1. Heath is referring to passports issued by Maj. Gen. James Pattison, who commanded the British forces in New York City. A passport dated 16 Nov. reads: “Permission is given to Capt. Thomas Colden with the Sloop Return … to pass with a Flag of Truce up Hudson’s River as far, (if permitted) as New Windsor for the purpose of carrying Mrs. & Miss Colden with their Servant maid, and Mrs. McLaughery & Mrs. Logan and their Baggage mentioned in their several Passports; and such other Persons and Effect as have Passes to New Windsor. And in return to bring the Families and Effects of John Fluelling [Flewelling]” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:360). Another passport issued on the same date reads: “Permission is given to Mrs. & Miss Colden to take with them in the Flag of Truce going up Hudson’s River, Two Trunks of wearing apparrel and some Family necessaries, one Barrel of Brown & one of Loaf Sugar, one quarter Cask of wine, one Case of Spirits, fifty pounds of Coffee, two Dozen of Chocolate, two Dozen of Tea, one Basket, or small Cask of Earthen ware &c. Two Tierces of Salt, a Box of window Glass, two side Saddles, and Cloath and Trimmings for a great Coat for Dr. John Bard of Poughkeepsie” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:360). Other undated passports granting permission for individuals to transport clothing, provisions, and personal articles can be found in Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:360–61.

2. The husbands of Agnes McClaughrey and Abigail Clark Logan had begun arrangements for the movement of these women during the summer. In a letter to New York governor George Clinton penned at Long Island on 16 Aug., Lt. Col. James McClaughrey and Maj. Samuel Logan, both American prisoners, in part wrote: “We beg leave to acquaint your Excellency that we have at last procured Permission from the Commanding officer at New York for our wives to come in and see us, provided your Excellency will permit Mrs. Colden and Miss Colden to come in and return again; we are Sorry to Trouble your Excellency on this Score but the [a]rdent desire of Seeing our wives after so long a separation and who have Several Times attemp[t]ed to come in, urge us to beg your Excellency to grant Permission for the two women above mentioned to come in if it can be Consistantly done” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:214–15; see also James McClaughrey to Clinton, 26 Aug., in Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:215–16, and Fingerhut, Cadwallader Colden II, description begins Eugene R. Fingerhut. Survivor: Cadwallader Colden II in Revolutionary America. Washington, D.C., 1983. description ends 106–9).

Elizabeth Ellison Colden (c.1725–1815), who came from a prominent New York family, married Cadwallader Colden II in 1745. Eight of their children survived childhood. “Miss Colden” likely was Jane “Jennie” Colden (1748–1830), who remained unmarried and at home until she married Alexander Murray after her father’s death in 1797.

3. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman had written Heath’s aide-de-camp Maj. Thomas Cartwright from West Point on 22 Nov.: “I last night recd yours enclosing the papers brought out by Flag. A sloop will go down to Kings ferry when the tide serves to take the passengers from the other. Be pleased to have an Officer stationed at the Ferry with instructions to go down with the sloop and receive Mrs and Miss Colden and their servant Maid and Baggage and Mrs Logan and Mrs Laughry with their Effects. The passport further says ‘and such other persons and Effects as have passports for New Windsor.’ Who those persons are we do not know, but except they can shew some authority from Governor Clinton to come out, they cannot be permitted. Genl Pattison’s passport mentions that the families and effects of Jno. Fluillen and a number of others are to return in the Flag Boat, but they are not to go except they have the customary permits from Govr Clinton” (DLC:GW).

4. For the flour shortage, see Jeremiah Wadsworth to GW, 8 Nov., and the source note and n.1 to that document.