between the several Companies, for the abovementioned use.

13th. That the Members of His Majesty’s Council, Judges of the Supreme Court, of the Vice-Admiralty Court, of the Mayor’s Court and Inferiour Courts of Common Pleas, His Majesty’s Attorney-General, Secretary of the Province, or his Deputy, Clerks of the Courts, the Collector, Comptroller, Naval Officer, and Searcher and Surveyor of His Majesty’s Customs, Ministers of the Gospel, Physicians and Surgeons, Members of the Continental Congress and of the Provincial Congress, and the several Committees while immediately engaged in the publick service, Sheriffs, Jailors, all Ferrymen, one Miller to each Mill, and the People called Quakers, be excused from military duty, except in cases of invasion. And that in case of an invasion in any part of this Colony, the Physicians and Surgeons there, or such of them as shall be directed by the Officer commanding the Militia that shall march to oppose the enemy, shall attend with proper Medicines, Instruments, and other necessaries, to take care of the sick and wounded.

14th. That the Commissioned Officers of each Company of Minute-Men form their Companies into four subdivisions, in such manner as they shall think most convenient for their frequent meetings. The subdivisions, under their respective officers, to meet once in every week, and to employ half a day, or at least four hours, each time, in perfecting themselves in military discipline; the whole Companies to meet once every fortnight, to spend the same time for the same purpose. That the several Companies of Minute-Men be formed into Regiments, to consist of about seven Companies each. That there be commissioned by this Congress, to each Regiment, one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, and two Majors, an Adjutant and Quartermaster.

15th. That those Regiments be formed into Brigades, each Brigade to consist of about …. Regiments. That there be commissioned by this Congress, to each Brigade, one Brigadier-General and a Major of Brigade.

16th. That the whole body of Minute-Men shall be under the direction of the Major-General appointed by this Congress, while within the Colony, unless a Continental Officer of superiour or equal rank be present.

17th. That the Minute-Men, when called out in defence of their Country, shall be subject to the Articles of War established by the Continental Congress, and be entitled to the same allowance, as to Pay and Provisions, with the Continental Forces; to be under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief of those Forces.

18th. That they be subject to the like penalties and forfeitures, for not attending on the days appointed for exercise, as abovementioned; the said fines to be levied and applied as above directed.

19th. That in case of any alarm, invasion, or insurrection, every Subaltern and Soldier is immediately to repair, properly armed and accoutred, to his colours or parade, (which parade shall be understood to be the habitation of his Captain, unless otherwise ordered,) and the Captain or Commanding Officer of the Company nearest to the place where such invasion or insurrection shall be shall immediately march his Company to oppose the enemy; at the same time send off an express to the Commanding Officer of the Regiment or Brigade to which he belongs, who is to march with the whole or part of the Militia under his command, as he shall judge necessary, and use all possible diligence to prevent the enemy from landing, or penetrating into any part of the country, and to quell every insurrection; and also to send immediate intelligence to the Major-General, and to the Commanding Officers of the Counties adjacent, informing them of the strength and motions of the enemy. That every Non-Commissioned Officer and Private who shall neglect or refuse to perform his duty in this case required, shall be subject to such pains, penalties, and forfeitures, as shall be adjudged by a General Court-Martial.

20th. That at least twice in every year the Captains, or in their absence the next commanding officer of every Company of Militia, as well of the Minute-Men as others, shall deliver to the Colonel of the Regiment a true and complete Roll, containing the names of all the men belonging to his Company, under the penalty of two Pounds, to be recovered and applied as is hereinbefore directed. And the Colonels of the Regiments shall, within one month after the receipt of every such Roll, deliver or send a copy of every such Roll to the Brigadier-General of the Brigade to which he belongs, who is directed to send the same, or a copy, to the Major-General of the Colony.

21st. That in case of an alarm or invasion, the Officer commanding in each District shall have a proper detachment of his Company to guard against the insurrection of slaves; or, if judged more expedient and safe, may take the slaves, or part of them, with him, and employ them in carrying baggage, drawing cannon, or the like.

22d. That all persons, as well Minute-Men as others, able to bear arms, who shall leave or attempt to leave a place actually invaded, without leave of the Officer commanding such place, or who shall refuse to obey orders in time of actual invasion or insurrection, shall be liable to such punishment as shall be inflicted by a Court-Martial.

23d. That in case it shall be judged necessary, at anytime and place, by this Congress, by the Committee of Safety, or by the several Committees of the respective Counties or Districts, that a Military Watch be established, all persons able to bear arms when such watch is judged to be necessary, shall, upon due warning, be obliged to serve on such watch, under the penalty of twelve Shillings for every neglect; a commissioned officer in turn to mount said guard in person, under the penalty of forty Shillings.

24th. That every Sentinel who shall leave his post, or be found asleep when he is posted, shall be liable to such punishment as shall be inflicted by a Court-Martial.

25th. That when the Militia, as well Minute-Men as others, in case of invasion or insurrection, shall be called out on actual service, they shall be subject to the same Rules and Orders as directed and ordered by the Continental Congress of the Associated Colonies, held at Philadelphia on the tenth day of May last, for the better government of the Continental Troops.

Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., August 23, 1775.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Moore. Present:

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

Messrs. Joseph Hallett and Egbert Dumond being returned from Philadelphia with One Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars of the Continental Money,

Ordered, That the same be delivered to Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer for this Congress.

And Ordered, That Messrs. Richard Yates and Abraham Brasher be added to the former Committee for auditing Accounts.

And Ordered, further, That Messrs. Jacobus Van Zandt, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, and Abraham Brasher, or any majority of them, audit all Accounts which are or shall be payable, or produced for payment in this Colony, for any charges or disbursements accrued, or by means or on account of the United Colonies, or by means or on account of any order of this Congress; and that they, or a majority of them, do certify, on every Account by them audited, how much shall be paid on or for such Account.

And Resolved and Ordered, further, That Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., as Treasurer, be authorized to pay and discharge, on all such Accounts so audited, such sum or sums as shall be certified by the said Committee, or a major part of them, to be due and payable on or for such Accounts.

Messrs. Abraham Ten Broeck, Jacob Cuyler, and Robert Yates, Deputies for the City and County of Albany, produced a Certificate from the Committee of the City of Albany, which is in the words following, to wit:

“Albany Committee Chamber, August 16, 1775.

“Whereas the endeavours of this Committee, in collecting the accounts and charges of this County, chiefly accrued by the recommendation of this Committee, have as yet proved ineffectual, and sundry people are daily very pressing for their money,

“Be it Resolved, by this Committee, immediately to apply to the Provincial Congress, by Draft, for One Thousand Pounds, to enable them to discharge such of their