words to that effect, as near as I can recollect. Upon which, as there were not so many freeholders convened as I expected, I proposed that the separate Towns should elect Deputies, but being overruled, I proposed that none should be elected for Hempstead, to avoid the appearance of obtruding Deputies on them; this I thought was agreed to by the gentlemen present. But after a little time a gentleman (who I believe was not in the room at the time the last proposal was made) objected that in the latter case the County would be partially represented, and urged the appointment of Deputies for Hempstead; this, after a little while, was agreed to by a majority, and Captain Thorne and myself were named to represent Hempstead, and our names were inserted in the list accordingly.

I saw myself placed in a very disagreeable situation, and expressed my idea of it to the gentlemen present; they did not seem to see the embarrassment which I sensibly felt, and therefore were not disposed to dispense with my service. The bad state of my health, which obliges me to avoid New-York as much as possible in the summer, from long experience of the bad effect of the city air in that season, also made me wish to be excused from a service which I was convinced would very much impair it.

In this situation, I determined, however, to offer myself to the Congress as a Deputy, if the people of Hempstead were silent about it; but I was soon informed that some of the leading people had declared they did not believe I would presume to represent them in Congress. Upon receiving this intelligence, I immediately went to Hempstead, applied to a gentleman whom I took to be a leading man, and desired him to consult the principal people of the Town, and let me know as soon as might be whether I should represent them or not. A very few days after I received from him a letter, dated the 30th May last, wherein he in formed me that he had consulted as many persons in the Township of Hempstead as the shortness of the time would admit, who, he said, seem fixed upon their former resolutions not to appoint any Deputies to represent the Town of Hempstead in Provincial Congress; that the people seemed to be much inclined to remain peaceable and quiet; that he had consulted the gentlemen I had desired him to speak to in particular, who had desired him to give me this information. Upon the receipt of this letter I resolved to decline taking a seat at the Congress, from a persuasion of the impropriety, and even injustice of transacting business of so much consequence for people who disavowed my authority.

This is a true state of facts as near as my memory will serve me, and I flatter myself, Sir, it will sufficiently apologize to the Congress for my conduct.

I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

THOMAS HICKS.

Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq.

HERMAN ZEDTWITZ TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

To the Honourable Members of the Provincial Congress, at this time convened in the City of NEW-YORK:

The Petition and humble Remonstrance of HERMAN-ZEDIT WITZ of the same City, Gentleman, most humbly sheweth:

That your petitioner is a German by birth, and hath heretofore served as an officer in the King of Prussia’s Army, upwards of fourteen years. That through the course of your petitioner’s experience in the art of war, he hath found that a body of Riflemen, properly equipped, to pre cede the Grand Army, have been of great use to annoy and confuse the enemy. That your petitioner being well versed in the exercise of such men, would, with the appointment and sanction of this honourable board, undertake to raise a Regiment, to contain six hundred able bodied men, from Paxton and other parts of the Province of Pennsylvania, many of them already provided with their rifles, and the whole number in a very short time might be complete and ready to go on such service as should be found necessary. That your petitioner hath known such a Regiment in the time of action to be of more service than any three common Regiments, and is willing and desirous personally to explain to this honourable Board, at such time as shall be appointed, the particular services of such a body of men. That your petitioner hath very lately been in that part of Pennsylvania before mentioned, and is well satisfied that if this honourable Board shall see fit to appoint, or cause him to be appointed to the command of such a Regiment, he could in a very short time complete the same, and would use his most indefatigable endeavours at all times to approve himself worthy of the honour conferred upon him. And your petitioner most humbly requests that this honourable Board will take the premises into consideration, and appoint such time for hearing him further therein as shall be found convenient, when he will most punctually attend; and in the mean time remains this honourable Board’s most dutiful and very devoted humble servant,

HERMAN ZEDTWITZ.

City of New York, June 27, 1775.

ELISHA PHELPS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Ticonderoga, June 27, 1775.

GENTLEMEN : After my kind respects to you all, when I left Cambridge, I went to his Honour the Governour of the Colony of Connecticut; and he informed me he had appointed me a Commissary for the Northern Army, which I cheerfully accepted, and thanked his Honour for the notice he took of me. I then informed him of the orders Colonel Arnold gave me, concerning the teams. He told me I need not trouble myself, as York was to provide teams, &c, and I could charge teams in common stock; and the pork you would pay for when I produced an order from Colonel Arnold. As for news, I have nothing remarkable. We have had some mutiny in this company, but I hope now settled. The gentlemen Committee you sent, were not treated with that esteem by some as I wish they had been. I long to hear the particulars of the fight at Boston. If you would furnish it I should take it as a great favour.

Gentlemen, I am with great esteem your very humble servant, at command,

ELISHA PHELPS.

To the respectable Gentlemen of the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, for the Province of Massachusetts-Bay.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO MASSACHUTSETTS CONGRESS.

Lebanon, June 27, 1775,

GENTLEMEN: This morning received your pressing in stance for an immediate augmentation of Troops from our Colony. In consequence expresses are gone forth to call our Assembly, to meet at Hartford on Saturday next. Generals Washington and Lee are expected this day at Hartford, on their way to the Army. The warriors from Virginia and Pennsylvania are coming forward. Have received this day a speech and belt from the Oneida Indians, and have enclosed their speech.

Colonel Hinman at Ticonderoga, writes the 19th instant: “The enemy are fortifying at St. John’s, and last night was informed that the Caughnawaga Indians have had a war-dance, being brought to it by General Carleton.”

Eight or nine hundred barrels of flour from the General Congress for the Army are arrived safe at Norwich, and more expected. Hope a report with us this morning is true, that a large quantity of powder is arrived at New York, and a quantity for this Colony at New-London. Every effort in our power for defence of the rights of the Colonies will be used with diligence and without delay.

May the Supreme Director of all events give wisdom, stability and union in all our counsels; inspire our soldiery with courage and fortitude; cover their heads in the day of battle and danger; convince our enemies of their mistaken measures, and that all attempts to deprive us of our rights are injurious and vain.

I am, with great esteem and sincerity, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

A Speech of the Chiefs and Warriors of the ONEIDA Tribe of INDIANS, to the four NEW-ENGLAND Provinces, directed to Governour TRUMBULL; and by him to be communicated:

As our younger brothers of the New-England Indians, (who have settled in our vicinity) are now going down to