t hmbl Sert.

JNO. BROWN.
The honle. JNO. JAY ESQ.
Predt. Congress

(Continental Congress Papers, no. 42, Petitions, vol. i. 179.)

THE HONle THE CONGRESS

The Memorial and Remonstrance of John Brown of Pittsfield in the
State of the Massachusetts Bay humbly sheweth--

That in the Month of Novr. 1777 Your Petitioner was passing
through York Town to the Southord when he waited on the honble
Charles Thompson Esqr Secy to Congress, who favoured your
petitioner with a Copy of the very extraordinary Trial of Genl.
Arnold of which the following is an Extract Viz "In Congress May
20th 1777--

A Letter this Day from Genl. Arnold with a printed Paper inclosed
signed John Brown was read, order'd that the same be refered to
the Board of War together with such Complaints as have been
lodged agt. Genl. Arnold." By this your Petitioner would suppose
that the Board of War were directed not only to take into
consideration his Complaint, but all others that have been lodged
agt. Genl. Arnold, particularly those lodged by a General Court
Martial composed by thirteen of the principle Officers at
Tycondoroga in the Year 1776 as well as those lodged by Colo.
Hazen & others altho it does not appear that any other Matter of
Complaint was determined on, but that contained in the hand Bill
signed John Brown on which the Board of War Report--

"That the Genl. laid before them a variety of original Letters
orders and other papers, _which together with the General's own
account of his Conduct_, confirmed by Mr. Carroll one of the late
Commissioners in Canada now a Member of this Board, have given
intire Satisfaction to this Board concerning the General's
Character and Conduct, so cruelly and groundlessly aspersed in
the Publication."

Your Petitioner begs leave to affirm that Mr. Carroll whatever he
might wish knew nothing more or less as a Witness concerning the
Charges laid agt. Genl. Arnold owing to an unlucky Alieubi, which
happened with respect to him in regard to all the Charges laid in
the Complaint. Still how far his evidence might go in assisting
Genl. Arnold in proving his negatives your Petitioner does not
pretend to say, as this is an intire new mode of Trial.

First