It was not posseble for me to find any Pretence for a letter to your Excellency untill I recd. A Visit from Mr. Justice HICKS acquainting me it was your Excellencys Pleasure he should administer ye State Oaths to ye Officers of ye Militia of this & Queens County.

He informed me that upon Examination ye Officers of Queens had allraedy been Qualifyed by Col. LUDLOW & advised me to do ye same, Particularly as Your Excellency had sent a Dedimus into this County for that purpose which he conceived must have escaped your Excellency & at ye same time proposed furnishing me with ye State Oaths which came to hand ye 8th Inst.

I have now ye honor herewith to send your Excellency ye Declaration signed by ye Officers of ye Militia of this County who have all taken ye State Oaths together with ye oaths sent me by Mr. Justice HICKS & let me assure you Sir I should be unhappy to lose any of those few Opertunities that I have of discharging faithfully that duty I lye under to that King that I respect I owe to your Excellency’s Commands.

I have to give Your Excellency Joy on ye late Successes & beg you to hear from a plain man who has no view of Flattery about him that ye account from Various friend how much sooner they differ on other points yet agree perfectly in given your Excellency all ye Renown upon that occation that are due to ye Greatest General & boldest Soldier.

I shall conclude this with my earnest wishes for your Safety since those for your Honour have succeeded so well.

I am every with truth & respect
Your Excellency’s
Most Obedt. huml. Servt.
Wm. AXTELL

King’s County
Octr. Ye 17th 1777

His Excellency Govr. TRYON

New York State Library, Andrew Elliot Papers, K13349, Box 4, folio 4.

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