LS (photocopy), in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW, ser. 9; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS, which is addressed to Clinton at Poughkeepsie, New York. Humphreys wrote on the draft: “N.B. The Extract enclosed is taken from Genl Heath’s Letter of the 5th Inst. Vide” (see William Heath to GW, 5 April, and n.3). The enclosed extract has not been found.

Clinton replied to GW from Poughkeepsie on 8 April: “I am honored with your Excellency’s Letter of yesterday inclosing an extract of one from Genl Heath respecting Capt. Simmons When Simmons was brought before me at Albany I consigned him over to the Commissioners for Conspiracies at this Place to be dealt with at their Discretion: but before this Order was carried into execution I was induced by the Representation of some of the most respectable Whigs in Westchester County and the concurring Sentiments of their Members of the Legislature to alter my Determination and put him under the Care of Major Paulding to be imployed on the Lines if approved by the Commanding Officer of the Department. I enclose a Copy of my Orders to Major Paulding on the Subject for your Excellency’s perusal by which I flatter myself it will appear that every necessary Precaution has been observed on my Part; and I am not a little surprised that Genl Heath should hesitate about ordering him from the Lines if his continuance there is either conceived unsafe or occasions uneasiness to our Friends near the Lines; as my Consent to his being imployed at all, your Excellency will perceive, was on Condition of it’s meeting Genl Heath’s Approbation” (LS, DLC:GW; GW acknowledged this letter when he wrote Clinton on 15 April).

Clinton enclosed a letter he wrote Maj. Jonathan Paulding Horton from Albany on 13 March: “It being represented to me by different Persons of respectable Characters in your County, that Capt. Simons who has lately left the British Service might do essential Services to this State if he was permitted to continue near the American Lines, & that from the manner of his leaving the Enemy and other Circumstances, there is not any Reason to apprehend any Danger or Injury from granting him such Permission, & this being also your Sentiment—you are, therefore, at Liberty to conduct the said Capt. Simon to the American Lines, & imploy him under your Direction, in such Manner as will conduce most to the public Safety & Interest, provided this Measure & End proposed by it meet the Approbation of the Commanding Officer of the De[p]artment, whom you will consult on the Subject on your Way down” (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 , 6:685–86; see also GW’s first letter to William Heath, 12 April, and Heath to GW, 13 April).

Jonathan Paulding Horton (1711–1795) served as captain in New York militia raised in Westchester County, N.Y., for frontier defense between December 1777 and March 1778. He subsequently became a militia major and remained a militia officer after the war.