Tudor

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Die Jovis, 9 ho˙ A˙M˙, October 19, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present:

A Petition from Samuel Tudor, praying for rank for himself and Company, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

"New-York, October 18, 1775.

SIR: As I am informed the honourable Congress has it under consideration to fix the rank of the City Artillery Companies, my entreating it to be determined as soon as convenient, and offering my sentiments thereon, will not, I hope, be thought presumptuous. My duty to you, myself, and the Company I have the honour to command, urge me thereto: to you, Sir, that you be properly informed; to myself and the Company, that in case we be deprived of our rights, I shall stand acquitted of remissness. I therefore beg leave to inform you, that rny Company is of as long standing as Captain Rutgers' s commission — that is, about three years; that his Company does not consist of half my number; that mine was always styled the First Company, and, until now, was the only Artillery Company; and that it has been kept up with great expense and industry, for the service of this Country; which good intention, I fear, will be defeated, should it lose that rank which we, with submission, think it justly entitled to — of remaining the First Company. The event, Sir, I have some cause to apprehend, from Captain Rutgers receiving an order for two pieces of cannon, whilst I, with a much larger and disciplined Company, have received but one; and am, therefore, disappointed in my early repeated applications to your honourable body, in the promise I had of being first supplied, and the pains I took to forward the casting them.

I am, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, SAMUEL TUDOR.

To Nathaniel Woodhull, Esq."

Ordered, That Mr˙ Clarkson, Mr˙ Thomas Smith, and Mr˙ Morris, be a Committee to inquire into the pretensions of Captain Rutgers and Captain Tudor, and their respective Companies, and report their opinion with respect to the rank of those gentlemen and their Companies.