The Commissioners sat for near seven months, did little good, ate the King's provisions, burnt his wood, drank his liquor, and pocketed his money. Let us now consider the nature of this commission. It contained not a power that was not then vested in the Courts of Police. It confined the Commissioners in their jurisdiction to all debts contracted after the 1st of November, 1776, and such debts as these were recoverable in the Courts of Police. It was the payment of debts due prior to that day, that the memorialists begged the General to compel. To do this the commission gave no power. The money was, of course, lost. The Commissioners got a great deal.

The Loyalists lost all their debts, though due to them from substantial people. They were obliged to leave America upon the evacuation of New York. Some went to, and settled upon, lands uncultivated in the wilds of Nova Scotia. Others went to England, where they were by the Ministry left to starve with their wives and children upon pittances of from £50 to £200 a year. Had their just debts been paid, and Sir Guy could have compelled their payment, they might, when in England at least, have lived comfortably. These gentlemen, prior to the rebellion, dwelt in elegant houses, had servants in abundance, large, improved, and cultivated, estates, and lived in affluence and splendour. The annual incomes of many of them amounted from £500 to £5000. They lived like German princes. The productions of their estates afforded them almost every kind of luxury. They were loyal, their estates were large; for this they suffered. They ventured everything on the part of their sovereign and the Constitution of Britain. They were, however, abandoned.

If there is a blot on Sir Guy's character it is in this affair. I even excuse him here. Every man may be imposed upon. Sir

Guy had admitted into his confidence an artful, cunning, hypocritical man, of true rebellious principles, whose every relațion was in the service of Congress. I pity Sir Guy. I despise his adviser, and I execrate the man who introduced the rogue that so gained his confidence, and put him upon plans injurious to the loyalists. Sir Guy loved the loyalists; his intention was never to injure a single one; his confidence was misplaced; he was deceived; he was imposed upon. Sir Guy was a soldier, "honest, bold and brave;" his composition was honour, justice and virtue. He had no disguise, suspected none, and thought everybody as honest as himself. Such a person is easily imposed upon by a confidant, for as Shakespeare says, "Man may smile, can smile, yet be a villain." Such a character, unfortunately for the Loyal ists, was in the General's train, and what was worse, in his confidence. From judge Thomas Jones' History of New York.

[No. 5246.]

Sir Guy Carleton Fixes the Official Date of Evacuation for November 22 to Governor Clinton and Directs the Public Records to Be Delivered to Such Persons as the Governor Shall Designate. New York, 12th November, 1783.

Sir, Being on the point of withdrawing His Majesty's Troops from this place,* I have directed the Records, and other public papers here, to be delivered to such person as your Excellency

*Since Carleton's letter to Congress of August 17th nothing further was deternined on the time when the city would be turned over to the Americans. November 6th Washington pointedly asked the British Commander when he expected to embark, and received a reply that the troops would be withdrawn before the end of the month. "At all events, I propose to relinquish the posts at Kingsbridge, and as far as McGowans Pass inclusive on this Island, on the 21st instant; to resign the possession of Herrick's and Hamptead, with all to the eastward on Long Island, on the same day; and if possible, to give this city with Brooklyn, on the day follow

shall appoint to receive them; and 1 should be glad he might arrive here for that purpose on or before the 22d instant, on which day, if possible, I shall retire from New York and Long Island, the Post at Denyses only excepted, which, with Paulus Hook and Staten Island will be given up as soon after as may be practicable, agreeable to information which I have this day given to His Excellency General Washington.

I am Sir, Your Excellency's Most obedient and most humble Servant.

His Excellency Governor Clinton.

Guy Carleton.

[No. 5247.]

Captain Delavan Offers His Troop of Horse as Escort to Governor Clinton Upon His Entrance into New York When the British Withdraw.

Sir, I have Reason to Suspect the British Will Shortly Evaquate New York-in Case I Expect your Exelencey Will Take possession if it Should be your Exelenceys pleasure that My Troop of horse or any part of them Should Wait on you, Should be happy to know by the barer, Capt. Clark-the numbers of Men and uniform that I May Conduct accordingly. Remain, Sir, With Respect Your Exelencey's Most humble Servant.

My Exelencey Governor Clinton.

Sam. Delivan.

ing and Paulus Hook, Dennis's, and Staten Island, as soon after as may be practicable."

Washington had a conference with Governor Clinton on the 14th, and the latter issued a proclamation, dated the 15th of November, giving notice of the day appointed by Sir Guy Carleton for evacuating the city, and summoning the several members of the council of New York to convene at East Chester, on the 21st, with a view of immediately establishing civil government in the districts of the State hitherto occupied by the British troops; and at the same time enjoining and requiring the inhabitants of such parts to yield due obedience to the laws of the State, and to be vigilant in preserving the public peace and good order.

[No. 5249.]

Governor Clinton to General Knox in Reply to His of Same Date as to the Evacuation of New York, &c.

Poughkeepsie, Novr. 13th, 1783.

Dear Sir, I am honored with your Letter of this Day with its enclosures & am much obliged by this additional mark of your polite Attention.

We must wait Sir Guy's Pleasure, & I fear considering the advanced Season, that he will put myself as well as many other Citizens who cannot think of moving their families in the City until his Departure to great Inconveniences & Difficulties. hope the Commander in Chief will have arrived at the Point before this reaches you & that we shall not be disappointed in the pleasure of seeing him at Poughkeepsie.

I

Mrs. Clinton joins me in requesting you to present our best Respects to Mrs. Knox.

I have the honor to be with great Esteem &c &c

The honble. Major Genl. Knox.

[No. 5251.]

G. C.

Sir Guy Carleton Notified by Governor Clinton that John Morin Scott is Delegated to Receive the Public Records.

Poughkeepsie, Nov'r. 15th, 1783.

Sir, I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency's Letter of the 12th Instant and am much obliged by the Information it gives me.

The honorable John Morin Scott, Esqr. is duly authorized to receive the Records and other public Papers. He is now in the City of New York or its vicinity and I have written to him by the present conveyance to attend & receive them.

I take the Liberty of enclosing for your Excellency's Information the Copy of a Proclamation* I have issued in consequence of the Notice given me of your Intention to withdraw the Forces under command from certain Parts of the southern District of this State.

I am with great Respect Sir Your Excellency's most Obedient Serv't.

His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton, K. B.

G. C.

[No. 5252.]

Governor Clinton Notifies John Morin Scott of His Appointment to Receive the Public Records at New York.

Poughkeepsie, Nov'r. 15th, 1783.

Sir, I have this Day received a Letter from Sir Guy Carleton informing me that he is on the point of withdrawing the Troops under his command from the City of New York & and that he had directed the Records and other public Papers to be delivered

By his Excellency, George Clinton, Esq., Governor of the State of New York, General and Commander in Chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same.

PROCLAMATION.

Whereas I have received authentic information, that his Britannic Majesty's forces will be withdrawn from certain parts of the southern district of this State, on Friday the 21st, and from the remaining part of the said district (Staten Island, and the post at Denyses on Nassau Island excepted) on the 22d inst. I do therefore, by these presents, require the Council, constituted by the act, entitled, "an act to provide for the temporary government of the southern parts of this State, whenever the enemy shall abandon or be dispossessed of the same, and until the Legislature can be convened," passed the 23d day of October, 1779, to meet at Guyons Tavern, at East Chester, on the 21st inst. of which the several Members composing the said Council will take notice, and give their attendance accordingly. And I do hereby strictly enjoin and require the inhabitants within such parts of the said southern district, from which the said forces shall be withdrawn as aforesaid, and all others whom it may concern, to yield due obedience to the laws of this State; and to be vigilant in preserving the public peace and good order.

Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the said State, at Poughkeepsie, this 15th day of November, in the eighth year of the independence of this State, 1783.

By his Excellency's command,

Robert Benson, Sec.

George Clinton.