Ordered, That Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Vanderbilt, wait on Mr. Alderman Filkin and desire him to get two Constables and search a store near Bowden’s house, to see whether there is any Gunpowder lodged there contrary to law, and to report to this Congress.

The Congress resumed the consideration of Mr. Foster’s motion of yesterday; and thereupon,

Ordered, That a message be immediately despatched to Major-General Wooster, now commanding a body of Troops in the southern part of Connecticut, requesting him forthwith to march the said Troops, with their tents and other necessaries, to the distance of five miles from this City, to be subject to the orders and directions of the Continental or this Congress, while the said Troops shall continue in this Colony.

And Resolved, That we will assist the Commissaries of the said Forces in procuring such necessaries for their accommodation as shall be to be procured within this Colony.

A draught of a Letter to Gen. Wooster on that subject being read and approved of, is in the words following:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 15, 1775.

SIR: You will see by the enclosed order, that this Congress think it expedient to request you to march to this Colony with the Troops under your command. If you are not at liberty to comply with the terms of this order until you consult the Governour and Company of Connecticut on this subject, we beg you would immediately despatch this requisition to them, and transmit to us their determination as soon as possible.

As we have at present but few tents, we beg you would direct such as you have, to be sent to the place intended for their encampment, and make such other disposition for the support of your Troops as is in your power.

We are, Sir, your most obedient humble servants.

To Major-General Wooster.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the President, and, together with a certified copy of the said order, transmitted by the first conveyance.

Mr. Sears had leave of absence for a few days.

Joseph Stephens delivered to the President his account, amounting to twelve pounds, for going a messenger to Philadelphia at two different times.

Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, pay the said account, and take his receipt for the same.

Messrs. Clarkson and Vanderbilt returned, and reported that Alderman Filkin, with a Constable, had attended them; that they had searched Bowden’s house and cellar, and a store adjoining, and that they found no Powder or Ammunition there.

Mr. Brasher, from the Committee appointed to go to Staten Island, reported, that they had executed the order of the Congress; that they had searched the house of Alexander McDonald, and found no papers relating to the raising of Troops; that they did not find Alexander McDonald, and were informed that he is gone to Boston. He also informed the Congress that the expense of the boat, and provisions for the men who attended on the said Committee, amounts to three pounds five shillings; which was disbursed by Mr. Melancton Smith.

Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, repay Mr. Smith the said three pounds five shillings, and take his receipt.

All which he did immediately.

The Memorial and Petition of Ebenezer Hazard, relating to a Post-Office, and praying to be appointed Postmaster, was read.

Also a Letter from William Goddard (covering several large packages of Papers) on the same subject, was read.

Ordered, That Messrs. Verplanck, Roosevelt, and Richard Yates, be a Committee to take the said Petition, Letter, and Papers into consideration, and report thereon to this Congress with all convenient speed.

Ordered, That no person whatsoever presume to inoculate for the Small-Pox within this Colony before the first day of December next, and that the several Committees within their respective Districts carefully observe that there be a punctual compliance with this order.

Ordered, That a copy of this order be published in the Newspapers.

Ordered, That Mr. Marsh have leave of absence, and it is agreed that Mr. Williams shall have a vote, and represent Charlotte County.

Ordered, That two Members of those present from Albany County have leave of absence.

The Congress adjourned to five o’clock, P. M.

Die Jovis, 5 ho. P. M., June 15, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Thomas Smith, Esq., obtained leave of absence during the remainder of this week.

The Congress then adjourned to meet at the City-Hall at nine o’clock to-morrow morning.

Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., June 16, 1775.

The Congress met at the City-Hall pursuant to adjournment. Opened with prayers by the Reverend Mr. Treat. Present:

For the City and County of New-York.—Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alexander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, David Clarkson, John Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt, John Marston.

For the City and County of Albany.—Abraham Yates, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn.

For Dutchess County.—Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah Platt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett.

For Ulster County.—James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, John Nicholson.

For Orange County.—David Pye, Benjamin Tusteen, John Herring.

For Suffolk County.—Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra L’Hommedieu.

For Westchester County.—Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, Robert Graham, William Paulding.

For King’s County.—Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, John Leffertse, Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt.

For Richmond County.—Paul Micheau, John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner, Richard Lawrence.

For Queen’s County.—Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel Tom.

For Charlotte County.—John Williams, William Marsh.

Mr. John N. Bleecker sent in a return of Stores and Provisions which have been received at Albany from New-York; of the quantities forwarded to Fort George; and of such as yet remain at Albany, or have been there expended. The said return was read and filed.

The Congress resumed the consideration of the proposal of Robert Boyd and Henry Watkeys; and after some time spent therein, a draught of a Letter to Robert Boyd on the subject of making Gun-Barrels was read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 16, 1775.

SIR: It will be impossible for us to give the due encouragement to the business which you mention in your letter, without first conversing with you on the subject. We beg, therefore, you would come to New-York with the utmost despatch, and then, when we shall have heard what are the expenses of the undertaking, and what work can be performed in a given time, we shall be able to contract with you for such number as will render the business practicable. We are, Sir, your very humble servants.

By order and on behalf of the Provincial Congress.

To Mr. Robert Boyd, New-Windsor.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by the President, and transmitted.

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