To the Honourable the Congress of the Colony of NEW-YORK.

The humble Petition of sundry of the Militia of MARBLE-TOWN, in the County of ULSTER, showeth:

That some time past they were formed into a company, consisting of about one hundred men, and pursuant to the resolves of the Congress, chose their officers, of which Cornelius E. Wynkoop was Captain, who accordingly had their commissions from the honourable Congress.

That since their being commissioned, the said Captain hath been promoted to be a Major, by which there is now a vacancy of the Captain's post in this company. That since the vacancy happened, we have requested election to fill up said vacancy; but the Committee of Marblctown have denied us the privilege of voting in a Captain, and appointed three of the Committee of Marbletown, to advertise, and call the company together, which accordingly was done, and requested the opinion of the company in this manner, to wit: That if the majority of the company were for choosing an Ensign, and the Subaltern officers to be preferred, they would allow election for an Ensign, but if the majority were for choosing a new Captain, then to allow them no election, and requested their opinion in this manner, whether they chose a new Ensign, and the Subaltern officers preferred, or whether they chose a new Captain? and the majority was for a new Captain, fifty-nine to twenty. We, therefore, pray the directions of this House therein, and we, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c.

MARBLETOWN, January 30, 1776.

WILLIAM BEDLOW TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

January 30, 1776.

SIR: I have taken the liberty of enclosing to you my accounts with the honourable Provincial Congress of New-York, as a Commissioner of Fortifications, at the rate the honourable House fixed the same, and beg you will lay the same before the Committee of Safety, humbly requesting they will favour me with an order for the amount. My health being restored, I propose to return to the fort in a day or two, and shall be glad to receive any orders the honourable Board may have to give me.

I am, with respect, sir, your humble servant,

WILLIAM BEDLOW.

To Pierre Van Corilandt, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Safety.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress for the Colony of NEW-YORK, convened in the City of NEW-YORK.

The Memorial of the subscribers, being non-Commissioned Officers of the First Battalion of Minute-Men, of the City of NEW-YORK, in behalf of themselves and the Privates of said Battalion, humbly showeth:

That the memorialists, for the defence of their invaluable rights and privileges, formed themselves into different companies, under different officers, whose commands they have at all times with cheerfulness obeyed.

That sometime after they had formed themselves into different companies, the companies to which they severally belonged were formed into one battalion, by the style and title of the First Battalion of the Independent Companies.

That after they had so formed themselves into a battalion, Field-Officers were appointed. That after the appointment of Field-Officers, pursuant to an order or recommendation of the honourable the Continental Congress, and of the honourable the Provincial Convention, for this Colony, they jointly and severally became Minute-Men.

That agreeable to their orders, as Minute-Men they have at all times been ready, and have actually turned out to do their duty as such, both by day and night, when so required to do by this honourable body.

That the memorialists have been at great expense, and loss of time, in equipping themselves pursuant to the aforesaid recommendations. That besides the loss of time, the expenses they have incurred in the purchase of regimentals, arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, is much more than their circumstances can bear.

That the memorialists have been informed, that this honourable Convention intend putting them on pay, to do the duty of soldiers in defending this Colony.

That the memorialists have already been at a great deal of expense and trouble in turning out as Minute-Men, for which they have not received any reward. That the me morialists are ready and willing to continue and remain in the service of their country, as Minute-Men, provided they are paid for their former services, and are allowed a sufficient pay, to enable them to do themselves and their country justice, and that their duty be confined to the city and County of New-York, only; many of them having wives and families, who they would choose to defend, together with their country, and think the proper place for them to do duty is in this city and County only, where their nearest and dearest friends and relations are.

Your memorialists, therefore, humbly pray, that this honourable body will take their case into your most serious consideration, and enable them to receive such reward as their former services entitle them to; and, also, to put them on such footing, and suffer them to remain, and do duty in defence of their country, and of this city in particular, in this city and County only.

And your memorialists, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c.

NEW. YORK, January 30, 1776.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read February 9, 1776.—Referred to Mr. Chase, Mr. S. Adams, Mr. Penn, Mr. Wythe, Mr. Edward Rutledgo.]

Cambridge, January 30, 1776.

SIR: Your favours of the 6th and the 20th instant I received yesterday, with the several resolves of Congress alluded to, for which I return you my thanks. Knowing the great importance Canada will be of to us in the present interesting contest, and the relief our friends there stand in need of, I should be happy, were it in my power, to detach a battalion from this camp, but it cannot be done. On the 19th instant I had the honour to write you, which will fully convey the resolutions of a Council of War, and the sentiments of the General Officers here, as to the propriety and expediency of sending troops from these lines, for the defence of which we have been, and now are obliged to call in the Militia, to which I beg leave to refer you. You may rest assured, that my endeavours and exertions shall not be wanting to stimulate the Governments of Connecti cut and New-Hampshire to raise and forward reinforcements as fast as possible, nor in any other instance that will promote the expedition.

I shall, in obedience to the order of Congress, though interdicted by General Howe, propose an exchange of Governour Skene for Mr. Lovell and family, and shall be happy to have an opportunity of putting this deserving man (who has distinguished his fidelity and regard to his country to be too great for persecution and cruelty to overcome) in any post agreeable to his wishes and inclination.

I do not know that there is any particular rank annexed