he and his Council would take their Speech into consideration, and give them an answer on Thursday morning.

At a Council held at Philadelphia on Thursday, 18th May, 1775. Present: The Honourable John Penn, Esq., Governour, William Logan, Benjamin Chew, Andrew Allen, Edward Shippen, Jr., Esquires.

The eight Cayuga Indians being sent for, attended at the Board in order to receive the Governour’s answer to their Speech on Tuesday last, which the Governour in part delivered to them; but as it appeared to the Board that the Indians did not clearly and fully comprehend his meaning, the person who undertook to interpret to them, not being sufficiently acquainted with their language, and the Indians expressing great dissatisfaction on being informed that this land had already been purchased and paid for, it was agreed that Isaac Still, a Delaware Indian interpreter, should be immediately sent for, to interpret the Governour’s answer to the Indians in Council, on Saturday morning next.

At a Council held at Philadelphia on Saturday, 20th May, 1775. Present: The Honourable John Penn, Esq., Governour, William Logan, James Tilghman, Andrew Allen, Edward Shippen, Jr., Esquires.

The eight Cayuga Indians, by the desire of the Governour, again attended the Board, with the Indian interpreter, Isaac Still, and having taken their seats, the Speaker repeated over the Speech he had delivered to the Governour on Tuesday last, which was the same in substance as entered on the Minutes of that day, and the Governour returned them his answer, which was fully explained to them by Isaac Still, and is as follows, viz:

“BRETHREN: The tract of land you mention, consisting of five hundred acres, part of the Conestogo Manor where old Sohaes dwelt, was included in a purchase long since made from the Indians; notwithstanding which I agree that Sohaes and his family had the proprietary’s permission to live thereon as long as they chose to remain in the inhabited part of the country.

“Some time after the death of Sohaes, and all his family that resided there, in the year 1768, there was a treaty held at Fort Stanwix, to which I was invited by Sir William Johnson, in order to treat with the Indians concerning the purchase of a large tract of land, part of which lay in the King’s Government, and part in the Province of Pennsylvania. At this treaty the last great Indian purchase was made, for which I then paid the Indians ten thousand Dollars, But before the treaty was finished, Sir William Johnson informed me that the Indians expected to be paid for, the five hundred acres of land, part of the Conestogo Manor, where Sohaes dwelt. I accordingly agreed to pay them for it. The price agreed on was two hundred Pounds, York money, or five hundred Dollars, the value of which was then delivered in goods to Togaiaio the Cayuga Chief, to be distributed as he thought proper; and the deed I now show you for the land I bought of the Indians at that treaty, signed by the Chiefs of the Six Nations, expressly includes this five hundred acres of land. Having therefore already purchased the lands twice, it cannot reasonably be expected that I should pay for it again. However, as you have come from a great distance, under an expectation of selling this land, and perhaps did not receive so great a portion of the goods I delivered at Fort Stanwix as should have been paid to the relatives of Sohaes, and to show you the desire I have to preserve peace and friendship with the Indians and that when they pay me a visit they should not go away dissatisfied, I am willing to make you a present, which I hope you will think a generous one. I therefore desire you will accept of these three hundred Dollars.” A belt.

The Indians accordingly very gladly accepted the three hundred Dollars, and signed a receipt for the same on the back of the deed executed at Fort Stanwix, expressing it to be in full satisfaction of all claims of Sohaes’s family to the said five hundred acres of land.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee, by adjournment, Tuesday, 16th May, 1775. Present, forty-seven Members.

Mr, McDougall, from the Committee of Correspondence, reported the draft of an answer to a Letter received from Elisha Lawrence, dated 9th May, 1775, which being read and approved of,

Ordered, That the same be forwarded.

Resolved, That it be recommended to the Ward Companies of Militia for the City and County of New-York, to enroll their men in the different beats, so that they may be in readiness to take their tour of duty as a Military Night Watch for this City, and it is recommended to the men in the different Wards to appear punctually for that purpose.

At a special meeting of the Committee, on Wednesday, 17th May, 1775. Present, forty-seven Members.

A Letter, dated Philadelphia, 17th May, 1775, from the gentlemen in delegation for this Colony, enclosing an extract of the Minutes of the Continental Congress, respecting the conduct to be observed by the inhabitants of this City towards any Troops that may arrive here, received and read.

Ordered, That the same be published.

An Affidavit of Charles Murray, Captain of the sloop Modesty, respecting the seizing Guns and Powder on board the said sloop, by His Majesty’s ship-of-war Kingfisher, was read.

Resolved, That his worship the Mayor of this City, be furnished with a copy of the Affidavit of Captain Charles Murray, and be requested to procure a conveyance of it to Captain Montague of His Majesty’s Ship Kingfisher, and to desire his answer on the subject matter of the said Affidavit.

Philadelphia, May 16, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Enclosed we send you the advice of the Congress on the subject on which you requested it; and lest the advice to remove the Military Stores might be construed to extend to those belonging to the Crown, we think it prudent to suggest to you, that the contrary construction is the true one.

You would have received this advice before, had not sundry circumstances not material, or perhaps proper to explain, concurred in deferring it till now.

We are, gentlemen, your humble servants,

In Congress, Monday, May 15, 1775.

The City and County of New-York, having through their Delegates applied to the Congress for their advice how to conduct themselves with regard to the Troops expected there; the Congress took the matter into their most serious deliberation, and came to the following Resolution:

“That it be recommended for the present to the inhabitants of New-York, that if the Troops which are expected should arrive, the said Colony act on the defensive, so long as may be consistent with their safety and security; that the Troops be permitted to remain in the barracks so long as they behave peaceably and quietly, but that they be not suffered to erect fortifications, or take any steps for cutting off the communication between the town and country; and that if they commit hostilities, or invade private property, the inhabitants should defend themselves and their property, and repel force by force; that the warlike stores be removed from the Town; that places of retreat, in case of necessity, be provided for the women and children of New-York; and a sufficient number of men be embodied, and kept in constant readiness for protecting the inhabitants from insult and injury.”

A true copy from the Minutes:

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

EHASTUS WALCOTT AND OTHERS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS.

Hartford, May 16, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We were yesterday informed of the success of an expedition undertaken, and set on foot by some individuals of this Colony, in a secret manner, against