WILLIAM HEATH TO JAMES LIVINGSTON.*

PEEKS-KILL, Jan3 4th, 1777.

SIR, — I have just received your favor of the 2nd inst inclosing a Resolution of the Honorable Convention of the State of New York. This fresh instance of concern discovered by the Convention for the security of this post, I consider as flowing from an ardent zeal for the public safety, which I think much depends on the securing the passes in the Highlands. And you will please to acquaint them that I am so much impressed with their importance, that I was determined not to leave them unguarded. I shall not take with me into the Jersies more cannon than what may appear absolutely necessary.

Your Committee presented to me on yesterday the Resolves of the Honble Convention of the first of Jan', requesting that I would defer my march until an answer could be obtained to a letter which had been sent to His Excellency General Washington, or some effectual means provided for the passes of the Highlands.

I have assured them that I shall not move until a sufficient force is collected and left here.

General Lincoln is this moment arrived.

I am, Sir, with respect, your most humbl servt.

JAMES LIVINGSTON, Esq'.

W. HEATH.

WILLIAM HEATH TO GEORGE CLINTON.†

PEEKS-KILL, Janry 4th, 1777.

DEAR SIR, -The last evening I received your favor of yesterday's date, and am sorry to find that you should construe my letter as if I was afraid to venture the

*For a notice of Col. James Livingston, at the time this letter was written chairman of the Committee of Safety of New York, see 7 Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. ii. p. 8 n.

† For a notice of George Clinton, see 7 Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. ii. p. 157 n. — Eds.

cannon with the militia. The state of the case was this -not only the men belonging to the regiments, but also to the artillery were going home, save a few artillerymen that I prevailed upon to continue ten days to take care of the cannon, untill I could hear from the General. Nither had we at this post more than 300 men to do duty. The cannon would have required at least 100 of them as a guard. Had I given this as a reason that our artillery men were gone and that we had not men to spare even to guard the cannon to your post, it would undoubtedly have greatly dispirited your troops. I therefore thought the answer which I gave would tend to keep them in spirit and at the same time conceal our weakness, which I expected every moment to be strengthned.

General Lincoln is just arrived, and I have prevailed upon a few artillery men to go over into the Jersies. I shall therefore send over this day or tomorrow morning two peices of cannon with a guard, and I would request that you would send a small party of your horse on to meet and conduct them. Captain Briant had not yesterday got his men, having lent part of them to Lieut. Jackson. When they get over you will act your own discretion as to dislodgeing the enemy. But I think if it appears doubtfull that you had better defer it untill you are reinforced, which I hope will be in a few days. However, as you best know circumstances you can best determine.

I am sorry that your troops should suffer any inconveniences on account of provisions; a line for any species. or quantities should have been sent immediately. I hope soon to be over with you, untill when I wish you success and happiness.

I am, dear Sir, with respect, your most humble servt. W. HEATH.

Gen' GEO. CLINTON.

442

GOLD SELLECK SILLIMAN* TO WILLIAM HEATH.

FAIRFIELD, Jan'y 8th, 1777.

SR, - General Wadsworth on his return from Peekskill acquainted me that the pay-master had not mony by him to pay more than about one third part of the wages due to the regiments in his brigade, of which number my regiment is one; but that you had sent an express to General Washington for mony sufficient to pay the brigade in full, and advised me not to wait on you upon that subject untill I could be advised that the mony was arrived. I have therefore now to ask the favour of your Honour to acquaint in a line by the return of the post whether the mony is arrived to pay the brigade; if it is I shall wait on you immediately to ask the favour of an order to receive it. My regiment have not received a single penny of their wages for the whole campaign; they are in extreme want of it, and I suppose that the sooner they receive their wages the better will the recruiting service for the new army succeed, which at present does not go on with that vigour which I could wish. My son is extremely desireous of going into the service, and wishes to do it under your Honour's immediate inspection; he presents his most respectfull compliments to your Honour and begs to know whether you will be so kind as to employ him in some character under your own immediate inspection, which he will be very happy to obtain. I am, Sir, with my most respectfull compliments to your Honour,

Your most obedient and most hum° servt.

Hon' Gen' HEATH.

G. SELLECK SILLIMAN.

For a notice of General Silliman, see 7 Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. ii. p. 98 n. — Eds.

WILLIAM HEATH TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.*

PEEKS-KILL, Janty 10th, 1777.

DEAR GENERAL, -In your Excellency's letter of the 7th instant you are pleased to leave the settlement of the arms that have been lost to ine, observing that justice should be done to the publick and to individuals. I have been endeavouring to settle with some of the regiments, but I find the matter so embarrassed that I cannot compleat it without again applying to your Excellency for direction.

Some regiments, in particular Prescott's, have sixty or seventy arms lost, some private and others publick property. The officers alledge that when they left Governor's Island they had many sick, that some arms were left on the island, that others were brought over to the city, and that at the time of the retreat, waggons could not be obtained to bring them off and that they lost even their own clothing; others were at the armourers' shops, and either brought away in a hurry and mixed with others, or left behind. Such as were private property they request payment for, such as belonged to the publick and were so lost they construe unavoidabley lost. As there were a great many arms lost by different regiments in the before mentioned retreats under similar circumstances, I would beg your Excellency's particular direction, as it is a matter of very considerable importance and all should be treated alike. I have ordered a stoppage for the publick arms which have been lost in the before mentioned instances untill I am directed further.

I cannot but mention to your Excellency the state of the recruiting service, an object on the success of which our future hopes of advantage against the enemy must

* Washington's answer to this letter is printed in 5 Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. iv. pp. 37, 38.- EDS.

under Heaven be principally built. We are now arrived to the 10th of January, and but few recruits comparatively raised (except in this State, where the regiments are in great forwardness) principally owing to the immediate clothing of their troops. There are here a number of recruits belonging to the State of Massachusetts Bay. They are almost naked, and so infected with the itch as to be unfit for service. Their officers are importuning of me that the men may return home, clense and recruit themselves; this I am confident would promote the service as it respects these individuals. But I find that they have grone uneasy on account of those belonging to Connecticut being gone home, and should I grant their request the uneasiness would spread among those who are with your Excellency. I have not as yet furloughed one private, but wish to know your Excellency's pleasure on this matter. There are a number of officers here who have engaged in the new army, and as they have but little prospect of recruiting at this place I have sent a number of them to New England.

Major Huntington, who is acting at this post as an assistant to the Adjutant General, and is well known at Head Quarters, is a gentleman of family, of fortune, and posse [sse]d of those quallifications requisite in an officer, I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency's notice.

My next will be dated at some other place. Rogers's men are deserting daily. I think that if a proclimation of pardon was issued, offering a pardon to those who return to their duty and allegiance to the States, great numbers of them would come off, they most certainly grow much discontented. A few days since twenty or thirty sail of large ships sailed up the East River towards N. England. I have ordered that such men as are in captivity should be made up only to the time of their being taken.

I have the honor to be, with great respect,

Your Excellency's most humble st.