Letter from Abel Knap to Colonel Clinton, requesting a Liteutenant and twenty-five men for one week to apprehend sundry dangerous persons

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DEAR SIR: As complaints have been made before these Committees of sundry persons in the Precinct of Newburgh as being very dangerous to the cause in which we are engaged, we, the said Committees, in conjunction, do request and pray that you will be pleased to grant us Lieutenant Israel Smith, with twenty-five good men, for the space of one week, in order that we may get some of these rascals apprehended and secured. If you shall think well of this matter, and it be consistent with your duty, we beg our request may be complied with without delay. If you are scarce of arms we will furnish them; ammunition we are destitute of at present, therefore beg they will bring a supply with them. We propose to send Major Samuel Logan in company with Lieutenant Smith; also, a good pilot, who understands the woods well. We need not say much to you, sir, on this occasion, as you know our situation; and being

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in much haste, you will please to pardon any inaccuracies that may appear.

We have the honour to be, with all due esteem, your most obedient, humble servants.

By order of the Committees:

ABEL BELKNAP, Chairman.

To Colonel James Clinton, commanding officer at Fort Constitution.