" proceeded to draw up and sign a Declaration, which " they seemed to do," it is said, " with as much pat- " riotic zeal as ever warmed the hearts of true and " faithful Subjects ; and, afterwards, they dispersed to "their different habitations. 1 "

A narrative of the events was subsequently written, probably by Isaac Wilkins, and, with the Declaration affixed, it was printed in the newspapers of the day, where, from that day to this, they have remained, serving as authorities in the history of that period. The narrative and the Declaration are in these words :

" County of Westchester, April 13, 1775. " Mr. Kivington,

" Be pleased to insert the following, and you will " oblige a number of your Friends and Subscribers : " /"^Thursday the 11th inst. avery respectable num- \J ber of freeholders and inhabitants of the county " of Westchester, assembled at the White Plains, in "the said County, agreeable to notice given, that "their sentiments might be known concerning the " choice of a committee, to meet other committees in " the city of New- York, for the purpose of choosing "delegates to represent this colony in the next Con- "tinental Congress.

"The friends to order and government met at the "house of Captain Hatfield. Those who were for "a committee, put up at another public house in "the town. About 12 o'clock word was brought to "the gentlemen at Captain Hatfield's that the oppo- " site party had already entered upon the business of "the day. Upon which they immediately walked " down to the Courthouse, although not half of their " friends who were expected, had yet appeared ; where " they found the other company collected in a body. "The numbers on each side seemed to be nearly " equal, and both together might amount to 200, or " at most 250.