Henry Denker,* in the Manner of Renslear Wyck I have been very exact in taking this Coppy: I have even placed the Lines as I found them.

I am informed by good authority, that there is several British Soldiers, latly Captur'd by Col. Willet, who are prejudiced in

See document 4161, page 512.

favor of the freedom of this Country; and wish to be free from the British Army. I was likewise inform'd that there were several of these Prisoners, who wish'd to ingage as Servants to American Officers, or private Gentlemen. On my way from Poughkeepsie to Albany, I came to a resolution to take out one of these Prisoners from the City-goal, where they were confined; and keep him for a personal attendant, intil I had prov'd his sincerity and fidelity: and when I had sufficiently attach'd him to my Interest, and bent his mind to my purpose, I intended to give him orders to desert me, in the night, and repair to such place as I should direct: there to remain in the service of such people as would best answer the purpose intended: when he had sufficiently gain'd their confidence, to receive their dispatches for the Enemy at New York, and bring them to me: When I had taken propper methods to open, and Coppy their Contents, I would Seal, and send them on to New York; with propper directions to return with the Enemies dispatches to me. I beg leave to propose to your Exelency, whether these people might not be made usefull Tools of, to the advantage, not only of this State, but of the United States in general. Before my arrival at Albany, all the British Prisoners that were confin'd in this City, were sent down to West Point; and of course my design was frustrated. However, I further beg leave to propose whether the Plan would not still be good. Your Exelency will please to consider, that the man propos'd is a British Soldier, taken Prisoner by Col. Willet, belonging to the State of New York; that he is still a Prisoner; will desert from the said State; and from an Officer, that is well known to be an Enemy to their whole proceedings. These circumstances consider'd if the Soldier was true to his trust, it would be next

to impossible for these people to discover the fraud. As to the Soldier; suppose him to be national, and so far attach'd to his native Country, that he would not willingly act against it, yet, he would probably consider this as an internal dispute among ourselves; and that it did not Immediately affect him, or his nation: and that it would be his interest to make the most he coud of it, to his own advantage. If your Exelency thinks these propositions worthy of notice, I beg you will write to Genl.. Heath, to forward one of these Prisoners to me, or to Albany gaol; from whence I can receive him. There are among these Prisoners several Mechanics of different kinds. If one that is most attached to this country, should happen to be a Tayler, or a Shoe Maker, all the better; as he could introduce himself from house to house, among the first class of People, without the least mistrust. If your Exelency has anything to communicate to me, please to write by the Post, which will be both safe and Direct. I presume my Title, and pretentions to Rank in the Line, will screen me from Postege.

Upon the 4th Instant, in the Night, one James Yates, living upon the western boundaries of Pittstown, Murdered his Wife and four Children with an Ax; the eldest 6 years of age, and the youngest a sucking child. He likewise killed his two horses, his Cow, and his Dog, which was all the living creatures he had about his house. The murderer was the first that made the discovery; nor did he attempt to make his escape. He was brought into this City, this afternoon.

I remain, Sir, with all due respect, Your Excelencys most obediant, And very humble Servant,

His Exelency Governor Clinton.