out of the reach of her artillery; and also because that river is fordable in places which are covered from any fire which can be made from the said post. And not only would the enemy’s possession be ineffectual for their purposes, it would also bring on them certain destruction; for that it would be very easy to cut off their retreat to the Town, and, from the great elevation of ground above the river, to prevent any relief which they would receive from vessels-of-war; wherefore, if we have the superiority in the field, they would be with great ease driven from that post, or starved in it.

This place, therefore, (the only one which can secure the bridges,) being of little consequence to us, and of still less to them, we are of opinion that it would be very imprudent to fortify it at present, because the expense will be much greater than after we have troops embodied, who can perform much of the labour, and also for a reason mentioned in the report of our Committee.

You will take notice, gentlemen, that we have no ammunition, nor any Engineer—two most necessary implements of war, you will certainly acknowledge; the first we hope for from the endeavours of our merchants, the last you will take some care to procure, if to be had amongst you.

Be assured that we have the greatest willingness to obey the resolutions of the Grand Congress; and if in their wisdom they shall think fit to overrule the reasons which we have offered, doubt not that we shall use our utmost efforts to comply with their requisitions.

We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants.

To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress.

Ordered, That a copy of this Letter be engrossed, signed by the President, and, together with a copy of the Report therein mentioned, and a copy of a Draught or Plan therein mentioned, be transmitted by the first conveyance.

The Report above mentioned is in the words following, to wit:

We, your Committee appointed to view the ground in the environs of King’s Bridge, do most humbly report:

That in obedience to your commands we have examined the heights in that neighbourhood, taking such assistance as the shortness of the notice permitted us to procure, and are of opinion that a post (capable of containing three hundred men) erected on the high ground adjoining Mr. Hyatt’s house, marked A in the annexed map, will answer the purpose proposed by the Continental Congress in their requisition. so far as the occupying that bridge can contribute to the keeping up a communication between the country and this city; for we beg leave to observe, that an enemy may land and seize on several posts in this island capable of interrupting, though not totally cutting off that communication held up as a point of so much importance by the Continental Congress. We are farther of opinion that this work should be constructed by troops when embodied and ready to occupy it, your Committee being humbly of opinion it would be the highest imprudence to erect a fortification before we have the means of defending it. By this mode of proceeding the expense will also be very much reduced. We believe that though there be no water immediately on the spot proposed for this post, yet means may be fallen upon to cover those who go to a well sunk in the adjoining low ground, near Mr. Hyatt’s house, especially as we conceive this post is not supposed to sustain any regular attack, or of many hours’ duration, without relief. We think fascines the cheapest and best materials to face this work, and that an abattis or fallen wood will contribute much to the security of the post. With respect to the particular form and dimensions, your Committee dare not venture (without the assistance of an Engineer) to recommend any particular plan to your consideration, and therefore pray your attention to provide a person of experience in this line of military science. All which is most humbly submitted.

By order of the Committee:

JAMES VAN CORTLANDT, Chairman.

The Order of the Day being read, the Congress resumed the consideration of the Letter from the Delegates of this Colony at the Continental Congress; and after some time spent therein the Congress unanimously resolved and agreed that Colonel Philip Schuyler is the most proper person in this Colony to be recommended as a Major-General, and Richard Montgomerie, Esq., as a Brigadier-General.

And Ordered, That Mr. Scott and Mr. Morris be a Committee to prepare and report the draft of a Letter to our Delegates at the Continental Congress, informing them of our sentiments on this subject, and the reasons of our choice.

The Committee appointed for that purpose, reported a draft of a Report of additional Artificers and Stores to be forwarded to Ticonderoga. The same was read and agreed to, and is in the words and figures following, to wit:

The Committee having considered the requisition on this Colony made by Colonel B. Arnold, commandant at Ticonderoga, for provisions and stores, &c., transmitted to this Congress by the Committee of Albany, and at the same time compared it with the list of supplies already ordered to be sent, do report, that the following additional stores, &c., ought to be provided and sent; 10 men of the train of artillery: 12 ship carpenters and caulkers: 2 gunsmiths: 2 blacksmiths: 2 masons:.100 hatchets: 20 broadaxes: 50 spades: 50 hoes: the iron work for 4 gins and blocks; 8 falls for do, of 4½ inch rope: 1 coil 2½ inch rope, 1 coil 2 inch rope, 1 coil 1½ inch rope, 100 fathoms each: 4 pieces ravens duck: 40 pounds sewing twine: 10 dozen of sail and bolt rope needles: 1 dozen palms: 2 seines, 30 fathom long, capt 12 feet, and arms 6 feet deep, of coarse twine, meshes 1½ inch square: 2 dozen of nail hammers: 1 faggot of steel.

As to the oxen, carts, &c., mentioned in the said requisition, your Committee are of opinion that those can be procured in the neighbourhood of that post.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be made and delivered to Peter T. Curtenius, and that he be desired to obtain the said Artificers, Men, and Stores, and forward the same to Albany with all possible despatch.

The same Committee also reported a draft of a Letter to the Committee of Albany, which was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

New-York Provincial Congress, June 7, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Before this comes to hand you will be furnished with our directions, dated 1st instant. We are convinced of the necessity of giving you explicit instructions respecting your conduct; but the variety of business in which this Congress has been engaged, and the time which is necessarily taken up in our friendly intercourse with the Continental Congress and the Colony of Connecticut, does necessarily occasion at times an apparent delay in our directions to you.

We highly approve of your zeal and activity in raising troops, but request you not to proceed in making farther levies until further orders. The two companies raised in your County and already on their march, you will suffer to proceed to join the forces at Ticonderoga; but must observe to you, that by the direction of the Continental Congress, their pay will stand on the same footing with that of the Eastern Colonies, without allowing bounties or clothing to the men; and that they are to continue in the service until the last day of December next, unless the Continental Congress shall direct that they be sooner disbanded.

Those companies who are under your direction formed, and not sent up, you will continue in pay, if your engagement with them will not justify your discharging them; and request that you send to this Congress a return of the officers and men in each company.

The troops taken at St. John’s who are with you, should remain at liberty, and they may probably be of service in instructing your inhabitants the military exercise. If they refuse earning their bread in this, or any other way, it is however the intention of this Congress that they shall receive their subsistence out of the Colony provisions.

Enclosed we send you a copy of a letter from the Continental Congress, and their resolve respecting the appointment of Commissaries for receiving supplies of provisions at Albany.

Enclosed is also a copy of a resolve of the Grand Congress to discourage any incursions into Canada; but this has in some measure been anticipated by a former resolution of this House, already published, as well as your request respecting our letter to Governour Trumbull