the Province, of New-Jersey will most heartily co-operate with them in the general measures now pursuing for the common defence of the rights of America, and will, with great pleasure, cultivate that harmony and good correspondence with our brethren of Connecticut, which they so earnestly desire; that this Congress are now engaged in settling a plan for putting the Province in the best state of defence in their power, and are ready to pursue such other methods and directions as shall be recommended to them by the Continental Congress, from whom they are daily expecting advise for this purpose; and whenever any particular measure shall be finally settled and concluded upon by this Province, the House of Representatives of Connecticut shall have the earliest intelligence.

Friday, June 2, 1775.

A Letter from Pierpoint Edwards, Esquire, requesting copies of such of the Resolves and Proceedings of this Congress as respected the regulation of the Militia, the raising of men and money, &c., for the common defence of America, was received and read; to which the following answer was returned, viz:

SIR: The Congress received your polite letter of this morning, and are sorry that the Militia Bill and other matters now before them are not so far completed that they can comply with your request, in giving you extracts from them to take with you to the Honourable House of Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut. You may, however, be assured, that when the Congress rises, a copy of such proceedings as shall be necessary to be communicated, will be transmitted to the Speaker of your Honourable House.   We are, &c.

Saturday, June 3, 1775, P. M.

The draught of a plan for regulating the Militia of this Colony, which was reported in the morning, was read a second time; and, after sundry amendments, was approved, and ordered to be entered; which is in the words following:

The Congress, taking into consideration the cruel and arbitrary measures adopted and pursued by the British Parliament and present Ministry for the purpose of subjugating the American Colonies to the most, abject servitude; and being apprehensive that all pacifick measures for the redress of our grievances will prove ineffectual, do think it highly necessary that the inhabitants of this Province be forth with properly armed and disciplined for defending the cause of American freedom. And further considering that, to answer this desirable end, it is requisite that such persons be entrusted with the command of the Militia as can be confided in by the people, and are truly zealous in support to our just rights and privileges, do recommended and advice that the good people of this Province henceforward strictly observe the following Rules and Regulations, until this Congress shall make further order therein:

1st. That one or more Companies, as the case may require, be immediately formed in each Township or Corporation; and, to this end, that the several Committees in this Province do, as soon as may be, acquaint themselves with the number of male inhabitants in their respective Districts, from the age of sixteen to fifty, who are capable of bearing arms, and thereupon form them into companies, consisting, as near as may be, of eighty men each; which companies so formed shall, each by itself, assemble and choose, by plurality of voices, four persons from among themselves, of sufficient substance and capacity, for its officers, namely, one Captain, two Lieutenants, and an Ensign.

2d. That the officers so chosen appoint for their respective companies fit persons to be sergeants, corporals, and drummers.

3d. That as soon as the companies are so formed, the officers of such number of companies as shall by them be judged proper to form a Regiment, do assemble and choose one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, a Major, and an Adjutant, for each Regiment.

4th. That each Captain, as soon as elected, furnish himself with a Muster-Roll, after the form following, to be signed by every person under his command, viz:

“We, the subscribers, do voluntarily enlist ourselves in the company of. . . . . , in the Township of. . . . . , in the County of. . . . . , under the command of Colonel . . . . . , (if a Colonel shall be chosen at the time of subscribing,) and do promise to obey our officers in such service as they shall appoint us, agreeable to the rules and orders of the Provincial Congress.    Witness our hands, &c.”

5th. That the persons so enlisted meet under the direction of their officers, in such manner, and at such times and places, as shall by them be judged necessary for their improvement in military discipline; and that each whole company do assemble at least once a month for the same purpose; and that a general muster or review of the whole Regiment be had as often, and at such times, as the Field Officers shall appoint.

6th. That each person enlisted be equipped as soon as possible with arms and ammunition, in such manner as by the Field Officers of such Regiment shall be directed.

7th. That due obedience be paid to the officers, and strict attention observed in learning the military exercise.

8th. That where Companies and Regiments are already formed, and officers chosen and appointed, the same be continued, provided that they do adopt such further rules and orders respecting the signing of a muster-roll, days of meeting and reviews, as are hereinbefore contained; and that where part only of the officers are already appointed and chosen, they do proceed to elect such other officers as remain yet to be chosen, in conformity to the rules herein contained.

The Congress taking into consideration the spirited exertions of the Counties of Morris, Sussex, and Somerset, in raising Minute-Men, do approve of and thank them for their zeal in the common cause, and will take the same into further consideration at their next meeting.

The draught of an Ordinance for raising a sum of money for the purpose therein, mentioned, after sundry amendments, was approved, and ordered to be entered, in the words following:

Whereas it has become absolutely necessary, in the present dangerous and extraordinary state of publick affairs, in which the usual resources of Government appear to be insufficient for the safety of the people, and in which the good people of this Province have therefore thought proper to choose Deputies in this present Congress, that a fund be provided for the use of the Province we, the said Deputies, being persuaded that every inhabitant is willing and desirous to contribute his proportion of money for so important a purpose, do, pursuant to the powers entrusted to us by the people, Resolve and direct, that the sum of Ten Thousand Pounds, proclamation money, be immediately apportioned and raised for the use aforesaid, the same to be apportioned, laid out and disposed of, in such manner, as hereinafter is directed.

2. And it is resolved and directed, That the part and proportion of the said sum to be raised in the County of Bergen be six hundred and sixty-four Pounds eight Shillings; and that the part and proportion of Essex be seven hundred and forty-two Pounds eighteen Shillings; and that the part and proportion of Middlesex be eight hundred and seventy-two Pounds six Shillings and eight Pence; and that the part or proportion of Somerset be nine hundred and four Pounds two Shillings; and that the part or proportion of Monmouth be one thousand sixty-nine Pounds two Shillings and eight Pence; and that the part or proportion of Morris be seven hundred and twenty-three Pounds eight Shillings; and that the part or proportion of Sussex be five hundred and ninety-three Pounds five Shillings and four Pence; and that the part or proportion of Hunterdon be one thousand three hundred and sixty-three Pounds sixteen Shillings and eight Pence; and that the part or proportion of Burlington be one thousand and seventy-one Pounds thirteen Shillings and four Pence; and that the part or proportion of Gloucester be seven hundred and sixty-three Pounds two Shillings and eight Pence; and that the part or proportion of Salem be six hundred and seventy-nine Pounds twelve Shillings; and that the part or proportion of Cumberland be three hundred and eighty-five Pounds six Shillings and eight Pence; and that the part or proportion of Cape-May be one hundred, and sixty-six Pounds eighteen Shillings.

3. And, in order that the said sum may be duly raised,