may not be the means of Delaying your Journey, as they most anxiously desire your attendance at Congress. I am your most Obed't Serv't·

Geo. Clinton.

You will please to take Mr. Barclay's Rec't for the Exemplification if you shoud not be the Bearer yourself.

The Honorable Philip Livingston Esq.

[No. 1169.]

Returns of Colonel Graham's Regiment.

A return of Lieut. Colonel Morris Graham's Regiment of Militia

in Dutchess County, March 12th, 1778.

Jelles Fonda Displays a Bit of Patriotism.

Caughnawaga, 12th March 1778.

Hon'ble Sir, Agreeable to my Promise to you, I Immedately on my arrival at home, went to Colo. Klocks (being twenty one miles from my House, with my own Sleigh and Horses) he being

the oldest Colo. of the Militia in this County, and requested of him, and also of Colo. Fisher to send you down an Exact Return of the Strenth of the Militia of this County, which they Promised to do, but as yet have Negleted it, altho I have often Reminded them of it; they say it will soon be Ready, and shall be sent to you as soon as possible.

I am Sir Your most Humble Serv't

To his Excellency Governor Clinton.

Jelles Fonda.

[No. 1171.]

COLONEL WYNKOOP'S WORK COMMENDED. Delinquency in Pushing Work Forward for the Gunboat Defences of the Hudson.

Robinson's, 11th March 1778.

D'r Sir, This moment I rec'd a Letter from Col. Wyncoop of ye 4th Inst. He informs me 12 Cannon are at Albany from Ti; the Sleighs gone for ye Remainder & expected the middle of ye following week; and had good Prospects of compleating the Carriages by ye Time ye River opens. That all ye Boards would be at ye Landings by ye End of the next week; axes, Spades &c. he had Sent to New Windsor: in Short his Business has been exceeding well attended to and afords agreable Prospects. He informs me no Dimentions have been given nor orders for building Gun Boats or floating Batteries. I wish you, Sir, to send him Directios & direct the Shape & Size of the Boats & Batteries, the number & weight of Cannon in Each. I beleive a floating Battery, mounting about Six Peices from 12 to 24 pounds, will be a better Defence to this Post than any Land Battery, and had better be constructed at Albany before the Gun Boats are began there.

Part of ye Provisions pass ye Ferry this morning, but is Short of the Commissary's Report; of 100 to have been rec'd of Cpt. Hiat at Crumpond 61 barrels are deliverd. I have heard nothing, from Bedford since I left that Place, Mr. Campbell whom I left to forward the Provisions having made no Report.

If you think the Service will be promoted by it, I wish to receive a Line, by which I shall be authoris'd to make Such Contracts & use so much Discretion as is necessary to forward these works until you can attend in person, as much Trouble will be sav'd you which may otherwise arise from frequent applications. I am with Esteem & Regard Y'r Excellency's Obed't h'e Serv't Saml. H. Parsons.

His Excellency Governor Clinton. Poughkeepsie.

D'r Sir, Your Letters of yesterday & this Day are received. I will endeavour to have the Torrie Famillies you mention, removed to make Room for the Troops and prevent the Misschief they might do living in the Vicinity of the Works. I received a Letter from Colo. Wynkoop simular with his to you, & thereupon wrote him to advise with Genl. Schuyler as to the Size & Construction of the Gun Boats to be built at Albany & follow his Directions. I have wrote to Congress for Part of the Troops from the Northward. I wish I had known Colo. Putnam's Regt. was there before. I will however endeavour to procure it as the Colo. can be usefull man with us. I have requested of your State, Massachusetts & this, 3000 Militia, but it must necessarily be long. eere they can be on the Spot. I begg, that you will do every thing which you conceive, will tend to forward the Works, & rest

assured, whatever you may so do, will be confirmed as far in the Power of your most Obed't Serv't

[To Gen. Parsons.]

[G. C.]

To save Time I will write to the Marquis* for Men as it may be long before I can have an answer from Congress on that Subject.

[No. 1172.]

GOVERNOR CLINTON DISPLAYS GOOD JUDGMENT. Declines to Go to Extremes-Difficulties in the Way of the Defences of the Hudson.

Kings Ferry 11th March 1778.

Dear General, Just as I set off from Fishkill, Peter Hughes returned from the Slitting Mill and brought word that no Nail Rods could be had till some time in April, in which case the works will be retarded greatly, if not totally stopp'd. On my arrival here I find as near as I can compute (some being thrown into the water) about 100 bundles, which I have ordered to be seized and sent up the River, for public use, and beg that one, if not both of the [boa]ts may be dispatched for them & the remainder of the Grain; there is about 1000 Bushels here yet & the Enemy hourly expected. Capt. Tyson is sent with this, in order that there may be no delay; he is orderd also to apply for an Extra order for the taking the nail Rods, which I hope you will approve.

Major Kierse tells me that the Enemy to the amount of about 400, were near Tarry Town yesterday & skirmish'd with the Militia, but knows not the event.

* Lafayette.

I should be happy if you would please to communicate this, to the Gov. as well as what I have done relative to the Nail Rods. I am &c. &c.

H. Hughes.

P. S. I have orderd an exact account to be taken of the Rods, that the owner may receive the value. It is pretty clear that they are the property of Mr. Ogden who refuses to supply us.

Copy.

H. H.

D'r S'r, The forgoing is a Copy of Col. Hughes's Letter. The Nail Rods will be wanted very soon. I wish your Excellency to give proper Directions therein. I have heard nothing of the affair at Tarry Town but what's contained in Col. Hughes's Letter.

Y'r h'e Serv.

Saml. H. Parsons.

12th March 12 o'clock.

His Excellency Governor Clinton, Poughkeepsie.

D'r Sir, You will readily see the Impropriety of my giving an Order as Gov'r, to seize the Nail Rods, alluded to in your Letter of this Date; nor do I think such an order necessary; the absolute necessity which Colo. Hughes says there is of Nails to carry on the Works for the Defence of the River, his not being able to procure a supply at the Usual Place, or elsewhere, & the concealed Manner he found the Present Bundles, in my Oppinion will Justify, the Converting them to public Use, especially on this present Occassion, taking a proper acc't of them, & paying the owner when discovered, the full Value. I have this Day