numbers & situation for a Raschal bel'g to Col. Ellison's Regiment, deserted to the Enemy who was well acquainted with our numbers, haveing acted in the Cappacity of a Dep'y Quarter Master, for both Regiments & had a number of Returns with him. I have nothing more to Communicate at present but my best Regiment in As I have the Honour at present to command your Brigade I look upon it my duty to convey every peice of Inteligence respecting the situation & designs of the Enemy that comes to my knowledge; therefore, I am to inform you that this morning I prevaild on an Inhabitant of this Town, who I am well inform'd is a warm friend to our Cause & who has Friends & acquaintance in Hackensack, to go down & learn what number of Arm'd Men was about the Town; he went & has returnd with the following Inteligence Viz: That he went within about three miles of the New Bridge & was there informd by a man of undoubted Friendship, & knowledge, that he was every day in Hackensack & was in company with the Regular Officers & that there were about twelve hundred British & Hessian Troops & about 400 arm'd Tories; that they were perfectly acquainted with our strength & situation & that he had the utmost reason to believe that they intended to make a visit to Closter to morrow & so proceed to this place where they intended to fix their Lines. I have sent the news to Col. Hathorn, who no doubt will put himself in the best posture of defence & I hope I shall endeavour to give him all the assistance that my small undisciplin'd Regiment conssisting of about 150 men can afford; mean time, beg leave to propose to your Honour whither it would not be adviseable to order an immediate reinforcement this way. I am with the utmost respect General Clinton. Your Most Obedien Serv't, Benj'n Tusten. P. S. I am not at liberty to name my author. THE GENERAL DISCREDITS THE FIGURES. And Parenthetically Disposes of Washington's Great Victory at Trenton in Forty-three Words. D'r Sir, Ramepough, 30th Decem'r 1776. I was favoured with yours by Express at Break of Day this Morning. I am oblidged to you for the Pains you have taken to discover the strenghth & situation of the Enemy and for immediatly communicating the Intelligence, tho I dont know how to Credit it. The Accounts I receive daily from different Quarters & Persons, that seem to deserve Credit, vary so much that none are to be depended on; however, the highest Accounts any of them give of the strenghth of the Enemy at Hackinsack & the Bridge is the Regim't taken at St. John's & Part of another making about 500, & Buskerk's New Levies which dont amount to two. I had scouting Parties last Night & Night before below Pyramus; that of last Night is just returned; the Intelligence they have received of the Enemy at Hackinsack differs exceed ingly from yours; the highest dont make their whole Numbers including Tories exceed 500 & indeed many not near the least Number. However, it is good to guard against the most & by all Means prevent surprize by keeping out Day and Night Patrolling Parties far Advanced, & vigillent Centries. I have ordered out the Militia of Orange on the south side of the Mountains to reinforce you, & I wrote yesterday to Colo. Heathorn impowering you to meet & make any new Disposition of the Different Regts. in your Quarter you might judge necessary, which is all I can do at present. It is not my fault; I cant do more. Had the Militia turned out & Continued with me, we coud have drove those Paracides out of the Country but alas many have basely deserted me. Genl. Washington's Army on the 27th* Instant attacked the Enemy at Trenton & took 919 Prisoners; 6 Brass Cannon; 1300 stand of small arms, with many other Valuable stores; killed 50; with the loss on our side of 3 only; this is true. (Col. Benj'n Tusten) [No. 296.] I am yours sincerely, Geo. Clinton. Robert Erskine Writes to the General in Regard to Henry Tice and His Brothers. Dear Sir, Ringwood, December 30th 1776. The Bearer, Mr. Henry Tice, has applied to me on a very peculiar occasion. Concerning him and his Brothers I can only inform you, that they were all very hearty in their Country's Cause last summer and turned out with the Militia; he seems sorry for what he has been induced to do, which he tells me he has voluntarily Confessed to you, the reinstating him into favour may, *This date is inaccurate. The battle of Trenton was fought December 26th, 1776.-STATE HISTORIAN. therefore, be of service, but in such a case as this I cannot pre sume to advise; beg leave therefore to Conclude that I am Herewith I send you four persons taken yesterday by one of my Scouts viz. John Acker, Peter Bonter, Daniel Forshee & John Lockman. Acker & Bonter are Inhabitants of the English Neighbourhood and from Account I can Collect are Grand & Active Tories as Acker is proved Guilty of Aiding & assisting the Enemy in their March from Closter to the New Bridge and also assisted in taking three persons & Carrying them to Fort Lee or Powles Hook. I am fully Convinced that he is a person Injurious to the Rights of America. Bonter is also Charged with being unfriendy; his General Character is agreeable to the Charge, and has been in the Ministerial Service with his Waggon some time. Daniel Foshee, appears to be a Tobacconist; that he lives in New York, his Wife & part of his Family is at Taupaun, he was apprehended last Evening driving Fatt Cattle to New York, he says for the Use of his family but Query, his family is principally here; however, he has been here on the same Arrant before, under pretence of Visiting his family. I am fully sattisfied that unless a stop is put to these kind of people, having Intercourse among us, our Situation here is very dangerous. Lock man was taken with Foshee driveing the Cattle. I have one Steer that was Taken, which shou'd be glad to know what to do with the other Cattle the Guard being so small, by some means got away. This Moment Intelligence came from ye New Bridge to advise the Inhabitants to drive their Cattle & Stock away, which they are Effecting as this night the Enemy Intends an attack upon us; he acquaints that there is a Large Reinforcement came to that place. I am determined not to leave my post unless forced from it; our fatigue, D'r S'r, is too Great, our body very small but I believe very Good; we hear the Regulars' Drums, Twice a day, very plain. I also Inform you that I have not more than 120 Effective men in the Regiment, therefore, you may Easily Judge my Present Situation. I am with every mark of Esteem yours &c &c. John Hathorn. N. B. The Evidence against these Persons are Principally David Demorest. But the nighbours & their acquaintance are loath to tell the Truth or Even to say anything about them. (Gen. George Clinton) [No. 298.] Gouverneur Morris Requests a Pass for Mistress Howard. Dear Genl. The Bearer of this Letter Mrs. Howard, applied by Letter to me to obtain Leave for her Removal to New York with two Children of her Sister's who is now there, and she unable to maintain them in this Country. The Woman I know, as she has been an |