Head Quarters, West point, October 30, 1779.

    Sir: I do myself the honor of transmitting to Congress the Copy of a letter which I recd. yesterday from Governor Clinton.⁷⁹ I have agreeable to his request directed the Massachusetts Militia to rendezvous at Albany instead of Claverack, not for the purpose of making use of them against the Indians should the incursion prove serious, but to give the appearance of an immediate collection of force in that quarter. Should the expected cooperation take place, the can, with great ease, be brought down again to join the Army.

[Note:Clinton's letter to Washington, Oct. 28, 1779. A copy is filed with this letter from Washington in the Papers of the Continental Congress.]

    Genl. Greene has this moment recd. a letter (of which the inclosed is a Copy) from Mr. Bowen, ⁸⁰ announcing the evacuation of Rhode Island. The authenticity of the report is not to be doubted. I have not yet recd. an express from General Gates on the occasion. I have the honor, &c. ⁸¹

[Note:Ephraim Bowen, deputy quartermaster general to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, Oct. 26, 1779. A copy is filed with this letter from Washington in the Papers of the Continental Congress.]

[Note:In the writing of Tench Tilghman. ]