History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I

But, notwithstanding those animosities, his necessities compelled him to seek relief; and, on the fourth of October, the fifth day of his confinement, he united with his fellow-prisoners, in the following l\titlon, probably written by himself, addressed to the Provincial Congress, which had reassembled on the morning of that day : *

"To the Honourable Provincial Congress.

"Gentlemen: As there is Six of us Confined in " Goal by your order Charg'd with misdemeanors, we " should take it kind of you if you'd bring us to Im- "ediate tryal or provide for us in our Confinement as "we have not wherewithal to suport our ourselves. " And you will oblige yours

"City Hall, October y"' 4'^ 1775.

" Godfrey Hain.s, Adam Bergh,

"Timothy Doughty, Christian Bergh, Jun'.,

" John Dob, David Dob."

That Petition was duly presented to the Congress, on the day of its date, and was read before that body ; but no action whatever appears to have been taken on it, * then or subsequently.

Eight days after the Provincial Congress had received and read the Petition of Godfrey Haines and his fellow-prisoners, that body received the following Resolution from the Continental Congress, which probably served to intensify rather than to ameliorate the prevailing partisan animosities; and it was certainly not well-constituted for the relief of those who were already imprisoned on similar charges :

" Resolved, That it be recommended to the several "Provincial Assemblies, or Conventions and Coun- " cils, or Committees of Safety, to arrest and secure " every person, in their respective Colonies, who is