says you may have his free, during these troublesome times. I should be glad to say more to you on the matter, but am so indisposed at present I cannot write.

I am, Gentlemen, your most humble servant,

THOMAS PALMER.

To the Honourable Committee of Safety, during the recess of Congress.

P. S. The bearer has been, since here, to Judge Livingston“s, and to see the mines. I have Judge Livingston“s letter, informing me that you may work his free.

RETURN OF MINISINK COMPANY, IN GOSHEN PRECINCT, ORANGE COUNTY, NEW-YORK.

Agreeable to the directions of the Committee of the Precinct of Goshen, we, the subscribers, attended the Minisink Company, on Saturday, the 30th day of September, 1775, for the choice of their Officers, at the house or Mr. John Wells, and the following gentlemen were duly elected, viz: Moses Cortright, Captain; John Van Tile, First Lieutenant; John Decker, Second Lieutenant; and Ephraim Medaugh, Ensign.

To Colonel William Allison, in Congress.

N. B. SIR: AS there were some difficulties subsisting in the Minisink Company, which was the reason the officers were not returned before now, we request that commissions may be sent up for the above officers as soon as they conveniently can.

RETURNS OF GOSHEN TOWN, NEW-YORK, MINUTE-MEN.

Goshen, September 30, 1775.

Goshen, October 16, 1775.

At a meeting of the Company of Militia of the Town of Goshen, the following gentlemen were chosen Officers in said Company, agreeable to the recommendation of the Congress: Isaac Nicoll, Second Lieutenant; William Thompson, Ensign.

The above are true copies of the returns made to me.

DANIEL EVERIT.

N. B. You are requested to send commissions to the above gentlemen, the Minute-Men, according to the date returned to me, so that the Company may take its rank, as it was chosen before Captain Wisner“s.

RETURN OF NORTHEAST DISTRICT OF NEW-MARLBOROUGH PRECINCT, ULSTER COUNTY, NEW-YORK.

Ulster County, New-Marlborough, September 30, 1775.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress at NEW-YORK:

At an election of Officers at New-Marlborough, agreeable to the directions of the Congress, have chosen by the majority of votes in the Northeast District of the Precinct, beginning at Hudson“s River, at Lewis Dubois“s north line, running west to the mountains, thence north to the New-Paltz line, thence to the river: Jacob Wood, Captain; Juryan Mackey, First Lieutenant; Nathaniel Goodspeed, Second Lieutenant; John Knowlton, Ensign.

We, the Inspectors, being two of the Committee of the said District, being in Colonel Hasbrouck“s Regiment.

JOSEPH MORY,

RICHARD CARPENTER.

To Colonel Hasbrouck.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT, DATED SEPTEMBER, 1775.

Wednesday morning.—I just now learned that there is a secret expedition on foot, of two hundred men, in order to take and disarm all the Tories in North-Fairfield and Ridgefield, but don“t know whether it will succeed.

Thursday morning. —Ten o“clock, one hundred and fifty men, on horseback, have this moment entered the Town in triumph, attended with musick, and brought in eight criminals, together with their arms; also, the arms of a number of petty ones, whose persons they thought unworthy of notice. Half after ten, another entry of fifty men, equipped as the others, and brought in five more of the wretches, all of whom are carried up Town, where I shall repair as speedily as possible, to gain more intelligence.

Eight at night, and just returned; all I can learn is, that they are to take their trial before the Committee, who are now sitting for that purpose; and it is expected they will not break up before morning, when I shall march up to hear the conclusion. It is said some have been found guilty to-night, but I can“t vouch for it.

The cause of our people’s acting with so much resolution proceeded from the Tories having said that they intended destruction to Fairfield, by coming down in the night, and setting fire to the houses and barns, and destroying all before them. They were to be supported in their deeds of darkness by a number of regulars, who were to land in the night, and destroy till the two Companies met. It seems they have had a regular officer amongst them some time, to stimulate and assure them of Gage“s assistance, whenever they should be disposed to begin. Gracious Heaven I how wonderfully do we escape the snares that are laid for us; when we lie down at night, if an Almighty Hand did not interpose, we should be destroyed before morning. What thanks are not due! They have never been able to put one of their bloody schemes into execution.

In our people’s way up Town, they called on Mr. Whitear, who was absent, whether on purpose or not I cannot say. They then proceeded to Mr. Sayre“s, and sent for him out; he waited on them, when Mrs. Sayre was immediately taken with fits; so they suffered him to return to her, without any molestation whatever, only assuring him they would call another time. He replied, he would wait on them. They intend to disarm him, but he says he cannot tell what they wanted ! I have a mind he should guess. Poor Mrs. Sayre, I really pity her; but the people must not be blamed; they acted for the good of the whole.

I told Captain—I was extremely sorry for the wives and children of those traitors. He said, had I seen them, I would not say so; for the women went on most seriously, ten times worse than the men. Our people made them rise about three o“clock in the morning, when there was the greatest confusion imaginable. Some were taking an everlasting leave of their families, whilst others were crying ready to kill themselves, for they all expected to be hung immediately on coming down.

I can’t help thinking but Heaven has deprived them of that resolution which men generally have, or else, knowing the use they would make of it, has not given them so large a share, or they would act with more spirit. One of them cried eight or ten miles without ceasing. There was but one who made the least resistance, and that but trifling.Ten o’clock. I have just now heard that the Newtown, people intend coming down to rescue these, but I fancy they will think better of it.

Friday, 12 o’clock.—I this moment returned from Town, with all the intelligence I could get; which is, that they have found some guilty, made others give bail, and disarmed them all; which must be a great mortification, I imagine. Yesterday they made them all sit down at table by themselves, with a guard over them.

GENERAL, WASHINGTON TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read October 25, 1775.]

Camp at Cambridge, September 30, 1775.

SIR: The Reverend Mr. Kirkland, the bearer of this, having been introduced to the honourable Congress, can need no particular recommendation from me; but as he now wishes to have the affairs of his mission and publick employ put upon some suitable footing, I cannot but intimate my sense of the importance of his station, and the great advantages which have and may result to the United Colonies from his situation being made respectable. All.