^ Thaddeus Crane to Major Joseph Benedict, "Salem, September 7, "1776;" Major Joseph Benedict to Qdonel Gilbert Drake, "Cortlasdt "Manor, 18 September, 1776;" Journal of tlie Convention, " Die Sab- "bati, 9 ho., A.M., Septr. 21, 1776."

' Vide pages 348-350, ante.

' Journal of the Convention, "Die Sabbati, 9 ho., A.M., Septr. 21, 1776."

"Compare ./mmi.t; of the Committee of Safrty, " Kix<;s Bridge, Augt. "30, 1776," with the /ouriia/ of the Cmwenti/m, "Monday morning, Sep- " tember.30, 1776."

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1774-1783.

was good reason for supposing, it was said, that a correspondence was kept up between the Royal Army, on Long Island, and prominent inhabitants of that County, as tar in the interior as the White Plains, as early as the close of August, in 1776.' The inhabitants of Kings-county were said, early in August, to "have determined not to oppose the enemy;" and a Committee was appointed, with considerable ostentation, to go to that County, and to "inquire concern- " ing the authenticity of such report; and, in case "they find it well-founded, that they be empowered " to disarm and secure the disaffected inhabitants ; to " remove or destroy the stock of Grain ; and, if they "shall judge it necessary, to lay the whole County " was'e ; and, for the execution of these purposes, " they be directed to apply to General Greene, or the "Commander of the Continental Troops in that "Ciunty, for such assistance as they shall want;"' as if such a rash purpose would hate been permitted to be carried into effect, under such peculiar circumstances, while the entire military and naval power of the King, in that part of the Continent, was resting within a mile of the proscribed County, and eager for a fight. Duchess-county, also, asked for further l)rotection from the aggressions of the " disaffected," as Westchester-county had done;' and, notwithstanding two Companies had been already raised for that I)urpose and were then in service,* a third Company was ordered to be added to the local force.* Like the Militia of Westchester-county, that of Duchess-county was exceedingly " disaffected," and would not be drafted;' and with the rashness and haughtiness of the despotism which it wielded, James Duane and John Jay being present, the Committee of Duchess-county, with its local military force, was directed to assist in enforcing the Order,' as if one who was thus forcibly crowded into the Army, after the manner of the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel and the other Old World despots, would ever become a useful and effective soldier.