This paragraph refers to one of Clinton's spies, who was captured while gathering information in Putnam's camp at Peekskill.

When Clinton heard of it he sent a war-vessel up the Hudson with a flag of truce, claiming the man as one of his officers.

This was Old Put's reply: Headquarters, _7th August, 1777_.
Edmund Palmer, an officer in the enemy's service, was taken as a spy lurking within our lines.

He has been tried as a spy, condemned as a spy, and shall be executed as a spy; and the flag is ordered to depart immediately.
I have the honor to be, etc., etc., Israel Putnam.
P.S .-- Afternoon.

He is hanged! The last week in September, Washington drew upon the patient commander in the Highlands for more soldiers, so that he had only eleven hundred men left with which to meet and withstand the British invasion of his territory, which began on the 5th of October.