to the men. Perhaps some, if not all, maybe found and returned.

I am sorry to intrude so much upon your Lordship’s time, but will take it as a particular favour if you could look over those papers sent from Thomas Bartow, Esq.’s, office; sign them, and send either to him or me. It has cost me twenty odd pounds for resurveying, and should be glad to have them recorded, let the event happen as it may with respect to these troublesome times; and I cannot flatter myself that your Lordship will have more leisure a month or two hence than at present.

I am, with great esteem, your Lordship’s most obedient and humble servant,

ROBERT OGDEN.

To the Earl of Stirling.

GENERAL LEE TO THE PRESIDENT OF NEW-YORK CON GRESS.

New-York, March 4, 1776.

SIR: The letters I received last night from the Commander-in-Chief and General Greene, were, unfortunately, thrown into the fire; but, according to my best recollection, the reasons given by the General for surmising, or rather concluding, that it was the intention of the enemy to evacuate Boston, were these: That they had withdrawn their mortars and heavy cannon from Bunker’s Hill and Charlestown; that their transports were hauled into the wharves; that some people, who had left the town lately, declared that the officers baggage was sent on board; in short, it is, from every circumstance, concluded by those who are be fore the place, and those who have lately left the place, that they are soon to abandon Boston; and that, consequently, they will attempt to establish themselves here. May I, sir, take the liberty to express my uneasiness on a subject which is more properly a matter of consideration for the Congress. The liberation of the notorious enemies of liberty and their country, on giving bonds for their good behaviour, appears to me, in our present situation, extremely ill imagined. It is so far from a security, that it is rather adding virus to their malignancy. The first body of troops that arrive will cancel these bonds. Some vigorous, decisive mode must be now adopted, of discovering on whom you may depend, on whom’ not. The crisis will admit of no procrastination. I cannot, therefore, help wishing, for the common safety, and the honour of this Province in particular, that some test may be immediately offered, that we may be enabled to distinguish our friends from our foes. The latter must not, and cannot, be suffered to remain within your walls, to co-operate with those without in working your destruction.

I am, sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant,

CHARLES LEE.

To Colonel Woodhull, President of the Provincial Congress.

COLONEL GRAHAM TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Horne’s Hook, March 3, 1776.

SIR: The Quartermaster of our regiment having declined serving any longer in that station, the Field-Officers have agreed to recommend Mr. James Cock as a person properly qualified for the office. If the honourable Congress should approve of him, I beg that his commission may be made out as speedily as possible, that so necessary an office may not be vacant.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

LEWIS GRAHAM, Lieutenant-Colonel.

To Brigadier-General Woodhull.

NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO COLONEL GRAHAM.

In Provincial Congress, New-York, March 4, 1776.

SIR: Your letter relative to a Quartermaster for your regiment was read. The Congress are of opinion that the Colonels of the different regiments should appoint their own Quartermasters, and give them a warrant. They recommend this mode to Colonel Drake as often as occasion may require it. I am directed to inform you of this.

I remain, sir, your very humble servant,

ROBERT BENSON, Secretary.

To Colonel Lewis Graham,

COLONEL SWARTWOUT TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, March 4, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I was just now informed that Lieutenant Lee, of Captain Rosekran’s company of the Provincials, had sent in a letter to your honourable Board, setting forth that he made claim to part of Captain Clark’s company of Minute-men, in my regiment. The true state is this, that is to say: Captain Clark raised the greatest part of a company of Minute-men, agreeable to the rules and regulations of the Congress; after which time, Lieutenant Lee tried to inlist some of the company, without being lawfully authorized, as will appear by your minutes; for Captain Clark had come here with his company before Lieutenant Lee had received his warrant for recruiting; so, consequently, what he had done before was void. And when Minute-men and Militia are called into active service, as we are at present, they are to be under the same rules and regulations equal to the Continental Troops, and, consequently, no more liable to have their men inlisted out of their regiment than any other. All I ask is an equal right with the rest of the regiments, agreeable to the rules of Congress.

A recruiting Lieutenant of Captain Barnum’s company is returned, with seventeen men, to join the company. I expect daily the others to return, with their recruits, to join their companies. And if my men should thus be liable to be taken away, it will discourage the recruiting officers in the Minute service; but, however, when my regiment is discharged, am very willing they should enter into the Provincial service; but not till then, as they are at present of utility in carrying on the fortifications.

I am, gentlemen, with respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

JACOBUS SWARTWOUT, Colonel.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress of New-York.

COLONEL HAY TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS:

Haverstraw, March 4, 1776.

SIR: I found it impossible to get the regiment of Minute-men completed out of my regiment, to go under the present officers. I was, therefore, obliged to promise them that they should have an opportunity of choosing their own officers, from Captains downwards. As soon as they had that promise, they cheerfully turned out. I must, therefore, request that the Committee of Safety will give commissions to persons that are chosen by the Minute-men that are now going down to New-York. If the officers who are chosen by their privates get their commissions I am positive that I can get the Minute Regiment completed in a short time.

I am, sir, with great respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

A. HAWKES HAY.

To the New-York Congress.

N. B. Excuse this incorrect scrawl, as the men are now on their march, and I have not time to make a fair, copy.

To the Honourable Representatives of the Province of NEW-YORK, in Provincial Congress assembled.

The Petition of David Shaddel, of the City of NEW-YORK, Coachmaker, humbly showeth:

That your Petitioner, being well affected to the cause of his country, has on all occasions exerted himself, whenever called on, to the utmost of his power and abilities.

That on Sunday, the 18th day of February last, while he was assisting in removing the cannon from the Battery, he had the misfortune to have his hand and arm crushed in a terrible manner, so that he has ever since been incapable of earning anything for the support of his wife and family; and, what adds now to his unhappiness, is, that he has no prospect of getting better for some weeks.

That your Petitioner, for want of work these few months past, is so far reduced in his circumstances, as not to be able to support the increasing expenses which this accident has laid him under, without having recourse to the benevolence of the charitable and well-disposed.

Your Petitioner, therefore, humbly hopes that, as he now suffers in the cause of his country, this honourable Congress will take his case into their consideration, and grant him such relief as they in their wisdom shall think proper.