Transcription
CATALOG NUMBER VC 1997
OBJECT NAME Letter
DATE n.d.
AUTHOR Pierre Van Cortlandt (I)
RECIPIENT
MEDIUM paper, ink
PEOPLE Governor George Clinton, George Washington, General
[Sheldon],
PLACES New York, Newburgh, Long Island, Poughkeepsie, [Horse Neck],
KEYWORDS raising necessary funds for the American Revolution,
Reminences of the Revolutionary War –
The following Communication I have frequently / been [^ had] related by Governor George Clinton _ The truth of / which is unquestionable _ The Patriots at that day acted / for the good of the Country _ There was no not committal / acts = The Country _ the Salvation of the Country was / the only motive of the Patriot [^ of that day] _ The Spoils of party / was not known in those patriotic Days _ That was / reserved for the present day _ When the spoils belonged / to the Victors, As a Senator from the State of New York / declared on the floor of the Senate of the United States
When General Washington had he head Quarters / at Newburgh in 1781 _ The Army was on the Eve of devo= / lution and nothing could sustain it but obtaining on / [page folded, illegible] thousand pounds $250 _ in Gold or Silver _ He / felt the great embarrafsment in which he was placed and / sent confidential spies in Long Island to know whither / that amount could be readied on any Circumstances _ / They returned + informed the General that it could be / obtained if Governor George Clinton would give his individual / Notes for the money _ The General immediately on / this information repaired in his barge to Poughkeepsie / where the Governor resided _ General Washington walked / up from the Landing to the Governor Clintons House _ about / one mile _ On his arrival he told the Governor he came / on the most important business + retired in a private room / The General then told the Governor that He must have / one hundred thousand pounds in [specie] or the Army / would be demolished And before the Governor could reply [image cut off] / General said you must get this money to save the army / It can be obtained from Individual Person on Long / Island, I have had Agents sent there + I know the [part?] [image cut off] / the money can only be paid by your giving your Individual / notes _ The Governor in reply told the General that if it / could be obtained in that way he was ready to do every / thing in his power [^ to save the Country + Army] _ The General then suggested that the / Governor Should Send One or two Confidential Whigs to Long / Island _ find out whither such a sum could be obtained or / not _ The General further told the Governor in Case / the money could he had _ He the General would give orders that / Col. [Sheldon’s] REg’t of [Horse] stationed at [Horse Neck] should be / ordered to [New Haven?] in order to give the Governernor Agent / [free] [passport?] to come on immediately to Poughkeepsie without / any [Act?] or annoyance by our TroopsTranscriber
Kathryn AlexanderLanguage
English
