In the same connection, and in order that the reader may understand the temper of the great body of the people, beyond the limits of Duchess and Westchester-counties, we find room for the reply of the Colonel commanding the Militia of Orangecounty, below the mountains, to the requisition which was made, by the Committee of Safety, for men enough to protect that portion of the western bank of the river, to which reference has been made. It was in these words : " We are in daily expectation of "their" [the ships] "proceeding up the river; and I am "sorry to inform the Committee of Safety that, should "they attempt to land with one barge, I cannot com- " mand a force sufficient to prevent their penetrating ''the country.
I have exerted myself to muster the "Militia, but have not been able to raise a guard of "more than thirty-eight men of my Regiment, at one "time, at Nyack. 5 The wood-cutters employed by "order of General Heath have been with me, but "have received orders to proceed in cutting wood for "the Army; and I have not, at present, but eleven " men to guard the shore between Verdudigo Hook "and Stony Point. 6 In this situation, I leave the "Committee of Safety to determine what can be ex- "pected from me, in a way of opposition.
"My whole Regiment consists of but three hundred "men : most of them are without arms, they having "been taken for the Continental troops. Most of my "men refuse to attend the service, though repeatedly