ADDRESS

OF CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON, AND GOVER-
NOR CLINTON, AFTER THE EVACUATION
OF THE CITY BY THE BRITISH FORCES
IN 1783.

A committee had been appointed by the citizens to wait upon General Washington and Governor Clinton and other American officers, and to express their joyful congratulation to them upon this occasion. A procession for this purpose formed in the Bowery, marched through a part of the city, and halted at a tavern, then known by the name of Cape's tavern, in Broadway, where the following addresses were delivered. Mr. Thomas Tucker, late of this town, and, at that time, a reputable merchant in New York, a member of the committee, was selected to perform the office on the part of the committee.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASH-
INGTON, ESQ.

GENERAL AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF
THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA.

The address of the citizens of New York,

who have returned from exile, in behalf of themselves and their suffering breth

ren :

GEN. WASHINGTON'S REPLY

TO THE FOREGOING ADDRESS, NEW YORK,
Nov. 25, 1783.

GENTLEMEN-I thank you sincerely for your affectionate address, and entreat you to be persuaded that nothing could be more agreeable to me than your polite congratulations. Permit me, in return, to felicitate you on the happy repossession of your city.

Great as your joy must be on this pleasing occasion, it can scarcely exceed that which I feel at seeing you, gentlemen, who, from the noblest motives, have suffered a voluntary exile of many years, return again in peace and triumph to enjoy the fruits of your virtuous conduct.

SIR-At a moment when the army of tyranny is yielding up its fondest usurpations, we hope the salutations of long suffering exiles, but now happy freemen, will not be deemed an unhappy tribute. In this place, and at this moment of exultation and triumph, while the ensigns of slavery still linger in our sight, we look up to you, our deliverer, with unusual transports of gratitude and joy. Permit us to welcome you to this city, long torn from us by the hard hand of oppression, but now, by your wisdom and energy, under the guidance of Providence, once more the seat of peace and May the tranquility of your city be perpetual freedom We forbear to speak our gratitude-may the ruins soon be repaired, commerce or your praise. We should but echo the voice of applauding millions. But the citizens of New York are eminently indebted to your vir

tues;
and we, who have now the honor to ad-
dress your excellency, have often been com-
panions of your sufferings and witnesses of
your exertions. Permit us, therefore, to ap-
proach your excellency with the dignity and

The fortitude and perseverance which you and your suffering brethren have exhibited in the course of the war, have not only endeared you to your countrymen, but will be remembered with admiration and applause, to the latest posterity.

flourish, science be fostered, and all the civil and social virtues be cherished in the same illustrious manner which formerly reflected so much credit on the inhabitants of New York. In fine, may every species of felicity attend you, gentlemen, and your worthy fellow-citi

zens.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

THE ADDRESS TO GOV. CLINTON | esteem of mankind; and your confidence and

have returned from exile, in behalf of them-administration of government, give me singuThe assurances of your firm support in the selves and their suffering brethren : SIR-When we consider your faithful labors at the head of the government of this state, devoid, as we conceive every free people ought | to be, of flattery, we think we should not be wanting in gratitude to your vigilant and assiduous services in the civil line.

manded the six nations of Indians, left Niagara, | colonel Hathorn, of the Warwick regiment, with about 300 warriors and a number of tories, who had joined that murderous crew, with an intention of destroying the settlements upon the Delaware river, which was then considered as the frontier of our unsettled country. On the 20th of July, he appeared on the west of Minisink-he sent down a party which destroyed the settlement, burnt several houses, and plundered the inhabitants, returning with their ill-gotten booty to the main body, which lay then at Grassy Swamp Brook. An express was immediately dispatched to colonel Tusten, his superior officer, General Allison, being then confined in New York, having been taken prisoner at the battle of Fort Montgomerythe colonel received the news that evening-he instantly issued orders to the officers of the regiment to rendezvous at Minisink, where he would meet them. Having taken an affectionate, and it proved a final, leave of his family, he collected what few he could, and was at the appointed place by morning. In the after part of that day, about 120 men were collected, when a council was held, to determine whether it would be best to pursue the Indians into the woods; a majority of the officers were in favor of that measure; colonel Tusten, who viewed things in a calm manner and judicious light, was opposed to that plan; he gave, as his reasons for his opposition, that the men were not sufficiently supplied with ammunition for a battle-that there were probably a much greater number of Indians than had been seen -that they were piloted by tories and Indians well acquainted with the woods, and commanded by Brandt, a well known warrior, who would never risk a battle unless he had superior advantages. To this was answered, that there was no danger of their numbers-that the Indians dare not fight-that they had several cattle and horses which they had plundered from the inhabitants which they must guard or leave upon the appearance of an enemythat they might be pursued with deliberation until they came to the fording place of the Delaware river, which was near the entrance of Lacawac river into the Delaware, and finally, major Meeker mounted his horse and flourished his sword, requesting all those who were men of courage to follow him, and let the cowards stay behind. This last appeal was too much for American valor, and the men immediately turned out, determined to pursue and destroy the Indians or perish in the attempt. They marched that evening about seventeen miles, when they encamped for the night.

In the morning they were overtaken by

who, being the oldest colonel and highest officer in rank, took the command. He called a council and himself opposed the pursuit, but here it was urged that they had a pilot, captain Tyler, who was as well acquainted with the woods as any among their enemies, and who could bring them to a spot most eligible for an attack with perfect safety, and the same scene of bullying was acted by major Meeker, who is well calculated by the poet, a fool devoid of rule," and the fatal line of march was again commenced. They had not proceeded far before Brandt discovered them-he ordered a few of his Indians to keep in sight and decoy them to the very spot where they intended to surprise him; but before they reached the place captain Tyler was shot, which damped the spirits of our men. During this confusion a party of Indians hove in sight-colonel H. ordered that no man should fire until they had prepared for a general battle; a large Indian however rode past on a horse which had been stolen from Minisink, and which one of our men knew; the temptation was too great, and our hero fired his rifle and brought the Indian to the ground. The advanced Indians then fired and rushed towards our men, in order to divide them, and about thirty were separated from the main body, who could not afterwards be brought into action. In a few minutes Brandt appeared with his whole force, when the firing became general. A very confused and irregular fire was kept up from behind trees and rocks both by the Indians and our From the situation in which they were placed every one fought in his own way, and it was impossible for any one to command: colonel Tusten retired to a spot surrounded by rocks, where he directed the wounded to be conveyed to him, and he now became the surgeon and friend of the wounded. Early in the battle he had received a slight wound in the hand, though not sufficient to prevent his dressing the wounds of the soldiers. The battle lasted the whole day; the Indians constantly endeavoring to divide and break the main body which had possession of the ground until sunset, when their ammunition was expended, and a general retreat was orderedno regularity could be preserved, and every one was left to effect his escape in the best manner he could-some crossed the river, while others were shot in it; some retreated through the woods, while others were destroyed in the attempt; but now a scene presented itself which of all others was the most trying. Dr. Tusten had seventeen with him, whose wounds

men.

he had dressed, and whose lives might have | converting them into barracks, jails, hospitals,
been saved-the cries they kept up for mercy
and protection when they heard the retreat
ordered, beggared all description; they were
necessarily left to be sacrificed by savage bar-
barity; and whether Dr. Tusten stayed and
perished with his wounded countrymen, or
attempted to make his retreat, is not known.
This is the last time he was ever seen by any
white man, though it is generally believed that
he suffered by the same tomahawk which
destroyed those that were with him. On this
fatal day forty-four of our countrymen fell,
some of whom might emphatically be called the
pride and flower of Goshen. Among them was
a Jones, a Little, a Duncan, a Wisner, a Vail, a
Townsend, and a Knapp; and there perished
our friend and brother in profession, Dr.
Tusten, a sacrifice for the independence and
liberty of our country.

riding schools, etc. Boston, Newport, Phila-
delphia and Charlestown, all furnished melan-
choly instances of this prostitution and abuse of
the house of God;—and of nineteen places of
public worship in this city, when the war began,
there were but nine fit for use when the British
troops left it. It is true, Trinity church, and
the old Lutheran, were destroyed by the fire,
that laid waste so great part of the city, a few
nights after the enemy took possession of it;
the fire was occasioned by the carelessness of
their people; and they prevented its more
speedy extinguishment. But the ruinous sit-
uation in which they left two of the Low Dutch
Reformed churches, the three Presbyterian
churches, the French Protestant church, the
Anabaptist church, and the Friends new meet-
ing house, was the effect of design, and strongly
marks their enmity to those societies."

REFERENCE

TO CHURCHES OF NEW YORK DURING THE
REVOLUTION.

The Churches. Extract from a sermon preached
at New York, by the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, Dec.
II, 1783, the day appointed by congress as
a public thanksgiving throughout the United
States.

"It is much to be lamented, that the troops of a nation who had been considered as one of the bulwarks of the reformation, should act as if they had waged war with the God whom Christians adore. They have, in the course of this war, utterly destroyed more than fifty places of worship in these states. Most of these were burnt, others they levelled with the ground, and in some places left not a vestige of their former situation; while they have wantonly defaced, or rather destroyed others, by

THE MIDDLE DUTCH CHURCH.

Of this church, which, in the beginning of the
war, was used by the British as a prison, and
afterwards converted into a riding school,
the venerable Dr. Livingston thus expresses
himself, in a sermon, delivered July 4, 1790,
when it was for the first time opened for
public worship, after being repaired.

"I dare not speak of the wanton cruelty of
those who destroyed this temple, nor repeat
the various indignities which have been per-
petrated. It would be easy to mention facts
which would chill your blood! A recollection
of the groans of dying prisoners, which pierced
this ceiling, or the sacrilegious shouts and
rough feats of horsemanship exhibited within
these walls, might raise sentiments in your
minds which would, perhaps, not harmonize
with those religious affections, which I wish, at
present, to promote, and always to cherish."

NEW JERSEY,

APPROPRIATION OF MONEY

IN THE PUBLIC TREASURY BY THE PEOPLE
OF NEW JERSEY.

NEWPORT, May 23, 1775. The people of New Jersey have taken possession of the treasury of that province, in which was the amount of between twenty and thirty thousand pounds; which money is to be appropriated to the payment of the troops now raised in that province, for the defence of the

liberties of America.

VOTE OF CENSURE

THE

ON GOVERNOR WM. FRANKLIN, BY PROVINCIAL Congress, oF NEW JERSEY. BURLINGTON, June 14, 1776. Resolved, That in the opinion of this congress, the proclamation of William Franklin, esq. late governor of New Jersey, bearing date the thirtieth day of May last, in the name of the king of Great Britain, appointing a meeting of the general assembly, to be held on the twentieth of this instant, June, ought not to be obeyed.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this congress, the said William Franklin, esq. by such his declaration, has acted in direct contempt

and violation of the resolve of the continental congress of the 15th day of May last.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this congress, all payments of money on account of salary or otherwise, to the said William Franklin, esq. as governor, ought from henceforth, to cease; and that the treasurer or treasurers of this province, shall account for the monies in their hands to this congress, or to the future legislation of this colony.

By order of the congress,

A true copy,

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.

been requested by the continental congress to send, without delay, from their militia, three thousand three hundred men to New-York, in consequence of authentic information that the grand attack of our common enemy this summer, which will probably prove the decisive campaign, is to be upon that city; and that their force may be expected there in a few days. Your representatives in this congress have, with all the despatch in their power, and with the utmost unanimity, prepared an ordinance for raising the number called for, as equally from the different parts of the province as possible. They have determined to raise the men by voluntary enlistment in the several counties, in full confidence that, in this war, they will be raised most speedily, as well as consist of persons of the greatest spirit and alacrity for the important service. Filled with the same zeal for the defence of their country, they apply to you by this short address-and, in the most earnest and affectionate manner entreat you not to sully the reputation acquired on all former occasions; but to give a new proof to the public of your courage and intrepidity, as men, of your unalterable attach

ment to the liberties of America, and the sincerity of your unanimous resolutions from the beginning of this contest. Were there time to draw up a long discourse in this hour of danger, the arguments that might be used are innumerable, and as some of them are of the most urgent, so (blessed be God) others are of the most encouraging and animating kind.

The danger is not only certain, but immediate and imminent. It does not admit of a moment's delay, for our unjust and implacable enemy is at hand. The place where the attack is expected is of the last importance; not only a city of great extent, the interest of whose numerous inhabitants must be exceedingly dear to us, but situated in the middle of the colonies, and where the success of the enemy would separate the provinces, and disunite their efforts by land, which are of necessity liable to interruption from the enemy's fleet by sea. It is scarce worth while to add, that this province, by its vicinity, would TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW JERSEY BY then be exposed to the cruel depredations of THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE 15th, the enemy, who happily, hitherto have been 1776. able to do us little or no mischief but by theft Countrymen and friends-This province has and rapine. It would seem to carry unjust

WILLIAM PATTERSON, Secretary.

ADDRESS,