Fifth. That no unnecessary and wanton alarm be given to our fellow-citizens, either by firing of guns, beating of drums, or otherwise, in the night, but that all their operations be conducted with that manly prudence and discretion becoming citizens zealous to support their freedom without tumult and disorder.

Sixth. That the commanding officer of the guard dismiss his guard at five o'clock in the morning, and report in writing by ten o'clock, to the Chairman, Deputy, or Chairman pro tempore, all extraordinary occurrences which may have happened during the time of his being on duty, signed by himself.

ABM. BRASHER, EDWARD FLEMING,
JOHN LASHER, ALEX. MCDOUGALL.

At a special meeting of the Committee, 19th of May 1775:

The Chairman produced a Letter delivered him by his Worship the Mayor, in answer to a Resolution of yesterday, requesting him to furnish Captain Montague with a copy of Charles Murray’s Affidavit.

Ordered, That Mr. Scott, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Van Schaack, Mr. Helme, Mr. Jones, Mr. Ritzma, Mr. Murray, and Mr. Smith, be a Committee to inquire into the merits of Captain Montague’s plea for having seized the Powder, &c., on board of Captain Murray’s Vessel, and report their opinion thereon to the Committee at their next meeting.

At a meeting of the Committee, May 20, 1775. Present forty-six Members.

Ordered, That Mr. Van Dam, Mr. Burling, Mr. Totten, and Mr. Laight, be a Committee to form an estimate of what Stores may be necessary to forward to Albany.

Mr. Charles McEvers exhibited a complaint in writing against Mr. John Anderson.

A Letter from the Continental Congress, dated May 18, 1775, enclosing a Resolve of that Board, was received and read.

Mr. McDougall reported the draft of a Letter to the Committee at Albany, which being approved of,
Ordered, That the same be forwarded.

COMMITTEE OF PALATINE DISTRICT, TRYON COUNTY, NEW-YORK, TO THE ALBANY COMMITTEE.

May 18, 1775.

We are so peculiarly circumstanced in this County, relating to the present struggle for American liberty, that we cannot longer defer laying the situation of this County before you. The District we represent has been foremost in avowing its attachment to liberty, and approving the method of opposition adopted in America, and are now signing an Association similar to what has been signed in other Counties in this Province, and we hope in a few days to have the pleasure to transmit it down for the press. The County being extensive, it takes a considerable time before the people who are favourable to the cause can be got to sign; for we have caused copies of the Association to be dispersed in divers parts of the County. This County has, for a series of years, been ruled by one family, the different branches of which are still strenuous in dissuading people from coming into Congressional measures, and even have, last week, at a numerous meeting of the Mohawk District, appeared with all their dependants armed to oppose the people considering of their grievances; their number being so large, and the people unarmed, struck terrour into most of them, and they dispersed. We are informed that Johnson-Hall is fortifying by placing a parcel of swivel-guns round the same, and that Colonel Johnson has had parts of his regiment of Militia under arms yesterday, no doubt with a design to prevent the friends of liberty from publishing their attachment to the cause to the world. Besides which we are told that about one hundred and fifty Highlanders, (Roman Catholicks,) in and about Johnstown, are armed and ready to march upon the like occasion. We have been informed that Colonel Johnson has stopped two New-Englanders, and searched them, being, we suppose, suspicious that they came to solicit aid from us or the Indians, whom we dread most, there being a current report through the County that they are to be made use of in keeping us in awe.

We recommend it strongly and seriously to you to take it in your consideration, whether any powder and ammunition ought to be permitted to be sent up this way, unless it is done under the inspection of the Committee, and consigned to the Committee here, and for such particular shopkeepers as we in our next shall acquaint you of. We are determined to suffer none in our District to sell any but such as we approve of, and sign the Association. When any thing particular comes to our knowledge relating to the Indians, (whom we shall watch,) or any other thing interesting, we shall take the earliest opportunity in communicating the same to you. And as we are a young County, remote from the Metropolis, we beg you will give us all the intelligence in your power. We shall not be able to send down any Deputies to the Provincial Congress, as we cannot possibly obtain the sense of the County soon enough to make it worth our while to send any, but be assured we are not the less attached to American liberty. For we are determined, although few in number, to let the world see who are, and who are not such; and to wipe off the indelible disgrace brought on us by the Declaration signed by our Grand Jury and some of our Magistrates, who, in general, are considered by the majority of the County as enemies to their Country. In a word, gentlemen, it is our fixed resolution to support and carry into execution every thing recommended by the Continental Congress, and to be free or die.

COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO THE COMMITTEE OF SCHENECTADY, NEW-YORK.

Guy Park, May 18, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We have, for some days past, heard of many threats from the publick, that gives us reason to apprehend that the persons or properties of gentlemen of the first consideration, both with respect to station and property, would have been insulted in this County, and myself in particular, under colour of a gross and notorious falsehood, uttered by some worthless scoundrels, respecting my intentions as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. To gentlemen of sense and moderation, these malicious, ill-founded charges ought to be self-evidently false; my duty is to promote peace, and my office of the highest importance to the trade and frontiers. But as these reports are daily increasing, it becomes me, both as a subject and a man, to disavow them, and until I can find out and chastise the author, to assure the publick of their mistake, and to inform them that it has rendered it my duty for self-preservation so necessary, that I have taken precaution to give a very hot and disagreeable reception to any persons that shall attempt to invade my retreat; at the same time that I have no intention to disturb those who choose to permit me the honest exercise of my reason and duties of my office, and requesting that you will immediately cause this to be made publick to the Albany Committee, I remain, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

G. JOHNSON.

AUTHENTICK ACCOUNT OF THE TAKING OF FORTRESSES AT TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT, BY A PARTY OF THE CONNECTICUT FORCES.

New-York, May 18, 1775.

Captain Edward Mott and Captain Noah Phelps set out from Hartford on Saturday, the twenty-ninth of April, in order to take possession of the fortress of Ticonderoga, and the dependencies thereunto belonging. They took with them from Connecticut sixteen men unarmed, and marched privately through the country till they came to Pittsfield, without discovering their design to any person, till they fell in company with Colonel Ethan Allen, Colonel Easton, and John Brown, Esq., who engaged to join themselves to said Mott and Phelps, and to raise men sufficient to take the place by surprise if possible. Accordingly the men were raised, and proceeded as directed by said Mott and Phelps, Colonel Ethan Allen commanding the soldiery. On Tuesday they surprised and took the fortress, making prisoners the commandant and his party. On Wednesday morning they possessed themselves of Crown Point; taking possession of the ordnance stores, consisting of upwards of two hundred pieces of cannon, three mortars, sundry howitzers, and fifty swivels, &c.