received a package of letters from Evans, directed to Gov. Tryon, and that Evans told him they were letters he had received from Gen. Robinson, which he delivered on board the Asia, man-of-war. That this examinant is willing to declare, on oath, that he has at no time carried any provisions, other than his own stores for the use of the vessel, from this or any other port to Boston, though he has had opportunities to do it, except seven sheep, which were put on board of him by Montague at the Hook.

MELANCTON LAWRENCE.

A Letter from Dr. J. Mallett to Mr. William Allmon, of the 18th July, was read and filed.

A Letter from Col. Robertson to Capt. Montague, of the 20th of July, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

“Boston, July 20, 1775.

“DEAR SIR: Two turtles at a time, when a bit of beef or mutton is a rare feast, command my gratitude; but let me assure you I enjoyed the reflection that I owed them to your friendly regard far above the relish of a well-dressed dish.

“Your health was drunk by a company whose good wishes you would value. I wish I could send you any thing in return that would be grateful to you. The state of poor Parsons’s health affords nothing of this kind; he is very weak, in much pain, and great danger indeed; the heat of the season and the want of fresh provision made many officers’ cases, though judged slight, dangerous.

“It would not be proper to put in writing my sentiments about the state of the war or the mode of carrying this on. I may say, however, the enemy are multiplying immense works, all round this country; every hill has Gothick fortifications, like those in the west of England, With these they seem to intend to shut up every access from this place. All their works, except those they began on Bunker’s Hill, have been of the defensive kind. So far they seem sensible that they will be ruined if they give us an opportunity of charging them with bayonets in a fair field. Numbers can’t save them; behind works and walls they may kill ten men, and then fly, and this repeated often would make a dozen victories equal to a defeat.

“I send you some letters that have passed. If you were Admiral here, land and sea would be on better terms, the Town better supplied, and convoys better guarded. The Yankees have brought about fifty whale boats over Dorchester Neck, by Roxbury Church, and put them in the water near Charlestown River; with fourteen others they landed on Thursday, and burnt the Light-House; and, it being’ calm, afterwards set fire to some fishing boats; and all this in open day, in sight of our fleet. The Congress edicts direct the people in all the Colonies to refuse us supplies; the Committees enforce the edicts with attention and severity. To prevent our suffering by want of fuel and barrack bedding, I sent Mr. Page to London, to purchase and send out these necessary articles. Even candles are ordered from home; we are distressed a little by a scarcity of these already. I have in Sergeant Bowden’s care one hundred and forty boxes; if you could get these on board, under the pretence of your ship’s service, and then give them to Capt. Evans, who commands the Spy, armed vessel, and will be the bearer of this, you would oblige me, and, what you value more, serve the publick, by saving it from a double loss, as these candles may not only be lost to us, but be taken for the use of the rebels; however, if moving them would endanger the quiet of the Town, or be productive of a riot, it is not an object deserving such a risk. Mr. Page returns from London as soon as he can finish the business he goes on; his address will be to the care of James . . . . . . . ., Parliament Street. He will be here in October, and he would be happy to direct his attention to any commands you may give him.

“I am, with much regard, ever, dear Sir, your obliged and obedient servant,

JAMES ROBERTSON,

“To Captain Montague, Commanding his Majesty’s Ship Kingfisher, New-York.

“P. S. I wish poor Mrs. Arry and Betsey well; bid them have patience; her civility will make her friends, and times may soon mend.”

Ordered, That Colonel McDougall and Mr. Sears take into custody . . . . . Bowden, and send him in custody to this Congress to-morrow; and that they take and carry away all the Candles in the store adjoining to Bowden’s House, and other Stores mentioned in Colonel Robertson’s and Mr. Mallett’s Letters.

A Letter from Thomas Ash, at Boston, of July 23, to John Shaw, of New-York, Merchant, was read and filed.

Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., August 25, 1775.

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

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

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to examine Captain Melancton Lawrence have power to take such security of him as they shall think proper, and also to take his declaration that he will not enter again into the Ministerial service, and discharge him.

A draught of a Letter to the Committee of each Town from hence to Cambridge, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

In Provincial Congress, New-York, August 25, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: This will be produced to you by the Captains Willing and Wharton, who have the charge of three prisoners and two servants taken at Philadelphia; and as they may want carriages or other assistance to transport them to the camp at Cambridge, we therefore request you to give them such aid as they shall judge necessary to execute the command with which they are now intrusted, they paying for the same. By order.

To the Committee in each Town from New-York to the Camp at Cambridge.

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

The Committee to take into consideration the state of the Stock on Gardiner’s Island and Montauk Point, delivered in their Report, which was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:

Your Committee do report that a Letter of the following contents be sent to the General Committee of the County of Suffolk;

In Provincial Congress, New-York, August 25, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We are fully sensible of the necessity of providing against the future depredations of the Ministerial Army, and we see the danger of your defenceless condition, after the removal of the Companies raised in your County. We do therefore earnestly recommend that you immediately form the Militia of your County into Companies, agreeable to the late regulations of the Continental and this Congress, and that you place two Companies of Minute-Men, or any less number, which you may think sufficient, at or near the pass by the little pond near Montauk, and one other Company, if you think so many necessary, at or near Shelter-Island, with directions to them, upon the discovery of any vessels which may be suspected to have a design against you, immediately to drive the cattle from Montauk-Point and Shelter-Island into the interiour part of your island. The disposition of guards, signals, the manner of driving off the cattle, and to what place of security, we must leave entirely to your directions and care.

The Minute-Men, while in actual service, are entitled to the same pay with the Continental Troops, which will be an inducement to them to undertake this necessary service. The repeated orders from General Schuyler, for the march of the Troops raised in this Colony, makes it absolutely necessary that the Companies raised in your County should immediately march. We will, however, venture to recommend their stay ten days from the date hereof, at the most, to give you an opportunity in the mean while to complete the Companies of Minute-Men.

We do also recommend to you that you remove from Gardiner’s Island the English hay.

By order:

To William Smith, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of Suffolk County.

Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter be engrossed, and signed by the President, and transmitted.