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nearly as our present critical circumstances will permit, I trust will yield consequences in the event agreeable to those successful and happy times. A yearly sum of one shilling from every resident in America yields a moderate American revenue; I would, with much pleasure, pay above fifty times that sum annually, for this mode of procedure, or for any other constitutional voluntary plan toward the support of solid substantial Government. I am for the just thing. The whole British revenue raised there amounts to about eight millions yearly, in time of peace, nearly one-half of which is for interest money paid on the national debt. I am neither a placeman, pensioner, nor ministerial hireling; but ’tis this method of a revenue, or something analogous, that appears to me as the most eligible and only plan to settle the dispute upon a lasting foundation; and am really assiduous to promote a constitutional voluntary revenue, under good mercantile conditions, and for negotiating with the Crown immediately; the Crown to appoint Commissioners, to negotiate with Commissioners from the honourable the Continental Congress. S. SP. SKINNER. ABRAHAM LOTT TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. New-York, August 31, 1775. GENTLEMEN: This morning I have seen a printed resolution of the honourable Board, dated the 29th instant, by which I am permitted in future (agreeable to former directions) to supply His Majesty’s ships “on this station with all necessaries, as well fresh as salt; and that such supplies be sent by me to the Governour’s Island, to be taken from thence on board of the said ships.” In pursuance of which, I propose to write a letter to Captain Vandeput, informing him of the leave given by the honourable Board. But as the beer and water for the King’s ships have been supplied from Brookland Ferry, and not from this City, as these articles are put on board of the ships in large heavy butts, which require a number of hands to hoist them in and out of the boats, and cannot be obtained any where else with the same ease and convenience, and as the inhabitants at the ferry have no objection to the man-of-war’s boat coming there to take off those articles, I humbly pray the honourable Congress will be pleased, prior to my writing Captain Vandeput, to signify whether the man-of-war’s boats may be permitted to go to the ferry for beer and water, and whether I may assure him they will not be molested and hurt in going on that business. I hope I may be permitted to add, that if this liberty is not granted, it will be a difficult matter for the ships to water, as they cannot get it on the Governour’s Island; nor do I conceive how it will be in my power to supply them with beer in any other mode. I have the honour, with all due “deference to your superiour judgments, to be, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant, ABRAHAM LOTT. To the Honourable the Provincial Congress for the Colony of New-York, in Congress convened. P. S. Enclosed I send an account of what I have supplied and am to supply His Majesty’s Ship Asia with. New-York, August 31, 1775. Pursuant to the order of the honourable the Provincial Congress for the Colony of New-York of the 27th May, 1775, I have supplied His Majesty’s Ship Asia, between the 27th of July and 2d of August, with the following provisions, for her own use, viz: bread, 20,618 pounds; flour, 28 cwt. 3 qrs. 2 Ibs.; butter, 1,195 pounds; beer, have not got the brewer’s account, and thus cannot ascertain the quantity. I have lately received another order for—bread, 10,000 pounds; butter, 10 firkins; peas, 84 bushels; oatmeal, 84 bushels; which propose to supply in a few days. ABRAHAM LOTT. To the Hon. P. V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Provincial Congiess, New-York. SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. Suffolk County, August 31, 1775. GENTLEMEN: Your letter of the 25th of this instant we have received, wherein you recommend that we place two Companies of Minute-Men at Montauk, and one at or near Shelter-Island. There are no Companies of Minute-Men yet formed in this County, and, when formed, we are of opinion that such Companies cannot be prevailed on to be stationed at those places, as those persons at the east end of the County, who could be spared from their families, are already enlisted in the service of the Continent, and the western part of the County are unwilling that any person should go from them, on account of the danger of the enemy and the people in an adjacent County. We are exceeding sorry that we shall be unable to protect the stock at the east end from the ravages of our enemies when the Troops are all gone from us. The stock is taken from Gardiner’s and Plumb Islands. The hay on Gardiner’s Island we judge will be of no service to General Gage if they cannot get stock, as they took no more than just sufficient to keep the stock to Boston, and said they wanted no more. We beg leave to observe to you, that this County is under considerable disadvantages, on account of having no post that rides through Long-Island, and should be exceeding glad if a post might be established in such manner as your honourable House shall direct. We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servants. By order: WM. SMITH, Chairman. To the Hon. P. V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Provincial Congress, New-York. WESTCHESTER COUNTY COMMITTEE TO JOHN McKESSON. White-Plains, August 31, 1775. SIR: I enclose you a list of the officers in Westchester County, except for the Borough of Westchester Manor, of Fordham, and West-Farms, (made into one beat by the Committee of this County.) The members of the Committee from Westchester not having made any return of their officers, I am unable to furnish you with their names. Would be glad the commissions might be made out as soon as possible, and those for the middle and upper parts of the County sent to Micah Townsend, Esq., Clerk of the Committee, who will forward them to the officers. I am your most humble servant, GILBERT DRAKE, Chairman. To John McKesson, Esq., Secretary of the Provincial Congress. DUTCHESS COUNTY COMMITTEE TO THEIR DEPUTIES IN FROVINCIAL CONGRESS. Charlotte Precinct, August 31, 1775. GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the Committee to write to you respecting Messrs. Lester, Doughty, and Berghs. We have been credibly informed those persons have actually enlisted a number of men to serve against us in one way or another, and have threatened to come with an armed vessel and carry off some of the inhabitants who have been active in the present measures. They are now either in New-York or on board the man-of-war. We must therefore request you will use your utmost endeavours in discovering and apprehending them. We have also information that his son is employed in purchasing live stock for the use of the men of war. We would therefore recommend, that a vessel should be immediately procured for the purpose of searching all vessels going up and down the river. By this means not only the above supplies may be prevented from reaching the men of war, but the above persons may be the more readily apprehended. A particular lookout should be kept for the sloops belonging to the Berghs and one Dop. The propriety of the measure, however, we leave in your discretion. We would also mention to you, as a suspected person, one Lauchlin McDonald, who lately went from Fredericksburgh, with some men he had enlisted, in Peter Bogardus’s sloop, belonging to Fishkill. I am also directed by the Committee to request answers to the following queries, viz: Whether the Committees have power to call out the Minute Companies whenever they think proper? Whether we are authorized to engage the Minute-Men any and what pay, when in actual service? Whether the Committee can be supplied with a small sum, to answer contingent charges?
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