Ordered, That this matter be taken into consideration to-morrow morning.

Ordered, That Colonel McDougall be at liberty to settle with such of his Officers who are going on service, for two months pay.

The Congress then adjourned to nine o’clock to-morrow morning

Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A.M., August 2, 1775.

Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened with prayers by the Reverend Mr. Mason. Present:

Peter V.B. Livingston, Esq., President, &c.

A Letter from John Lamb, recommending Isaiah Wool as Lieutenant Fire-worker of his Company, was read and filed. The said Isaiah is approved of.

Ordered, That he be appointed Lieutenant Fire-worker of Captain Lamb’s Company.

As there is not any Ravens Duck or Osnaburghs to be purchased in the City of New-York, and Mr. Peter T. Curtenius informed this Congress that without Osnaburghs and Ravens Duck he cannot complete Tents for the Troops, and that none can be obtained but what is in the hands of Robert and John Murray; and as the service would otherwise suffer greatly, and the necessity of the cause renders it absolutely necessary; therefore,

Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius purchase as much Ravens Duck and Osnaburghs of Messrs. Robert and John Murray as he may want for the publick service, on the terms they offered them to him.

A Letter of General Schuyler to the Albany Committee, advising them from the necessity of the case, and to save time, to fill up the vacancies of such Officers in the Second Regiment as had declined the service, was read. Also a list of the Officers of the Second Regiment, as now fixed, with the changes that had been made therein by the Albany Committee was read.

Ordered, That the said List be delivered to the Committee of Rank, and that the following gentlemen be added to the said Committee of Rank, to wit: Mr. John Sloss Hobart in the stead of Colonel Woodhull; Mr. Herring in the place of Colonel Tusteen; Mr. Marlett in the place of Christopher P. Yates; and David Watkins in the Stead of Major Williams.

A Letter from John Dennis, Chairman of the Committee of New-Brunswick, in answer to the Letter of the Committee of Safety, of the 21st ult., was read, and is in the word following, to wit:

City of New-Brunswick, July 27, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: Your favour of the 21st instant came safe to hand, the contents of which was duly observed. Application was immediately made to Mr. Merrill, who says about three weeks past, a person coming from Egg-Harbour, when within the Hook, he saw a boat standing down our bay that he thought was loaded with flour, which boat he believes went along side the man-of-war; this is all he ever heard or knows of the matter. Every other inquiry in our power has been made, but can make no further discovery. All intelligences or discoveries of every action inimical to American liberty, and every matter of instruction for our better preservation, will ever be paid a due regard to, and cheerfully received by the Committee of this City.

Assure yourselves, gentlemen, that this Committee has, and ever will be ready to render to their Country every service in their power, and will continue to give a strict attention to and duly observe all resolutions formed by the Continental Congress.

We are, with esteem, gentlemen, your obedient humble servants,

JOHN DENNIS, Chairman.

To Mr. Henry Williams.

Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed to contract for Pouches, Belts, and Slings, do contract for eight hundred and eighty Pouches and Belts, and eight hundred and eighty Bayonet-belts, and eight hundred and eighty Slings for muskets, besides the quantity of two thousand each of those articles contracted for And that the said Committee get the said articles made with all possible speed.

Mr. Low moved that this Congress make a Resolution in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, August 2, 1775.

Whereas, it appeared to the Committee of Safety, appointed by this Congress during their late recess, that a Barge belonging to His Majesty’s ship Asia, was, without any provocation, attacked, and most wantonly destroyed: And whereas, the Corporation of this City had, under the sanction of the said Committee, ordered another Barge to be built, in order to replace the Barge so destroyed as aforesaid: And whereas, this Congress had approved of that and the other conduct of their said Committee, and voted them their thanks for their faithful services: And whereas, notwithstanding, some disorderly and evil disposed persons did, in the night, destroy and render useless the said Barge, so ordered to be built as aforesaid, by sawing it in pieces: And whereas, the Corporation have since formally applied to this Congress for their direction in the premises:

Resolved, That the perpetrators of the said act are guilty of a high offence and insult against this Congress, and the Colony they represent, as endeavouring to contravene the true intent and meaning of their appointment. That they are base violators of the Association subscribed by this Congress, and by them recommended to the adoption of their constituents.

In order, therefore, that the sense of this Congress may be fully known relative to such outrageous acts,

Ordered, That this Resolution be immediately made publick, not doubting but that the good inhabitants of this Colony will duly assist and support this Congress in detecting, convicting, and bringing to condign punishment all such factious offenders, as disturbers of the publick peace, and enemies of their Country.

Mr. Low’s motion was seconded by Mr. Walton. After some time spent in consideration thereof,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed till Friday morning next.

A Letter from the New-York Delegates at Continental Congress, was read.

Ordered, That John Herring, Esquire, go up to Dobb’s Ferry, and see the Powder forwarded, and that Mr. Jacob Cuyler appoint an Albany Sloop to stop at Dobb’s Ferry, and that he write a private Letter to the Committee of Albany, informing them of the Said Powder, and desiring them to forward the same.

Ordered, That Cornelius D. Wynkoop be Lieutenant Colonel in the Third Regiment, and ordered that he muster Captain Hasbrouck’s and Captain Brown’s Companies.

A Committee of the Officers of the First Regiment (inferior to Field Officers) attending at the door, were admitted, and, by Captain Goforth, delivered in writing to the President three Questions, in the words following, to wit: Whether the Congress will favour this Committee with an answer to the Memorial presented some days ago from the Officers of the First Regiment? We shall be glad to be informed what our Pay is to be from the Captains down to the Privates, the Adjutants and the Quartermasters included? And whether the Officers are to receive their Commissions before they embark?

The said Committee of Officers being withdrawn, the Congress took their Queries into consideration, and delivered them an answer in the words following, to wit:

To the Queries of the Committee of Officers of the First Regiment, the Congress gives the following answers, to wit:

1st. That they are not at liberty to make any allowance for the Clothing and Arms mentioned in their Letter of the 26th ultimo.

2d. That the Pay of the Troops raised in the Colony will be ascertained by the Continental Congress, but we have received assurances that it will not be less than the pay of the Connecticut Troops.

3d. That the Warrants given to the Officers are to remain with them instead of Commissions until their Commissions arrive from the General.