French, the principal officer, copies of which paroles are enclosed. The Major requested, when he signed the parole, that we would, for his qualification, give him a certificate of his making a claim in behalf of himself and the others, and that his claim was not admitted. We gratified him in this, and a copy of our certificate is also enclosed. They were allowed to take with them their own baggage; but the baggage of some other officers now in Boston, which he also requested, was refused, on account of the detention of the effects of our friends there by General Gage. So this baggage, with the clothing, which we understand is for two regiments, is stored, to remain for the direction and disposition of the Congress. The officers and soldiers are to set out for your camp on Tuesday, the 22d instant, accompanied by two respectable gentlemen of this City, Captain Willing and Captain Wharton, whom we beg leave to recommend to your notice, who will protect the officers on the road, and forward their journey. No more gunpowder is yet arrived here. On the 10th instant we sent twenty-two hundred weight to General Schuyler, which was all we could possibly spare.

With great esteem and respect, we have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servants.

By order:

B. FRANKLIN, President.

P. S. With this you will also receive a packet directed to an officer of the Ministerial Army, which we have not opened, but submit it to your discretion.

PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY FOR NEW-YORK.

Philadelphia, August 17, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the Committee of Safety for this Province, to request the favour of your Board to appoint a Committee to receive into their custody the sundry trunks, boxes, &c., described in the enclosed receipt. They go from hence for your City by the stage, and we have given the master thereof a certificate of what they are, recommending them to the care of all persons into whose custody they come, until safely delivered to you or your Committee. These packages contain the clothing and other necessaries of Major French, Ensign Rotton, and Cadet McDermott, three officers of the Ministerial Troops, and their two servants, who having lately fallen within our District are made prisoners of war, and sent from hence for his Excellency General Washington’s camp, upon their parole to surrender themselves to his orders, and not to bear arms against the United Colonies for twelve months, unless exchanged, nor to give intelligence of any publick affairs during the term of their parole. They are escorted by two Captains of our Military Association, and we have promised that their baggage should be sent forward to the camp with safety and expedition. It is judged that this application to you will be the best method of performing our promise, not doubting you are as desirous to preserve the publick faith, and promote the publick service, as we are. Major French will pay the charges attending the baggage; or if he is gone from your City, or does not pass through it, we will pay the same to your order; therefore we have only to add our desire that you will forward the whole to the care of General Washington, in such manner as you may judge safest, most expeditious, and least expensive. I am further commanded to assure you that this Committee are ready at all times to pay the like attention to your Board that they expect from it; and on behalf of the Committee, I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your obedient humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN, President.

To the Committee of Safety for the Province of New-York.

ISAAC STOUTENBURGH AND OTHERS, TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

New-York, August 17, 1775.

MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: We beg leave to inform you that several Independent Companies, already formed in this City, propose to unite together and establish a second Independent Battalion. And in confidence that the Congress will readily countenance every measure which hath a tendency to promote the publick good, they are thereby encouraged to request their patronage.

As the appointment of field-officers belongs to the Congress, they would humbly beg leave to recommend the following gentlemen for that purpose, being persons whom, upon mature consideration, they find will be most acceptable to the companies which compose the battalion, viz: Captain Wm. Heyer, Colonel; Captain Ch’r Barker, or Mr. P. Curtenius, for Lieutenant-Colonel; and Mr. William Malcom, as Major. They flatter themselves that this nomination will be agreeable to the Congress, and that they will indulge the companies therein. With respect to the two gentlemen who are named as Lieutenant-Colonel, the preference of the Congress will be cheerfully acquiesced with.

They particularly request that the Congress will take this matter into their consideration, as soon as more weighty affairs will permit, as they would wish to get the battalion in a respectable situation before the season is too far advanced.

In behalf of four companies, we are, with due respect, Mr. President and Gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

ISAAC STOUTENBURGH,
CHRISTOPHER BENSON,
JOHN LABOYTEAUX,    
JEREMIAH WOOL.        

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress, New-York.

WESTCHESTER (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee for Westchester, at the White Plains, on Thursday and Friday, the seventeenth and eighteenth days of August instant: The Committee divided the said County into Districts or Beats, agreeable to the directions of the Provincial Congress, for forming Militia and Minute Companies, and directed the members of the Committee, residing in each District or Beat, to advertise in some publick places, and to give personal notice to the inhabitants to meet, embody themselves, and choose their officers on next Thursday, and then entered into the following Resolutions, and agreed that the same be published, viz:

1. Resolved, That all persons who shall sell or buy any Tea in this County, and all boatmen and others who shall purchase Tea at New-York or elsewhere, out of the County, for the use of themselves or others residing in the County, after the twenty-fourth day of August instant, shall be considered and treated as contemners of the Resolutions of the Continental Congress and this Committee, and as inimical to the liberties of this Country.

2. Resolved, That it be recommended, and it is hereby recommended to the inhabitants of this County immediately to desist from Horse-racing and all kinds of gaming; and that persons who do not, shall be considered as foes to morality and good order, and to the prosperity of this Country, and be dealt with accordingly.

By order of the Committee:

GILBERT DRAKE, Chairman.

MAMACOTING (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE.

At a meeting of the Committee of the Precinct of Mamacóting, in Ulster County, agreeable to notice from the Chairman, on Thursday, the 17th August, 1775: The Committee taking into consideration the Provincial Congress’ Resolve of the eighth of this instant, concerning the purchasing or hiring of Arms, have resolved that each and every member of this Committee do make particular inquiry in their respective Districts, and endeavour to purchase or hire all the Arms fit for immediate service, and that they do return the same to Mr. William Rose, on or before the twentieth of this instant, who is appointed to deliver them to Colonel Clinton or his order.

Resolved secondly, That Jacob R. De Witt is chosen Captain of the Peinpack Company, agreeable to the Resolve of the Provincial Congress on the ninth of this instant; Abr’m Cuddeback, First Lieutenant, Robert Cook, Second Lieutenant, and Samuel King, Ensign; and that they be returned to the Provincial Congress accordingly.

By order of the Committee:

JOHN YOUNG, Chairman.

To the Provincial Congress at New-York, to the care of Colonel James Clinton.

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