William Twiss, 1745–1827. Canada’s very accomplished chief engineer. Twiss had worked at the Tower of London, the fortifications at Gibraltar, and the defences of the Portsmouth Dockyard before coming to Canada with Burgoyne in 1776.
Brigadier Gansevoort of Albany County’s first militia brigade received an alarming letter written at Sancoick on December 4 by Lieutenant-Colonel John Van Rensselaer, OC 14ACM. He, Colonel Daniel Bratt, and some other gentlemen had been taken prisoner a few days before by “tyrannical ruffians who have disavowed allegiance to the State of New York [and] say they are subjects of the State of Vermount.” The officers were “treated scandalously and abused and carried to Bennington,” where the rioters expected aid, and no doubt praise, but were received with contempt from the authorities who allowed the Yorkers to return home.
Then, Casper Rouse of Tomhannock was taken by another armed band, but was rescued by a “number of faithfull true subjects to the State of New York.” Lieutenant-Colonel Van Rensselaer had collected a small, armed force by dramatically stating his intention to uphold the state’s supporters at the expense of his life. He entreated Gansevoort to send help with the greatest possible dispatch lest a superior force try his resolve. The next day, Gansevoort ordered Colonels Henry K. Van Rensselaer and Peter Yates to march their regiments to John Van Rensselaer’s house and quell the unrest. He urged them to be “exceedingly cautious how you conduct yourself in this matter — the utmost circumspection is to be observed.” If they took any insurgents, they were to send them to Albany with the evidence against them. The possibility of serious armed conflict loomed again.13
On December 6, Heath offered Stark his sympathies for the general’s many complaints and assured him that the Highlands Department experienced the same problems and many more that the north did not. “In October the troops were ten days without bread — the last month more. We are equally naked and destitute of pay.” Although materials were being collected to make clothing for the whole army, it would be late before it could be ready and the 1st and 2nd New Hampshire’s paymasters would have to stay below to receive the materials. Also, the army would receive three months’ pay over the winter and, again Heath asked Stark to assure the New Hampshire regiments that they would receive equal justice to the main army.
The C-in-C reminded Stark that the engagement term of Willett’s Levies would expire at month’s end and that the distribution of the Continentals should be done immediately, in particular, the 2NH should be sent to the Mohawk River in good time to relieve Willett. Contrary to Clinton’s recommendation, he suggested that part of the regiment might be left at Schenectady and the rest sent to the principal posts above, in particular, to Fort Herkimer where there were stores and ordnance. Stark’s dispositions should be “modelled” to preserve public property, curb the enemy, and protect the country. As soon as these arrangements were made, he was to forward a sufficient supply of provisions to subsist the troops until transportation reopened in the spring. Finally, he ordered that all public arms that had been issued to the militia during the late alarm be recalled. Although concern was shown about Stark’s ill health, nothing was said about granting him leave to go home.14
Also this day, Governor Clinton wrote to Willett’s major, John McKinstry, to commiserate with him over the unsuccessful attempts to complete his regiment through the vehicle of unappropriated land bounties. As less than two-thirds of the full complement had been raised and legal recruiting had ceased on August 1, he had organized the men into an independent corps.15
Gansevoort wrote to advise the governor about the Sancoick insurrection and report that he had activated two of his regiments to curb the affair. The brigadier understood that the legislature had recently discussed the problems of Vermont’s meddling in this area of the state [the Western Union] and requested advice, as he did not want to commit any more of his brigade without the governor’s assent.
On December 7, Solomon Pendleton, a man with a checkered career as a 2ACM first lieutenant, sent the governor a great deal of information about Vermont. He had just returned from a trip to her “frontiers” and had found everything in great confusion. He observed that much was said and done that tended toward anything but peace. Folk living west of the twenty-mile line were now known as “Cattermounters” and those in “old” Vermont, “Vermounters.” The two were at odds and their enmity increased daily:
The Cattermounters compose a sort of an outrageous mob; and are supported only by the Gouvernor, Council, and a few hot-headed people in Vermont; but their supporters daily decrease in number and strength. I likewise find, that many of the people in, and about Bennington, and other parts of Vermount, are daily falling off from their new State; and would desert yet faster, if they were sure they should meet with pardon for their former conduct, from the State of New York. This change is owing to the three following reasons: first, the inconsistent and troublesome conduct of the Cattermounters; who, so far overrun the bounds of political reason, that it makes them sick of their power. Secondly, the late secret negotiations with the enemy by the Governor, council, and a few more designing men, has disgusted those who have ever had a sincear regard for the freedom of the United States in general. And thirdly, their paper currency … has answer’d them no better purpose, than to drain all the hard money out of their Treasury, and in the roome of it, they have their paper currency of no credit. The hard money thus set on float, has gone to different States for Merchandize: so that they have now, as little hard cash, in proportion to their wants, as the State of New York. To remedy this false step, they have laid a heavy tax in specie; not only upon all the inhabitants of Vermont, but likewise upon the Cattermounters, which three forths of the People of Vermont reject, as belonging to their State … I am of oppinnion, that these people [Cattermounters] will, of themselves do the business for the State of New York. It only remains, for the State to act with spirit upon the one hand; and humanity and good policy upon the other. I understand there is an application gone to your Excellency, for a military force, to quell some disturbances that are now existing, between those people that are true to New York and the Cattermounters…, but I am of oppinnion that this method may better be postponed to a futer day.16
On an issue far from insurrection, Captain Job Wright wrote from Ballstown to the governor regarding the troublesome three-years’ service. Several senior officers thought that an issue of good clothing would have done more to raise men, but the State lacked the financial capability to purchase uniforms. Wright noted the governor’s advice that there was to be no further recruiting and asked that he and Lieutenants Pliny Moore and Jesse Hubbell receive some compensation for their time and trouble in attempting to further this service. He requested a commission and reminded Clinton that he had been formerly given command of what men were raised for both regiments (Willett’s and McKinstry’s?) and, as there were sufficient men to constitute a company, he asked whether they would be grouped together for this purpose.
This information was in such contrast to Clinton’s letter to Major McKinstry wherein he had intimated that recruiting had raised almost two-thirds of a regiment — not just a single company as Wright mentioned. Was Clinton putting off McKinstry for some reason?17
On December 9, Governor Clinton wrote a detailed letter to Colonel Willett
