knows, least such attrocious offenders should escape, and the public Stores fall a sacrifice to their Villany. I am as before, Your most Obt. His Excellency Governor Clinton Poughkeepsie. H. H. [No. 1299.] THE WYOMING MASSACRE. Evidence to Show it was Planned as far Back as February, 1778— Tory and Indian Plots. The Deposition of the following Persons made before the Committee of Mamacotten Precinct April the 17th 1778: Josiah Parks being Duly sworn, Deposeth and saith: That about the midle of Feb'y Last past Cap't John so Called-a Tuskarora Indian was coming thro the woods to go to one Robt. Lands at Cashithtown and being overtaken with fear, turn'd about from Said Lands to Shohauken and imploy'd one John Harris to go to said Lands with an Express of Letters for said Land to go to York with, and soon after said Land went off and is not yet appear'd Home or been seen here since, and that the Tories says the said Land is gone to New York and they are afraid he is taken. The said deponent farther saith that by the best Information he can get of one Dav'd Vaneveran of Shohaukan is, That the Indians and Tories mean to strike first on Sisqueannah about Wyomah [Wyoming] and take that place first; with the Number of four thousand men, and then come through to the North River. The same Deponent farther saith that Francis Elswert told him not to tell the Damn'd Rebels at Cashithtown about the plot for fear they would move off. Said Elswert sells provision to the Indians and takes Orders on the Kings Quarter-master for pay. The said Deponent farther saith that Francis Elswert; Nathan Parks; Garton De Witt; and Hank Bush, are gone to the Indians. The Evidence of Joseph Gordens is as follows. He says he heard Francis Elswert and Joseph Gooding-Both of Shohawken -Say that they would Come about five Weeks hence with the Indians and Tories to take all the Wigs at Cashithtown,-Namely-Bezaleel Tyler; John Lashly; in short all the Wigs. And the persons which would not be hurt that were Kings men. Viz. Joseph Ross, Nath'l Michel, Brian Cain, one Allan, Robt. Land, Dan'l Skinner, Jonas Wood, Haggai Skinner. The said Deponent farther saith that the said Elswert and Said Gooding are going Back and forwards to the Indians Greatest part of the time: And the Indians are among them Great part of the time and that he has seen the Indians among them-they seem to be of one mind and opininon and agree very well. May it please your Excellency, We of the Mamacotten Precinct and part of Goshen Precinct that took the Deposition of the aforesaid Deponents took it under Character of Committee 'tho we are not certain wether the power and use of Committee be not expired now the Magistracy has taken place. Nevertheless we thought it our Duty to the State, as well as Safety to our selves to take from under Oath the Deposition of persons filled with the Greatest Anxiety and fear of their Persons and Familes falling a Prey to their worse than Savage Neighbours. And we Beg Leave to Lay before your Excellency this their and our Situation from this Diabolical Plot which we have Reason to beleive For it is the opininon of most of the Inhabitants both of this and Orange County about the Minnisink that our Enemy is more formidable and our danger Greater than from last Years Design. One of the Deponents Declared on Oath that 300 Men would not be sufficient to take them, so great their Numbers and Beg'd it to be kept Secret for Should it Transpire before help they would be on them and us before we could Remove. We Beg you Excellencys acceptance Judgment and Consideration of the Premises. And beg Leave to assure your Excellency we are Devoted to your Commands. In behalf of the Inhabitants Mention'd J. R. D'Witt. Philip Swartwoud. Benjamin Depuy. Peenpeck Mamacotten precinct 19th April 1778. [No. 1300.] General McDougall Not Disposed to Concede All Governor Clinton's Demands. Fish Kills 19th April 1778. Sir, I am honored with your Favor of yestarday. The Letters I received from the Commander in chief, preceding the one on which your Opinion was asked informed me of Vanschaick's, Hazen's & Livingston's Regiment being ordered to this Post. When Graton's & Alden's were ordered to repair here, 'tis prob able that which directed Livingston's from Johnstown, was forgot; or that the last Order from the Board of war was founded on General Washington's importunity to have them all down, with a view to the Question stated to us. If I should be mistaken in this Construction, & any misfortune should happen to this Post, by the Absence of those two Regiments, my Superiors will make me answerable for the Event. I cannot therefore consent to let both those Corps remain at Albany. But as Livingston's is here, the Spirit of the Order & the Condition of Albany will justify me in leaving Alden's Regt. there, till Livingston's can be sent up. This is the safest Line of Conduct I can pursue, which I hope will give Satisfaction as far as it is in my power. I am Sir your humble Servant His Excellency Governor Clinton. [No. 1301.] Alex'r McDougall. General James Clinton Recommends the Release of Caleb HyattWork Suspended at West Point. West Point 19th April 1778. D'r Brother, Inclosed you have a Letter I rec'd from Col. Hathorn relative to a certain Caleb Hayett who was taken the begining of last Winter, by some of our Guards near Bergen, when he says that he was leaveing the Enemy and comeing to us; as I belive nothing more will appear against him than what has concerning the Crimes he hath allready comemited, I think he had better be with his Family than where he is; however you will act as you Judge best; the bearor I belive waits on you to try to have Hayett set at liberty. The Militia were discharged yesterday agreeable to orders. The Enemy weigh'd Anchor on Friday last about 4 O'Clock P. M. and with a fair wind soon went out of sight. Yesterday our Guard Boats proceeded down to Tarry Town. I expect the earli est notice of the Enemy's motions by them. Our Fort is now allmost at a stand since the departure of the Militia. I hope you'll not detain them long; the different Regts. are at the Redoubts. My Comp'ts to the Ladies; let them know the Children are like to get well through the small Pox. I have Just now heard from them. I am Yours Affectionatly &c. [To Gov. George Clinton.] [No. 1302.] James Clinton. The Monument to Herkimer The Committee Defers to Governor Clinton. Tryon County 20th of April 1778. May it please your Excellency, We had the honour of receiving a Letter some time since under your Signature with an inclos'd Copy of a Resolve of Congress for erecting a Monument to the Memory of our Late Brave General, & also a Copy of a Letter from the Honbl. John Handcock, president of Congress to your Excellency respecting the same. Our sorrow at the loss of that Gallant Gentleman seems somewhat aleviated when we consider the Honour done his memory by that Honourable Body. We Cordially concur with the honourable president of Congress in thinking that such marks of distinction shewn to the memory of those Heroes which sacrifice their Lives in the cause of their Country may tend to animate others to tread in their paths. We are highly sensible of the honour done us by your Excellency in Refering to us the determination of the manner & spot of erecting it. Agreeable to your recommendation we have consulted the Widow & Friends of the General (which necessarily occasion'd our delay in answering) & find it their opinion to have it erected Nigh the Yellow Church in Connejoharrie. As to the manner of erecting it they & we are so little acquainted with |