For SUFFOLK, Abraham Brasher.
For DUTCHESS, Gilbert Livingston.
For WESTCHESTER, William Paulding, Lewis Graham.
For KING’S, Mr. Polhemus, Henry Williams.
For CUMBERLAND, Major Williams.
For TRYON, Isaac Sears.
For QUEEN’S, Jonathan Lawrence.
For RICHMOND, Richard Lawrence.

It being represented to this Committee, that Mr. William Becker, a citizen of this City, is confined in irons, on board the Asia, Ship-of-War,

Ordered, That Messrs. Roosevelt and Beekman wait on his Worship the Mayor, and request him to demand the immediate discharge of the said William Becker, and to assure Captain Vandeput, that unless such discharge be immediately made, this Committee will take proper measures for resenting the indignity offered to this City, and the injury done to one of its inhabitants.

This Committee being informed that Abraham Lawrence, of Queen’s County, was taken into custody some days ago, by some of the new levies, and is now confined in Jail, thereupon an order was made out to the Commanding Officer at the Upper Barracks, to cause the said Lawrence to be brought before this Committee.

A Letter from General Washington, dated at Cambridge, August 30th, requesting Ammunition, was read and filed.

David Hawley, Master of the Sloop Sally, and Aaron Jennings, Master of the Sloop Lady, who arrived here with their Vessels, laden from the Colony of Connecticut, bound for the West-Indies, finding it impracticable for them to proceed on their voyage, requested of this Committee a Passport for them and their Vessels to return to Connecticut.

Ordered, That Passports be given to the said Captains David Hawley and Aaron Jennings to return to the Colony of Connecticut with their Vessels, and that the Chairman do sign the same.

Abraham Lawrence, being brought to this Committee, was (after being reprimanded from the Chair) discharged.

A draught of a Letter to his Excellency General Washington, was read and approved of, and is in the words and figures following, to wit:

SIR: In the recess of the Provincial Congress, it is the duty of the Committee of Safety to answer your favour of the 30th ult., to our President. We perfectly agree with you, that the instances of collusion you mention are such instances of avarice, at such a time and in such a cause, as call for a severe scrutiny and exemplary punishment. Be assured, Sir, that we are vigilant for the discovery of such delinquents, and that those who may fall in our way will not escape their just deserts.

The gentleman who informed you of the arrival of a large quantity of powder, and five hundred stands of arms, perhaps did not know, that though they were landed on the east end of Long-Island, they were immediately transported to New-London, and did not belong to this Colony or any of its inhabitants. We have had, indeed, about thirty-six thousand weight of powder brought in, and before its arrival we had not a barrel in the Colony, except what was most sparingly distributed among the individuals. We deplore the situation of the Army under your command, and were our abilities equal to our wishes we should not fail to contribute to your immediate assistance and supply. We are heartily sorry that your poverty in the necessary article in question prevents you from availing yourself of the advantage of situation you have lately gained. But be assured, Sir, we have not powder enough for the necessary defence of this Colony, especially if any disaster should happen to General Schuyler, which would render it requisite to give additional strength and security to the northern parts of this Colony, the inhabitants of which, at this juncture, are most sparingly supplied with arms and ammunition. We shall immediately forward a copy of your letter to the Continental Congress, and write to them on the subject. The quantity of powder transported from Long-Island to New-London was eight tons, as we have been informed. Perhaps an application to that Colony might prove successful.

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

His Excellency General Washington.

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

A draught of a Letter to the Delegates of this Colony at the Continental Congress was read and approved.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the Chairman pro tem., and, together with a copy of the Letter from General Washington, to be transmitted.

A draught of a Certificate to Robert C. Livingston was read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit:

Robert C. Livingston, of this City, Esquire, several days ago informed this Committee of his intention to go to Britain for the recovery of his health, at present very much impaired. The Committee, firmly persuaded of his attachment to the liberties of this Country, approve of his intended voyage, wish him the restoration of his health, and a happy return to his native Country.

By order of the Committee.

Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed by the Chairman, and attested by the Secretaries, and delivered to Mr. Livingston.

The Committee adjourned till Monday afternoon, four o’clock.

Monday Afternoon, four o’clock, September 11, 1775.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment, but, for want of a sufficient number of Members, adjourned till tomorrow morning, at nine o’clock.

Tuesday Morning, nine o’clock, September 12, 1775.

The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present:

John Haring, Esquire, Chairman, and Commissioner for Orange County. For NEW-YORK, Colonel McDougall, Mr. Hallett, Mr. Beekman, Colonel Lispenard, John Van Cortlandt, Mr. Scott
For KING’S, Mr. Williams, Mr. Vanderbilt.
For QUEEN’S, Mr. Tom.
For DUTCHESS, Mr. Livingston.
For SUFFOLK, Mr. Foster.
For ULSTER, Mr. Roosevelt.
For TRYON, Mr. Sears.
For CUMBERLAND, Major Williams.

The Committee proceeded to the examination of the Letters and Papers of George Bethune, Esq., who is now at the door, in custody of the persons employed by this Committee to seize his person and papers, agreeable to the order of this Committee of the 8th instant.

A Letter from Robert Donkin, Aid-de-Camp, of the 8th of October, 1775, directed to Colonel Cleveland, was read. He thereby directs Mr. Bethune may have liberty to go into the South Battery and mark his own ten pieces of Cannon, and that they may be placed in such order as he shall direct.

A Letter from Jocelyn Felthausen, Lieutenant, Twenty-Sixth Regiment, to Samuel Waterhouse, Esq., was read and filed. He therein applies for the purchase of a Horse and Sulky, for Mr. Stephens, of Amboy.

A Letter of the 11th August last, from Mr. Brimmer to George Bethune, was read.

A Letter of the 19th August last, from the said George Brimmer to the said George Bethune, was read. He therein mentions that Bills are at fifteen per cent, discount, and that he will transmit him a Bill of Exchange.

A copy of a Letter from the said George Bethune to Mr. Samuel Waterhouse, of the 8th of July last, was read. He therein mentioned that he is well settled at Jamaica, and that the whole Country are remarkable for their attachment to good government.

A copy of a Letter from George Bethune, of the 10th July last, to Mr. Samuel Prince, mentioning several Bills of Exchange, and that he had sent a Bill to Billy Simpson, to be negotiated, was read.