CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
579
provided with. Ammunition. I am not yet prepared to make an exact Return to your Excellencyas some of my Captains have not yet returned the state of their Companies to me & others havedone it very informally.
The field Officers have thought it for the Interest of the State to acquaint your Excellency withour present situation, have prevailed on Mr. Townsend to wait upon you. A few Individuals haveadvanced his expences & agreed to pay for his Time & Horse hire; but as it is the Business of theState upon winch he goes, it will be discouraging if he is not paid by the State.
I am Your Excellency’s Most Obedh Servant,
Eleazor Paterson.
His Excellency Gov r . Clinton.
Kingstown 14 th May 1779.
Sir, I am honored with the Receipt of your Petition together with a letter from Col 1 Pattersonon the subject of the unhappy Disturbances which still prevail in the Northeastern Parts of the State.
I have anxiously expected for some time the Determination of Congress upon this important matterand have every Reason to believe it will be favorable to the State of New York .
The Business has however been deferred tho’ I am confident from no other Cause than that theAttention of Congress has hitherto been called to objects of greater moment, I shall notwithstandingimmediately transmit to them, by Express, your Petition and urge every Argument in my Power toinduce them speedily to determine this Controversy and by a seasonable Interposition to prevent ifpossible, the dreadful Consequences of having recourse to arms.
As in my former letters so in this I forbear to point out the Line of Conduct I could wish thewell affected Inhabitants in your Quarter should observe upon every particular occasion, I conceiveit impossible and therefore can only recommend in general, firmness & Prudence, and in no instanceto acknowledge the authority of Vermont , unless where there is no alternative left between Sub-mission & inivitable Ruin. This appears to me the only proper advice I can give at present till weare favored with the Sentiments of Congress relative to the Dispute or until we are convinced theBusiness is designedly procrastinated ; in either Case as the Legislature have promised so I have nodoubt that they will afford you Protection & that effectual measures will be immediately takenfor vindicating the Rights of this State and enforcing a due Submission to legal Government. Ifhowever any Outrage or Violence, which you may suppose will produce blood-shed, should be com-mitted in the Towns continuing in their Allegiance to New-York , either by Green Mountain Boys orany Parties who may come under a pretence of carrying into Execution the Laws of Vermont Youwill immediately apprize me of it and you may be assured of all the assistance in my power & Itrust it will be sufficient for your Safety & Defence, in the meantime I will myself endeavor toprocure Intelligence & if I should discover that any attempt will be made by Vermont to reduce youby force of arms I will instantly issue my orders to the militia who are properly equipped & whowill be led against the Enemies of the State wdioever they may happen to be.
From the Information of M r Townsend I perceive that M r Grout acquits the officers whoapprehended him from having acted wrong intentionally—should this however upon enquiryappear not to have been the case, you will please to acquaint me with it & I will immediately have