![CLINTON, George (1739-1812). Autograph letter signed (“Geo Clinton”) to his brother, James Clinton, “Head Quarters” Hurley, [N.Y.], 17 October 1777.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0245_001(clinton_george_autograph_letter_signed_to_his_brother_james_clinton_he060622).jpg?w=1)
![CLINTON, George (1739-1812). Autograph letter signed (“Geo Clinton”) to his brother, James Clinton, “Head Quarters” Hurley, [N.Y.], 17 October 1777.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/NYR/2017_NYR_14376_0245_000(clinton_george_autograph_letter_signed_to_his_brother_james_clinton_he030424).jpg?w=1)
CLINTON, George (1739-1812). Autograph letter signed (“Geo Clinton”) to his brother, James Clinton, “Head Quarters” Hurley, [N.Y.], 17 October 1777.
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CLINTON, George (1739-1812). Autograph letter signed (“Geo Clinton”) to his brother, James Clinton, “Head Quarters” Hurley, [N.Y.], 17 October 1777.
Two pages, octavo, with integral transmittal leaf addressed in his hand (toned at margins, minor loss from seal tear).
New York Governor George Clinton reports on the burning of the state’s capital at Kingston: part of Sir Henry Clinton’s foray into the Hudson Valley—a desperate attempt to relieve Burgoyne, who had surrendered the same day. Writing his brother in New Windsor, George Clinton reports on the burning of Kingston: “Before this can reach [you,] you will receive the disagreeable account of Kingston being laid in ashes by the Enemy. They landed before my Troops arrived after a little opposition by the few militia Cols Pawling & Snyder could collect, and marched about 1000 Men immediately up to Town where they were told by some Tories who continued in it that my People were advancing on the Hurley Road & they immediately set it in Flames and extracted precipitately on Board their Vessels tho their Orders were to proceed to Hurley & the adjacent Neighborhoods to give them the same Fate, so that tho I was not able to get my Troops Time enough to save Kingston, they saved this and the other Parts of the Country near it. This will show you the Fate New Windsor & the other settlements along shore are to partake on the Enemy’s Return down. Therefore the Necessity of removing the Forage from the Banks of the River among which remember my Sleigh in the Barn as it is now the only moveable Property I have left, the Best being removed to Kingston shared its Fate, tho indeed a great share of Property has been saved out of Town. The Enemy sailed up the River this Morning as high as Saugerties burning along Shore as they go. When they go a little higher I [will] follow them. They have Parties on both Sides of the River. Tryon commands those on the East & Vaughan on the West Side [of] the River.” Although the British raids on the Hudson Valley proved devastating to the local population, the object of the raid, to relive pressure on Burgoyne at Saratoga, was a failure. The same day Clinton wrote the present letter, Burgoyne and his army were taking part in the surrender ceremonies at Saratoga.
Two pages, octavo, with integral transmittal leaf addressed in his hand (toned at margins, minor loss from seal tear).
New York Governor George Clinton reports on the burning of the state’s capital at Kingston: part of Sir Henry Clinton’s foray into the Hudson Valley—a desperate attempt to relieve Burgoyne, who had surrendered the same day. Writing his brother in New Windsor, George Clinton reports on the burning of Kingston: “Before this can reach [you,] you will receive the disagreeable account of Kingston being laid in ashes by the Enemy. They landed before my Troops arrived after a little opposition by the few militia Cols Pawling & Snyder could collect, and marched about 1000 Men immediately up to Town where they were told by some Tories who continued in it that my People were advancing on the Hurley Road & they immediately set it in Flames and extracted precipitately on Board their Vessels tho their Orders were to proceed to Hurley & the adjacent Neighborhoods to give them the same Fate, so that tho I was not able to get my Troops Time enough to save Kingston, they saved this and the other Parts of the Country near it. This will show you the Fate New Windsor & the other settlements along shore are to partake on the Enemy’s Return down. Therefore the Necessity of removing the Forage from the Banks of the River among which remember my Sleigh in the Barn as it is now the only moveable Property I have left, the Best being removed to Kingston shared its Fate, tho indeed a great share of Property has been saved out of Town. The Enemy sailed up the River this Morning as high as Saugerties burning along Shore as they go. When they go a little higher I [will] follow them. They have Parties on both Sides of the River. Tryon commands those on the East & Vaughan on the West Side [of] the River.” Although the British raids on the Hudson Valley proved devastating to the local population, the object of the raid, to relive pressure on Burgoyne at Saratoga, was a failure. The same day Clinton wrote the present letter, Burgoyne and his army were taking part in the surrender ceremonies at Saratoga.