[No. 3965.] Elizabeth Newman Petitions the Governor for the Exchange of Her Husband. Caughnawaga, 4th September, 1781. May it Please Your Excelancy: To hear the Cryes of your Humble Petioner who has had the misfortune to Losing her husband, a True Subject of the State of New York and a well wisher to the American Cause; he was taken the Last of March in the Year Eighty by a Party of the Enemy commanded by Gilbt. Tice and by the Information of the Late Flag from Canada was carried to Niagary and from thence was brought to a Farm belonging to Joseph Brant Lying within Sixty Miles of Niagary, and your Petioner being in Great Distress, having a Family of three small Children and nobody but herself to maintain those small children and your Petioner Desires to have her husband Exchanged by the Present Flag; might it Please Your Excelancy to Grant Request and your Petioner as in Duty Bound will for Ever Pray. Elizabeth Newman. N. B. the prisoner's name is Joseph Newman. [No. 3966.] Governor Clinton to General Stark as to Provisions and Forage. Pokeepsie, 4th Sept. 1781. Dr Sir, I was favored with your Letter of the 31st Ultimo by Major Shurtliffe yesterday Evening. From the Difficulties the Officer you releived had to encounter, I can easily conceive of the Embarrassments you meet with in your present Command. It cannot be doubted but I had a Disposition to render his command as comfortable & efficacious as possible & you may be assured, Sir, that equal Attention will be paid to the public Service under your Direction & if at any Times your Applications to me are ineffectual I beg you they may not be imputed to the Want of Inclination but of Power to serve you. With respect to Forage, Congress has not made any Requisition on the State for that Article. It is, therefore, to be presumed that they have put it in the Power of the public Officers to provide a sufficient supply by purchase & this being the Case it would be utterly unjustifiable in me to grant an Impress especially for the ordinary consumption of the Department & under this idea I refused every Application of this nature by Brigr. Genl. Clinton last Winter. As to Teams for the Transportation of Provisions for the Troops, you will find Warrants of Impress inclosed in my Letter of the 1st inst. in Answer to yours of the 21st ult. on that Subject, which are authorized by the present emergency. I am, Sir, [No. 3967.] William Spotten Transmits Letters and Information Bearing on the Vermont Case. Fishkill Landing, 5 Sept. 1781. Sir, I do myself the Honor to transmit you two letters which I had intended myself the honor of delivering personally, but was prevented last evening by the fairness and freshness of the wind; have thought best to forward them now from this place, and I shall wait upon your Excellency for an Answer to them on my return which will be in a few Days. I have the Honor to be very respectfully Your Excellency's very Humble Servant, His Excellency, George Clinton Esqr. Governor, &c. FLORES BANKER TO GEORGE CLINTON-THE SPOTTEN CASE. New City 29th Aug. 1781. Sir, As a Subject of the State of New York (though in no authority) I conceive myself under obligations to keep and maintain the peace of the same, which in this place has been greatly impeeded and put in Convulsion by reason of the claim of Vermont being extended to the South of this place and including it within the Jurisdiction thereof. They have chosen their Civil and Military Officers, who Immediately are Sworn; they gener ally are composed of Persons of Little or no property or principal and are supported by the Tory faction. They seem to endeavor at all opportunities to dragoon people in compliance with their Governments; several frays have ensued which had I not interfeared in, and acted as Mediator between them-in all probability the consequences might have proven verry fatal. On Saturday morning last, an Armed party of the Vermont faction took two sons of the bearer, Mr. William Spotten, of this place Prisoners; (one of them a Constable of this District under this State) notice of which was immediately brought me. I went out and got them released. The particulars of which Mr. Spotten can inform your Excellency. I have done everything in my power to Cultivate peace and Harmony here, as the contrary disposition lays us open to become an easy prey to our Enemies, who have threatened me, and one or two more Prisoners to Canada. Lieut. Col. Henry Van Renselaer has received a Letter from Governor Chittenden forbidding him the Exercise of his Commission over the people within the new Claim, a copy of which will be handed your Excellency by Genl. Gansevort, whom I have consulted, concerning these disputes, as they Chiefly arise about Military Orders. I have recommended a Neutrality on both sides untill the Determination of Congress as I conceive the safety of the Whigs of this place require it. Inclosed is the copy of an Advertisement put up in this place yesterday. Should be more particular but the Bearer, Mr. William Spotten, waits Impationately, it being just night and conceives himself unsafe in town any longer. I am & Remain Your Excellencies most obediant and most humb. Servt. His Excellency George Clinton, Esqr. A NOTICE FOR THE CALL OF A VERMONT STATE ELECTION. Notice is hereby given to the Inhabitants of the Town of Schorticoke to meet at the House of Henry Jackson, in Tomhanock on tusday the fourth Day of September next at 9 O'clock on said day in Order to Elect a Governor, Lieut. Governor aud twelve Counsellors and two Representatives for the year ensu ing, also a States Treasurer by order of the Selectmen. August 27, 1781. Jona. Hobbart, Const. ROBERT YATES TO GOVERNOR CLINTON. Albany, Augt. 31st, 1781. Sir, The Bearer hereof, Mr. William Spotten, an Inhabt of the new City, for his opposition to the usurpation of the Vermonters, has been obliged to quit his abode. He will inform your Excellency of their proceedings, and the insolency with which they treat the supporters of the Jurisdiction of this state. As I have been long acquainted with the Gent'm. I presume to recommend him to your Excellency's notice, and that you can rely on the Information he will give. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect, Your Excellency's most obedt. humble servt. [No. 3968.] General Heath to Governor Clinton Regarding the Frontier and Levies. Headquarters, Peekskill, Sept. 5, 1781. Sir, His Excellency the commander in chief in his instructions to me among other things is pleased to direct my attention to the Northern and Western frontiers of the State of New York. I shall at all times think myself happy in affording them every assistance and protection in my power. From your knowledge of the State and its frontiers-unwearied attention and endeavors to protect them, you have the most perfect knowledge of their situation and what may at any time be necessary for their particular aid. Permit me, therefore, to ask your opinion and advice on every occasion in which the safety of the frontiers may require it. In granting this request I shall esteem myself much honored; and I am sure the safety of the State will thereby be much promoted. If there are any levies on the frontiers which are considered as under my command, I will thank you for information where they are-by whom commanded-and whether you are of opinion they are stationed in the best places to cover the frontiers or whether a removal of any of them to other places will be more beneficial. If any sudden emergency should happen, I pray you to give such immediate orders to any of those troops you may judge neces sary. I have the honor to be With the highest respect and esteem, Your Excellency's Most obedient servant. His Excellency Governor Clinton. [No. 3969.] John Tayler Apprehensive that the Tories Will Destroy Albany and So Notifies the Governor. Dear Sir, Your favor of the 23d Ultimo I Received. I thank you for the paper you was pleased to Inclose. I wish I in Return could send you agreeable News from this Quarter-a |
