USA > New York > Queens County > Documents and letters intended to illustrate the revolutionary incidents of Queens county; with connecting narratives, explantory notes, and additions > Part 3
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Sept. 25. Mr. Abm. Skinner informed the Congress that the persons sent to Jamaica had collected a few arms, that he saw several persons in Queens county mustering and in arms ; and he apprehends that those sent to disarm will meet with opposition, and that they wish a battalion sent up to their assistance.
Ordered, That Mr. Benson proceed to Queens county to know the true state of things.
Sept. 26. Mr. Benson returned with the following lette. .
Jamaica, Sept. 25, 1775, 10 o'clock, P. M.
SIR :- I have endeavored in the towns of Jamaica and Hempstead to carry the Resolutions of Congress into execu- tion ; but without the assistance of the battalion (Col. Lasher's) I shall not be able to do it to any good purpose. The people conceal all their arms that are of any value ; many declare that they know nothing about the Congress, nor do they care any thing for the orders of Congress, and say they would sooner, lose their lives than give up their arms; and that they would, blow any man's brains out that should attempt to take them. We find there are a number of arms that belong to the county in the hands of the people. Some persons are so hardy and daring, as to go into the houses of those that are friendly" and take away by force those county arms that our friends have- received from the Clerk of the county.
We are told the people have been collecting together, and parading in sundry places, armed, and firing their muskets by way of bravado. We also have it from good authority, that Governor Colden yesterday sent his servant round to some of the leading people, advising them to arm and defend them- selves, and not deliver their arms. In consequence of which a
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THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
number of people collected themselves this morning to retake the few arms we collected yesterday ; but for some reason did not proceed.
Captain Hulet, of Hempstead, told us he had his com- pany together last Sunday, and, said he, " Had your battalion appeared, we should have warmed their sides." On the whole, had we the battalion, we believe we should be able to collect a. very considerable number of good arms, and support the honor of the Congress, but without it, shall not ; I think if the battal- ion is sent up, the sooner the better.
Some of the leading men of Hempstead, whom we this day had together, proposed to call the town together on Monday next, and consult on the matter, and return some answer or an- other on Tuesday next, and seemed desirous to put off the mat- ter till the whole Congress met. Whether they mean by this put off, to gain time to arm and prepare, or what else, we know Iz ,Ł.
I am, sir, your humble servant, WM. WILLIAMS.
On reading the above letter it is ordered, That the com- mittee appointed to collect arms in Queens county, be de- sired to send in all arms already collected, and proceed in collecting all they can, and return to the city by Friday next, and that a committee of five of our body proceed to Queens county on Friday, and use every prudent measure to collect arms, and attend a meeting to be held at Hempstead on Mon- jay, and endeavor to prevail on them to comply with the re- solutions of this committee.
T. [What was the upshot of the meeting in Hempstead, we 2:now not .- Ed.]
To the Provincial Congress for the Colony of New- York :
32. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, inhabit- ants of the township of Jamaica, do hereby declare, that we have associated ourselves as a company of Minute Men, for the defence of American Liberty, and do hereby promise and engage to be obedient to our officers, and subject to the reso- lutions and directions of the Honorable the Continental Con-
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RISE AND PROGRESS OF
gress, and of the Provincial Congress of this colony. And we, the non-commissioned officers and privates of the said company, have elected the following gentlemen for our com- missioned officers, to wit :
John Skidmore, Esq., Captain ; Jacob Wright, Gent., first Lieutenant ; Nicholas Everit, Gent., second Lieutenant ; and Ephraim Marsten, Gent., Ensign.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names, in the year of our Lord, 1775.
Samuel Higbie, John Baylis,
Richard Betts,
Isaac Baylis,
Derick Amberman,
Nathaniel Rhoades,
Richard Smith,
Hendrick Hendrickson, Daniel Skidmore,
Urias Rider,
Aaron Hendrickson,
Sylvester Smith,
Hope Rhoades,
Abm. Hendrickson,
Andrew Oakley,
John Bremner,
Jos. Robinson, volunteer, David Lambertson,
Wm. Ludlum, Wm. Cebra,
Thomas Higbie,
Nehemiah Baylis,
John Smith,
Nicholas Smith,
Thomas Wiggins,
Benj. Everitt,
Benj. Smith,
Richard . Rhoades,
Benj. Thurston,
John Stin,
Joseph Higbie,
Obadiah Smith,
John Innis,
James Hinchman,
Nehemiah Ludlum,
Jesse Wilson,
Nathaniel Smith,
Nathaniel Ludlum,
Peter Canile,
Wm. Thurston,
Samuel Higbie,
W. Stin,
Daniel Baylis,
Nehemiah Everitt,
Waters Lambertson,
Cornelius Amberman,
Simeon Smith,
Robert Betts,
Andrew Mills,
Stephen Rider,
Daniel Higbie .*
· Walter Smith,
[*Their uniform dress was a linen frock reaching below the knee, with a fringe around the neck and arms ; and a white feather in their hat. Of their flag, I can learn nothing .- Ed.]
SONG OF THE JAMAICA MINUTE MEN, AS SUNG BY S. MILLS.
Arouse, my brother Minute Men ! And let us bear our chorus ; The braver and the bolder, The more they will adore us. Toll de rol, &c. Our country calls for swords and balls,
Our drums aloud do rattle, Our fifer's charms arouse to arms, And Liberty calls to battle. Toll de rol, &c.
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THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
Now to nur station let us march And rendezvous with pleasure, Behaving like brave Minute Men To save so great a treasure. Tull de rol, &c.
We'll let 'em see immediately That we are men of mettle,
American boys who fear no noise,
And ne'er will flineh from battle. Toll de rol, &c.
We have some noble Congressmen
Elreted for our nurses, And every jolly farmer will
Assist 'em with their purses. Tull de rol, &c.
And they may stay at home, we say, And enjoy their state of pleasure,
While we do go and fight their fue
And save their lives and treasure. Toll de rol, &c.
Why should we be dismayed, If the Tories-they do thunder,
They only want to quin us
And live upon their plunder. Toil de rol, &c.
Such heavy chains we do disdain, And likewise Popish tyranny ; Such hellish frays we do defy, And will not yield to any. Toll de rol, &c.
Why should we be dismayed
If the Tories-they defy us ? There are the brave riflemen, They say they will stand by us. Toll de rol, &c.
That Tory brood that has withstood This great and glorious jovial, If they advance, we'll make 'em dance The tune of Yankee Doodle. Toll de rol, &c.
33. At a meeting of us, the freemen, freeholders and other inhabitants of Great Neck, Cow Neck, and all such as lately belonged to the company of Captain Stephen Thorne, in Queens county, being duly warned on Saturday, Sept.
3
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23d, 1775, and taking into our serious consideration our dis- tressed and calamitous situation, and being convinced of our total inability to pursue proper measures for our common safety, while we in all cases are considered as a part of the township of Hempstead, and being conscious that self-preser- vation, the immutable law of nature, is indispensable, do therefore,
1. Resolve, That during the present controversy, or so long as their general conduct is inimical to freedom, we be no fur- ther considered as a part of the township of Hempstead than is consistent with peace, liberty and safety ; therefore in all mat- ters relative to the Congressional plan, we shall consider our- selves as an entire, separate and independent beat or district.
2. Resolve, That Mr. Daniel Kissam, Henry Stocker, W. Cornwell, John Burtis, Daniel Whitehead Kissam, Adrian On- derdonck, Wm. Thorne, John Cornwell, Simon Sands, Benj. Sands, John Mitchell, Sen., Martin Schenck, Peter Onder- donck, and Thomas Dodge, be a committee for this beat or dis- trict.
True copy. attested.
JOHN FARMER, Clerk of the Meeting. In Committee for the District of Cow Neck, Great Neck, &c., in Queens county, Oct. 4, 1775.
Present, John Cornwell, William Cornwell, Thos. Dodge, Simon Sands, Adrian Onderdonck, Daniel Whitehead Kis- sam, Peter Onderdonck, John Burtis, Benj. Sands.
Then proceeded and chose Benj. Sands, Chairman. Then adjourned to 7th instant.
In Committee according to adjournment :
Present, John Cornwell, Wm. Cornwell, Benj. Sands, Si- mon Sands, Peter Onderdonck, Adrian Onderdonck, Thomas Dodge, Daniel Whitehead Kissam, Martin Schenck, when the following resolutions were passed nem con. :
1. Resolved, That the proceedings of the meeting of the 23d of September, for enabling this part of the county to pur- sue Congressional measures, and the committee chosen in con- sequence, be immediately laid before the Honorable the Pro-
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THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
vincial Congress, or in their recess, the Committee of Safety, for their approbation.
2. Resolved, That the following gentlemen having signed the General Association, and being duly elected as officers of the militia company, lately formed in this district, agreeably to the recommendations of the Honorable Provincial Congress of this colony, are hereby returned according :
John Sands, Captain ; Henry Allen, first Lieutenant ; Tho- mas Mitchell, second Lieutenant ; Aspinwall Cornwell, Ensign.
Signed by order,
BENJAMIN SANDS, Chairman. True copy, attested.
JOHN FARMER, Clerk of Committee. To PETER VAN BRUGH LIVINGSTON, Esq.
The Provincial Congress were highly pleased with these proceedings, and replied as follows :
In Provincial Congress, at New-York, Oct. 12, 1775.
SIR :- The Congress have received the state of the pro- ceedings of the inhabitants of Great Neck, Cow Neck, &c., relative to the choice of a committee and of officers for that district, and highly approve of their conduct therein. The commissions are enclosed to the officers agreeable to the choice made; and the Congress doubt not that your committee and the other associators, will, in their conduct, manifest a due at- tention to the important interests of their country in its present alarming and critical situation.
We are, your humble servants.
P. S. You are requested to return a list of the Associatora as soon as may be convenient.
NATHANIEL WOODHULL, President. To BENJAMIN SANDS, Esq.,
Ch'n of Com. of Great and Cow Neck.
Vote for Deputies.
34. Nov. 7, 1775. Jamaica. The polls were opened from Tuesday till Saturday, 5 o'clock, afternoon. The per. sons nominated for Deputies to Congress, were
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RISE AND PROGRESS OF
Col. Jacob Blackwell, N., Wm. Townsend, Esq., O.,
Samuel Townsend, Esq., O., Waters Smith, J.,
Benj. Sands, C. N., Jeromus Remsen, Jr., N., Stephen Van Wyck, F.
The vote stood against Deputies 788 ; for Deputies 221, as follows :
Micajah Townsend, Andries Hegeman, Jr., Wm. Creed, Jr.,
John J. Skidmore,
Obadiah Demilt,
Samuel Seaman,
Ephraim Bayles, John Waters,
Isaac Hendrickson,
Alexander Wheyley,
Robert Morrell,
Wm. Forbus,
Samuel Riker,
Matthias Van Dyck,
Wn. Seaman,
Philip Woodard, Andries Hegeman, Sr., Christopher Robert,
Benjamin Cornish,
Urialı Mitchell,
Jonas Fredericks,
Robert Field, Thomas Rodman,
Cornelius Losee,
Stephen Field,
John Parker,
Joseph Higbie,
Mo ris Hazard,
John Thorne, H.,
Thos. Dodge,
Simon Sands,
Thos. Thorne,
Peter Onderdonck,
Lambert Woodard,
John Thorne, F.
Thos. Wiggins,
Daniel Lawrence,
Cornelius Van Wyck, George Bennet,
Fordham Burtis,
Wm. Thorne, Thomas Mitchell,
Albert Nostrand, John Mills,
Elbert Hegeman, Jr.,
John Montaine,
Benj. Hinchman,
Elbert Hegeman, Sr., H. Hendrickson, Jr., Elias Bayles,
John Yates,
Benjamin Akerly,
Henry Stocker,
Richard Rapalje,
Benj. North,
Benjamin Coe,
Gilliam Cornell,
Benj. Sands,
Jonathan Coe,
Increase Carpenter, Jr., Gabriel Smith,
Abraham Keteltas,
Jacob Carpenter, John Luyster,
Jno. Fish,
Daniel Bayles,
Rem. Hegeman,
George Brinckerhoff,
Samuel Waldron,
Jacobus Luyster,
Benj. Moore,
Simon Horton,
Sarnson Crooker,
Zebulon Williams,
John Burtis, Wm. Furman,
John Brimner,
Docto- Latham, Doctor Townsend,
Nicholas Everitt,
Thos. Woodard,
Richard Lawrence,
Daniel Ludlam,
Joseph Bazly,
Richard Betts, N. T.,
Whitehead Skidmore,
David Laton,
Wm. Sackett,
Richard Berrien,
Jotham Townsend,
Edmund Penfold,
John Rodgers,
James Doughty,
Wm. Willis,
James Burling,
Philip Valentine,
Richard Valentine,
Wait Smith,
Lieut. Charles Hicks,
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THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
Thomas Burroughs, John Pettitt,
Daniel Burr, John Burtis,
Samuel Denton,
Martin Schenck,
Isaac Bayles,
Samuel Burr,
James Townsend, O.,
Hope Roades,
Othniel Smith,
Zeb. Seaman, Jr., O., George Townsend,
Wm. Penfold,
Win. Luillam, Jr.,
J. Williams Seaman, O., Thos. Lawrence,
Nehemiah Everitt,
Gilbert Searing,
Nath. Tom,
Robert Mitchell,
John Schenck,
Daniel Everitt,
Nicholas Smith, Daniel Hitchcock, John Roades,
Daniel Searing, John Searing,
Hope Roades, Jr., Augustin Betts,
Richard Roades,
Jacob Searing,
James Hinchman,
Adrian Onderdonck,
Pepperel Bloodgood, Water Dalton,
Robert Denton,
Ephraim Marston,
John Skidmore,
Samuel Higbie, Jr.,
Noah Smith, Jr.,
John Skidmore, Sr.,
Jacob Wright,
Noah Smith, Sr.,
Jonalı Roades,
Uriah Rider,
Nicholas Van Dyck,
Walter Smith, Benjamin Everitt, John Burroughs,
John Coe, Philip Edsall,
Peter Smith,
Charles Boerum,
Benj. Birdsall,
Benjamin Field, Jr.,
Stephen Pettitt,
Jeseph Bowne,
Aaron Hendrickson, Wm. Ludlam, Sr.,
Philip Edsall, Jr.,
Andrew Oakley,
Daniel W. Kissam, - John Brush,
Robert Coe,
WVm. Howard,
Wm. Betts,
Abm. Brinckerhoff,
Nicholas Smith, Jr.,
John Way,
Howard Furman,
Nathaniel Box,
John Hendrickson,
Jonathan Thurston,
Samuel Morrell,
Hendrick Hendrickson, Jonathan Wright,
Jonathan Lawrence,
Jonah Hallet,
Wm. Glean,
Thos. Denton,
Moses Higby,
John Smith, Wm. Creed, Sr.,
Jacob Mott,
Stephen Rider,
John Eagles,
Christopher Rider,
Stephen Cornell, Is. Hicks,
Samuel Higby, Sr.,
Isaac Hendrickson,
Rem. Remsen, N. T., Garret Murphy,
David Lamberson,
John Burtis, Benjamin Field, Platt Smith,
Luke Remsen, Samuel Messenger, John Vanieaw, J.,
Adam Mott, Cow N.,
Jacob Valentine .- 221.
Joseph Coles,
Robert Hinchman,
John Thurston,
Nathaniel Smith,
John Sands,
Jonathan Roberts,
Amos Denton,
Benjamin Farrington,
Jacob Johnson,
Gilbert Hicks,
Capt. Samuel Moore, Joseph Robinson, John Riker, Samuel Smith, John Cockle,
Isaac Roades, Samuel Edsall,
Samuel Lawrenee,
Gabriel Furman,
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Certified by Joseph Robinson, Inspector of the Polls. Queens county therefore had no representation in the Con- gress till May 14, 1776.
35. Nov. 30. Capt. Richard Hulet, of Hempstead, re- ceived a great quantity of powder, ball, small arms, and can- non, with a gunner to work it, from the Asia, which he distributed.
36. Dec. 6. Congress assembled.
Dec. 13. Whereas this Congress has received information that a number of disaffected persons in Queens county have been supplied with arms and ammunition from the Asia ship of war, and are arraying themselves in military manner to oppose the measures taken by the United Colonies for their just rights and privileges, and have thrown out many threat- ening expressions,
Resolved, That such conduct is inimical to the common cause of the United Colonies, and ought not by any means to be suffered.
Ordered, That the inhabitants of said county appear on the 19th inst., by committee, before this Congress, to give satisfac- tion in the premises.
Dec. 21. Whereas the disaffected persons of Queens county have not appeared before this Congress, and have op- posed the election of Deputies, whereby it remains unrepre- sented in this Congress ; and whereas, the Poll List of Queens county has been returned to this Congress, whereby the per- sons so offending may be ascertained :
Resolved, That such persons are guilty of a breach of the General Association, and of open contempt of the authority of this Congress.
Resolved, That such delinquents are hereby entirely put out of the protection of this Congress, that all friendly and com- mercial intercourse between said delinquents and other persons of this colony hereby is and shall continue to be entirely cut off, till the further order of this Congress, and that a list of such delinquents shall be printed and dispersed in handbills.
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THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
The above resolves induced some who had been advertised to repent, sign the Association, and petition Congress to be restored to the good opinion of the friends of Liberty. (See Thompson, i. 202.)
Whereas, In the List of Delinquents in Queens county, published in the New-York Journal, No. 1721, and New-York Mercury, No. 1264, is inserted the name of Henry Suydam, which many have supposed to be the subscriber, who not choosing to lie under the imputation of being an enemy to his country, lakes this method to make known to the public, that the person called Henry Suydam in said List, is not the subscriber.
HENDRICK SUYDAM, Miller, living at Newtown, L. I.
The Printer is desired to inform the public that Joseph Pearsall, men- tioned in the List of Delinquents in Queens county, is not Joseph Pear- sall, watchmaker, of New-York, now on Cow Neck, L. I. Jan. 2, 1776.
Dec. 21. The Congress did not dare of themselves to use force against the Delinquents, but contented themselves with resolutions, and wrote to the Continental Congress for advice and assistance, at the same time sending a List of Delinquents, and begging Congress not to employ New- Yorkers to quell the opposition.
37. Proceedings of the Continental Congress at Philadel- phia on receiving the Poll List of Queens county, January 3, 1776.
Whereas, a majority of the inhabitants of Queens county, in the colony of New-York, being incapable of resolving to live and die freemen, and being more disposed to quit their liberties than part with the little proportion of their property that may be necessary to defend them, have deserted the American cause, by refusing to send deputies as usual to the convention of that colony ; and avowing by a public de- claration, or unmanly design of remaining inaetive specta- tors of the present contest, vainly flattering themselves, per- haps, that should Providence declare for our enemies, they may purchase their merey and favor at an easy rate; and on the other hand, if the war should terminate in favor of America, that then they may enjoy, without expense of blood or treasure, all the blessings resulting from that liberty which they in the day of trial had abandoned, and in defence
44
RISE AND PROGRESS OF
of which, many of their more virtuous neighbors and coun- trymen had nobly died; and although the want of public spirit observable in these men rather excites pity than alarm, there being little danger to apprehend either from their prowess or example, yet it being reasonable that those who refuse to defend their country should be excluded from its protection and prevented from doing injury :
1. Resolved. That Col. Heard. of Woodbridge, New Jersey, take with him five or six hundred Minute Men. under discreet officers.' and three companies of Regulars from Lord Sterling, and disarm every person in Queens county who voted against sending Deputies, and cause them to deliver up their arms and amunition on oath, and that he take and confine such as refuse compliance.
2. Resolved, That he apprehend and secure the twenty-six persons named. as principal men among the disaffected, and all such other persons who shall be found in arms or oppose the carrying the above resolution into effect.
That he execute the business with all possible despatch, se- crecy, order and humanity.
That all such persons in Queens county as voted against sending Deputies, be put out of the protection of the United Colonies, and that all trade and intercourse with them cease ; that none of the inhabitants be permitted to travel or abide in any part of the United Colonies out of their county. without a certificate that he is a friend to the American cause, that no lawyer ought to prosecute or defend any action at law for any who voted against sending Deputies, and that their names con- tinue to be published for a month in the newspapers.
38. Letter from an officer in the expedition on Long Island :
Jericho, Jan. 26, '76.
SIR '-We . et out from Woodbridge on Wednesday, 17th instant, with about 600 militia, and were joined at New- York by Sterling's battalion of near 300. On Friday morning we crossed at Horn's Hook near Hell Gate, and met with no op- position ; proceeded on our way to Jamaica, took in custody some of the principal persons proscribed, sent out parties and
45
THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
brought in many of those who voted against Delegates, disarmed them, and required them to sign an obligation not to oppose the Continental or Provincial Congress, and not aid the Minis- terial troops.
From Jamaica we went to Hempstead Town, where we ex- pected the warmest opposition, but wer; disappointed. The inhabitants came in and brought in their arms voluntarily for two days, as fast as we could conveniently receive them. We have got 300 stand of arms and considerable powder and lead. We are now on our way for Oyster Bay, and shall scour the country as we go.
Col. Heard sent the battalion* home last Tuesday, as he thought the militia sufficient. He is indefatigable, treats the inhabitants with civility and the utmost humanity. Many of the proscribed as principals have fled or secreted themselves. Several we have in custody. Some others are yet to be had, but they have had, by some means or other, a list of persons pointed out as principals before our arrival.
Those who came in and surrendered their arms, are much irritated with those who have led them to make opposition, and deserted them in the day of difficulty.
From W. De Hart to Lord Sterling. Jan. 25, 1776.
As few of Col. Heard's militia came up, I was obliged to quarter at Hell Gate. Next day got as far as Jamaica. Staid there two days, and then marched to Hempstead. Staid there two days more, when we joined, which might have been much earlier. Discovered a much smaller number might answer our purpose. The battalion left Col. Heard at Hempstead last Wednesday with 600 or 700 militia, where great numbers of Tories were every hour coming in and delivering up their arms -above 500, I suppose, and if transported by water, may be worth the freight. Our men behaved well. New-York volun- teers, not so.
Declaration signed by Delinquents.
Jan. 19, 1776.
Whereas, we have given great uneasiness to the good peo- ple of the neighboring provinces and the Continent in gene- 3ª
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RISE AND PROGRESS OF
ral, by our not choosing a committee agreeable to the order of the Continental Congress, by our not paying that attention to the directions of the Provincial Congress that we ought to have done, and by our opposing the general instructions of the Con- tinental Congress in almost all our conduct and actions :
Therefore, (to relieve the minds of the virtuous inhabitants of America, and those of this county in particular, engaged in the common cause,) we, the subscribers, do most solemnly and seriously promise, that we will in all cases obey implicitly all orders and instructions enjoined on us by our Continental and Provincial Congress, that we will act in conjunction with the inhabitants of this and the neighboring provinces in the defence of American Liberty, that we will never take up arms against the Americans, and that we will not countenance and assist or join with any of his Majesty's troops in the present contest.
(471 names omitted.) Oath subscribed by the Delinquents.
" We, the subscribers, in the presence of Almighty God, do most solemnly and sincerely swear, that the fire-arms, side- arms, powder and lead, we respectively delivered up to Col. Heard and his party, or by them taken from us, are all that be- long to us, or in our possession or power ; and that we have not destroyed, concealed or otherwise disposed of, any of our said arms or ammunition, in order to evade or obstruct the exe- cution of Col. Heard's orders from the Continental Congress, for disarming the inhabitants of Queens county, who are disaf- fected to the opposition now making in America against Min- isterial Tyranny."
(349 names omitted.)
Col. Heardt crossed Hurl Gate Ferry and proceeded through Newtownt to Jamaica, at Betts' Tavern, and left on a Sunday for Hempstead. There was great talk of opposi- tion in Hempstead, but it was at last concluded to submit. His quarters were at Nathaniel Sammis'. The men mostly fled. One Anthony, trusting to his wits, determined to stay and play the fool. When taken before Heard, he was asked what he knew of the Asia ? " Asia, what kind of an animal
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THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT.
is it ?" "Take your hat off, sir." Anthony stood still, when it was taken off by a soldier. Showing him the De- claration, he was asked if he would put his hand to that pa- per. Down went his left hand on the paper. He was soon thrust out of the room, as a fool.
Col. Heard next proceeded through Jericho and Norwich to Oyster Bay, (Weeks' Tavern,) where he staid two nights, his men billeted on the inhabitants. He sent out parties to Cedar Swamp, Hempstead Harbor and Flushing, on his re- turn probably.
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