We have therefore agreed upon, and shall forward to the assembly of the pretended State of Vermont, a Protest against erecting the Grants into an independant Government in the present time; and also one Copy thereof to his Excellency Governor Clinton, and another to the Press for Publication, that the World may know our Disapprobation of the present irregular Proceedings. We think it the Duty of every Friend to the Independance of America, more especially in the Grants, to use their most strenuous Efforts to suppress or check this offspring of anarchy in its Infancy. And as preserving Unanimity amongst the Number who chuse not to assist in dividing the Continent, in this momentous Crisis, may have a Tendency to answer that End; and is essentially necessary as well for the public Good, as for the Security of their Persons and Property; we beg leave to recommend to you to elect a Committee in such time that they may meet at Capt'n Sarjeant's in Brattleborough on the thirtieth Day of June next at eleven o'clock in the Forenoon, to exist for six Months; and to authorize them to consent to such measures as they shall think most likely to restore to this divided County internal tranquility, and Submission to the just and necessary authority of those who by order of Congress are regularly appointed to rule over us; from time to time to transmit to the Government of New York, accounts of all such matters as may be material for them to be acquainted with; and to take such Steps as they think best, for relieving those who may suffer in their Persons or Properties by any authority pretended to be derived from the State of Vermont. We are Gentlemen, Your very Humble Serv'ts Signed by Order Thomas Cutler Chairman. To the Inhabitants of [No. 1283.] Richard Kip Accuses Captain Crane of Purloining a Box. Pompton April 15th 1778. Sir, Last Decm'r a Twelvemonth a Small Box was Taken at or Near Princetown And Deposited in an Amunition Cart & Supposed to be Taken From thence by Capt. Crane. I can Assure you that I have Seen a Box in Crane's Possession That answers the Description & Since the Discovery he is prepareing to Leave the Continent. He Now Resides in Clarks Town, Orange County. A Line to Collo. Gilbert Coper at Kakeate with Direction to Detect Or Apprehend In haste May Still Serve to Recover the Money &c. for those Justly Entitled to the Same. In haste I Rem'n S'r your V H S. Rich'd Kip, Jun'r., Ass. D. Q. M. G. To Collo. Hammilton. [No. 1284.] Governor Clinton Gives the Reverend Mr. Mason Reasons for Not Appointing Two Men to Office. Poughkeepsie 16th April 1778. D'r Sir, I received your Letter of the 4th March five Days ago. It woud give me great Pleasure to serve the Persons you recoinmend, Mr. Earnest & Mr. Brown, as I know them to be worthy Citizens who have suffered much by the present Contest and I dont in the least doubt but the other is equally deserving. I am unhappy, therefore, in not having any Post in my Gift which woud enable them to earn a Support for themselves & Famillies. In the State there are very few Offices for which they are qualified but such as, in these Dear Times, woud be a Burthen instead of a help, the Perquisites or Salaries annexed to the Offices not affording an adequate Compensation for the Trouble of the Of ficer. The few that are worth holding were granted by the Convention to Refugees equally distressed who still hold them. In the Course of last year while I was in the Military Line, I had the Pleasure of relieving the distresses of some, as Vaccancies frequently happened on the Staff of the Army, and the Commanding Officer generally filled them up with Persons I Recommended. You may rest assured, Sir, shoud an Opportunity Offer by which I may able to serve these good People it will be most chearfully embraced. In the Mean Time I will recommend them to Genl. McDougal's attention, who now Commands in this Department & is most likely to have it in his Power to serve them. Please to present my best Respects to Mrs. Mason & believe to be with great Regard Rever'd Sir Your most Obed't Serv't [G. C.] [To Rev. John Mason.] [No. 1285.] Governor Clinton Requests Secretary of State Scott to Fill Out Military Commissions First. Poughkeepsie 16th April 1778. Sir, I find it the prevailing Oppinion among the Militia Officers appointed by the Council that they are not authorized to act until they receive their Commissions in due form & on the other Hand the old Officers are willing to consider themselves superceded, from which I fear great Inconveniences will arise in making the Drafts for filling up the Continental Battalions & other Military Service. Let me, therefore, intreat that the compleating the Military Commissions be the first Business in your Office. I am Sir with Respect Your Most Obdt. Serv't Genl. Scott. [G. C.] [No. 1286.] The Albany Committee Protests Against the Removal of the Troops. Albany Committee Chamber 16th April 1778. Sir, We are just now informed that the Continental Troops stationed in this City are ordered to Fish Kills. This Step however right it may be, alarms us much. We would beg leave to observe, that near one hundred and forty Tory Prisoners are at present Confined in this City and are daily encreasing, and upwards of fifty Regular Prisoners together with a large Quantity of Public Stores, Provisions, a Laboratory and other public buildings, all of which require Troops to Guard them, the number of disaffected Persons in and about this City, who would readily embrace any favourable oppertunity that should offer to distress us of which their present Conduct evinces. Warner's Regiment consisting of one hundred and thirty Men, Officers included, who are ordered here we are induced to beleive are not sufficiently disciplined to discharge the trust that will be reposed in them. Our Northern Frontiers in a defenceless situation and no Troops to Succor them,-such is the situation of this County at present; of which we hold it our indispensible duty to inform your Excellency & suggest to you the propriety of Continuing Alden's or Greaten's Regiments in this City or devise. such other ways or means for the protection of the public Stores &c. as shall appear necessary to your Excellency. We are Your Excellency's Most Obt. Serv'ts By order John Barclay Chairman. His Excellency Gov'r Clinton. [No. 1287.] The Albany Committee Requests the Removal of the British Doctor Hayes, British Officers and Other Prisoners. * Albany Committee Chamber 16th April 1778. Sir, A Brittish Doctor Hays who has resided in this City, the last Winter has by his Conduct rendered himself very obnoxious to the well affected Inhabitants of this City. Repeated applica tions have been made to have him removed to the Eastward-as nothing is yet done, we take the Liberty to lay this matter before your Excellency, and in the Name of the Inhabitants of this City, would request you to interpose in having the Brittish Doctors, Officers and the other Prisoners removed. We are Your Excellency's Most Obt. Serv'ts By order John Barclay Chairman. His Excellency Gov'r Clinton. [No. 1288.] Petition for the Pardon of John Moffat. Sir, Wee the Subscribers, being well acquainted with the person and Character of John Moffat, now a prisoner in Dutchess County Goal, on a Sentence of the late Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Goal Delivery, on a conviction for part of the sentence Vizt. standing one hour in the pillory, he has undergone, the remainder of the sentence is that he stand committed until the last Tuesday in this month, and then to stand one hour in the pillory, and receive thirty nine lashes on his naked back wee beg leave to acquaint your Excellency, that the said John Moffat hath during the present troubles Distinguished himself as an active and remarkable Zealous Whigg, and been peculiarly Serviceable to the publick in apprehending *See pages 55-58. |