“Camp at Cambridge, August 8, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: It must give great concern to every considerate mind, that when this whole Continent, at a vast expense of blood and treasure, is endeavouring to establish its liberties on the most secure and solid foundations, not only by a laudable opposition of force to force, but denying itself the usual advantages of trade, there are men among us so basely sordid as to counteract all our exertions, for the sake of a little gain. You cannot but have heard that the distresses of the Ministerial Troops, for fresh provisions and many other necessaries, at Boston, were very great. It is a policy justifiable by all the laws of war to endeavour to increase them. Desertions, discouragement, and a dissatisfaction with the service, besides weakening their strength, are some of the natural consequences of such a situation, and, if continued, might afford the fairest hope of success, without further effusion of human blood.

“A vessel cleared lately out of New-York, for St. Croix, with fresh provisions and other articles, has just gone into Boston, instead of pursuing her voyage to the West–Indies. I have endeavoured to discover the name of the captain or owner, but as yet without success. The owner, it is said, went to St. Croix before the vessel, from which, and her late arrival, I make no doubt you will be able to discover and expose the villain. And if you could fall upon some effectual measure to prevent the like in future, it would be doing a signal service to our common country.

“I have been endeavouring, by every means in my power, to discover the future intentions of our enemy here. I find a general idea prevailing through the Army, and in the Town of Boston, that the Troops are soon to leave the Town, and go to some other part of the Continent. New-York is the place generally mentioned as their destination. I should think a rumour or suggestion of this kind worthy of very little notice, if it was not confirmed by some corresponding circumstances. But a four weeks’ total inactivity, with all their re-enforcements arrived and recruited, the daily diminution by desertions, sickness, and small skirmishes, induce an opinion that any effort they propose to make will be directed elsewhere. I thought it proper just to hint to you what is probably intended. You will then consider what regard is to be paid to it, and what steps will be proper for you to take, if any.

“I am, with great respect and regard, Gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

“The Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Province of New-York.”

Resolved and Ordered, That the paragraph of General. Washington’s Letter relative to a Vessel that arrived at Boston with fresh Provisions and other articles, supposed to be from New-York, be sent to the General Committee of New-York; and that they be directed to make inquiry whether the said Vessel did sail from hence, and who are the owners and master of the said Vessel, and report the result thereof to this Congress.

Resolved, That no Cattle, Sheep, Poultry, or Live Stock of any kind, except Horses, be exported from this Colony, (save only such Ship Stores for which the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Committee at the Port or place from whence any Vessel may sail shall give permission,) until it shall be otherwise ordered by this or the Continental Congress. And the Committees of the Cities, Counties, Towns, and Precincts, in this Colony, are hereby strictly enjoined to cause this Resolution to be complied with and obeyed within their respective Districts.

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

Mr. John Carter, lately from Boston, being requested, attended in Congress. Short notes of his information were taken by one of the Secretaries, and being read to the said John Carter, and by him acknowledged to be truly taken, were filed.

A draught of a Letter to the Committee of Philadelphia was read, and filed, and is in the words following, to Wit:

In Povincial Congress, New-York, August 19, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We enclose you short notes of information we received of Mr. John Carter, who left Boston a few days since. Mr. Carter will speedily be at Philadelphia, and can give you more fully and particularly the information we received of him.

You will, no doubt, gentlemen, make such inquiries as to discover whether the owners of the Ship Sally, as well as of Mr. White’s Schooner, did not ship their respective cargoes with design to supply the Ministerial Fleet and Army at Boston, which there is but too much reason to suspect.

We are, most respectfully, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants.

Ordered, That a copy of the above Letter be engrossed, and signed by the President, and, together with a copy of the notes of the examination of Mr. John Carter, as far as relates to the Ship Sally and White’s Brigantine, be transmitted to the Committee of the City of Philadelphia.

Die Lunæ, 9 ho. A. M., August 21, 1775.

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

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

Ordered, That Colonel Lispenard, Mr. Sears, Mr. Thomas Smith, and Mr. Robert Yates, be a Committee to examine Captain Lawrence. That the said Committee have power to discharge and liberate Captain Lawrence, if they think proper. That they take with them the Letters found with Captain Lawrence, and that they make report to this Congress.

A Letter from General Schuyler was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Ticonderoga, August 15, 1775.

“GENTLEMEN: Yesterday I was favoured with a line from Mr. Francis Lewis, dated Philadelphia, the 2d August. He advises me that Congress was adjourned, and that in future I was to address myself to you. That he had received several of my letters to the Continental Congress, which he would lay before you. But as he does not mention of what date, I suppose there are none later than the 27th ult., and that the subsequent ones, of the 28th and 3lst ult., 2d and 6th instant, had not come to hand, copies of the two first of which I enclose you, with copies of such of the papers alluded to as may be of consequence, lest those letters should not be delivered you.

“Since my last, Major Brown is returned from Canada; he did not complete my wishes; enclosed you have his reports. I cannot learn that either the regular Troops or Indians have been further south than the latitude 45º. I suppose they are apprehensive of an attack. Captain Smith fell in with an officer, sergeant, and ten Indians; he wished to speak to them, but they retired to their boats, and on his approach they fired three volleys, but did not kill or wound any one.

“I shall soon have boats sufficient to move what men I am likely to have here, and therefore wish that any of the articles requested in my estimate, and which have not yet been sent, together with such as I have subsequently applied for, may be immediately forwarded to me. Cartridge paper, and the various articles necessary in the artillery branch, except guns, I have none of; and as I cannot make a substitute for any, I wish that not one moment‘s delay may be made in sending those from New-York, with orders that they may not be detained at any place.

“I am, Gentlemen, with great respect and esteem, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

“To the New-York Provincial Congress.”

Nos. 1, 2, and 3, copies of Letters from General Schuyler to the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., were read and filed.

A copy of the Report of Captain James Smith was read and filed.

No. 4, a copy of a Letter of the 6th of August, from General Schuyler to the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., was read and filed.

Copy of the Report of Major Brown was read and filed.

Copy of the Affidavit of John Duguid was read and filed.

The Affidavit of John Shatforth was also read and filed.

The Report of James Stewart was read and filed.

A copy of the Affidavit of Benjamin Davis was read and filed.