In a community, such as that which constituted Colonial We.stchester-county, which was already known and distinguished because of its consistent conservatism and, therefore, because of its backwardness in promoting the cause of the Rebellion, such a tyrannical exercise of political authority as had been seen in connection with the Election of Militia Officers, at Yonkers, by those who were, themselves, exercising only an authority which had been usurped and which was held and exercised without due warrant in law, was everything else than conciliatory, and was far better adapted to arouse and to inflame

t Journal of the Committee of Safefy, " Die lUnrtu, S bo., A.M., Septoni- "bor 19th, 1775."

The following letter, addressed by the tlolonial ('omuiittce of Safety to Frederic Van Cortlandt and others. Informing them of the remarkable residt (if this Election, in Yonkers, will lntere.st those who desire to learu the inside history of the Revolution, in Westchester-county : " In COMMITTKK OK S.vri';Tv, "Nkw-Yokk, Sept. 19th, 1775.

"Genti.emkn :

"Having considered your report, and also the report of "your County Comniiltee. concerning the Election of .lohn Oox, as " a Captain of the Companr of Militia at Yonkers. We have determined ' him to be disigualified for a Commission, nut only because at the time " of his signing the AmiciiiUim he declared it to be an involuntary act, but "also bocaiise he lias spoke most contemptuously ol the Provincial Con- " greas. .\nil in order that the other Officers in the Company may have "a chance of promotion, which cannot be dune acconling to the letter of "the Mililui HnjiilaliiiK, you are hereby desired t'> cause a now Electior. "to be nuuli? of all the Oflicers of the t\)mpany, pursuant to the said " Uegnluiimi, taking care to give public notice that the said John Cocks " cannot be admitted to any office whatsoever.