1To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 2 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
When the american army penetrated into the Province of Canada, Major Hamtramek in our army and a native of that province (formerly Captain of the light Infantry Company of the 2d N. York Regt) in expectation that the said Province would have remained in possession of the United States embarked himself into cause of freedom and had continued in the same with exceeding great reputation. His...
2To George Washington from James Clinton, 30 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday when I wrote by Doctr Vasche I had not Discovered the P.S. of your Letter till he was gone. I must therefore Agreable to Your Request Inform Your Excellency that Although it gives me pain to think of Retiring from Service, Yet at the same time I cannot Consistent with my Honor or My feelings think of joining the Army Untill Congress puts it in my Power to Serve them with Honor by...
3To George Washington from James Clinton, 29 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter by Doctr Vasche I Received last Night and Agreable to Your desire will Endeavour to Acquaint you as fully as I can the Reasons why the Doctr Retired from Service. By the Inclosed Letter from the Doctr of the 22d of Novemr 80 You will See that he made Application to me to Continue in service and his reasons for it; And by the Inclosed Returns of the 4 N.Y. Reg. of the 1...
4To George Washington from James Clinton, 11 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am under the mortifying Necessity of informing your Excellency, that from certain late Resolves of Congress I find myself a second time superceded by the Promotion of a junior officer; and I should be wanting in Candor if I omited to mention that my Feelings on this Occasion are the more sensibly wounded by the reflection that the Basis on which this promotion is founded, is declared in the...
5To George Washington from James Clinton, 22 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of the 14th Inst. I had the Honour to receive this Morning and am happy to find that my Conduct in Building the Hutts of my Brigade meet your Excellency approbation. In determining upon the Ground for our Huttments I shoud have given Preference to the place designated in your Excellency Letter the entrance into Ringwood Clove had there been Wood Suitable for the Purpose...
6To George Washington from James Clinton, 6 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
By virtue of your Excellency’s disposition of the Troops to winter Quarters, I put my Brigade in motion for their destination, and arrived myself last Evening on the Ground occupyed last Winter by the Jersey Brigade. My Intention in preceeding my Command was, to examine into the state of the Hutts, to know what situation the Qur Mr and Commissary’s Stores might be in, and to make such...
7To George Washington from James Clinton, 9 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform your Excellency that this morning General Stark arrived here to take the Command of this Department; I have communicated to him such of your Excellency’s Instructions as may tend to the good of the Service and Security of the Frontier. The reports that the Militia from the Eastward are in a State of Preperation, and he expects a Detatchment of them in Town by the...
8To George Washington from James Clinton, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s two Favors of the 15th and 20th inst. I have been honor’d with. In Consequence of the former, I immediately detatched four Companies of the 2d Regiment under the Command of Liut. Col. Cochran with forty Boats, being all that were, at the time, finished. In Consequence of the latter I have put the light Company in Motion, who will embark tomorrow morning in twelve Boats, and I...
9To George Washington from James Clinton, 20 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th inst. I have been honor’d with. I should have been happy that Money had arrived in Time to have prevented the late Murmur in the Regiment as every Circumstance of the kind is ulitmately distructive of military Discipline. I have not received the least Intelligence of the Movements either of General Starks, or the Militia from the Eastward; nor do I know...
10To George Washington from James Clinton, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor I have been this day honor’d with, the contents of which shall be punctualy attended to: the 2d Regt is encamped at this place, and every thing kept in the most perfect readiness to embark on the shortest notice. This day I have written to Col. Hay on the subject of supplies for this department and pointed out the necessity of having a quantity of beef forwarded on...
11To George Washington from James Clinton, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honor’d with your Excellency’s favor of the 6th inst. in Season to countermand the Embarkation of the 2d Regt agreeable to your Direction, the rest of the Troops haveing previously sailed. This Regiment will now encamp in this place and the Transports shall be kept in perfect readiness to receive them on the shortest Notice. I am sorry to inform your Excellency, that the first Regiment...
12To George Washington from James Clinton, 6 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favor of the 30th Ulto I have been honor’d with in Consequence of which I immediately issued the necessary Orders for puting the Troops in motion. Colo. Hazen’s, and the first York Regiments arrived in this City yesterday, and will sail for West Point the next Tide, I flatter myself they will reach their Destination before you can receive this, as the Wind is now favorable....
13To George Washington from James Clinton, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of yesterday, I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 25th inst. with its Enclosure, which I forwarded instantly agreeable to the address. I have already disposed of the New Levies in such a manner as to be able to move the Troops the moment I may receve your Orders, as they are constantly held in the most perfect readiness. As soon as the Eastern Militia shall...
14To George Washington from James Clinton, 27 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last Letter to your Excellency nothing material has occured worth mentioning—I am taking the most effectual Measures to scour the Settlements on the Frontier, which are notoriously disaffected, and have found the most promising appearances of future good consequences, from the exertions already made—I have sent a Scout of Canadians, of Hazens Regiment to Crown Point, which may...
15To George Washington from James Clinton, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
My Letter of the 15th & 18th int. gave your Excellency an account of the Disposition of the Troops in this Department and of the Prospect of Supplies for their Support, since which I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favour of the 16th inst. the Contents of which should be attendd to most punctually. I have given Major Villefranch Directions to contract the Plan of the Work at the...
16To George Washington from James Clinton, 15 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 28th ulto and 5th & 10th inst. I am informed by Col Courtlandt that the stores &c are all safely brought down from Fort Schuyler to the German Flatts, and the old Fort entirely destroy’d. Major Vellifranche has arriv’d and will proceed immediately to erect the intended Work at the Flatts, which from our very embarrass’d Circumstances, I...
17To George Washington from James Clinton, 30 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency a Copy of a Letter from Genl Schuyler, the Contents of which will inform you of the Measures which were adopted to acquire the Intelligence, of which, I also transmit, you a Copy Mr Fox who, you will please to observe, is the principle Agent acquited himself with so much address that he obtained the Enemy’s fullest Confidence, the original Letters,...
18To George Washington from James Clinton, 22 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellencies favour of the 18th Inst. agreeable to the Governors Advice I consulted Generals Rensselaer and Gansevoort, the Mayor in Council, and several other Gentlemen whom I could confide in respecting the abandoning Fort Schuyler, and establishing a Post at the German Flatts, who were unanimous in opinion that under our present Circumstance the Fort Should be...
19To George Washington from James Clinton, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of yesterday, another Express has been received from Fort Schuyler, Copies of which Inclosed for your Excellency’s Satisfaction. By the Proceedings of the Court of Inquiry it appears that the loss of the Barracks was occasioned by Accident, however suspicious it appeared at first View, a Circumstance which affords me singular Pleasure. The Distruction of a considerable Quantity...
20To George Washington from James Clinton, 16 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
This morning I received a number of Letters from Fort Schuyler and Saratoga, the former containing the disagreeable Account of the Loss of the Barracks by Fire—the latter anouncing the appearance of the Enemy on the Frontier. My Letters to Cols. Courtlandt & Cochran, copies of which I enclose, will inform your Excellency of the Measures I have taken on this Occasion, and while I hope they may...
21To George Washington from James Clinton, 12 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s two Favours of the 4th & 7th inst. I have been honour’d with; that of the 6th mentioned in the latter has not yet been received. The small supply of Provision which was received a few Days since, came very opertunely for the Relief of Fort Schuyler. It left Schenectady the 10th, but the uncommon Inundations, occasioned by the late heavy Rains, will retard its Progress up the...
22To George Washington from James Clinton, 7 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform your Excellency that this Day, a reasonable Supply of Provision, consisting of twenty-six Barrels of Pork, eight of Beef, and sixteen of Shad, with fifty Barrels of Flour, for the use of Fort Schuyler arrived here. Ten Barels of Beef were also recived yesterday, which I intended for the Escort appointed to take up the Hundred Barrels of Flour which I had procured on...
23To George Washington from James Clinton, 4 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of addressing your Excly in a Letter of the 30th Ulto on the Subject of the Distresses of this Department; a Subject which I have had such frequent Occasion to trust of; that any thing I have now to say will be nearly a Repetition of what my former Letters have contained. From Your Excellency’s favor of the 12th Ulto I was flattered with Hopes of receiving a Supply, at least...
24To George Washington from James Clinton, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 17th inst. yesterday. I have communicated its Contents to Mr Rensselear, and expect in a few Days to have a satisfactory Account from him. It gives me peculiar Pain to be obliged to fill my Letters with Accounts which I am persuaded must be very disagreeable to you; but a Reguard to my Reputation and a Sense of the Duty I owe to my Country...
25To George Washington from James Clinton, 16 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received an Express from Lt Colo. Cochran commanding Fort Schuyler; which informed me that on the 9th inst. a small Scout from the Garrison had been fired upon by a Body of the Enemy by which two were killed and one wounded—our Party retired toward the Fort precipitately. the Enemy pursued and took two Prisoners—Col. Cochran immediately detatched a Company of light Infantry and one...
26To George Washington from James Clinton, 5 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 7th Ulto To your Excellency containing an Account of the Capture of seventeen Men of the second Regiment at Fort schuyler by a party of the Enemy, nothing Material has occurred but what may reasonably be expected from the peculiar situation of our Affairs. In my former Letters to Your Excellency, I have been under the painfull necessity of representing the disagreeable...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 17 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of Yesterday, I have the Pleasure to inform your Excellency, that by an Express just received from Col. Hay, I understand, that he has directed one hundred Barrels of Flower to be sent up for the Use of Fort Schuyler which togather with ninety Barrels, collected with difficulty on the Mowhawk River, will supply the Garrison untill the first of May. The Governor informs me that...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with your Excellency’s two favours of the 19th & 26th Ultimo. I wish it were in my power to inform your Excellency that our supplies in this Quarter were either more regular, or our prospects more flattering than they are. But a general deficiency of every article necessary for the Troops is the melancholy Fact—I have repeatedly and in the most pressing terms applied to the...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 20 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honour’d with your Excellency’s Favor of the 10th inst. as also with one from the Governor. Agreeable to Instructions contain’d in them, I have directed five Officers to proceed, without Loss of Time, to the three upper Counties of this State, on the recruiting Service; and have sent four to Poughkeepsie to be disposed of as the Governor may think proper. Major Davis also waits his...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 5 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favour of the 29th ulto and by a line from Gen. Heath of the 2th Inst. I understand the Troops are on their way for this place agreeable to your Excellency’s order —It is with particular pain I must inform your Excellency that the state of our provision and precarious expectation of future supplies afford the most gloomy prospects, I have mentioned in my...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 23 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed I this moment received, which I transmit for your Excellency’s perusal. Tho’ I do not believe this Alarm proceeds from anything else, than a small hunting party, yet the People in that Quarter are in such Consternation, that unless a party of Men are stationed there to inspirit them, they will infallibly leave the remainder of that Country, (which is still well worth preserving)...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 19 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
In my last of the 12th inst. I had the Honor to inform your Excellency that Col. Weissenfels had marched for Fort Schuyler, and proceeded as far as the little Falls, where the Ice has obliged him to collect Teams to transport his Baggage by Land; but the Provision which had previously been sent on with a Detatchment under Captain Dunscomb, fortunately arrived at the Garrison safe before the...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 12 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 4th instt I arrived at this place in pursuance of your Excys directions of the 28th ulto. And receiving intelligence of the appearance of the Enemy in the Lake, I immediately proceeded on to Saratoga, where I was necessarily detain’d untill yesterday, for the return of a flag, which had been previously sent in by Genl Schuyler, and Col. Gansevort, with a view of conferring with Majr...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 9 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
In Answer to the Questions proposed by your Excellency in Council the 6th day of September 1780 I would beg leave to Offer the following Observations. First That takeing into Consideration the present position and force of the Enemy and Compareing it with our own it Appears that no Offensive Opperations can with A prospect of success take place previous to the Arrival of a superior Fleet and...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 13 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
This day I have been honoured with your Excellency’s Favour of the 10th instant inclosed in one from the Governor, in Consequence of which I have dispatched Orders to the Officers commanding the different Regiments of my Brigade, directing them to march with all possible Expedition to this Place; but as the nighest Regiment is distant from Albany three days March, and the procuring Waggons...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 10 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this Place on the Evening of the 6th inst. but the rear of the Troops did not come up untill the morning of the 8th. On my Arrival I found the Governor had marched in Pursuit of the Enemy, who had retreated precipitately on his Approach. I also found that Col. Vn Schaick had sent off a Quantity of Provision consisting of one hundred Barrels of Flower and forty Barrels of Beef for...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 29 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
In Complyance with Your Excellencys Request of Yesterday—I beg leave to Offer my Sentiments Upon the Propositions then made by Your Excellency in Council. From A Comparitive View of our Strength in this Quarter, and at the Posts Upon, & Contiguous to Hudsons River, with that of the Enemy in New York and its Dependencies—I am Clearly of Opinion, that Prudence and good Policy would Dictate that...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform your Excey that in consequence of Permission obtained of Genl Sullivan I retired from the Army about the last of November to visit my Mother who was then dangerously ill, and is since dead —This Circumstance has rendered it necessary for me to continue at home longer than I at first intended: I woud therefore presume to request a continuation of your Excy’s Indulgence,...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a letter from General Clinton Dated Conojoharie. “Yours of the 27th instant, I just now received, I am unhappy to think, that any misunderstanding has happened with respect to the quantity of provision, destined for the use of the detachment under my command. The instructions contained in your Excellency’s letters previous to your referring me for orders to General Sullivan were...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 26 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is with singular Pleasure I can inform Your Excellency, that I have forwarded on to Lake Otsego one Hundred and twenty three Boats which are now at the Landing, thirty more are this day on the Road, and the remainder necessary to compleat the Complement of two hundred and twenty expected up in a few Days—I have also forwarded on all the Provision necessary for the use of the Detatchment for...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 19 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
This day I was honoured with your Favour of the 13th Instant. I wrote you some time since which I find you have not yet received—I would beg leave to inform your Excellency, that I arrived in this place last Wednesday and immediately commenced transporting the Batteaux and Stores to the landing of Lake Otsego—since which time I have sent off near 300 waggons, fifty-nine of which are loaded...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
This Day I had the honour to receive your favour of the 10th instant: as also one from Genl Sullivan of the 11th containing Intructions for me to move up to Connojoharie & transport my Boats &c. across to Lake Otsego there to wait farther orders to join him. I have ordered one hundred Batteaux loaded with Stores to be transported up the River to Connojoharie by the 3d N.Y. Regt & the...
43To George Washington from Brig. Gen. James Clinton, 6 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. James Clinton, 6 June 1779. GW wrote Clinton on 10 June: “I have received your two favours of the 28th of May and 6th of June.”
44To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 28 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 22d instant, and am happy to hear that the Cloathing is on the way up, as it is much wanted. Col. Ransselear informs me that he has received official Accounts, that a Quantity of Amunition is on the way from Boston and Springfield, so that I expect shortly to be amply supplyed. I have ordered each of the Regiments now in this...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 23 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 9th instant with one for Col. V. Schaick hath been received yesterday—Mr Mitchell the Quarter Master at New Borough thought proper to enclose them all under Cover to Genl Schuyler, who was then at Saratoga, where they were sent, after lying in Albany some time—this Circuit was the Occasion of the Delay of which I informed your Excellency. As there are two light...
46To George Washington from James Clinton, 20 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Clinton, 20 May 1779. On 28 May , GW acknowledged receipt of a letter from Clinton of 20 May.
47To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 18 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Evening I was informed by Lt Colonel Butler, that he had received a Packet of Letters from your Excellency directed to me, with Orders to forward them to this Place with dispatch from New Bourough if Circumstances did not permit of his coming up by land, or Business unavoidably delay him. On his Arrival at New Bourough which he informs me was late on Friday evening last, haveing some...
48To George Washington from James Clinton, 17 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from James Clinton, 17 May 1779. On 28 May , GW acknowledged receipt of a letter from Clinton of 17 May.
49To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellencys Orders I have inclosed my answers to your Queries Respecting the Arrangement of the New York Line which I flatter myself will prove satisfactory. I have also transmitted a Return of the Light Cloathing wanted in this Department which I could wish were forwarded on with all convenient speed—I have sent the Regimental returns that your Excellency may see what...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 29 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from an Excursion up the Mohawk River, in consequence of an Alarm given by a Body of Indians, who made their Appearance, and attacked several parts of that Country at the same time tho’ without doing any considerable Damage. I have erected a small Bloock house about 10 Miles from Johnstown on the Fork of the Roads leading to May-Field and Sochondoga. On my return I was...