From the information he received, there was then no appearance of a move, but during the course of the night (Sunday) he heard a good deal of noise in Camp, particularly towards morning, when there was some firing in the N. River; and he afterwards understood that some Rebel stores collected at Dobbs landing had been destroyed by our shipping.

The French Cavalry remain upon Chatterton's hill; they have for three days past kept their horses constantly at the Pickets, feeding them upon cut grass.

Their picquets are posted upon the heights near the widow of John Underhill's; upon the widow Archer's hill; upon the rising ground near David Pugsley's; and another more to their right near Dobb's Landing.

He could not ascertain their having any heavy cannon in Camp. Nor any great quantity of provisions. He was told, that the French General was quartered at Sam! Purdy's at the Whiteplains.

Information by John Hubbill, Pris" of the 5th Connecticut Reg and a Deserter of the 1st Con' Reg, 18th July 1781.

Colonel Scammell with the Light Infantry is encamped between the North & Sawmill River, on the heights the other side of Dobb's ferry. Sheldon's Drag at garrisons, in Dobb's ferry plains.* The Rebels in two lines. The 1st line with the Right to the Sawmill River, one mile above Pugsley's bridge, with the left at a small distance from Sear's house, consisting of the two Connecticut brigades, including the Rhode Island brigade, and one Bay brigade. The 2nd line about mile in the rear of the 1st, consisting of the New Hampshire troops, and one Bay brigade. The French in one line, allignê with the Rebel 1st line, extending towards Chatterton's hill. The French Legion on the left of the whole, on Chatterton's hill; covering the left flank.

The French Artillery Park, behind Sear's, (no particulars about the French or the Rebel park).

Each French Reg [has] some Field pieces; Each Rebel brigade two six pounders. The Connecticut Reg! 300 duty-men § upon an average. Those of the other provinces about the same number, the Rhode Island Reg excepted, being much stronger. Each brigade may be near 900 men. The Jersey brigade has not crossed the N. River. The shipping destroyed some provision sloops. Killed and wounded some of Sheldon's dragoons. A considerable quantity of salt meat and bread had been landed at Tarrytown the day before the ships came up. 300 men at work every day at Dobb's ferry. The armed ships [are] in Haverstraw bay.

* The comparatively level ground on top of the hill about a mile southeasterly from Dobbs Ferry landing, now covered with handsome country places.

By this is meant a brigade from "Massachusetts Bay" or "The Massachusetts," as that State was often styled in the last century. Aligned.

§ Effective men is meant.

At the redoubt and batteries then constructing, on the brow of the hill directly above the land

ing.

The Rebel Generals in Camp are, Washington, Lincoln, Howe, Stirling, Hand, Parsons, & Huntington.

There are now 2, 18 & 2 12 prs, and 2 Howitzers in the Battery at Dobb's ferry.

The whole of the Enemy's army constantly provided with two days dressed provisions. *

19th July, 1781.

Jos. Clarke came in this morning, and says he left Fort Lee last night. Washington was at Fort Lee yesterday, viewing the ground. Several officers were with him, and about 50 Light horse as a guard. He dined yesterday at one William Day's near Fort Lee.f

Clarke was informed, there were about 300 Continental troops in the neighborhood of Fort Lee, but could not learn where they came from.

19th July, 1781.

Samuel Tom came from Jersey låst night, he gives the following information. He was told, that the night before last, the Jersey brigade were encamped near Sneading's blockhouse; and yesterday on his way thro' the English neighborhood he was told by the Inhabitants, that a party of Continental troops had patroled to the cross-road at the widow Demaries, which leads to Fort Lee. He saw this party, but at some distance. He was also told that Washington was yesterday at Fort Lee with a party. §

*This account of the Connecticut deserter is very correct, as we now know from the French, and other American, contemporary accounts; and confirms Parsons' letter above given.

This was the reconnoissance made by Washington and Rochambeau, with an escort of 150 Jersey troops. They crossed the Hudson at Dobbs Ferry.

"Demarest's" is the name here meant.

Washington describes this reconnoissance at very great length in his Journal (Mag. Amer. Hist. 120, 121, and 122). He thus begins his account: "July 18th-I passed the North River with Count Rochambeau, Gen! de Beville, his Q M Gen! & Gen! Duportail in order to reconnoitre the Enemy's Posts and Encampments of the North end of York Island-took an Escort of 150 Men of the Jersey Troops on the other side," and then gives extremely full details. The above entries show that Clinton was informed of this reconnoissance the morning after it took place. One ooservation of Washington on this occasion (18th July, 1781), is of much interest when we consider the present wooded state of the north end of Manhattan Island: “The Island is totally stripped of trees and wood of every kind; but low bushes (apparently as high as a man's waste) (so in the originai) appear in places which were covered with wood in the year 1776." A result of the hard winter of 1780-81.

Fac-simile of the armorial book-plate of Sir Henry Clinton's grandson, upon the inner side of the cover of one of the MS. volumes of Sir Henry's headquarters records, now belonging to Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet of New York. It is a singular fact that Governor George and General James Clinton, of New York, sons of Charles Clinton, of New Britain, Orange County, an Irish-born gentleman of another branch of the Clinton family, had the same arms and motto as Sir Henry, but without the crescent or other mark of cadency.

SHIELD: Argent, six cross crosslets fitchèe sable, three, two, and one.

On a

chief azure, two mullets or, pierced gules, in the centre a crescent, argent, for difference.

CREST: Out of a ducal coronet gules, a plume of five ostrich's feathers argent, banded with a line azure.

MOTTO: Loyaltè n'a honte (Loyalty is not ashamed).

THE END.

VALUABLE ORIGINAL LETTERS

UNPUBLISHED LETTER FROM ALEXANDER HAMILTON TO JOHN JAY Contributed by General C. W. Darling. Original letter in possession of the Oneida Historical Society

New York Dec 7th 1784

Dear Sir

The Baron De Steuben has informed me that he is about to set out for Trenton where he expects to make application to Congress for a final settlement of his pretensions. I feel myself so much interested in the success of his intended application that I cannot forbear taking the liberty to recommend his case to your particular patronage. I have been an eye witness to the services he has rendered this country: I will venture to say they have been of essential weight in the revolution. 'T'is unquestionably to his efforts we are indebted for the introduction of discipline in the army and that against a torrent of prejudice and opposition. 'T'is to that discipline we owe the figure we made with an handful of men in the latter periods of the war. "T'is to that discipline we owe savings of different kinds of the utmost importance to our exhausted finances. The Baron De Steuben, whatever pride or personalty may say-is one of the few men who in the military line, has rendered substantial services to the American Cause. Justice demands he should have a liberal compensation. The reputation of our Country will not permit that he be necessitated to quit us to solicit the bounty of those whom he has not served. You, my dear sir I know will feel properly what justice and national reputation will dictate upon this occasion. But your absence from America has perhaps prevented you from receiving in some respects, just representations of men and things. I flatter myself that which I now make to you will be received as a just one. The Baron if he remains in this country will continue a Citizen of New York. It seems to me, circumstanced as we are, it is not a contemptable object to give inducements to stay among us to a man whose military experience would be of singular advantage in forming those establishments to which we may be driven. I shall not dwell longer on the subject, as I am convinced I need not multiply considerations to induce you to do whatever is possible, or proper.

I remain with the most sincere & respectful attachment

To the Hon John Jay

D' Sir

Your Obed

Alex Hamilton

Three unpublished Letters from the correspondence of Vice-President Elbridge Gerry, which passing to his son-in-law and biographer, Hon. J. T. Austin, are now in possession of the eldest son of that gentleman, Mr. I. J. Austin, Newport, Rhode Island, by whom they are contributed to the readers of the Magazine.

Alexander Hamilton to Elbridge Gerry.

Sir

New York Sep 6, 1788

I am a member of a Committee to whom the Baron De Steuben's application to Congress, founded upon a certain statement supported among other testimonials by a certificate from you, has been referred. Among the papers committed to us, is the copy of a written report made by the Committee appointed to confer with the Baron at Yorktown. As this report is of a nature to create difficulties in the case, I have thought proper to enclose it for your perusal, and I shall be obliged to you for any explanations which may serve to throw further light on the subject

The General Court being in the midst of a very busy Session, I have but a few moments to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 29th ult, and at the request of Mrs Gould of this town to beg the favor of you to enquire into the truth of a piece of intelligence forwarded to this town by a letter from a certain Mr John Stoughter at New York, which is, that the vessell in which M' Palfrey, Mrs Gould's two sons, a Mr Parker of New Hampshire, and several gentlemen of Philadelphia were passengers from France, four years ago, was carried into Algiers. I can hardly believe it to be a fact; but should there be good grounds for the story, will not Congress take measures for the relief of those unhappy persons, as well as to prevent any of our countrymen who may hereafter fall into their hands from suffering that indignity and cruelty which is the common lot of all their prisoners who are not under national agreement and protection.

Mrs Gould is the daughter of the late Mr James Griffin an eminent merchant of this town and she is a widow.

VOL. XII.-No. 2.-12