To George Washington from George Clinton, 10 March 1780
From George Clinton
Albany 10th March 1780
Dear Sir,
I have to acknowlege the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letters of the 5th & 20th Ulto1—The Legislature had under their Consideration last Fall a more suitable Provision for the Officers and Privates forming the Quota of this State in the Continental Army—they were interrupted in this Business by their rising sooner than was intended, occasioned by the Expectation of the Arrival of the French Fleet2—Early in their present Meeting they reassumed the Consideration of this Subject and I would fain hope that such Measures will be taken as will leave the Troops without any just Cause of future Complaint. I am sensible their meritorious Services have not been hitherto properly noticed and their present distressed Situation apologizes in some Measure for their hasty Determination to quit the Service but I could wish that in communicating this Resolution they had observed a greater Degree of Delicacy in those Expressions which respect the Legislature of the State to which they belong especially while their Memorial on this Subject was depending before them. They may nevertheless rely on my best Intentions to serve them.3
I have received from Colo. Van Schaick the Return of his Regiment and I am happy in acquainting your Excellency that exclusive of Cavalry, Regimented Artificers &c. the Quota of Troops fixed for this State for the ensuing Campaign is fully complete.4 I have the Honor to be with the highest Sentiments of Respect & Esteem your Excellency’s most obedt sert
Geo: Clinton
LS, DLC:GW; Df (partially burned), N-Ar: Papers of George Clinton.
1. GW’s communication dated 20 Feb. was a circular letter to Clinton and six other state executives indicating “Quotas of non commissioned Officers and privates to be furnished by the Respective States for the ensuing Campaign.” The quota for New York was 1,620.
2. Clinton is referring to planned combined operations with Admiral d’Estaing’s French fleet during fall 1779 that never came to fruition (see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct. 1779, editorial note).
3. For a sense of the grievances under consideration, see Officers of the New York Brigade to GW, 1 Feb. 1780.
4. The return for the 1st New York Regiment that Clinton received from Col. Goose Van Schaick reported 43 non-commissioned officers and 298 rank and file enlisted for the war, and no officers and 19 rank and file enlisted for three years (enlistments expired before 1 Sept. 1780 for 14 of those and after that date for the remaining 5). The totals omitted 4 sergeants and 37 privates who had enlisted for the war but were taken prisoner, as well as 3 privates who had enlisted for three years but were taken prisoner (see , 5:519; see also n.1 above and GW to Van Schaick, 15 and 20 Feb. 1780).