Early in February, 1776, General Lee, then chief in command, in the City of New York, informed the Cummittee of Safety, then in session, that he was " of opinion that the two Connecticut Regiments " and Lord Stirling's would not be sufficient for the " services he will have to perform ; and he desired to "know whether it would be agreeable to the Com- " mittee that he should send to Pennsylvania for a " Regiment from thence." After due consideration, the introduction of troops from other Colonies having been found unsatisfactory, because of outrages inflicted by them on the inhabitants, the Committee of Safety adopted the following Resolution :

" Resolved, That if General Lee shall think it "necessary to call in the aid of any other troops than "the two Connecticut Regiments and Lord Stirling's " Regiment, that he be authorized and, in such case, " he is hereby authorized, to call in as many of the " Minute-men of this Colony as he shall, at any time, " think necessary." *

In accordance with the authority which was thus delegated to General Lee, on the following day,

2 Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Military Returns, xxvii., 2.54. s Journal of the Provincial Congress, " Die Mercurii, P.M , Feb. 21, "1776."

* Journal oj the ComiiiiUee of Safety, "Die Veneris, 10 ho., A.M., Feb. "9, 1776."

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1774-1783.

[Febniari/ 9, 1776] a letter was ntklressed to Colonel Samuel Drake, ordorliig the skeleton Regiment of Westchester-county IMiniitc-iucn into active service. 1 That letter may [jropcily lind a place in this narrative : it wtis in the following words :