[Robert Bolton, Jr. (1848)] 36^. HISTORY or THE join with ihe other colonies in supporting it. The letter of John Hancock, enclosing to them, that declaration, after acknowledg-ing their dependence for success npon the Ruler of the universe, with almost a prophet's vision announced the important conse-quences which would flow from that declaration.''^ The old court house, honored by this fearless step in (he cause of inde-pendence, " and so intimately associated with the wisdom and vir-tue of such men as Jay, Morris, Clinton, Woodhull, Hobart, Van Cortlandt, Livingston, and Rutgers, was burnt on the night of the 5th of November, by a New England major, without orders, together with every dwelling at White Plains.''^ " About 12 o'clock, this night, (Nov. 5th, 1776, says General Heath,) a party of Americans wantonly set fire to the court-house, and several other private houses, which stood between the two armies. This gave great disgust to the whole American army, and drew from the commander-in-chief the following paragraph, in his orders of the 6th : ' It is with the utmost astonishment and abhorrence, the general is informed, that some base and cowardly wretches have, last night, set fire to the court-house and other buildings which the enemy left. The army Tnay rely upon it, that they shall be brought to justice, and meet with the punish-ment they deserve."*^ Pierre van Cortlandt, vice president of the committee of public safety, under date of 28th November, thus feelingly alludes to the event.