assistance prevented their scheme. I shall keep a good look-out, and hope to render a better account in my next; and am, with the profoundest respect, your most obedient servant,

THOMAS CREGIER.

To Thomas Randall, Esq.

CORNELIUS STEENROD TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Camp at New-York, June 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: When I received the resolve of your honourable House, appointing me to the command of a Company in Continental service, liberty in that resolve was given me to appoint the subaltern officers under me; which company I have since completed, with commissioned, non-commissioned officers, and privates, all to five men, who stand ready to make up the deficiency if they might know who is to be their officers. As one of my Lieutenants is cashiered, they know not who may succeed him: if it should be one they do not approve of, they are determined not to join; and those who have already joined my company declare, that if they cannot have the choice of their officers, they will not serve, be the consequence what it will. They have, therefore, with my consent, made choice of Mr. Isaac Ryck-man, Jun., a person whom they greatly approve of, and are willing to serve under.

The commissions in my company not being made out, should be glad your Honours would consider it, and order their making out, which will be gratefully acknowledged by, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

CORNELIUS STEENROD.

To the Honourable Congress of New-York.

COLONEL HAND TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Paulus Hook, June 20, 1776.

SIR: Being under the necessity of crossing the ferry from New-York to this place, I had a fellow passenger in the boat who talked much and very disrespectfully of our efforts to defend the city; particularly that the British troops would land on Long-Island, march up to York, and destroy the city by bombardment; that there was no doubt but they would, at any time, beat us fourteen to ten; that their ships would undoubtedly demolish our fortifications; that while we amused our country by opposition, the people were famishing. When asked how, he said for want of salt, for one instance. I could add more of his impertinence, but think it best not to trouble your Excellency. Three gentlemen who were in the boat sign this paper as evidences. I send the delinquent prisoner for your Excellency’s examination; and am your humble servant,

To His Excellency General Washington.

COMPLAINT OF WILLIAM SMITH AGAINST CAPTAIN JOHN JOHNSON, OF COLONEL McDOUGALL’S REGIMENT.

On the night of the 18th instant, about eleven o’clock, the said William Smith coming past the guard-house, at the corner of the Fly Market, was hailed by the sentry, and gave the countersign rather too loud, on which the sentry took him to the guard-house, where the said Johnson was Captain of the guard, who immediately, without any other provocation, gave orders to have him confined up stairs, in company with two or three vagabonds, in the dark, (saying, if the rascal did not know his duty, he would bring him to a sense of it,) where he, by accident, broke some glass windows that were in the way; from thence he was ordered into close confinement, Johnson not allowing him even to sit down on the stairs, or to write to his wife to inform her where he was; which usage so irritated him that he could not refrain from cursing him, as he readily acknowledges; when Johnson struck him with his fist. In this place he was confined till about nine o’clock the next morning, a negro man standing sentry over him, whom Johnson commanded several times to run the said William Smith through the body with his bayonet, which he can bring a witness to prove. He, therefore, as a citizen, humbly requests the honourable Provincial Congress to take the above into consideration, and desires, through their means, satisfaction for the same.

WILLIAM SMITH.

New-York, June 20, 1776.

THOMAS BROWN TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, 6th month 20th, 1776.

ESTEEMED FRIENDS: The present operation of drafting men hath caused me thus to address you, as it is likely to fall heavy on, and to be a real grievance to, some of your people called Quakers. I, as an individual, think proper to inform you that I am a man of a sober deportment, and can by no means join in or be accessary to the destruction of men’s lives; knowing assuredly that I am called to a greater attainment in the life of Christianity than what is hitherto professed among many: and although some of us swerve aside, and actually join with others in your present commotions, and, to the great grief of some, are thought to be in the practice of unrighteous gain, which is now prevalent; yet there are others who hold out a light, I think, conspicuous. Be pleased to consider me a man of low circumstances, who cannot avail myself of any advantage in the present times, and have but little business and little money to support a young family during these troubles, and it being my lot, together with my apprentice, to be drafted, it will, I expect, prevent me following any business longer; and as there are some officers who may be exercised with less lenity than others, and may be immoderate in their fines, (as has been the case already,) and as it is not fit that any oppression or unrighteous practices should be the effect of your administration, especially at a time when we are contending for right, (however, I shall at this time avoid being prolix,) shall request, contrary to any former intention, that I may have liberty to retire without molestation or impediment. And may success attend your endeavours to effect a reconciliation, if possible, is the desire of your respectful friend,

THOMAS BROWN.

To the Provincial Congress, now sitting in New-York.

THE INTEREST OF AMERICA.—LETTER III.

It is proposed that we should be a proper Democracy, and form into a free popular Government. In my last I offered reasons why we should have, but one branch of Legislature in a Province. I would propose whether each Province might not proceed something in the following manner: That the boundaries of the Province, County, Towns, Precincts, and Districts, for the present, continue as they have been; each County, City, Town, Precinct, or District, choose one, or such a number of persons as shall be thought proper, to represent them in Provincial Congress; the Provincial Congress yearly appoint a Committee of their number, (suppose three or five,) with a President, who should also be called the President of the Province; this President, with a majority of the Committee, to transact the publick business that shall be necessary in the recess of the Congress, and call together that body upon sudden emergencies, &c.; the Provincial Congress, once in a certain space of time, to choose all the publick officers whose business respects the whole Province, such as Judge of the Supreme Court, Treasurer, Secretary, Publick Notaries, Attorney-General, &c. There should be an annual Town-meeting, also a County-meeting, (but not on the same day,) through the Province, at which time each County should choose three or four Judges, a Sheriff, a County Attorney, &c., and each Town, Precinct and District choose not less than two, and not above seven, Justices of the Peace, and the other Town Officers as has been usual in these Provinces; yet it is probable the Judges and Justices, and some other officers, should not be rechosen oftener than once in three years. The laws of the Province (a very few excepted) to continue in force till they can be revised and formed in to a new code. Where there is reference to British laws, an alteration may easily be made. Whether the Delegates for the Continental Congress should be chosen by the Provincial Congress, or by each County choosing one for themselves, deserves well to be considered, and, if need be, the several Counties consulted upon that head.

The proper mode of Government is so easy and natural,