Geo. Clinton.
Colo. Ludington.
Public Service, Geo. Clinton.
To Colo. Henry Ludington Fredericksburgh. By Express.
Colonel Ludington was, however, more successful in securing recruits than some other militia commanders in that region. Colonel Roswell Hopkins, at Amenia, seems to have met with many troubles, which ultimately led to his resignation of his commission. In the summer of 1780 much trouble arose over trafficking in certificates of exemption, and this correspondence took place:
Amenia, July 12th, 1780.
Sir, In Obedience to Brigade Orders of the 30th ult. I now return to your Excellency the number of Classes in my regiment for raising the present Levies for three months; the number is Sixty-two; the men are to be Delivered the 14th Instant at Major Cook’s & the 15th at Capt. Roger Sutherland’s to such Officer as your Excellencey shall appoint. I am, Sir, your most obedient Hum. Serv’t,
Roswell Hopkins, Colo.
His Excellency Gov’r. Clinton.
May it please your Excellency, We, the Subscribers, beg leave to inform your Excellency that Difficulties have arose in this Regiment respecting Exemption from Militia Drafts Certificates which have been transferred for a valuable Consideration by the procurer to another Person—that is whether the Purchaser of such Certificate is by act of the Legislature, Pass’d the 25th of March 1778, for Exempting persons from Drafts are as much exempted from Militia Duty as the first Procurers would be in case he had not transfer’d it. There being several such Instances in the Regiments and different Opinions in the Matter which is likely to produce uneasiness, and we being Inform’d that it has been the Practice in other Regiments to exempt the Purchasers of such Certificates. There is James Hildreth & Lemuel Brush—under this predicament the men that they purchas’d of have done duty in this regiment ever since they transfer’d their Certificates to the present Holders. As their appears to be no fraud or collusion respecting the said James Hildreth and Brush, we pray your Excellency’s advice and Direction respecting such purchas’d Certificates which will oblige your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servants