I was lately informed, that a part of colonel Willett’s regiment had been inlisted by the state of New York for the term of three years upon the footing of a state regiment; upon which I wrote governor Clinton for information. I take the liberty to inclose his answer, and request your Excellency’s opinion and direction, apprehending you have some knowledge of the intentions of the state and of Congress respecting the raising, subsisting, clothing and paying this corps. The instructions from the war-office confines the distribution of clothing to the continental line of the army.

I have the honor to forward returns of the regiments present, as directed by your excellency’s letter of the 8th instant. The returns of the invalid regiment, colonel Sheldon’s, the two New Hampshire regiments, and those belonging to New York and New Jersey shall be forwarded as soon as they come to hand.

A general distribution of clothing is taking place here. By the instructions of the secretary at war to the clothier-general the british dyed clothing is to be delivered to the New Hampshire regiments, and to such other corps as your Excellency or I may direct. Not knowing but you have determined on the distribution of the remainder of this clothing, (british dyed,) and some doubts arrising here respecting it, induces me to address you for some directions. After the New Hampshire paymasters have received for their regiments, there will remain of the brown clothing a sufficiency for about five regiments. If this is given to the five Connecticut regiments, they object that it is not the uniform of their line, nor is the clothing so good in their opinion as what will be made up. If it is assigned to the Massachusetts line they make the same objections, wth this in addition, that if a reform of the army is to take place, when the regiments become incorporated, the uniform of the whole will be destroyed. If two regiments of the Connecticut line of the brigade to which colonel Olney’s regiment belongs receive the brown clothing, and the five regiments of the state are incorporated into a less number, the uniformity is destroyed in that line. If the two New York regiments and the two of New Jersey and the 10th Massachusetts regiment, which last is at present brigaded with the New Hampshire line, should receive the brown clothing, uniformity will be preserved, except the 10th Massachusetts regiment should be hereafter incorporated into the other regiments of its state, should there be a new reform. In case I should order a distribution conformable to this last proposition, the states of New York and New Jersey will naturally suppose that I have make such a decision to favor the troops of Massachusetts. I therefore pray that your Excellency or the Secretary at war would decide on the matter. No time will be lost in case your Excellency should think it convenient to determine the matter shortly; as it is thought expedient first to issue the blankets, shirts, shoes, hose, overalls, &c. which will take up some days.

The army has suffered exceedingly for bread, clothing, forage, &c., but the time is nearly arrived when I hope they will be relieved from all their wants. I have the honor to be With the highest respect, Your Excellency’s Most obedient servant,