J. A. MAGEE TO ROBERT YATES.

Fishkill, November 29th, 1776.

SIR: I would presume to recommend my brother Peter Magee for an officer in the new recruits, now a Second Lieutenant in the Army at Fort Constitution, in the company of one Mr. Bently, and in the regiment whereof Henry V. Rensselaer, Esq., is Major. I would choose, sir, to refer to Major Van Rensselaer and Major Peter Schuyler.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

J. A. MAGEE.

To Robert Yates, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Arrangement.

Meeting of the Committee of Arrangement, December 6th, 1776:

Resignations.

Recommendations.

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In Committee of Arrangement, Fishkill, December 12, 1776.

Present: Robert Harper, Chairman pro tem., Colonel Duer, Mr. Duane, Colonel De Witt.

Resolved, That Captain Abraham Ricker and Captain John Copp be appointed Captains in one of the four Battalions of this State; also that Thomas McKane be appointed a Captain in the same.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hulbert has informed Colonel Duer and Mr. Duane that he had resigned, and would not any longer continue in service.

A Letter from Nathaniel Hazard, December 9th, 1776, informing of the resignation of Mr. John Gunnel; and of Mr. Slaus Hobart’s recommendation of Nathaniel Platt for a Captaincy.

A Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Hulbert, December 9th, 1776, informing the Committee of his resignation, at the same time recommending Benjamin Marvin as an officer of merit, for a Lieutenancy.

A Letter from Captain John Johnson, November 17th, 1776, recommending Lieutenant John Johnson for a Captain of Marines, and Sergeant-Major James Barret as worthy of a commission.

A Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Weisenfels, of December 2d, 1776, informing of the resignations of Captains John Johnson, Richard Platt, Brigade-Major, and Elijah Hunter; also Lieutenants James M. Hughes and John Johnson; recommending Captains Copp, Gershom Mott, John Brogden, and Lieutenants Hugh McClellan and John Nicolls; also Simon Crygier for an Ensign.

A Letter from Jelles Fonde, of 22d November, recommending Captain McKane, First Lieutenant Ebenezer French, Second Lieutenant Albert Van Dewarka, Garret Pottman, and Major Robert Cochran, which last he says would choose to be in service as a Ranger.

A Letter from Samuel Sackett, Captain, of 27th November, informing of the resignation of Lieutenant Ebenezer Mott, Joshua Drake, Ensign; also recommending Mr. Gilbert Strang as a very fit person for an officer; requesting that he may be appointed Ensign to his Company.

A Certificate from Messrs. William Harper and John Moore, of the 29th November, recommending Captain McKane and Lieutenant French as good and worthy officers; also of the dismission of Captain Seban’s Company.

A Letter from Rev. John Mason, November 26, 1776, requesting a Chaplaincy in one of our Battalions.

A Letter from Ja. Cuyler, Esq., 9th December, informing that Mr. Valkenburgh, who was left out of the arrangement on declining to serve, is now willing to continue in service, and recommending him as a good officer; also that Mr. Samuel Thorn will accept; and that Mr. Henry Devandorph, who was mentioned to us as indifferent, has done some extraordinary services, for which he recommends him for a good officer.

A Letter from Colonel P. Gansevoort, of the 3d December last, recommending Henry Colbraith and McClannen for Ensigns. He has sent them out to recruit.

A Note from General James Clinton of the 6th December instant, recommending George Dennison for an Ensign in Captain Gregg’s Company.

A Letter from James Magee, of 29th November, 1776, recommending his brother, Second Lieutenant Peter Magee, for an appointment on the new establishment.

A Letter from Surgeon Benjamin Curtis, of November 3d, 1776, wherein he resigns his office.

A Letter from Robert Provost, December 7th, instant, appointed a Paymaster by General Washington, requesting to be continued.

A Letter from Major Benjamin Ledyard, December 12th, recommending Theodosius Fowler as First Lieutenant to Captain Walker.

A Letter from General James Clinton, of December 2d, 1776, recommending Captain Rosecrans and Lieutenant Lee.

A Letter from Colonel Van Schaick, December 5th, enclosing the resignation of Captains Samuel Van Veghten and Garret Veeder; also of Second Lieutenants John Lansing and Bartholomew Van Valkenburgh; and of Ensigns John Vernon, John J. Ten Eyck, Abraham G. Lansing, and Peter S. Schuyler. The Colonel informs that Major Christopher P. Yates, First Lieutenant John Hooghkirk, Second Lieutenant Abraham Hardenburgh, Second Lieutenant William Scudder, Second Lieutenant John Ostrander, First Lieutenant Adire Sherwood, and Ensign Peter J. Hoogeboom, had returned him no answer.

Lieutenant Cornelius Bicker, recommended by Captain Anthony Rutgers, December 14th, to be provided for in the new arrangement.

Ezekiel Cooper went First Lieutenant with Captain Billings to Canada; when the Regiment was discharged at Montreal, was appointed Captain by General Montgomery, served at Quebeck last winter, was appointed Captain this spring, and now serves on the Mohawk river.

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In Committee of Arrangements, Fishkill, December 14th, 1776.

Present: Robert Harper, Chairman, Mr. Duane, Mr. Jay, Colonel Duer, Colonel De Witt.

Resolved, That Captain Abraham Ricker be, and he is hereby, appointed Captain in the First Company of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Cortlandt, in the room of Captain John Johnson, who has resigned; and that a copy of this Resolve, with his Instructions, be immediately sent him by the Chairman, together with the names of his subaltern officers.

Resolved, That Recruiting Instructions be immediately given to Captain John Copp, for inlisting a Company in Colonel Van Schaick’s Regiment, and that this Committee pledge themselves that he shall be placed in such rank on the Continental establishment as he is entitled to from his former commission.

Resolved, That Captain Robert McKane be, and he is hereby, appointed Captain of a Company in Colonel Van Schaick’s Regiment; and that this Committee pledge themselves that he shall be placed in such rank on the Continental establishment as he is entitled to from his former commission.

Resolved unanimously, That Jacob Morris, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed a Major to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Duboise.

Resolved, That Amos Hutchins, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed a Captain of a Company in Colonel Duboise’s Regiment; and that a copy of this Resolve, his In structions, together with the names of his subaltern officers, be immediately sent him by the Chairman.

Resolved, That James Stewart, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed a Captain in the Regiment of Colonel Duboise.

Resolved, That Philip Duboise Bevier, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Duboise.

Resolved, That Brinton Payne, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed a Captain in the Regiment of Colonel Duboise.

Resolved, That William J. Smith, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Duboise.

Resolved, That Henry Godwin, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Duboise.

Resolved, That Samuel English be, and he is hereby, appointed a Second Lieutenant in Colonel Duboise’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Edward Weaver, Gent., be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in Colonel Duboise’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Thomas Lewis, Gent., be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in Colonel Duboise’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Henry J. Vanderbergh, Gent., be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in Colonel Duboise’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Nathaniel Birdsall, Gent., be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in Colonel Duboise’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Jacobus Sleght, Gent., be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in Colonel Duboise’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Thompson, late a Sergeant in Colonel Humphrey’s Regiment, be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in Colonel Duboise’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Henry Duboise, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed Adjutant to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Duboise.

Resolved, That John McClaughery be, and he is hereby, appointed Quartermaster to Colonel Duboise’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Albert Pawling, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed Aid-Major to the Regiment of Colonel Duboise, with the pay of a Major in the Continental service, and with the rank he is entitled to by his former commission in Colonel Duboise’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Recruiting Instructions be sent to the respective Captains and Ensigns above appointed, and that a copy of the Resolution appointing each of them respectively be endorsed on their respective Instructions.

Resolved, That application be made to the Convention for an advance of the sum of, out of the Treasury of this State, towards the bounty for recruiting the said Regiment.

Resolved, That Doctor John Coats be appointed Surgeon to the said Regiment.

Resolved, That Dennis Tappen be, and he is hereby, appointed Paymaster to said Regiment.

Resolved, That Colonel De Witt be requested to transmit to Major Pawling the resolution of his appointment, and to inform him that it is the earnest wish of the Committee of Arrangement that he may accept the same.

Resolved, That Henry Pawling, who is appointed a First Lieutenant in Colonel Gansevoort’s Regiment, be removed to the Regiment to be raised and appointed by Colonel Duboise, and that he hold the same rank there that he was entitled to by a former commission.

A Letter from General George Clinton, of this date, recommending Lieutenant Lawrence to an appointment on the New Arrangement:

Resolved, That Lieutenant Andrew Lawrence be, and he is hereby, appointed a Lieutenant in the Regiment of Colonel Duboise.

A Letter from John McKesson, Esq., recommending Mr. Alexander McArthur and Mr. John I. Myers to appointments on the New Arrangement.

Resolved, That Mr. Alexander McArthur be, and he is hereby, appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Regiment of Colonel Duboise.

Resolved, That Simon Crygier be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Cortlandt, and in Captain Jonathan Hallet’s Company.

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In Committee of Arrangement, Fishkill, December 18th, 1776.

Present: Rob’t Harpur, Chairman pro tem., Colonel Duer, Colonel De Witt.

Jacobus A. Rosa, Ensign, now of Captain Jackson’s Company, in the late Regiment of General James Clinton, recommended by said General as an Ensign in Captain Israel Smith’s Company of Colonel Livingston’s Regiment, and Second Lieutenant Peter Elsworth in the room of Lieutenant Lee, should he resign. First Lieutenant Lee also recommended by the General to a commission, preserving his rank, in any of the new Regiments.

A Letter received from Captain Ben. Walker, requesting that, as he is unwell, Subalterns may be appointed immediately, and clothing given to his men.

General J. Clinton recommends Andrew Harkness, a Sergeant in Captain Jackson’s Company, for an Ensigncy; said Harkness is a good pensman and arithmetician.

The General informs, that John McClaugery would suit an Ensigncy better than the Quartermastership he is now appointed to the 14th instant; and that the present Quartermaster, Jeremiah Carpenter, in the said Regiment, will accept, and in the General’s opinion is much better qualified.

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In Committee of Arrangement, Fishkill, December 20th, 1776.

Resolved, That Mr. Josiah Bagley be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Gansevoort.

Mr. Gansevoort recommends Silas Grey as a good officer and is worthy the notice of the Committee; that Colonel Gansevoort would be happy in having him appointed a Second Lieutenant in his Battalion.

Memorandum. —John Houston, now the 8th Captain in Colonel Gansevoort’s, was a Second Lieutenant last year. Jonathan Pearcy, now First Lieutenant in First Company of said Regiment, was a First Lieutenant last year, and returned from Canada in June last.

Agreeable to the proposal sent to Captain Rosecrans, of his choosing whether he should go into Colonel Duboise’s or Livingston’s Regiment, he has chosen the former.

Resolved, That he continue in Colonel Dubois’s Regiment.

Resolved, That Henry Swartwout, Edward Weaver, John McClaughrey, Jacobus Sleght, Henry J. Vanderberg, Nathaniel Birdsall, and Thomas Lewis, be, and they are hereby appointed, Ensigns in the regiment commanded by Colonel Dubois.

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Colonel DUBOY’S Officers on the New Arrangement.

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Resignations of Officers received by the Committee of Arrangement from the day of to the 14th day of December, inclusive.

December 22d, 1776. —Colonel Duboys requests that the Rev. John Mason be appointed a Chaplain to his Regiment.

December 23d, 1776. —Resolved, That Samuel Lewis be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in Captain Abraham Swartwout’s Company and Colonel Gansevoort’s Regiment.

December 23d, 1776. —Resolved, That Lieutenant Thomas Lee be, and he is hereby, appointed a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Duboys.

December 23d, 1776. —Resolved, That the following be, agreeable to the request of Colonel Duboys, the rank roll of his Regiment; and that the Officers do hold their respective ranks in the Continental establishment, agreeable to their former commissions:

Memorandum. —Colonel Duboys requests that the same sum be granted him as was to the other Colonels. He has drawn £1, 500 already of that sum, and wants £1, 500 more immediately.

December 24th. —Second Lieutenant Daniel Lawrence applies for to be taken as an officer in the New Arrangement. He entered a Second Lieutenant in Rosecrans’s Company last February; was a Lieutenant of the Militia before; can be recommended by General J. Clinton. Mr. McNeal recommends as a stout, good officer. Mr. Sackett knows him, as also Mr. Gilbert Livingston.

28th. —Resolved, That Barent J. Ten Eyck, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed a Captain in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Goose Van Schaick.

30th. —Resolved, That Jeremiah C. Muller, Gent., be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Van Schaick.

Memorandum. —Jonathan Piercy was the eldest First Lieutenant in the first four Regiments, and then said to be the first man to be preferred to a company.

January 1st. —Mr. Timothy Smith, of Goshen, (an Ensign,) resigns. He will recommend an Ensign in his stead if agreeable.

January 2d, 1777. —Mr. Harpur proposes the following Resolve for the approbation of the Committee of Arrangement, viz: That First Lieutenant Jonathan Piercy, who was the eldest Lieutenant in the first four Regiments of this State, be, and he is hereby, appointed a Captain, in the room of Captain Brinton Payne, of Colonel Duboys’s Regiment, who has resigned; and that he, the said Piercy, shall preserve the rank he is entitled to from his former commission.

Resolved, That Mr. Christopher Hutton be, and he is hereby, appointed an Ensign in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Gansevoort, and in Captain Henry Tiebout’s Company.

January 1st, 1777. —Timothy Smith, Ensign, told the Chairman he had declined serving, and Joshua Hubbard, a good-looking young fellow, desires to be put in his room; said Hubbard was a Corporal in Captain Chas. Graham’s Company, and from Suffolk County.

Captain Jacob Wright recommended by General Scott as an excellent officer for a Captain on the New Arrangement.

Timothy Hughs, Nath’l Henry, Lieutenants in Colonel Nicholson’s Regiment, also Lieutenant Guy Young, for Lieutenants; and Jonathan Brown, Francis Shaw, and Bennet, for Ensigns, recommended by Colonel Van Schaick.

Jeremiah Lansing recommended for a Paymaster to Colonel Gansevoort’s Regiment, or any other, by the President, General Ten Broeck.

Captain Dan’l Griffin, 1st Captain in J. Clinton’s Regiment, recommended for Lieutenant-Colonel to Colonel Livingston’s Regiment. He is before Lieutenant-Colonel Hulbert in rank. He and Benjamin Marvin petitioned the Convention on the 23d December, 1774.

Sergeant Will’m Erskin recommended by Captain Godwin as an excellent fellow for an Ensign, and requests him for his company.

Doctor Wm. Mead recommended to Colonel Cortlandt’s Regiment by Mr. Jay, Captain Pell, and others, as a good Surgeon. He has lodged a, certificate of his examination by Doctor Bard with the Convention, by the hands of Mr. Tompkins.

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