has not received many articles absolutely necessary for the service. The articles wanted have been forwarded from hence, and many of them so long since that we expected he had received them at Ticonderoga.

We pray you, Sir, to make inquiry whether they are not delayed at Lake George, or at some other place on their way from Albany, and to give such directions for their immediate despatch that they may not be detained at any place, but be forwarded without delay, that the service may not suffer, and the General be relieved from his anxiety for want of them.

We are, respectfully, Sir, your very humble servants.

By order.

To Walter Livingston, Esq., Deputy Commissary–General, Albany.

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

Die Martis, 9 ho. A. M., August 22, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened with prayers by the Rev. Dr. Livingston. Present:

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

Letter from Nicholas Herckheimer, Chairman of the Committee of Tryon, bearing date on the 12th instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Committee Chamber, August 12, 1775.

“COUNTY OF TRYON, ss.

“HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: As we are entirely without regulations for our Committees, and especially how to act against the transactions, either in words or deeds, of the enemies of the Association, and also against the transgressors of our orders either in military or civil matters, and also how the expenses necessary for the purpose of the common cause shall be defrayed, we apply therefore to you, and request for your instructions as soon as possible, that we may be able to proceed, with authority, to the preservation of peace and union in the common cause, as need requires; otherwise disputes and other disturbances might soon exist.

“We remain, with great esteem, and relying on your despatching favour, honourable Gentlemen, your obedient humble servants. By order of the Committee:

“NICHOLAS HERCKHEIMER, Chairman pro tem.”

Resolved and Ordered, That Mr. Van Zandt and Mr. Sears, the Committee authorized to employ two prime sailing Boats to go to the eastward to observe and make discoveries if any Fleet should be approaching New-York, be authorized, and that either of them be authorized, at the risk and on the behalf of this Congress, to ensure the said two Boats against any seizures by Men-of-War or otherwise: Provided, Such Boats, or either of them, be seized without having any contraband goods on board; and to agree with the master of each such Boat, at the rate of three Pounds per day.

The Congress being informed that Colonel Edward Flemming and Captain Anthony Rutgers cannot attend as Commissioners, to manage erecting and finishing the Fortifications ordered to be erected on the banks of the Hudson River, in the Highlands,

Resolved and Ordered, That Captain Samuel Bayard and Captain William Bedlow be, and they are hereby appointed Commissioners for that purpose, instead of Colonel Edward Flemming and Captain Anthony Rutgers, with the like powers as the other Commissioners.

Mr. Sears then moved, and was seconded by Major Williams, in the words following, to wit:

I move that the Committee appointed to superintend the building of the Forts in the Highlands be authorized to procure such Cannon and other Stores as may be necessary for completely fortifying and equipping the said Forts.

And the same being unanimously agreed to,

Resolved and Ordered, nem. con., That the Committee appointed to superintend the building of the Forts in the Highlands be authorized to procure such Cannon and other Stores as may be necessary for completely fortifying and equipping the said Forts.

Mr. Low then moved, and was seconded by Mr. Coven-hoven, in the words following, to wit:

I move that the sense of this Congress be taken, whether the Cannon on the Battery of this City are understood to be comprehended in the Resolution just made, authorizing the Committee to procure Cannon for the Fortifications on Hudson’s River. And the question being put thereon, it was determined in the affirmative, in the manner following, to wit:

Resolved, therefore, That it is the sense of this Congress that the Cannon on the Battery of this City are understood to be comprehended in the Resolution just made, authorizing the Committee to procure Cannon for the Fortifications to be erected on the banks of Hudson’s River, in the Highlands.

A Letter from Captain John Lamb, dated this day, soliciting this Congress to ascertain the pay of the Artillery Company under his command, was read and filed.

Agreed and Ordered, That the Artillery Company raised in this Colony, as part of the Continental Army, and enlisted under Captain John Lamb, shall have such pay as the Continental Congress shall agree to and order, and that in the mean time Captain Lamb’s Company shall have the like pay as the Rhode-Island Company of Artillery are allowed, until the Continental Congress shall have fixed and ascertained the pay of Captain Lamb’s Company.

And Ordered, That Captain John Lamb and his Company be considered as an additional Company to, and a part of Colonel McDougall’s Regiment, and subject to his commands.

Whereas the well ordering and regulating the Militia of this Colony is become an object of the greatest importance to the preservation of the lives and liberties of its Inhabitants: And whereas the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May last, taking into consideration the necessity of such a regulation, have recommended the same to the Inhabitants of the aforesaid Colonies: And whereas this Congress, on the ninth day of this instant August, by several Resolutions, recommended to their constituents the expediency of forming themselves into Companies, and choosing their Officers, in the manner following, viz:

Resolved, That every County, City, Manor, Town, Precinct, and District, within this Colony, where the same is not already done, be divided into Districts or Beats, by their respective Committees, in such manner that out of each may be formed one Military Company, ordinarily to consist of about eighty-three able-bodied and effective men, officers included, between sixteen and sixty years of age, (the Battalion commanded by Colonel Lasher, the Companies of Artillery, Light-Horse, and Hussars, in the City and County of New-York, and the Troops of Horse, Companies of Grenadiers and associated Companies already formed in the several Cities and Counties within this Colony, excepted.)

Resolved, secondly, That in each Company so to be formed there be chosen, in the manner hereinafter mentioned, one Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Clerk, one Drummer, and one Fifer.

Resolved, thirdly, That two Committee-Men, at the least, attend in each District or Beat, on a day to be appointed, for the purpose of choosing the abovementioned Officers, who shall be persons within such District or Beat who have signed the General Association recommended by this Congress. That such choice of Election be made in the manner following, viz: After the Company is drawn up, the Committee-Men who preside at the Election may repair to a station at some convenient distance from the Company, then let the men pass in a single file between them, each man giving in the name of the person he chooses to fill the office in question; the majority of such votes to determine the Election. But in case the votes