of the provisions was considerable.''^ '' September, 1777, the enemy came out on both sides of the Hudson simultaneously in considerable force, consisting of from two to three thousand men, on which occasion the American barracks and store-houses, and the whole village of Peekskill was sacked and burnt dA^di the country pillaged."b The Weekly Mercury of Feb. 16th, 1778, (published by Hugh Gaines,) contains a letter from Commodore Hotham to Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Howe, which by his lordship was transmitted to all ships in service, <fcc., dated on board his Majesty's ship the Preston, lying oiF Peekskill creek. Major Burr was stationed at Peekskill on the 21st July, 1777, when he received a lieutenant colonel's commission in the continental army, and from this place the traitor Arnold likewise received his appointment to West Point, dated August the 3d, 1780.

In the vilbge of Peekskill was born John Paulding, one of the American farmers who intercepted Andre the British spy, at Tarrytown, some fifteen miles below this place. For his services on 'this occasion the state presented him with a farm situated within the town of Cortland t. The property now belongs to Jacob Strang.

The following abstract is taken from a deed given by Samuel Dodge, Daniel Graham, and John Hotham, commissioners of forfeitures for the middle district of New York, to John Paulding, of Cortlandt Manor :

For and in consideration of the services John Paulding, of Cortlandt IManor, in the County of Westchester, hath rendered his country, in apprehending and securing the British deputy adjutant Gen. Major Andre, who was returning to New York after having in the character of a spy concerted measures with the infamous Benedict Arnold, then commanding at the posts in the Highlands, for betraying the said posts into the hands of the enemy, and for his virtue in refusing a large sum of money offered by the said Major Andre as a bribe to permit him to escape ; and for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings lawful money of the State of New York, and for the further sum of twenty-five pounds ten shillings like lawful money of the said stale, by the said John Paulding paid into the treasury of the said state, the said commissioners by virtue of the powers and authorities in and