Captain William Ross is in town, & has been waiting since Friday for an opportunity of presenting to Congress several orders for the rewards offered for apprehending the ruffians who seized and kept me a prisoner; and for the information of Council, I beg leave to state the cases in which the rewards are now claimed.

Ira Manvil & Benedict Satterlee were two of the fifteen men present at the taking me off. They have been indicted, & pleaded guilty. They were apprehended by the five persons named in Doctor Smith’s certificate. Manvil & Satterlee were the only persons who in consequence of the proclamation of Council were committed to Easton Jail. That others, however, were not alike committed, was not the fault of their captors. The majority of the Justices did not think it necessary or expedient; and as the object of Council must have been only to secure the persons of the offenders, it was suposed by a construction of the proclamation, that the captors would be equally entitled to the rewards as if the offenders were actually committed to Easton Goal.

Benjamin Earle was apprehended by a party of about twenty men, who chose Gideon Church for their captain. This Earle was also of the party that took me. He offered to turn State’e evidence; and being admitted as such by the Justices, was not conveyed by his captors to Easton Goal.

Thomas Kinney was apprehended by the party commanded by Captain Ross, but was not present with the party that took me; but there is evidence of his joining them in arms. However, he has pleaded not guilty, & is to be tried.

The four culprits above named were apprehended before it was known that rewards were offered.

Stephen Jenkins was apprehended by the last pary, formed after the proclamation of Council was issued. Of this party were Christian G. Oehring, Willm, Smith, James Sutton, John Tuttle, & others. But Stephen Jenkins has pleaded not guilty, & for him the reward does not appear to be due before conviction.

Joseph Dudley also was apprehended after the proclamation of Council was published. Captain Rosewell Franklin (captain elect of a company of militia about Wysocks) raised a part of his company, &, joined by John Tuttle, lay in wait for a party of the offenders, but all save Dudley, effected their escape. He refusing to surrender, Captain Franklin & some of his men fired & mortally wounded him. He was brought to Wilksbarre, & died a day or two after.

Aaron Kilborn is a lad of about 15 years old. He joined the armed party after I was taken—has been indicted, & pleaded guilty. The manner of his being apprehended (which was about the 15th of August,) is certified by Doctor Smith.

As some disputes may arise about the persons entitled to shares of rewards, I beg leave to suggest, whether it may not be expedient to order the monies to be paid to Captain Ross, for the use of the persons to whom the same are due; and to advise, that in case of dispute, the claims be heard & adjusted by any three of the Justices of the peace of the county.

I beg leave to add—That Captain Ross, since the first introduction of the laws of this State into the county of Luzerne, has manifested a uniform zeal to support the government of Pennsylvania, and a readiness to expose himself to any hazards which the welfare of the State could demand of a spirited & faithful citizen. Besides the loss of time occasioned by the wounds he received in pursuing the offenders now referred to, he has incurred an expence of upwards of eleven pounds, which his surgeons have charged for their attendance on him. But what is most unfortunate, he, by these wounds, is probably rendered an invalid for life. It would seem to merit him, not only as due for his exertions & consequent sufferings; but as an exemplary encouragement to other spirited & faithful citizens to engage in hazardous enterprizes when the peace & welfare of the State shall demand it.

I have the honor to Be Sir, very respectfully, your most obedt. servant,