Letter from Thomas Belknap to General Lee

v5:137

New-Windsor, March 8, 1776.

PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: The Convention of the County of Ulster was pleased to recommend me, the subscriber, to the Provincial Congress in New-York, to raise a company of Riflemen at Wyoma and the back Mountains, referring the matter to their better judgment, and if your Excellency wants such a company of men in the Continental Army, it is the petition of your humble servant, that his Excellency would please to make it known to the said Congress as soon as his Excellency shall think proper, there being now a considerable number of bright Riflemen waiting to know whether the honourable Congress will send a warrant to inlist them or not.

His Excellency' s taking the aforesaid matter into his consideration will oblige his most obedient humble servant at command.

THOMAS BELKNAP, JUN.

To His Excellency General Lee, Chief Commander of the Army at New-York, or the next commanding Officer.