and everything to serve my country. Whatever instructions you may have, let me have by the bearer, my chief Lieutenant.

I remain, with due respect, your humble servant,

THOMAS CREGIER.

To Thomas Randall, Esq., Member of the Provincial Congress in New-York, or any of the Marine Committee in New-York. *

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read July 24, 1776. Referred to the Board of War.]

New-York, July 23, 1776.

SIR: I was honoured with your favour of the 20th, by yesterday's post, since which, and my letter, nothing of moment has occurred.

The ships mentioned in my letter of the 21st to have been in the offing, got in that day, and are supposed to be part of the Scotch fleet, having landed some Highlanders yesterday.

Enclosed I have the honour to transmit you copies of a letter and sundry resolutions, which I received last night from the Convention of this State. They will inform you of the computed number of inhabitants and stock upon Nassau-Island, and their sentiments on the impracticability of removing the latter, and also of the measures they think necessary and likely to secure them.

I have also enclosed a letter from Mr. Faesh to Lord Stirling, upon the subject of a cannon furnace for the use of the States. Congress will see his plan and proposals, and determine upon them as they shall judge proper.

I am, sir, with every sentiment of respect, your most obedient servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

In Convention of the Representatives of the State of New-York,

July 20, 1776.

SIR: I have the honour to enclose your Excellency, by order of the Convention, a copy of sundry resolves which were yesterday agreed to, for the defence of the inhabitants and protection of the stock on Nassau-Island; and beg leave to submit to your consideration a short state of the situation and circumstances of that Island and its inhabitants, from which you will see the inutility of any attempts for a total removal of the stock from thence.

It is supposed there are near one hundred thousand head of horned cattle, besides a much larger number of sheep and other stock, the removal of which would necessarily consume the greatest part of the campaign. But supposing the same could be effected in a short time, vast numbers of the stock must inevitably perish for want of subsistence, as it could not be procured within any reasonable distance. Besides, such a measure would reduce the inhabitants, computed from twenty-five to thirty thousand, to the most deplorable and insuperable difficulties and distresses. These considerations have induced the Convention to give over the thought of removing the stock from the Island, as not only impracticable, but not advancive of the publick service, especially as the waste and common lands in the easternmost part of Queen's and Suffolk Counties are so covered with thickets of wood, as to render it too dangerous for foraging parties to attempt to penetrate.

I trust that the Militia now to be raised, (which is expected to form a corps of between seven hundred and nine hundred men,) with the troops already stationed at the east end of the Island, may be sufficient to remove the stock from those places which are most exposed, and prevent the depredations of small detachments. And should the enemy attempt, with their main Army, to fix themselves on any part of the Island, I doubt not but your Excellency will give a good account of them.

The Convention have received information that there are a considerable number of fatted cattle and sheep oil the Island. They submit whether it would not be proper that the Commissary-General should be requested to give the preference in purchasing to these cattle.

I cannot conclude without expressing my wishes that the detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel Livingston may be continued at their present post, for that part of the Island is so much exposed to be insulted by the enemy's cruisers, that I fear the inhabitants would totally abandon the country should those troops be drawn off.

I have the honour to be, most respectfully, your Excellency's most obedient servant,

NATHAN. WOODHULL, President.

To His Excellency General Washington.

In Convention of the Representatives of the State of New-York,

July 20, 1776.

This Convention having taken into consideration the expediency of removing the Stock from Nassau-Island:

Resolved, That it will not be for the publick good, provided it were practicable, to remove the Stock from the Island, except such Cattle, Sheep, and Hogs, as are fit for the use of the Army.

2d. That the common Stock in Suffolk, King's,and Queen's Counties, be put in such convenient and secure places in each County as may be most convenient, to be guarded by a sufficient number of Troops, and to be driven off into the interior parts of Nassau-Island, whenever the Commanding-Officer or Officers of the said Troops shall order, to prevent such Stock from falling into the enemy's hands; leaving, if he shall judge it safe and necessary, with each large family, three Milch-Cows, two Cows to a middling farm, and one to a small family. And if the said Commanding Officer finds that he cannot prevent the Stock from falling into the enemy's hands, he may order them to be killed or destroyed.

3d. And to the intent that no person may be a loser by said Stock being killed or destroyed,

Resolved, That the oath or affirmation of the owner of Cattle, describing their number, age, and qualities, shall be a direction for the valuation of such Cattle, driven from his possession: Provided, That no person who has joined, or shall go over to and join the enemy, or who has been or

* To the Honourable the Congress of NEW-YORK, assembled at the WHITE-PLAINS, in the State of NEW-YORK:

The humble petition of us the subscribers showeth: That we have been four months in the service of the American States, on board the schooner General Putnam, during which time we have not been to sea but eleven days, all the rest of the time we have spent inactively at the head of inlets, five or six miles from the mouths thereof, from whence, at any emergency, we could not put out without great difficulty, and often not at all. That we have at sundry times lain a week, sometimes longer, in an inlet; and in one we have lain at anchor, four or five miles from the mouth, a full month, without ever attempting to go out, or scarcely offering to send any person to look out. That numbers of vessels have passed and repassed without our endeavouring to speak them, notwithstanding it was the opinion of the officers we had several opportunities very favourable. That with our commander, Thomas Cregier on board, we have not been out of this inlet in seven weeks. That our said commander hath several times insulted the officers when they have candidly advised him, and gave them to understand that their business was only to answer a question when asked, and not attempt giving advice. That in correcting the people for slight or no offences, he hath used unlawful weapons; once presenting a pistol to the breast of one Byrns for only requesting to know what his slated allowance was, and swearing by God he would blow a ball through him. At another time, with a large hickory club, striking one Bell on the head and much wounding him, for what, in our opinion, scarcely appeared a crime. That in no one thing has he complied with the resolves of the Congress, his whole conduct being one series of folly, vice, and inconsistencies, setting the most scandalous examples to the people, swearing, lying, and frequenting the company of the most contemptible of women, presenting the private property of others to them. Also at sundry times giving the ship's and cabin stores away. We are sorry to have occasion to lay these charges against our commander; but, black as they are, they can be proved by the journals of the officers and the evidence of the most respectable persons in these parts. That, by these means, he hath rendered himself despicable to every man on board; has greatly dissatisfied every friend of the cause, and become the derision of its foes. That we cannot with honour serve any longer under the command of the said Thomas Cregier. That it is our sincere opinion (with him as our commander) we have not done the least service to our country, and the season of the year being so far advanced, we humbly conceive the vessel unfit to be continued in the service, she being-weakened, and consequenlly would endanger our lives in a gale of wind; besides, she leaks so that not a man in the hold can lay dry in the cabins. And, at the same time, we solemnly declare our ardent desire to exert our utmost abilities in defence of our distressed country in any station where there is a probability of doing it, and profess ourselves fully satisfied with the conduct of our Lieutenant, Mr. Quigley, and the officers in general. And though we confess it would be most agreeable to have a discharge from this vessel, yet, if your honourable House should think proper to continue us therein, (as long as the season will admit,) under the command of Mr. Quigley, or any other person you shall appoint, except the said Thomas Cregier, we shall cheerfully comply; for we beg leave to assure you that we glory in yielding obedience to your commands; but humbly request, forthe honourand interest of our country and ourselves, that the said Thomas Gregier may be cashiered. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.