divers parts of the city, requests they would be pleased to let Mr. Commissary Cheever have all that can be spared, as it is one of those articles of which the Army stands at present in the greatest need.

I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

JOSEPH REED, Adjutant-General.

To the Hon. the President of the Provincial Congress.

JAMES COGGESHALL TO THE COMMITTEE OF NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New Jail, July 1, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I am informed you are appointed to act during the recess of the Congress respecting the prisoners confined in Jail. I take the liberty to beg your assistance in relieving me as far as possible from my situation, truly necessary on account of my ill state of health, which I dare say you can be made fully sensible of if you will do me the favour to visit me. I am conscious of no particular charge that is or can be brought against me; and I am willing to comply with any restrictions you shall deem necessary. I am so much unwell that I look upon the continuance of my confinement the absolute destruction of my life, which I think your humanity would by no means suffer if in your power to prevent. I must just mention one circumstance, that, so sure was I of being immediately released I came from the country without a second shirt, or strip of any one thing which I would wish to have in my power to obtain, as you must be sensible how necessary cleanliness is to the health, especially of an invalid. As soon as I can be indulged with your favour, the greatest obligation will be conferred on, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JAMES COGGESHALL.

To Messrs. Brasher, Broome, and Bancker, Committee of the Honourable Provincial Congress, New-York.

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Provincial Congress of NEW-YORK:

The Petition of ISAAC KETCHUM humbly beggeth the consideration of this honourable House,

In regard to a proposal made to your humble Petitioner by the honourable Speaker of this House, on the 14th day June last, (which I do not doubt but part of the members of this House are sensible of,) which I undertook to trace; the matter I had some idea of, and on which, whether I succeeded or not, I took it for granted, after a final discovery, that liberty was depending: however, with the help of Divine Providence, I succeeded in the undertaking, though not expecting to be called as a publick evidence, there to declare what I gathered from a person’s own mouth, by laying schemes, and using arguments to get it from him, which was a considerable shock of conscience, though it being in the glorious cause of America, which gives satisfaction on the next thought. Though I have a fear I am detained to be brought in as evidence; but I must refuse if so called, as I think it hard usage, as I have laid myself liable to all the enemies of America, as I have a double chance whether we are overcome or not, as we have a large party of these kind of friends in the country, and not far from my habitation, as I am very sensible of my adversaries, by reason of our friendship being broken six or eight months ago on account of the contest. Your humble Petitioner sincerely begs you would consider his circumstances, as he hath faithfully accomplished and discharged the trust reposed in him, as I hope it will appear to every member of this honourable House, as your humble petitioner ever stands in duty bound to obey every resolve of this honourable House, and to the protection of the Continental Army. Your Petitioner humbly begs that justice may be shown him in regard to a small sum of money and some papers taken by Captain Wool, as I hope it will appear right and equitable in the sight of every member of this House that your humble Petitioner should have his property returned, and discharged from confinement. And your Petitioner ever is in duty bound to serve.

God bless the Congress in all their lawful enterprises.

ISAAC KETCHUM.

July 1, 1776.

QUEENS COUNTY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, Queens Comity, July 1, 1776.

The Committee took into consideration a Resolve of the Convention of the honourable the Provincial Congress relating to the removing the Cattle from the south side of this County; and as many difficulties and impossibilities doth appear, this Committee hath appointed Colonel Jeromus Remsen, Colonel Joseph Roberson, and Samuel Riker, to make a representation thereof to the honourable the Provincial Congress and General Officers of the Continental Army relating to that matter; and that they make a representation of the defenceless state of this County, and request such a force as shall be able, with the assistance of the County Militia, to prevent our being plundered by the Ministerial troops; and also apply for two hundred Pounds for the use of this County.

A true copy from the Minutes.

THEOPHYLACT BACHE TO PHILIP LIVINGSTON.

Flatbush, July 1, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I would have waited upon you this day, pursuant to your citation received on Friday last, but the distressed state of Mrs. Bache and my numerous family, since the arrival of the fleet at Sandy-Hook, will, I hope, be a sufficient apology for my remaining with them, as they will require all my attention to save them from the horrible calamities of the approaching conflict.

My being represented to the Congress as one of the persons inimical to the cause and rights of America fills me with the deepest concern. Be assured, gentlemen, that the accusation is unmerited, and must have proceeded from those who are unacquainted with my sentiments. I have not, since the unhappy dispute began, contravened any order of the Congress, Continental or Provincial, nor is it my intention.

I sincerely hope for a reconciliation, that this once happy country may enjoy the blessing of peace; and am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

THEOPHYLACT BACHE.

To P. Livingston, Esq., and gentlemen of the Congress.

To the Honourable the Representatives of the City and Province of NEW-YORK, in Congress assembled:

GENTLEMEN: We, the subscribers, being united friends to American liberty, considering our defenceless state, in case there should be an attack made by our enemies upon this Province, and likewise our being surrounded with numbers of Tories who are daily meditating our destruction; and having two large storehouses contiguous to the North River, in which are great quantities of provisions, which, we apprehend, in case they should get past the city with their tenders, they may run up and supply themselves at pleasure out of these storehouses, which might prove very dangerous to the common cause of this country; for which reason we conceive it to be highly necessary that you would be pleased to supply us with two field-pieces, with everything necessary for an attack under your directions, for our defence, in order to assist the Militia of this Manor, for which purpose we mean to form ourselves into a Company of Artillery, on our own expense, you giving us the liberty of choosing our own officers. We understand there are some field-pieces at the upper fort, in the Highlands, which can be spared. Your compliance will greatly oblige, gentlemen, your Petitioners, &c.

Cortlandt’s Manor, July, 1776.

To the Honourable Members of the Provincial Congress of NEW-YORK:

The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of CHERRY-VALLEY, NEW-TOWN, MARTIN, and SPRINGFIELD, in the County of TRYON, humbly showeth:

That we, the aforesaid inhabitants, from the most authentick