Papers of John Adams, volume 4

From Daniel Hitchcock

From Thomas Edwards

487 From Abraham Clark, 23 August 1776 Clark, Abraham JA

1776-08-23

From Abraham Clark, 23 August 1776 Clark, Abraham Adams, John
From Abraham Clark
Dear Sir Eliza. Town Augst. 23d. 1776

Colo. Dayton,1 who with his battalion is Stationed at Fort Stanwix, informs me no Regimental Paymaster hath been appointed to his battalion, and Genl Schuyler does not conceive himself Authorized to appoint one. Jonathan Dayton, a son of the Colo, is Recommended as a proper person for that Station, his father offers to become Security for his faithful discharge of the Office.2 Mr. Caldwell the Chaplain of that battalion3 is come down and informs me Genl. Schuyler would have Appointed Dayton had he been Authorized, and Offers to Recommend him to Congress if Necessary. The young mans Qualification can be known from Dr. Witherspoon. If no just objection appears Against him, I wish a Commission may be sent to me for him.

I remain in a Weak infirm State. We are daily Alarmed with News of an Attack on this Town but have hitherto escaped it. We hear the British Troops are busily employed hanging the Refractory among them: may their business increse. I am Dear Sir, Your Sincere Friend & Humle. Servt.

Abra. Clark4

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To The Honourable John Adams Esqr. in Congress. Philadelpa.”; docketed: “Mr Clark Aut 23. 1776.”

1.

Elias Dayton, colonel of the 3d New Jersey Regiment (Heitman, Register Continental Army , p. 190).

2.

Young Dayton was named regimental paymaster on 26 Aug. ( JCC , 5:701).

3.

James Caldwell (Heitman, p. 139).

4.

Clark was a delegate to the congress from New Jersey (Burnett, ed., Letters of Members , 2:liv).