Col. James Clinton to New-York Committees of Safety

v2:1700

Little-Britain, July 21, 1775.

I have just now received your letter dated July 17th, requesting me to prepare and lay before the Congress of this Colony at New-York, a state of my Regiment, and of the number of men ready and fit for service in each company, and likewise requesting me to inform the Congress when the Regiment will be complete and ready to take the field, with all possible despatch.

I can only acquaint you that I have mustered Captain Nicholson' s company, and Captain Denton' s; Nicholson' s is complete, Denton' s wants but four men. Captains Brown and Hasbrouck, at Kingston, have made but small progress, as they have but lately begun to enlist; but I make no doubt they will soon get their men. I have seen Captain Billings at Poughkeepsie, who says his company is complete, and I suppose Captain Dubois' s is by this time. I ordered him to apply to Captain Swartwout to muster the two last companies, as he was appointed for that purpose.

I have had no account from Captain Johnston, at Orangetown, nor the three Captains on Long-Island; but I suppose they have made a return to the Congress agreeable to the directions given them in their warrant. As the companies appointed to my Regiment are at so great a distance from each other, it is almost impossible for me to make a return of the Regiment till I meet the Congress in New-York next Tuesday, which I intend to do as near the time as possible. I am, Sir, your humble servant,

JAMES CLINTON.

To Henry Williams, esq˙, Chairman of the Committee of Safety for the City of New-York,

P˙ S. I find arms a scarce article amongst the men, they not having a sufficient quantity to exercise them.