Mr. Kissam moved (and was seconded) in the words following, to wit: “Forasmuch as a reconciliation between Great Britain and these Colonies, on constitutional principles, is essential to the well being of both Countries, and will prevent the horrours of a civil war, in which this Continent is now about to be involved, I move that a Committee be appointed to prepare a plan of such accommodation, and report the same to this House.”

And debates arising thereon, Mr. McDougall (seconded by Mr. Brasher ) moved for the Previous Question.

And the question being put, and the votes of the Counties represented taken, it was carried against the Previous Question in the manner following, to wit:

The question was then put on the said motion, and it was carried for the motion, in manner following, to wit:

Colonel Woodhull then moved, and was seconded by Mr. Tredwell, that an amendment be made to the said motion, by adding thereto the following words, to wit: “That we may be ready, if we shall think it necessary, to communicate our sentiments upon that subject to our Delegates at Philadelphia.” Which amendment being read a second time, was approved of and agreed to.

Resolved, therefore, That although we would by no means presume to dictate to the General Continental Congress, yet it is highly necessary that this House be prepared to give our sentiments to our Delegates in the said Congress upon such plan of accommodation; and

Resolved, That Mr. Scott, Mr. Morris, Mr. Low, Mr. McDougall, Mr. Robert Yates, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Hobart, Mr. Thomas Smith, Mr. Silvester, Mr. Payne, Col. Woodhull, Mr. John Williams, Mr. Micheau, and Mr. Tredwell, be a Committee for that purpose, and do make report with all convenient speed.

A Letter from John Hancock, Esquire, President of the Continental Congress, being received, was read, and is in the words following:

“Philadelphia, May 31, 1775.

“SIR: I am directed by the Congress to transmit to your Convention their Resolve, and to desire an immediate compliance with it, so far as it respects the furnishing batteaus, provisions, stores, &c. I am, Sir, your most humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President,

“To the Honourable the President of the Provincial Convention of New-York.”

The Resolve of the Continental Congress received enclosed in the above Letter, was also read, and is in the words following, to wit:

“In Congress, May 31, 1775.

“Resolved, That the Governour of Connecticut be requested immediately to send a strong re-enforcement to the Garrisons of Crown Point and Ticonderoga and that, so many of the Cannon and other Stores be retained as may be necessary for the immediate defence of those Posts, until the further order of this Congress; and that the Provincial Convention of New-York be informed of this Resolve, and desired to furnish those Troops with Provisions and other necessary Stores, and to take effectual care that a sufficient number of Batteaus be immediately provided for the Lakes.”

“A true copy from the Minutes:

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.”

The Committee appointed to view the ground near King’s Bridge, delivered in their Report, and a Map or Draught of a place thereto annexed.

Ordered, That the said Report lay on the table for the perusal and information of the Members.

Ordered, That Colonel Ten Broeck and Mr. Dirck Swart wait on Abraham Lott, Esquire, Treasurer of the Colony, and obtain from him an order on the Loan Officers of the City and County of Albany, for a sum of Money, to be applied for the publick exigences of the Colony, in such manner as this Congress shall direct; and that Colonel Ten Broeck, for the present, give his Note to the Treasurer for such order, or the amount of the sum to be therein mentioned, until farther security shall be given for the same.

Colonel Ten Broeck returned and produced to this Congress an order on the Loan Officers at Albany, for the sum of Seven Hundred Pounds, payable to Mr. Dirck Swart, and informed that he had given his Note to the Treasurer for that sum.

Resolved, That all the Members of this Congress do agree to be responsible to Colonel Abraham Ten Broeck for their several proportions of the said Seven Hundred Pounds, until Colonel Ten Broeck shall be repaid or otherwise secured for the same.

In pursuance of the engagements made by this Congress in their Letter to the Governour and General Court of Connecticut of the twenty-ninth ultimo, and of the Resolve of the Continental Congress, bearing date on the thirty-first May, directing that this Congress furnish Provisions and Stores for the Garrisons at the Posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, it is conceived necessary to employ a Commissary at New-York, and Mr. Peter T. Curtenius, of the City of New-York, merchant, being mentioned, and esteemed a proper person to be Commissary, the Congress sent for Mr. Curtenius, who attended; and being called in by order of the Congress, he was informed by the President that the Congress thought it necessary to have a Commissary to provide and forward Provisions and Stores of sundry kinds to the Commissioners at Albany, for the use of the Garrisons at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and such other parts or places as may be necessary; and also to provide and forward materials for the building of Batteaus, and to provide Artificers and Mariners to proceed to Lake Champlain.

That if he would accept of that trust he should purchase such Provisions and Stores as the Congress should, from time to time, direct; and that he should be allowed a commission of one and a half per cent., until he shall be supplied with cash to purchase such Stores and Provisions with; and that after he is supplied with cash to purchase such Stores and Provisions, and to pay all such disbursements as may be necessary, that he shall be allowed a commission of one per cent.

Mr. Peter T. Curtenius agreed to be Commissary, and to accept and perform that trust and business for the commission above mentioned: Whereupon it is

Resolved, That the said Peter T. Curtenius be and is hereby appointed the Commissary to purchase, procure, and provide such Provisions and Stores of every kind, and to engage such Artificers and Mariners as he shall, from time to time, be directed by this Congress, and to forward the same to the said Commissioners at Albany, or any other such place or places as he shall be directed by this Congress, or by any Committee they may appoint for that purpose.

And also Resolved, That the said Peter T. Curtenius shall have for his services the commissions above mentioned, beside all his disbursements: and

Resolved, That this Congress does agree to indemnify the said Peter T. Curtenius for all his disbursements and commissions in the premises; and that all the Members of this Congress do agree to become responsible to the said Peter T. Curtenius for their several respective proportions of all disbursements that shall be made by him, and of all moneys that shall become due to him as a Commissary, and in the execution of the trust aforesaid, until he shall be repaid or otherwise secured and indemnified for the same.

And it is further Resolved and Agreed, That for any sums of money that shall be advanced or lent by the said