b See the instances of Christopher Templer, (Journal of the Convention, "Die Luna;, 4 ho., P.M., July 22, 1776 ; ") that of Robert Sutton, (the same, " Die Mercurii, 9 ho., A.M., July 24th, 1776 ; ") that of Nicholas Couwenhoven, (Journal of the Committee of Safety, " Tuesday afternoon " Augt. 27, 1776 ; ") and many others.

4 See the instance of Henry Chase, " committed to the Jail at White "Plains, by an order from the Major," \Mqjor Webster, Deputy from Charlotte-county.] [Journal of the Convention, "Die Jovis, 5 ho., P.M., " July 25, 1776.")

This case of imprisonment of Henry Chase very perfectly illustrated the despotic disposition and actions of those who were then in authority.

On the twenty-fifth of July, the date of the entry of his arrest on the Journal of the Convention, (be may have been arrested much earlier,) he petitioned the Convention that he was " confined in Goal upon suspision, "without money or friends," and begged that body would "bestow its " charity " upon him, (Petition of Henry Chase and three others, " White "Plains, July 25, 1776 : " Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Petitions, xxxiii., 152.)

On the thirtieth of AuguBt, Chase again petitioned the Convention, as follows :

WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

Arrests were thus made, very often, without the slightest reason, even from the standpoint of those exercising the authority ; A and even women, when they

" Wight Plains Goal, AuguBt 30, 1776. " Gentlemen : My confinement is the Reason of my Petitioning to "yon the Honorable Provential Congress, hopeing your Honours will be " Pleas d to Take my Case into Consideration for the Comete of Safety " [the Committee of Westchester- county] ' Says that they have no Right to "try me So I leave my Case to your Honnours and Begg that your "Honnours would Concider me for I have bin imprisoned a long time, "and nothing Appeared against me, So I begg that your Honnoura " would consider me as Quick as Possible for I am a Poor man and itt is " a Great Dammage to me to Ly in Prison, so Gentlemen I Leave my " Case to your Honnours not Douting but your wisdoms Gentlemen will "do me jestice, the Broken Petition from me,