Poughkeepsie 26th October 1777 2 o'Clock P.M
[Extract]
Dear Sir,
... The Situation of the Enemy being very different from what you must have supposed at the Time of writing me will of Course occassion some Alteration in the Measures you proposed to pursue against them. On the 23d their Fleet fell down from Saagertjes1 where they had for some Time lay to Kingston, came too there that Evening & next Morning came under Sail passed down the River & the last Account I had of them yesterday were out of sight from New Windsor but this not in such Manner as to be depended on tho I believe it to be true....
It appears to me essentially necessary that we shoud take some Post on the River where we may be able to prevent the Enemy's getting above us with their Shipping with out great Difficulty. This with the Artillery mentioned in Col. Malcom's Letter I think may be effected at the Cheveaux Defrize near New Windsor or perhaps at Fort Constitution2 & the lower down the River the better. I am clearly of Oppinion the Enemy will not Attempt any Thing Capital up the River since the Object which induced them to venture up it, is by your Important Successes over Genl. Burgoyne's Army, (on which happy Occassion I most heartilly congratulate you) now at an End.... I am [&c.]
Geo. Clinton
Public Papers of George Clinton 2: 481-83, no. 885. Addressed in the original: "To the Honble. / Major Genl. Gates." Docketed in the original: "Dr Letters to Genl Gates & Coll/ Lamb./ 26th Octobr 1777." N-Ar, George Clinton Papers, box 9, doc. 885.
1. Saugerties, across the river from Livingston's Manor.
2. In 1778 another chain was laid across the Hudson from West Point to Fort Constitution .
