Whereas I, the subscriber, having, in an unguarded hour, been induced to degrade and speak disrespectfully of the persons and proceedings of the Committees and other bodies of men unto whom the management of our publick affairs are committed, for the endeavouring to support and maintain our invaluable rights and privileges as freemen, especially by disrespectfully degrading by words, in a most atrocious and insolent manner, the proceedings of the Committees in general, as well as of the honourable the Continental Congress; for all which I am most heartily and unfeignedly sorry; and, craving forgiveness of my country, am in hopes, by my future good conduct, to be again received into the friendship of my neighbours and fellow-citizens. And to manifest that I am a friend to the liberties of my country, I do hereby consent and agree voluntarily to sign the articles of Association recommended by the honourable the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania for our mutual defence. And, further, I desire that this, my declaration, be made publick.

ROBERT OWINGS.

RECANTATION OF PETER LOUDERBACK.

I, Peter Louderback, having, by divers expressions, shown myself to my countrymen inimical to the present cause of America, by abusing the magistrates in civil power, and calling the persons fighting in the present glorious struggle a set of rascally Rebels, and that the Congress would be all hung; all which unguarded expressions I am heartily sorry for, and do beg pardon of my injured countrymen; promising, for the future, to conduct myself in a more respectable manner, and to do everything in my power to forward the cause of liberty against the present vile Administration.

PETER LOUDERBACK.

GENERAL THOMPSON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, March 30, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As a number of troops are arrived, and more are hourly expected, who must be quartered in the city; and as I understand that many of the inhabitants who have quitted the town have left part of their furniture in their houses, I must request that you will give such directions as you may judge best for securing the property of those people whose houses are, or shall be, occupied as barracks for the troops. And you will much oblige, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

WILLIAM THOMPSON.

To the Committee of Safety, New-York.

CAPTAIN GRENELL TO THOMAS TREDWELL.

SIR: Was this day informed by Mr. Hobart that Mr. Crane is appointed Captain-Lieutenant of the company designed for me. It becomes incumbent on me to inform the Committee of Safety with my determination respecting the appointment, which I thought I had done already by my letter to General Woodhull; but as that was not read in Congress, must again say, that I am so bound in the nomination I gave the Congress, (and that more especially to Mr. Stoddard, wherein he was named for Captain-Lieutenant,) that I cannot in honour be released; therefore must repeat, that I cannot serve, and resign a commission that I confess gave me pleasure, in the hopes of being serviceable to my country in a way that best suited my genius. But, however, doubt not some better man will easily be found to supply my place.

It may be asked why I refused serving. The case was this: I was desired to look out and nominate proper men for officers, which I understood was a privilege given Captain Lamb also; and concluded from thence that the Congress meant to confirm the nomination, otherwise I should not have put any gentlemen to the pain or suspense or of being so publickly rejected, and thereby have avoided the situation I am now in; in consequence of which, I gave Mr. Stoddard the fullest assurances that he would be confirmed, and pledged my commission to him for the certainty, otherwise he would not have left Captain Billings, with whom he was engaged as a First Lieutenant, and at the time about marching from New-York to the northward, and was to commission his officers at General Schuyler’s; which opportunity Stoddard has now lost.

The chance of raising a company here for that service being now over, I have turned my attention another way, and perhaps may be as serviceable to my country as a private as I would have been in commission. Please to acquaint the respectable the Committee of Safety with my determination; and though am not in office, my sentiments of the cause are not changed, in which I hope to live and die; being, with regard, sir, your humble servant,

JOHN GRENELL.

To Mr. Thomas Tredwell, New-York.

TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, NEW-YORK.

New-York, March 30, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: It astonishes every lover of his country your allowing at this time so many gentlemen to leave this Continent and go to Britain. You cannot have too many pledges in your hands, and there are none at this period of danger that should be allowed to leave the Continent who are able to bear arms; far less should they be allowed to be conveying quantities of specie out of this Province. The passengers now going from this place must pay their freight in gold and silver, which will at least take away one thousand pounds in cash. This hurts the cause much more than importing necessary articles. Do not stumble at molehills and jump over mountains.

Yours, as you conduct yourselves,

AMERICANUS.

ELIHU MARVIN TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Cornwall Precint, March 30, 1776.

SIR: The subscriber of the enclosed, Jonathan Brooks and Reuben Clark, being proper members of the Committee of Cornwall Precinct, and the bearer, (Nathan June,) informs the need of having the commissions sent speedily. If you can send them by the bearer, you will oblige your humble servant,

ELIHU MARVIN, Chairman.

To Joseph Hallett, Chairman of the Committee of Safety, New-York.

JOHN BLACKLER TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Esopus Jail, March 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Conscious of my own innocence as to acting any ways derogatory from the rules established by the Congress, I am emboldened to flatter myself my crime cannot be of so heinous a nature but that my present punishment is sufficient. I have now been confined upwards of one hundred days, without the least prospect of enlargement on the one hand, and my inevitable ruin on the other. Had I ever, directly or indirectly, been employed in the present unhappy contest, I should not have murmured; but on bare suspicion to be sent away from my friends and the means of support, surely is cruel. The term limited by the honourable the Continental Congress for a capital offender is but three months imprisonment. That time (if I am made to appear in that light) is expired. All that I crave is liberty to return to my native country, in order to live peaceably, if possible; or, should not that be agreeable, permission to seek a living within any bounds you may think proper to allow; and on the breach of such restriction, my life shall pay the forfeit. Should I be so happy as to merit your attention, it shall ever, with a most grateful heart, be acknowleged by, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN BLACKLER.

To New-York Committee of Safety.

Albany Committee-Chamber, March 30, 1776.

A Petition of Henry Van Rensselaer and Sons was laid before this Board; which said Petition is in the following words, to wit:

To the Committee of Safety, &c., of the County of ALBANY.

The Petition of HENRY VAN RENSSELAER and Sons, of CLAVERACK, humbly showeth:

That whereas the Provincial Congress of this Colony has recommended the erection of two Powder-Mills in this