Ordered, That the said Letter be committed to the Committee of Correspondence to prepare and report a draught of an answer with all convenient speed.

A Letter from the Grand Continental Congress, signed by John Hancock, Esquire, President, directed to this Provincial Congress, and bearing date on the 26th instant, was read, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Philadelphia, May 26, 1775.

“SIR: I enclose you the Resolves of the Continental Congress respecting the measures they conceive more immediately necessary for the defence and safety of your City and Province, and which, it is expected, will be carried into execution with all possible despatch, and with as much secrecy, as to the particular operations intended, as the nature of the service will possibly admit of.

“I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

“JOHN HANCOCK, President.

“To the President of the Provincial Congress, New-York.”

The said Resolves of the Continental Congress mentioned in the above Letter were also read, and are in the words following, to wit:

“In Congress, May 25, 1775.

“Resolved, That a Post be immediately taken and fortified at or near King’s Bridge, in the Colony of New-York; that the ground be chosen with a particular view to prevent the communication between the City of New-York and the country from being interrupted by land.

“2. Resolved, That a Post be also taken in the Highlands on each side of Hudson’s River, and Batteries erected in such manner as will most effectually prevent any vessels passing that may be sent to harass the inhabitants on the border of said river; and that experienced persons be immediately sent to examine said river, in order to discover where it will be most advisable and proper to obstruct the navigation.

“3. That the Militia of New-York be armed and trained, and in constant readiness to act at a moment’s warning, and that a number of men be immediately embodied and kept in that City, and so disposed of as to give protection to the inhabitants in case any insult should be offered by the Troops that may land there, and to prevent any attempts that may be made to gain possession of the City, and interrupt its intercourse with the country.

“4. That it be left to the Provincial Congress of New-York to determine the number of men sufficient to occupy the several Posts above mentioned, and also that already recommended to be taken at or near Lake George, as well as to guard the City, provided the whole do not exceed the number of three thousand men, to be commanded by such Officers as shall be thereunto appointed by the Provincial Congress, and to be governed by such rules and regulations as shall be established by said Congress, until further order is taken by this Congress; provided also, that if the said Provincial Congress should be of opinion that the number proposed will not be sufficient for the several services above recommended, that the said Congress report their sentiments upon this subject to this Congress as soon as may be.

“5. That it be recommended to the said Provincial Congress, that in raising those Forces, they allow no bounties or clothing, and that their pay shall not exceed the establishment of the New-England Colonies.

“6. That it be further recommended to the Provincial Congress aforesaid, that the Troops be enlisted to serve until the last day of December next, unless this Congress shall direct that they be sooner disbanded.

“7, That it be recommended to the Congress aforesaid to persevere the more vigorously in preparing for their defence, as it is very uncertain whether the earnest endeavours of the Congress to accommodate the unhappy differences between Great Britain and the Colonies, by conciliatory measures, will be successful.

“A true copy from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

A Letter of the 27th instant, by express, from the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Governour of the Colony of Connecticut, in behalf of the General Assembly of that Colony, was read.

The copy of the Letter from Colonel Arnold, dated Crown Point, May 23d, 1775, enclosed in the Letter from Governour Trumbull, was also read.

The Committee of Correspondence reported a draught of an answer to the Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-Jersey; which was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, May 29, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We have received your letter of the 26th instant, informing us that your body is formed. We agree with you in opinion that nothing can tend more to ensure success to the steps that may be taken by the several Colonies, at this critical juncture, than a uniform plan of conduct; and we are equally convinced, that to this end we ought to look up to the Continental Congress for advice and direction. We are ready to establish a correspondence with you and our other sister Colonies, and a free communication of such measures as may, from time to time, be judged most conducive to the common cause. Every intelligence to this end we shall most readily communicate. At the same time permit us to observe, that either the directions of the Continental Congress or the nature of a particular measure may render its secrecy absolutely necessary.

We are, gentlemen, your humble servants.

To the Provincial Congress of New-Jersey, at Trenton.

Ordered, That the same be engrossed, signed by the President, and transmitted.

A draught of a Letter to the Delegates representing this Colony in the Grand Continental Congress, was prepared, read, and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, May 29, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: You will be pleased to communicate to the Continental Congress that we have received their letter of the 26th instant, with the resolves of the 25th therein enclosed, to which a proper attention will be given, and the Continental Congress informed of the result in due time. At the same time we beg leave to inform you that there is no powder to be purchased in this City, and scarce any in the whole Colony; and that a very considerable number of the inhabitants are without arms.

We beg to be informed whether we could be supplied with any powder from Philadelphia, or any other of the associated Colonies.

Enclosed is a copy of a letter we received this afternoon from Governour Trumbull, of Connecticut, dated the 27th instant; and also a copy of a letter to that Government from Colonel Arnold, dated at Crown Point, on the 23d instant.

To-morrow morning we are to take in consideration the expediency of a Continental Paper Currency, the result of which will be communicated to you.

We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants.

To the New-York Delegates at Philadelphia.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by the President, and transmitted to the Delegates now representing this Colony in Continental Congress, by a messenger for that purpose, and with all possible despatch.

The Committee of Correspondence (according to order) brought in and reported a draught of a Letter to the Governour and General Court of Connecticut, in answer to the Letter from Governour Trumbull above mentioned; which was read and approved.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by the President, and transmitted with all convenient despatch.

Ordered, That the Committee to report the ways and means for removing the Cannon and Stores from Ticonderoga do, without delay, and as privately as possible, direct one hundred barrels of Pork, two hundred barrels of Flour, and twenty barrels of Rum to be sent forward to Albany, towards supplying the Garrisons at Crown Point and Ticonderoga.

The draught of a Resolve reported by the Committee appointed for that purpose, recommending the choosing of Committees and Sub-Committees, and signing the Association, being read and amended, was approved, agreed to, and resolved, and is in the words following, to wit: