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possessed yourself of the money which Congress has designed for this quarter, and which I hope you will do with the greatest despatch, you will please to exchange as much of it for either silver or gold as you possibly can, and then repair to Albany.” Be assured, gentlemen, it is my wish to do every thing in my power, consistent with my duty, for the general service. I imagine, from the above representation, your Honours will perceive it is not an undue attention to forms which will prevent ray advancing the money. I am, with esteem, your Honours’ most obedient humble servant, JONA. TRUMBULL, JUN. Honourable Provincial Congress, New-York. JOHN CANDELL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. New-York, August 29, 1775. GENTLEMEN: In the most respectful manner I beg leave thus to approach you, with humble hopes that you will please to grant this, my truly most earnest request, to be by your order brought before you, so soon as convenience can possibly admit after your receipt hereof, for the purpose of hearing me on the matters laid to my charge, which involve me and my family in the greatest distress, more than pen can well describe or idea form. I am conscious, gentlemen, should I meet the indulgent favour I now earnestly seek for, I can satisfy how false are many of those charges against me, particularly as to the manner of my going on board the men of war, my behaviour since in confinement, &c., If upon such your favourable hearing you should be of opinion that my conduct has been reproachable, I shall be ready to make every concession and acknowledgment in my power, even to leaving the Province or otherwise, as you shall see cause to direct. Let me beg you, gentlemen, that you, with tender kindness and humanity, consider the melancholy situation of myself and family, my wife just delivered, and now lying in so much grief and sorrow that life can hardly be kept in her, and others of my family in the greatest anxiety; trusting, therefore, that you will grant this my desire and earnest request, I remain your unfortunate and very humble servant, JOHN CANDELL. ALBANY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. Albany Committee Chamber, August 29, 1775. GENTLEMEN: We expected, when the Army was once organized, we should not be so frequently called upon about matters not in our Province; but the situation of Colonel Cortlandt, and the men under his command, in a great measure obliges us to give him all the assistance in our power, not, however, that it is to be made a precedent of. The enclosed letter from Colonel Van Cortlandt will show you the posture he is in, and the necessity of a speedy relief. We fear we shall be able to afford him but little assistance. The hospital and barracks are filled with Indians attending the Congress; the barns about the Town loaded with the crops of the season; and the City crowded continually with a numerous concourse of people; the former and frequent applications for ammunition have drained us, in short, of almost every thing of that sort. We are, Gentlemen, your humble servants. By order of the Committee: AB’M YATES, JR., Chairman. To Peter V. B. Livingston, President of the Congress. COLONEL VAN SCHAICK TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. Albany, August 29, 1775. GENTLEMEN: I am at present stationed in Albany, by General Schuyler, to forward the troops that arrive here to Ticonderoga; and it gives me pain to inform you that Col. Clinton arrived here with the other field-officers, and six Companies of his Battalion, five of which are armed, but in bad repair. They have been supplied with blankets at this place; other necessaries are wanted. Colonel Van Cortlandt is also arrived here with five Companies of Holmes’s Battalion, who have not arms sufficient to suply one Company, and are totally destitute of all tents, accoutrements, and other necessaries, saving their regimental coats. We shall endeavour to procure as many stand of arms as possible, upon terms of the resolve published by you, but am very well persuaded that the number will fall greatly short of the numbers wanted to supply the Companies that are now here, and those expected. As General Schuyler is returned to Ticonderoga, this matter, I conceive, comes within my province; and I should ever accuse myself of inhumanity, and a want of love to my Country, should I be backward in giving you a true account of the situation and distress of these Companies, when I consider how much they are wanted at the forts above. I therefore look up to you, and beg that you will, without delay, send up such or so many arms, tents, blankets, and other necessaries, as will supply those Companies, so that they may be forwarded with the greatest despatch. I must also inform you the men are much discontented for want of their pay, and do assure you that the service greatly suffers. There is scarce any thing to be heard in the camp but mutinies. I have for that purpose wrote to Mr. Jonathan Trumbull, Jun., who I am informed is appointed Deputy Paymaster-General, which letter I enclose you, as I do not know where he is at present. I beg, therefore, that you will forward it to him by express. I am very happy, however, to inform you, that notwithstanding the clamours and discontents of my men at first, there are at present nine of my Companies up at Ticonderoga, with the other two field-officers, in actual service, and the last will march to-morrow. I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, GOOSE VAN SCHAICK. MAJOR HENRY LIVINGSTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. Albany, August 29, 1775. SIR: I am desired by Colonel Clinton to inform you that he arrived here last Saturday, and has now with him six Companies encamped about a mile out of town. That there are guns enough to equip about three Companies. That there are two Companies beside that have arms, but want some repairs. As there are not armourers sufficient at Ticonderoga, must wait here till they can be repaired. That there is a great want of officers’ tents, there being here only sufficient for two Companies, and one tent for the Lieutenant-Colonel. Of soldiers’ tents for our Regiment there is a sufficiency, but no more than barely for our seven Companies. That the soldiers murmur much for want of pay, and are very unwilling to march from here without it. That the medicine chest is not yet arrived, or a Surgeon, and that drums and fifes are wanting. However, three Companies will be equipped with all speed, and sent off immediately. I am, Sir, your very humble servant, HENRY LIVINGSTON, JUN. To Hon. Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq. PROVIDENCE (RHODE-ISLAND) TOWN-MEETING. At a Town-Meeting held in Providence, according to law, on the twenty-ninth day of August, Anno Domini 1775: The Hon. NICHOLAS COOKE, Esq., Moderator, The Committee appointed on the thirty-first day of July last, to draw up Rules for regulating the Battery at Fox Point, made report as on file, which is accepted by the Town. Voted, That Captain Ezek Hopkins be appointed to command the Battery at Fox Hill. Voted, That Captain Samuel Warner be Lieutenant. Voted, That Captain Christopher Shelden be Gunner. Voted, That seven Men be appointed for each Gun in the Battery, including Officers, and that such be selected from the Town Inhabitants who are acquainted with the use of Cannon, and do not belong to any of the Independent Companies. Voted, That the Battery Company appoint a Captain and Gunner for each Gun out of their Company. Voted, That upon any person quitting the Battery Company, the Officer thereto belonging have power to select others, as abovesaid, to keep their number complete. Voted, That two persons be appointed to watch the Battery at Fox Point, in the day time and in the evenings,
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