[No. 526.]

DIFFICULTY OF RAISING CASH.

Capt. Bedlow's Complaint to Gen. Clinton-Difficulties in Prosecuting the Works for the Defence of the Hudson.

Dear Sir,

New Windsor May 30th 1777.

I returned yesterday noon from Esopus where I was detained till Wednessday noon before I could be dispatched by the Committee of Safety, owing to some difficulty started, (as Mr. Gilb't Livingston Informed me), in supplying me with any more Cash, saying they did not understand to be made pursers for the Continent & to have their Treasurey drained; and as amaising Sums had already been advanced by this State their Accts. on settlement might be objected to. I told Mr. Livingston I tho't it of the utmost Consequence to have the Accts. for the present month paid of, for should I return without money, the artificers &c. would consequently quit the works & all that had been already don would be so much hove away & perhaps no getting to geather again this season, such a number of artificers, & what a handle it would give our Enemies, on hearing this Important work was quited for want of Cash to pay the work men; that If they would not advance any more cash after this month you would then have time to fix it in some other Channell. I at last obtained an order for £2500.

Capt. Machin haveing given me a long list of articles wanted for the works I applyed to the Committee of Safety for such of them as I tho't they might furnish me with there. Mr. Gilb't Livingston was appointed to goe with me on Board a Brig in the Creek to see if any Riggen there would suit; by spliceing sunday peices of New Rope we made out 160 fathom of five Inch, which

is much wanted for a Fall to raise the Chavoux de Frise with. I find that things here are also goeing wrong. Yesterday the workmen had no provissions; we have no Iron for the works, as Brewster Exspects £20 pr. Ton, for drawing over our large Iron & Capt. Machin not chuseing to allow so much, he has stopt working up any more for us.

I tho't proper to acquaint you early with the above perticulers to Inable you to have it settled; in Regard to Iron the work must stand still if we have not some soon; should I procure it thro a new Channell those Accts. might be refused, Except an order from you for so doeing.

I send Inclosed a list for your perusual, of the articles Capt. Machin Intended, for the which I know not were to apply for. 1 think the demand for carpenter's Tools Extravegant, & that were they have such High wages they ought to find their own Tools or pay for them when found for them. Narrow axes we are much in want of; be so good as to send me the list back again.

I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Caty Clinton in Health. Mr. Tappa I left but poorly, he had been very Ill the day I gott to Esopus with an Impostum in his Head, which had broke & was discharging at his Nose & mouth.

Mrs. Bedlow Joyns me in our best regards & warmest wishes for Your Health.

I am D'r S'r,
Your Humb. Serv't,

William Bedlow.

To Brig'r Genl. George Clinton.

[No. 527.]

Capt. Jacob Wood Vindicated.

Fort Montgomery 31st May 1777.

A Court of Inquiry ordered by Genl. George Clinton Whereof

Lieut. Colo. McClaghry is President.

Capt. Concklin Judge Advocate.

The members being Duly sworn also the President.

Capt. Jacob Wood being Brought before the Court and Charg'd by Elijah Lewis for Disobeying Orders and Partiallity in Drafting his Qato of men for the Present Service.

After hearing the Alligations and Evidences it Appears to the Court that Capt. Jacob Wood has been Malitiously and Wrongfully Us'd and that he has Discharg'd his Duty as a Good and faithfull Officer agreeable to his Orders.

James McClaghry, L. Coll.

Presadent.

[No. 528.]

PARSIMONY OF COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Capt. Bedlow's Criticisms on the Delay and Policy in Constructing

the Works Along the Hudson.

Dear Sir,

New Windsor June 1st 1777.

Your Favor by Major Pawlin I have Received, and think your observations therein too true, as I have myself Experianced from

the first begining to Fortify the High Lands, had not an Ill Judged Parcity generally taken place in the proceedings of our Convention, this River would now have been secure from any Enemy by Land or water. I shall follow your orders respecting my accts. & Capt. Machin's Return of Works finished, with Estimate what will be the cost to compleat the same.

I would beg leave to take notice that I am apprehensive the £2500 I drew last, will not pay of this month's pay Rolls, as I find there has been an addition of Hands this month which had I known I would have asked for £3000, so that we shall unavoiadable run into a nother month, unless we Immediatley stop, which I should be very sorry, should be the case now; we are, as I think got thro' our greates Difficulties with the works & must Exspect fine weather to assist us; this Joyned with the oppinion I have of this work (when compleated) being Effective to obstruct the Navigation of the river here, it gives me Pain to find you have had from the very first, so many hindrances from a Quarter that ought to have exerted every Nerve to assist you, let what will Happen, your character will stand the Test of calumly it self, & every one will know were the Blame must rest; I flatter my self that the Committee of Safety will reflect a little on the conse quence before they absolutely refuse to advance any more cash for the works here. Mr. McKisson told me he was much surprised at their conduct; that they had undertaken this Business of themselves; had no Letters from Continential Congress respecting the ordering of it (which was what they wanted to see before they resolved to order my Request for cash), and that it was approved of by Genl. Washington; therefore, should it cost £100,000, they were bound to supply the same.

Major Taylor is removed to Newbery & by what I learn has no Iron. Mrs. Bedlow & self are unhappy to hear you have been Indisposed; hope in God you are now releived from soe dangerous a complaint; our warmest wishes for your Health.

William Bedlow.

To Brig'r Genl. George Clinton Commandant of The Fortifications In High Lands

I am D'r S'r,

Your Humb'e Serv't,

William Bedlow.

Sir,

[No. 529.]

STATE OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

A Programme Which the People Failed to Ratify, However.

Kingston 2d June 1777.

As Committees from the Counties of Orange, Ulster and Dutchess are to meet at New Windsor Tomorrow, for the Important Purpose of agreeing on the Men proper to fill the great Offices of Government We take the Liberty of communicating to you our Sentiments on that Subject in full Confidence that should they concur with your own you will exert yourself in giving them Influence. Genl. Schuyler arrived here last Evening, and has communicated to us divers Resolves of Congress establishing him in the Command of the Northern Department and doing full and ample Justice to his Reputation. They will be published in Loudon's next Paper.

We are of Opinion that the Genl. will have many Votes in the Upper counties. There is no Doubt of his accepting the Office and we are unanimous in recommending him to you as Governor, and Genl. George Clinton as Lieut. Gov'r.