After sundry proposals mentioned, relating to the people of Richmond County, the further consideration thereof is deferred until the state of Queen's County is taken into consideration.

Captain Skidmore, of Queen's County, attending at the door for an Order for the Arms of such men in his Company as have not been sent into the Continental service,

Ordered, That Peter T. Curtenius deliver to Captain Skidmore such Arms of the people of Queen's County as remain in his custody, and were received from the men belonging to Captain Skidmore's Company, to wit: From William Mills, Dirck Amerman, John Stanson, alias John Stiene; and that Mr. Curtenius pay to Jonah Roades, Cornelius Loosie, Mary Mills, Peter Fredericks, and Frederick Amerman, respectively, the appraised value of the Arms received of them respectively, and sent into the publick service.

A draft of a Letter to the Delegates of this Colony at the Continental Congress, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, December 20, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: A dispute having unhappily taken place between the Commissioners appointed to superintend the work at the Fortifications in the Highlands and the Engineer, which we apprehended might retard the works necessary to be done, we thought proper to depute a Committee of three of our body to repair to the said Fortifications, and endeavour to accommodate the said difference; and in case they should not be able to effect that, to give such directions for expediting the necessary work as they should judge best for the publick service. In consequence whereof, Messrs. Palmer, Nicoll, and Drake, who were appointed the Committee, went to the place, and have reported their proceedings and sentiments in the premises, a copy of which we now enclose you for the consideration of Congress. We beg leave to suggest to you that the report of the Committee respecting the expediency of erecting a Fortification on the eminence at Pooploop's Kill, demands your most serious attention.

The bearers hereof, Colonel Brasher, Mr. Palmer, and Captain Grenell, are appointed by this Congress to lay a state of the above matter before the Continental Congress; and if it should be approved of, we are of opinion that no time ought to be lost in carrying it into execution.

We have drawn on the Pennsylvania Delegates for fifty thousand dollars, (you have procured an order for,) in favour of Colonel Brasher and Mr. Palmer.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the President, pro tempore, and transmitted.

Doctor Spooner delivered in sundry Letters and Papers, which were read and filed, and are as follows, to wit:

A Letter from Colonel James Rogers, of Cumberland County, of the 14th September last, whereby, for political reasons, he declines the office of Brigadier-General of the Militia.

A Paper, signed by the inhabitants of the Township of Putney, in Cumberland County, dated the 6th of December instant,* stating objections against the gentlemen named and recommended by the County Committee for Field-Officers of the Militia of that County.

A Paper, signed by a number of the inhabitants of Westminster, dated 7th of December instant, †setting forth similar objections to the same gentlemen as Field-Officers of the Militia of that County.

A Paper signed by the inhabitants of Fulham, dated the 13th December instant, ‡setting forth similar objections to the same gentlemen, as Field-Officers of the Militia of that County.

A Paper, subscribed, containing the Association of all the males in Townshend, in Cumberland County.

Resolved, That the Committee of Safety consist of thirteen members; and that Doctor Paul Spooner be added, to be a member of the Committee of Safety.

The Congress being informed that John Abeel had declared, that William Bayard had informed him and others that the Deputies who compose this Congress had agreed to pay themselves four dollars per day each, while they attend the Congress:

Ordered, That John Abeel attend this Congress at four o'clock this afternoon.

The Congress adjourned till 3 o'clock, P. M.

Die Mercurii, 3 ho. P. M., December 20, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Present: John Herring, Esq., President, pro tem.

For New- York.—Colonel McDougall, Captain Rutgers, Mr. Ray, Mr. Sands, Mr. Beekman, Mr. Imlay.

Albany.—Colonel Rensselaer, Captain Cuyler, Mr. Gansevoort, Mr. Bleecker.

Dutchess.—Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Schenck.

Ulster.—Mr. Wynkoop, Mr. Cantine, Mr. Palmer.

Orange.—Colonel Hay, Mr. Herring, Mr. Clarke.

Suffolk.—Captain Wickham, Mr. Tredwell, Mr. Gelston.

Westchester.—Doctor Graham, Major Lockwood, Mr. Paulding.

Cumberland.— Doctor Spooner.

Try on.—Mr. John Moore.

* PUTNEY, December 6, 1775,— SIR: We, the inhabitants of Putney, beg leave to signify to you, that the proceedings of the late County Convention, first the Congress, secondly as a Committee of Safety for the County, sir, we humbly conceive, have discovered such a spirit of ignorance or tyranny, that we are apprehensive that our liberties, which we are contending for, are in danger, and like to be wrung out of our hands by nine or ten arbitrary men, who seem to be engaged in counteracting these our Resolves, in irritating the minds of the people with their inconsistent and impolitick proceedings, discovering that they are set upon making such a choice as will be disagreeable to the body of the people; and in particular in the last choice, in choosing men that could by no means be recommended by the body of the people; and, particularly, some whom large objections were made against; and good evidence could be procured against them, that they ever have discovered an inimical spirit to the liberties of America—now, all this doth sufficiently prove, that our liberties are, or near, at an end, unless we exert ourselves for our defence. We, therefore, pray that the sense of the people maybe had before the choice of Field-Officers go to New-York; for why should we be deprived of our rights, and have men imposed upon us that we have reason to fear are not friends, and to have in the County concerned, a multiplicity of inconsistent Resolves, which they themselves have made void; and have never had the goodness to consult their constituents, for the peace of the County. Now, sir, this we esteem as an infringement on our rights, and are determined never to submit to tyranny, for which our country now bleeds. We pray, therefore, that you would not make return of this choice, if you have regard for the peace of the County. We must let you know, that if tins plan stands good, we will join with our brethren, and send our Protest to New-York.

We trust you will exert yourself to heal this breach; and, putting confidence in your goodness, we, with esteem, subscribe ourselves your humble servants,

To Colonel Williams, of Dryer, and Mr. Paul Spooner, to be communicated to the honourable Provincial Congress at the City of New-York.

† WESTMINSTER, December 7, 1775.— SIR: We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Westminster, beg leave to inform you that the late choice of Field-Officers is esteemed very unhappy by us, as the manner in which they were chosen was an infringement on the rights of the people, as there was not but a part of the Committee there, and those that were there had no instructions from the body. To proceed as they did, and for this town in particular, in choosing John Norton, who could not have had a majority of votes in this town, or in any town where he is known, as his language hath always discovered a spirit of disapprobation of the proceedings of the Colonies, as could have been proved, if the Committee had not deprived the complainants of the right of an Englishman, to have time to collect evidence. This, with the election of others, who we have reason to fear......* determined, get into office without the vote of the people, depriving us of the privileges that we are now contending for. We, therefore, pray that this choice may not be sent to York, for why should we have men imposed on us by nine or ten arbitrary men? Sir, we deal plainly, that we can-not submit to be governed by such men as we have reason to fear would betray us into the hands of the enemy. And if the County cannot have their rights, we must join with our neighbours In sending a pro,-test against all the illegal proceedings, to York. We hope yon will consider of the sad nature of division, and exert yourself to heal the breach in the County.

We shall depend on your goodness, and with esteem, subscribe our-selves, your humble servants.

[Here follows a list of names, mostly illegible]

Sir, we are sorry to trouble you in this manner. Necessity calls for it, as tyranny appears so evident in the late County Convention, that unless a stop is put to it, the County is rained.

To Colonel Williams and Mr. Paul Spooner, to be communicated to the Provincial Congress, at the City of New-York.

‡ FOLHAM, December 13, 1775.— HONOURED SIR: We, the inhabitants of Fulham, beg leave to inform you that the late choice of Field-Officers we esteem such an infringement on the 'rights of the people, and not

[*Illegible in original manuscript.]

Table of Contents List of Archives Top of Page

<< Page 1 >>