» m ^H9*& r : iff A - CO CM z: tx S CC i£> 02 xJ^Mt Cornell University Library Z6616.L593 K24 Illustrated catalogue of important revol 3 1924 029 593 971 REVOLUTIONARY LETTERS OF IMPORTANCE THE UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON FIRST CHANCELLOR OF NEW YORK * I IJ V- r£ TO BE SOLD AT UNRESTRICTED PUBLIC SALE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 25th, 1918 BY ORDER OF THE OWNER JAMES R. KEANE, OF NEW YORK CITY UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AMERICAN ART ASSOCIATION MADISON SQUARE SOUTH NEW YORK CITY The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://archive.org/details/cu31924029593971 THE AMERICAN ART ASSOCIATION DESIGNS ITS CATALOGUES AND DIRECTS ALL DETAILS OF ILLUSTRATION TEXT AND TYPOGRAPHY ON PUBLIC EXHIBITION AT THE AMERICAN ART GALLERIES MADISON SQUARE SOUTH, NEW YORK ENTRANCE, 6 EAST 23rd STREET BEGINNING MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1918 AND CONTINUING UNTIL THE TIME OF SALE REVOLUTIONARY LETTERS OF IMPORTANCE THE UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON FIRST CHANCELLOR OF NEW YORK TO BE SOLD AT UNRESTRICTED PUBLIC SALE BY ORDER OF THE OWNER JAMES R. KEANE, OF NEW YORK CITY ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1918 AT 3:00 O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON AT THE AMERICAN ART GALLERIES l/.rn^yZfrz**^*) c^rv^Cs ~?*v*W gZ^& 23'^^'? — /Zed /£ & jv£% el)£?£~^7 /£r , . s%/£? ^i/e^t?, ^tzww^£r/***~} ^£r„ S^msi. /£^rl4j t/&?t*^S 4%- tfS&rt/l ^/^*7^ci/ ~«^-«-* ^^» # -^^-' ^z^a S***-/yvfe*y X<**> £**~' /&H*r*J e^ /CU» *^£/+S cdft^/Z* . ^L^C BENEDICT ARNOLD A.L.S., 2pp. Quebec, February 10. 17T6 [No. 1] ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OF IMPORTANT REVOLUTIONARY LETTERS THE UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON FIRST CHANCELLOR OF NEW YORK TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE OR RESTRICTION BY ORDER OF THE OWNER JAMES R. KEANE, OF NEW YORK CITY ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 25th, 1918 AT 3:00 O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON THE SALE TO BE CONDUCTED BY MR. THOMAS E. KIRBY AND HIS ASSISTANTS, OF THE AMERICAN ART ASSOCIATION, Managers NEW YORK CITY INTRODUCTORY NOTE REGARDING THE FAMILY OF ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, WITH A NOTICE REGARDING THE PRESENT OWNERSHIP OF THE CORRESPONDENCE HEREIN CATALOGUED This noteworthy collection comprises Unpublished Eevolutionary Correspondence of Robert E. Livingston, First Chancellor of New York, and includes original autograph letters by George Washington, Eichard Montgomery, Benedict Arnold, Donald Campbell, James Duane, William Hooper, Gouvernor Morris, Edward Eutledge, Fhilip Schuyler, and various members of the Livingston Family, all addressed to Robert E. Livingston ; to- gether with original drafts of many important historical letters by Living- ston to the above statesmen, and relating to the military campaign in New York and Canada, during the early years of the Eevolution, 1775-1776. The Montgomery Correspondence is one of unusual interest, as it contains important information of great historical value, written by Montgomery while engaged in his campaigns against Montreal and Quebec. Many of the other letters relate to Montgomery's death, with notices of his personal character. The earlier letters in the collection contain a vast amount of valuable historical data relative to the campaign in New York, the defence of the Hudson Highlands, and the campaign around White Flains. The family to which the subject of the present correspondence be- longed, is honorably associated with the domestic and foreign policy of the United States. Robert Livingston, the first of the family in America, came from Holland in 1675. In 1686, he secured by purchase from the Indians, a large tract of land, comprising nearly the whole of the present counties of Dutchess and Columbia, New York. This Livingston had three sons, the eldest, — Fhilip, became Lord of the Manor; while the youngest, — Eobert, was given 13,000 acres of land, the same being in the town of Clermont, New York, and which became the ancestral home of Eobert E. Livingston, the subject of the present correspondence, and a grandson of the above-men- tioned younger Eobert. Eobert E. Livingston, the Chancellor, was born in New York, in 1746. He graduated from King's College and studied law with William Smith, the historian. In 1773, he was admitted to the bar and for a short time was business partner with John Jay, who later became Chief-Justice of the United States. In 1776, Livingston was appointed delegate from New York to the Congress of 1776, and had the honor of serving on the committee which drafted the Declaration of Independence. On July 8, 1776, he took his seat in the Provincial Congress of New York, and was appointed one of the Committee to draw up the new state Constitution. He became the first Chancellor of New York in 1777, and held that office until 1801. From 1781 to 1783, he ably filled the important office of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and later occupied several important positions of trust both in the state and the Federal government. He died at his home in Clermont, February 26, 1813. General Richard Montgomery, whose autograph letters appear in this collection, and to whose death and personal character and work, many of the letters relate, was born in Swords, near Feltrim, Ireland, on December 2, 1736. In his youth, he served as a British officer in the French and Indian War, soon after the close of which, he returned to England; where, it is said, he formed the friendship of Fox, Burke and Barre. Always a lover of liberty, he became deeply imbued with the rights of the Colonies, and returned to America early in 1773, and married Janet Livingston, sister of Robert R. Livingston, the Chancellor. Entering the Continental Army, he was given charge of the Campaign against Canada, and fell mortally wounded while attacking Quebec, on December 31, 1775. As but little is known of Mont- gomery's actions from the time he resigned his commission until his return to America in 1773, the manuscript account-book of Captain Mont- gomery's company, 1766-1767, which accompanies this collection, will be found of unusual interest. The Collection comprises the most important Livingston Corre- spondence THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED AT PUBLIC SALE IN AMERICA. Mr. James R., Keane, who consigns the same to the Association for unrestricted public sale, and who has now retired to private life, was at one time active in the business life of New York City. In its endeavor to place the collection before the public in its proper light, the Association has made a careful review of all the published works re- lating to the Livingston Family of New York, and has failed to find any trace of the publication of these letters in their entirety ; though short extracts of six of the letters appear in Edwin B. Livingston's privately printed work on "The Livingstons of Livingston Manor." Two of Livingston's drafts are the originals of his letters to Washington, published in Sparks' "Correspon- dence of American Revolutionary Men, addressed to General "Washington." The George H. Bancroft Collection of Manuscripts in the New York Public Library contains two volumes of "Transcripts of the Livingston Correspondence," the first of which proves the present letters to be the Originals of the greater portion of the "Transcripts" contained therein. Conditions of Sale 1. Any bid which is merely a nominal or fractional advance may be rejected by the auctioneer, if, in his judgment, such bid would be likely to affect the sale in- juriously. 2. The highest bidder shall be the buyer, and if any dispute arise between two or more bidders, the auctioneer shall either decide the same or put up for re-sale the lot so in dispute. 3. Payment shall be, made of all or such part of the purchase money as may be required, and the names and addresses of the purchasers shall be given immediately on the sale of every lot, in default of which the lot so purchased shall be immediately put up again and re-sold. Payment of that part of the purchase money not made at the time of sale, shall be made within ten days thereafter, in default of which the undersigned may either continue to hold the lots at the risk of the purchaser and take such action as may be necessary for the enforcement of the sale, or may at public or private sale, and without other than this notice, re-sell the lots for the benefit of such pur- chaser, and the deficiency (if any) arising from such re-sale, shall be a charge against such purchaser. 4. Delivery of any purchase will be made only upon payment of the total amount due for all purchases at the sale. Deliveries will be made on sales days between the hours of 9 A. M. and 1 P. M., and on other days — except holidays — between the hours of 9 A. M. and 5 P. M. Delivery of any purchase will be made only at the American Art Galleries, or other place of sale, as the case may be, and only on presenting the bill of purchase. Delivery may be made, at the discretion of the Association, of any purchase during the session of the sale at which it was sold. 5. Shipping, boxing or wrapping of purchases is a business in which the Association is in no wise engaged, and will not be performed by the Association for purchasers. The Association will, however, afford to purchasers every facility for employing at current and reasonable rates carriers and packers ; doing so, how- ever, without any assumption of responsibility on its part for the acts and charges of the parties engaged for such service. 6. Storage of any purchase shall be at the sole risk of the purchaser. Title passes upon the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, and thereafter, while the Asso- ciation will exercise due caution in caring for and delivering such purchase, it will not hold itself responsible if such purchase be lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. Storage charges will be made upon all purchases not removed within ten days from the date of the sale thereof. 7. Guarantee is not made either by the owner or the Association of the cor- rectness of the description, genuineness or authenticity of any lot, and no sale will be set aside on account of any incorrectness, error of cataloguing, or any imper- fection not noted. Every lot is on public exhibition one or more days prior to its sale, after which it is sold "as is" and without recourse. The Association exercises great care to catalogue every lot correctly, and will give consideration to the opinion of any trustworthy expert to the effect that any lot has been incorrectly catalogued, and, in its judgment, may either sell the lot as catalogued or make mention of the opinion of such expert who thereby would become responsible for such damage as might result were his opinion with- out proper foundation. SPECIAL NOTICE. Buying or bidding by the Association for responsible parties on orders trans- mitted to it by mail, telegraph or telephone, will be faithfully attended to without charge or commission. Any purchase so made will be subject to the above Condi- tions of Sale, which cannot in any manner be modified. The Association, however, in the event of making a purchase of a lot consisting of one or more books for a purchaser who has not, through himself or his agent, been present at the exhibition or sale, will permit such lot to be returned within ten days from the date of sale, and the purchase money will be returned, if the lot in any material manner differs from its catalogue description. Orders for execution by the Association should be written and given with such plainness as to leave no room for misunderstanding. Not only should the lot number be given, but also the title, and bids should be stated to be so much for the lot, and when the lot consists of one or more volumes of books or objects of art, the bid per volume or piece should also be stated. If the one transmitting the order is unknown to the Association, a deposit should be sent or reference submitted. Shipping directions should also be given. Priced copies of the catalogue of any sale, or any session thereof, will be furnished by the Association at a reasonable charge. AMERICAN ART ASSOCIATION, American Art Galleries, Madison Square South, New York City. At The American Art Galleries madison square south, new york UNRESTRICTED PUBLIC SALE BY ORDER OF THE OWNER JAMES R. KEANE, OF NEW YORK CITY ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, AT 3:00 O'CLOCK JANUARY 25th, 1918 Numbers 1 to 132, inclusive 1. Aenold (Benedict, — Brigadier-General, with Montgomery at Quebec; born in Norwich, Connecticut; died in London, 1801). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, Camp before Quebec, February 10, 1776. To Robert R. Livingston. With address. Torn in folds. Written soon after the death of General Montgomery, and relating to the latter's private papers, which he is forwarding. Reads in part, as follows, — "... you may rest assured from my friendship for Genl. Montgom- ery, it will give me most sensable pleasure to render every service in my power to all who were Dear to him, sensable of the impropriety of having his private papers inspected, I have anticipated your wishes by sending you these letters by Mr. Price, the only ones of a private nature from among his papers. Capt. Campbell informed me it was unusual for him, after answering his private letters to destroy them . . . "Colo. Campbell joined with me in applying to Govr. Carleton & Colo. McClean for his watch which the former very generously gave up. I sent it some time since to Wooster and make no doubt Mrs. Montgomery has received it . . ." Accompanying the above is the original wrapper, with seal (broken), and addressed, — "Robert Livingston Junr. Dutchess County. Family Letters Returned by favour of Mr. James Price of Montreal." The letters referred to are those sent by Livingston and others to General Montgomery, and will be found in this catalogue under items Numbers, — 75, 76 and 77. [See Frontispiece for Reproduction of Arnold Letter.] 2. Campbell (Donald, — Colonel in the Revolution, took command of the shattered American forces on their retreat to Wolfe's Cove, in front of Quebec, after the death of General Montgomery). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, Head Quarters, %a League from Quebec, January 12, 1776. To Robert R. Livingston. Fine letter relative to the death of Richard Montgomery and the honors paid him by the Quebec Garrison. With copy of a note sent by Colonel Campbell to. Governor Carleton, thanking the latter for the military honors extended at the burial of Montgomery. [Continued Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [Xo. 2 — Continued'] Colonel Campbell took charge of the effects of Montgomery, and later sent the latter's personal letters to Arnold, to be forwarded to Robert K. Livingston. In his letter he mentions sending at some future date, a copy of the inventory of Montgomery's effects. For this inventory, see No. 81 in this catalogue. "It is with the utmost concern & heartfelt distress that I am under the Melancholy necessity of Informing you of the Death of my Valu- able Friend & your Bear Relative the Brave Gallant & Amiable Gen- eral Richard Montgomery, on the Morning of the 31st Deer, in an attack to Storm the Town of Quebec. Suffice it Present to say what I have wrote to Mr. Hancock viz. I do with the Utmost bitterness of Soul Lament & Condole with you on the Death of that Gallant Amiable & Able General Richard Montgomery whose excellent Talents, were such, for the Laborious & Arduous Task of Command & conciliating the Af- fections of Officers, Soldiers & Inhabitants of every Degree, that few who Love the Character of the Gentn. & Soldier would wish to Die greater than he Fell! . . . The Greatness of the Character will be exalted from the Testimony of Respect paid to his Memory by Governor Carle- ton, & the Garrison of Quebec, who have given his Corps a Genteel & Splendid Burrial attended by Governor, Lt. Governor, Council & all the principle Officers of the Garrison with the Honors of War & the same to the Corps of that Lovely Youth his adored Aide de Camp Captn John Macpherson who fell by his side in the front Rank, whose great abilities is seldom equaled bij those of his Years! I forbear dwelling longer on this Subject or writing a particular accot of the Motives Disposition & Conduct of the Attack for which I shall referr you to Mr. ..." 3. Campbell (Donald, — Colonel in the Revolution). A.L.S., 11pp. 4to, Head Quarter at Holland House before Quebec, March 28, 1776. To (Robert E. Livingston). Endorsed by Livingston. Highly important historical letter, giving an account of the attack on Quebec under General Montgomery. Colonel Campbell was one of the party landing with General Mont- gomery, who at the head of his column of 300 Yorkers, stormed the Hights of Abraham. On learning of the death of Montgomery, Camp- bell took charge of the retreat. This letter was written to justify his own conduct, and that of other officers connected with the New York regiment. After noticing the preliminary meetings of the officers who finally decided on attacking Quebec before the first of the year, Campbell gives a short notice of the attacking columns under Arnold, Livingston and Brown; but by far the most interesting portion of the letter is that which contains an account of the attack by the column under Gen- eral Montgomery, of which he himself was a member. This account, together with the subsequent narrative of the retreat of the army, is the most detailed description by an eyewitness that has yet come to light; in it, the writer describes the formation of the head of the land- ing party with Montgomery leading the ascent, while he himself had charge of the clearing of the barriers of ice. After giving orders to Major Wessinfells to hurry up the troops, Campbell rejoined the 60 men ahead of him and learned of the death of General Montgomery, Macpherson and Cheesam ; he then took charge of the retreat, a detailed account of which, together with the subsequent critical condition of the army, is set forth in this letter. This letter is one of the more important, if not the most important ACCOUNT OF THIS ENGAGEMENT EXTANT. [See Reproduction.] tfrtp At ■rift*-*' *^s**7* 1*-* f TvtsfiCi^ >>?«, /rto-Csn i^A*--0 A.&n*7 f ^/c/u:. fifa (f'.tsntn. aJ^St ACc C ,.. , _ —wry ,~ ■ - . -. r. )'■ • .-« J-t^^^ZTf^ r *~~~ \\ t. >, c a-*** , ~7&y LThri.dg^Sg } t o£* e*v y& t^ts &h--tjfqcsu*t , 6«s/ eurr A- i> a**- /Vun>i* <\ ^>„, ^L~Jt /a if. fr-ry,* t^A/r,) 9nt **t.t r/ & PtfrsY & cVi^O e,*/„^ ifajfi} frtuULtt fef-iJs^. vo2>*.Ci A^^y, «.Wd^ n -Cj(i& ^*AC/b,\ jfc fyt - v v/ l~#iY^\ COLONEL DONALD CAMPBELL A.L.S., 11pp. Quebec, March, 28, 1776 [No. 3] •3*- Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th 4. Clinton-Livingston Correspondence. Clinton (George, — Vice- President of the United States, member of the Second Continental Congress, first Governor of the state of New York, Brigadier-Gen- eral in the Continental Army; born, Little Brittain, N. Y., 1739; died, Washington, D. C, 1812). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, King's Bridge, October 8, 1776. To Bobert E. Livingston. Fine letter relative to the British troops in New York, their trouble with the Hessians; the burning of New York; regulations of Congress regarding the army, etc. Reads in part, as follows, — "... Yesterday Evening Lord Sterling was exchanged for Governor Brown & is now at Head Quarters — We learn by too Deserters who came in yesterday Morning that there has been a Second Fire in the City that it began in a large Store in which the baggage of the 40ffc Regemt. & that of some others were & consumed them Totally. I cant find that the Fires Spread so as to injure the City much — They say that the Enemy begins to despair Quartering in the City this Winter they expect every Night to be burnt out especially since the last Affairs as that Store was particularly guarded — They add that the English Troops are extreamly Jealous of the Hessians who have Liberty to Plunder without Controul whilst the English are confined to Houses unhabitted only & when then attempt to take any Thing even out of such Houses they are frequently fired at by the Hessians Gentry . . . Upon the whole every Account agress that they hate each other — God encrease their Hatred & bring them to blows it would give me vast Pleasure to stand at a Distance & see fair Play — There has been no material Movement in the Enemy's Army since Monday the lQth Ultimo. Their loss that Day far exceeded what we first supposed The Tories on Long Island say they had 1000 killed and wounded & Accounts from other Quarters agree at least 300 killed — This is certain it had every pretty effect both on their Troops & ours — / suppose you have seen the New Arrangement made by Congress for the Army — / think 4 Regemts too little- for this State hundreds are lately thrown out of Bread by Means of the War that cant support themselves but by Entring the Service, we had 1 Regemts. including Du Boris now I fear dismissing so many Officers (as will necessarilly be the Case) may sour their Minds to the Cause — It would have been happy many of them had never been employed. Our Army is ruined by bad officers yet to strick out so many at a Time I fear wont Answer ..." 5. Clinton-Livingston Correspondence. Livingston (Robert R., — Chancellor of New York). A.L., 2pp. folio, Fishkill, October 8, 1776. To George Clinton. Endorsed by Livingston. Original draft, with cancellations and corrections, of a letter relative to General Schuyler's resignation. Reads in part, as follows, — "... You should have heard from me sooner but I have just returned from Albany whither I went on an embassy to Schuyler relative to the subject of his discontents — He has been extremly ill treated by some & with very little delicacy by the Congress yet I think with you that he can not resign with any honour to himself or without injuring the publick — / had a letter this morning from Rutledge inclosed a resolution, of Congress containing a refusal to accept Schuyler s resig- nation in terms very honourable to him so that I am in hopes that breach trill be healed e Lancey (Oliver, — Colonel in the Revolution; active in military affairs during the French and Indian War; member of the New York Provincial Council in 1760; in 1776, as a loyalist, he joined Howe on Staten Island, and the same year raised three regiments of loyalists, known as Delancey's battalions; he was assigned to Long Island, where he remained during the war; born, New York City, 1708; died in England, 1785). Copies of original orders and letters relating to the campaign on Long Island, 1776. To- gether,^ pieces, folio. As follows, — Letter to Colonel Conkling, lp., Jamaica, September 1, 1776, relative to the willingness of the inhabitants of S. County to lay down their arms and submit to the crown, with guarantee for their protection by the Ring's Colonels. Letter to Colonel Ohineas Fanning, lp., Huntington, September 2, 1776, relative to an order issued by General Howe, calling on Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 7 — Continued] all who have taken up arms against the King, in Suffolk County, to take the oath of Allegiance to the King. Order issued by direction of General Howe, Jamaica, Queens County, September 5, 1776, offering commissions to all such as should raise companies for his majesty's service. • Letter, Jamaica, September 11, 1776, forwarding orders from General Howe, ordering all fat cattle and sheep in Suffolk County to be driven to Jamaica, for the use of the King's troops. 8. Duane-Livingston Correspondence. Duane (James, — Jurist, Mayor of New York City; born in New York City, 1733; died in Duanes- burg, N. Y., 1797). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, Philadelphia, December 20, 1775. To Eobert E. Livingston. Endorsed by Livingston. A letter of condolence on the death of the elder Robert R. Livingston, the success of General Montgomery, and affairs in the South. — ". . . it is with unaffected Sympathy that I condole with you on the sudden Death of your most worthy Father. I knew the Tenderness of your Disposition and the full Extent of your Loss . . . Your Brother had already communicated Genl. Montgomerie's Successes which wiU raise his military Character to an exalted degree of Eminence . . . "The Virginians are Distressed by Lord Dunmore at the head of a few despicable white people and slaves. They cry aloud for the aid of Congress. Nothing else than six battalions are talked of; nay reported by a Committee for their Defence . . . "Four Battalions are ordered to be raised in Pensylr. one in the lower Counties; New York I suppose will not be forgotten — In short it is probable that by the Spring there will be exclusive of our Province a Southern Army of 16 Battalions besides minute men and militia ..." 9. Duane-Livingston Cobrespondence. Duane (James, — Jurist, mayor of New York City). A.L.S., 4pp. 4to, Philadelphia, January 31, 1776. To Eobert E. Livingston. Endorsed by Livingston. Relative to the death of General Montgomery and memorials by Con- gress. "Much as I feel for you, our Family, our Country, and myself on the Death of our generous and heroic Friend; I shall make no Reflections on the fatal event. Every tongue is loud in celebrating his Praises and lamenting his tale, and on every Breast his distinguished Merit is written in Characters indelible — Among the first Patriots and Heroes the faithful Page of History will perpetuate the name of Montgomerie to the latest Posterity for their Example and Admiration! "The Congress impressed with the highest sense of Gratitude to their favourite General for his Eminent Services, have unanimously resolved to erect a monument raised to his memory, which is to be finished in the most elegant manner in France under the Direction of Doctor Franklin . . . "The Congress have also desired Doctor Smith to prepare and deliver a funeral oration in Honour of their Heroe ..." 10. Duane-Livingston Correspondence. Livingston (Eobert E. Chancellor of New York). A.L., 3pp. folio, February 16, 1776. To James Duane. Original draft, with cancellations and corrections, of an answer to preceding letter, on the death of his grandfather, father and General Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 10 — Continued'] Montgomery, with reference to the state of the country, and his own views as expressed in a desire to see the war come to a close. "/ shd. be very ungrateful if I did not return you our sincere thanks for your kind condolence on the loss I have sustained The cruel stroke has been repeated and my future pleasures clouded by the removal of those whose participation doubled my enjoyments ... 7 cannot help thinking from the late advice from England and the increase of our friends there that wo shall before long be enabled to carry our great points and that they are already prepared to give up the right of execution i . . . This I know that another year of war and devastation will confirm me a republican tho' at present I wish to join hands with a nation which I have been accustomed to respect yet I am persuaded that the continuance of the war will break my shackles and I shall learn to > despise the pusillanimity of our British friends and abhor the country of _pur foes but perhaps I hate too much to judge impartially ..." 11. Duane-Livixgston Coeeespondence. Duane (J ames, — Jurist, Mayor of New York City). A.L.S., 12pp. 4to, [New York] March 20, 1776. To Eobert K. Livingston. Endorsed by Livingston. A letter of unusual length relative to the state of the country, pro- motions in the army, with mention of Chase, Dr. Franklin, Carrol of Maryland, the appointment of Harry Livingston as Lieutenant Colonel, and others. — ". . . such is the state of my dear native country, and so slender has been our representation, that I could not reconcile it to my Ideas of the important trust of ichich I partake, Whether we shall be recon- ciled to Great Britain or separated from her perhaps forever f is a question which a few weeks may decide, — and on which the happiness of millions may depend. I wish for peace if it can b~e accompanied by liberty and safety. I expect little from the Justice and less from the generosity of administradure, but I am not without hopes that the interest of Great Britain will compel her ministers to offer us reasonable terms. I am unwilling that while commissioners are daily looked for, we should by any irrevocable measure tie up our hands, and put it out of our power to terminate this destructive war. I do not think this line of conduct incompatible with the most vigerous efforts for our defence in the oncoming campaign — I believe it to be agreeable to the sense of our constituents a consideration which would alone be decisive with me, under these impressions I wait for the ex- pected preparations with painful anxiety . . . "If Clinton should be provided for in Canada where two regiments are ordered to be formed and of the English Troops; there will be room for Mr. Yates and Mr. Cortlandt both. Mr. Chase will furnish you with further particulars on this subject. The uncertainty with respect to the Genls. now in Canada perplexed Congress not a little. It was however thought prudent to secure such of them as could any way be provided for in the new Battalions ..." 12. Duer ("William, — member of the Continental Congress and of the Committee that drafted the first Constitution of New York; born in England, 1747; died in New York City, 1799). A.L., 3pp. folio, White Plains, July 21, 1776. With address,— 'To John Jay and Robt. B. Livingston, members of the Secret Committee at or near PoughTceepsie." Highly important historical letter, communicating secret infobma- Sale Friday A fternoon, January 25th [Xo. 12 — Continued] tion regarding the defence of the Hudson, with mention of George Wash- ington. Reads in part, as follows, — "Gen. Putnam and Mifflin have made an Exact Survey of the River opposite Mount Washington, and find that the Depth in no part exceeds 7 Fathoms— The Width however of the Ghannell (ich. is from 3 to 7 Ft.) is not much less than 1800 yds. — the shallow part of the River running in an oblique Direction — G. W. expresses himself extremely anxious about the obstruction of that Channel and a Means are daily used for executing that Purpose— It is impossible to procure Vessells enough at New York, so that the measure must be delay'd 'till such Time as more Vessells can be brought through the Sound from Connecticut— however I am not without apprehensions that this Resource will be cutt off, as I understand that some of the Enemy's Vessells have sailed out of the Hook, with an Intention (probably) of cutting off our Com- munication with the Sound . . . "Exclusive of the great advantage we should gain in obstructing the Channel so far to the Southward, it is I fear the only Place we can depend upon shallowing to the Southward of the Highlands whilst the Men of War are in the River. "For if proper Batteries are erected near the water at Mount Wash- ington, and on the opposite side manded with Guns of 24 and 32 Pounders it will not be practicable for any Vessells to be so near as to prevent our Working tinder the Cover of these Works — / have strongly urg'd Gent Washington to send Genl. Mifflin some heavier Metal, and though he seems half inclined this necessary operation has not yet taken Place. "The Genl. is anxious to have either of you (as members of the Secret Committee) to be with him in Town, and has authorized me to make the offer to you of his House during your Residence . . . "There is another Consideration which I hope will induce one of you to repair immediately to New York — The Committee of Safety of Philadelphia have sent three Persons to New York in order to assist in making Fireships — One of them a Mr. Hasburne with whom I have convers'd is practically clever . . . "I had almost forgot to tell you that this Design of obstructing the Channel near Mifflins is covered under the Retreat of pursuing Vessells for obstructing the Channel in the East River." This letter is not signed, but is endorsed by Livingston, — "Letter from Wm. Duer, 21st July 1776." 13. Holmes (Moses, — of the Commissary Department of the Northern Army). Original Manuscript Account Book, being "Moses Holmes's Book of Forwardings from Saratoga to Lake George and elsewhere, by Order of Walter Livingston Esqr. Depty Comiry General. Be- gining the 17th April 1776." 15pp. folio. Original wrappers. Important item relative to the campaign of the northern army in the Revolution ; being a tabulated record of provisions and stores, forwarded from Saratoga to Fort George, by wagon and such ox teams as offered their services for the use of the United Colonies, between the 17th of April to the 12th of October 1776 ; also a one-page schedule of baggage forwarded between the different regiments on the 17th April, 1776, and a two-page memoranda of money received from William Duer' James Provost, and others. The goods in the above record are shown as having been forwarded to Forts Edward and Miller. Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th 14. HoOPEK-LlVINGSTON COBEESPONDBNCE. LIVINGSTON (EOBEET R., Chancellor of New York). A.L., 3pp. folio, August 7, 1716. To Mr. Hooper. Draft of a letter referring to the defences of New York, Battle of Long Island, the defence of the Hudson, etc. Reads in part, — "... We for our parts having been sufficiently cautious & put the mountains between us & our enemy — / wish our president had been equally so, since he is a very worthy man & as we are told has been treated with great indignity since he has fallen into the hands of the enemy. The result of our first meeting with Lord Howe you have already heard — we early forsaw the consequence of an attempt to keep possession of Long Island & New York in consequence of which I my- self, above six weeks ago moved the resolutions for abandoning the town a copy of which has been sent you . . . "But our Genl. Officers had got such an attachment to their Zigzag & pretty green brest works that they were resolved to retain them at all hazards — They have seen their error & are at length removing their stores if the enemy will delay their attack they may yet do well enough tho' they will now fine it difficult to provide shelter without the town for the troops which they will shortly begin to want — / am very appre- hensive that the enemy may pay us a visit on hudsons river unless we contrive to secure those passes of which you have heard so much & which notwithstanding all that has been said have been most shame- fully neglected — this is in some measure owing to the constant change of Officers commanding at that post ..." 15. HoOPEE-LlVINGSTON COKEESPONDENCE. HoOPEE (WlLLIAM, — Signer of the Declaration of Independence; born in Boston, 1742; died in Hillsborough, N. C, 1790; elected to the Continental Congress in 1774 and 1775, and served on several important committees). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, August 17, 1776. To Robert R. Livingston. "With address, endorsed, — "Free Wm. Hooper." Endorsed by Liv- ingston. Refers to Governor Martin of North Carolina, a forthcoming battle of Long Island between Howe and Washington, and mentions James Duane. Reads in part, as follows, — "... That hopeful youth Governor Martin made a bonfire of a country house of mine, fortunately my family were absent from it, and as the buildings were not compleated I suffered little more than the mortifica- tion of having given Martin an opportunity to triumph at my expense. The accidental circumstance of my being upon a party from home with my family for a day, prevented my being kidnapped from a Boat from the Cruiser Man of War which was sent within 100 yards of a house I have on the sea side; for that pious purpose . . . "We ivait with anxiety the day which may bring Generals Howe and Washington in contact. Two of the most formidable armies that ever were in America under two such able Generals, with the aid of a most for- midable Navy, to contest not the fate of a province, but in the result, perhaps of this Western loorld is an object almost too enlarged for human contemplation. May heaven crown our cause with the success which its justice entitles it to and prosper your well meant endeavors to promote the happiness of your, fellow beings. "Where is Duane? I wish to hear that he is busied in calling forth the strength of his neighborhood to oppose the miscreants of Brit- ain ..." [See Reproduction.] /£ '^y^y y/S? ' +*7\ JCStA*-* >/^/*/L,?^/,^~~^~)jU*/(~~~£?" J*-***-'? " s ^*- .-«*£/ ^SftZZ/iyf S* /at ttften y"" /,~*Z£) ti/j&Lc^ ******* Je-f/^y e „u~~~~~~>. J*~~ ~~~~. *~«»~- *-y**< ' s/o~~- ^^ /*£*— — - SjCcm* S~~~ Aa^£. c-r, **^ **-**-**?- j*rS>£ z*^**?s>£fr C*? ^fr^r^T*^*^ y WILLIAM HOOPER A.L.S., 2pp. August 17, 1776 [No. 15] Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25ih 16. Hooper-Livingston Correspondence. Hooper (William, — Signer of the Declaration of Independence). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, Philadel- phia, September 25, 1776. To Robert R. Livingston. Endorsed by Livingston. Fine letter, relative to the forthcoming battle at White Plains, with mention of the British retreat from Boston, the burning of New York, etc. Beads in part, as follows, — "We anxiously wait the important consequences which two such numerous armies Drought in contact may produce. Genl. Howe sup- ported with officers & men armed to service — found with every species of military stores which can malce them formidable, determined and desperate some of them from the disgrace which attended their retreat from Boston & anxious to restore the honor of the British army — to conflict with an army of new troops — ill formed — ill cloathed — headed by officers supposing they have every other merit have no experience — and unhappily for us I fear that past events may have a future effect & some of our turgid friends may not feel bould when it is necessary that they should . . . "We have been alarmed with an account of the City of New York having been in flames several days past & that the greatest part of it has been consumed Some accounts attribute this calamity to Genl. Howe's orders while others ivith greater probability ascribe it to acci- dent or the ungovernable Brutality of those monsters the Hessians — Genl. Howe in full possession surely would not be mad enough to bum his home over his own head. "The Congress have ordered 88 Regiments to be raised for the next year & service to continue during the war ..." 17. Hooper-Livingston Correspondence. Livingston (Robert R., — Chancellor of New York) . A.L., 4pp. folio, October 26, 1776. To "William Hooper. Draft, with cancellations and corrections, of an important historical letter, relative to Arnold's Defeat on Lake Champlain, An answer to Hooper's letter of September 25, 1776. [No. 16] Beads in part, as follows, — " . . our misfortune on the Lake has made it porbable that we shall shortly have some thing to do in this quarter — You will be surprized and so will all the world at our vast ignorance of the enemies force & much more so when I tell you that we were informed of it both by a Genl that we had taken prisoners & by a Canadian the one we thought a Boaster, the other lyar such influence has our wishes over our faith — Arnold is I believe brave but nothing could be more injudicious than his management of the fleet — He chose to meet the enemy at the farther end of the lake & stationed himself in a strait between an Hand & the mainland, Sup. That the enemy would attrack him in in front instead of which by sentry round the Hand a very obvious maneuver they at once attacked him in the rear & cut off his retreat those 5 vessels that escaped being obliged to fight their way threw the enemies fleet — Com- mon prudence would have directed us to wait for the enemy at this end of the lake since we shd by that means when passed threw a Country frequented by our scouts have known their strength & either declined engagement or not as we thought proper — had been victorious our victory would have been decisive, if defeated a retreat was easy as our disabled vessels could immediately be toived of by garrison to Crown point ..." Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th 18. Indian Deed foe Land in Ulstee County, New Yobk. Contemporary manuscript copy of a Deed for land in Kingston, Ulster County, New York. lp. folio, margins torn, destroying words shown in parenthesis, repaired with transparent gauze. Reads as follows, — "Deed! Pole from Ancrop an Esopus Ind (ian to) Lootman of Kingston in the County (of Kingston) dated 8th Now. 1685 the first year (of the) Reign of James the Second "A certain Tract or Parcel of wood-land, (within) a certain Valley lying opposite against . . . Island, in the East side of Hudsons (River) and Beginning at the South Side of Haman Gansevoorts Land, Ending on the Kill of Greek called, named by the Indians Metampoint(l) the one half of the Same &c. "Consideration Eighty Supples of Good Wheat." Signed by Ancrop and Herman Heken, two Indians. "A True copy Examined in Kingston this 20th March 1699-700. "Martin Hoffman per me Martin D. C." 19. Jay (John, — statesman, Chief -Justice of the United States Supreme Court; born in New York City, 1745; died in Bedford, N. Y., 1829). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, New York, January 1, 1775. To Kobert K. Livingston. A most charming letter of a personal nature, showing the intimate friendship which existed between Jay and Livingston, and contrasting their two natures. Reads in part, as follows, — "Providence I confess has conferred Blessings upon me with a liberal Hand, and my Days glide on thro this vale of Tears without Pain or Sorrow. I thank God that (in spite of the Faculty) my Bones are not sore vexed neither do I mingle my Drink with continual Weeping. But there are many devious Paths from the common Road of Life, in which I must walk alone and be guided solely by my own Prudence and Dis- cretion. In such Circumstances particularly I feel the want of some Person in whom I could repose absolute confidence, and from whose Counsel and Attachment I could reap both Preausre and Security. In short my dear Robert! I regret your absence . "When our Friendship first commenced, or rather when it was par- ticularly professed to each other (the 29 March 1765) and for some- time after, I took it into my Head that our Dispositions were in many Respects similar. Afterwards I conceived a different opinion. It ap- peared to me that you had more vivacity. Bashfulness & Pride rendered me more Hard, both equally ambitious but pursuing it in different Roads. You flexible, I pertinaceous, but equally sensible of Indignities, you less prone to sudden Resentmt. — both possessed of warm Passions, but you of more self Possession, you formed for a citizen of the World I for a College or a Village, you fond of a large acquaintance, I careless of all but a few. You could forbid your countenance to tell Tales, mine was a Babler — you understood Men <£- Women early, I knew them not. You had Talents & Inclination for Intrigue, I had neither. Your mind (and Body) received Pleasure from variety of objects, mine from few. You was naturally easy of Access and in advances, I in neither. Unbounded Confidence kept us together — may it ever exist! "Within these few Years ive have been coming nearer to each other your vivacity is less, mine more. Tho' my Pride has suffered me Diminu- tive it has become less conspicuous, and therefore runs more on a Line with yours than formerly — You have become less flexible and I rather less pertinaceous. I find my Passions meliorated, tho strong I can command them — my Inattention to certain Characters wears off and my countenance begins to keep Secrets ..." U ana Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th 20. Jay (John, — statesman, Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, Philadelphia, 1775. To Robert B. Livingston. With fine impression of the original wax seal. En- dorsed by Livingston. "... Something hangs about Harry that I don't understand & prob- ably never shall unless you & I should hereafter confer upon the Subject. On hearing of his being in Town I took Ph. Livingston with me & went to his Lodgings to pay him a visit Intending unless preengaged to take him home to dine with me I asked him whether he dined out that day — he told me he should Dine with Mr Duane at Smiths — on which I replied that I would do myself the Pleasure of Dining with him, which I accordingly did. From that Day to this I have not seen him except in The Street or at some Gentlemans Bouse. I am not without my suspicions relative to his Behaviour which you will easily guess ..." 21. Jay (John, — Chief -Justice of the United States Supreme Court). A.L.S,. 2pp. 4to, Philadelphia, January 6, 1776. To Eobert E. Livingston. With address, endorsed,— "/fee, J. Jay." Endorsed by Livingston. "... But remember my Friend that your Country bleeds, it calls for your exertions. The state of those very Friends whose misfortune so justly affects you, is linked with the common Cause, and cannot have a separate space, flow therefore, and after vigorously discharging the duties you owe your Country, return to your peaceful Shades and supply the Place of your former joys by the Reflection — that they are only removed to a more Kindred soil, like flowers from a thorny wilder- ness by a friendly florist, under whose care they will flourish & bloom & court your embraces forever. "Accept my warmest thanks for the ardor with which you wish a continuance . . . of that Friendship, to which I have long been much indebted. Be assured that its Duration will always be among the first objects of my care. Let us unite in proving by our Example that the Rule, which declares juvenile Friendships like vernal plants, to be of short continuance, is not without Exceptions even in our Degenerate 22. Jay (John, — Chief -Justice of the United States Supreme Court). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, Elizabethtown, February 25, 1776. To Eobert E. Livingston (Chancellor of New York). With address. [Also] A.L.S., 2pp. folio, Philadelphia, January 6, 1776 (a copy in Jay's own handwriting, signed with his initials) ; [Also] A.L.S., lp. 4to, Philadelphia, January 6, 1776. To John Livingston (a copy in Jay's own handwriting, signed with initials) ; [Also] A.L.S., lp. 4to, Philadelphia, January 6, 1776. To Henry Livingston (A copy in Jay's own handwriting, signed with initials) ; [Also] A.L.S. , lp. 4to. Philadelphia, January 6, 1776. To James Duane. (A copy in Jay's own handwriting, signed with initials). Together, 5 pieces. Solicitous of his friend's health, Jay writes to caution him against abusing the same. Mention is made of slanderous attacks on himself, Mr. Duane and Livingston. The copies referred to accompany the letter ; those to John and Henry Livingston relate to Jay's efforts in their behalf, to procure appointments by Congress. The letter addressed to Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [Xo. 22 — Continued'] Livingston, and dated January 6, 1776, is a copy of the preceding item [No. 21] Writing to Livingston, under date of February 25, 1776, he says, — "7 am happy to find your letters evince so much firmness & resigna- tion; they bespeak a sound mind and God grant it may soon dwell in a sound Body. Two days only have I spent in New York since I left Philadelphia . . . Illness has detained me here almost the whole time, except ten days spent at Rye, so that I can tell you but little of Poli- tics . I determined to postpone my Journey till the next Day. In the morning as I was writing Dean came in — I broke off, copied what I had written and enclosed it together with Letter for your Brothers to Mr. Duane to be forwarded by the express — I acquainted him particularly with the contents of Harry & John's Letters, and desired his attention to them. It being then late and intending to set off early in the morning I gave the packet to Dean who promised to deliver it to Mr. Duane. I am surprised you never rec'd. it. The enclosed are copies of those several letters. The ridiculous story of your having been concerned in giving intelligence to Governor Tryon, I once or twice heard, but as I never met with a single Person who gave the least credit to it, and as it occasioned general disgust and indignation, I did not think it worthy of notice, and therefore treated it with the contempt it deserved. "A report of this kind related to Mr. Duane has long been extensive and serious. It has given him much concern, and tho I believe him to be innocent every Body does not. He told me I was coupled icith him, and that the Report was against us both ..." 23. Jay (John, — Chief -Justice of the United States Supreme Court). A.L.S., lp. 4to, Elizabe'thtown, January 26, 1776. To Eobert E. Livingston. With address. Endorsed by Livingston. Seal broken by opening. Relative to the deaths of Livingston's father and General Mont- gomery. Mention is made of the birth of his eldest son, Peter A. — "The concern, occasioned by the many misfortunes lately attending your family, is greatly augmented by a Report which have for some Days prevailed of your beuig much indisposed. Did not Mrs. Jays Illness forbid my leaving her I should most certainly pay you a visit — She teas the Day before Yesterday delivered of a Boy, and tho there is no reason to apprehend Danger at present, yet the precarious Situa- tion of Life in such Circumstances makes me the Subject of many tears & much anxiety." 24. Jay (John, — Chief -Justice of the United States Supreme Court). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, Philadelphia, March 4, 1776. To Eobert E. Liv- ingston. With address, endorsed, — "free J. Jay." Is very anxious for his friend's health, urging him to drop all cares. — "... Fame says you are still much indisposed — I pray God he may on this, as he has on many other occasions, prove a lyar . . . "Notwithstanding your Letter, I still suspect that your disorder is to be ascribed more to your sollicitude than constitution . . . "I wish you would get away from home and pursue no other objects. Try, if it be only for a month or two, and give up all kind of business of what nature soever. Dont permit any Body to say a loord to you about your Cares, your Rent, your Farm, nay for the present avoid even politics. Defer joining the Congress, the Assembly, or any other Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 24 — Continued'] Body of Men whose object is business. Suppose, when the season becomes more mild, you -were to take lodgings at Bristol? . . . "The Committee for Canada was appointed before I reached this place. It consists of Doctr. Franklin, Mr. Chace & Mr. Carrel of Mary- land. Had I been here I should have proposed you, tho' I must confess I think you can employ your time more to the advantage of your health many other ways . . . "Mr. Lynch continues very ill, tho better than he has been. 27 tons of Powder, some salt petre & 300 arms arrived here yesterday & we hear from good authority that 5 tons of Poivder has arrived safe at Carolina ..." 25. Jay (John, — Chief-Justice of the United States Supreme Court). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, New York, May 29, 1776. With address "To Majr. Robert R. Livingston, a member of the Continental Congress, Phila- delphia." Original wax seal. Endorsed by Livingston. Relative to the New York Provincial Convention, — "... Our Convention will I believe institute a better government than the present, which in my opinion will no longer ivork any thing but mischief — and alt ho the measure of obtaining authority by In- structions may have its advocates, I have Reason to think that such a Resolution will be taken as will open a Door to the Election of new or additional members . . . Should my Conjecture prove right, I shall inform the Dutches members of your Readiness to serve, and advise them to elect you. Benson is not yet come to Town. Your atten- tion to this Subject is proper, and I will second it . . ." 26. Jay (John, — Chief-Justice of the United States Supreme Court). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, New York, June 11, 1776. To Eobert E. Liv- ingston. With address. Endorsed by Livingston. "/ thought you had known me too long & too intimately to be serious in imputing the Brevity & apparent Indecision of my Letters either to Laziness or Caution. The first is a Sin in which I seldom indulge myself, and some People icho say they wish me well, have often told me I was too unreserved & incautious in declaring my Sentiments of men as well as measures . . . "The late Resolution of this Congress relative to obtaining authority from the People to institute a Form of Government, you have seen, on this occasion I was desirous you should be returned a member. For that Purpose I have so far settled matters with Jams. Livingston, that if no other of the present members from Dutches should resign he will, in order to make Room for you — and I have written to Benson on the subject so that you see I have not been unmindful of you ..." 27. Jay (John, — Chief -Justice of the United States Supreme Court). A.L.S., lp. folio, July 1, 1776. With address "To Majr. Robt. R. Livingston Esqr a member of the Continental Congress, Philadel- phia," — endorsed — "free J. Jay." Wax seal damaged in opening, small hole, one word destroyed. Endorsed by Livingston. Relative to the New York Provincial Convention. — ". . .to my great mortification tarn informed that our convention influenced by one of (?. Morris vagrant Plans have adjourned to the White Plains to meet there Tomorrow. This precipitate ill advised Re- treat I fear will be not a little injurious to the publick — the Prose- Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 27 — Continued'] cution of the Late Descoveries of Govr. Tryon's Plot will be delayed, & may it not by our Enemies be imputed to a Design of keeping the necks of some of our Citizens out of the Halter? The Business of some other corns, of Importance is at Hand — / begin to loose Patience — This Stroke of Morrisania Politics quite confounds me — They tell me too that a Resolve has passed granting certain Powers to the Gen. God. knows what they are— I think of it with Fear & Trembling— I wish Mr. Ph. Livingston would have been prevailed upon to stay here a little longer — / exhausted all my Rhetorick on the occasion but in vain — nor Did he assign a better Reason for leaving the Province than that he would go to Philadelphia — The ways of some men like Solo- mons Serpent on a Rock, are past finding out ..." 28. Livingston (Gilbert, — member of the New York Provincial Congress, and of their Secret Committee in 1776 ; in 1789 he was on the joint committee that counted the vote for Governor). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, Poughkeepsie, July 25, 1776. To Eobert E. Livingston. Signed also by William Paulding. Relative to the defences at Mount Washington, mentions an enclosed letter by Duer on the subject. Reads in part, as follows, — "Yesterday Mr. Van Landt, Capt. Laiorence & myself returned from the Ports, on examination we found the River considerably wider at Montgomery than at Constitution — and the Rocks on both the shores much more difficult to fasten chains to, at the former place than at the latter; from what Information we have had since I saw you, think it highly probable Mr. Jay will succeed in procuring Cannon — if so there is a very advantageous place to erect a Battery (which may spedily be done) to defend a Chain at Constitution — which from the general Considerations — of the narrownes of the River — The tides being less Rapid And the Wind not blowing in so direct a Manner up the River — have induced us to prefer this place to Montgomery — "On my Return found Mr. Paulding here by him learn that the plan is laid, and carrying into Execution, for stopping the Navigation at Mount Washington . . ." 29. Livingston (Gilbert, — member of the New York Provincial Congress). A.D.S., lp. folio. "At a meeting of the secret Committee of the State of New York on the first day of August 1776 at Poghkeepsie. Present Gilbert Livingston, AYilliam Paulding, Eobert E. Living- ston." Draft, with cancellations and corrections, of a resolve of the Com- mittee relative to the defence of the Hudson. Reads in part, as follows, — "... That it appears to this Committee that Robert R. Livingston ought to go down to New York and remain with the General, in order to give him all the assistance in his power in forwarding just oppera- tions as his Excellency may have formed for the defence of this State, and that for that purpose Mr. Livingston be vested with all the powers of this Committee as fqr as he may deem it necessary to exert the former. In Case it shall appear to Mr. Livingston unnecessary for him to remain in New York, that he then return to this place." Signed by Gilbert Livingston and William Paulding. Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th 30. Livingston (Henky Beekman, — son of the first Kobert R., and brother to the Chancellor of New York; raised a company of soldiers in August, 1775, and accompanied his brother-in-law, General Mont- gomery, on his expedition to Canada. In February, 1776, he be- came aide to General Schuyler, and in November was made Colonel of the 4th Battalion of New York Volunteers; born at Clermont, N. Y., 1750; died in Rhinebeck, 1831). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, May, 1775. To his brother (Robert R. Livingston). Endorsed by R. R. Livingston. Fine historical letter relating to the capture of Ticonderoga, and the company under his own command. Reads in part, as follows, — "Now for Politics Nothing remarkable has happened since pour Absence But the Taking of Ticonderoga it was done by 300 Connecticut People one Company of them from Albany County they found the Gar- rison (which Consisted of 50 Men 6 Oficers included) asleep except one Centry who Snaped his Peice at them and was immediately knocked down. The Stores found there were inconsiderable verry little Powder and few Arms about 20 Tons of Bar Lead and a vast quantity of Iron Shot no Lives were Lost as the Garrison Surrendered Prisoners of War & were Conducted through the Streets of Albany by a Guard of Seven men it was evening when they Came there and the Mayor was desired to receive them into the Gaol for that Night which he refused upon which they Caried them across the River and so to Hartford. There are Troop expected at New York the People are resolved to oppose their Landing But this I suppose you know as much or more about than I can tell you The Tenants here are Great Villains Some of them are resolved to take advantage of the times and make their Land- lords give them Leases forever . . . "The Regiment I have the Honour to head are Great Coward in General I dont even except the Officers To head one Company of Brave Men Will be more Honour to me than 1500 of our Regiment they have no Pride amongst them. ..." * 31. Livingston (Heney Beekman, — son of the first Robert R., and brother to the New York Chancellor). A.L.S., 4pp. folio, Port Constitu- tion, May 29, 1776. To his brother Robert R. Livingston. En- dorsed by the latter. Important historical letter relating to the defenses at Forts Con- stitution (Lee) and Washington. — "Unless these Forts are better supplied with provision stores, they never can make any Figure if beseiged. without we are better sup- plied with Military Stores, our struggle if we should be attacked will be very insignificant, and unless we are better supplied with small Arms it will be impossible to defend them against 100 well Armed men. Our Situation would be very unhappy should we be attacked we have better than 400 Men in Garrison at the 2 Forts and about 45 Small Arms fit for service the only store at this Post will not hold above 500 Barrels, And the Military Stores are very Trifling, no Powder for our Cannon, at least, not more than could be fired away in ... of an Hour. No Hospital for our Sick. Officers and Soldiers for want of Larger Barracks Obliged to Huddle together in one Room no Boats to keep up a Com- munication between the Two Forts or to Transport Cannon I have represented this matter to the General in as Clear a Light as possible by sending him Returns of all the Men Stores and Provisions Con- tained in these Garrisons. We have not Half Cannon enough except Sale Friday Afte rnoon, January 25th [So. 31 — Continued'] we mount 2 and 3 Pounders our Heaviest Cannon at this Fort are 9 Pounders the only Cannon at Fort Montgomery are 6.32 Pounders the stores for them not Amounting to more than would be fired away in 3 Hours Bright Fining . . . Two New England men I am just informed have upon Oath declared that General Schuyler has a Commission with the Rank of General in the Regular Army. I am much shocked by this account tho I dont give any Credit to it God Grant it may be no more than a malicious Lye ..." 32. Livingston (Heney Beekman, — son of the first Kobert R, and brother of the New York Chancellor). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, Sagg Harbour, August 21, 1776. To his brother, Robert R. Livingston, with ad- dress. Endorsed by the latter. Written to his brother, while the latter was a Delegate to Con- gress and the New York Convention. Complains of not hearing oftener from his relatives and of his own chances of promotion. Reads in part, — "Colonel Clinton's merit is at length rewarded and he is made Brigadier General in compensation for his services. As I conjectured — / just finished a letter of Congratulation to him — The Regiment is noiv become vacant — a fine time for me to urge my claims was I at Headquarters I lack Friends at Court : therefore much Fear that 1 shall be superceeded this I am very sorry for as I shall be obliged to quit a service I have just imbibed a taste for, and that I had much rather quit at any other time than this — : It would be vanity in me to think that I shall be thought of where so many fine characters are daily exhibited as at New York Headqrs., where the greatest Geniouses Patriots &c are soliciting Favours ..." 33. Livingston (Henet Beekman, — son of the first Robert R., and bf other of the New York Chancellor). A.L.S., 3pp. 4to. N.p., n.d. To his brother Robert R. Livingston, with address, — "in Convention, Fishhills." Endorsed by Robert R. Livingston, — "Coll. Livingston/' "Written in August or September, 1776. With wax seal, broken in opening. Relative to the Campaign on Long Island ; the attack on Colonel De Lancey's Brigade, and the capture of two vessels. — "Since my last I have been to Long Island with my Detachment and Part of Colonel Richmond's Regiment of Rhode Island Troops in all amounting to 250 men the Rest of Colonel Richmonds Regiment with their Colonel and Lt. Colonel not caring to arrive time enough we had prodigious Rough weather of it were on the water from tico oclock in the afternoon untill 2 at night many of the men chilled almost to death. On their arrival in Setalhet Harbour ivith wet and cold in order to remedy this inconvenience after toe had wiped our guns dry I ordered them to march to the two houses Captain Smiths Company (of Oliver Delancies Brigade) were quartered at, we found them up and in arms expecting us, they began the Fire and killed one of the Rhode Island men and wounded another we in return killed and wounded 2 and took 23 with their Captain Prisoners I should at this time have broke up Master Olivers Brigade but was oposed by the Rhode Island Officers who declared they would not continue in so dangerous a situa- tion any longer this obliged me to Quit and retreat to New Haven ..." Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th 34. Livingston (Heney Beekman, — son of the first Eobert E., and brother to the New York Chancellor). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, Say Brook, Sep- tember 24, 1776. To his brother, Robert R. Livingston. With address, — "in Convention, Fish Kills." Endorsed by R. R. Living- ston. Relative to the campaign on Long Island. Reads in part, as follows, — "/ am just returned from a)i excursion on Long Island and have brought off with me 3,129 sheep and about 400 head of cattle nothing material has happened except the death of Captain Richd: Miller shot bil a party of my men at Satauket in attempting his escape when ordered to stand he Was recommended to the notice of Lord How by George Ludlow and had recruited 40 men when he was killed he was a sensible man and would have been troublesome to me if he had not been cut short Oliver Delancey in the Character of Brigadier General has been very Busy I am proscribed — a reward of £500 is sett upon my head I have Great Reason to think through his Means, we are utterly in the Dark with regard to what passes at New York the Tories on Long Island make long faces at the Erent of this last Battle at Harleam, we know not what it is . . . "Buying up paper money on Long Island at this time would be a fine Business as a Dollar Bill may be had for 6 pence hand cash tell John of this its better than making Powder." 35. Livingston (John Heney, — grandson of Gilbert, third son of the first Robert, — clergyman; born in Ponghkeepsie, N. Y., 1746; died in New Brunswick, N. J., 1825. Styled "the father of the Dutch Re- formed Church in this country"). A.L.S., 3pp. 4to, New York, February 13, 1776. To Robert R. Livingston. With address. Fixe letter, relative to the state of affairs in New York city, prior to its capture by the British, and the desire of prominent families to procure farms in the country ; requests the recipient to use his in- fluence to procure the farm of General Montgomery, for a Mr. Kettletas. Refers to the coming session of the Assembly. Reads in part as follows, — "The same day Genl. Lee came into the City Genl. Clinton arrived in our harbour. You can figure to yourself the consternation into which our citizens were thrown; especially ivhen troops from the Jerseys and Connecticut came into Town and a transport with soldiers from Boston came up to our Docks. The women and children ivith all the valuable effects were immediately removed. I was witness to the con- fusion in the close of the irrck and never saw the inhabitants in greater distress . . . Clinton with his men and ships left the river last Sunday and give out that they are returned to Boston; in the mean while the minute men from the country and more troops from Pennsylvania as well as New England are daily expected in the City to assist our brave Lee in erecting proper fortifications and redoubts; as the Town is become the seat of arms and may very probably in the spring be the seat of war our principal families who have for the present a temporary residence in and beyond the suburbs of the City are de- sirous of procuring farms and safe retreats into the country ..." 36. Livingston (Philip, — Signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of the Continental Congress from 1774 to its close; born in Albany, 1716; died in York, Pa., 1778). A.L.S., 2pp. 4to, Phila- J lu<. houm ^ Muf II Juj. %^ j)^ ' M tyoMjnth, %J$M\-v>kj aemrlthu*. lh~'A4u4t-> i%0lrfiu> U*,, ufcik. fed- 4- OuS- f^ JUm $&ouxn. \c TMimu-Upu* U\~ CLxliAvi. my JUtt-tiA-L^** T*W V BumI-A VA f ,^ l J&~<5ll -fat A ^LMu PHILIP LIVINGSTON A.L.S., 2pp. August 15, 1776 [No. 36] Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25 th [No. 36 — Continued] delphia, August 15, 1776. To Robert .E. Livingston, Chancellor of New York. Endorsed by E. E. Livingston. Fine letter. Reads in part, as follows, — ". . . the N. York representation at Congress is reduced to three which renders the constant attendance, of every one here, necessary. The question, whether I would accept the Office of Govr., If the Con- vention should choose me, is Important. I will ansr. you with the utmost Candour — / would much rather the Convention would not make choice of me, for the only reason, that I am conscious of my unfitness for that important office, wich will undoubtedly require a person of more activity in business than I fear I should be. I trust you know me too well to suppose that this is a sort of Nolo Episcopari. I have no Clerical Hypocricy abt. me, at least I believe not. I shall not how- ever refuse to accept. If the Convention should think it for the Public Interest to appoint me, least my refusal shd. be construed by some as a desert of the righteous causes in which this country is so deeply engaged, at a most dangerous crisis, when the enemy lies with a powerful fleet & army, staring us in the face, ready to devour us, and consequently the most strenuous efforts & the utmost exertion of every member of the Community are become absolutely & Imediately necessary. At so critical a moment it might have a bad effect to have it even supposed that any one who has had an early part to act in this contest shd. not remain ready to step forward when called upon by the Public. I shall therefore think it my duty to acquiesce in what- ever the Convention shall determine ..." [See Reproduction.] 37. Livingston (Eobekt Je., — member of the New York General Assembly, 1726). Document, lp. folio, New York, August 12, 1721. Printed document, with blank spaces filled in by Robert Livingston ; signed and sealed by Charles Carre. Bond of the latter "to Robert Livingston Juiu: of the City of Sew York, Attorney at Law, in the sum of four Pounds two shillings." 38. Livingston (Robert, — Colonel, owner of the manor). A.L.S., lp. folio, Manor Livingston, February 29, 1776. To Robert R. Living- ston. Endorsed by R. R. Livingston. "I was applyed to by the Committee of Safety of New York the other day to cast cannon for them of different boors, I wrote them back again that as we had never cast any and had no one that knew anything about it, I did not chuse to undertake it, But that my furnace would be in order to begin her blast by the middle of April & that it should be at their service for this or any other purpose they might want, if they would procure hands who understood to mold gun & would undertake to come up and give directions how my Hearth was to be laid for that purpose my hands should assist ..." 39. Livingston (Robert R., son of Robert, the second son of the first Robert, — Jurist, born in New York, 1718; died in Clermont, N. Y., 1775. In 1760, he was made Judge of the Admiralty Court, and in 1763, a Justice of the New York Supreme Court; as a member Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 39 — Continued] of the Stamp-Act Congress, he was energetic in his refusal to sustain measures compelling the adoption of stamps. In 1767 and again in 1773, he served on commissions to locate the boundary between New York and Massachusetts). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, New York, October 19, 1765. To his father Eobert Livingston. En- dorsed on back, in the handwriting of the elder Livingston, — "from Son Robert, reed, the 22d of Octob. 1765. ..." Important historical letter relating to the Stamp Act Congress in New York, which met October 7, 1765, and adjourned fourteen days later. Reads in part, — "... We have proceeded slow for want of throwing Business at once in the Right Channels one Week we waited for the Commissioners of Maryland & Jersey, and another by employing a Person to Draw a State of the Rights of the Colonies, who did not effect it in the manner intended, it is but last Monday that we fairly entered upon Business this was to come to a Number of Resolutions — of our Rights . . . Ad- dresses are drawn by some who undertook that task voluntarily but I fear Oentmen will not stay long enough to perfect them in such a Manner as will do credit to ourselves . . . we have here Commis- sioners from Boston Rhode Island Connecticut N Y Jerseys Pennsvania Lower Counties Maryland South Carolina and from C-eorge we have a Letter from the Speaker wrote by consent of a Majority of the Members declaring that they would have sent Members if they pos- sibly could have met in Time desiring to have our proceedings trans- mitted to them & that they will join in any Measures to relase the Colonies from the Burthens they lay under . . . "The King & Council have Determined the Matter of appeal against us, contrary to highest assurances that we had from all Hands that ice should be successful in opposing it. We have in consequence been served with the order of King & Council and another Writ to send up the proceedings but ice remain firm to our principles & will not obey. We have reason to think that this order has been surreptitiously obtained it does not appear that our Agent knew the affair was depending in Council, for at the very Time he was assured by the Secretary of the Board of Trade that the Instructions to Sr. Harry Moore would be so altered as to put an End to that Controversy. See the three great Points ice have to contend for and of what importance they are. Trial by Juries, a Right to tax ourselves, the reducing Ad- miralty Courts tcithin their proper Limits ..." 40. Livingston (Bobeht E., son of Eobert, the second son of the first Eobert, — member of Stamp Act Congress). A.D., 5pp. folio, circa October 1765. With endorsement by his son Eobert E. Livingston. — "Resolution Drft by my father." This document is an original draft, with cancellations and correc- tions, of several resolutions drawn up by the elder Livingston while a member of the Stamp Act Congress, which met in New York in 1765. One of the resolutions reads as follows, — "12. Resolved that if the Honorable House of Commons insist on exerting their Power of taxing the Colonies and by that means deprive the Freeholders in the Colonies of what they have hitherto looked 5Zs/£, 1 JtAaJ t^ /fai^ /ilZrri^-, ^ . ;^r- S $%V 0n,,~ v .*#*%' ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, THE ELDER A.D., 5pp. October, 1765 Resolves Proposed to Stamp Act Congress [No. 40] Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25 th [No. 40 — Continued] upon as their undoubted and inherent Rights. Tho this power should be exerted in the most tender manner immaginable it will teach the Colonists look upon the People of Britain as their masters vested with a power by a single Grant to strip them of their all, & impelled by self Interest so to do because whatever is laid on the Colonist is taken from themselves, so tremendous a Power will be looked upon with Dread and every thing of Parliament will fill them with dismal appre- hension of impending Mischiefs; which must necessarily tend to weeken the affection, the Colonists always have had to their Mother Country, and desire to retain." [See Eeproduetion.] 41. Livingston (Eobeet B., son of Eobert, the second son of the first Eobert). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, [New York], November 2, 1765. To his father, Eobert Livingston, endorsed on back, in the handwriting of the elder Livingston —'"'(Son Robt. the 2d Nov. 1765." (Torn in folds.) Important historical letter relating to the Stamp Act Congress in New York and the resolves op the merchants not to trade with Great Britain. With an account of the burning by a mob of the Gov- ernor's chariot, and the plundering of the house of Colonel James. Reads in part, — "... Every man is wild with Politics & you hear nothing but the Stamp Act talked of. Last Night and the Night before we have had Mob- bing there teas such a one Last Night as never was seen before in the City, the Governor had made great preparations in the Fort the Garden Fences were levelled & so were the Ambro piers that the Great Guns might play the more freely . . . notwithstanding all this the Mob gathered & carried about an Image which they called the rebel Drummer carried it out & hanged it on a Gallows in the Common then went to the Fort took the Governors Chariot out of his Stable & carried it in Triumph through the Streets & then carried the Gallows & Images for there was a Devil as ircll as a Governor to the Baling Green and there with the Boards of the Garden and Green Fence burnt his Chariot ">* F-^A^rz- ^c*c td^.^ /1%c^* c^SLo^gz. A~*~nJ& ^h^- c&<^ /i^^r&j 7^- ■Zn&fr- ^Oz^t- GENERAL RICHARD MONTGOMERY A.Tj.S., lp. Montreal, November, lo, 1775 [No. 741 Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 76 — Continued] To General Montgomery. With address, — "Brigdr. Genl. Mont- gomery Commander in chief at the Camp near Montreal." "I was just now informed that Gouv. Tryon had superceeded Judge Livingston — The Judge had his Powder Mill Mown up last week by accident several persons dangerously wounded. He has begun to rebuild the mill. "They are going to raise 3,000 men in Jersey. Lord Sterling is ap- pointed a General & is to command men as is said He inclosed & acd. from Mrs. Montgomery Yesterday I made it my business to tell the Tories of Albany that St Johns had fallen they would not at first credit the good news I hope you are this Day sitting by a good fire Commander in Chief in Montreal with his Excellency by your side ..." This is one of the letters returned to Livingston by Benedict Arnold by the hand of James Price. Mentioned in Nos. 1 and 2 of this catalogue. 77. MONTGOMEBY-LlVINGSTON COEEESPONDENCE. LIVINGSTON (EoBEET E., Chancellor of New York). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, Ticonderoga, No- vember 29, 1775. To "Brigadier Genl. Montgomery, Montreal." - With address. Fine letter relative to Montgomery's treatment of the army. "I arrived here yesterday with two Genls from the Congress as a Committee to settle the argument of the army & if necessary to go over to you But we find that your foresight & Genl. Schuyler's has anticipated our instructions I believe we shall leave you to manage what you have so prosperous begun and almost say finished. I long to take you by the hand & to talk over with you the enumerable fatigues & difficulties which I see from your letter to the Genl. and to me that you have sus- tained . . . "I wish to heaven you could so continue it in your new arrangement of Officers as to leave of those who are unworthy to command I know it is difficult but it is necessary a certain batallion, is so exceedingly ill officered that T should be sorry to see it continued especially with the ranks it now holds — / should be glad to have, purchased clothing for the troops that have reinlisted without making any deduction from their pay this is exceeding the terms prescribed by the Congress '<& I am fearful will create some difficulty You see by our instructions sent you by Gen. Schuyler that the men who are at the taking of St. Johns Montreal will be entitled on their reinlistment to two months pay if you have not published this I believe it would be best to say nothing of it a lay out that money in clothing — / shall talk to the Genl & my colleagues on that lead when you shall hear from me again — We have little good news from England, everything looks as if they were resolved to push us hard next summer. If we have but the means of defence I shall not be apprehensive of anything they can do, I can not however help commenting that we shall be forced to by the mad belief of a few bad men to continue a war that must be ruinous to those whom ire wish to consider as friends. "I do not know how to approve or blame your desire of quiting the service your country still wants you, nor do I know how your loss will be supplied & yet the sacrifice you must make is such as can hardly be borne by a man of sensibility or feeling, heaven 1 direct you to what is best ..." This is one of the letters returned to Livingston by Benedict Arnold by the hand of James Price. Mentioned in Nos. 1 and 2 of this catalogue. [See Eeproduction.] ,&■., 6 V"" f . y ****• fy* i ' ,L -' "-^~ ,-ei- ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, CHANCELLOR A.L.S., 2pp. Ticonderoga, November 29, 1775 [No. 77] •* Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th 78. Montgomery-Livingston Coeeespondence. Livingston (Eobeet B., — Chancellor of New York). A.L., 3pp. folio, Tieonderoga, No- vember 30, 1775. To General Montgomery. Original Draft, with cancellations, of an important communication relative to the stand of Congress in connection with the inhabitants of Canada, and forwarding instruction regarding the same. Reads in part, as follows, — "The Congress having done us the honour to appoint us a committee to Confer with the Genl & yourself about the measures necessary for the reinlistment of the army and also to conciliate the affections of the Canadians and to remove as far as in us lay every objections that the good people of that province might have to armor with the thirteen Colonies who are now struggling in the glorious cause of freedom, we arrived here a few days ago in prosecution of that design but are ex- tremely happy to find Genl Schuyler & yourself have in a great measure by your prudence d foresight anticipated our business d rendered a journey into Canada unnecessary at present . . "We can not however help impressing the ardent wishes of the Con- gress that you would cherish the first dawnings of liberty among the people who have early testified their sense of its value if we may be permitted to judge from the assistance they afforded you in repelling its enemies — That you would assure them, that the Men Congress have threw us declared that they hold their rights as dear as their own & that on their uniting with them they will accrt their utmost endeavours to procure for them & their posterity the blessings of a free govern- ment . . . "We need not we presume mention to you the propriety of punishing in the severest manner any of our troops who shall so far forget the duty that they owe us or our worthy allies, as to offer the least injury either to their property or persons . . . "Genl. Schuyler has enclosed you our last instructions which will show you the designs of the congress with respect to Quebeck out which from your letters toe find you have already in some measure anticipated He also give you our sense in respect to, the clothing d bounty to the Troops in the management of which we must rely upon your prudence d doubt not that the Congress will make good any engagement to which you may hare found it necessary to enter ..." 79. Montgomeey-Livixgston Coeeespondence. Montgomeey (Bichabd, — Major-General in the American Bevohition). A.L.S., 4pp. folio^ Head Quarters before Quebec, December 16 (1775). To his brother- in-law, Eobert E. Livingston. With address. Endorsed by Living- ston. Highly important historical letter, relating to the Campaign before Quebec. Written in answer to Livingston's letter of November 15, 1775. "... The. unhappy passion for going home which prevails among the troops has left me almost too weak to undertake the business I am about I have little more than 500 men fit for duty — beside some Cana- dians, who will not be of much service in any serious affair However the object is of the last importance — the Works are very extensive d it is very practicable to carry them oy a sudden attack— the Garrison is little to be depended upon— there being not above sixty regular troops the best are ragamuffins— sailors d towns people to the amount Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 79 — Continued] near 1200 — / have erected a battery by way of deception, & the encmii eery near destroyed it & the gum — however this is of little consequence — it may indeed be of service by giving the enemy security & security it well next door to destruction — "/ have taken much pains to undeceive the Inhabitants of the town, with respect to the Villainous falshoods which have been propogated against us & have endeavoured to prevail on Mr. Carleton to give me admission peacably, by offering him a safe Conduct to embark for England — but he will not admit a flag of truce— In short I believe he is desperate a.^ c%lA aspf/t^ff 6, /wVa* yd^o^^u^^.^1 /%/ it!c*S^ 7%?£> Ssie^. S7^r / c^*~t^' S*^^ A&^tr^L **> ^.""^/ **^ W'C""- tt- /&£ ^^ /ft*****' -**/<', — <~^ ^~* ^^ f /^ W^-'^- J^'^-a.^'i^^^iiL- /L-e.cj^y<^£- tfAc^&zj GENBRAL RICHARD MONTGOMERY A.L.S., 5pp. Quebec, December 17, 1775 [No. 80] Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 82 — Continued] of the fields if gleaned by the strongest and best Hand will but in- differently serve Besides it will make so much Dust in the gathering as will go near to blind us all. So then your recommendation of Duer which I hare seen can not be complied ivith as yet. I am on the Com- mittee which can do him service so is Montgomery But I think he is not the man for that business entirely. He has not seen service. He is volatile. He is communicative, unstable. When I turned over the page I intended writing a long letter." 83. MoEEis-LiyiNGSTON Coeeeseondence. Moeeis (Gouveexeue, — mem- ber of the Continental Congress). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, n.p., n.d. [October 13, 177 5]. With address, — "To Robert R. Livingston Esqr. in Continental Congress, Philadelphia," and "On the service of the United Colonies." Endorsed by Livingston. " . . Schuyler's men arc undisciplined and ill provided the Yorkists officered by the vulgar for the most Part the Soldiers from this Town not the Cream of the Earth but the Scum. It seems well fortified and Garrisoned with great Plenty of Military Stores the circumjacent Country a Morass and now covered with Water this is the one side of the Question. But the Dismission of the Indians the Friendship of the Canadians and numbers arc in our Favor on the whole remember the Adage Fortinux Labor. Arnold I fancy will succeed and if so Montreal must come in after that let them cat snow at St. Jean should it not be sooner carried — I believe we shall be possessed of the Province of Rinebeck ..." 84. Moeeis-Livixgstox Coebespondence. Moeeis (Gouveexeue, — mem- ber of the Continental Congress). A.L.S., lp. folio, Xew York, October 20, 1775. With address, — "To Robert R. Livingston Esqr. of the Honble the Continental Congress, Philadelphia." Endorsed by Livingston. "/ have taken taken charge of the Business you recommended to me and with Difficulty succeeded it being a matter before the Congress but in the Management of the Deputies from Albany. I gave the simple reason against the Appointment that you ivould not accept grounded upon your Incapacity to serve in that Department and the more important duties you owe in Congress without the that ubiquity which if not impracticable they would but acknowledge to be rather a rare Incident. 1 added that as I am convinced the appointment was intended as a compliment it must look its Efficacy when then considered that your civil office icas of a much higher and, more important Nature than the other and that it was not usual to compliment a Gentleman with an inferior Authority to what he is already adjudged of . . ." 85. Moeeis-Livixgstox Cobbesvoxdence. Livingstox (Robeet R.. — Chancellor of New York). A.L., October 8, 1776. To Gouverneur Morris. With endorsement by Livingston, — "To Genl. Morris, re- considerd & somewhat softened.'' Original draft, with cancellations and corrections, of a letter written at the direction of the New York Constitutional Convention, severely criticising Morris' conduct. Reads in part, as follows, — "The Convention hare directed me to inform you that they arc ex- tremely sorry for the necessity that first oblidgcd them to request your Sale Friday Afternoon, January 26tli [No. 85 — Continual] immediate return to your Brigade since — then Putter themselves that no officer vested with a military command would chose to he absent when his country was invaded — But their chagrine has been greatly increased ~by your letter & above all by your subsequent continuance abroad . . . They can not conceive that the Indian affairs in the middle department are very pressing, if they should be they are con- fident that the Congress have it in their power to call upon com- missioners without obliging a military officer to quit his station . . . "The Convention very reluctantly believe that your Brigade is reduced to a Coll: command since they can not but fear that this may reasonably be imputed to that inattention in their officer of which the County of Westchester very loudly £ they fear too justly complain — They arc sorry to hear you propose offering your personal service to Gail. Wash- ington since they presume you would, not have accepted, honours which you did not design to support £ they can not conceive that a Gail. Officer can act with dignity as a volunteer when their is a prospect of his being called into action — Upon the whole sir they have directed me to inform you that they expect your immediate attendance on the duties of your department ..." 86. New York Document. Contemporary Manuscript Eecord of the Mayor's Court, New York City, dated 1666. Written in Dutch. 2pp. folio. Important historical document relating to a land case in dispute be- tween Thomas Hal, atty. for William Beekman, and Jan Yinge and Cornells Aertzen on the one side, pltfs., against Wolfert Webber on the other side, deft. W. Beekman's land, which was conveyed to him by C. C. Swit in 1653, ran east of the Bowery between Division and Canal Streets on the west, and a line between Clinton and Attorney Streets on the east to a north point, there between Broome and Delancey Streets. Webber's land was) immediately East and extended as far as Sheriff Street. 87. Xew Yoke Document. Subpoena for witness in the case of James Jack- son versus Jeremiah Birtch, Supreme Court, Dutchess County, New York. Signed by Smith, attorney, and Clarke, justice. April 4, 1749. Parchment, 2% by 13i/ 2 inches. 88. Paine-Livingston Correspondence. Paine (Robert Treat, — Signer of the Declaration of Independence; born in Boston, 1731; died there in 1814). A.L.S., lp. folio, Philadelphia, February 14, 1776. To Eobert E. Livingston, second, Chancellor of New York. With address. Endorsed by Livingston, — "from Root. T. Paine, 14th Feby, 1776." Fine letter relating to Livingston's powder mills, and the manufac- ture of small arms and cannon. — ". . . I am vcrn glad to hear your mills arc repaired, I rely upon it that effectual care will be taken to prevent a like accident in future. Mills are wanted to manufacture the salt pctre that is imported. I hope your mills are enlarged as well as rebuilt. I hope also that your neighborhood will soon furnish salt petre sufficient to keep your mills at work; this manufacture has reed, great improvements lately, Dr. Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 88 — Continued'] William, Whiting of Massachusetts, & one of a committee of General Assembly to improve and promote the manufacture, had reported to — Assembly a certain process the result of experiment and this process has been published in many papers. I have had repeated accounts from many places of the good success of this process; I wish you would promote experiments on it; I am satisfied with a little more applica- tion v;e shall make sufficient of this valuable articlem but — when we have got powder enough, we than shall want small arms & cannon, the former of wh we undoubtedly make very good, application only is wanted to increase them, As for cannon, I am of a committee to inquire into this: matter, and I should be obliged to you if you would inform me if cannon can be made at the furnace in the mannor and of what size, if they can be made, it will save the transporting them to many places where they arc icanted ..." 89. Paixe-Livingstox Correspondence. Livingston (Eobert B.. — Chancellor of New York). A.L., 3pp. 4to, Clermont, February 27, 1776. To Eobert Treat Paine. Draught of a letter in answer to one of condolence on the death of his brother-in-law, General Montgomery, and expressing hope for the future of the country. Reads in part, — "/ derive much consolation from the glorious end of my dear friend & when I grieve it is more for my country than for* myself because in his integrity and abilities & the general esteem of the people . . . But the same power that has hitherto protected us will raise up other bearers in his place. This is the season for genius to display itself — / for my part think our prospects brighten every day the weakness and divisions of our enemies give us advantages which they never can recover we are careful to make the proper use of them. For heavens sake let us endeavor to banish every little provincial controversy <£) heartily join in the glorious pursuit of freedom- which I am so con- fident we shall not fail to obtain. Whatever may be our object I am persuaded that for the present we shl. be armed in time since I am now almost convinced that they will be driven from the coast . . . "I am much pleased at the progress made in the salt petre manu- facture I must own I have had more fears on that than any other — but I am relieved from them by the accts. I have received from every quarter of our great acquisitions . . . "Schuyler wrote for a committee to art at Albany I am, and you must be, convinced of its necessity let it be done I am not without hopes seeing you on that errant I must confess I shd. like to be joined with you, as it will leave me an opportunity to attned a little to the affairs of the family which the deaths of my G-randathcrs father <£ Montgomery renders a necessary duty ..." 90. ElJTLEDGE-LlVINGSTON CORRESPONDENCE. BUTLEDGE (EDWARD, Signer of the Declaration of Independence ; born in Charleston, S. C, 1749 ; died there in 1800). A.L-.S., 2pp. folio, Philadelphia, July 20, 1776. With address, endorsed, — "Free Edward Rvtledge." To Eobert E. Livingston. Fine and important historical letter giving an account of the attack Sale Friday Afternoon, January 26th [No. 90 — Continued] on Charleston. South Carolina, by the British fleet, in 1776. Reads in part, as follows, — ". . . We have sent off Expresses to the Eastern states and to Mary- land with strong Bequests and in order to compel the Jerseys to afford a further Assistance ire have directed (not permitted) General Wash- ington to call into your City from the Flying Camp 2000 men ..." Then follows a long account of the attack on the forts, the number anil names of the ships engaged, the attempt of the British to land 2000 men on Sullivan's Island, the defence of the same by Colonel Thompson with 300 Rangers, the number of men and guns in Fort Sullivan, the damage done to the British vessels, number of wounded among the American, etc. 91. RlITLEDGE-LlVINGSTON CORRESPONDENCE. LIVINGSTON (ROBERT R., — Chancellor of New York). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, n.p. (August G, 177-6). To Edward Eoutledge. Signed draft of a letter written in answer to Routledge's letter of July 20, 1776. Relative to the condition of the army and the appointment of officers. — "/ rejoice with you in the spirit & success of your countrymen. I think that it mail be productive of much good independent of ivhat your state more immediately derives from it I should hope (with you) something from the spirit of consultation out alas! I fear that it is too generous a passion for the groveling souls of some of our officers . When our officers were first appointed many improper persons received commissions and tho' some of the field officers were bad still there was an infinite distance between them and their subalterns — and yet you have now established two regiments whose field officers were capts what then must the other officers bef . . . You ask how this is to be remedied? I own it is a question of great magnitude. Two things might perhaps contribute to lessen the evil — 1st to let no man having once been in the army rise more than one step at a time — 2nd to suffer commissions to be sold under the same regulations as prevail in the British Army — as> to the new regiments as they have not men nor the least prospect of obtaining them, why might not the continent be cured of an enormous burthen of supernumerary officers by a resolution that every regiment did not by 1st Sepr. contain 200 men should be disbanded & the officers considered as holding the rank they did before such regi- ment was formed and the men be incorporated into other corp's — the jarrs and dissatisfaction that prevails to the northward is inconceivable — the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Neio York troops are very justly dissatisfied at the discrimination made between them & the New England forces, for tho' their pay is now raised yet they see no reason why that raise should not refer to their 1st inlist- ment — Campbel is broke & Wolkee is dead as is said. Arnold and Nyer are accusing each other of crimes much below the rank they hold ..." 92. RUTLEDGE-LlVINGSTON CORRESPONDENCE. EOUTLEDGE (EDWARD — Signer of the Declaration of Independence). A.L.S., 4pp. folio, August, 1776. To Robert R. Livingston. Endorsed by Livingston. A reply to Livingston's letter of August 6, 1776. Relative to appointments of officers, including appointments of Liv- ingston's brother and Lieutenant Cortland; mention is also made of Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [Xo. 92 — Continued} the censure of Esek Hopkins for allowing the British ship "Glasgow" to escape from him. — "It will give me real pleasure I assure you to do justice to M. Cort- land & promote your Brother to the rank which his services and situation in my opinion demand : But as we must pursue opposite Rules in advancing those Gentlemen, the one rising according to Senority, the other Regimentally, and as the Congress will I believe act with great caution in their next Arrangement of your forces, I submit to you whether it would not be best to get a recommendation from your Con- vention on this subject. I think there should be no difficulty in giving htlnt. Cortland McDougale's Regiment & your Brother, Clynton's, be- caus I know that it is the opinion of Genl. Washington and the Board of War to whom that opinion was given, that promotion should in common be Regimentally, but that that Rule should give way in extra- ordinary cases . . . "... most of the last week ivas taken up in trying old Hopkins, for a Breach of orders, the Fact was clearly proved, his excuses were trifling to the last Degree, to say the least of them, the Congress in opposition to the Eastern Colonies found him guilty, and have censured him for his conduct. Some of us pressed his Removal, from the Com- mand, but a tenderness, or rather weakness for his Brother, and an opinion that he would resign in consequence of the thunder of the hous ob- struced the passing of the motion — / wish he would resign for I am satisfied that he is totally unfit for the Department ..." 93. BuTLEDGE-LlYINGSTON CORRESPONDENCE. LIVINGSTON (EoBERT E. — • Chancellor of New York). A.L., 3pp. folio [New York] August 27, 1776. To Edward Eoutledge. Original draft, with cancellations and corrections, of an important letteh giving an account of the Battle of Long Island. Reads in part, as follows, — ". . . You have doubtless heard that the enemy landed some days ago on Long Island since which I have experienced all that pain which a feeling heart must receive from the continued sight of houses and barnes in flames & the constant noise of war . . . Those of our troops which were with out the lines occupied several hills covered with wood the enemy detatched of about 2500 men who began their march about 2 o'clock in the morning in order to get in on the north side of our advanced party ivhile an equal number were landed on the south from their shiping At day break they together with the main body advanced and about 8 o'clock began their attack which lasted till after 12. when our advanced parties were driven in we fear with considerable loss as most of Lord Sterling's brigade were surrounded and are still missing the first Batalion of New York Militia is said to have suf- fered considerably & the majr. is killed. — about 2 o'clock the enemy advanced to within 950 yards of our lines but upon recovering our force returned ..." 94. BuRLEDGE-LlVINGSTON COEEESPONDBNCE. BtJTLEDGE (EDWARD, — Signer of the Declaration of Independence). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, Philadel- phia, September 23, 1776. To Eobert E. Livingston. With address. Endorsed by Livingston. Anxious for the welfare of the country, Rutledge urges Livingston, Jay and Schuyler to attend the Congress, — "Little less than the Salvation of your Colony may depend on your Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th | Xo. 91 — Continued] Presence. I would tell you a great deal had I time, or were it not possible that this might fall into hands inimical to us & our Cause . . . By a Letter received this Day from Schuyler he informs us that he is no longer a Major Genl. in our Service, but that he will attend his Duty in Congress in a Fortnight from the Date of Ms Letter — / wish he was noio here. You know as well as I do, that the Rascals who took much Liberty with the Character of that Gentleman would not venture to look him in the Face — / admire his Wisdom; it was the only step which he could take to recover & establish his Reputation — // it is in your way to write him let him know how agreeable his Presence will be in Congress to all who wish well to an Officer. Let me repeat it; you cannot render as much Service to your Country in any other way whatever as by coining to us immediately and bringing with you Jay & Schuyler ..." 95. BtJTLEDGE-LlVINGSTOX CoBKESPONDEXCE. LIVINGSTON" (EOBEBT E., — Chancellor of Xew York). A.L., 4pp. folio, Eishkill, September 27, 1776. To Edward Eutledge, Signer of the Declaration of In- dependence. Original draft, with cancellations, and corrections, of a letter giving his views on promotions in the army and the Battle of Long Island, with mention of General Washington, Lord Howe, and others. Reads in part, as follows, — "But to your letter. I deslike your promotion of Genls. it has shut the door on men of merit, I wish you had stuck to our old plan, tho' I knoio the Oenl. was anxious to have it altered. I am mistaken if you do not repent that step before the end of the campaign. Mifflin is ~7€ c&y?. f. /?7id the lore of his country were my Brothers objects as I am persuaded they are. the first will be fully gratified by the Oenl's. commendations & the last by his con- tinuing to deserve them — "We this day sent down the anchors and cables you wrote for tho' if they could have been spared they would have been of essential service to us — We are continually employed in the detection of traitors yet plots multiply upon us daily & we have reason every moment to dread an open rebellion ..." Not in Sparks' "Correspondence of the American Revolution, Letters Addressed to Washington." 117. Washington-Livingston Coeeespondence. Tilghman (Tench, — Lieutenant-Colonel in the Revolution, Military Secretary to General Washington; born in Talbot County, Md., 1744; died in Baltimore, 1786). A.L.S., lp. folio, Headquarters, Harlem, October 9, 1776. To Robert R. Livingston. With address, and portion of wax seal. Endorsed by Livingston. Communicates Official Information received from Washington. — "/ wrote to you a few hours ago by a particular express informing you that three Ships of War had gone up the River, since the express went off Mr. Weisner came here and informed the General that there were ten tons of powder at New Windsor five from his mill and five from Philadelphia. It would be well to send immediately over and hare it secured — In answer to Mr. Robt. R. Livingston's Question. Whether Jersey will not be open to the Incursions of the Enemy now the Troops are withdrawn from Bergen? I can only say that except they cross Hackinsack & Pasiac Rivers they have but a very small Scope to range in. namely Bergen Point, and Neck, for if they advance much upwards they will fall in with General Greens advanced Posts. General Mercer is still posted with a Body of Men along from Newark to Amboy, who with the Militia of the Country I should hope would check any Parties from penetrating far. Gcn'l. Green would not have withdraicn his men from Bergen, but they were always liable to be cut off by a Body of the enemy's being landed at Hobuck or thereabouts and extending across to Eackcnsack River where the land is very narrow. Their su- periority by water gives them an amazing advantage over us " Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th 118. Washington-Livingston Correspondence. Livixostox (Eobert R., — Chancellor of Xew York). A.L., 2pp. folio, Fishkill, October 10, 1776. To Tench Tilghman, Military Secretary to General Wash- ington. Draft, with corrections and cancellations, of a letter in answer to one by Tilghman, of the day previous, regarding official communication from Washington. — "I find the crews of the ships have already found their way on shore — One regiment with a good Engineer at least might be usefully employed at the place mentioned in our Letter of this date If it should be neces- sary to abandon the country below the highlands — this State may stilt be secure A Chain of Mountains crosses the Country which with little labour may be rendered impregnable ..." 119. Washington-Livingston Correspondence. Harrison (Robert Han- son, — Jurist; born, 1745; died, 1790; succeeded Joseph Eeed as secretary to General Washington, on Nov. 6, 1775, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel ; became chief -justice of the Court of Mary- land in 1781). A.L.S., lp. folio, Headquarters, Heights of Harlem, October 12, 1776. To Robert R. Livingston (Chancellor of New York). Relative to the campaign arround New York. Written in answer to Livingston's letter to Tilghman, of October 10, 1776. "Having sundry dispatches now before me, I have only time to inform you, that Two Gondolas or Kon Gallios were taken by the Ships as they went up — that a Regement of Militia lately from the Massachusetts is detached to your assistance, and that this Morning about Four Thousand of the Enemy landed at Frogs Point, who form- ing themselves in to Two divisions according to the Intelligence I hare received, hare marched towards East & West Chester — as soon as the account was brought to Head Qrs., his Excelly set out for Kings bridge, and my last advices were, that he was pursuing the Enemy, before this (now V 2 after 3 OClock) perhaps something has been done — Mr Tilgh- man is irith him. I wait impatiently to hear." 120. "Washington-Livingston Correspondexce. Livingston (Robert R.. —Chancellor of New York). A.L., 5pp. folio, New York, October 1.2, 17 76. To General Washington. Draft of an important Letter relative to the Defences of New York, the Hudson Highlands, etc. With many cancellations and corrections — "... While the army remained at New York I saw the possibility of their retreats being cut off & moved & such a resolution in our Conven- tion as I thought would contribute to your Excellencys satisfaction on their head — Since I was persuaded then & the {event has justified that persuasion) that your Excellency saw the Danger & remained in New York in compliance with the prejudicies of others & least you should he charged with unnecessarily abandoning that City— Since upon experi- ment it appears contrail/ to the general sentiment that the obstructions in the river are ineffectual the present situation of the army tho' not exactly similar bears some resemblance to that in which it was at New York — "The enemy may still land above d- reduce your Excellency to the Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 120 — Continued'] necessity of attacking them at their Landing or of suffering them to seise upon advantageous passes from which it will be impossible to dislodge them . . . It map be asked whether these passes can not be secured by the militia of our state? — / assure your excellency as an undoubted fact that we have already made our utmost exertions that our secret enemies are numerous & implacable that the whole force that we have ventured to call out on this occasion is three hundred men & that we have little reason to expect that even these can be obtained — add to this that the western parts of Connecticut are by no means to be depended upon ..." Original Draft of letter appearing in Sparks' "Correspondence of the American Revolution," Vol. I, pp. 294-297. 121. Washington-Livingston Correspondence. Haeeison (Eobeet Han- son, — Jurist; Secretary to General Washington). A.L.S., 2pp. 4to. Head Quarters, Haarlem Heights, October 14, 1776. To (Robert E. Livingston). Like the preceding, relating to the campaign in New York. Written in answer to Livingston's letter to General Washington, of October the 12th, 1776.— "/ just now received your Letter of the 12th addressed to his Ex- cellency, who is visiting our posts beyond Kings bridge, and the passes leading from Frogs point and the adjacent Rocks. As soon as he returns, it shall be delivered to him, the Several matters you are kind enough to suggest, appear to me of the m,ost interesting and important nature. Col Tach lately from New Hampshire is detached with a Regiment in addition to part of the Militia that came with Genl Clinton from the Massachusetts bay, who were ordered to your assistance before." 122. Washington-Livingston Cokeespondexce. Washington (Geobge, — first President of the United States). A.L.S., 2pp. folio, "Mr. Lowe's, 20th Octr. 1776." "To Robert R. Livingston Esqr. at Fish- kills." With address, and the greater portion of Washington's oeiginal wax seal. Fine letter relative to supplies for the army, and the defence of New York and the Hudson. Heads in part, — "... the moving state of the army, and the cxtreame hurry in which I have been Involved for these Eight days, will only allow me time to acknowledge the receipt of yr. favour, and to thank you (as I shall always do) for Any hints you may please to communicate, as I have great reliance upon your judgment; & knowledge of the Country (which I wish to God I was as much Master of) — Drain'd as Con- necticut is of Men, I have nevertheless recommended to the Govr. of it the advantages which would result from a Body of Men moving towards the Enemy's right — but whether it will, or can be done, is more than I am able to say, — .4 Regiment is gone to the Highlands to be under direction of your Convention. — "Let me Intreat you my Dear Sir, to use your Influence to send, without delay, Provisions for this army, towards the White Plains upon a strict scrutiny . . .We want both Flour, & Beef; & I entreat your exertions to forward them. — I must also entreat you to send us a GEORGE WASHINGTON A.L.S., 2pp. Mr. Lowe's, October 20, 17T6 [No. 122] Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th i [No. 122 — Continued] Number of Teams the more the better to aid in removing the Army as occasion requires. — We are amazingly distress's, on Acct. of the want of them — We can move nothing for want of them — In short Sir, our Situation is really distressing. — / have ordered Lord Sterling with upwards of 2000 Men to the White Plains to prevent the Enemy's taking possession of it . . ." [See Reproduction.] 123. Washington-Livingston Correspondence. Livingston (Robert R., — Chancellor of New York). A.L., 3pp. folio, Albany, October 25, 1776. To General Washington. Draft of a letter, with cancellations, relative to the supplies for the army, written in answer to a request from Washington for information on the subject. — "/ am extremely affected at the wants under which the army labour, & your excellency may depend on my utmost endeavours to remove them . . . Flour I believe might readily be procured in New Jersey or Pinsilvania which might as it must cross at Mount Washington may be applied to the present use of the army while that which is got in this State may be sent to the White Plains or to such other place as your Excellency may think proper to provide Magazines at ... It would be easy to send supplies from this place were it not for the wants of the northern army which has not more than 15 days on hand without making any allowance for the militia who are daily marching in — This in a country where it is by no means impracticable to cut of supplies, & where the utmost care is necessary to keep up the com- munication is truly alarming — however the Committee of this County have made such exertions, having parcelled out the business among themselves & been so well seconded by Genl. Schuyler that I am in hopes that if the enimy alow us a few days more leisure we shall have nothing to fear on that score . . . "Tho the ichite plains may be a proper place for provisions designed for immediate use yet I would submit it to your Excellency whether your grand magazines should not oe within or beyond the highlands If your Excellency shd. think that too remote I w. recommend some place on the other side of Croton ..." Not in Sparks' "American Revolutionary Correspondence of Letters to Washington." 124. Washington-Livingston Correspondence. Tilghman (Tench, — Military Secretary to General Washington). A.L.S., lp. folio, Head Quarters near White Plains, November 5, 1776. To William Duer, of the Committee of Correspondence, Fishkill. With address. Relative to the campaign, prisoners and deserters. An official com- munication. Duer handed this letter to Robert R. Livingston who replies to it in his letter of the 7th. — "We have never had the least Interruption from the Enemy since Monday which I am amased at By two Deserters who came from Rogers & Rangers last Night, the General teas informed that Rogers intended to make an Expedition early this Morning to the Saw pits. Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th |> T o. 124— Continued'] Genl. Parsons wax immediately dispatched to give him a Reception, and if they meet, 1 hope he will render a good Account of him. "A day never passes but wc have cither prisoners or Deserters brought in, they sag their Army begin to talk of going into Winter Quarters, and to think that we have got into Grounds too strong to force. They all agree that there are great Animosities between the Foreign and British Troops. I however expect they trill make a push some time or other before the Campaign closes, it trill be too inglorious to go into Quarters without an Attempt of a capital Nature ..." 125. Washington-Livingston Cobkespondence. Tilghman (Tench, — Military Secretary to General Washington). A.L.S., lp. folio, Head Quarters near White Plains, November 6, 1776. To (William Duer?). An official communication. Duer handed this letter to Livingston, who replies to it in his letter of the 7th. "i" have to acquaint you of a Move the most extraordinary and unex- pected of any that has been made by the Enemy this Campaign Yester- day Morning Genl. Howe moved his whole Army downward towards New York, whether with Design to make a Retreat in order to go into Winter Quarters, or to march up the Country by the North River Road, or to frame some new Expedition is uncertain. The Second does not seem justable because the Van of their Army has already got a considerable Distance down. I think it too early for the first Supposition and too late for the last. However we must guard against every Event, and Steps are taking accordingly ..." 126. Washington-Livingston Cobbespondence. Livingston (Eobeet R, — Chancellor of New York). A.L.S., lp. folio, Pishkill, November 7, 1776. To Tench Tighman, Military Secretary to General Wash- ington. Draft in Livingston's handwriting, and signed, of his answer to Tilgh- man's Letters to William Duer, as a member of the "Committee of Correspondence," of November 5th and 6th, 1776. "Your Letters of the 5th. & 6th. irere reed. We are as much surprised as you can be at the movements of the enemy and long impatiently to learn their future designs I can hardly imagine that they are yet going into winter quarters as they have one month of good weather still before them Is it not possible that they may design to embark & push up Hudsons river so as to get rid of the highlands It is rather late for such an attempt but it is by no means impracticable — Carlton seems to be as unwilling to make a push as How & remains inactive at Crown point ..." 127. Washington-Livingston Coeeespondence. Tilghman (Tench, — Military Secretary to General Washington). A.L.S., 2pp. 4to, Head Quarters near White Plains, November 8, 1776. To William Duer of the Committee of Correspondence, Fishkill. With address. Like the preceding letters, an official communication to the Committee Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 127— Continued] of Correspondence, and turned over to Robert R. Livingston, who an- swers the same in his letter of the following day. "We are not much better informed as to the real Intentions of the Enemy than we were the day before yesterday. A large Body of them lay from Dob's Ferry on the North River across to the little River called Bronck's. What Number are gone lower down we cannot tell. A Twenty Gun Ship and two Store Ships have come up the River in Spite of the Fire of Fort Washington, tho they were pretty roughly handled. From this Circumstance it seems as if the Enemy had one of the following plans in View, either to cross over to Jersey at Dobs Ferry or to proceed up the North River. To hinder them from effecting these purposes a Body of 3000 men are ordered to take possession of the Highlands and be ready to strengthen the Garrisons of Forts Montgomery Constitution and Independence, and such a proportion of the Army as may be necessary will be thrown into Jersey to stop their Incursions into that province. I am in hopes they will be obliged to close the Campaign in the small way, it being too late to Attempt any Capital Stroke. Governor Tryon Summoned the Inhabitants of this County to come to the white plains and make their Submissions ..." 128. Washington-Livingston Correspondence. Livingston (Robert R., — Chancellor of New York). A.L., 3pp. folio, Fishkill, November 9, 1776. To Tench Tilghman, Military Stcretary to General Wash- ington. Draft of a letter, with cancellations and corrections, in answer to one by Tilghman, of the previous day. Referring to the schemes of the enemy and Washington's vigilance, he writes, — "... However I repose such confidence in the vigilence of the Genl. as to hope favorable as their schems are that they will be defeated — / am under no apprehentions of their effecting any thing by crossing to the west shore should that be their disign — to pass by that watf to the north is impossable if the least resistance should be made as the highlands are infinitely more defensible on their side than on this & three regiments would be sufficient if their stations are well chosen to stop the progress of their whole army (Genl. Clinton can give his Excellency any information that he may chose to receive on this sub- ject) To go westward would be equally injudicious since they must cross two rivers before they penetrated any distance into the country in which case their retreat might be cut of, & their supplies would most undoubtedly intercepted — AH that we have to apprehend if ire do not weaken our armmys by dividing them is in my humble opinion an attempt by favour of wind tide & darkness to go up Hudsons river in their boats & land on this side the highlands before our Troops could march up in which case they might seise the passes d turn the strength of our Country against us . . ." 129. Washington-Livingston Correspondence. Livingston (Robert R., — Chancellor of New York). A.L., 2pp. folio, Fishkill, November 29, 1776. To General Washington. Draft of an important communication relative to the defences of the Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25th [No. 129— Continued] state of New York, in the handwriting of Livingston, and by direction of the New York Committee of Safety. Reads in part, as follows, — ". . . The Enemy have long manifested an intention to possess them- selves of this state to which indeed they are greatly invited by the situation past experienced with the Messing of heavens upon your Excellency's endeavours must ere now have convinced them, that this is impracticable unless by means of their navy, against which every nature concurs in inducing us to guard — Your Excellency will early enter into it. The reason which influenced this committee to wish that this business may be confided to Genl. Schuyler whose activity aided by his knoioledge of the country & its resources together with the leisure afforded him by the retreat of the enemy from the northern frontier give him many advantages over any Gen. in whom these cir- cumstances do not so happily unite ..." Not in Sparks' "Revolutionary Correspondence, Letters to Washing- ton." 130. Washington-Livingston Correspondence. Livingston (Bobert E., — Chancellor of New York). A.L., 2pp. folio, n.p., n.d. To Gen- eral Washington. Draft of an important communication relating to plundering by the soldiers and others at White Plains, in the handwriting of Livingston and by direction of the New York Committee of Safety. Reads in part, as follows, — "Agreeable to the directions of the Committee of Safety and do myself the honor to send your Excellency the enclosed resolution & to assure you that it is with extreme pain that they find themselves under the necessity of passing them. The singular wantonness and cruelty of the person concerned in burning publick & private buildings at the White Plains which even a barborous enemy had oft imagined has excited a general indignation and rendering many careless about the event of our cause while they have reason to apprehend as much danger from . . their friends, as from the hostilities of the enemy — other complaints have been offered against the regime of the soldiers who are accused of plundering a people who from the unavoidable . . . of war when most tenderly treated be objects of compassion. "They are too well satisfied of your Excellency's benevolence & jus- tice to think anything of this kind which comes to your knowledge will escape the punishment which you are empowered to inflict which un- happily is in many cases far short of tohat the crime merits ..." 131. Washington-Livingston Correspondence. Washington (George, — first President of the United States). A.L.S., 3pp. folio, Newburgli, June 5, 1782. To Eobert E. Livingston. With Livingston's en- dorsement, — "Letter from the Genl. 5th June 1782." Fine letter relative to the prospects of a naval engagement in the West Indies, Rodney's Victory and a communication from La Fayette — "/ was honored with your favor of the 27th ulto. by the last post.— The extract from the Marqs. La Fayette's Letter— which you were so obliging to send me— is, in substantially the same as the one he has written to me himself— on some points he is more particular in his letter to you— on others, mine is more full;— a copy of which, if I Sale Friday Afternoon, January 25ih [No. 131 — Continued] had a cypher established with you, I would have sent; out am afraid to entrust it without; — either to the mail, or a common express. — "What may be the real intention of the present ministry, respecting America — or what effect the Naval action in the West Indies may have upon the intended operations of this year; and consequently upon the Powers at War, is difficult to say. — There is however, one plain line chalked out for us; by pursuing which we cannot err; and it gives me pleasure to find that Congress are inculcating this by a deputation from their own body. "If Rodney's victory is as decisive and important as the New York Gazetter endeavor to make it; and the new Ministry I should not be too much buoyed up by it; there is no measure so likely to produce a speedy termination of the war as vigorous preparation for meeting the enemy in full expectation of it. — If they are only playing the in- sidious game, this will make them think of Peace in good earnest ..." 132. Yates (Robert, — Jurist; born in Schenectady, N. Y., 1738; died in Albany, 1801; member of the New York Provincial Congress and of the Council of Safety; In August, 1776, he served on the Com- mittee that drafted the first Constitution of the state of New York). A.L.S., lp. folio, Albany, November 1, 1776. To Eobert E. Livingston. With Livingston's endorsement. Official communication, signed by Yates, as chairman. — "The evening of your departure we received a letter from Major General Schuyler, pressing the continuance of our Committee at this place which was severed by an injunction of the Committee of safety to the same affect : /* being their determination that a quorum shhuld at all events stand ready to co operate with the General, while our public affairs are in so critical a situation. They at the same time direct that as soon as such a quorum can be formed without their assistance, the members who are of the Committee of arrangement shall return to Fish-kill to compleat that essential business. You will be pleased therefore immediately to join us at this place that the public service may not suffer." AMERICAN ART ASSOCIATION, Managers. THOMAS E. KIRBY, Auctioneer. 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