Jamaica, Sept. 25, 1775, 10 o'clock, P.M.
Sir: I have endeavored in the towns of Jamaica and Hempstead to carry the Resolutions of Congress into execution; but without the assistance of the battalion (Col. Lasher's) I shall not be able to do it to any good purpose. The people conceal all their arms that are of any value; many declare that they know nothing about the Congress, nor do they care anything for the orders of Congress, and say they would sooner lose their lives than give up their arms; and that they would blow any man's brains out that should attempt to take them.
We find there are a number of arms that belong to the county in the hands of the people. Some persons are so hardy and daring, as to go into the houses of those that are friendly and take away by force those county arms that our friends have received from the Clerk of the county.
We are told the people have been collecting together, and parading in sundry places, armed, and firing their muskets in way of bravado. We also have it from good authority, that Governor Colden yesterday sent his servant round to some of the leading people, advising them to arm and defend themselves, and not deliver their arms. In consequence of which the number of people collected themselves this morning to retake the few arms we collected yesterday; but for some reason did not proceed.
Captain Hulet, of Hempstead, told us he had his company together last Sunday, and said he, "Had your battalion appeared, we should have warmed their sides." On the whole, had we the battalion, we believe we should be able to collect a very considerable number of good arms, and support the honor of the Congress, but without it, shall not; I think if the battalion is sent up, the sooner the better.
Some of the leading men of Hempstead, whom we this day had together, proposed to call the town together on Monday next, and consult on the matter, and return some answer or another on Tuesday next, and seemed desirous to put off the matter till the whole Congress met. Whether they mean by this put off, to gain time to arm and prepare, or what else, we know not. 
I am, sir, your humble servant,
WM. Williams

On reading the above letter it is ordered, That the committee appointed to collect arms in Queens county, be desired to send in all arms already collected, and proceed in collecting all they can, and return to the city by Friday next, and that committee of five of our body proceed to Queens county on Friday, and use every prudent measure to collect arms, and attend a meeting to be held at Hempstead on Monday, and endeavor to prevail on them to comply with the resolutions of this committee.
[What was the upshot of the meeting in Hempstead, we know not.-Ed.]

To the Provincial Congress for the Colony of New-York:
32. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, inhabitants of the township of Jamaica, do hereby declare, that we have associated ourselves as a company of Minute Men, for the defence of American Liberty, and do hereby promise and engage to be obedient to our officers, and subject to the resolutions and directions of the Honorable the Continental Congress, and of the Provincial Congress of this colony. As we, the non-commissioned officers and privates of the new company, have elected the following gentlemen for our commissioned officers, to wit:
John Skidmore, Esq., Captain; Jacob Wright, Gent., first Lieutenant; Nicholas Everit, Gent., second Lieutenant, and Ephraim Marsten, Gent., Ensign.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed the names, in the year of our Lord, 1775.
 

Song of the Jamaica Minute Men, as sung by S. Mills

Arouse, my brother Minute Men!
And let us bear our chorus;
The braver and the bolder,
The more they will adore us.
Toll de rol, &c.

Our country calls for swords and balls,
Our drums aloud do rattle,
Our fifer's charms arouse to arms,
And Liberty calls to battle.
Toll de rol, &c.

Now to our station let us march
And render us with pleasure,
Behaving like brave Minute Men
To save so great a treasure.
Toll de rol, &c.

We'll let 'em see immediately
That we are men of mettle,
American boys who fear no noise,
And ne'er will flinch from battle.
Toll de rol, &c.

We have some noble Congressmen
Elected for our nurses,
And every jolly farmer will
Assist 'em with their purses.
Toll de rol, &c.

And they may stay at home, we say,
And enjoy their state of pleasure,
While we do go and fight their foe
And save their lives and treasure.
Toll de rol, &c.

Why should we be dismayed,
If the Torries-they do thunder,
They only want to ruin us
And live upon their plunder.
Toll de rol, &c.

Such heavy chains we do disdain,
And likewise Popish tyranny;
Such hellish frays we do defy,
And will not yield to any.
Toll de rol, &c.

Why should we be dismayed
If the Torries-they defy us?
There are the brave riflemen,
They say they will stand by us.
Toll de rol, &c.

That Tory brood that has withstood
This great and glorious jovial,
If they advance, we'll make'em dance
The tune of Yankee Doodle.
Toll de rol, &c.