To George Washington from George Clinton, 15 January 1781
From George Clinton
Poukeepsie [N.Y.] 15th January 1781
Dear Sir
I am unhappy to learn by your Excellency’s Letter of the 13th (which was delivered me late yesterday Evening) that the Accounts from the Pensylvania Troops are not so favorable as they were last represented1—I have not for some considerable Time had occassion to call upon the Militia most contiguous to the Posts in the Highlands & I may therefore be deceived with respect to their present Temper & Disposition; but judging from their former Alacrity I am, led to believe we shall be able to throw into the Garrison upwards of one thousand Men in the Course of three or four Days—Some of them may reach West Point the same Day they have Notice to March & the greater Part the next; This however is on a Presumption that the Time for which they may be wanted will be so short as to render the preparations which it woud be proper for them to make were they to continue any considerable Time in Service unnecessary. Some of the Officers of most Authority & Influence are attending the Legislature at Albany & shoud it be determined to call out any Part of the Militia on the present Occassion I wish therefore to be advised of it as early as convenient as their Absence will in some Measure render my personal Attention to the Business necessary—I begg Leave to inform your Excellency that I do not propose setting out for Albany before the Middle of next Week.2 I have the Honor to be with Sentiments of the highest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servt
Geo. Clinton
ALS, DLC:GW; ADf, N-Ar: Clinton Papers.
1. See GW to Clinton, 13 January.
2. GW replied to Clinton from New Windsor on 16 Jan.: “I had the honor last night to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the same date—and am happy to inform you, that there probably will be no occasion to march the Detachment, nor consequently to call the Militia to our aid.
“By the enclosed Letter from the Committee of Congress, which came to hand last evening, Your Excellency will perceive the favorable train matters were in, and the ground to expect an immediate accomodation” (LS, in David Humphreys’s writing, NNebgGW; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW). The enclosure has not been found, but see Continental Congress Committee on the Pennsylvania Line to GW, 10–11 Jan.; see also GW to John Sullivan, 16 January.