SAMUEL COOPER, SARATOGA, NEW YORK

Copyright (c) 2000 by Leslie B. Potter (lbp@axs2000.net).

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Public Papers of George Clinton
II: 858
[No.6]

The Albany committee Determined to Punish the Enemies of the Country and to Assist 
the Oppressed.

Albany Committee Chamber, 4th March 1778

    Sir Samuel Cooper an Inhabitant of the District of Saratoga complained to this 
Board tat on Account of a very sore hand which has been attended with Bad 
Consequences to him, as he has since lost one of his Fingers, he was obliged to remain on 
his Farm at the Time the Enemy penetrated into the Country, that he has been Robbed of 
a great part of his property by a number of People in your parts, and that a certain Warren 
Carpenter, threatens to kill him if he complains.  It gives us pain, Sir, to hear that Persons 
who Commit such Depredations bear the Name of whigs.

    Cooper appears to be by his deafness and other infirmities a Person incapable of 
doing any hurt to the Cause of America admit he was so inclined; his General Character 
is inoffensive; by the Laws of the Land he had not been Convicted as an Enemy of the 
country; if he has his property ought to be appropriated to the use of the State agreeable 
to the Resolutions of the Convention made for that purpose.

    How shocking it is to think that People who affirm they are Contending for their 
Rights and Privileges should at the same time rob their neighbors of thir property, apply 
the ill gotten Gain to their private use, and threaten to Murder the Injured if they 
complain; this line of Conduct has not bee pursued in similar Cases; Amboy, Brunswich 
or Trenton were not plundered by the Americans when General How's army Evacuated 
that Country, the Legislature of that State would not suffer such villainy to be practiced.  
Where will the evil cease if People of Such principles are suffered to go on, do they 
expect to pass with impunity.  No, Justice and humanity forbids it.

    While on the one Hand, Sir, we are determined to assist in punishing the Enemies 
of our Country in the mode prescribed by Law, so on the other we are determined to 
assist in procuring Justice for the oppressed.  We lament the necessity of representing this 
affair in such Warm Terms but, Sir, as a Body chosen by a Majority of the Inhabitants of 
the County, and as Guardians of their rights, we are determined to leave no means, 
unessayed to Vindicate the Right of the Subjects of this State, and punish offenders.

    The interposition of those in authority and of every Friend to America where such 
base actions are Committed will Merit the approbation of every good Man.

    We are Your most humble Servants
By order
John M. Beeckman Deputy Chairman.
Tot he Chairman of the Committee of Saratoga District.