Ordered, That a Letter be wrote to the Hon. Robert R. Livingston, Esq., requesting that all the Gunpowder now at the Powder Mill at Rhinebeck be sent to Walter Livingston, Esq., Deputy Commissary-General at Albany, to be by him forwarded to General Schuyler, at Ticonderoga, or his order, agreeable to General Schuyler’s request.

A Letter from Mr. Ethan Allen, bearing date at Ticonderoga, on the 20th July, ultimo, was read and filed. He thereby assures the Congress that he will use his influence to promote a reconciliation between this Government and its former discontented subjects on the New-Hampshire Grants.

A Letter from Angus McDonald, bearing date at Fair-field, on the 11th instant, directed to any Printer, and complaining of ill treatment by one of the Riflemen, was read and filed.

A Memorial of Captain Jacobus Wynkoop, dated this day, alleging that, considering his age and former services, he conceives himself aggrieved in his rank and situation in the Troops now raised in this Colony, was read and filed.

A Letter from Captain Henry B. Livingston, bearing date the 10th instant, informing that the Soldiers in his Company are dissatisfied because they are not allowed Underclothes, was read and filed.

A Letter of William Duer, Esq., bearing date this day, was read and filed. He thereby expresses his respect and gratitude for the confidence this Congress placed in his zeal for the publick service, in appointing him Deputy Adjutant-General, and requesting an indulgence of three days, to determine whether his connection with his brothers in Dominica will admit of his accepting the commission, without risking their fortune by his political conduct.

A Letter from General Montgomery, of the 10th instant, was read and filed. He thereby requests that each of the Provincial Troops sent forward to Ticonderoga may be furnished with Gunpowder, at the rate of a quarter of a pound per man.

Two copies of the Association, signed by the Inhabitants of Amenia Precinct, in Dutchess County, were returned and filed.

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

Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., August 16, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. No prayers. Present:

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

A Muster-Roll or Return of Goose Van Schaick’s Regiment, signed by Colonel Van Schaick, was read and filed.

A Letter from Johannes Sleght, Esq., Chairman of the Committee at Kingston, to the Deputies of Ulster County, bearing date the 14th instant, was read and filed. He thereby informs, that the Soldiers raised in that part of the County have been promised by their Officers to have a Drilling Waistcoat and Breeches, two Shirts, two pair of Hose, a pair of Shoes, and a Hat; that the Soldiers are now dissatisfied and uneasy, and refuse to march before they receive what was promised to them, and requests directions by the return of the Messenger.

A draught of an Answer to Johannes Sleght, Esq., was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

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

SIR: The Delegates from your County laid before the Congress a letter from you, dated the 14th instant, informing them that dissatisfaction has arisen among the soldiers raised among you, on account of their not receiving jackets, breeches, &c., over and above their monthly pay, as you say their officers promised them. In answer to which, the Congress inform you that the officers had no authority from them to make any such promises, and that they have resolved to furnish them with no other part of their clothing than a coat, which is at the particular expense of this Colony, and is more than any others of the Continental Troops are allowed. Four Companies of the New-York Regiment have already proceeded to Ticonderoga, and three more will proceed in a day or two, who were furnished with only a coat at the publick expense. You will be pleased, therefore, to direct the officers to proceed with their Troops to Albany with all possible speed, as no further allowance for clothing will be made.

We are, Sir, your very humble servants. By order.

To Johannes Sleght, Esq., Chairman of the Committee at Kingston.

P. S. A blanket is allowed to each soldier, at Continental charge.

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

A draught of a Letter to the Hon. Benjamin Franklin, Esq., and the other Members of the Committee of Secrecy, at Philadelphia, was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

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

SIR: It is with reluctance that we make the present application, but being disappointed in the arrival of a vessel which we had despatched about three months since for a supply of gunpowder, and having freely exhausted our small stock for the Continental service, we now find ourselves necessitated to ask some immediate assistance from you. We have supplied the Continental camp before Boston with sixteen hundred and fifty-five pounds of powder, and Ticonderoga with three hundred pounds, and have been obliged to send to the east end of Long-Island all that we could procure in this City, so that we now remain perfectly destitute. We must therefore entreat that you would oblige us with the loan of about one ton of gunpowder, or as much more as you conveniently can spare; we shall take care to replace it from the first we shall receive.

The present exigency of this Colony, we make no doubt, will induce your immediate compliance with the above request, and we therefore only further add our desire that the powder may be sent with all despatch to the care of the Committee at Newark.

By order.

The Hon. Benjamin Franklin and the other Gentlemen, Members of the Committee of Safety or Secrecy, at Philadelphia.

P. S. We beg that the powder to be sent may be put up in tight casks.

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

Mr. Bedford Williams, of Philadelphia, having sent into Congress several Credentials, certifying his having attended Lectures in Physick and Surgery,

Ordered, That Mr. Bedford Williams be appointed Surgeon’s Mate to the Second Regiment of the Troops now raised in this Colony, if a Surgeon’s Mate is not already appointed to that Regiment, subject to the general order of this House for the examination of all Surgeons and their Mates, by Dr. John Jones and Dr. Bard.

Ordered, That the several Companies of the Troops of this Colony raised in Suffolk County proceed to Ticonderoga, with all possible despatch, to join the Continental Army under the command of Major-General Schuyler.

Queen’s County dissents.

A draught of a Letter to General Wooster was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

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

SIR: It being absolutely necessary that the Troops levied on Long-Island march immediately to join General Schuyler, and as it is probable future attempts will be made, by order of General Gage, to take the live stock from the east end of Long-Island and the islands near it, it is conceived by the Congress, that to prevent such depredations, it is proper that you should continue there with your Troops till further order, which you are hereby desired to do accordingly.

We are, Sir, your most obedient humble servants. By order.

General Wooster.

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