1. Lt. Simeon Belding wrote New York governor George Clinton from New Windsor on 26 Nov.: “Inclosed I send you Maj’r Gen. Heath’s orders to me respecting a flag of Truce from New York. His Excellency Gen. Washington gave Gen. Heath his Direction. I have Complyed with the orders so far as to receive the pasagers and effects. … I waited on his Excellency Gen. Washington and producd the passports and when he see them, gave the Direction for the orders I receivd. I think it is not in my power to Comply with your orders, unless I brake those from Genl. Heath. The weather not permiting my Coming up the River this Day is the occasion of my Troubling you with this” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:373–74; see also Thomas Cartwright to Belding, 24 Nov., in Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:373). In his reply to Belding, apparently penned on 27 Nov., Clinton provided instructions on how to handle individuals traveling under flags (see Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:374–75; see also William Denning to Clinton, 28 Nov., and Clinton to Denning, 29 Nov., in Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:376–77).

To avoid future confusion over flag vessels, Clinton wrote Maj. Gen. William Heath from Poughkeepsie on 29 Nov.: “I am very unhappy that the Persons & Effects which came from the Enemy in the late Flagg without my previous Permission were taken from on board the vessel and She permitted to return immediately again to New York, and I should esteem it a particular Favor if you would direct that in future no Persons or Effects should be received from a Flagg coming into this State, unless my previous Permission is produced that they should be sent out.

“You must be fully sensible of the Clamour and Uneasiness both in the Country and the Army in consequence of the Introduction of Goods from the Enemy thro’ Flaaggs, and nothing will prevent it, but a total Prohibition except in special Cases where, upon a previous application it may be thought proper to grant Permission.

“The affair of this Flagg embarrasses me exceedingly, and for want of the means of conveying the Goods to the City of New York again, I have been reduced to the Necessity of directing them to be landed and deposited with Persons in whom I can confide, til I have an Opportunity of determining how farther to dispose of them” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:378–79). Heath replied to Clinton from Peekskill, N.Y., on 2 Dec.: “I am very sorry that your Excellency should be embarrass’d with the persons and Effects which lately came from New York in the Flag without your previous permission, but I assure you we were exceedingly so here. Upon the first arrival of the flag below Verplank’s Point, I order’d her to a station near Tallers Point, from which the movements at Kings Ferry could not be observed (and this I have established as a standing rule for all flags coming up by water). Upon examination of the papers, it appear’d that part of the families and effects only had your permission to be sent out. My determination was to take out these, and retain the others on board the flag, but matters appear’d so intricate that it was impossible to make a proper discrimination of the Effects. Upon representing a State of facts to his Excellency, Colonel Tilghman wrote an answer as follows:

“‘There seems to be so much difficulty in ascertaining what is and what is not proper to be allowed as Baggage and Effects, that we have come to a resolution to have the whole sent up to Governor Clinton and let him determine.’

“The whole was accordingly sent up, and the flag ordered back. …

“I am happy to find that your Excellency’s opinion respecting articles being brought out from the Enemy so fully corresponds with my own. I have lately admonish’d the officers of the army here to avoid such practices, and have informed them that the first I find culpable shall be arrested & brought to trial” (Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:390–91).

2. GW based this observation on reports that a lack of rain had prevented flour mills from operating.