[ Autographs ] JOSEPH BLOOMFIELD (1753 - 1823) Revolutionary War officer who saw action at Monmouth and Brandywine, later serving as Governor of New Jersey. Scarce, fine content war-date A.L.S. 2pp. legal folio, Ticonderoga, November 19, 1776 defending the conduct of Colonel Elias Dayton in an affair in which his New Jersey troops looted Johnson Hall which had just been abandoned by the loyalist son of British Indian agent Sir William Johnson. In part: "...Col. Dayton..positively ordered both officers & soldiers of his Regiment to be carefull & not injure the Property of any of the inhabitants -- that after Johnson Hall was plundered Col. Dayton gave premptory orders... for every officer & soldier to return every Article taken from the Hall...no goods were taken from Johnson Hall by Col. Daytons permission, except some Military Stores for the use of the Service -- Some Tinesel lace & base silver Metals in order to be distributed to the Indians -- which lace & medals were delivered by the Revd. Mr. Calldwell by direction of Col. Dayton to Major Genl. Schuyler at the late Grand treaty held with the five Nations at the German Flatts..." Elias Dayton was apparently subject to a court-marshal which eventually did not charge Dayton with wrong-doing. Washington was quite sensitive to the fact that northern New York was a Tory stronghold and an incident such as this would have done much to erode sympathy not only among whites but would have further alienated any potential Indian allies in the region. A few tiny marginal chips at folds, otherwise very good to fine condition.