500 men will do it in a week, but a greater number will make greater dispatch. The committee want an order to Suffolk to send back all such as flee out of Queens; and that some officer be empowered to secure every disaffected person above fifty years of age.-June 24. S WARRANT. of the township of Hemp 67. To Capt. Abeel, of Col. Lasher's battalion: SIR: Whereas, stead, inn-keeper, stands charged with dangerous designs and treasonable conspiracies against the rights and liberties of America; and that for the perpetration of such wicked designs and conspiracies he hath divers cannon and other implements of war now concealed: We therefore, by virtue of the power and authority unto us given, by a resolve of the Congress of this colony, of the 20th of June inst., do authorize and require you to cause to be apprehended and secured the said Swith all his papers, and to make search for and take all cannon and other implements of war whatsoever, in his house, barn and outhouses; and that return be made to us of the manner in which this warrant shall be executed, in order that the same may be made known to the said Congress. Given under our hand, this 24th June, 1776. 68. June 28. Washington says: "I have sent a party after the disaffected, who have taken up arms on Long Island, but have not as yet been able to apprehend them, having concealed themselves in different woods and morasses.". Sparks, III. 441. 69. List of prisoners sent from Hempstead by Lt. Col. Caary, of [New Haven,] to Brig. Gen. Greene, at head quarters, Long Island, June 29, 1776. J. D., J. H.-From Jamaica jail. J. C.-Received powder and absconded in the woods. A. A.-Disaffected person, taken in the woods. J. L.-Found with his gun charged. B. P.-In the swamp in the fight, and had powder from the man-of-war. E. R.-In the woods, hid. R. S.—In the swamp battle, and had powder from the Asia. J. B.—A disaffected person. D. S.-In the swamp battle. E. R.-Hid in the swamp. J. B.—Same, disaffected person. N. S.-Received powder from the Asia, absconded in the woods, and appears to know much of the scheme. T. W.-A d—d rascal, and the greatest Tory. W. McC., T. F., J. F., P. W., S. T.,-Declared they would sooner fight for the King than the Congress, and totally deny the authority of that body. J. C.-Gun-stealer or informer, from Newport. H. D.—Said Gen. Washington was more concerned in the conspiracy than any one. List referred to the determination of Congress June 30. July 10 the prisoners petitioned for release, or to be brought before Congress to know whereof they are accused, and what is expected of them to do. Say they have given no aid or information to the army or navy of the king of Great Britain. They are tradesmen and farmers, and in this season of the year their business must greatly suffer.—Jour., Vol. XXXIII, 224. 70. At an election held in Queens county, June 24, as appears by the certificate of the county committee, Col. Jacob Blackwell, N. Capt. Jona. Lawrence, N. Samuel Townsend, O. Cornelius Van Wyck, F. Jas. Townsend, O. Rev. Abm. Keteltas, J. Benj. Sands, C. N. were elected to represent Queens county in the Provincial Congress till the 2d Tuesday in May next, with power to determine on the subject of creating and constituting a new form of government, to the exclusion of all foreign jurisdic tion. 71. In Committee, District of Great Neck, Cow Neck, &c. June 25, 1776 : GENTLEMEN:-Whereas, a vacancy has happened in the officers of the militia company of this district, by the promotion of Capt. John Sands to the rank of Colonel; this is to certify, that the following gentlemen having signed the general Association,* and being duly elected as officers of the militia company in this district in room of those promoted, agreeable to the recommendation of the Hon. Provincial Congress of this colony, we do hereby return and recommend them accordingly for their commissions, viz.: Thomas Mitchell, Captain; Aspinwall Cornwell, First Lieutenant; Oliver Lawrence, Second Lieutenant. Signed by order of the Committee. ADRIAEN ONDERDONCK, Dep. Ch'n. Attested, JOHN FARMER,† Clerk. To the Hon. Pro. Cong. *Form of Association recommended March 27, 1776: "We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Cow Neck, Great Neck, &c., in the county of Queens, and colony of New-York, do voluntarily and solemnly engage and associate, under all the ties held sacred among mankind, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, to defend by arms the United American Colonies against the hostile attempts of the British fleets and armies, until the present unhappy controversy between the two countr es shall be settled." † He was a diminutive, hot-headed whig, who came from Boston and taught school on the lower part of Cow Neck. 72. July 1. Amos Denton and John Thurston, of the Jamaica committee, inform Congress that Thomas Denton is chosen Second Lieutenant in Captain Abm. Ditmars' company, in the 1st regiment, in Queens county, and request a commission. New-York, July 3, 1776. 73. To Col. JOHN SANDS, Esq. : SIR-I have this day waited upon his Excellency, Gen. Washington, relating to removing the cattle, horses and sheep on the south side of Queens county, according to the resolve of Congress and the general officers of the army. His opinion is that the commanding officers and committees of the county, order it immediately done. He farther declared that in case the Tories made any resistance, he would send a number of his men with orders to shoot all the creatures, and also those who hindered the execution of said resolve, within the limits therein prescribed. The Commissary of the army engaged to me that he would pay the full value for the fat cattle and sheep to the owners, provided they would drive them within Gen. Greene's lines, in Brookland. Proper care will be taken as to valuing said creatures. Time will not permit us to make any delay. I am, sir, your very humble servant, JEROMUS REMSEN, JR. 74. In Committee, Queens county, July 6, 1776: Whereas, the Provincial Congress, in a resolve of 30th June, hath recommended that all persons who have left their places of abode with a design to secrete themselves, should be apprehended and brought before the committee of the town or county: Therefore, the committee recommend it to the commanding officer of the 2d battalion of the county militia, to see said resolve carried into execution throughout your district. By order of the committee. To Col. JOHN SANDS. JOS. ROBINSON, Dep. Ch'n. 75. The Congress met at the Court House, Westchester county, Tuesday, July 9th, 1776; Gen. Nathaniel Woodhull, President. Mr. Jay moved that, whereas, the Rev. Abm. Keteltas, one of the deputies from Queens county, has been solemnly devoted to the service of God and the cure of souls, he has good right to claim an exemption from all such employments as would divert his attention from the affairs of that Kingdom which is not of this world: Resolved, That he be at liberty to attend this house only at such times as he may think proper,-carried, 23 to 18. A letter was received from the Hon. John Hancock enclosing a copy of the Declaration of Independence; both of which were referred to a committee, who reported the same day that, the reasons assigned by the Continental Congress for declaring the United Colonies free and independent States, were cogent and conclusive; and that, "while we lament the cruel necessity, we approve the same; and will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, join with the other colonies in supporting it." Resolved, That the said Declaration be published by beat of drum at this place, on Thursday next, and that 500 copies, printed in handbills, be sent to the different counties of this State. [It was read at the head of each company in Queens county, and at the head of each brigade of the army stationed at New-York.*]—Ed. * Many officers and leading men now quit the American cause. 76. July 11. Lieut. W. Toogood was ordered to have all boats hauled up at Hog Island. 77. July 13. The deputies from Queens say the militia are destitute of ammunition. Congress order 10,000 cartridges of different sizes, filled with powder and ball, and 1000 flints, to be delivered to Capt. Jona. Lawrence, and to be charged to the county. 78. July 19. Congress voted $10 bounty to non-commissioned officers and privates of the militia, to be drafted in Queens county. 79. Report to the President to Congress on driving off Stock: SIR: I have been some days, and am still, in the execution of the order of Congress for removing the cattle, horses and sheep in this county, and expect to finish it in a day or two more. From the best computation that can be made, there are not less than 7000 horned cattle, 7000 sheep and 1000 horses in this county, comprehended in the above order, and to be removed in pursuance of it. A number so large, it is conceived, cannot possibly live long where they are to be driven. On the |