1. The enclosure was a letter New York state senator Philip Schuyler had written Clinton from Saratoga, N.Y., on Thursday, 24 May: “The Agent whose Intelligence was transmitted from below, and whom I shall in future call Mr Fox, I placed on the road so as to have a full View of Higgenbottom, he declares him to be the very Man we suspected him; after Mr Fox had run Higgenbottom, he returned to his Station, where he met with five of the Enemy, whose Confidence he so far obtained, as to be entrusted with Letters written on the Spot to persons at Albany, whose Names I forbarr to mention, for fear of Accident, they contained nothing Material, except the Arrival of the Enemy in force at Crown point and Ticonderoga with this Expression in one, ‘we shall make rare work with the Rebels,’ and except a request to be kind to the British Deserter, and a Direction to a third Person communicating the watch word by which the Deserter was to make himself known. this clearly evinces his Character, & I think he should be closely confined in the Dungeon, untill his execution, which I hope will be speedily done. a small party, of which I have also had Intelligence is hovering about here, & I have great hopes of their being secured this night. Captain Gray is returned, he has not been near enough to determine the Enemy’s force, but sufficiently so to discover that by their fires, they are numerous, is it not strange and subject of Suspicion that the Vermontiers should not afford us any Intelligence of the Enemy’s Approach, as they must certainly know of their Arrival at Crown point and Ticonderoga. The Letters I have mentioned observe that Col. Allen is at Isle au Noix with a Flag.

“Pray communicate the Contents of this Letter to the Governor and General, and urge to both the Necessity of sending troops to this Quarter with all dispatch. If any are arrived at Albany pray hasten them up.

“If the weather will permit I hope to have the Pleasure of seeing you on Saturday Evening” (DLC:GW). For the British spy John Higginbottom, see Clinton to GW, 22–23 May, postscript, and n.6 to that document.

Clinton apparently enclosed another document with copies of letters, intelligence reports, and related commentary (DLC:GW). It begins with a “Copy of a Letter in Dr Smith’s Hand writing, supposed to General Haldimand—Intercepted 27th May 1781.” Smith’s letter, written at Albany on 9 May, reads: “Your Excellency may learn from this that when I received your Instructions &c. I was obliged at that Time to put myself into a place of Security, as there were heavy Charges laid against me, I thank God I have baffled that Storm—Your Commands are observed and the better part of them faithfully executed, the particulars of which, I hope, in a short Time to have the Honor to acquaint you of verbally—Now is the Season to strike a Blow on this place when Multitudes will join & provided a considerable Force comes down, The sooner the Attempt is made the better, let it be rapid and intrepid, carefully avoiding to sour the Inhabitants Tempers by savage Cruelties on their defenceless Families—If a few Hand Bills intimating pardon protection &c. was sent down and destributed about this part of the Country they would effect Wonders, and should your Excellency think proper to send an Army against this Den of persecutors Notice ought to be given ten Days before by some careful and intelligent person to a certain [          ] McFarson in Ball’s-Town, who will immediately convey the Intention to the well affected of New Scotland, Norman’s-Kill, Helbarrack, Nisquitaw &c. all in the Vicinity of Albany. The plan is already fixed and should a formidable Force appear I make no Doubt provision and other Succours will immediately take place, a few Lines of Comfort in print from your Excellency to these people would make them the more eager in prosecuting their Design, and if the Vermonteirs lie still, as I have some Hopes they will, there is no Fear of Success, No Troops is yet raised.

“There is a Flag from this place shortly to be sent perhaps I may go with it, I expected before this Time I would ‘Be removed from my present Situation &c.’ ” A note dated 25 May follows Smith’s letter: “This I expected should reach you before now but had no opportunity—Excuse Haste.” A comment then reads: “The N.B. is in another Hand Writing.

“Copy of another paper in the same Hand writing & taken with the above.” This paper is an intelligence report begun at Fort Schuyler, N.Y., on 20 April: “This post is garrisoned by about 260 Men under the Command of Colo: [Van] Courtlandt—It was supplied with provisions about the 14th of last Month and Brandt was to early to hit of their Sleighs—He was there the 2d took 16. prisoners—a nine Inch Mortar is ordered from Albany to this Fort, to be supplied against the latter End of May. The nine Months Men when raised are to join Courtlandt’s.

“25th May—Fort Stanwix is entirely consumed by Fire, except two small Bastions—some say by Accident but it is generally thought the Soldiers done it on purpose as their Allowance is short provisions stopt from going there which was on its Way.” For Capt. Joseph Brant’s raid, see Clinton to GW, 5 April, and n.1 to that document. GW had authorized the transfer of a mortar to Fort Schuyler (see his letter to Henry Knox, 1 March). For the fire at Fort Schuyler, see James Clinton to GW, 16 May, and n.1.

The intelligence report next details patriot vulnerabilities and Loyalist strength under the headings “John’s-Town,” “Mohawk River,” and “Schnectady.” The report then reads under the heading “Albany”: “No Troops at this post except the Commandant General Clinton and his Brigade Major, Works of all Kinds stoped for Want of provisions and Money, the sick in the Hospital and their Doctors starving 8th May—No Troops yet in this place, a fine Time to bring it to Submission and carry off a Tribe of Incendiaries.”

The report continues under the heading “Washington’s Camp”: “The Strength of this Camp does not exceed 2500 provisions of all Sorts very scarce—Washington & the French have Agents through the Country buying Wheat and Flour—He has sent to Albany for all the Cannon quick Match &c. that was deposited there—Desertions daily from the different posts—The Flower of the Army gone to the Southward with the Marquis de la Fayette.

“May 8—They say Washington is collecting Troops fast.” For Major General Lafayette’s detachment, see GW’s second letter to Lafayette, 20 Feb., source note.

Under the heading “Southern News,” the report erroneously described the battle “at Guildford Court House in North Carolina” as an overwhelming British victory and adds: “May 25th Something very particular happened lately between here and New York, Much in the King’s Favor, but the particulars kept a Secret.”

Under the heading “Eastern News,” the report sketched growing Loyalism in New England and erroneously gave the strength of Lieutenant General Rochambeau’s French army as no “more than 300.”

Under the heading “State of Vermont,” the report’s author recounted his meeting Vermont militia major general Ethan Allen “about 15 Days ago” at Albany, where New York governor George Clinton refused to see Allen, who “then swore he might be damned if ever he would court his Favor again” (see also Brinton Paine to George Clinton, 16 April, in 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 , 6:775–77).

Sections headed “Saratoga” and “Fort Edward” detailed troop positions and provision shortages. The heading “General Intelligence” concludes the report with affirmation that British forces could expect assistance from sympathizers and news from London, Fishkill, and New York City.

A note dated 25 May follows: “I just received a Line from y.H. but before his Arrival I dispatched a Courier on the point of a sharp Weapon to which I refer you and lest that should miscarry I send you my Journal from which and the Extract sent forward you may (if it arrives) form something interesting—For God’s Sake send a Flag for me—My Life is miserable—I have fair promises but Delays are dangerous.” Commentary then reads: “With the above was taken another paper in the same Hand Writing of which the following is a Copy”: “y.H. is disobedient and neither regards or pays any Respect to his parents—If he did he would not contribute to their Disquiet by coming down contrary to their Approbation and repeated Requests.

“The necessaries you require are gone forward last Tuesday [likely 22 May] by a person which the Bearer will inform you of, I wish he was in your Company and you all safely returned &c. My Life is miserable—a Flag—a Flag and that immediately is the sincere wish of H[          ] Senior.” George Smith used the code name “Hudibras”; his son Terence also operated as a British spy, under the code name “Young Hudibras.”

Commentary next indicates that all of the items dated 25 May “were in another Hand writing, supposed to be Shepperds.” The document concludes: “Examined and compared with the originals May 8th 1781” (see also Schuyler to GW, 8 June, and Stone, Joseph Brant description begins William L. Stone. Life of Joseph Brant—Thayendanegea: Including the Border Wars of the American Revolution. … 2 vols. New York, 1838. description ends , 2:151–53).

George Smith (Smyth; d. 1789), a physician, migrated from Ireland to Fort Edward, N.Y., in 1770 and moved to Albany soon after the war commenced. He became a British spy in 1777 while serving as a Continental army surgeon and endured a prison sentence that began in spring 1778. At Albany on 1 Aug. 1780, New York Commissioners for Detecting and Defeating Conspiracies ordered his arrest for assisting “a spy from the Enemy through the Country” (Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:477). He received Col. William Malcom’s permission to go with his “wife son and black servant” to Canada, but the commissioners at Albany resolved on 18 Oct. “that he enter into Recognizance to remain within the Limits of his dwelling House and Yard” (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 , 6:287–88, and Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:550; see also Schuyler to GW, 31 Oct.–1 Nov. 1780, and n.3 to that document). The commissioners at Albany subsequently enlarged his permitted movements but ordered him arrested again on 28 May 1781, having “great reason to think that Doctor George Smith and his son Terence Smith are Persons whose going at large at this Time may prove detrimental to the Safety of the State” (Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:720; see also Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:579–80, 611–12, 675, and n.2 below). Smith soon “surrendered himself” at Bennington, Vt., and went to prison at Albany (Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:728; see also John Stark to Clinton, 18 Aug., in Hastings and Holden, 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 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 , 7:228–29). Rescued later in 1781, Smith then assisted British spymaster Capt. Justus Sherwood.

Patrick Smith (Smyth; d. 1814) migrated in 1757, settled at Albany, and became assistant judge of the court of common pleas. He also operated a tavern at Fort Edward, N.Y., where he became postmaster in 1774. Imprisoned as a suspected Loyalist in spring 1778, Smith covertly served British general Henry Clinton as a courier after his release in January 1779. Beginning in August 1780, Smith also became a bailsman for his brother George on several occasions (see Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:479, 580, 611). He settled in Canada after the war, received a British military pension, and died at Sorel.

2. Clinton had written his brother, New York governor George Clinton, from Albany on 5 May to explain that he had “been obliged to detain the Flag for a variety of Reasons, notwithstanding, the importunate Solicitation of Doctor Smith, and those nominated in the Flag” (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 , 6:843–44; see also George Clinton to GW, 6 May, n.2). A document dated 19 March 1781 provided specifications for the exchange of George Smith “for Captain John Wood, a prisoner in Canada” (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 , 6:708; see also George Clinton to John Stark, 23 Aug. and 1 Sept., in 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 7:229–30, 282–84).

The British captured New York militia captain John Wood (1739–1806) in summer 1779 (see George Clinton to James Clinton, 5 Aug. 1779, in 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 , 5:180–81; see also GW to John Sullivan, 1 Aug. 1779, n.1). Wood remained a prisoner in Canada for four years, moved there after the war, and became a British subject.

3. William Shepherd corresponded with the British (see Malcom to GW, 18 Nov. 1780, and n.3).

4. For the connection between Thomas Reed and George Smith, see Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:545, 550, 561, and 683. For allegations that Reed assisted the British, see Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:715–16 and 759–60. Meeting at Albany on 17 Aug. 1781, New York commissioners issued an arrest warrant for Reed, noting “his Intimacy and Connections with Dr George Smith and other disaffected Persons to the American Cause” (Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:765). For Reed’s subsequent arrest, testimony, and release on bail, see Paltsits, Minutes description begins Victor Hugo Paltsits, ed. Minutes of the Commissioners for detecting and defeating Conspiracies in the State of New York, Albany County Sessions, 1778–1781. 3 vols. Albany, 1909–10. description ends , 2:766, 768–70.

5. See Clinton to GW, 22–23 May.

6. In his diary entry for 1 June, GW explained how this letter and its enclosures prompted him to send reinforcements to the northern department (see Diaries description begins Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington. 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79. description ends , 3:376; see also General Orders, same date, and GW to James Clinton, 5 and 10 June).