harmony, that firmness with moderation, which we are happy to say animates this part of the Province; and as we have the pleasure and reason to expect that the interests of the general weal, on constitutional ground, will be the constant line of your conduct; that you will keep this goal steadily in view; so we do not wish to bind you with an embarrassing chain of restrictions, much less do we presume to dictate measures to the Provincial Congress; but shall only lay before you some outlines of a plan which we desire you to propose to the wisdom of that Convention.

Money has been aptly called the sinews of war; so may it also the anima that enlivens, that braces and gives firmness to the nerves of our Constitution. In the alarming exigency rising before us, there will probably be occasion for a publick fund; and we could wish, as the whole Province is equally interested, that the burden should be also equal. We conceive, when the necessary sum is fixed by the Congress, that the present Quota Bill, by which the proportion of taxes in the several Counties for the support of Government, &c., has been ascertained, will be a just scale to regulate the present occasion; and perhaps the Assessors and Collectors in the several Townships may, in general, be proper persons to conduct the like business, leaving it in the option of such Towns as may incline to make a special choice of new officers for this purpose.

We consider it advisable that a certain number of men be immediately raised, disciplined, well accoutred with arms and ammunition, and prepared in every respect for an instant service.

That as men who go volunteers will be most likely to be hearty in the service, and the disagreeable measure of draughting from the Militia may thereby be prevented, a roll be opened in every Town where it can be advantageously, for the enlistment of Volunteers, to be prepared as above-mentioned, for every emergency; that the Congress appoint the commandant and all the field-officers, and that the General Committees of those Towns where any company or companies shall be raised, have the appointment of the Captains and subalterns; that one or more proper persons be empowered by the Congress to sign and affix a proper seal to the commissions, agreeable to such appointment; that the Volunteers, on their enlistment, subscribe certain articles, to oblige themselves, under certain penalties, (to be ascertained by the Congress, similar to the Mutiny Bill, if thought proper,) to be obedient to their officers, and to prevent desertion; that proper persons be appointed for a Treasurer of said fund, and for a Paymaster-General, giving the necessary security, &c.; that the pay for the officers and men be fixed by the Congress; and that the said Volunteers, from the day of their enlistment, be in discipline at least so much time as may amount to one day in a week; and also such further time, not exceeding — days in the whole, per week, as shall be judged expedient by the said General Committees; that sufficient arms and ammunition for such Volunteers as are unable to furnish themselves therewith, and provisions for emergent occasions, be provided; and that every Volunteer entrusted with the arms, &c., belonging to the Province, be obligated to return them to the Commanding Officer, when called for, except such as may be lost in the service, &c.; that magazines of powder and other necessary military stores be formed in such parts of the Province as shall be judged most advantageous for emergencies; that Commissioners be appointed to direct and regulate any contingent business which cannot be ascertained with precision by the Congress; that Muster-Masters be appointed to review the companies, and to take care that none but able-bodied men be continued on the rolls; nor any apprentice or servant enlisted, without his master’s consent in writing; that a proper number of field-pieces be provided, and one or more Artillery Companies raised and disciplined. As exigencies may happen which may require a greater force than the number of Volunteers to be raised as aforesaid, that the Congress recommend it to the Militia Captains throughout the Province to procure such persons as are capable of teaching military discipline, to be paid out of the publick fund; and that their men be exercised at least — times per week; that it be recommended by the Congress to the several Towns or Counties throughout the Province, who have not already done it, to appoint General Committees to enter into and subscribe an Association of similar import to that adopted by this County. We are, gentlemen, your humble servants. By order of the Committee:

LEWIS OGDEN, Chairman.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

The Committee met Thursday, the 18th of May, 1775. Present:

Ordered, That Colonel Walton, Colonel Lispenard, Colonel Beekman, Major Van Dam, Mr. Brasher, Mr. Lasher, Mr. Fleming, and Mr. Curtenius, be a Committee for instituting a Military Night Watch in this City, to consist of forty men, each with an officer to command them, and that they report the mode to this Committee with all convenient speed.

Ordered, That the following Letter be immediately despatched to his Honour the Governour of Connecticut, to wit:

New-York, May 18, 1775.

SIR: As we have great reason to expect the arrival of Troops from Britain, to be quartered in this Province, we thought it a necessary piece of precaution to ask of the Continental Congress a line of conduct for our inhabitants on that event. We have received their directions on that head, as appears by the enclosed. We have also been informed that our brethren of Connecticut, attentive to the common cause, and kindly tendering the safety of this City in its present defenceless state, are upon the point of marching a considerable body of Troops into it with intent to assist us in securing it against any attempt to reduce it to the condition of a garrison-town or place of arms. We have on this head to request your Honour, should those Troops be about to march, to direct their encampment on the Western frontiers of your Colony, if your Honour should think it expedient they should proceed so far, until some plan can be properly settled with our Provincial Congress, who are to meet on the 22d instant, so as to place their introduction, if necessary, on such a basis as will produce perfect concord and unanimity, and most effectually answer the valuable ends of so friendly a succour.

To His Honour Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire.

Directions for a Military Watch in the City of NEW-YORK.

First. That a guard be mounted every evening at eight o’clock, at the City-Hall, consisting of not less than forty men properly officered.

Second. That detachments be made from the said guard to patrole the streets every two hours, under the command of a non-commissioned officer, accompanied by a constable or other civil officer, who may be directed by a Magistrate to attend from nine o’clock in the evening until five o’clock in the morning.

Third. That they pay particular attention that no Provisions be exported from this City; and if any persons are discovered exporting Provisions contrary to the Resolves of this Committee, to take particular notice of them, and endeavour, by persuasion and other peaceable methods, to prevent it, and that they make a report thereof.

Fourth. That the patroles do not challenge persons, boats, &c., but watch their motions, if suspected, and by all means endeavour to prevent outrage on person or property, and report the perpetrators.