In the latter instance, the obstructed drover returned to Newtown ; procured a Certificate from the Committee of that Town, declaring that he " had " lately served his country as a faithful friend and "soldier in the northern Army, under General Schuy- "ler; that he had suffered by the stoppage of his " Cattle, at Bedford, on the way to the New-Y'ork "market; that he is the owner of the said Cattle; "and that the said Committee take pleasure in recom- " mending him as a friend of his country;" and, with that Certificate, he proceeded to the City of New York, and presented the case to the Provincial Congress, which was then in session. It is said " the "Congress took the same into consideration, and " came to the following determination, to wit :

" Whereas a large sup))ly of fresh Provisions will " be required for the Continental Army, in and near " the City of New-York :

" Eesolved and Ordered, That no obstruction " whatsoever be given to any person or persons in " passing and re-passing through any of the Counties " in this Colony, with fat Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, or any " kind of Provisions, for the purpose of supplying the " inhabitants of the said City of New- York or the " Continental Army, in and near the said City, unless "such person or persons shall have been adjudged to " be, or held up, as inimical to this country."

In addition to that general action of the Provincial Congress, which controlled or assumed to control every other revolutionary body within the Colony, the Congress also gave to the complaining drover, a copy of the following Order : " That the bearer " hereof, Joseph Booth, be permitted to pass, with "his drove of Cattle, to the City of New-York;"'^