818,000 for 4 Colonies below 200,000 adding all that is over 200,000 in the others.

D'r Sir:

The Ulster Orange & Kings members of our Congress yesterday Evening desired I would mention by a Line to you & Mr.

*John Thomas was born in Marshfield, Mass., in 1725, died near Montreal, Canada, June 2, 1776. He was educated as a surgeon, and saw service on the medical staff of General William Shirley in 1747. He was transferred from the staff to the line, and in 1759 was promoted Colonel and served in Nova Scotia. A year later he commanded a regiment under General Jeffery Amherst at Crown Point, and was present at the capture of Montreal. He then returned to the practice of medicine.

At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War he raised a regiment of volunteers and on February 9, 1775, was appointed a brigadier general by the Provincial Congress. A grave injustice was done him in the matter of promotion, and he resigned his commission, but through the influence of General Washington and Charles Lee, a resolution:

(Henry) Wisner that they desired Mr. Hazard might be appointed postmaster-tho' for want of numbers they could not vote. How proper this Line is I submit to you. If it is improper you will please to excuse

The recommendation of a deputy adjutant General or Brigade Major by your Brother Delegates gave some Embarasment. Our Congress tho't of John Lasher, Mr. (Edward) Fleming & Mr. (William) Duer; they appointed the Latter with the rank of Colonel.

If a Brigade Major is still wanted they give the nomination to you & your Brother Delegates without any voice of theirs; if he is a good officer you will have the Credit of it; if not this house will not have the Blame.

was passed through Congress, giving him precedence of all brigadiers in the army. Thomas returned to his command.

In his letter to the president of Congress, July 10, 1775, Washington wrote: "General Thomas is much esteemed and earnestly desired to continue in the service; and as far as my opportunities have enabled me to judge, I must join in the general opinion that he is an able, good officer and his resignation would be a public loss. The postponing him to Pomroy and Heath whom he has commanded, would make his continuance very difficult, and probably operate on his mind, as the like circumstance has done on that of Spencer."

He commanded a brigade during the siege of Boston, and on the evening of March 4, 1776, with three thousand men carrying intrenching tools, he took possession of Dorchester Heights where he erected a strong line of works before morning. His activity and energy in this particular forced the British to evacuate Boston March 17, 1776. For this service he was commissioned Major General.

The following year he was charged with the command of the troops in Canada-after Montgomery's death. The force was altogether inadequate to meet the enemy, and he was forced to retreat. Before reaching Chambly, he was stricken with smallpox, with fatal results.

Please to bring me two or three pair of very darkest couloured thread stockings, Philad'ia make and the smallest men's stockings. A copy of the address to the people of England & of the Congress Declaration of War (as it called) printed in a pamphlet form.

I am affectionately &c.,

George Clinton Esq'r.

[No. 71.]

John McKesson.

July 31st.

George Clinton Introduces Maj. Hampton to Col. Thomas Mifflin.

Dear Sir:

(Aug.

1775.)

The Bearer Major Hampton of Elizabeth Town is an Old Acquaintance of mine whose warm Friendship for the Cause of Liberty induces him to visit your Camp. I take the Liberty therefore of recomending him to your Friendly Notice.

Your most Obed't Serv't,

Geo. Clinton.

I am now on my way to Philadelphia from whence I promise myself the Pleasure of writing you.

Dear Sir:

[No. 72.]

A Flash of Private Business.

Wilmington Sep'r 30th 1775.

I can hardly expect, since you wrote me last that it has been in your power to have transacted any Business for me as I know that you have been much engaged in what was of more Impor

tance; however I hope your late Vacation has permitted you to do something in my affairs with Watty. I rec'd a letter from him lately, but says little of Business only the lot of Land adjoining him has put out to be improved; wish you could get a Conveyance of it from him for me; there is also Parent & Sweetman's Bond; pray my D'r friend try if you Can get them to discharge it; if you should be successful in gett'g the Money please pay of all that I owe in New York & if any remaining, put it out to Int. In Y'r last you mentioned some Proposals of Settlement with Watty, which were very agreeable to me, & if so Him, I can see nothing that Can prevent an amicable settlement, which I sincerely wish. I want nothing but what am Intituled to. The 10th last June Mrs. DuBois was delivered of a son; both are well; she desires to be kindly remembered to you & Mrs. Clinton. Pray be so good as to forward the Inclosed to Mr. Denning in N. York & you'll much oblige him who is with sincere wishes for your felicity,

Y'r most Obed't hum'le Serv't,

Excuse haste.

(George Clinton, Esq.).

John DuBois.

[No. 73.]

Congratulations for George Clinton's Recovery from Illness.* I bless God, my dear Friend, for the Prospect of your Recovery & intend very shortly to visit you my Family preparing to set out for Haverstraw where I shall continue till the middle of next month. I wish you may be able with Mrs. Clinton to come and spend a week with us. I shall receive you as risen from the grave.

There is a Letter from Gamble in Canada to Sherill at Boston intercepted, by which there is clear Proof of the Resolution of the Canadians to support the Confederacy of the Provinces; many other Letters to the same Purpose; and yesterday Robert R. L. writes that an Officer of Montgomery's was at the Manor on his way to N. E. [New England] & said that Col Prescot offered 24 ult. to surrender if he might march out with his Cannon to Montreal but that it was refused. If the Canadians were not with the Colonies in Majur the Provincials would have been expelled before this day. Great confusion & wrath in Eng

land on the news of 17 June.

Adieu. Don't venture out un

guardedly before your Health is established. Our Compl's to Mrs. Clinton & Family.

Yours ever,

10 Oct.

W. S.

Foot-note by editor of MSS. written on the back of the above letter: "When this letter was filed the year 1776' must have been written by mistake. Gen. Clinton's severe sickness was in 1775. In Sept. & Oct. 1776, we know that he was not only in full health, but in active & arduous duty at & about New York. For further evidence see letter of D. Wynkoop, Kingston, Oct. 5, 1776, referring to Gen. Clinton's sickness last year.'"