Warren Tompkins, Bolton, (Hiflonj of Westvhester-counlij, original edition, ii., 359 ; the same, second edition, ii., 564,) considered the Congress which was assembled, at the White Plains, on the ninth of July, 177G, as the same body as that which had been in session, in the City of New York, from the eighteenth of May until the thirtieth of June, preceding. In other words, both these learned historians regarded the third and the fourth Provincial Congresses as one and the same body.

5 Journal of the Provincial Congress, " Tuesday, P.M., White Plai.vs, " July 9, 1776."

" The Journal of the Congress, July 9, placed Colonel Van Cortlandt's name at the head of the list of "the new members present" who " took the general oath of secrecy," although the Colonel had headed the Deputation from Weatchester-county, in the third Provincial Congress, as will be seen by reference to the Credentials of that Delegation, in the Journal of that Congress, "Die Sabbati, Ic ho., .\.M., May IS, " 1776."

The explanation of that apparent contradiction may be found iu the fact that that short lived third Provincial Congress was dissolved before Colonel Pierre Van Cortlandt took his seat in it or was qualilicd to do so, by his taking the oaths of the office of Deputy.

8 George Clinton, Henry U'wht, John Alsi'p, H'iZ/wim Floyd, and FranCli Letcis,li) the Priivincitil Omgress, " PiiiLAnKLI-HiA, July 2, 1776."

» Jimnud of the Prorincid Omgnss " Tuesday, Utli July, 1776."

••" Ibid.