Such incidents would not be worth mentioning, unless to give those who are at a distance a better idea of the spirit of the times.

May 17th was appointed by the congress as a day of public festing, prayer and humiliation throughout the continent. At the imanimous request of the members of our Church who were then in town, I consented to preach that day ; and, indeed, ouisituation made it highly prudent, though a submission to an authority that was so far usurped was exceedingly grating and disagreeable. In giving notice tlie preceding Sunday, I only

1 David Matthews. This gentleman belonged originaUy to Orange Co. Having been admitted earlj- to the bar, he acted as crown officer upwards of twenty years. He succeeded Mr. Hicks as Mayor of the city of New York in 1779, but being a decided loyalist his name was entered on the list of the suspected, as early as May of that Year. He was shortly after arrested by order of the Committee of Safety, and lodged in N. Y. Jail, whence he was soon removed to Connecticut, The charge against him was that he was cognizant of, or concerned in Gov. Tryon"s plot to assassinate Gen. Washington, and blow up the fort. How long he continued under surveillance in Conn, we cannot say, but he is represented by Sabine as in N. Y. in 1778, and as Register of the Court of Admiralty in 1782. By the act of 1779, he Avas attainted and his property confiscated.