It is not fear, it is not want of opportunity that has preserved those buildings ; but a sense of the injustice and savageness of such a line of conduct, has saved them ; and nothing but necessity will induce me to copy examples of this sort, so often set by your troops.

" It is not my inclination, sir, to war in this manner against the inhabitants within your lines, who suppose themselves within your king's protection. But necessity will oblige me to retalilate in kind upon your friends, to procure the exercise of that justice which humanity used to dictate, unless your explicit disavowal of your two captains, Emmerick and Barnes, shall convince me these houses were burned without your knowledge and against your order.

"I am, sir, your humble servant, Samuel H. Parsons."

GOVERNOR TRYON'S ANSWER, DATED

*' King's Bridge Camp, Nov. 23, 1777. "Sir, -- Could I possibly conceive myself accountable to any revolted subject of the king of Great Britian, I might answer your letter, received by the Hag of truce yesterday, respecting the conduct of the party under Capt. Emmerick's command upou the taking of Peter and Cornelius Van Tassell ; I have, however, candor enough to assure you -- as much as I abhor every principle of inhumanity or ungenerous conduct-- I should, were I in more authority, burn every committee man's house within my reach -- as I deem those agents the wicked instruments of the continued calamities of this country ; and in order sooner to purge