" 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 retaliate 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 Barns, shall convince me these houses were burned without your knowledge and against your order. " I am, sir, your humble servant,

" Samuel H. Parsons."

Governor TryorCs answer, dated - ,.■:--<■ .^.-

" King's Bridge Camp, Nov. 23dj 1777. " Sir : -- Could I possibly conceive myself accountable to any revolted subject of the king of Great Britain, I might answer your letter, received by the flag of truce yesterday, respecting the conduct of the party under Capt. Em- ■ merick's command upon 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 the country of them, I am willing to give twenty-five dollars for every acting committee man, who shall be delivered up to the king's troops : I guess, before the end of next campaign, they will be torn in pieces by their own countrymen, whom they have forcibly dragged in opposition to their principles and duty (after fining them to the extent of their property) to